JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com—Dr. Herlambang P. Wiratraman, Coordinator of the Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom (KIKA), as well as Lecturer and Researcher at the Center for Human Rights Law Studies, Faculty of Law, Universitas Airlangga sympathized upon the disband and restrictions by the TNI / Polri apparatus against the demonstration of the Papuan Student and People’s Front at the gate of Cenderawasih University (Uncen) Jayapura on September 28, 2020.
He explained that after listening to the chronology he received, including the news information regarding this matter, first, he felt for the violence and intimidation against the mass of the Papuan Student and People’s Front actions. This shows that violence after violence keeps repeating itself, and it really hurts anyone who wants to take action within the framework of voicing their expressions.
“What’s more, the action notification letter that has been submitted to the police, so the police should guard and protect the demonstration action that has taken place,” he said.
Secondly, he admitted that students have the right to call out on their expressions, including political expressions. Not only inside, but also outside the campus, and this freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution (UUD Negara RI 1945) and Law Number 09/1998 concerning Freedom to Express Opinions in Public.
“Moreover, according to Article 18 paragraph (1) states” whoever by force or threat of violence obstructs the right of citizens to express opinions in public who have fulfilled the provisions of this law, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 1 year “.
It is clear according to paragraph (2): “The criminal act referred to in Article 18 paragraph (1) is a crime”.
Third, the fact that police officials entering the campus is clearly against the law regarding the guarantee of freedom of expression, especially violating the principles for academic freedom, especially the 4th and 5th principles, namely: (4) Academic persons must be free from restrictions and discipline in order to develop an academic culture that is responsible and has scientific integrity for humanity; (5) Public authorities have an obligation to respect and protect and ensure every step and process to ensure academic freedom.
“Students voicing and expressing their political choices is a form of freedom that must be guaranteed, especially since Indonesia has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), through Law 12 of 2005,” he said.
Papuan member of DPRP Nioluen Kotouki said the security forces of the TNI and Polri who were on job to securing the peaceful demonstration against Otsus volume II at the Upper Uncen gate at Waena and at Lower Uncen gate in Abepura, Monday (9/28/2020) were considered arrogant even though the country adheres to democracy. The demonstrators should have been given space to convey the objectives of the demonstration action to the Papua provincial government.
The protesters who were members of the Papuan Student Front in Lower Uncen Abepura on Monday (9/28/2020) and were dispersed by the TNI / Polri by releasing a number of firearms.
The protesters that gathered at the Lower Uncen gathering point was at 7.00 am and planned to have marched towards the Papua Governor’s Office in Jayapura city regarding the context of rejecting the II Volume of Special Autonomy (Otsus) and also a rejection of the involvement on the discussion of Otsus by the Cenderawasih University of Jayapura.
This demonstration action was forcibly dispersed by the TNI / Polri apparatus with several shots of firearms because the time limitation for speeches given by the authorities was up to 11 am and no more, unfortunately, was ignored by the protesters. During this demonstration action, the authorities detained Ayus Heluka, the coordinator of the demonstration action when disperse, forced to approach the apparatus and authorities to negotiate.
Apart from the Field Coordinator, the security forces detained Salmon Tipagau, Yabet Degei, and Telius Wanimbo, including a number of demonstrators who injured their heads.
Reporter: Agus Pabika
Editor: Elisa Sekenyap
