Uwazi

A demonstration by Papuan students commemorating 56 years of PT Freeport Indonesia in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on April 7 was broken up by the Indonesian Muslim Brigade (BMI) and a biker gang as the protesters were marching towards the Mandala Monument.

Around 30 students from the Papua Student Alliance (AMP) initially took turns giving speeches in front of the Papua student dormitory on Jalan Lanto Daeng Pasewang.

They conveyed a number of demands aimed at the central government while they unfurled a banner with the message "Close PT Freeport Indonesia and all foreign companies in the land of Papua. Withdraw the military from the land of Papua. Papua is not an empty land. Stop land theft".

"Give [us] the right to self-determination as a democratic solution for the nation of West Papua", said action coordinator Miku on Friday.

The students also demanded that the revised Special Autonomy Law been revoked immediately and the cancellation of the recently created provinces of Southwest Papua, Central Papua, the Papua Highlands and South Papua.

"Then open up the widest possible access to both foreign as well as national journalists in West Papua. Withdraw all organic and non-organic military in West Papua", they demanded.

They also asked the Indonesian government to immediately and unconditionally release all West Papuan political prisoners.

"Close PT Freeport, BP, LNG Tangguh as well as reject the development of the Wabu Block and exploitation by PT Antam in the Bintang Highlands. Then arrest, try and imprison the human rights violating generals", said Miku.

After giving speeches, the demonstrators then moved off from the dormitory towards the Mandala or West Iran Liberation Monument on Jalan Jendral Sudirman under the close guard of police.

Half way through the march to the monument however, members of the BMI and a gang of bikers suddenly attacked the students using sticks.

Finding themselves under pressure by the BMI and biker gang, the Papuan students chose to disband and return to their dormitory.

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.”

Activists in Indonesia have called for a thorough investigation after an explosion outside the home of the parents of a prominent human rights lawyer who represents those involved in the West Papuan independence movement.

The blast occurred outside Veronica Koman’s parents’ house in Jakarta on Sunday morning. If it was a targeted attack, it would be the first instance of bombs being used to target those working on issues relating to West Papua outside of the region, according to human rights groups.

Police said they were investigating and did not confirm whether the explosion was caused by a bomb. A letter was left at the time of the explosion, according to Amnesty International, which claimed to be written by “a militant who defended the nation”.

“If the police and [security] forces in the country and abroad cannot arrest Veronica Koman … we were called to scorch-earth wherever you hide, including your protector horde,” the letter said.

Michael Hilman, a Papuan human rights activist, said at a virtual press conference that Koman’s family had been repeatedly subjected to intimidation and threats.

Separately on Sunday, another of Koman’s relatives was sent a package containing a dead chicken alongside a letter that said “anyone who helps to hide Veronica Koman will end up like this”. On 24 October, Koman’s parents’ house was subject to an arson attempt by unknown assailants.

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) condemned the terrorism perpetrated against the family. It said: “We also recommend the Indonesian police immediately investigate the case and ensure the legal process can be carried out properly in order to break the chain of impunity and prevent recurrence.”

According to Komnas Perempuan, the families of female human rights defenders are often targeted with intimidation. “

At a certain point, the efforts that have been made, the attacks that have been carried out both online and offline, actually show a fairly severe level of torture, which can actually be anticipated by the state in the context of the state providing protection,” she said.

Koman’s case is the latest in a series of incidents targeting human rights defenders, the media were told. Other figures recently targeted include the activists Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, who investigated politicians who have mining businesses in West Papua. Both are subject to criminal investigations after being reported to the police by the minister for maritime affairs and investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, one of the politicians who was mentioned in the document.

“This is evidence of discrimination and brutality on the Papua issue. Human rights violations, violence, crimes, are used to cover up other crimes in West Papua,” Azhar said.

Chief of the press division of the Bureau of National Police, Brig Gen Rusdi Hartono, said the explosion outside Koman’s parents’ home was being investigated, as were other incidents targeting human rights defenders.

“All incidents concerning citizens’ rights will be handled by the police,” he said.

Koman, an activist and lawyer, was appointed as the key advocate representing the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB), the most significant Indigenous youth movement in the Pacific region, focusing on nonviolent protest supporting independence.

In 2019, Indonesian police charged Koman for allegedly spreading provocation and fake news on social media after she reported police violence against anti-racism protesters in West Papua. Since then she has remained in exile due to safety concerns.

Koman continues to work on West Papua issues from abroad, helping Papuan human rights activists advocate for thousands of internally displaced people in the region who had to flee for safety due to the conflict between the Indonesian military and Papua liberation army.

West Papua, formerly Irian Jaya, is Indonesia’s easternmost province, annexed in 1965 through a controversial referendum. Since then, a low level of insurgency has arisen across the region. Thousands of people in the highland have been displaced. In recent violence, two babies were killed. The United Liberation Movement of West Papua blamed the Indonesian military; the police spokesperson Ahmad Mustofa Kamal accused the liberation army.

On 3 March 2021, West Papuan human rights defenders Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama, wereforcibly taken from their respective student dormitories in East Jakarta and Central Jakarta, by agroup of plain-clothes individuals. It was only later confirmed that the individuals who had detainedthem were part of the Criminal Research Unit of Polda Metro Jaya regional police. Both defendersare currently detained at the Polda Metro Jaya police station.Roland Levy is a West Papuan student human rights defender. As a coordinator of the AlliansiMahasaswa Papua - AMP (West Papua Student Alliance) for Jakarta, he leads discussions ondemocracy, human rights violations and the rights of freedom of the press, and is involved in mediaoutreach for the Alliance. He has also coordinated initiatives focused on the State’s responsibility toresolve tribal conflicts in Timika in 2017, and West Papua’s right to self-determination. KelvinMolama is a West Papuan student human rights defender and an active member of the AMP. Hehas been actively involved in the group’s human rights activities including the organisation ofdiscussion forums and protests against the human rights violation in West Papua.On the morning of 3 March 2021, fourteen plain-clothes individuals in four vehicles entered thepremises of Yahukimo student accommodation and forcibly removed human rights defender KelvinMolama. The individuals, believed at the time to be police or intelligence officials, did not presentany warrant for detaining the defender. Other residents of the dormitory witnessing the detentionwere prevented from taking photos of the incident. At about the same time, fellow student humanrights defender Roland Levy was also taken away by plain-clothes individuals from his studentdormitory in the Senen area of Central Jakarta. No warrant was presented for his arrest.Later that day, individuals close to the human rights defenders were able to confirm that bothdefenders had been detained by officials from the Criminal Research Unit of Polda Metro Jaya.Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama have both been threatened with formal arrest under Article 170and Article 365 of the Criminal Code, which relate to of violence and theft. The exact reason fortheir arrest has yet to be provided to the human rights defenders, yet they remain detained at thePolda Metro Jaya police station, where they have had access to their lawyers.Human rights defenders on the ground believe that the arrests were made as a pre-emptivemeasure, to slow the momentum of the growing protest movement in West Papua, and intimidateand discourage those involved in the movement. Since the peaceful demonstrations led by WestPapuan student human rights defenders in August 2019, many of these defenders have beensubjected to relentless threats, intimidation and harassment by Indonesian officials. VeronicaKoman, a lawyer and woman human rights defender who worked closely with the defenders hasbeen targeted with various forms of harassment, such as the inclusion of her name on the country’swanted list and threats that an Interpol red notice would be issued in her name.Front Line Defenders is extremely concerned for the safety of Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama, asit believes they are being targeted for their legitimate and peaceful work for the protection of humanrights. Front Line Defenders condemns the increasingly hostile environment for human rightsdefenders in Indonesia, specifically those from West Papua, working on the rights of West Papuansand human rights issues more broadly.

