Uwazi

Seoul Metro, the operator of the subway system in Seoul, has filed a damages suit against a disability rights advocacy group over its subway-riding protests, city officials said Tuesday.

The city-run company filed the suit with the Seoul Central District Court on Friday seeking damages of 601.45 million won ($484,000) for train delays and other losses caused by 75 illegal protests staged by the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) since Dec. 3, 2021, they said.

The group staged subway-riding protests at major stations in central Seoul, demanding an increased government budget to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Wheelchair-bound activists have repeatedly boarded and disembarked trains disrupting metro services during the morning rush hour.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon late last month declared a zero-tolerance policy against their protests, warning of stern legal actions.

In late 2021, Seoul Metro filed a lawsuit against SADD, claiming 30 million won in compensation.

Last month, the Seoul Central District Court issued a mediation, calling for Seoul Metro to install more elevators at subway stations and SADD to stop protests. The court ruled SADD must pay Seoul Metro 5 million won for every five-minute delay in subway operations in the future.

The group accepted the compromise, but Seoul Metro and the city government rejected it.

SADD resumed the protests last month, and the company early last week warned of an additional lawsuit.

Last Wednesday, the group said it will suspend protests until Jan. 19 and demanded a meeting with Mayor Oh.

Oh accepted the offer, but the two sides have yet to agree on the details of the proposed meeting.

Subway workers blocked a group of disability rights activists from staging a subway protest during the morning rush hour on Tuesday, a day after authorities used force for the first time to deter their yearlong protest.

Since late last year, the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) has staged subway-riding protests at major stations in central Seoul on and off, demanding an increased government budget to protect the rights of people with disabilities, including mobility rights.

Wheelchair-bound activists have repeatedly boarded and disembarked trains to cause delays in metro services during the morning rush hour, drawing complaints from commuters.

In their latest protest on Tuesday, about 20 SADD members boarded a subway train on Line 4 at Sungshin Women's University Station at around 8 a.m. and got off at Dongdaemun History Culture Park Station.Immediately after disembarking, the activists tried to get back on the same train, but Seoul Metro workers blocked their entry, sparking protests from the activists.

"Let us get on the subway. Disabled people are citizens as well," they chanted.

The confrontation followed a 13-hour shoving match between activists and authorities at Samgakji Station on Line 4 on Monday.

Up to 640 riot police personnel were mobilized to block dozens of SADD activists from boarding a subway train from the morning through the night on Monday, the first time physical force was used to counter the subway protest in earnest.

Seoul Metro had 13 subway trains pass through Samgakji Station without stopping during the 13-hour confrontation, citing the railway safety act that prohibits rowdiness at train stations and facilities.

As many as 26 students who were members of the Indonesian People's Assembly (IPA) mass action for the NTB region were arrested by the police while holding an action to criticize the G-20 meeting, Tuesday (11/15/2022). The arrests took place at two different locations. A total of 14 people were arrested by the Mataram City Police, while 12 students were arrested by the East Lombok Police. "The action hasn't started yet, but our colleagues have been disbanded by the police, on the grounds of G20 security. They were forcibly transported to the Mataram City Police," explained Badaruddin, Coordinator of LBH Mataram to Kompas.com, Tuesday night (11/15/2022) ). Badar explained that the IPA coordinator for the NTB region, Muhammad Alwi, was also arrested. Another arrest occurred in Selong, East Lombok. As many as 12 students who were involved in the action were secured at the East Lombok Makodim. "Both in Mataram and East Lombok were just about to start their actions, the authorities arrested them," said Badaruddin. He was surprised because one of the students was arrested at his boarding house, because he was suspected of carrying out an action. Until this news was written, all students were still being held by the police. A number of LBH Mataram Teams who checked the whereabouts of these students reported that all students had not been questioned. Meanwhile, the Mataram LBH Team has not been allowed to meet the 12 students who were detained at the East Lombok Police Headquarters. Spokesperson for the Mataram National Student Front (FMN), Andini Nurcholisah, explained that the IPA action in the NTB region was a coordinative action carried out simultaneously by IPA in all regions nationally. This action was a response to the ongoing G20 meeting in Bali, since November 15, 2022. "The last few days, the FMN secretariat in Mataram, which is a member of the IPA NTB, was visited by officers. They stood guard and did not let us leave the secretariat to hold an action," Andini said. "Allegations of a people's movement that will disrupt the security and continuity of the G20 Summit are baseless and fabricated accusations," said Andini. Andini regrets that until Tuesday (15/11/2022) evening, FMN had not received any information regarding the condition of their colleagues who were arrested. Kabid Humas Polda NTB, Kombes Pol Artanto and Kapolres Kota Mataram, Kombespol Mustofa, who were confirmed, have yet to provide an answer regarding the arrest of dozens of students. "I will check first," said Kabid Humas Polda NTB, Kombes Pol Artanto.

The police arrested 13 students from the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) who raised the Morning Star flag during a demonstration at the local campus in Padang Bulan, Jayapura.

Jayapura Police Chief Kombes Victor Mackbon said that apart from raising the Morning Star flag, the dozens of students with the help of their colleagues carried out anarchic acts and threw stones at officers when the action was about to be dispersed.

In fact, the police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the student anarchist action.

"Four police personnel were injured in the incident, so they were immediately ordered to receive an autopsy," said Kombes Mackbon quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, November 10.

The Kapolresta has yet to confirm the status of the 13 students who were secured, whether they are pure USTJ students or not. "Investigators are still examining the 13 students," he added.

Separately, USTJ Deputy Chancellor for Student Affairs Isak Rumbarar acknowledged that there were students who were secured at the Jayapura City Police.

"I can't say for sure whether they are all USTJ students or not because currently they are still being handled by the Jayapura City Police," said Isak.

Isak admitted that he was shocked when he learned that the demonstration by students on his campus was accompanied by the raising of the Morning Star flag, prompting the security forces to act according to applicable law.

According to him, USTJ provides space for students to express their aspirations, but student actions that violate the law by raising the Morning Star flag cannot be justified.

"There was an pelting action by a group of students and the police fired tear gas," explained Isak Rumbarar.

The Papuan Student Alliance of the Bali City Committee is planning a demonstration at the Renon Roundabout, opposing the G20 Summit and demanding that the government give the Papuan people the right to self-determination. Then there was a riot. It all started when the masses were going to the point of action, around 9.30. They also carried posters with their demands. “Prior to the action point, we were immediately intercepted by a large number of mass organizations, pecalang and Banjar Renon village officials. Then silenced and repressed the masses, and shouted racist words," said the spokesman for the action, Herry Meaga, to Tirto, Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

At 10 o'clock, the demonstrators were surrounded and pelted with stones, wood and bottles. Even mass organizations are said to have used slingshots to block them. "Then we couldn't stop the repression from the mass organizations because the number of mass organizations was increasing, they kept pushing and pushing back the comrades," said Herry. So the action coordinator ordered the masses to return to the dormitories. An hour later, the masses read out their position statements. In this incident, six students were injured due to the alleged assault and seizure of alliance flags and posters, and severing megaphone cables. The Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Kombes Pol Stefanus Satake Bayu, regretted this incident. At that time, pecalang were on guard around the student dormitory, there were no police. He also stated that there was no letter of action notification from the student alliance to the police. "There was no notification letter for the demonstration (of Papuan students). If they have a notification, we can help with security," he said to Tirto. "But we have appealed to organizations that want to demonstrate to postpone it, because Indonesia is currently having an international event. The TNI and Polri are focusing on securing the G20 Summit," Bayu continued. Today is the last day of the G20 Summit in Bali. With regard to Circular Letter Number 35425/SEKRET/2022 concerning Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities in the Context of Implementing the G20 Presidency, which was signed by the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster on October 25, 2022, it is only natural that students are prohibited from demonstrating. The circular letter emphasized that "Restrictions on community activities in the South Kuta District, Badung Regency, and South Denpasar will be implemented on 12-17 November 2022, covering education, government and private offices, traditional ceremonies, religious activities, except for health facilities."

The Alliance of Student Executive Boards (BEM) together with hundreds of students from all over Jayapura held a protest against the G20 Summit at the Lower Gate of Cenderawasih University (Uncen), Abepura Jayapura Papua, Wednesday (16/11).

The action against the G20 Summit began at 08.00 Papua Time. The demonstrators gathered at four points, namely Expo Waena, Upper Uncen, Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) Campus, Uncen Faculty of Medicine, and demonstrators from Lower Uncen.

The masses of action began to gather together at the Lower Uncen Gate. At around 11.30 Papua Time, the demonstrators from Uncen Atas descended and. Here there was a clash between the demonstrators and the demonstrators were forcibly dispersed by security forces from the police.

Around 12.00 Papua Time, the situation became chaotic when the police fired tear gas, removed and shot the demonstrators with rubber bullets, threw stones and arrested the demonstrators.

At that time the mass action started to heat up because the TNI/Polli entered the campus area and attacked students so that several students were hit, lost their cell phones, motorbike keys and noken.

The names of the students who were detained by the police were Gerson Pigai, an Uncen student, as the Public Field Coordinator. Both Yabet Lukas Degei, Uncen students.

Third, Abel Pauwok, Uncen student; fourth, Uncen's student Bayage Dictionary; fifth, Ayus Heluka, Uncen student, sixth Lukas Gane, Uncen student and seventh, Tinus Heluka, Uncen student.

