Statement on Crackdown in West Papua Against Flag
STATEMENT ON CRACKDOWN IN WEST PAPUA AGAINST FLAG-RAISERS TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign 20 March 2008 According to latest reports from West Papua, more than a dozen Papuans have been arrested for taking part in peacefully unfurling their flag, the Morning Star (Kejora), some or all of whom are likely to be charged for rebellion (makar). The arrests were made following a series of protest demonstrations in Manokwari and Jayapura against Presidential Decree PP77 which makes it illegal to unfurl regional flags not only in West Papua but in other parts of the country as well. The peaceful demonstration on 13 March in Manokwari was organised by the West Papua National Authority (WPNA) and the Greater Manokwari Student Executive Council (Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa, BEM). Following the enactment of the Decree, eleven Papuans were arrested in Manokwari on 13 March for flying the kejora in protest against the Decree. More arrests were reported on 19 March when the police took four people into custody in Jayapura for raising flags and for disturbing security. According to a report in the Jayapura newspaper, Cenderawasih Pos on 16 March, the regional police chief of Papua, Inspector-General Max Donald, said that the police would be taking action against those who unfurled the kejora flag in Manokwari and elsewhere. The eleven persons arrested in Manokwari are: Jack Wanggai, spokesperson of the West Papua National Authority, Frans Kareth, lecturer in economics, Markus Solig Umpes, Edy Ayorbaba, Daniel Sakwatorey, Marthinus Luther, Noak AP George Rasyard Ayorbaba, Ariel Werimon, Leonardus Decky Bame, Silas Carlos Teves May, aged 16 years.
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