Indonesia/Australia: Indonesian human rights lawyer Koman refuses to be cowed on Papua

October 22, 2019

Veronica Koman, a human rights lawyer sought by Indonesian police over Twitter posts authorities blame for fanning unrest in the Papua region, has a tattoo on each wrist.

The first, inked when she was in her late teens and a fervent nationalist, reads simply “Indonesia” and, she says, meant that “Indonesia is running through my veins”.

The second, which she got a few years later after becoming “exposed to social justice”, has become a defiant riposte to the vitriol she has received for defending activists and advocating self-determination for Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost provinces.

The tattoo reads “DILLIGAF”, an abbreviation for a crude saying which roughly stands for “Do I look like I give a damn?”

“I’ve actually been experiencing this weird systematic attack, if you like, online since I think it was almost two years ago,” Koman said in an interview in Australia, where she is now living.

The threats can come in slickly produced video posted on YouTube or comments from anonymous social media accounts.

The abuse includes death threats, incitements to sexual assault and racist slurs, online material reviewed by Reuters showed. It also includes the publication of personal information about her and her family.

…

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-papua-lawyer/indonesian-human-rights-lawyer-koman-refuses-to-be-cowed-on-papua-idUSKBN1X10WH

https://acfid.asn.au/media-releases/veronica-koman-receives-sir-ronald-wilson-human-rights-award

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/10/24/veronica-koman-wins-australian-human-rights-award-for-papua-activism.html

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/10/17/veronica-koman-meets-with-australian-mps-about-papua.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-24/veronica-koman-west-papua-human-rights-lawyer-activist-awards/11633222

https://www.miragenews.com/veronica-koman-receives-sir-ronald-wilson-human-rights-award/

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/401682/indonesian-human-rights-lawyer-wins-prize-for-west-papua-work

Indonesian human rights defender Veronica Koman receives Sir Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award

https://law.anu.edu.au/news-and-events/news/veronica-koman-opens-about-her-west-papua-advocacy

https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20191017072645-113-440201/veronica-koman-temui-parlemen-australia-bahas-persoalan-papua (INDONESIAN)

https://kastara.id/18/10/2019/soal-veronica-koman-dilema-australia-antara-kedaulatan-indonesia-dan-ham-papua/ (INDONESIAN)

Congratulations to @VeronicaKoman (LLM '19), who has been awarded the Sir Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award by @ACFID for her legal representation and advocacy for West Papuans.

Read about the resilience of a remarkable #ANULaw alumna. @ANUmedia @ourANU https://t.co/pfyCytwuYW

— ANU College of Law (@ANU_Law) October 23, 2019

(Veronica Koman Facebook, 23/10/19)

(L’Observatoire des Avocats Facebook, 23/10/19)

Indonesia/Australia: Papua unrest: Social media bots ‘skewing the narrative’

October 11, 2019

Indonesia’s Papua province has become the focus of a well-funded social media campaign using bots to promote a pro-government agenda, the BBC has found.

A long-running Papuan separatist movement has flared in recent months, sparking fresh calls for self-rule.

But with access to the region heavily restricted, social media has become a key source for the foreign press.

One expert told the BBC the apparently co-ordinated campaigns were seeking to skew international views of Papua.

…

Targeted abuse from bots

The Twitter bot networks revealed by the BBC investigation have actively targeted Indonesia human rights lawyer Veronica Koman.

She told the BBC: “Rape and death threats are now part of my daily life.”

Now based in Australia, she has been a major source on social media of photos and footage of protests and unrest, sharing information passed to her by contacts in Papua.

Ms Koman now stands accused by the government of spreading “false news” and “provoking unrest” by publishing reports about the racist attacks on Papua students in Java.

She faces charges under the controversial Electronic Information and Transactions law (ITE) that makes it illegal to spread “fake news”. If found guilty she could be jailed for six years.

Press and rights groups say this law suppresses free speech and is open to misuse.

…

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49983667

https://pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/indonesia-facebook-removes-hundreds-fake-indonesian-west-papua-accounts-10539

https://unpo.org/article/21680

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/more-than-16-000-people-flee-unrest-in-indonesia-s-papua

The West Papua Uprising: A Call to Stand Up and Fight!