The seven students are still at Jayapura Porlesta and are receiving assistance from the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH).

The demonstrators could not proceed to the target location of the Papua Province People's Representative Council (DPR) office because the situation was getting hotter and impossible. Then at 12.30 the demonstrators were dispersed by TNI/Polri officers.

The West Papua Regional Police of Manokwari Police have arrested 15 people suspected of being involved in the treason act when dozens of residents commemorated the anniversary of West Papua New Guinea (WPNG) at the Wosi Manokwari terminal, Sunday (28/11).

Head of the Manokwari Police Station AKBP Parasian Herman Gultom confirmed that 15 people had been arrested and they were currently undergoing investigations at the Manokwari Police Headquarters to find out their role in the action.

"The action allegedly contradicts the ideology of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia but is covered with worship activities, because there are cries for an independent Papua to the display of symbols that are prohibited in our country," said the police chief.

The police chief said that based on the initial examination, the 15 people were identified as field coordinators, community liaisons and sympathizers who were present at the prohibited activities.

"At the time of the action, they said that their president was currently in the Netherlands. Therefore, after the investigation, we will hold a hearing to determine who should be named as a suspect in accordance with Article 106 of the Criminal Code on treason," said the police chief.

He explained that the action which was held around 11.30-12.00 WIT at the Wosi terminal began with worship activities and continued with speeches up to the unfurling of the Morning Star flag.

"Our members have made an appeal, but the appeal was not heeded, so law enforcement measures were taken to enforce the forced dissolution to secure the 15 people," said the police chief.

After the forced disbandment and the arrest of 15 people during the WPNG action at the Wosi terminal, the security situation for the Manokwari city area was under control, the Police Chief appealed to the people of Manokwari not to be provoked by provocative issues, and to continue their activities as usual "Until Sunday night the Manokwari situation was under control, the community could carry out their activities as usual and were not easily provoked by various provocative issues," said the police chief.

Thursday (3/11), there was another attempt to silence the people who were defending their land. Wednesday (2/11), 5 farmers from Bunga Raya District, Siak Regency were examined as witnesses for alleged joint criminal acts of violence and threats when rejecting the activities of PT. TKWL on September 29, 2022 based on Police Report No. LP/B/461/IX/2022/SPKT/RIAU dated 30 September 2022.

Last September 29, dozens of farming communities rejected the activities of PT. TKWL on the land they manage because a few weeks earlier, PT TKWL informed residents that the heavy equipment to be operated would only function to repair roads. However, in reality, the heavy equipment entered the land and made excavations on the people's land.

The summons as a witness is a form of criminalization effort to stop people who are members of farmer groups from stopping to manage their own land. Previously, Anton et al were questioned at the Riau Police regarding alleged criminal acts on plantations on complaints from PT. Teguh Karsa Wanalestari No. 008/TKWL/EXT/VIII/2022 dated 25 August 2022 (https://www.lbhpekanbaru.or.id/menagih-jan-reforma-agraria-di-areal-kerja-pt-tkwl/).

“The criminalization patterns of Bunga Raya farmers are very real and this effort also scares farmers who in the end they are evicted from their own land. For this reason, stop scaring farmers, stop all efforts to criminalize in resolving agrarian conflicts because criminal law is actually not a place for resolving agrarian conflicts," said Noval Setiawan, public lawyer for LBH Pekanbaru.

Apart from that, Noval also explained that the criminalization efforts carried out by PT TKWL were a denial of human rights as regulated in Article 28 G of the 1945 Constitution which reads, "Everyone has the right to protection of himself/herself, family, honor, dignity, and property owned by under his authority, and is entitled to a sense of security and protection from threats of fear to do or not do something which is a human right.”

"This effort adds to a series of bad things that have injured the farmers' struggle with patterns of criminalization and silencing," said Noval.

In line with that, the Director of LBH Pekanbaru, Andi Wijaya, stated that Anton and other friends, are local people who have lived for a long time and have a livelihood that came from the transmigration program in the 90s. resolve the issue of agrarian conflicts and accelerate the process of agrarian reform for transmigration communities in Siak district.

"On January 20, 2022, Anton et al who are members of the Marhaen Ideal Farmers Association have written to the President and related ministries including the ATR/BPN ministry to grant their rights which have been mandated in the 1945 Constitution and fulfill the president's commitment to agrarian reform," explained Andi Wijaya.

Repressive actions taken by members of the police occurred again, this time targeting the people of Kalasey Dua Village, Minahasa, North Sulawesi on Monday (7/11/2022). The action was marked by violent arrests, tear gas shots and insults to the public.

The Manado Legal Aid Institute (LBH) reported the incident, which said that 46 people were arrested, ranging from farmers, LBH public lawyers to students.

Director of LBH Manado, Frank Tyson Kahiking, stated that the repressive actions of the local police and Satpol PP were related to the evictions carried out by the North Sulawesi Provincial Government on land cultivated by farmers in Kalasey Dua Village.

"Since 10.00 WITA, the police and Satpol PP have forced their way into the farmers' land to carry out evictions. Farmers who refused to attend have blocked the road, but the police officers continued to force the demonstrators with repressive measures so that some suffered neck injuries. and left hand," Frank said when contacted by Suara.com on Monday (7/11/2022).

Then at 15.10 WITA, a total of 14 people were arbitrarily arrested, then taken to the Manado Police.

It was later reported that the number of people arrested had increased. In fact, it is estimated that the number reached more than 46 people and was taken to the Manado Police.

"Until now there are still several residents and students who continue to chase and be arrested by the Police and Satpol PP in a repressive manner using violence, even the Kalasey Dua Village Farmers Post was destroyed so that several students and farmers had to run into the forest to save themselves," said franks.

LBH Manado stated that the evictions were carried out by the North Sulawesi Provincial Government, in this case the Governor of North Sulawesi did not comply with the legal process.

"That the land is still in the process of cassation efforts and there has not even been a decision to carry out an execution," said Frank.

"However, the North Sulawesi Provincial Government used security forces with full firearms to force their way in and fired tear gas several times at the demonstration. In fact, one police officer was recorded as swearing at farmers," he continued.

Regarding this, LBH Manado together with the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) conveyed their urging,

1. Stop Forced Evictions in Kalasey Dua Village, Minahasa.
2. Withdraw the Police and stop intimidating farmers, students and legal assistants.
3. Release the farmers, students and LBH Manado Public Lawyers who were arrested and taken to the Manado Police.

The Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH) urged the court to acquit four farmers from Cikandang and Margamulya, Cikajang District, Garut Regency. The four of them were jailed on a report from PTPN VIII accusing them of cultivating the land illegally.

LBH Bandung's legal team for Cikandang farmers M Rafi Saiful Islam said, on Wednesday (30/11/2022), the four farmers named Nandang, Saepudin, Ujang Juhana, and Pakih had undergone an indictment hearing from the Garut District Attorney. The four were charged with violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code Jo Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code Jo Article 107 letter c Jo Article 55 letter c Law No 39 of 2014, which carries a penalty of 5 years in prison.

"The four farmers who are members of the Badega Farmers Union have been criminalized by PTPN VIII after working on abandoned land in the Cisaroni afdeling land. Their cultivated land includes Margamulya Village and Cikandang Village," said Rafi in his statement, Thursday (1/12/2022).

"We urge the release of the four detained farmers. In fact, these four farmers are agrarian reform fighters who are fighting for land to be managed as a livelihood," he added.

Rafi said the four farmers from Cikandang, Garut, were fighting for land rights that they should have been able to get. This is because the land they are working on is no longer productive and has been neglected by PTPN VIII. However, because of the regulation on cultivation rights (HGU), farmers cannot immediately work on PTPN VIII's land. Even though the land cultivated by the farmers had been abandoned by PTPN VIII and was not productive at all.

"As is the real condition on the ground, the land area located in Cikandang Village, the area cultivated by Cipancur blocks 5 and 6, is no longer productive and has been neglected by PTPN VIII," he said.

According to LBH, the land abandoned by PTPN VII must be of benefit to the surrounding community. Moreover, the four of them were sharecroppers who did not have their own arable land at all. "Most of the people in Cikandang Village are people who make a living in the agricultural sector. However, limited agricultural land causes farmers in this area to work as farm laborers, which results in their income being inadequate and far from enough to support their families. So farm workers in there are many who become cultivators of unproductive or neglected land in the PTPN VIII plantation area," he said.

LBH also urged PTPN VIII's HGU regulations to be repealed for farmers in Cikandang Village, Garut. They also urged the four farmers to be immediately released, and asked law enforcement officials to review their decision. "Revoke the PTPN VIII HGU of Cikandang Village in the area cultivated by Cipancur blocks 5 and 6 which have been abandoned land and cultivated by farmers for a source of life. (And) law enforcement officials should look more at the context of land tenure where these farmers are actually getting land tenure rights is not answered through punishment," he said. Chronology of Events

When confirmed again, Rafi told the chronology of the case. The case that happened to four Cikandang farmers occurred in mid-2022. They were reported by PTPN VIII to the Cikajang Police with accusations of destroying tea trees. "From the beginning of 2022 there was actually a conflict. Until mid-March, June, July, the conflict escalated somewhat and resulted in a report from PTPN to the Cikajang Police. The report was destruction of plantation land," Rafi told detikJabar.

