Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), highlighted the consistent stifling of citizens’ freedoms by the state through police authorities in Papua. Speaking during the 75th World Human Rights Day commemoration in Jayapura on Sunday, December 10, 2023, Ramandey stressed that the values of freedom, equality, and justice for all in Papua are yet to be fully realized.
He emphasized that the freedom of expression and public opinion in Papua has consistently been and suppressed by the police, creating limited space for citizens to voice their aspirations.
“Human rights values must be respected, protected, and fulfilled by the state,” he stated.
Additionally, a report titled “Dong Penjarakan Tong Pu Suara dan Pikiran” (They Suppressed My Thoughts) by Pusaka Bentala Rakyat in 2022 documented 26 alleged cases of freedom of expression violations in Papua. These incidents led to three fatalities and 72 injuries, with 361 individuals arbitrarily detained. Among those arrested, 26 faced legal proceedings, and 18 were charged with subversion, facing potential life imprisonment.
Also speaking in the same event, Onan Kobogau, the Chair of the Student Executive Board of Timika University, reported that the Mimika Police forcefully disbanded the commemoration of World Human Rights Day in Timika, detaining 41 individuals. Kobogau and four others sustained injuries from police using firearm butts.
Jubi tried to obtain a response from the Mimika Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. I Gede Putra regarding the disbandment of the World Human Rights Day commemoration in Timika but to no avail as of Sunday. (*)