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View all search resultsUI disavows Papua discussion organized by student body
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T
he University of Indonesia (UI) has issued a statement disavowing a public discussion held by the university’s Student Executive Body (BEM UI) about racism against Papuans in the legal system, saying that the discussion did not “reflect the views and attitudes of UI as an institution”.
Held on Saturday and titled #PapuanLivesMatter: Racism in the Legal System in Papua, the discussion largely revolved around the prosecution of seven Papuan activists charged with treason for their involvement in antiracism protests in Jayapura, Papua, in August 2019. Last week, prosecutors at the Balikpapan district court in East Kalimantan demanded five to 17 years’ imprisonment for the defendants.
The defendants’ legal team and human rights groups have criticized the trial and claim the seven Papuans are being persecuted for their political activism.
Former Papuan prisoner Sayang Mandabayan, Papuan human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer, and Amnesty International Australia and Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman were invited as speakers for the discussion.
“The country should not be afraid to have a discussion with Papuans. Ask us, listen to us,” Sayang said. “I am proud to be a Papuan woman who was prosecuted for defending my dignity.”
Veronica also urged university students to stand in solidarity with the seven Papuan activists.
“If not, they [the authorities] will come for you,” she said. “Next time, if you hold a student demonstration, they might say that you’re committing treason.”