Rafi revealed that the farmers in CiSometimes Village did not feel they had damaged the land or the tea trees on PTPN VIII's land. The residents even helped to re-productive the land on the land because it had been called neglected by PTPN VIII for years. Not only that, residents, according to Rafi's narrative, also felt that since 1995 they had not found any more activity on the land which now has the status of PTPN VIII. According to him, if it has been neglected, the residents have the right to work on the land that PTPN is not using at all.

"The facts on the ground are that the land has been abandoned, the tea trees are approximately 4 meters high and filled with shrubs. Anyway, it's like a wilderness, not like tea plantations in general," he said.

"That's why the residents took the initiative to clear the land. But in fact it ended in a report from PTPN to the Cikajang Police. Even though nothing was damaged, because the land was abandoned land. So there is no such thing as destroying tea plantations, but the residents are working on abandoned land," said Rafi.

Prosecutor's Response

In response to this, the Garut State Prosecutor's Office opened their voices. The Public Prosecutor (JPU) Friza Adiyudha said that currently the case was already being tried.

"The agenda is already in court. Our detention will be made on November 14, during the second stage. We will go to court on November 20, then issue a decision from the court on November 23," said Friza to journalists in his office, Thursday (1/12/2022).

Based on the case file that was transferred by the Garut Police to the Attorney General's Office, investigators charged the four suspects with Article 170 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code, as well as an alternative charge, namely Article 107 C of RI Law Number 39 of 2014 concerning Plantations. "As for the threat of punishment, Article 179 is 5 years and 8 months, for more than 5 years you can be detained. The alternative to Article 107 is 4 years maximum," said Friza.

Friza said, based on the case files he received, the case started with the felling of a number of tea trees, which was carried out by the four defendants, namely Nandang, Saepudin, Ujang and Pakih around June 2022. "The defendants and other perpetrators who are still on the wanted list carried out logging or clearing of PTPN VIII's tea trees. There are many trees, hundreds maybe. Because this happened in several PTPN areas," he said.

The defendants admitted to their actions. According to Friza, based on the testimony of the defendants, they felt they had the right to manage the land which he acknowledged as state property. "Only, in this case, PTPN objected so PTPN finally reported it to the Police. Even during the trial, the defendants still felt that what they did was not wrong," said Friza.

The police arrested five people suspected of being sympathizers of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).

They were detained during a commemoration of International Human Rights Day in the Uncen Abepura campus area, Jayapura City, Papua, Saturday (10/12/2022).

Jayapura City Police Chief Kombes Victor Mackbon said the action did not receive permission from his party.

Firm action was forced to be taken because the masses put up resistance when given persuasive appeals.

"The action that was carried out today was not permitted, because there were several requirements that could not be met," he told a number of journalists, including Tribun-Papua.com.

Initially the police personnel called on the masses from the KNPB to disperse.

However, it is regrettable that there was resistance from the person who was suspected of being the provocateur of the action.

He said the five demonstrators who were detained were now taken to his headquarters for questioning.

The former Mimika Police Chief emphasized that his party always tries to open up space for the community to express their aspirations in a dignified manner.

"However, there are always provocateurs who take advantage of the situation to disrupt the smooth running of Kamtibmas, of course we always anticipate this," he said.

Meanwhile, Kombes Victor said the current situation in Jayapura City was safe and conducive.

Eight activists from the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua and the Papuan Student Alliance were arrested by the police in Ternate City, North Maluku, on Thursday (1/12/2022), during a demonstration commemorating the raising of the Morning Star flag at the Nieuw Guinea Raad Office ( NGR) or Dutch New Guinea Council in Holland on 1 December 1961. The eight activists were taken to the Ternate Police Headquarters, and were questioned there.

This was stated by the Head of the Department of Unification of the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua, Anton Trisno, to Jubi via the WhatsApp service, Thursday. Anton stated that the eight people arrested by the police were activists from the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP), the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP), the Indonesian Student League for Democracy (LMID), and individuals.

Those arrested by the police were Jack (FRI-WP activist), Hengky (AMP activist), Dino (AMP activist), Susan (AMP activist), Malo (LMID activist), Kama (LMID activist), Rino (individual), and The (individual) wave. "Our friends were arrested by the police while holding a demonstration commemorating the embryonic independence of the West Papuan people on December 1, 1961," said Anton.

He said the December 1 commemoration action was held in Ternate since Thursday at around 10.46 WIT. During the long march, they met a group of motorcycle taxi drivers. "Shortly after, police and soldiers in plain clothes [came to] the location of the action, and opposed the action, because this is Ternate, not Papua," said Anton.

Moments later, the police came. At around 10.58 WIT, the demonstrators for the December 1 commemoration were dispersed by the security forces along with motorcycle taxi drivers, on the grounds that they were disturbing the activities of other residents.

“The mass action was dispersed by motorcycle taxi drivers, police and soldiers. [They said], 'if you want to say that Papua is free, look for another country'," Anton said, imitating the words of the group that broke up the demonstration.

When the masses moved in the Jatiland Mall Ternate area, clashes again occurred at around 11.00 WIT. “[A number of participants in] the action were injured, and eight people were arrested. They were secured at the Ternate Police for questioning," said Anton.

Anton Trisno expressed disappointment with the disbandment of the demonstration. "We are very disappointed with the arbitrary arrests by the police of FRI-WP, AMP, and Individual activists," he said.

Anton asked the police to immediately release the arrested activists. "We ask for solidarity so we can monitor and advocate for it," he said.

A number of students from Papua who are members of the Human Rights and Democracy Forum Alliance (Formasi) held a demonstration in front of the Widya Mandira Catholic University Kupang Campus on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Merdeka Village, Kota Lama District, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Thursday (1/12/2022). Dozens of students who are a combination of the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) of Kupang City, the Papuan Student Communication Forum (Fokmap) of NTT and the West Papua Indonesian People's Forum (FRI-WP), held a demonstration to voice human rights and democracy issues in Papua. During the action, students carried banners that read their demands. Starting from human rights and democracy issues in Papua, rejection of plans to exploit the Wae Sano geothermal in NTT and rejection of ticket increases and business monopoly in the Komodo National Park in NTT, as well as rejection of the RKUHP. During the demonstration, the students were disbanded by Community Organizations (Ormas). ) Guard Flobamora XXX. The police officers guarding the action then took the students to the Kelapa Lima Sector Police Headquarters for safekeeping. "That's right, our members have secured them (Papuan students) at the Kelapa Lima Police," said Head of Public Relations for the NTT Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy to Kompas.com, Thursday (1/12/2022). After that, the student from Papua was taken to the Kupang City Police Headquarters for security reasons. Then, the Kupang City Police took steps to secure the dispute between the Ormas and the students. The police also appealed to both parties not to take actions that violate the law which affect stability, security and public order in Kupang City. "Members of the Kupang City Police then sent the students home using a bus belonging to the Kupang City Police to the Oesapa Village, Kelapa Lima District," he said.

A demonstration demanding the repeal of the Criminal Code (KUHP) in Bandung, Thursday (15/12/2022) afternoon, ended in chaos. The action, which was carried out by hundreds of masses from a combination of students from all over West Java, was dispersed by the police.

The action this time was the form of the umpteenth time rejecting the Criminal Code which was later passed by the DPR and the government some time ago. The masses carried the theme of the action "West Java Sues, Bandung Seas Anger".

One of the participants in the action, Audi, said that initially the action went smoothly. The students demanded that the Criminal Code, which contains problematic articles, be repealed immediately. They gave speeches voicing their demands in front of the West Java DPRD Building until 18.00 WIB.

The demonstrators had asked to have an audience with members of the West Java DPRD, but several people's representatives only stood at the door, not meeting the demonstrators.

After the sunset call to prayer, conditions began to become unfavorable. Allegedly there was a provocation that made the action heated up.

"And finally, right after the call to prayer, we started to break up," said Audi, to Bandungmoving.id when met at the Bandung Polrestabes, Thursday night.

In the midst of a chaotic situation, the masses asked members of the West Java DPRD to leave. But then the first water cannon shots started at around 19.30 WIB. This causes the masses to scatter.

After having retreated for a while, the masses returned to the fence area of the West Java DPRD Building. It was then that the students said they started receiving tear gas shots. The crowd scattered, some of them fainted.

Police armed with batons then chased and dispersed the demonstrators. As a result, a number of students were injured, several people were rushed to the hospital.

"We are advancing again, the tear gas was shot behind the (first) DPRD fence, only then the second tear gas was shot out. There the masses started to get upset, there started a lot of victims from students in West Java," said Audi.

Audi itself became one of the victims. The student from a private university in Bandung admitted that he was hit with a bat and was knocked unconscious. Two of his friends were even caught and taken to the Bandung Polrestabes.

Not only that, several other campus students also became victims of repression. Among others, from UIN Bandung. Preliminary data from the students noted that 17 people were arrested and taken to the Bandung Polrestabes. This data is still being updated.

Head of BEM Unpad, Virdian Aurellio regretted the repressive actions of the police in securing the action. He recorded how many students were examined and their devices were detained to be taken to the Bandung Polrestabes.

"We didn't do anything to point fingers, where here, we checked our wallets, checked our cellphones, then our friends were told to squat like criminals," he said.

On the other hand, a number of public defender activists from the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH), the Indonesian Legal Aid Association (PBHI), and LBH Berani experienced difficulty accessing them when they tried to provide legal assistance to students who were arrested at the Bandung Polrestabes. New legal assistance can be given at 22.25 WIB.