Indonesia: Investigate Environmental Lawyer’s Death

October 10, 2019

Golfrid Siregar Helped to Protect Sumatra’s Rainforests, Villagers

Indonesian authorities should immediately and impartially investigate the death of an environmental lawyer, Golfrid Siregar, in Medan, North Sumatra, Human Rights Watch said today.

After midnight on October 3, 2019, a pedicab driver found Siregar unconscious and seriously injured on a street in Medan, the provincial capital, and took him to a local hospital. He never regained consciousness and died on October 6. He had suffered multiple injuries and his wallet and other personal effects were missing.

“Golfrid Siregar was an environmental lawyer and grassroots activist who had dedicated his life to protecting Sumatra’s rainforests and helping villagers protect their land,” said Andreas Harsono, senior Indonesia researcher. “His death under suspicious circumstances demands a prompt, thorough investigation of all those implicated.”

Siregar, 34, represented the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia, or Walhi), Indonesia’s largest environmental group, in a lawsuit against North Sumatra’s governor over his 2017 approval for the construction of the US$1.5 billion Batang Toru hydroelectric dam. Walhi had argued that the permit issuance process was problematic and was appealing two earlier court verdicts they had lost. He had also sought legal action against the police in a related matter for their alleged failure to adequately respond to a complaint.

…

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/10/10/indonesia-investigate-environmental-lawyers-death

Suspicions of murder in death of Indonesian environmental activist

https://en.tempo.co/read/1258483/police-name-3-suspects-tied-to-death-of-activist-golfrid-siregar

https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/10/indonesia-green-group-calls-for-probe-into-death-of-activist

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/indonesian-environmental-activist-golfrid-siregar-feared-murdered

The death of a fiercely contested Indonesian lawyer asks colleagues questions

https://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2019/10/11/kasus-kematian-golfrid-siregar-tukang-becak-yang-bawa-pengacara-walhi-itu-ke-rs-jadi-tersangka (INDONESIAN)

https://www.hrw.org/fr/news/2019/10/10/indonesie-enqueter-sur-la-mort-dun-avocat-defenseur-des-droits-environnementaux (FRANCAIS)

https://www.courrierinternational.com/une/climat-en-indonesie-soupcons-dassassinat-apres-la-mort-dun-activiste-environnemental (FRANCAIS)

Indonesia/Australia: Police Issue Red Notice to Interpol to Track and Capture Veronica Koman

September 20, 2019

East Java Police have officially put Veronica Koman, an Indonesian human rights lawyer and outspoken supporter of Papua independence, in its wanted persons list and submitted a red notice to Interpol to help capture her overseas, a police official said on Friday.

Police have declared Veronica a suspect, accusing her of spreading false information and provoking unrest in Papua and West Papua by publishing reports on the protests and attacks against Papuan students in East Java.

Investigators have summoned Veronica three times to be interrogated but she has yet to make an appearance. She is charged with violating the Electronic Information and Transactions Law and the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination Law.

East Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Luki Hermawan said according to police investigators Veronica has gone into hiding in Australia.

“According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Indonesian Embassy [in Canberra], Veronica has made contact with the embassy. We’ve put her name in our wanted persons list,” Luki said in Surabaya on Friday.

…

https://jakartaglobe.id/context/police-issue-red-notice-to-interpol-to-track-and-capture-veronica-koman

https://unpo.org/article/21672

At Least 20 Killed, Dozens Injured in Papua Unrest: Indonesian Military

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpol_notice

https://www.nusabali.com/berita/59956/polisi-temukan-barang-bukti-di-rumah-veronica-koman (INDONESIAN)

https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2019/09/21/tindakan-terukur-polisi-untuk-bekuk-veronica-koman-di-australia (INDONESIAN)

https://hot.liputan6.com/read/4068146/video-pengertian-red-notice-interpol-status-veronica-koman (INDONESIAN)

https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1245590/aktivis-ham-veronica-koman-jalankan-tugas-bukan-sebar-hoaks (INDONESIAN)

https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4718774/veronica-koman-berkicau-soal-rusuh-di-papua-polri-angkat-bicara (INDONESIAN)

