Indonesia must
protect rights of Veronica Koman and others reporting on Papua and West Papua
protests - UN experts
GENEVA (16
September 2019) – Indonesia must protect the rights of all people to peaceful
protest, ensure access to the internet and protect the rights of human rights
defender Veronica Koman and all others reporting on protests in Papua and West
Papua, say UN human rights experts*.
“We call for
immediate measures to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and
address acts of harassment, intimidation, interference, undue restriction and
threats against those reporting on the protests,” the experts said.
Veronica
Koman, a lawyer who has been subjected to harassment and abuse online for her
continuing work on alleged human rights violations in Papua, was named as a
“suspect” by authorities who accused her of spreading of false information and
provoking unrest after she published reports on the protests and on a racist
attack against Papuan students in East Java that had triggered the
demonstrations.
“We welcome
actions taken by the Government against the racist incident, but we urge it to
take immediate steps to protect Veronica Koman from any forms of retaliation
and intimidation and drop all charges against her so that she can continue to
report independently on the human rights situation in the country,” they said.
The experts
also expressed serious concerns over reports indicating that the authorities
are considering revoking her passport, blocking her bank accounts and requesting
Interpol to issue a Red Notice to locate her, as she is said to be out of the
country.
The experts
stressed that restrictions on freedom of expression not only undermined
discussion of Government policies, but also jeopardised the safety of human
rights defenders reporting on alleged violations.
Protests have
been increasingly taking place in Papua and West Papua since mid-August over
alleged racism and discrimination and amid calls for independence.
“These
protests will not be stopped by an excessive use of force or by cracking down
on freedom of expression and access to information,” the UN experts said.
“We urge the
Government of Indonesia to recognise the rights of all protesters and to ensure
continuation of the internet service. We welcome the restoration on 4 September
of the internet in almost all of Papua and West Papua provinces.”
The internet
had been disconnected completely on 21 August in various parts of both
provinces on the grounds of restoring security and order, with the aim of
preventing the spread of “rumours” or “hoaxes” during protests.
“Restrictions
of the internet and on access to information in general have a detrimental
impact on the ability of individuals to express themselves, and to share and
receive information. On the other hand, access to the internet contributes to
preventing disinformation and ensuring transparency and accountability,” the
experts said.
The UN experts
have previously expressed their concerns to the Government of Indonesia and are
continuing to urge it to engage in genuine dialogue with the protesters. The
experts welcomed the engagement of the authorities on these matters and looked
forward to continued dialogue.
ENDS
(*) The UN experts:
Mr. Clement Nyaletsossi Voule (Togo), Special Rapporteur on the right topeaceful assembly and association; Mr. David Kaye (USA), Special Rapporteur onthe promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Ms Dubravka Šimonović (Croatia), Special Rapporteur on violence against women,its causes and consequences; Ms Meskerem Geset Techane (Ethiopia), Chair of theWorking Group on discrimination against women and girls; Mr. Michel Forst
(France), Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
The Special
Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of what is known as the SpecialProcedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of
independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the
Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address
either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the
world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN
staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any
government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human
Rights, Country Page — Indonesia
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information and media requests, please write to freedex@ohchr.org
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inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact: Mr. Jeremy
Laurence (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)
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