"Like the previous pattern regarding entry, we provide access to legal assistance, of course we encounter difficulties. To be precise, they were prevented even though we had received complaints, we were carrying out legal aid work, but still (obstructed)," said Heri Pramono from LBH Bandung.

The demonstration against the Criminal Code that was carried out by a coalition of civil society in front of the DPR RI building today, Tuesday (6/12), was dispersed by the police.

In fact, the masses planned to hold demonstrations until the evening.

Based on CNNIndonesia.com's monitoring, the civil society coalition disbanded after receiving warnings from the police twice via loudspeakers.

"Please disperse," said one of the police.

Apart from that, they have also been visited by the police several times and asked for the same thing. The coalition had asked for the action to continue, but the police kept reminding them to disperse.

The coalition also asked the police for time to carry out the Maghrib prayer. The request was granted. However, they still had to disband afterward. Finally they disbanded around 18.45 WIB.

In action, a coalition of civil society set up two tents. The erection of the tent was carried out as a symbol of the action that will be carried out continuously and for a long time.

They admit that they will continue to reject the Criminal Code, which was just passed today. Because, according to them, the Criminal Code still includes several articles that are problematic and threaten civil liberties.

The Jakarta street paralegal and action field coordinator, Dzuhrian Ananda Putra, previously said that the demonstration would be carried out until the evening. This was done at the same time as testing the impact of the new Criminal Code on space for expression. According to him, demonstrations or actions should not be limited.

"We want to say why tenting, camping, camping is a long activity, requires our energy, and we want to say that the community's resistance will be long and will continue," said Dzuhrian.

"The wave was not only yesterday, today, tomorrow, but also because the impact of the new Criminal Code is very clear," he added.

It is known that the DPR RI and the government finally approved the Draft Criminal Code (RKUHP) to become law at a plenary meeting held at the parliament complex, Tuesday (6/12). Although the RKUHP still contains controversial articles.

The commemoration of International Human Rights Day (HAM) December 10, 2022 was colored by mass actions in Papua. Action oration just about to start, police officers dispersed the masses of action. Several people were reportedly detained at the local police station.

Information gathered by the media from a number of sources, at least 85 people were arrested by the security forces at several points in the area when they were about to commemorate 74 years of world human rights day (10 December 1948-20 December 2022) with a peaceful demonstration, Saturday (10/12/2022).

Forced dispersal and mass arrests took place in Sentani, Jayapura district. Likewise in Wamena, Jayawijaya district. As well as in Abepura and Waena, the city of Jayapura.

According to Ones Suhuniap, spokesperson for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), 108 protesters were arrested by security forces.

“Earlier there were arrests of 108 people. First in Wamena 30 people. Then in Sentani 51 people and in the city of Jayapura there are 4 people," he said in response to confirmation from suarapapua.com via WhatsApp, Saturday night.

Quoting field reports, said Ones, the silencing of democratic space by means of forced dissolution to arrests and beatings of peaceful demonstrators took place in various cities in the Land of Papua.

"Peaceful demonstrations to commemorate world human rights day were carried out in 9 cities in Papua. Among others, in the city of Jayapura, Jayapura district in Sentani, Gunung Bintang district in Oksibil, Jayawijaya district in Wamena, Tolikara district, Lanny Jaya district, Manokwari and Sorong.”

Outside Papua, Ones explained, peaceful demonstrations were carried out by Papuan students organized by the Indonesian Consulate which were centered in Manado and Gorontalo.

Sentani

The peaceful demonstration in Sentani, Jayapura district, was carried out at 6.15 WIT. With the action point at the eye of the Post 7 Sentani road.

"At 7.30 WIT, police from the Jayapura Police arrived at the demonstrators and forcibly dispersed them. Several action mobs were hit. There were also arrests. 51 people were arrested,” he explained.

Ones confirmed that the action was facilitated by the KNPB Sentani Region to commemorate 72 years of world human rights day and at the same time urged the Indonesian government to resolve various cases of human rights violations in the Land of Papua and demand an immediate referendum as a democratic solution.

Of the 51 people transported by the police from Post 7 Sentani, five of them were injured.

"The victims were injured on behalf of Agustina Darla Kobak (on the head), Zeth (on the head), Insu Ina Su (on the arm), Nodi Tepmul (on the hand), and Frangki Kogoya (on the hand)."

The names secured by the Jayapura Police: Agus Bahabol (person in charge), Sadrack Lagowan (General Coordinator), Demi Tabuni, Silis Uopdana, Nando, Agn, Malis Uopkulir, Dortius Tenget, Saugas Lokon, Oktovianus Wakel, Betok Uropmabin, Eleck Tepmul , Gaulin Balingga, Inzu Ina Su, Frengky Kogoya, Menis Siep, Agustina Darla Kobak, Yosua, Yopina Pahabol, Ance Yoku, Milka, Hinus Siep.

Ektam Kalakmabin, Melly Tepmul, Kurus DM Felle, Oviana Kha Websa, Meksi Taplo, Eiko Taplo, Yan Itlay, Imer Matuan, Elison Pahabol, Eco Passe, Bella Wesapia, Berto Taplo, Gerry Matuan, Steven Tengket (Wakorlap), Mario Kassar, Miles Itlay, Fehri Molama, Elli Sugun, Man Waker, Charles Kogoya.

"We have not recorded the other 10 people," said Ones.

"The demonstrators who were arrested have been transported to the Jayapura Police in Doyo," he continued.

Security forces also took a number of action devices. In the form of billboards, megaphones, pamphlets, command lines and seven KNPB flags.

In addition, 1 Readmi 05 handset belonging to Sadrack Lagowan was also confiscated.

Wamena

Forced dispersal of mass demonstrations and mass arrests also occurred in Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya district. Apart from the gathering point at the Mission Wouma Market, police officers dispersed the demonstrators at the Jibama Market.

Reportedly, 30 people were taken to the Jayawijaya Police.

"12 people from the Mission Wouma market point, 13 people from the Jibama market, and from Potikelek 5 people were arrested and taken to Jayawijaya Police," he explained.

The protesters from the Wouma Mission Market point that were secured were Nopius Asso, Jhon Iksomon, Nahason Pahabol, Niel Asso, Wene Kabak, Niris Pahabol, Abet Kabak, Tolak Asso, Nikon Kabak, Wei, Sini Ulunggi, Alimos Pahabol.

From Jibama Market, namely Othen Gombo, Mau Iaba, Wilem Kenelak, Ima Alya, Pokemon Wantik, Masongan Endambia, Fakalis Kisa, Yalince Wandikbo, Lidia Wandikbo, Yos Logo, Yosael Gombo, Aten Jaga, Junani Sibak.

Meanwhile, from the Potikelek point, namely Erik Aliknoe, Wenealem Y Kabak, Aten Asso, Lani Yikwa, Rosyan Zine Kogoya.

"All of them are KNPB members," said Ones while adding that the 25 people were undergoing examination.

Before the security forces disbanded, Ones received a report that the mass demonstrations in the context of World Human Rights Day in Wamena had started to move since 08.00 at several points.

Apart from the three gathering points which were forcibly disbanded and dozens of people arrested, said Suhuniap, the mass demonstrations from other gathering points were blockaded.

"Meanwhile, the demonstrators from Sinakma moved at 09.56 to successfully march towards the Jayawijaya DPRD office, but the gate was closed. The masses occupied in front of the DPRD office on Jalan Yos Sudarso Wamena."

Student Action

The commemoration of World Human Rights Day held by the Jayapura Alliance of Student Executive Boards (BEM) at the Uncen Abepura campus was also disbanded by security forces.

The student action in front of the Uncen Auditorium was prevented until several students were secured by members of the Jayapura Police.

The identities of the demonstrators detained were: Engel AP You, Tayai Kotopa Keiya, Olison Pakage, Iso Pekei and Yosep Douw.

The report that Ones received from Francis Yobee, the General Coordinator, stated that a number of students were treated harshly and even injured.

Seven people were beaten, namely Nando Boma (hit in the head), Okto Mote (swollen spine, injured finger), Yoten Mirin (hand wound), Hendrik Muyapa (hand wound, cellphone confiscated), Yabet Degei (back swollen, his clothes were torn), X Dogomo (ear wound), Olison Pakage (head bleeding).

Meanwhile at the Uncen Perumnas III Waena campus, the police dispersed the peaceful student demonstration. The action is centered on the upper Uncen gate.

Forcibly disbanded, the students moved to Perumnas I to join the Waena Expo demonstration masses.

Again, the police blockaded the demonstrators until they were forcibly dispersed at the Expo Waena bridge.

The demonstrators from Expo Waena, Buper and its surroundings gathered at the Papua Museum from 09.30 to 10.30 WIT, and were again disbanded.

The mass of protesters who gathered at the Abepura Circle also shared the same fate. Disbanded the security forces.

At around 13.00 WIT, the demonstrators from the USTJ campus, the lower Uncen campus headed for the Mimi hostel. The mass of action that was dispersed from Abe's circle also joined.

Gathering at the Mimin Dormitory's volleyball court, the masses delivered speeches and read out their position statements.

Manokwari and Sorong

In Manokwari, a peaceful demonstration to mark World Human Rights Day aimed at blocking the West Papua DPR office from the Manokwari Police and the Amban Police.

The action started at 09.00 WIT.

Both Amban and other points have been blockaded since morning.

In Sorong, the plan for peaceful action was centered in front of Ellin Maranata. From 7.00 WIT, at the location of the action, the security forces were on standby before the masses arrived.