At least 20 people were wounded when police used batons, water cannon and tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who joined rallies in Indonesia’s West Papua region on the 61st anniversary of an agreement that made the territory part of Indonesia, news agencies report.

The US-brokered 1962 New York Agreement allowed Indonesia to annex the Christian-majority region after the end of Dutch colonial rule, according to a report in the UCA News.

Riot police attacked peaceful demonstrators in three locations near the provincial capital Jayapura yesterday, alleged Emmanuel Gobay, a Catholic and an official of the Papua Legal Aid Institute.

The demonstrators called on the international community to review the agreement and take action to end ongoing violence and repression in the region, said the report.

“In fact, they only held peaceful demonstrations,” said Gobay, who joined one of the rallies.

He stated that more than 20 people were beaten, with one of them later being treated in hospital.

“One person was seriously injured and was immediately transported to the hospital for treatment,” he said.

Listening to speeches Videos and photos obtained by UCA News showed police attacked with water canons and fired tear gas while people were listening to speeches from leaders of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), the protest organiser.

Gobay said that although the authorities viewed the KNPB as a “separatist — pro-independence — group “they should have the right to express their opinion” as guaranteed in the nation’s constitution.

“Moreover, they submitted an official letter notifying police about the programme beforehand,” he added.

He condemned the use of water cannon and tear gas on demonstrators.

These should only be for anarchic demonstrations — “not peaceful demonstrations,” he said.

Gobay alleged that police committed criminal offences by torturing and beating protesters, and called on the Papuan police chief to immediately prosecute the perpetrators so that there was a deterrent effect, said the UCA News report.

Father Bernard Baru from the Jayapura Diocese’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission said that this repressive action was a repetition of the discriminatory treatment of Papuans by the state.

Brutal police action ‘normal’ “In Papua, police actions like this are considered normal. This only deepens discrimination against Papuans,” he said.

Police officials were not available for comment.

KNPB spokesman Ones Sahuniap issued a statement to condemn the police brutality and claimed those who were beaten suffered serious head injuries and bled profusely.

Suhuniap said the police used rattan and batons to beat and break up the demonstration.

The KNPB simultaneously held demonstrations in Papua and in other parts of Indonesia, asking the United Nations to review the 1962 New York Agreement.

During the rallies, KNPB leaders called the New York Agreement “a violation of human rights of Papuans” sponsored by Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States and the United Nations.

Not party to agreement As per the agreement, later added to the agenda of UN General Assembly, the Netherlands agreed to transfer the control of West Papua New Guinea to Indonesia, pending an UN-administered referendum.

The Papuans were not party to the agreement and it paved the way for the 1969 Act of Free Choice, an independence referendum favoring Indonesian rule in Papua whuch was largely regarded as a sham.

Indonesia’s annexation of Papua and use to force to crush dissent sparked an armed pto-indeoendence movement.

Thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced due to the conflict in the easternmost region in the past decades.

The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) commemorated the independence of the Papuan nation on December 1, 1961.

The action, which was supposed to take place at Barito market in Gamalama sub-district, Ternate city, was dispersed by TNI and Polri officers in front of SMAN 3 Ternate city, Gambesi sub-district, South Ternate district, (1/12).

The field coordinator when confirmed, said that after the mass transportation vehicle left the gathering point to the action point, soldiers in full uniform about 7 people immediately blocked the action truck. Meanwhile, a soldier forced the truck driver to stop the car and forced the driver to get off and confiscate the truck keys.

"The truck left the gathering point, and was immediately blocked and sabotaged by soldiers in full uniform, totaling around 7 people. And a lot of plainclothes police," concluded Nando.

In addition, one of the Papuan Alliance Students said that the purpose of this action was to convey to the entire community that the Papuan nation is an independent nation and has been recognized de facto de jure.

"On December 1, everything was carried out. The declaration and submission of a political manifesto as a concrete form of the establishment of the West Papua state," he said.

He also said that the declaration of independence of the Papuan nation is clear evidence that the formation of the state was purely carried out by the Papuan people.

"It is not a country made by the Dutch, but it is a pure country founded by the people of the west Papuan nation," he said.

He also conveyed that the current situation in Papua is very concerning. Because the Indonesian state colonized and annexed an independent nation, this then led to various kinds of human rights violations that were increasing and massive, so this needs to be conveyed objectively what is happening in Papua.

"Many human rights violations and their escalation are always increasing and massive from year to year. And it leads to genocide of systematic racial extermination, so that today the indigenous Papuans are on the verge of racial extinction," he said.

Meanwhile, Lipantara, when confirmed, said that the forced dispersal carried out by the security forces was an act of suppression of democratic space, where restrictions on expressing opinions in public were carried out openly by the state through the power of the TNI / Polri apparatus.

Whereas the very nature of democracy is to provide the freedom to express opinions in public in full, without any restrictions.

"Because the freedom to express opinions is precisely the heart of democracy, if it is stifled then democracy will slowly die," he said.

Until now, the protesters are still securing themselves from the TNI / Polri sweep.

A demonstration by Papuan students in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), turned violent. Dozens of students were beaten by a mob from one of the mass organizations, then they were arrested by the police.

The demonstration of Papuan students took place on Jalan Piet A Tallo, Friday (1/12/2023). They rallied there in commemoration of the West Papua independence declaration day.

While protesting, the students were approached by a group of mass organizations Garda Flobamora and Garuda. They were told to stop protesting. Chaos ensued until they were taken to the police station.

"We are temporarily at the police station. We were dispersed and beaten by the Garuda mass organization," said the coordinator of the mass action, Yeri Wali.

Yeri explained that the incident began when two people suspected of being intelligence officers arrived using a white car to conduct monitoring at around 09.07 Wita.

