Recent findings highlight the ongoing use of treason charges to suppress peaceful activism in West Papua, raising significant concerns over the infringement of fundamental human rights. A report by the Alliance for Democracy for Papua (AlDP) and Tapol, launched in Jayapura in July 2024, reveals that treason laws are frequently employed to criminalise activists advocating for Papuan rights, including those involved in anti-racism protests and commemorations of political leaders.
The research documents 52 cases where activists were charged with treason, noting that these charges are often applied broadly, disregarding the peaceful nature of the protests. Legal experts and human rights advocates argue that the treason laws, rooted in colonial-era legislation, are misapplied to suppress freedom of expression rather than addressing genuine threats to national security.
Professor Melkias Hetharia of Cenderawasih University argues that the expression of support for Papuan independence, when conducted peacefully, does not constitute treason. He emphasizes that such expressions should be protected under international human rights standards, to which Indonesia is a signatory.
The report calls for a revision of treason laws and urges the Indonesian government to respect political expression and engage in dialogue to address the underlying issues in Papua, rather than resorting to repressive legal measures that only fuel further resistance.