The security forces appeared in full gear. By using cars and motorbikes, the security forces were on alert while terrorizing the mass action.

The mass of the KNPB action continued to unfurl banners, pamphlets and put up two KNPB organizational flags.

Beginning with a prayer, orations were delivered alternately at 9.00 WIT.

Delivery of speeches for one hour until 10.00 WIT.

The apparatus then limited it because it had exceeded the time limit.

Several times the KNPB board led by Dengky Pagawak negotiated with the police because they had submitted notification letters about plans for peaceful demonstrations.

Plans for a long march to the DPRD office were canceled because officials did not allow it.

In a matter of two minutes the mass of action must disperse.

Avoiding various bad possibilities, the action was ended after members of the Polres began moving to remove the command lines, pamphlets, banners, and took the KNPB flag.

"The demonstrators were forcibly dispersed around 10.58 WIT."

Unable to survive due to the strength of the number of armed troops, the demonstrators dispersed safely.

Four Current Districts

Actions to commemorate Human Rights Day which were held in four other districts: Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, Gunung Bintang, and Paniai, went smoothly.

Human Rights Day commemoration activities in Tiom, the district capital of Lanny Jaya, were centered in front of the Nirigi Hotel, Tiom.

From the districts, the masses have been moving toward a central point since 08.00 WIT.

The demonstrators were intercepted by the security forces, finally all were able to gather at 13.10 WIT. Then deliver speeches alternately.

The reading of the statement ended the peaceful demonstration in Tiom.

The same action was carried out in Karubaga, the district capital of Tolikara.

Celebration of World Human Rights Day in Tolikara district starts at 09.46 WIT. In general, it runs safely and smoothly.

Likewise in Oksibil, the capital of the Bintang Mountains district. Attended by hundreds of people, the commemoration of World Human Rights Day took place from 09.00 WIT until finished.

In Paniai district, the action was centered on the Karel Gobay field, Enarotali, East Paniai district. Attended by residents from various districts. The masses moved from morning to where the pulpit was free.

The peaceful demonstration was escorted by police officers from the Paniai Police.

Lawyers for Lawyers again expressed concerns about the disbarment proceedings against lawyer and human rights defender Mr. Arnon Nampha.

Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the disbarment proceeding against Mr. Arnon Nampha, a lawyer and human rights defender, that is taking place before the Investigative Committee that was established by the Committee on Professional Ethics of the Lawyers Council of Thailand during the Meeting No. 1/2564 on 13 January 2021.

We were informed that the proceeding against lawyer Arnon Nampha is related to a complaint motion filed to the Lawyers Council of Thailand on 7 August 2020 by the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, who alleged that lawyer Arnon Nampha’s behaviour violated the Lawyers Council of Thailand’s disciplinary rules as his behaviour would “incite, intend to cause unrest, distort information and insult on the monarchy”. The speech in question called for reform of the constitution and the monarchy, during a peaceful protest at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 3 August 2020.

According to our information, a first pre-hearing was postponed twice on 24 November 2021 and 3 March 2022, due to the fact that Mr. Nampha was held in detention pending trial. Therefore, the first pre-hearing was scheduled for 7 April 2022 where both parties appeared before the Investigative Committee to schedule witness examination dates. The Committee scheduled the complainer witness examinations on 2 and 20 June and the complained witness examination on 18 July, 1 and 22 August, and 5 September 2022. However, on 2 June, the complainer failed to attend the first hearing taken place at the LCT. The proceeding therefore was adjourned until 20 June. The next witness examination was scheduled on 11 January 2023 but has been rescheduled to July 2023. After the witness examinations are completed, the Committee will schedule the date to deliver the order.

On 16 June 2022, Lawyers for Lawyers and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe sent a letter to the Thai Authorities expressing their concerns about the disbarment proceedings. Lawyers for Lawyers and the International Commission of Jurists sent a previous letter to the Lawyers Council of Thailand on 1 February 2021, requesting them to dismiss the complaint motion against Mr. Nampha to protect his right to freedom of expression, and the rights of his clients. Unfortunately, this has been without response.

According to the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, lawyers have a right to freedom of expression and assembly, in particular in matters concerning the administration of justice and the rule of law. Moreover, according to Basic Principles 27, 28 and 29, lawyers have a right to fair disciplinary proceedings before and impartial disciplinary committee in line with recognized standards and ethics of the legal profession.

On January 14, the contents of Ji Xiaolong’s indictment letter, a well-known Shanghai human rights activist, were revealed. According to the recent disclosure, the official judiciary arrested Mr. Ji during the COVID lockdown for criticizing the country’s leaders. Authorities recently resumed his case for supplementary investigation.

COVID in China

On the afternoon of January 11, 2023, Ji Xiaolong’s lawyer met with him at the Pudong Detention Center in Shanghai. According to the information released by Mr. Ji Xiaolong Concern Group, the lawyer told Ji about the situation of COVID in China, saying that the country has been fully reopened and many people have been infected. Ji Xiaolong noted that he was once infected in the detention center. At that time, he had pain all over his body and came down with a fever, but the detention center did not provide him with medications for treatment.

Refused treatment

Sources disclosed that the detention center did not arrange for Ji Xiaolong to visit the dentist. The month Ji Xiaolong was arrested, the dentist gave a medical opinion and suggested periodontitis treatment; otherwise, he would not be able to receive dental implants in the future.

Potential charges

Ji Xiaolong read the prosecution’s opinion document to his lawyer. The main content has two aspects: one of them being Ji speaking out for relevant protests during the lockdown, and the official said he’s suspected of fabricating rumors. The other was the authorities stating that Ji Xiaolong was suspected of insulting the country’s leader. The specific details will only be revealed after the lawyer reads the document. Ji Xiaolong’s case was returned for supplementary investigation on January 5, and the lawyers will not be able to review the case until February 5.

Further investigation

In terms of procedure, Ji’s case has reached the prosecution stage in the People’s Procuratorate but has been returned for supplementary investigation. According to the relevant provisions of Chinese law, if, within one month, the prosecutor believes that the evidence of the case is insufficient, it does not meet the requirements for prosecution, the court will decide not to prosecute. In the case of the second supplementary investigation, if the prosecutor still believes that the evidence is insufficient and does not meet the requirements for prosecution, it may make a decision not to prosecute.

His work during zero-Covid

During the complete lockdown of Shanghai in April, Ji Xiaolong posted a letter on Weibo, WeChat, and Twitter on April 2, “Immediately stop the campaign-style disease prevention, relieve difficulties and send relief ——Shanghai Citizens’ Petition for the People.” It has been widely distributed and received widespread attention. He also sent a letter to Li Qiang, the Party Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee at the time, who later joined and is now a member of China’s most powerful committee. Ji raised the question of accountability for the excessive COVID prevention policy in the early stage in Shanghai.

His efforts all fall within the category of freedom of speech stipulated in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and are based on the most foundational humanitarian considerations.

After that, he organized volunteers in Shanghai to solve the difficulties and resolve the worries of citizens, aided migrant workers who had nowhere to live and offered legal assistance to citizens who were in severe economic difficulties due to covid lockdown.

Detained

For these reasons, Mr. Ji was summoned and detained by the Shanghai police many times and was taken away from his home by the police on August 31, 2022; on September 2 of the same year, he was formally placed under criminal detention by the police again; The People’s Procuratorate approved the arrest on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles,” and he was detained in Shanghai Pudong Detention Center.

During a protest at Chiang Mai University yesterday (23 January) to demand the right to bail for political prisoners, police attempted to detain two students and accused them of causing panic and misunderstanding by dressing like inmates.

From 13.00 – 18.12, while graduation ceremony rehearsals were taking place, 7 students participated in a campus-wide performance as part of the protest to demand the release of political prisoners and to back the demands made by activists Tantawan Tuatulanon and Orawan Phuphong when they revoked their own bail on 16 January.

The students were seen walking around campus dressed in an inmate’s uniform with stockings over their heads and chains on their wrists and ankles. At 17.00, they met by Ang Kaew, an on-campus reservoir, where other protesters were standing as part of the protest calling for the right to bail for detained activists and protesters. Water from the reservoir was poured on them, making it look as if they were bleeding as pigment dissolved onto their clothes. A representative of the students also read out Tantawan and Orawan’s demands.

Tantawan and Orawan called for the reform of the judicial system so that human rights and freedom of expression take priority, and so that courts are independent and protect people’s freedom, as well as for judges to make decisions without intervention from their own executives.

They also called for all charges to be dropped against those exercising their freedoms of expression and assembly, and for every political party to guarantee people’s rights, freedoms, and political participation by backing the repeal of the royal defamation law and sedition law.

After no response was made to their demands within the three-day time limit, Tantawan and Orawan announced on 18 January that they would be going on a dry hunger strike and would not request bail for themselves until their demands are met. They were taken to the Department of Corrections Hospital last Friday (20 January) and are now in their 7th day of their hunger strike.

After several reports that the activists wished to be transferred to another hospital or back to the Women’s Central Correctional Institution due to concerns about how staff at the Department of Corrections Hospital might treat them, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported today (24 January) that the Department of Correction has informed the activists’ lawyer that they would be transferred to the Police Hospital for treatment, but they refused, asking instead to be transferred to Thammasat University Hospital.