Then at 09.15 Wita, around 50 people from the Garuda mass organization came to the protesters angry, argued and ended up beating them blindly, causing the clothes of a number of protesters to be torn off.

In addition, a protestor named Ririn was beaten until she fainted. Another protestor, Jek, also received a blow on his lip that broke. They were then transported to the Kupang City Police Station.

"Currently, we all have injuries and many bumps on the head, face and lips," said Yerri.

Kupang City Police Public Relations Section Head Aipda Florensi Ibrahim Lapuisaly confirmed the arrest. However, he suggested that they go directly to the Kupang City Police Headquarters.

"There is indeed information (of arrests) but I don't know how many were secured. Because I and Mr. Kapolresta still have Friday Curhat activities in Oepura Village," he said.

detikBali monitored at the Kupang City Police Station that the protesters had not been released. Meanwhile, the masses from the Garuda Kupang mass organization had already dispersed at 10:40 Wita. There has been no official statement from the Garuda organization about the riot.

On 27 April 2013, Yahya Bonai, a 33-year-old, Papuan activist from Menawi village in the district of Angkaisera, was arrested at his home by police. According to information by West Papua Media, Bonai was seized on suspicion of being connected to a fatal attack at the home of Chief Brigadier Jefri Sesa, an officer from the Angkaisera subprecinct police station at the weekend by an unidentified group of assailants (OTK), three hours before to Bonai's arrest. Bonai is currently detained in Serui police custody and has been denied any visits by friends or families. Angakaisera district has been a pro-independence hotspot, and subject to an ongoing blockade and village raids by Indonesian security forces.

Following the government-led internet shutdown in Indonesia’s eastern provinces of Papua and West Papua a journalist has been doxxed and harassed online. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia have condemned the attack on the journalists and called on the local authorities to ensure the media are protected as they work.

Victor Mambo, a journalist with Koran Jubi and jubi.co.id, as well as a member of AJI’s executive committee was harassed and doxxed online on Thursday, August 22, after the internet shutdown continued into a second day. In one tweet from user @antilalat Victor was linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and accused of being an informer for Papuan lawyer, which was followed by a second tweet giving out Victor’s home address.

Doxxing refers to publishing private or identifying information about a person on the internet, typically with malicious intent. This is not the first time that Victor has been targeted online. The same user had threatened Victor in July, 2019.

On Saturday, Victor proceeded with an urgent appeal to UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, David Kaye, regarding the internet shutdowns in the provinces.

In a statement, AJI said that the harassment and doxxing of Victor are an attempt to intimidate him. As a journalist, Victor has done his job to report objectively and complied with the journalism code of ethics in his verification processes.

“AJI would also like to remind to the social media users as well as authorities that journalists on their duty are protected by the Law No.40/1999 on the Press. If anyone thinks there is incorrect journalistic material published in the media, the Press Law has the mechanism through right to reply and correction and filing of complaints to the Press Council,” AJI said.

The IFJ said: “The harassment and doxxing of Victor Mambo is a blatant attempt to silence critical voices, and intimidate him. He is a respected journalist and was simply doing his job, reporting of the current internet shutdown in Indonesia. We urge the Indonesian authorities investigate the ongoing attacks, and take steps to guarantee Victor’s safety.”

The spokesperson of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Timika area, Emanuel Dogopia, was taken from his parents’ house in Timika, the center of Mimika regency in Papua, by the police. He was released nine hours later, after the police ordered him to sign a statement that he would not post anything opposing “NKRI” or the United State of Republic of Indonesia.

KNPB headquarters’ spokesperson, Ones Suhuniap, told Jubi that the police took Dogopia’s personal belongings when he was “relaxing” at his parent’s house at 2:30 pm.

On Thursday evening, Dogopia, who was just released at 11 pm, told Jubi that the police returned his laptop, handphone, arrows, knife, and other personal belongings except for his KNPB flag. He said although returned, his computer could not start anymore.

“The police accused me of uploading the recruitment of native Papuans as police officers on my Facebook account. I said, I never uploaded that video. He asked the police, why did they arrest him while the video was already circulating widely on social media.

Dogopia said when he was at the police precinct, an officer slapped him and asked him to give the officer his cell phone. I told them when they arrested me, my cell phone fell on the front yard.

Before he was released, the police made him sign a statement that he would not post anything on social media that opposed “NKRI”. Dogopia agreed to sign. He said he did not object to the request as long as the police did not make him sign a statement that he had to stop his political activities with the KNPB. “I would rather be in jail if they asked me that,” he said.

The office of the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH) became the target of a terrorist attack on Monday (9/5) morning. The action is suspected to be related to a case that the agency is currently working on.

One unit of a motorcycle caught fire and the back of a car parked side by side was also scorched in the terrorist act. The director of LBH Papua, Emanuel Gobay, believes that there were parties who did this on purpose.

“From the evidence we found, such as the presence of a wick, the wick smelled of kerosene mixed with gasoline, coupled with evidence of plastic filled with gasoline, then added with grass that looked charred after being exposed to gasoline, our suspicions were made by people who have bad intentions with us,” Gobay told VOA Monday morning.

Testimony Regarding the Suspected Perpetrator So far, the facts gathered by LBH Papua regarding the incident stated that the arson took place at around 04.00 WIT. LBH Papua staff who live in the office dormitory noticed the fire after hearing the sound of an explosion coming from the garage area. The staff then came out and found the flames that burned the motorbike.

The staff and the community living around the agency’s office located on Jalan Gerilyawan, Kamkey, Jayapura, immediately put out the fire.

“The LBH Papua staff and local residents worked together to collect water and immediately extinguished the fire that was burning on the motorbike, then pulled the burning motorbike out of the garage of the LBH Papua office, so the fire didn’t spread everywhere,” added Gobay.

The motorcycle owner explained that he parked the vehicle around midnight, or four hours before the incident. In the initial inspection, the motorcycle tank did not explode in this fire.

LBH Papua staff also received information from two residents who passed in front of the office shortly before the incident. The resident stated that he saw one person wearing a black sweater, hat and mask running out of the LBH Papua office environment, then going on a motorbike.

“We have no other problems. The problems we face are from the cases we are accompanying. So, of course it has something to do with the cases we are attending. Maybe the people we suspect of doing this are people whose interests might be disturbed by our advocacy,” added Gobay.

On Monday afternoon, Gobay was at the Papua Regional Police to report the terror incident.

Similar terrors have occurred at LBH offices in other cities in Indonesia. LBH Medan, for example, was targeted by Molotov cocktails in October 2019. Meanwhile, the Yogyakarta LBH office was targeted by Molotov cocktails in September 2021.

Common in Papua Yohanis Mambrasar from the Papuan Human Rights Lawyers Association (PAHAM) said that from the chronology described by LBH Papua, he believed this incident was a terror against LBH Papua staff.

