Jubi, Jayapura – The Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (ELSHAM) Papua has asked Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan to immediately withdraw his charges against human rights activist Haris Azhar and coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Fatia Maulidiyanti, as well as asking the National Police chief to immediately stop the legal proceedings against the two.
Haris and Fatia were recently named suspects for alleged defamation against Luhut. Previously, they talked in an online discussion and reveal Luhut as one of the names involved in the mining business in the Wabu Block, Intan Jaya Regency
Director of ELSHAM Papua Rev. Matheus Adadikam said a study by the Clean Indonesia Coalition had revealed the involvement of Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and other generals in the Wabu Block.
“They are clearly mentioned as contributing to the escalated armed conflict in these areas,” said Rev. Matheus Adadikam in a press release received by Jubi on Monday, March 28, 2022.
In the case of Haris and Fatia being reported to the police, ELSHAM Papua strongly suspected that the police were siding with state officials and politicians rather than protecting the public and activists who struggle to defend the rights of the voiceless.
Rev. Adadikam reminded us that the Indonesian police were not mandated to defend and protect state officials and politicians but to uphold law, truth, and justice in carrying out their duties, as stipulated in Article 13 of Law No. 2/2002.
“The criminalization of Haris and Fatia once again proves the adage ‘Law is sharp upward and blunt downward’ in Indonesia,” he said. “The Indonesian people want to see the police who are clean, professional, uphold the law, truth, and justice, and do not side with officials but are fair to all citizens of the Republic of Indonesia,” he added. (*)