TLHR said that Thammasat University Hospital agreed to have Tantawan and Orawan transferred to their facility. At around 19.00 today (24 January), the Department of Corrections issued a statement saying that the two activists will be transferred to Thammasat University Hospital, and TLHR noted that they are still in detention even though they are being transferred to a hospital outside of the authority of the Department of Corrections.

At around 20.00, it was reported that Tantawan and Orawan have arrived at Thammasat University Hospital. Police attempt to detain students for dressing like inmates

While the students were taking part in yesterdays’ performance at Chiang Mai University, police officers attempted to detain two medical students while they were standing around Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, a teaching hospital in Chiang Mai city affiliated with Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine. The officers accused the students of causing public panic and making the officers mistake them for inmates from a nearby prison brought to the hospital for treatment. They were taken to a police office in the hospital reprimanded, before a lawyer from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)’s Chiang Mai office arrive to negotiate their release. However, corrections officers refused to release the students until they apologize for dressing like an inmate.

Following the incident, the Chiang Mai Central Prison issued a statement addressed to the Department of Corrections saying that they were informed by correction officers guarding sick inmates receiving treatment at the hospital of a group of people dressed like officers and chained inmates, which may damage the Department’s reputation. The Prison said that it has looked into the incident, and that the group in question is not affiliated with the Chiang Mai Central Prison.

Kazakh authorities should thoroughly investigate a recent spate of attacks on independent journalists, hold all those responsible to account, and ensure that members of the press are able to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.

Since January 12, journalists throughout Kazakhstan have seen their cars set on fire, apartments attacked, and offices vandalized, according to media reports and journalists who spoke to CPJ. Police have detained five suspects in relation to two of those incidents.

“While Kazakh police should be applauded for their swift work in apprehending suspects in two recent attacks on journalists, authorities must ensure that all the recent instances of harassment against the press are thoroughly investigated and that those who ordered them are held to account,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in New York. “Authorities’ rhetoric about a ‘new Kazakhstan’ will remain empty words unless they are able to ensure journalists’ safety.”

On January 12, attackers smashed the glass entrance to an office building that houses the independent outlet Elmedia in the southern city of Almaty, according to media reports and posts on Facebook by Elmedia editor-in-chief Gulzhan Yergalieva, which said that it was the sixth such attack on the outlet’s office since October.

Elmedia covers politics on its YouTube channel, where it has about 100,000 subscribers.

Since August, people have also filed false reports to police about bombs in Elmedia’s office and Yergalieva’s home and car, sent the journalist a funeral wreath, and placed her phone number and photo on websites advertising sexual services.

In messages sent to Elmedia’s Telegram account and posted by Yergalieva on Facebook, individuals who claimed to have carried out the attacks threatened “maybe the next brick will be to your forehead,” and told the outlet to “put a muzzle on” Yergalieva, “otherwise we will shut her up.”

Separately, on the night of January 13, a vehicle belonging to independent journalist Dinara Yegeubayeva was set on fire in Almaty, according to news reports and a post by the journalist on Instagram.

Yegeubayeva, who is also a political activist, said in an interview with independent journalist Vadim Boreiko that she believes the attack was related to her journalistic posts on Instagram and YouTube, where she has a combined 94,000 subscribers and has covered allegations of rights abuses by authorities during 2022 mass protests in Kazakhstan and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Police have arrested five suspects aged between 15 and 17 who confessed to carrying out the arson attack on Yegeubayeva’s car and the most recent attacks on Elmedia, saying they were paid to commit them by unidentified individuals who contacted them on the internet, news reports said.

Separately, on January 16, unidentified individuals injected construction foam around the apartment door of Gulnara Bazhkenova, chief editor of the independent news website Orda, in Almaty, for the third time since September, the journalist told CPJ by phone and wrote on Facebook. Bazhkenova said unidentified people also mailed her a tombstone featuring her image and the date “2023” in December, and that her outlet’s website has faced consistent distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks since July 2022.

Also, on January 18, hackers infiltrated the website of the independent news website Ulysmedia, based in the capital city of Astana, and placed the personal data of chief editor Samal Ibrayeva and her children online, according to news reports and a statement by the journalist posted on Telegram.

Following the doxxing, unidentified users flooded Ulysmedia’s social media accounts with an identical message, saying: “This is just the start of your new life full of pain and sorrow. We know about everything that you hold dear.”

Ibrayeva told CPJ by messaging app that Ulysmedia’s website and social media accounts have repeatedly been targeted by DDoS and spam attacks since July 2022.

Separately, in the early hours of January 19, unidentified attackers injected construction foam around the door of journalist Vadim Boreiko’s apartment in Almaty and wrote graffiti featuring a lewd image and the name of Boreiko’s YouTube channel, according to news reports and a Facebook post by the journalist.

On his YouTube channel Giperborei, which has about 250,000 subscribers, Boreiko has covered topics including the war in Ukraine and the 2022 protests, which he told CPJ by messaging app were “the most undesirable topics for Kazakh authorities.”

Ibrayeva and Boreyko told CPJ that they had not received any information about the suspects in their cases.

Bazhkenova told CPJ police arrested two young people in November who admitted to some of the previous harassment of Orda and Elmedia, and who told police they had also been paid by unidentified individuals who contacted them online.

On January 20, a spokesperson for Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote on Facebook that the president had ordered a “thorough investigation” into the attacks on journalists, saying that “not only the perpetrators, but also those who ordered these illegal acts” must be identified.

CPJ emailed the Kazakhstan Ministries of Internal Affairs and Information for comment, but did not receive any replies.

Bangladesh authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Raghunath Kha and investigate allegations that he was electrocuted and beaten in police custody, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

At around 11 a.m. on Monday, January 23, plainclothes police officers detained Kha, a correspondent for the privately owned broadcaster Deepto TV and privately owned newspaper Dainik Projonmo Ekattor, according to multiple news reports and a person familiar with the case who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing safety concerns. Kha was detained after reporting on a land dispute in the Khalishakhali area of the southwestern Satkhira district.

Police arrested Kha and two others, alleging they were involved in an attempted bomb blast in coordination with landless people in the area, and authorities initially denied that Kha was in custody, according to those sources.

When the journalist appeared in court the following day, he was unable to stand properly and said that police severely beat him, electrocuted him, and threatened to kill him if he continued reporting on landless people, the anonymous source told CPJ.

During that hearing, the court ordered Kha to be held in the Satkhira jail while his case is investigated. Police have not provided copies of the first information reports in Kha’s case, which would show the specific allegations against him, according to that source.

“Bangladeshi authorities’ arrest and alleged maltreatment of journalist Raghunath Kha constitute only the latest attack on press freedom in the country, where law enforcement continues to retaliate against journalists with raging impunity,” said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Kha, drop all cases against him, and conduct a swift investigation into claims that police physically abused him.”

Authorities did not produce Kha in court until about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, that source said, in apparent violation of Bangladesh’s code of criminal procedure, which provides that police must present an arrested person before a magistrate within 24 hours.

That source told CPJ that they believe authorities targeted the journalist in retaliation for his reporting highlighting the struggles of landless people in their conflict with land grabbers allegedly supported by police.

In recent months, Satkhira Police Superintendent Kazi Moniruzzaman repeatedly threatened Kha with arrest and legal retaliation in retaliation for his reporting, that source said, adding that the journalist submitted a written complaint sometime about those threats to Moinul Haque, the deputy inspector-general of the Khulna division police, which oversees the Satkhira branch of the force.

No action was taken against Moniruzzaman, that source told CPJ. CPJ emailed Moniruzzaman and Haque and sent them requests for comment via messaging app, but did not receive any replies.

CPJ has previously documented similar allegations of alleged police abuse of detained journalists in Bangladesh. Journalist Shahidul Alam, who was awarded CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award in 2020, told CPJ that police officers beat him in custody. Cartoonist Kabir Kishore told CPJ that authorities beat him and electrocuted his colleague Mushtaq Ahmed, who died in jail.

A veteran journalist known for covering rights abuses in Indonesia’s militarised Papua region says a bomb exploded outside his home yesterday and a journalists group has called it an act of “intimidation” threatening press freedom.

No one was injured in the blast near his home in the provincial capital Jayapura, said Victor Mambor, editor of Papua’s leading news website Jubi, who visited New Zealand in 2014.

Police said they were investigating the explosion and that no one had yet claimed responsibility.

“Yes, someone threw a bomb,” Papua Police spokesperson Ignatius Benny told Benar News. “The motive and perpetrators are unknown.”

The Jayapura branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) condemned the explosion as a “terrorist bombing”.

In Sydney, the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) and Pacific Media Watch in New Zealand protested over the incident and called for a full investigation.

Mambor said he heard the sound of a motorcycle at about 4 am and then an explosion about a minute later.

‘Shook like earthquake’ “It was so loud that my house shook like there was an earthquake,” he told Benar News as reported by Radio Free Asia.

“I also checked the source of the explosion and smelt sulfur coming from the side of the house.”

The explosion left a hole in the road, he said.

The incident was not the first to occur outside Mambor’s home. In April 2021, windows were smashed and paint sprayed on his car in the middle of the night.

Mambor is also an advocate for press freedom in Papua. In that role, he has criticised Jakarta’s restrictions on the media in Papua, as well as its other policies in his troubled home province.

The AJI awarded Mambor its press freedom award in August 2022, saying that through Jubi, “Victor brings more voices from Papua, amid domination of information that is biased, one-sided and discriminatory.”