“This is an action taken by a person or group who feels disturbed by the work of LBH Papua in fighting for truth and justice in Papua,” said Yohanis.

PAHAM Papua noted that, at least in the last 4 years, LBH Papua was very massive in advocating for a number of cases. The cases handled include the criminalization of Papuan political activists, freedom of expression, as well as assistance to indigenous peoples in cases of theft of timber or confiscation of customary lands.

“Including assistance to palm oil workers and PT Freeport workers, and it should not be forgotten, legal assistance to cases of treason in Papua,” he added.

Human Rights (HAM) activist Theo Hesegem also considered what happened at LBH Papua as an act of terror.

“We can’t confirm who the perpetrators are, but we know that a terrorist act is taking place. Actually, if human rights defenders experience acts of terror, it does not mean that people who work for humanity end up there. It’s impossible,” he said.

Interestingly, Theo himself had recently become a victim of what he described as terror against critical activists. On 7 May, Theo, Executive Director of the Papuan Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, lost his motorcycle, which was his operational vehicle, while investigating cases of human rights violations in Wamena, Nduga, and the surrounding mountainous areas.

Theo himself has experienced many terrors during his activities in defending human rights in Papua. For example, when he was actively investigating cases of armed violence in Nduga. But he promised that any incident would not hinder his efforts to carry out humanitarian work.

“And that is something human rights defenders have to face. We must not forget that for me this is a normal thing, and it must be experienced by human rights defenders,” he said again.

Moreover, added Theo, in Papua acts of terror are a daily occurrence.

“It’s a normal thing that human rights defenders have to deal with in the poor conditions of this region. But we also want it not to happen again, and it is the duty of the police to follow up on this terror. We don’t want human rights defenders in Papua to be treated like that,” said Theo.

Pembahasan soal otonomi khusus (otsus) Papua, yang akan berakhir pada 2021 nanti, terus berlanjut. Baru-baru ini salah satu forum legal yang membahas itu justru direpresi aparat, dalam hal ini kepolisian. Orang-orang yang terlibat ditangkapi karena dituduh merencanakan makar.

Salah satu orang yang ditangkap adalah Wensislaus Fatubun pada 17 November lalu. Ia berstatus Tenaga Ahli Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP), representasi kultural di Papua yang memiliki wewenang tertentu dalam rangka perlindungan hak-hak orang asli Papua yang dibentuk berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus Bagi Provinsi Papua.

Ia ditangkap ketika MRP tengah menyelenggarakan rapat dengar pendapat (RDP) wilayah, salah satu program kerja yang tujuannya mendengarkan aspirasi orang asli Papua (OAP) tentang otsus, berlangsung pada 17-18 November kemarin di gedung Vertenten Sai atau Aula Katedral Merauke.

Setelah RDP wilayah, mekanisme selanjutnya adalah menggelar RDP umum yang diikuti oleh MRP Papua-Papua Barat dan Forum Komunikasi Pimpinan Daerah Papua-Papua Barat.

Pada 15 November, sekitar pukul 22.00, Kapolres Merauke AKBP Untung Surianata bertemu dan meminta Pastor Hengky Kariwob (Vikjen Keuskupan Agung Merauke), Pastor John Kandam (Sekretaris Uskup), dan Pastor Anselmus Amo (Direktur SKP KAMe) di Keuskupan untuk tidak memfasilitasi RDP. Pastor Anselmus lantas menelepon Canisius Mandagi, Uskup Agung Keuskupan Agung Merauke. Uskup menegaskan RDP dapat dilakukan karena itu bukan kegiatan politik.

Setengah jam kemudian, beberapa polisi datang ke Hotel Grand Mandala, Hotel Pangkat, dan Hotel Valentine, tempat para peserta dan penyelenggara RDP menginap. “MRP diminta untuk ke polres malam itu juga untuk bertemu dengan kapolres,” ucap Fatubun dalam keterangan tertulis Kamis (19/11/2020).

Fatubun bersama Koordinator Tim RDP MRP wilayah Anim Ha, seorang staf MRP dan dua orang anggota MRP lain ke Polres Merauke untuk bertemu kapolres, tapi batal karena yang bersangkutan ternyata sudah pulang. Melalui ajudannya, kapolres bilang bertemu esok pagi saja. Pukul 08.46 keesokan harinya, mereka kembali menyambangi polres. Karena Kapolres lagi-lagi tak di tempat, rombongan menyerahkan surat kepada sespri kapolres dan memberikan nomor telepon untuk koordinasi.Sekitar pukul 11.00 sekelompok orang dari Buti berdemonstrasi di kantor Bupati menolak RDP MRP. Massa meminta agar otsus dilanjutkan dan pemekaran Provinsi Papua Selatan. Enam jam berikutnya, Fatubun cs memutuskan membatalkan RDP karena situasi tak kondusif dan mereka dalam pantauan kepolisian.

Pukul 22.00, polisi datang lagi ke hotel. Kali ini dengan membawa senjata laras panjang.

Pada 17 November, pukul 08.00 pagi, seorang pria berbaju merah dan bukan tamu duduk di depan hotel. Tim RDP curiga orang itu ialah intelijen. Dia hanya diam sekitar 30 menit lalu pergi. Satu jam berikutnya, ada dua orang yang diduga sebagai intelijen polres menyambangi penginapan. Mereka menanyakan ke pihak hotel soal jumlah dan penghuni kamar. Lantas mereka angkat kaki.

Pukul 10.00, ketika Fatubun sedang duduk di depan hotel, Kapolres Merauke bersama anak buahnya datang. Beberapa dari mereka membawa senjata laras panjang. Mereka menggeledah hotel dan kamar tim RDP. Saat itulah Fatubun ditangkap. “Sebelum menangkap saya, kapolres bertanya asal, pekerjaan, [serta] kepentingan saya di Merauke. Mereka minta KTP saya,” katanya.

Fatubun dimasukkan ke mobil Dalmas, sementara barang bawaannya dijadikan barang bukti. “Di mobil Dalmas, saya melihat Koordinator Tim RDP MRP, dua staf MRP, dan seorang peserta diborgol seperti saya.” Ia dan rekan-rekannya diinterogasi dan baru dibebaskan pada 18 November sekira pukul 16.45.

Kapolres Merauke AKBP Untung Surianata menyatakan dalam penggeledahan pada pagi jelang siang tanggal 17 November, ia dan rombongan menemukan sebuah pisau. “Lalu kenapa kami tangkap mereka? Karena ada buku makar, buku untuk mengajak merdeka di berbagai tempat, yang buku kuning itu,” ujar Untung kepada reporter Tirto, Kamis. Untung bilang buku itu sempat dibuang ke luar dari jendela hotel.Buku kuning itu berjudul ‘Pedoman Dasar Negara Republik Federal Papua Barat’, edisi pertama yang terbit Januari 2012, dikeluarkan oleh Sekretariat Negara Republik Federal Papua Barat. Kata sambutan buku ditulis oleh oleh Presiden NRFPB Forkorus Yaboisembut.

