By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
JAYAPURA, Papua — Today, seven Papuan students were released from prison after they were arrested for unfurling banned flags supporting democracy and Papua’s independence. The students were let go after the Jayapura police station was bombarded with calls from concerned friends and family.
Yesterday, about 500 West Papuan people met in Abepura, Papua’s largest city, to attend the peaceful protest which was reportedly organized by the West Papuan student organization, Front Pepera. In addition, the Indonesian Para-military police and military reported that hundreds of activists were prevented from attending the protest.
The seven arrested students included: Yosias Yeimo 22, Benyamin Sabu 30, Nebon Pahabol 25, Marthen Goo 29, Santon Tekege 27, Emilianus (Demianus) Keiya 27, and Gunawan Inggeruhi 22.
The demonstration centered around Papua’s right to self-determination and independence from Indonesia. Once a Dutch colony on New Guinea’s western end, Papua became Indonesia’s largest province in 1969. Violence erupted in 2003 after President Megawati Sukarnoputri separated Papua into three provinces: Central Irian Jaya (Irian Jaya Tengah), Papua (or East Irian Jaya, Irian Jaya Timur), and West Irian Jaya (Irian Jaya Barat). Indonesian courts declared that the creation of the central province was unconstitutional and in opposition to Papua’s Special Autonomy status.
The seven students were imprisoned after waving the Morning Star flag, which symbolizes democracy and self-determination. A law in Indonesia’s criminal code prohibits the display of the Morning Star Flag in Papua, the South Maluku Republic Benang Raja flag in Ambon, and the Crescent Moon flag in Aceh. All three flags are examples of banned separatist symbols.
Last month, Human Rights Watch, the largest human rights organization, called for the release of nine activists, who were similarly arrested for waving the banned Morning Star flag. “Raising a flag at a demonstration is a nonviolent act, but in Indonesia it can land you in prison,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
In March, two pro-independence demonstrators were sentenced to 15 and 17 years in prison for preparing flags for the South Maluku Republic. In the last month, the Para-military police have arrested 20 West-Papuans, all of whom remain detained as “political prisoners.”
Police said today that the seven arrested students will be treated as witnesses and will not be charged.
For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Seven students in Papua released following arrest over democracy protest — 23 April 2008
Scoop, Independent News — Students Detained & Demonstration In Jayapura — 23 April 2008
Radio New Zealand International — Students detained and demonstration in Jayapura — 22 April 2008
InfoShop News, Independent News — West Papua: Seven Students are released by Police in Jayapura — 22 April 2008
Reuters, Asia –- Free Peaceful Protesters in Papua –- 19 March 2008