Tindakan Terukur Polisi untuk Bekuk #Veronica Koman di #Australia https://t.co/bgUTdKCPy5 pic.twitter.com/LAN4Gxvs1C

— Tribun (@TribunNew5) September 21, 2019

Pengacara advokat Papua Barat yang meninggal dunia, Veronica Koman, yang diberitakan berada di Australia, kini menjadi buron pemerintah Indonesia dengan tuduhan menyebarkan konten berita bohong atau hoaks… https://t.co/YWdfaGfJtB

— SBS Indonesian (@SBSIndonesia) September 22, 2019

Indonesia/UN/Australia: Indonesia Condemns Statement by UN Experts on Papua Unrest

September 20, 2019

Indonesia has condemned a press statement issued by five independent United Nations Human Rights Council special rapporteurs in which they expressed serious concern over recent development in Papua.

The five rapporteurs also urged the Indonesian government on Tuesday to drop all charges against human rights lawyer Veronika Koman, whom they said had been “subjected to harassment and abuse online for her work on alleged human rights violations in Papua.”

Police have declared Veronika a suspect, accusing her of spreading false information and provoking unrest in Papua and West Papua by publishing reports on the protests and attacks against Papuan students in East Java.

Sporadic unrest in broke out in several cities in Indonesia’s two easternmost provinces after racial animosity by hardline Muslims and members of the police and military against Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, in August.

The government said false information and provocative content spread on social media, including by Veronika, had contributed to the unrest.

…

https://jakartaglobe.id/context/indonesia-condemns-statement-by-un-experts-on-papua-unrest

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/09/18/un-calls-indonesia-protect-veronica-koman.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-18/veronica-koman-pro-papua-lawyer-may-be-hiding-australia/11516246

https://en.tempo.co/read/1250173/veronica-koman-fugitive-police-issue-red-notice-for-interpol?TerkiniUtama&campaign=TerkiniUtama_Click_1

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2019/09/20/16510971/fakta-terkini-kasus-veronica-koman-resmi-masuk-dpo-hingga-polisi-minta (INDONESIAN)

https://surabaya.kompas.com/read/2019/09/20/12190111/polda-jatim-tetapkan-veronica-koman-sebagai-buronan?page=all (INDONESIAN)

Kepolisian Daerah Jawa Timur Jumat (20/9) pagi resmi mengumumkan penetapan Veronica Koman, tersangka kasus penyebaran hoaks dan provokasi kasus Papua masuk dalam DPO Kepolisian Repubik Indonesia.#CNNIDConnected https://t.co/ns6OyEyJew pic.twitter.com/wdH7FPgt8B

— CNN Indonesia Daily (@CNNIDdaily) September 20, 2019

Kasus Papua dan Aktivis Veronica Koman Sampai ke Sidang Dewan HAM PBB – https://t.co/ijmv2MxwuJ https://t.co/1cKJOH0FuH

— Deiyai – Papua (@atdeiyai) September 20, 2019

https://t.co/qIW0cUrNyv

Polisi resmi menetapkan status DPO kepada Veronica Koman. Status DPO ini diterbitkan… https://t.co/ykF0ZPqPX6

— Syafrizal Aghny (@AghnySyafrizal) September 20, 2019

Sita Sejumlah Dokumen Polisi Geledah Rumah Veronica Koman https://t.co/aB3r8wJ7yP

— Ayu Putri Rianti (@riantinada) September 20, 2019

Pemerintah Jawab Desakan Ahli PBB soal Veronica Koman https://t.co/eDBQKg9oYf
#VeronicaKoman #FreeWestPapua

— P.Lanny(puncak gunung) (@migara9) September 20, 2019

Polda Jatim Resmi Terbitkan DPO untuk Tersangka Veronica Komanhttps://t.co/TP1vAAihtM

— iNews (@OfficialiNewsTV) September 20, 2019

Indonesia/Australia: Australia refuses to rule out handing over Sydney lawyer who advocates for West Papuans to Indonesia

September 17, 2019

The Australian government has refused to rule out handing over a Sydney-based lawyer who advocates for West Papuans to Indonesian authorities.

