Monday, August 16, 2010

Groups call on SBY to release Papua political prisoners

An international collection of groups have written to Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urging the release of Papuan political prisoners and amending the laws under which they and others are imprisoned. 

Among the groups signing are ETAN, Human Rights Watch, West Papua Advocacy Team, Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal, Tapol, and Foundation Pro Papua. The complete list is here.

The key demands of the letter are  

 * releasing all Papuan political prisoners, including those already convicted and those waiting trial;

* securing the deletion of Articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code;

* ordering an immediate investigation into conditions in the prisons where the prisoners are being held and ensure the punishment of all prison personnel held responsible for maltreatment.