Jayapura – The trial of four Papuan political prisoners (tapol) at the Makassar District Court in South Sulawesi has been sharply criticised by the West Papua National Committee's (KNPB) Indonesian Consulate in the Makassar region.

The four political prisoners (tapol) from the group the Federal Republic of West Papua (NFRPB) who are being tried are Abraham Goram Gaman, Maksi Sangkek, Nikson May (Nikson Mai) and Piter Robaha.

"We strongly condemn the political criminalisation of the four NPRPB tapols. They must be released unconditionally. And stop the terror against the families of the four Papuan tapols", said Niswan Wanimbo, the chairperson of the KNPB Indonesian Consulate in Makassar in a written statement on Saturday November 1.

It was emphasised that it is inappropriate for the four NFRPB tapols to stand trial. "The KNPB demands the immediate and unconditional release of the four Papuan tapols. The KNPB also urges that the trial postponement be lifted, bearing in mind the condition of the prisoners".

The Makassar KNPB also criticised the Makassar District Court (PN) judges and the Public Prosecutor (JPU). "The KNPB believes that the panel of judges at the Makassar PN and the JPU have used the legal process as a political tool, as demonstrated by the deliberate delays. We view the trial delays as a human rights violation", said Wanimbo.

According to the KNPB, the practice of protracted hearing postponements is an act of obstructing the legal process, and also clearly violates the human rights of the political prisoners, especially considering their physical and mental condition while in detention.

"We demand that the judges and the JPU immediately stop the practice of postponing hearings, especially considering the worsening condition of the four political prisoners. This delay is a cruel tactic that physically and psychologically tortures the prisoners. Delayed justice is a systemic crime of criminalisation", asserted Wanimbo.

The KNPB also rejected the prosecutor's grounds for the indictment. The alleged activities, such as distributing "letters of peace" and voicing political aspirations, were manifestations of political rights.

"The JPU has become a mouthpiece for criminalisation. The charges they filed are a direct attack on the political rights of the Papuan people. The prosecutors must withdraw the charges and admit that they have criminalised democratic rights", he asserted.

Regarding the terror and intimidation of the political prisoners' families, the KNPB stated that the actions of these unscrupulous individuals are considered immoral.

"The KNPB strongly condemns and demands an immediate end to all forms of terror and intimidation reportedly targeting the families of the four NFRPB tapols. This attack on the families of these tapols is an immoral act aimed at stifling solidarity. The KNPB along with Papuan students, solidarity [groups] and pro-dem individuals, affirms that they will continue to provide protection and assistance to the victims' families", he asserted.

Therefore, the KNPB Indonesian Consulate states that justice can only be upheld by fulfilling the demand for the unconditional release of the four NFRPB political prisoners. "Release the four tapols immediately because they are political prisoners, not criminals", he reiterated.

Aside from this, they demanded that there be no more hearing postponements so that the trial is concluded immediately, taking into account the physical and mental health of the four political prisoners. "The security forces [must] guarantee full security for the families of the tapols. The perpetrators of the terror must be thoroughly investigated", he said firmly.

The Makassar District Court was also reminded to stop using the makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) articles to indict and silence the voices of truth fought for by Papuan activists regarding the social and political conditions in the land of Papua.

"The prolonged conflict to this point requires us to see that the struggle of the four NFRPB tapols is not a violation of law and democracy. Their struggle represents the Papuan people's [desire] to resolve the ongoing conflict in the land of Papua", he asserted.

If the Papuan students' demands are not heard, the KNPB is ready to mobilise the masses continuously to put pressure on the Makassar District Court until all their demands are met.

Notes

The name of NFRPB member Nikson May is also spelt "Nikson Mai" (the most common spelling), "Nixon Maay" and "Nikson Mau" variably depending on the source.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "KNPB Soroti Persidangan 4 Tapol Papua di PN Makassar".]

Source: https://suarapapua.com/2025/11/02/knpb-soroti-persidangan-4-tapol-papua-di-pn-makassar/