“AJI in Jayapura strongly condemns the terrorist bombing and considers this an act of intimidation that threatens press freedom in Papua,” it said in a statement.

‘Voice the truth’ call “AJI Jayapura calls on all journalists in the land of Papua to continue to voice the truth despite obstacles. Justice should be upheld even though the sky is falling,” said AJI chair Lucky Ireeuw.

Amnesty International Indonesia urged the police to find those responsible.

“The police must thoroughly investigate this incident, because this is not the first time … meaning there was an omission that made the perpetrators feel free to do it again, to intimidate and threaten journalists,” Amnesty’s campaign manager in Indonesia, Nurina Savitri, told BenarNews.

The Papua region, located at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, has been the site of a decades-old pro-independence insurgency where both government security forces and rebels have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

Foreign journalists have been largely barred from the area, with the government insisting it could not guarantee their safety. Indonesian journalists allege that officials make their work difficult by refusing to provide information.

The armed elements of the independence movement have stepped up lethal attacks on Indonesian security forces, civilians and targets such as construction of a trans-Papua highway that would make the Papuan highlands more accessible.

Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, has accused Indonesian security forces of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and mass forced displacement in Papua.

Security forces kill 36 Last month, Indonesian activist group KontraS said 36 people were killed by security forces and pro-independence rebels in the Papua and West Papua provinces in 2022, an increase from 28 in 2021.

In Sydney, Joe Collins of the AWPA said in a statement: “These acts of intimidation against local journalists in West Papua threaten freedom of the press.

“It is the local media in West Papua that first report on human rights abuses and local journalists are crucial in reporting information on what is happening in West Papua”.

Collins said Canberra remained silent on the issue — ‘the Australian government is very selective in who it criticises over their human rights record.”

There was no problem raising concerns about China or Russia over their record, “but Canberra seems to have great difficulty in raising the human rights abuses in West Papua with Jakarta.”

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court this morning denied bail to Chhim Sithar, president of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of Nagaworld (LRSU), ordering her to remain in pre-trial detention in Correctional Center 2 prison. No reason was given for the denial.

Sithar was first arrested in January 2022 and spent two months in pre-trial detention after being charged with incitement alongside other members of her union. She was released on bail in March 2022, but she was again arrested in November by immigration police at the Phnom Penh International Airport while returning from a labour rights conference in Australia.

Authorities accused Sithar of violating bail conditions by leaving the country, despite neither Sithar nor her lawyers ever being informed of such conditions. She has been detained at Correctional Center 2 prison since 26 November 2022.

LRSU members have been striking since December 2021 following mass layoffs at the NagaWorld casino that included the union’s entire leadership and a significant number of members.

Sithar and 8 fellow LRSU leaders and members face up to two years in prison if they are convicted of incitement. Another six LRSU members were charged in February under the 2021 Covid-19 Law. In October, at least 18 additional union members were slapped with charges of breaking and entering; intentionally causing damage with aggravating circumstances; and unlawful arrest, detention and confinement, in a criminal case that also references more than 100 unnamed "followers".

NagaWorld union members are alleging that ABA Bank blocked three transactions to their accounts from an overseas donor while giving various explanations about negative news of the union in the press or anti-money laundering measures.

The Labor Rights Supported Union of NagaWorld casino has been in dispute with the gambling corporation over the termination of 1,300 workers in 2021, out of which fewer than 200 workers are holding out for reinstatement. The protests have often taken a violent turn when district security guards and police officers use force to break up gatherings.

Three NagaWorld union members said they were expecting transfers from an overseas sender in October to support protesters without jobs or with babies, but were separately informed by a person saying they were from ABA Bank that the transfers were blocked.

Chhim Sokhorn and Klaing Soben told VOD they were expecting $5,050 each to be transferred into their ABA accounts. The two NagaWorld casino workers said they did not know where the money was coming from as union president Chhim Sithar was handling the grant application.

Sithar has been in pretrial detention since November when she was rearrested for allegedly breaking her bail conditions. Sithar, who was at a bail hearing at a Phnom Penh court last week, told VOD the grant was from the Urgent Action Fund in Australia, a feminist group in Australia that supports movements led by women and nonbinary activists.

VOD was unable to interview Sithar further in court.

Sokhorn and Soben both said they were separately contacted by an ABA staffer in October who questioned them on what they would do with the $5,050 transfers and raised the union’s ongoing dispute as the reason why the transactions had been blocked.

Sokhorn said an ABA employee named Sroy Mengty first contacted her on messaging application Telegram on October 13 and then on two other occasions on the 14th and 26th of the same month.

According to text and audio messages between the two of them on Telegram, Mengty informs Sokhorn on October 13 that the transfers will not be processed because of the “negative news about NagaWorld.” When he asks what the money will be used for, Sokhorn tells him it was to assist unemployed union members and for workers with children.

Mengty further says on the 14th: “The reason is because you don’t have proper documents for the money and have negative news about NagaWorld.”

Sokhorn continues to ask Mengty why the money was blocked, whether it was being sent back to the sender in Australia, and if her account had been frozen. He doesn’t reply until the 26th.

“It is because of the policy of the bank in case there is money laundering,” Mengty informs Sokhorn in a message on the 26th.

“From ABA, the money has been returned back. But I don’t know if an intermediary bank is involved. So it is out of our hands,” he adds, then stops replying to subsequent messages.

Sokhorn said she felt it was suspicious that the bank staffer would message her on Telegram, and not give her a single clear reason for blocking the money.

“The grant was to support protesting workers who don’t have jobs and those with babies. It was not for the protests but for those without jobs,” she said.

Soben, who was elected union treasurer last year, received similar text and voice messages from Mengty starting October 19. He asks her what the money is going to be used for, saying he needs to know before he can allow the “frozen” transaction to proceed.

“He said he needs to check if nothing bad will happen [with the money] and only then can he send it through,” Soben said in December.

Soben was first worried that her account would be frozen — a frequent conduit for small donations the union gets for supporting terminated workers. A week later, Mengty tells her that the money has been permanently blocked and sent back to the sender, but that her account is still active.

The two workers said they were unsure if the restrictions on their account were potentially because of bail conditions imposed on them following arrests related to the ongoing strike. Lawyers for Sithar have argued in court that jailed workers released on bail were not told the full conditions for their release.

VOD contacted Igor Zimarev, ABA’s chief marketing officer, and Khuon Pinoch, public relations supervisor, over the last two weeks, but they did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Emails sent to the Urgent Action Fund in Australia also went unanswered this week.

Terminated workers at the NagaWorld casino and represented by the union have said they are facing financial hardships as part of the prolonged labor action against the casino corporation.

The union’s registration has yet to be renewed by the Labor Ministry after elections last year for senior leadership because the ministry says the elected leaders, like Sithar, Sokhorn and Soben, are no longer employees of the casino. Soben said the union’s official bank account with Acleda bank had been frozen because the union’s registration was not renewed.

Separately, to raise funds for workers, Nop Tithboravy, a union member, started a $1 campaign encouraging donations to her personal Acleda bank account to support workers who were holding out against NagaWorld.

Last August, supporters of the union in Australia tried to transfer around $1,000 to her Acleda account but were unable to send the money. Tithboravy decided to ask Acleda why the transfers were blocked.

“The [senders] recommended I ask the bank and I went to ask them. But the banker said nothing was wrong with the back account. It was still running as normal,” Tithboravy said.

Unlike her colleagues, the bank staff did not ask about her union affiliation or why the money was being transferred. She was left confused because she had previously received transfers from overseas and continues to get domestic donations.

She also rued the lost opportunity to get support for workers.

“When people tried to send the money to support us again and again they couldn’t send it. So they also felt less interest to keep supporting us,” she said.

In Channy, the president of Acleda, asked the NagaWorld workers to contact bank staff because he cannot discuss these issues publicly.

“She should come to meet,” he said. “For these kinds of cases, we can’t put [the information] in public. She should come and they will explain it to her.”

ABA touts itself as one of the top three commercial banks in the country and has 2.1 million customers. The bank is also popular for the omnipresence of its branded QR codes that have become synonymous for bank transfers. ABA was also among a number of banks that last year blocked transfer attempts out of Cambodia to support the fighting in Ukraine.

Snguon Nhoeun, a Kampong Chhnang land activist, said he was detained for two hours by police after taking photos of a protest outside the provincial court.

Around 50 protesters were lighting incense and praying outside the court on January 18 when he was pushed into a car and had three phones seized, Nhoeun said. Police asked him to delete the images and sign a contract, he said.

“They said I took pictures without permission,” he said. “My arrest is very unfair for me because I was only shooting in public and they arrested me. I think the court has something to hide from me.”

Nhoeun added that he worked as a citizen journalist to cover the activities. Nhoeun is part of the Lor Peang community, which has long been in dispute with KDC International, a company owned by Energy Minister Suy Sem’s wife and accused of bulldozing people’s homes.

“This is a serious threat to me. This act threatens not only me … it threatens other citizens who want to photograph in front of the court,” he said.

Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court spokesperson Hak Kimhong denied that any arrests had been made. He said that authorities had only held him to explain some problems. He said the reason why the police detained and confiscated the phone was because Nhoeun was broadcasting live in front of the court without permission so the prosecutor ordered a temporary confiscation.

“I would like to deny his arrest. It is not true. We just explained to him where to shoot and where not to shoot.”

Kampong Chhnang Provincial Police spokesperson Ear Bunthoeun declined to comment on the case, saying the order to detain Nhoeun was made by the prosecutor’s office.

