INDONESIA: GOVERNMENT RELEASES TERRORISTS, NOT REGIME OPPONENTS

Papuan prisoners in an Indonesian prison 

August 17 is Indonesia's national day, commonly known as "Hari Merdeka" or "Freedom's Day".

As is customary, the Indonesian government releases a certain number of prisoners. This year is very exceptional: the number of prisoners released rose to 2606. Among them are 760 drug-related criminals, 16 corruptors, and 26 terrorists!

This big news made me wonder: "Are there any Papuan freedom fighters among the 26 terrorists who have reportedly been released?" This is considering Free Papua activists are often labeled as terrorists by the Indonesian state. I then contacted Markus Haluk, the executive director of United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Unfortunately, none of his imprisoned colleagues have been released.

Since the beginning of 2023, I counted more than a hundred Papuans arrested simply for organizing peaceful demonstrations, distributing leaflets, raising the Morning Star flag. I am appalled by the discriminatory and cruel legal treatment of Papuans. I am part of a minority in Indonesia and I have experienced some injustice and abuse, but this is nothing compared to what my Papuan brothers and sisters are going through.

It is said that a great nation is one that values its humanitarians. Yet, from what I've seen, Indonesia is still a long way from the humanitarian ideals it proclaimed on August 17, 1945. The current facts are overwhelming: corruptors and terrorists enjoy great freedom, while freedom fighters and human rights defenders are criminalized.

I.P