Papuans Behind Bars is Live

Papuans Behind Bars is Live

Almost every week we hear news of Papuans being arrested for demonstrations, flag-raisings or being 'OPM members,' usually in violent crackdowns by Indonesian security forces. For many of these arrests, the story we hear first of all (usually from security forces) is nothing like the facts which later emerge - and it's in the police interest to keep things this way.

Once arrested, very little information filters through to the mainstream news about the legal process, but the information published by Papuans Behind Bars suggests that in many cases, political trials in West Papua have been a farce, involving forced confessions, torture, failure to follow legal process, and a heavy reliance on witness testimony (either provided by police or obtained under pressure). The reality for Papuan political prisoners is grim; they are mixed in with criminals, abused and discriminated against, and left to suffer serious health conditions. The human rights lawyers who defend political cases are subject to threats and intimidation, and their objections during the trials are routinely dismissed.

Violent separatist or peaceful farmer? Troublemaker or people's leader? Criminal or political prisoner?

Visit www.papuansbehindbars.org to find out what's really going on

ENDS

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