Berdasar berkas yang didapatkan reporter Tirto, ditemukan juga dokumen Polisi Negara Republik Federal Papua Barat Nomor: 001/KKP-NRFPB/IV/2012 yang ditandatangani oleh Wakil Kepala Kepolisian Negara Republik Federal Papua Barat Letnan Jenderal Fery Fernando Yensenem tentang Penunjukan Kepala dan Wakil Kepala Kepolisian Negara Bagian Ha-Anim.

“Sementara kita (Indonesia) punya pangdam, kapolda, bupati, dan gubernur. Karena mereka makar, kami tegas begitu tak apa. Ini bukan kasus maling ayam atau sandal jepit,” katanya, lalu mengatakan kalau apa yang mereka lakukan lebih baik karena di negara lain para terduga makar dapat ditembak mati.

Ada 54 orang yang ditangkap dan dibawa ke kantor polisi. Dia bilang “harusnya semua [jadi] tersangka karena ada buku itu.”

Dua dari mereka dinyatakan positif COVID-19 setelah dites. Ini alasan mengapa mereka akhirnya dibebaskan. “Kami juga punya tahanan. Nanti rawan.”

Pembungkaman Ketua MRP Timotius Murib mengkritik penangkapan ini. Ia bilang apa yang dilakukan polisi sama saja melawan lembaga dan program negara. MRP itu lembaga legal, pun dengan acara yang mereka selenggarakan. “Berarti secara tidak langsung kepolisian menolak [pembahasan] otonomi khusus karena menolak RDP,” katanya kepada reporter Tirto, Kamis.Murib tak tahu ihwal ‘buku kuning’ yang jadi alasan polisi menangkapi para peserta dan penyelenggara. Namun ia menduga buku itu milik peserta rapat, bukan milik anggota atau tim MRP. Peserta rapat saat itu adalah Barisan Merah Putih, organisasi pemuda serupa, serta perwakilan adat. Total peserta 35 orang per kabupaten. Sementara dari MRP yang hadir sekira 20-an orang. Sebanyak 2 anggota dan 9 staf sekretariat diciduk.

Sebelum penangkapan, tepatnya pada 14 November 2020, Kapolda Papua Irjen Pol Paulus Waterpauw menerbitkan maklumat bernomor Mak/1/Xl/2020 tentang Rencana Rapat Dengar Pendapat pada Masa Pandemi COVID-19. Maklumat itu melarang RDP diikuti lebih dari 50 orang; peserta wajib mengikuti protokol kesehatan (swab/PCR, 3M) dan menyediakan tempat cuci tangan atau cairan pembersih tangan; lalu bagi pelanggar akan ditindak oleh kepolisian.

“Maklumat ini dikeluarkan untuk mencegah penyebaran COVID-19, karena khawatir rapat yang mengundang berkumpulnya orang dapat menimbulkan klaster baru,” ujar Kabid Humas Polda Papua Kombes Pol Ahmad Musthofa Kamal dalam keterangan tertulis, Sabtu (14/11/2020).

Bagi pengacara dari Perkumpulan Advokat HAM Papua Michael Himan, maklumat tersebut “sangatlah politis dan terlalu abstrak.” Ia mengatakan demikian untuk mengomentari bagian lain dari maklumat, angka 3 huruf c. Di sana disebutkan siapa pun yang terlibat RDP “dilarang merencanakan atau melakukan tindakan yang menjurus tindak keamanan negara, makar, atau separatisme atau pun tindakan lainnya yang dapat menimbulkan pidana umum atau atau perbuatan melawan hukum lainnya dan konflik sosial.”

Kepada reporter Tirto, Rabu (18/11/2020), ia mengatakan RDP bukan termasuk tindakan penyerangan, apalagi makar. Selama dilangsungkan secara damai, tindakan menyampaikan pendapat tidak dapat dianggap makar.

Lagipula maklumat itu bukan produk hukum yang tidak memiliki kekuatan hukum bagi orang luar. Maklumat sekadar informasi bagi internal Polri. “Pernyataan tersebut bertentangan dengan ketentuan Perkap 15/2007. Kepolisian tidak memiliki kewenangan untuk membuat peraturan yang berlaku eksternal.” Atas dasar itu Himan menyimpulkan maklumat, dan penangkapan, telah melanggar hak kebebasan berekspresi masyarakat Papua.

Kritik serupa disampaikan Direktur Eksekutif Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua Theo Hesegem, kepada reporter Tirto, Rabu. Ia pertama-tama mengatakan bahwa otsus pada dasarnya adalah bentuk tawaran politik yang diberikan pemerintah pusat terhadap aspirasi merdeka orang Papua. Pusat Data dan Analisa Tempo pada 2019 lalu menulis Otsus adalah “jalan tengah bagi kelompok pro kemerdekaan Papua dan pemerintah pusat.”

Ketika itu aspirasi untuk merdeka memang sedang tinggi-tingginya di tanah Papua. Keputusan Kongres Rakyat Papua (KRP) II yang diadakan Presidium Dewan Papua (PDP) di Gedung Olahraga Cenderawasih APO, Kota Jayapura, 29 Mei sampai 4 Juni 2000, bulat menyebut rakyat Papua ingin lepas dari Indonesia.

Maka, “bila ruang [ekspresi] masyarakat dilarang, tidak mengevaluasi atau RDP, [maka] isu Papua merdeka akan semakin menguat di akar rumput.”

Press organizations in Papua, including the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) of Jayapura City, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of Papua, and the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) of Papua, lambasted what was reported to be intimidation against Abdel Gamel Naser, a journalist from Cenderawasih Pos. The incident occurred while he was covering the case of mangrove forest destruction in the Youtefa Bay Nature Park conservation area in Jayapura City on Tuesday (11/7/2023). Gamel, as he is commonly known, allegedly faced intimidation from two police officers who were present near the location. The officers approached Gamel and questioned his reasons for photographing the area. Despite explaining that he was a journalist, the officers insisted on deleting the photos, resulting in Gamel deleting three images from his reporting.

“To avoid further conflict so I can continue my reporting elsewhere, I deleted the photos. As I was leaving the location, they issued further threats,” Gamel stated in a press release issued by the press organizations on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Gamel was among a group of approximately a dozen journalists who were covering the halt of logging and material stockpiling in the mangrove forest area of Youtefa Bay Nature Tourism Park. The halt was carried out by the Papua Forestry and Environment Service, the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center, and the Papua Police Special Crimes Unit.

