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https://en.jubi.id/three-papuan-students-convicted-of-treason-released/
1) Three Papuan students convicted of treason released
News Desk - USTJ Student's Treason Case Trial
8 September 2023
Jayapura, Jubi – On Thursday, September 7, 2023, three students of the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) who had been convicted in a treason case, were released from the Abepura Prison in Jayapura City. They were picked up by a group of student activists in Jayapura City.
The three students, namely Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Devio Tekege, and Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere, had been charged with treason due to their involvement in a free speech held at the campus on November 10, 2022. At that time, they were spotted carrying the Morning Star flag while expressing their rejection to the Papua peace dialogue plan initiated by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
Police then dispersed the event, leading to the arrest of several participants, including Matuan, Tekege, and Eloperer. Subsequently, they were accused of treason and faced trial at the Jayapura District Court.
The release was facilitated by the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), who was part of the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition, the legal team representing the three students during the treason trial.
Outside the Abepura Prison, several student activists wearing USTJ jackets had gathered since 9 a.m Papua time. Marwa Wayne, the field coordinator, expressed her surprise at the early release of the three students, as the initial release date had been set for September 12, 2023. Wayne conveyed their happiness for the students’ freedom and thanked the authorities for the expedited release.
Persila Heselo, the attorney for Matuan, Tekege, and Elopere, also expressed gratitude at the early release. The three were welcomed by dozens of student activists, as well as their legal team, who gathered in front of the prison to pray together.
During this gathering, Yoseph Ernesto Matuan expressed his gratitude to the court for their early release and reaffirmed their commitment to continue their advocacy on behalf of their land.
There was a dispute with the police when the pick-up team intended to march the three convicts to the Tauboria Catholic Student Dormitory, which was about 2.6 kilometers from Abepura Prison. The police cited concerns about disrupting traffic flow and offered a police vehicle. Eventually, the pick-up team agreed to hire public transportation for the students’ journey to the dormitory.
Yustina Haluk emphasized that Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Devio Tekege, and Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere should not have been convicted of treason. Haluk argued that the students were merely exercising their right to peaceful expression, a right guaranteed by Law No. 9/1998 on Freedom of Expression in Public. He further highlighted the limited freedom of expression in Papua.
Haluk hopes the government will take action to clarify the status of the Morning Star flag in order to prevent the wrongful criminalization of peaceful expression, as exemplified by the cases of Matuan, Tekege, and Elopere.
At its August 22 summit in Port Vila, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) formed a new leadership structure to continue the independence struggle from inside West Papua and created a strategic roadmap for the next five years.
Fifty representatives attended the summit from inside West Papua and around the world -- meeting for only the second time since ULMWP was formed in 2014.
Following the summit, the ULMWP announced that Menase Tabuni was elected as the new President, and would lead its Executive from inside West Papua, "so it maintains presence and solidarity with the Papuan people on the ground".
"I am honoured to be appointed as the new President of the ULMWP and will do everything I can to continue our legitimate struggle for independence," said Tabuni.
"We must do this from within West Papua as well as campaigning in the international community. I will remain in Papua with the people as we continue to fight for human rights and self determination."
Former President, Benny Wenda will take on the role of Foreign Affairs.
The ULMWP is an umbrella organisation representing key groups such as the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), the Federal Republic West Papua (NFRPB), and the National Parliament of West Papua (PNWP).
"We are united and committed to work together to achieve our vision for an independent, democratic nation of West Papua within the Pacific family," said the ULMWP.
The ULMWP welcomed the decision by the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting, which met in Port Vila on August 23, to push Indonesia to invite the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner to visit West Papua along with a Pacific delegation "so the international community has a better understanding of the real situation on the ground in West Papua".
The ULMWP also continues to demand that international media be able to visit West Papua and report freely, saying "Indonesia cannot call itself a democracy while it keeps its largest province hidden from the world".
Jakarta – The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry has spoken out over allegations that the Indonesian delegation at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders Summit in Port Vila tried to bribe and intimidate a Radio New Zealand (RNZ) journalist in late August.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Asia-Pacific Director General Abdul Kadir Jailani explained that the Indonesian delegation has never used such an approach towards journalists.
"Bribery has never been a policy or approach with journalists", said Jailani on Wednesday September 6 when sought for confirmation over the incident by CNN Indonesia.
Jailani then said, "We do not have any interest in following or carrying out intimidation against journalists".
According to a Radio New Zealand (RNZ) report, the alleged bribery attempt and intimation began when one of its journalists, Kelvin Anthony, was covering the MSG Leaders Summit on August 23-24.
An Indonesian official who appeared to be part of the Indonesian delegation at the MSG Summit, Ardi Nuswantoro, offered Anthony a special interview with Indonesia's Ambassador to Australia, Siswo Pramono.
The interview offer came up after Nuswantoro informed Anthony several days earlier that the Indonesian government did not like RNZ's reporting on the Papuaissue.
After communicating directly and online, Nuswantoro asked Anthony to come to the Holiday Inn Resort on August 23 at 12 noon to interview Pramono. The alleged bribe attempt took place at around 1-1.10 pm local time after the interview had finished.
"I was offered an exclusive interview with the Indonesian Ambassador to Australia at the MSG meeting after earlier being informed by Ardi Nuswantoro that his government did not like what RNZ has been broadcasting related to West Papua and said that it (the reports) were unbalanced", said Anthony as quoted by RNZ.
Anthony then informed the Indonesian delegation that RNZ endeavours to make every effort to take a balanced and fair position in its reporting on the Papua issue.
"We want to side with Indonesia too. However, we need the opportunity to speak openly (can be quoted and reported)", he said.
Alleged bribery attempt
During the interview, Anthony raised a series of questions including human rights issues in West Papua, the MSG meeting and the Indonesian government's focus in the Pacific. The interview lasted for more than 40 minutes.
"I thought I had an exclusive interview that went well for a strong story out of the meeting that touched sensitive but pertinent issues involving Indonesia, the West Papua issue, and the Pacific", he said.
After the interview, Anthony related how he was escorted out of the reception area and accompanied by at least three Indonesian officials.
Nuswantoro then asked Anthony how he was getting home and if he had a car. As they walked to parking lot, the same official followed Anthony.
"And when we were about to approach the car, he said, 'The Indonesian delegation would like to offer you token of appreciation'."
"I asked him, 'What's that?' He replied, 'A small gift'. I asked him again, 'But what is it?' He replied 'money'", said Anthony relating the incident as quoted by RNZ.
Anthony was shocked and refused the money because it could compromises the story and his credibility as a journalist. The Indonesian official then withdrew and apologised for offering money.
As result to the incident RNZ chose at the time not to air the interview with Ambassador Pramono.
Alleged intimidation
Anthony again met the Indonesian officials who had earlier offered money on August 24, the last day of the MSG Summit.
He said the same officials continued following him everywhere and they also send a video clip showing Papuan indigenous people committed violence.
"I feel a little intimidated but I tried to stay near local journalists as much as possible so that I can avoid Indonesian officials approaching me", he said. (isa/rds)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "RI Buka Suara soal Pejabat Suap Wartawan Asing terkait Berita Papua".]
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