JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS — Amnesty International Indonesia has strongly condemned the recent arrest treason charges against four Papuan political activists in Sorong, Papua Barat Daya, describing it as a violation of fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The four individuals—identified by their initials AGG, PR, MS, and NM—are members of the Negara Federasi Republik Papua Barat (NFRPB), a political group advocating for West Papuan interests. They were apprehended following peaceful visits to various government offices in Sorong on April 14, 2025, during which they delivered a letter from the NFRPB president proposing a peaceful dialogue.

“These arrests are yet another example of how the state continues to repress the right of Indigenous Papuans to express political aspirations peacefully,” said Wirya Adiwena, Deputy Director of Amnesty International Indonesia. “There was no violence involved, and their actions fall squarely within the realm of constitutionally protected rights.”

Adiwena emphasized that peaceful political expression is neither a crime nor hate speech, countering claims made by the police. He criticized the repeated use of treason charges to silence Papuan voices, noting that such actions contradict Article 28E of Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Amnesty International is urging the Sorong City Police to release the four detainees unconditionally. “Every Indonesian citizen, including Indigenous Papuans, must not be criminalized for expressing legitimate political demands or voicing grievances against the government,” Adiwena said.

The organization also raised alarm over a separate incident in Intan Jaya, Papua Tengah, where a recent security operation led to civilian casualties. On May 13, 2025, military forces reportedly conducted raids across three villages in the region, resulting in the deaths of at least three civilians and injuries to a seven-year-old child and an adult woman.

Following the operation, approximately 950 residents from 13 local churches fled their homes in fear. The mass displacement has further exacerbated tensions and humanitarian concerns in the area, prompting calls for an independent investigation.

Amnesty International condemned the use of force in civilian areas and demanded a thorough probe into the security forces’ actions in Intan Jaya. The group also called for a broader review of the deployment of security forces in Papua, which has repeatedly resulted in civilian harm over the years.

Local police in Sorong had earlier announced the arrest of the four NFRPB members on May 5, charging them with treason and hate speech. Authorities claimed the suspects called for “Papuan independence” and carried documents, uniforms, and identity cards linked to the NFRPB organization.

The activists now face serious legal consequences under a series of criminal and electronic information laws, including Articles 106 and 187 of the Criminal Code, as well as the amended Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison or even life sentences.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) also reported on the Intan Jaya violence, citing information from the Evangelical Tent Church. According to their report, the military operation targeted civilian villages during the early hours of May 13 and resulted in both casualties and mass displacement.

Amnesty International clarified that it does not support or oppose any political status or independence movements in Indonesia. However, the organization reaffirmed that all individuals have the right to peacefully express political views and seek alternative political solutions without fear of repression or criminal charges.(Uki Ruknuddin)