Veronica Koman, an Indonesian human rights lawyer who currently lives in Australia, is being pursued by Indonesian police for disseminating evidence of police- and military-backed violence in West Papua.

Koman has been a credible source of eyewitness accounts, photos and footage of protests that have swept across West Papua and other Indonesian provinces in recent weeks.

Several people have reportedly died and dozens of others injured in violent clashes with Indonesian police, military and military-backed militia, which were sparked by the racist abuse of Papuan students in Java but have morphed into a demand for a referendum on West Papuan independence.

Koman faces charges under the country’s controversial electronic information and transactions law, and faces up to six years in jail if found guilty.

East Java police spokesman Frans Barung Mangera told the Guardian that if Koman did not report to Indonesian authorities by 18 September, a red notice would be issued through Interpol for her arrest. “After that we will work with the international police,” he said.

…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/17/australia-refuses-to-rule-out-handing-over-sydney-lawyer-who-advocates-for-west-papuans-to-indonesia

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-does-not-rule-out-handing-over-human-rights-lawyer-to-indonesia

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/398922/un-urges-indonesia-to-protect-koman

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/human-rights-lawyer-veronica-koman-breaks-silence-slams-indonesian-authorities/news-story/a799a0f29fca3fc59bed0983bf8a48ac

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/09/16/un-human-rights-experts-express-support-for-veronica-koman-in-papua-case.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/west-papua-unrest-tests-indonesia-jokowi-term-begins-190911060733265.html

UN experts urge Indonesia to protect human rights defender Veronica Koman

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/492392

https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20190917135734-134-431227/ahli-pbb-desak-ri-cabut-sangkaan-terhadap-veronica-koman (INDONESIAN)

Indonesia/Australia: Indonesia: Support Letter Ms. Veronica Koman | Joint Letter

September 13, 2019

LRWC and L4L sent a joint letter calling on Indonesian authorities to withdraw criminal charges against human rights lawyer Veronica Koman, charged for disseminating information about police violence against Papuan students peacefully protesting for Papuan self-determination. The letter was sent to the Ministers of Political, Legal and Security Affairs, of Law and Human Rights and of Immigration along with the President and the Police Chief for the East Java region.

---

The President of the Republic of Indonesia
His Excellency Mr. Ir. Joko Widodo
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA

Amsterdam, 12 September 2019

Subject: Support Letter Ms. Veronica Koman

Your Excellency,

Lawyers for Lawyers (“L4L”) is an independent and non-political Dutch foundation that seeks to promote the proper functioning of the rule of law by pursuing freedom and independence of the legal profession. Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (“LRWC”) is a committee of lawyers and others who promote international human rights through advocacy, legal research and education.

L4L and LRWC write to express their concern about the police charges against Ms. Veronica Koman.

Veronica Koman is a prominent, independent human rights lawyer who previously worked as a public interest lawyer at the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) in Jakarta. LBH provides legal aid to the poor and marginalized people in Indonesia. Specifically, Veronica Koman has specialized in defending the rights of international refugees, women & LGBTIQs and West Papuans.

In previous years, Veronica Koman received multiple (death and rape) threats for defending the rights of accused persons in high-profile political cases, among which three legal cases involving Papuan indigenous people who were accused of separatism.

…

Indonesia: Support Letter Ms. Veronica Koman | Joint Letter

Letter on behalf of Veronica Koman

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24990&LangID=E

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/urges-indonesia-protect-rights-west-papua-activists-190916081502990.html

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/492129

https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/threats-against-and-judicial-harassment-human-rights-lawyer-veronica-koman

https://en.tempo.co/read/1246104/police-issue-second-summons-letter-for-veronica-koman

https://en.tempo.co/read/1247511/police-trace-suspicious-transactions-in-veronica-komans-accounts

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/398897/increase-noted-in-intimidation-of-legal-advocates-for-papuans

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2019/09/15/13392941/fakta-baru-kasus-veronica-koman-polisi-temukan-6-rekening-hingga-bantah?page=all (INDONESIAN)

https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20190914105624-20-430447/lsm-asing-surati-jokowi-setop-kasus-veronica-koman (INDONESIAN)

Indonesia/Australia: Outcry as Indonesia seeks to arrest renowned West Papua rights lawyer

September 5, 2019

Veronica Koman faces charges after being accused of spreading ‘fake news’ and inciting unrest

Indonesian police have named human rights lawyer and well-known West Papua advocate Veronica Koman as a suspect in the spreading of “fake news”, accusing her of provoking widespread unrest in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces.