According to Gamel, the intimidation occurred while he was capturing images near a location where police lines had been established, and several police personnel happened to be present nearby.

Lucky Ireeuw, chairman of the AJI Jayapura, strongly condemned the alleged intimidation faced by Gamel during his work. Such repressive actions hinder the exercise of press freedom in Papua.

“The intimidation suffered by Gamel obstructs press freedom and violates Law No. 40/1999 on Press,” Ireeuw asserted.

He further called on the Papua Police to take decisive action against the officers implicated in the alleged intimidation.

“We urge the police to ensure press freedom in Papua,” Ireeuw added.

Meanwhile, PWI Papua deputy, Ridwan Madubun strongly condemned the display of arrogance that resulted in the alleged intimidation of his fellow journalist Gamel. Madubun believes such actions are unjustifiable, especially when they occur while journalists are carrying out their responsibilities in the public domain.

He also expressed dismay at the ongoing repressive acts against journalists in Papua. It is important to note that journalists are safeguarded by the law in carrying out their coverage duties to inform the public.

Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ignatius Beny Ady Prabowo mentioned that efforts have been made within the police institution to educate police personnel about press freedom since their training at the National Police School.

“I have just been made aware of the alleged intimidation against Gamel. Journalists who encounter such incidents can report them to our Internal Division,” Prabowo added.

On 2 March 2011, Mr. Banjir Ambarita. Banjir was stabbed by unknown assailants in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia. This incident happened shortly after Banjir wrote an article on sexual abuses committed by Papuan police officers, which raises again serious concerns on the safety of journalists working in Papua. Banjir was stabbed by two men and was hospitalized afterwards due to severe injury. The identity of perpetrators remains unknown, but the Papua Police and Jayapura Police have formed a joint force to investigate the case. Banjir's latest articles were on sexual abuses committed by the police officers in Jayapura, Papua. The last article, dated 27 February 2011, covered the sexual abuse of a female detainee at the Jayapura police's Detention Center. This event led to the resignation of the Jayapura's Police Chief, Imam Setiawan, and a 21-day jail sentence for the officers involved.

Semestinya Natan Weya, mahasiswa Universitas Pattimura (Unpatti) dan 20 kawan, menggelar demonstrasi peringatan tahunan 1 Desember Papua beberapa hari lalu. Tapi semua batal karena tempat tinggal mereka dikepung sejak malam sebelumnya. Reaksi ini dianggap tak patut.

TNI-Polri menyambangi asrama yang terletak di Jalan Ir. M. Putuhena, Kecamatan Teluk Ambon, Kota Ambon, ketika para penghuni sedang mempersiapkan demonstrasi pada Senin 30 November 2020 sekitar pukul 22.30 WIT. Datang pula seorang dosen Unpatti--yang dikenal Natan mengajar di Fakultas Ekonomi tapi tak tahu siapa namanya, Ketua RT, dan sekretaris desa.

Ketua RT mengatakan ia hendak mengecek apa betul ada penghuni baru di asrama itu. Tentu alasan ini tak masuk akal karena aparat turut serta. Para penghuni pun meminta 'tamu' angkat kaki, apalagi mereka datang hampir tengah malam.

Para tamu memang pergi, tapi itu hanya awal dari intimidasi.

"Setelah itu TNI, Polri, dan intelijen memblokade dua jalan tempat tinggal kami. Dibantu warga setempat," jelas Natan kepada reporter Tirto, Selasa (1/12/2020). Selain blokade, sekira pukul 03.30, teriakan makian terdengar empat kali. "Mereka melontarkan kata-kata makian [seperti] anjing, babi, binatang, goblok, dan segala macam. Tapi kami mahasiswa Papua tidak membalas." Terjadi pula pelemparan batu.Para penghuni tentu saja ketakutan. Perut mereka kosong tapi tak bisa keluar.

Seorang penghuni asrama, Abner Holago, lewat Facebook mengatakan rombongan berdiri di depan pintu menanyakan jumlah penghuni asrama dan apakah ada selain orang Papua dan yang bukan penghuni. Perdebatan mulai terjadi ketika rombongan memaksa masuk ke ruang tamu. Dia juga menayangkan beberapa video lain.

Para penghuni dituding “tidak memperingati 17 Agustus, tidak tahu terima kasih.” Juga menerima kalimat makian seperti 'semerlap' yang artinya 'biadab'.

Pemantauan oleh “[aparat] berpakaian preman” terus berlangsung meski intensitasnya berkurang. Para penghuni pun gagal menggelar demonstrasi. “Tapi kami bisa keluar beli makan dan minum. Mereka hanya pantau-pantau dengan motor, lewat-lewat saja,” katanya.

Kasubag Humas Polresta Pulau Ambon dan Pulau-Pulau Lease Ipda Izak Leatemia membantah apa yang mereka lakukan disebut pengepungan. Ia bahkan bilang video yang beredar bohong belaka. “Video hoaks yang disebarkan melalui akun FB bernama Abner Holago memang membuat marah warga setempat, namun tidak ada pengepungan jalan masuk maupun mes mahasiswa ini,” ujar dia, Selasa, dikutip dari Antara.

Dolvis juga membantah ada pengepungan. “Saya bersama perangkat RT dan masyarakat masuk mes itu hanya untuk menanyakan ada orang yang dicurigai. Karena ketika kami masuk, ada yang lari ke belakang,” katanya. Izak bilang awalnya asrama itu didatangi oleh warga dari salah satu desa di Pulau Haruku, Kabupaten Maluku Tengah. Lantas Ketua RT 011/06 Dolvis da Costa beserta pejabat Desa Wayame Nur Alan La Saleman, anggota Bhabinkamtibmas dan personel Babinsa turut serta. Tujuannya untuk menanyakan identitas tamu.

Ketika para penghuni menolak, ada yang merekam kejadian itu dan membuat narasi seolah-olah mereka dikepung aparat. Kemudian rombongan balik badan. Meski demikian, guna menjaga situasi kondusif, personel polsek berjaga-jaga--yang bagi mahasiswa dianggap pengepungan dan membuat mereka takut.

Diskriminasi Bagi Direktur Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Papua Emanuel Gobay, apa yang terjadi di Ambon ini memperkuat fakta diskriminasi dan stigma kerap kali menimpa orang-orang Papua. Orang-orang Papua sering dicurigai berlebihan karena etnis mereka. Sulit membayangkan kejadian serupa menimpa orang-orang non-Papua.

Stigma dan diskriminasi ini juga dipraktikkan oleh aparat. “Aparat keamanan itu bagian dari pemerintah, bertanggung jawab untuk melindungi,” kaya Gobay kepada reporter Tirto, Rabu (2/12/2020). Ia lantas mengutip Pasal 28 I ayat (4) UUD 1945, yang menyebut “perlindungan, pemajuan penegakan dan pemenuhan hak asasi manusia adalah tanggung jawab negara, terutama pemerintah.”

