Haris and Fatia released: Long Live West Papua!

Haris and Fatia, Indonesian human rights activists released on January 8th

Indonesian human rights activists Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti were charged in 2021 with spreading false information over a YouTube video that alleged the involvement of some high-ranking Indonesian generals including Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the then coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment, in West Papua mining industry.

After a long and arduous judicial process, the East Jakarta High Court finally acquitted Haris and Fatia on Monday, January 8. For West Papuan activists, this was a major victory, confirming long-held suspicions of unethical business practices by Indonesian officials in this vast Pacific province, which was annexed by Indonesia in the 1960s. West Papua is known for its abundant natural resources, including gold, copper, oil and timber.

For Markus Haluk, secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), the release of Haris and Fatia is inseparable from West Papua's struggle for independence from Indonesia: 

"Haris and Fatia are symbols of educated and conscientious Indonesians who stand with the West Papuan people against genocide, ethnocide and ecocide on behalf of the Indonesian state for the benefit of the oligarchy. From the beginning, we have appreciated and fully supported Haris, Fatia as well as their fellow Indonesian activists, academics, NGOs, artists, students, religious leaders, cultural figures. They have and will always stand with the West Papuan Nation. Respect to our two prophets, Haris and Fatia, who continue to call out to the Pharaoh of Indonesia, to stop destroying the people, culture and natural resources of West Papua. To the panel of judges who have a heart and see this matter objectively, the prayers of West Papuans are with you. Free Haris and Fatia means Free West Papua!"