2) The release of Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar is a victory for freedom of expression
3) Papua students in Yogya slam criminalisation of rights defenders Haris and Fatia
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1) Papua Police Chief Reveals Latest News about Susi Air Pilot Who Was Held Hostage
News Desk - Search for Pilot Susi
January 6, 2024
Jayapura, Jubi TV – Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General of Police Mathius Fakhiri stated that the condition of the pilot who was held hostage by an armed criminal group in the Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua, was in good condition.
KKB is a government term applied to the TPNPB group in Papua.
From reports received and photos distributed, the condition of the New Zealand pilot is in good health.
"Efforts to negotiate by prioritizing the Nduga Regional Government are still ongoing," explained the Regional Police Chief in Jayapura, Friday (5/1/2024) as reported by Antara
He said that efforts to free the hostages still relied on the Nduga Regency Government. This was done considering that the perpetrators were residents of that district.
Apart from that, they are the ones who know everything better, so it is hoped that with the involvement of officials and assistance from the Nduga community, pilot Philip Mehrtens can be released soon.
"I feel sorry for his relatives who continue to worry about the fate of the victim who has been held hostage since February 2023," said Fakhiri, hoping that Egianus and his group would immediately release the pilot who was being held hostage.
Previously, Pangdam XVII/Cenderawasih Major General TNI Izak Pangemanan said Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih was ready to assist in efforts to free the hostages, which is now entering its 11th month.
However, efforts to free the hostages are still being carried out through ongoing negotiations by the Nduga Regency Government.
"Currently, TNI soldiers who are members of the Cartenz Peace Task Force are also continuing to try to help and encourage the Nduga Regency Government to carry out negotiations to free the hostages," said the Military Commander.
Philip Mehrtens was taken hostage by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya shortly after his plane was burned at the Paro airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains, in February 2023. (*)
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A google translate
2) The release of Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar is a victory for freedom of expression
January 8, 2024 in Political, Legal and Security Affairs
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Writer: Alexander Loen - Editor: Edho Sinaga
Screenshots of Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar which are considered to defame the Coordinating Minister for Marves Luhut Binsar Panjaitan. (Source: Youtube Haria Azhar)
Jayapura, Jubi – The acquittal of human rights activists or Ham, Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar by the East Jakarta District Court, on Monday (8/1/2024) on charges of defamation is a positive development and a victory for justice over repression.
According to Asia Pacific researcher for CIVICUS Josef Benedict, Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar should never have been tried in the first place.
“The release of Fatia and Haris, after two years of legal harassment, is a victory for freedom of expression and for activists in Indonesia who have spoken out against injustice. "The charges brought against the two activists are clearly a form of retaliation for their hard work in the field of human rights," said Josef in a written release received by Jubi in Jayapura City, Monday.
According to Josef, after being named suspects in the defamation case by Polda Metro Jaya in March 2022, Fatia and Haris had to face at least 31 trials. In November 2023, the public prosecutor asked the court to sentence Fatia to three years and six months in prison, and Haris to four years in prison along with a fine.
However, on January 8 2024, the East Jakarta District Court decided that their actions did not constitute defamation and acquitted them of all charges.
“The legal harassment they have faced over the past two years is not in line with the Indonesian Constitution and international human rights commitments, especially based on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). "The ITE Law is systematically used to harass and intimidate human rights defenders, journalists and critics and limit their freedom of expression," he said.
Josef believes that their prosecution points to another attempt to silence criticism of human rights violations in Papua. Over the years, Papuan human rights and pro-independence activists and protesters have often been criminalized for treason. Some have been tortured, ill-treated, or killed with impunity.
“The Indonesian government must stop using restrictive laws such as the Information and Electronic Transactions Law to target activists, journalists and critics,”.
“The government must review and revoke all provisions that are inconsistent with international human rights law and standards. "The government must also end attacks on human rights defenders and allow human rights defenders and civil society organizations to carry out their duties freely and safely," said Benedict. (*)
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3) Papua students in Yogya slam criminalisation of rights defenders Haris and Fatia
Suara Papua – January 7, 2024
Reiner Brabar, Jayapura – Papuan students in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta have issued a statement containing five demands in response to the ongoing trial in the East Jakarta District Court that has ensnared human rights defenders Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar.
The Papuan students, who are members of Papua Solidarity for Haris-Fatia, stated that the case of criminalisation against Maulidiyanti and Azhar had reached its 28 court hearing.
At the last court hearing the public prosecutor demanded four years in prison and a fine of 1 million rupiah or an additional six months imprisonment for Azhar, and three years and six months in prison and a fine of 500,000 rupiah or an additional three months in prison for Maulidiyanti.
"The case of criminalisation that has befallen Haris and Fatia is a serious threat to truth and democracy and adds to the long list of criminalisation practices against human rights activists using the Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Law", the students said in reading out the statement on Sunday January 7.
The group emphasised that the defamation lawsuit brought against the two human rights activists by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, is unacceptable because it pertains to a discussion on facts related to research information and reports.
"We urge the prosecutor and law enforcement officials to act in accordance with the principles of justice and professionalism".
This is based on the reality of what is happening in Papua. Since the discourse began on the discovery of gold deposits in the Wabu Block in the Intan Jaya district of Papua, the Indonesian government has deployed a massive number of organic and non-organic troops resulting in large-scale military operations.
As a result, civilians have fallen victim to shootings, others have fled their homeland, and some have died in refugee camps.
"That's why what was talked about by Haris and Fatia, about the reality that is happening [in Papua] is actually true".
The group explained further that the state's actions or policy in criminalising Maulidiyanti and Azhar will create a deterrent effect and spread fear making people reluctant to express their opinions, and is clearly not in line with the spirit of democracy and far from international human rights standards.
"The state should protect, not limit citizens' right to voice opinions and participate in democratic development."
Papuan Solidarity for Haris-Fatia is therefore expressing their protest and demands ahead of the final court hearing.
- Free Haris and Fatia!
- Stop criminalising Maulidiyanti and Azhar for speaking the truth based on facts and research.
- Revoke the ITE Law which is easily used to criminalise human rights and environmental activists on the pretext of defamation.
- Reject the Wabu Block operations in Intan Jaya district and all other forms of exploitation throughout Papua.
- Stop military operations and withdraw all organic and non-organic military troops from Papua.
The hearing to read out of the verdict against Maulidiyanti and Azhar is scheduled to be held tomorrow, Monday January 8, at the East Jakarta District Court.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Mahasiswa Papua di DIY Tegaskan Lima Sikap Terkait Kriminalisasi Haris dan Fatia".]
Source: https://suarapapua.com/2024/01/07/mahasiswa-papua-di-diy-tegaskan-lima-sikap-terkait-kriminalisasi-haris-dan-fatia/
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