In a move slammed by Amnesty International Indonesia, the human rights lawyer faces charges under the country’s controversial electronic information and transactions law, and faces up to six years in jail if found guilty.

Police specifically mentioned Koman’s posts about an incident in Surabaya in mid-August where military and nationalist militia were captured on video calling Papuan students “monkeys” and “dogs”.

East Java police said the lawyer had provoked and inflamed anti-racist riots that have swept across West Papua in recent weeks, and accused of her spreading fake news and provocative material.

Indonesian police say they have also contacted Interpol to seek assistance in locating the Indonesian lawyer, who they believe is abroad.

Indonesia’s National Commission of Human Rights slammed the move, saying Koman had attempted only to provide “necessary information from a different point of view”.

…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/05/outcry-as-indonesia-seeks-to-arrest-renowned-west-papua-rights-lawyer

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/09/05/asia-pacific/social-issues-asia-pacific/indonesian-human-rights-lawyer-accused-inciting-violent-papua-protests-spreading-provocative-news/

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/09/05/police-charge-papua-activist-govt-mulls-ending-blackout.html

Indonesian police target Veronica Koman for West Papua ‘incitement’

https://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2019/09/05/berita-terkini-papua-blokir-internet-dicabut-hingga-sosok-veronica-koman-yang-jadi-tersangka (INDONESIAN)

https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20190904161048-12-427500/safenet-polisi-tak-tepat-tetapkan-veronica-koman-tersangka (INDONESIAN)

https://news.solopos.com/read/20190905/496/1016638/amnesty-international-usut-pelaku-rasisme-bukan-twitter-veronica-koman (INDONESIAN)

https://www.suara.com/news/2019/09/05/073000/veronica-koman-jadi-tersangka-amnesty-international-minta-kasusnya-dicabut (INDONESIAN)

Baca pernyataan sikap kami selengkapnya di https://t.co/MxZmoQdvxk

— Amnesty International Indonesia (@amnestyindo) September 4, 2019

Lah yg baper kyknya elu gue sih cuma info biar lu gak kudet. Nih tambahan https://t.co/4D3aVW42wm lu bisa cari tau veronica koman pendukung siapa

— dmstaurisia (@dmstaurisia) September 5, 2019

7 Fakta Veronica Koman Tersangka Kerusuhan Papua di Surabaya, Punya Hubungan dengan Ahok https://t.co/c74RpjNLeT

— Black Jhon (@jhonkosmik_) September 5, 2019

Indonesia/Australia: Jakarta sets Interpol after Australia-based human rights lawyer

September 5, 2019

Indonesian police have asked ­Interpol to help track down an ­Indonesian human rights lawyer — understood to be living in Australia — who is facing charges of having “incited” recent violent protests across West Papua.

 

East Java police on Wednesday booked VK, believed to be lawyer Veronica Koman, as a suspect for incitement following riots in East Java, Papua and West Papua since August 18.

Police say they have sufficient evidence taken from her Twitter account and statements from people in Papua confirming that she was very active in relaying ­information related to Papua. “We first called VK in as a ­suspect but she didn’t show up. We believe she is abroad so we will work with the national intelligence agency and Interpol to ­appre­hend her,” East Java police chief Luki Hermawan said in ­Surabaya.

Ms Koman was not physically in Papua during the riots but “proactively provoked the public” through her Twitter account, a police spokesman said.

Police referred to her August 18 tweet calling out “monkeys to fill the streets of Jayapura” after an incident the day before saw Papuan students in Surabaya verbally abused by civilians.

