Repeated excessive use of force against peaceful protests show disregard for Papuan voices

Indigenous Papuans expressing their opinions in peaceful demonstrations have once again been met with obstruction and excessive use of force from Indonesian police, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia said today. “Indigenous Papuans have a right to peacefully protest against government policies without running the risk of being arrested or beaten,” said Amnesty International …

Indonesia: Immediately release Papuan students charged with treason

Eight Papuan students who have been detained and charged with treason by police for peacefully expressing their political opinions on 1 December must be immediately released, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia said today.  Police often arrest Papuans for peaceful political expression on 1 December, as it is a date that many Papuans consider …

Indonesia: Government should investigate shooting of children in Intan Jaya, Papua

Two children were shot, one fatally, during a gunfight between armed groups and Indonesian security forces in Intan Jaya regency, Papua province Local residents told Amnesty International they believed shots came from nearby military command post Hundreds of residents fled to churches The Indonesian government should promptly, thoroughly, independently, transparently and effectively investigate the death …

Papuan special autonomy law must ensure protection of Indigenous rights and meaningful involvement of Papuan people

Following the Indonesian House of Representatives renewal of the special autonomy law for Papua and West Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia call on the Indonesian government to ensure that the rights of the Papuan people, particularly that Indigenous communities are protected by the law. “Despite the protections contained in the previous law, …

Indonesian authorities must end cruel and inhuman punishment of LGBTQIA+ community

In the Indonesian province of Aceh, authorities conducted at least 60 public floggings against 254 LGBTQIA+ people in 2020, 52 of which were conducted after the COVID-19 outbreak started. We can’t stand by and allow the LGBTQIA+ community to be targeted like this. On Thursday 28 January 2021, two men were flogged in public for …

Indonesia: Men accused of holding ‘gay party’ face 15 years in jail

Responding to the arrest of nine men in Jakarta for holding what police described as a “gay party,” Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said:  “There is no legal justification for criminalizing the behaviour these men are accused of. Such a gathering would pose no threat to anyone. The authorities are being discriminatory and …

Amnesty International raises concerns over crackdown on freedom of expression in Maluku

The Indonesian authorities must immediately release seven peaceful activists who raised a flag banned by the government of Indonesia, Amnesty International said today. The activists, belonging to the separatist Republic of South Maluku (RMS) movement, were conducting a peaceful hoisting of the ‘Benang Raja‘ flag when they were arrested by Indonesian police on 25 April, …

Indonesia: Investigate murder of transgender woman burned alive

Responding to the murder of a transgender woman in North Jakarta, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said: “This despicable murder must be investigated urgently. It would not be the first time that LGBTI people in Indonesia have been violently targeted simply for who they are. “Without prompt action from the authorities to cast light on this horrifying …