Amnesty International, UK
30 March 2009
Indonesia: Peaceful protestors jailed for raising a flag
Amnesty calls for release of 152 arrested over the last two years
The Indonesian government has arrested at least 152 people for activities
related to the raising of flags symbolising regional independence over the past
two years as part of a crackdown in areas with a history of separatist
movements, Amnesty International has revealed in a new report released today.
At least 93 people are currently in detention in Papua and Maluku for charges
associated with flag-raising activities.
In the report, 'Indonesia: Jailed for raising a flag - prisoners of conscience
in Maluku', Amnesty International documents how the Indonesian government has
failed to distinguish between peaceful political activists and armed groups in
its response towards non-violent pro-independence activities in Indonesia. Some
of those detained were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment during
detention and interrogation, and some were sentenced to imprisonment after
unfair trials.
Donna Guest, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director, said: 'In
the past few years Indonesia has made important advances in respecting free
expression. But these cases show that when the sensitive issues of regional
independence are at stake, the Indonesian government has made no distinction
whatsoever between armed separatist groups and peaceful political activists.
This blurring of the lines has allowed them to detain scores of people simply
for the peaceful act of raising a flag.
'The Indonesian government has a right and duty to maintain public order in its
territory. But it cannot imprison people in Maluku or Papua - in some cases for
up to 20 years - just for the simple act of raising a flag.'
At least 72 people have been arrested and detained for their peaceful political
activities in the last two years in Maluku province, including for simply
unfurling the banned Benang Raja flag, symbol of South Maluku independence.
Further, in Papua, Amnesty International has documented the arrest of at least
90 people during 2008 for raising the Morning Star flag.
On 29 June 2007, 23 people performed a traditional 'Cakalele' dance at an event
organized to celebrate National Family Day in Ambon, Maluku province. At the
end of their performance, the dancers unfurled the Benang Raja flag. Police
arrested 22 of the dancers, subjecting them to severe beatings and torture
during their interrogation and detention.
'The Indonesian government should conduct an independent and impartial
investigation into the reports of torture and other ill-treatment,' said Donna
Guest. 'Those found responsible should be held to account as a matter of
priority and victims should be granted reparations.'
The 22 dancers are now serving long prison sentences of between seven and 20
years, while one other is awaiting trial. On 10 March 2009, 18 of the detained
were transferred to Java, over a thousand kilometres away from their families.
'The Cakalele dancers are prisoners of conscience who should be immediately and
unconditionally released,' said Donna Guest.
Amnesty International called on the Indonesian government to release all those
imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to free expression, and to
establish a working group to review its policies and practices - including its
legislation - to ensure they do not infringe on the rights of all Indonesians
to peacefully express their opinions.
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