Ms Koman would be the third suspect booked for inciting violence after police questioned two others for allegedly hurling racial abuse and intimidating a group of Papuan students at a dormitory in Surabaya, East Java.

The Legal Aid Institute in Jakarta has strongly “condemned” this latest move by the police.

…

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/jakarta-sets-interpol-after-australiabased-human-rights-lawyer/news-story/c132f6bd8de93a0b9de38964d944bbd7

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/indonesia-police-suspect-west-papua-unrest-190904063940855.html

https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/657774-indonesian-rights-lawyer-named-suspect-after-sharing-posts-on-papua

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/sep/4/indonesian-human-rights-lawyer-accused-of-inciting/

https://en.tempo.co/read/1243832/komnas-ham-slams-polices-suspect-naming-of-human-rights-lawyer

https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/04/indonesian-rights-lawyer-named-suspect-after-sharing-posts-on-papua

https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4693989/deretan-fakta-veronica-koman-yang-jadi-tersangka-provokasi-papua (INDONESIAN)

https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20190904161048-12-427500/safenet-polisi-tak-tepat-tetapkan-veronica-koman-tersangka (INDONESIAN)

https://www.suara.com/news/2019/09/05/071000/penetapan-tersangka-veronica-koman-dan-4-berita-kerusuhan-papua-lainnya (INDONESIAN)

https://halloindo.com/antara-news/2019/09/04/amnesty-akar-masalah-tindakan-rasial-aparat-bukan-veronica-koman (INDONESIAN)

Ngulik sepak terjang VK dikerusuhan Papua pic.twitter.com/Y1BCMP39Ur

— widarto (@widarto72094379) September 4, 2019

GELORA NEWS (@geloraco) menge-Tweet: Dulu Demo Bela Ahok, Veronica Koman Kini Jadi Tersangka Provokasi Asrama Papua
#TdLBpjsNaikWeLoveJokowi https://t.co/DpZP8VKIWM… https://t.co/GaAeV2HIUt

— FAHRI NUSANTARA (@fahri_nusantara) September 4, 2019

Kami bersama Veronica Koman.https://t.co/WW2NzOXlPl

— Elisa (@elisa_jkt) September 4, 2019

Amnesty International: Usut Pelaku Rasisme, Bukan Twitter Veronica Koman! https://t.co/WNUG1nuHZD

— f a j a r (@JarrFajarr_) September 4, 2019

Indonesia/West Papua: ‘It opened my eyes’: the Indonesian woman fighting for West Papuan rights

April 29, 2019

Lawyer Veronica Koman has been called a traitor and faced death threats as part of her legal battle to hold Indonesia’s police to account

An Indonesian human rights lawyer is among those taking the Indonesian police to court on behalf of all West Papuans, in an unprecedented civil case over what she claims is the illegal takeover of an activist group’s headquarters.

Veronica Koman is part of a legal coalition bringing the civil suit which is the first of its kind, and although it focuses on one particular incident, is seen as a landmark case in the fight for West Papuan independence from Indonesia.

The case – she is pursing police for more than $100,000 in damages over their raid of an activist group’s headquarters on New Year’s Eve – has come at a personal cost.

Koman, who travels to West Papua to represent those charged with separatism-related crimes, told the Guardian her work has led to abuse and death threats.

At a December rally she and others were pelted with rocks by fellow Indonesians, and she became the specific target of anti-separatist protests, sending her into hiding. “It was pretty rough … people were screaming at me: ‘you traitor, you are funding this separatism’,” she said.

Koman said she used to be “very nationalistic” when she was working as a legal aid officer in Jakarta. But when she learned of the shooting deaths of four schoolchildren by Indonesian authorities in December 2014 she became involved in public demonstrations and met West Papuan independence activists.

…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/29/it-opened-my-eyes-the-indonesian-woman-fighting-for-west-papuan-independence

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/protesters-set-fire-to-parliament-building-in-west-papua-as-tensions-mount

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/396876/more-than-150-west-papuans-arrested-in-demonstrations-lawyer

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/21/asia-pacific/indonesia-deploys-troops-papua-hit-fresh-unrest/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/indonesia-blocks-internet-west-papua-protest-rages-190822022809234.html