Responding to the arrest and charges of makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) against four political activists who are members of the Federal Republic of West Papua (NFRPB) by the Sorong city police and the loss of civilian lives due to armed conflict in Intan Jaya regency, Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena, said:
"The criminalisation of the four Papuan political activists shows that the state continues to repress the right to freedom of expression, opinion and assembly of indigenous Papuans. They were arrested simply for peacefully conveying their political aspirations by visiting West Papua government offices without the use of violence.
Peaceful expression is guaranteed by the Constitution and is not a criminal act. Peaceful political aspirations are also not hate speech as alleged by the police. Law enforcement officials have again used charges of treason to silence Papuans' political expression, even though they should understand that such expression is part of human rights and is protected by Article 28E of the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945).
The police in Sorong City must immediately and unconditionally release the four suspects. No citizens, including indigenous Papuans, can be allowed to be criminalised just for expressing opinions or making legitimate political demands, including voicing disappointment with the state regarding conflicts in their region.
Furthermore, we also condemn the loss of life and injuries to civilians, as well as the hundreds of people that have been displaced, after an operation carried out by security forces in Intan Jaya on May 13. There must be a thorough investigation into the loss of civilian lives during this incident. Likewise, there must be a sharp reflection on the placement of security forces in Papua which has so far resulted in casualties, both indigenous Papuans, non-Papuans, and the security forces themselves."
Background
On May 5, the Sorong City District Police Chief in Southwest Papua province announced that four people with the initials AGG, PR, MS and NM had been arrested and charged with makar. The four are known to be leading members of the NFRPB.
Media reports said that on April 14 the suspects allegedly visited the Sorong City mayor's office, the South-West Papua governor's office, the South-West Papua Papua People's Council (MRP) offices, the South-West Papua Regional Police Air and Water Police Directorate and the Sorong City District Police to deliver a letter from the NRFPB president regarding an invitation to peace talks. During the visit, they also allegedly called for "Papuan independence".
The police have also questioned five witnesses and secured 18 documents related to the NFRPB organisation, including uniforms similar to the police and military, as well as the identity of the organisation's membership.
The four suspects have been charged under the makar and hate speech articles, namely Article 106 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Article 187 of the KUHP in conjunction with Article 53 paragraph (1) of the KUHP and/or Article 45 Letter A paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1/2024 on the Second Amendment to Law Number 11/2024 on Information and Electronic Transaction (ITE Law) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 1 and/or in conjunction with Article 56 paragraph (1) to 1 of the KUHP. Under these articles, the suspects face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison or even life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, regarding the latest violence in Papua, the Communion of Indonesian Churches (PGI) received a report from the Kemah Injil Church that a military operation took place in the early hours of Tuesday May 13 in three villages in Intan Jaya regency, Central Papua province. The military operation is said to have targeted civilian settlements and resulted in fatalities and injuries among residents.
At least three civilians were reported to have died. In addition, a seven-year-old child and an adult woman suffered injuries from shrapnel. Then as many as 950 congregation members from 13 churches were reported to have fled shortly after the shooting.
Amnesty International does not take any position on the political status of any province in Indonesia, including their calls for independence. However, in our opinion, freedom of expression includes the right to peacefully express one's political views or solutions.
- Four Papuan pro-independence activists arrested on charges of treason. Detik Sulsel – April 28, 2025
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Bebaskan empat aktivis politik Papua di Sorong yang ditangkap atas tuduhan makar".]