Lawyers for Chea Kheng, Energy Minister Sem’s wife, told The Cambodia Daily in 2010 to not mention the minister in articles about the Lor Peang-KDC International land dispute or they would sue for spreading “disinformation.”

Youth environmental activists advocating against the development of a Koh Kong island say they are facing threats and surveillance after authorities blocked an advocacy push at a Royal University of Phnom Penh event earlier this month.

A group of about 50 young activists organized a stall at an RUPP event in mid-January selling coconuts, providing leaflets and talks on the potential development of Koh Kong Krao island in Koh Kong province. Activists from Mother Nature and Khmer Thavrak have advocated for the government to refrain from leasing the island for development.

The stall — which was set up during the 63rd anniversary celebrations of the university — was shut down by district officials and university staff who considered it against university policies, activists said.

Since then, the activists allege they have faced surveillance from local authorities.

Phuon Keoreaksmey, a fourth-year university student and a Mother Nature activist, said the group was initially allowed to set up the stall in the university premises during the anniversary celebrations hosted from January 13th to 15th.

But on the first day of the event, local authorities and the university’s rector summoned them for a meeting and said they had to close down the stall and were banned from distributing any leaflets with messages about Koh Kong Krao island.

“They dare not to follow their own decision and work based on the advice of another person,” she said.

Kim Chilin, a Mother Nature activist and RUPP student, said authorities were monitoring his residence and even following him since then. He said this was a threat and aimed at affecting the morale of activists advocating for environmental rights.

“Me and my friends were followed by authorities to our homes. This is a kind of threat. For me, I think that it should not have happened to me,” he said.

Last month, activists also distributed pamphlets and held banners at the university’s Institute for Foreign Languages, urging authorities to not allow the development of the island. The Environment Ministry in 2020 said it was assessing whether to allow for development of the island, which was granted to notorious tycoon Ly Yong Phat, who got the development rights to the island in 2019.

Men Sreydav, another activist who was part of the advocacy effort, said authorities began following members of the group as soon as they distributed the leaflets.

“Generally, they followed us to our houses after our dissemination activities. I am worried about my safety because I always come out to do activities,” he said.

VOD could not reach Phnom Penh City Hall spokesperson Met Measpheakdey and Tuol Kork deputy district governor Teav Sam Oeun denied the accusations.

“I would like to deny that authority did not threaten them,” he said. “Whenever they have proper permission, we will cooperate immediately.”

The government has routinely blocked youth and environmental activists for advocating for their issues, even arresting and jailing them.

The Delhi Police on Wednesday detained several students of the Jamia Millia Islamia university after the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) planned to screen the BBC documentary on Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat genocide on campus.

“The detained Jamia Millia Islamia students are kept in Fatehpur Beri police station,” tweeted Shamseer Ibrahim, Fraternity Movement national president.

“The police is not ready to tell the number of detainees nor are they allowing the lawyers to meet the students as given u/s 41D CrPC. The advocates are waiting outside the police station for the last 3 hours,“ he said.

Ladeeda Farzana, student leader in her twitter thread alleged that the city police is misbehaving with female lawyers.

The news agency PTI claimed that more than 70 students were detained. It is not clear how many students were detained.

Around four SFI activists were detained morning, while several students were picked up by the cops around 3 pm. The detainees include leaders of Fraternity Movement, SFI, NSUI and other student organisations.

DCP (Southeast) Esha Pandey said to Indian Express: “A screening for a BBC documentary was to be organised by a group of Jamia students inside the university today, which was not allowed by the administration of the University. The University administration informed the police that some students were creating ruckus on the streets and therefore a total of 13 students were detained around 4 pm to ensure peace in the area.”

The respected lawyer and human rights defender Abdul Latif Afridi was shot and killed inside the Peshawar High Court on Monday. Affectionately known as Lala (meaning elder brother in Pashto), Afridi, 79, was one of Pakistan’s most courageous and outspoken voices for rule of law, democracy, and human rights over several decades.

The alleged gunman, a junior lawyer, was arrested at the scene.

Afridi’s activist career began as a student leader in the 1960s when he was expelled from Peshawar University for denouncing sham elections under the military dictatorship of Gen. Ayub Khan. After becoming an attorney, he represented many victims of enforced disappearances and their families. He was a vocal critic of religious militancy and extremism. He was never intimidated into silence, despite numerous threats to his life and several times suffering imprisonment and torture.

In 2007, he led a lawyers’ protest against then-president Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, and was struck by a police armored personnel carrier, fracturing his leg.

Afridi was a passionate opponent of the Frontiers Crime Regulation, a draconian British colonial-era law governing the former tribal areas of Pakistan that permitted collective punishments and denied defendants basic due process rights, including the right to legal counsel. Thanks in part to his advocacy, the law was repealed in 2018.

He was a former member of the Pakistan’s National Assembly and a former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

My introduction to Afridi was through Asma Jahangir and I.A. Rehman, late icons of the human rights movement in Pakistan. What struck me most about Lala was that despite working under great stress, he retained his wit and charm and always found time for the younger generation of human rights activists and lawyers. His loss is a devastating blow for the human rights movement in Pakistan and for all Pakistanis who stand for rule of law, equality, and democracy.

The most fitting tribute to Lala Latif Afridi is to continue his struggle for a tolerant, rights-respecting Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s Armed Police Battalion (APBn) is committing extortion, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of Rohingya refugees already facing violence from criminal gangs and armed groups, Human Rights Watch said today. Donor governments should press the Bangladesh authorities to investigate alleged abuses against Rohingya living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, ensure that victims have effective remedies, and develop measures to better protect refugees.

The Armed Police Battalion took over security in the Rohingya camps in July 2020. Refugees and humanitarian workers report that safety has deteriorated under the APBn’s oversight due to increased police abuses as well as criminal activity. Some refugees allege collusion between APBn officers and armed groups and gangs operating in the camps.

“Abuses by police in the Cox’s Bazar camps have left Rohingya refugees suffering at the hands of the very forces who are supposed to protect them,” said Shayna Bauchner, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Bangladesh authorities should immediately investigate allegations of widespread extortion and wrongful detention by Armed Police Battalion officers and hold all those responsible to account.”

Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 40 Rohingya refugees in October and November 2022 and reviewed police reports, documenting more than 16 cases of serious abuse by APBn officers. These included abuses against 10 refugees who were detained on apparently fabricated grounds for trafficking yaba, a methamphetamine drug, or for violence-related offenses. Human Rights Watch and others have long documented the common practice by Bangladesh security forces of framing suspects with drugs or weapons.

Almost every case Human Rights Watch investigated involved extortion either directly by APBn officers or communicated through majhis, the camp community leaders. Police generally demanded 10,000-40,000 taka (US$100-400) to avoid arrest, and 50,000-100,000 taka ($500-1,000) for the release of a detained family member. Families often had to sell gold jewelry or borrow money for bribes or legal costs. Many worried about the harm to their reputation.

Several refugees were seemingly targeted for information they had shared online regarding APBn harassment of Rohingya. Sayed Hossein, 27, who works as a health volunteer with an international organization and as a citizen journalist, said that on July 25, 2022, at about 10 p.m., around 30 APBn officers arrived at his house, handcuffed him, and confiscated his laptop and flash drive. (Pseudonyms are used to protect the security of interviewees.) He said they told him he was being arrested for posting on social media about an APBn officer harassing innocent Rohingya. They took him to the police camp and demanded a bribe. When his family could not pay 50,000 taka ($500), the APBn officers forcibly photographed him with yaba tablets and sent him to the nearby Ukhiya police station.

“I asked them not to take any photos since it would impact my job and future,” Sayed Hossein said. “They said that because I’m Rohingya, I don’t have any future.” APBn posted the photos on their social media accounts. He was detained on drug trafficking charges and spent 41 days in jail before making bail. He said most of his fellow inmates were Rohingya.

Reacting to news that the authorities in Kyrgyzstan have applied to a court to close Radio Azattyk, the national service of the US broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:

“The closure of Radio Azattyk would be a deep and stark attack on the right to freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan adding to the continuing repression against journalists and other voices critical of the authorities. The international community cannot ignore the threat looming over human rights in Kyrgyzstan and must call on Bishkek to comply with its international human rights obligations in full. The application to close Radio Azattyk should be withdrawn, its website unblocked, and journalists and other media workers in Kyrgyzstan should be able to work without fear of reprisals.”

Background

On 24 January, Radio Azattyk was notified of an application submitted to the Lenin District Court in Bishkek by the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Culture, Information, Sport and Youth, seeking to terminate Radio Azattyk’s operations. The reason for the lawsuit was reportedly the publication on Radio Azattyk’s social media channels of a video produced by the radio’s sister organization, Current Time TV, which covered the September 2022 border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The video allegedly violates the law “On the Mass Media,” which forbids “propaganda of war, violence and cruelty, national, religious exclusivity and intolerance to other peoples and nations.”

In October 2022, the material was cited as the reason for blocking Radio Azattyk’s website while its bank accounts were frozen under national money laundering laws. In December, the website ban was declared “indefinite.”

Over the past year, government critics, journalists and other media workers have been repeatedly harassed in Kyrgyzstan. On 23 November, Bolot Temirov, the founder of the investigative project Temirov Live, was stripped of his Kyrgyz citizenship and forcibly deported to Moscow in retaliation for his criticism of the authorities.