Selain itu, ia juga menegaskan masuknya aparat tanpa izin ke rumah merupakan tindak pidana sebagaimana yang diatur dalam Pasal 167 KUHP. Gobay berharap tak ada lagi kejadian pelanggaran hak konstitusi warga negara seperti ini.

Musni Umar, sosiolog dan Rektor Universitas Ibnu Chaldun, mengatakan dampak dari peristiwa ini tak lain adalah para mahasiswa “merasa dibenci” oleh lingkungan yang berbeda dari mereka. Itu semua hanya akan “mempertajam polarisasi” dan jelas-jelas “tidak ada yang diuntungkan.” Kepada reporter Tirto, Rabu, dia bilang bila kebencian menguat, maka bisa saja orang-orang Papua semakin teguh pendiriannya untuk memisahkan diri dari Indonesia. Oleh karena itulah dia bilang aparat semestinya bisa mengambil hati mereka secara bijak dan tanpa pendekatan kekuasaan. “Kalau rakyat, jangan diperlakukan seperti itu. Harus dilindungi,” katanya. Sementara menurut Koordinator Badan Pekerja Kontras Fatia Maulidiyanti, sulit melepaskan peristiwa ini dengan fakta bahwa itu terjadi satu hari sebelum peringatan 1 Desember. “Pengepungan juga bukan pertama kali terjadi. Ini bentuk ketidakadilan [yang] terus melembaga dan tidak pernah ditindaklanjuti oleh pemerintah,” katanya kepada reporter Tirto, Rabu.

Pengepungan serupa terjadi pada 16 Agustus tahun lalu. Asrama Mahasiswa Papua di Jalan Kalasan Nomor 10, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, dikepung aparat dan ormas karena para penghuninya dituduh merusak bendera merah putih--yang kemudian tak terbukti. Mereka juga diteriaki makian binatang. Asrama yang sama pada awal September dilempari karung berisi ular.

Pengepungan ini lantas memicu aksi protes besar-besaran di Papua dan di tempat lain selama berbulan-bulan.

Victor Mambor, journalist and editor of the Papua-based Tabloid Jubi, has become the target of a terrorist act this week.

A car that he owns which was parked on the road near his home in the Papuan capital of Jayapura was vandalised by unknown individuals between 12 midnight and 2am on Wednesday, April 21.

The windscreen of Mambor’s Isuzu Double Cabin DMax was smashed by a blunt object. The rear and left-side windows were also damaged by a sharp instrument.

The left-side front and back doors were also spray painted with orange paint.

The Jayapura branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) chairperson, Lucky Ireeuw, suspects that the vandalism act was committed over reporting by Tabloid Jubi which a “certain party” disliked.

Tabloid Jubi and its website are known for consistently presenting the public with reports on human rights violations in Papua.

“This act of terror and intimidation is clearly a form of violence against journalists and threatens press freedom in Papua and more broadly in Indonesia,” said Ireeuw in a press release on Thursday, April 22.

‘Terrorism suffered’ “It is strongly suspected that the terrorism suffered by Victor is related to reporting by Tabloid Jubi which a certain party dislikes.”

Prior to the vandalism of his car, Mambor has suffered a series of attacks.

“Digital attacks, doxing, and disseminating a flyer on social media the content of which painted Tabloid Jubi and Victor Mambor in a bad light, playing people off against each other and threats of criminal attacks on the media and Victor personally,” Ireeuw said giving examples of the attacks.

The incident has already been reported to the authorities and Ireeuw is calling on the police to immediately investigate and arrest the perpetrators.

Ireeuw slammed the attack against Mambor and Tabloid Jubi and urged whoever committed it to stop such actions immediately.

“We appeal to all parties to respect the work of journalists and respect press freedom in the land of Papua,” he said.

As a result of the arrests, the simultaneous demonstration of the Papuan people against the division, revoking of Otsus volume II and holding a referendum by all Papuan people in Papua and Indonesia who are members of the Papuan People's Petition (PRP) on Friday (3/5/2022), in Nabire district, Papua cancel done. The action will be carried out by holding a free pulpit. It was reported that the action was canceled due to the arbitrary arrests of the joint TNI-Polri apparatus against the mass of action before the action took place at the Gizi park, Oyehe, Nabire. A total of 23 people were forcibly arrested. 22 people were arrested first and one from behind. The 22 people who were arrested were transported by police trucks and taken to the Nabire Police Headquarters for interrogation. Over 10 hours they were interrogated and released. “Initially, 11 of us came to the Gizi park to do a free pulpit action. We brought some pamphlets and a megaphone. At that time there was no security apparatus. But there are already two billboards that say thank you for DOB. One of them is from the Key harmony in Nabire," said a protester who was arrested to Suarapapua.com from Nabire, Saturday (4/6/2022), who declined to give his name. He said starting at 06.00, continued at 06:37. The police with full weapons along with about tens of intel arrived and went straight to them asking to disperse with the excuse that at the nutrition park there would be a joint rally in the morning. “We were lazy to know and stayed. At 06:40, another crowd was arriving. The police chief also arrived with some of his men, then again forced us to disperse with shouts and threatening words, while ordering his men within 10 minutes of the mass action to be disbanded.” At 07:12, the police managed to force them out of the Gizi garden (just behind the Nun Biru Gate monument). Not accepting the brutal actions of the officers, one of the masses took photos of the officers. “He was immediately chased by intelligence and police to the front of the road. After we were in front of the Gizi park main road, the police then pushed us into the Oyehe market and continued to push until we reached the end of the Oyehe terminal.” "We want to disband. But the Police Chief and his men forced us not to go home and had to get into the police truck. We are surrounded. The police chief also threatened us with words that he would take us to a faraway place. The police chief also asked us to take off all the masks we were wearing," he said. When they were surrounded, he said, a woman took a photo but the woman was shouted at and her cellphone was taken by the police. After the police truck arrived, he continued, at around 08:01, they were transported and taken to the Nabire Police Headquarters. At 08:14, they were interrogated. “They asked for our name, address, occupation, status, etc. by yelling at us one by one. Only our friend, Wakakorlap, Adiknas Pekei, was examined with the BAP," he explained. It was said, after the examination, at 16:20 accompanied by the Papua Talent LBH Nabire, they were removed from the Nabire Police Headquarters. Meanwhile, another mass protest from Kalibobo, which initially gathered at the Intan Jaya dormitory together with nine (9) BEM campuses in Nabire to conduct a free pulpit, was also forcibly dispersed by the authorities after the Nabire Police Station deployed hundreds of personnel with full weapons. However, before the officers came down and dispersed, they managed to hold a free pulpit on the street (reading poetry, singing and giving speeches). And also succeeded in reading out the statement of position read by the head of the general field coordinator (Korlap) for the action, Abia Pujau. Seeing the officers coming, all the masses of the action entered the dormitory. The officers broke down the gate and almost chaos ensued. No protesters were arrested. Regarding the assistance carried out by the Papua Talent LBH Nabire, Suara Papua has contacted the director of the Nabire Papua Talent LBH, Richar Danny Nawipa through his phone number twice to ask for information but was not picked up.

