Indonesian police drew rapidly to disperse West Papuan protestors in Manokwari.
Photo: Supplied
The protestors were calling for the release of pro-independence activist Victor Yeimo who was taken into police custody over two weeks ago.
They were also calling for the release of other Papuan political prisoners, and rejecting Jakarta s plans for special autonomy in Papua.
Reports from the capital of West Papua province, Manokwari, indicate that as many as 130 protestors were arrested.
Dozens of armed police converged on the mobilisations by Papuan students and civil society members to disperse their attempts to hold protests on several occasions around Manokwari.
HRW demands police drop treason charges against Papuan activist Yeimo asiapacificreport.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from asiapacificreport.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A Papuan leader sought by Indonesian police over the 2019 Papua “Spring” uprising, Victor Yeimo, has been arrested on suspicion of treason, reports Susan Price.
Human Rights Watch authorities should drop politically motivated treason charges and unconditionally release an activist detained for peacefully advocating Papuan independence, Human Rights Watch said today. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo should publicly direct security forces involved in counterinsurgency operations in Papua to act in accordance with international law or be held to account.
On May 9, 2021, a special police unit, Satgas Nemangkawi, arrested Victor Yeimo, a spokesman for the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. Police charged him with treason for a 2019 statement, made during anti-racism protests and ensuing riots in Papua and West Papua, calling for a referendum on independence. Papua’s police chief, Mathius Fakhiri, said that the police are still “digging up” cases against Yeimo: “Let him get old in prison.”
Cries of racism after Indonesia arrests Papuan leader
Detention of pro-separatist group spokesman threatens to make tense situation worse, church group says
Updated: May 12, 2021 08:10 AM GMT
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Victor Yeimo, the international spokesman for the West Papua National Committee, is questioned by police following his arrest on May 9. (Photo supplied)
The recent arrest of a Papuan pro-independence leader by Indonesian police for allegedly masterminding violent protests against racism two years ago only serves to reinforce a view that authorities are prejudicial against Papuans, a church group and other activists say.
The arrest of Victor Yeimo, the international spokesman for the pro-separatist West Papua National Committee, in the provincial capital of Jayapura on May 9 will make an already tense situation in the country’s easternmost region worse, they said on May 11.