HARASSED FOR ORGANIZING PEACEFUL RALLY Two members of Timor-Leste's security forces visited the office of the human rights NGO Yayasan HAK on 26 January and the police has been harassing its Executive Director by telephone for organizing and participating in a peaceful demonstration. Manuel Monteiro Fernandes, Executive Director of the human rights NGO Yayasan HAK based in Dili, Timor Leste, has informed Amnesty International that the police has been calling him repeatedly regarding the NGO's involvement in organizing a peaceful demonstration to coincide with the President of Indonesia's visit to Timor-Leste on 26 January. His safety is at risk. On the day of the demonstration, two members of the Timor-Leste Defence Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-Leste, F-FDTL) visited the Yayasan HAK office and requested to use the space as a security base due to its proximity to the Indonesian Embassy in Dili. Manuel Monteiro Fernandes refused to allow them to use their office. One of the soldiers then approached another member of the staff, Adelio da Costa Fernandes and requested that he immediately remove his t-shirt because it carried the slogan "Free West Papua", which refers to a political issue that is considered as highly sensitive by the Indonesian government. Yayasan HAK announced in a joint public statement on 25 January, together with other local NGOs, that the peaceful demonstration was organised to urge the Timorese and Indonesian governments to address crimes against humanity committed during the Indonesian occupation between 1975 and 1999. They also called for the immediate implementation of recommendations set out by the Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF), a bilateral agreement between the government of Indonesia and the government of Timor-Leste to investigate crimes committed during the 1999 independence referendum, including the establishment of a Commission for Missing People. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Yayasan HAK is a non-governmental organisation based in Dili, Timor-Leste focusing on promoting and protecting human rights in civil society and state institutions. Yayasan HAK was established in August 1996 by Timorese and Indonesian activists to monitor human rights, provide human rights education, legal support and advocacy across thirteen districts in Timor-Leste. Under the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, it is the duty of the State to create the conditions necessary to defend human rights within their jurisdictions and specifically "to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of everyone against any violence, threats, retaliation, adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the Declaration." Rights and protections accorded to human rights defenders include the right to meet or assemble peacefully. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association is guaranteed under Section 42 of the Constitution of Timor-Leste (Freedom to Assemble and Demonstrate) which stipulates that: "Everyone is guaranteed the freedom to assemble peacefully and unarmed, without a need for prior authorization; and everyone is recognized the right to demonstrate in accordance with the law." Impunity persisted for gross human rights violations committed during the Indonesian occupation (1975-1999). Little progress was made in addressing crimes against humanity and other human rights violations committed by Indonesian security forces and their auxiliaries from 1975 to 1999. Many suspected perpetrators remained at large in Indonesia. No progress by the authorities was reported in implementing recommendations addressing impunity from the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) and the bilateral Indonesia-Timor-Leste Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF). Amnesty International has documented ongoing impunity in Timor-Leste in its reports We Cry for Justice: Impunity Persists 10-years on in Timor-Leste (ASA 57/001/2009) and Timor-Leste: Justice in the Shadow (ASA/57/001/2010). UN SR Case Country No: TLS 1/2016

Several police officers dressed casually are suspected of intimidating and using violence against journalists while covering the forced return of protesters at the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra in Padang, West Sumatra. Three journalist organizations condemn the obstruction of journalistic work.

Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Padang Aidil Ichlas, Sunday (6/8/2023), said that at least four journalists were victims of intimidation or violence by the apparatus. The four journalists are Nandito Putra (Tribunnews), Fachri Hamzah (Tempo), Dasril (Padang TV), and Zulia Yandani (Classy FM).

"We condemn such actions. In fact, a female journalist has also become a victim. Some of the journalists who tried to break up and release their colleague who was about to be lifted were also threatened and their shirt collars were grabbed," said Aidil.

Tribunnews journalist, Nandito Putra, in a press statement, explained that he was grabbed by plainclothes police officers while recording the return of protesters and doing a live broadcast for his media on Saturday afternoon. Prior to that, he was also prohibited from taking photos and his cellphone was about to be confiscated by the authorities.

According to Nandito, around 3:30 pm, he was broadcasting live on Facebook Tibunpadang.com to record the situation of West Pasaman residents who were rejecting the national strategic project (PSN) in the courtyard of the West Sumatra Grand Mosque. After recording the condition of the residents for two minutes, he directed the camera towards the police who were pulling a woman.

“I followed the crowd to a distance of about 3 meters. However, when I was recording, suddenly some plainclothes people came and grabbed me. My cellphone was taken by force. Then the apparatus asked me what my purpose was and I explained that I was reporting," said Nandito.

Nandito was only released after two journalists protested against the police officer's actions. However, in that effort, the security forces also lifted Fachri Hamzah's shirt collar, a Tempo journalist, and made threats. The same officer also threatened Aidil Ichlas, Chairman of AJI Padang, who at that time was also trying to release Nandito.

The incident ended a few minutes later after several officers from the Padang City Resort Police intervened and apologized to Nandito, Fachri, and Aidil for the incident.

On another occasion, Dasril, a journalist from Padang TV, also experienced intimidation by police officers. At the time, Dasril was recording the arrest of a member of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Padang who was accompanying the protesters.

Suddenly, a police officer obstructed Dasril's camera from recording. "That's enough, don't record anymore," said the officer. However, Dasril continued to do his job.

Meanwhile, Zulia Yandani, a female journalist from Classy FM, also experienced violence during the chaotic mass repatriation incident. At that time, Zulia had just finished praying and heard the commotion on the first floor of Masjid Raya Sumbar.

Seeing the tense situation, Zulia then recorded the incident, but was approached by a number of police officers who then took her phone. "I have explained that I am a journalist, but they still pulled me and lifted both of my legs. They were going to take me to the car," she said.

Due to the police's act of intimidation and violence towards journalists, three journalist organizations in West Sumatra, namely AJI Padang, Pewarta Foto Indonesia (PFI) Padang, and Ikatan Jurnalis Televisi Indonesia (IJTI) Sumbar, issued a joint statement through a press release.

These three journalist organizations are of the opinion that the actions taken by the police have violated press freedom. However, Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press has clearly regulated matters related to journalistic work.

Such intimidation action also violates Article 18 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 40 Year 1999. The article states, "Any person who unlawfully and intentionally performs actions resulting in obstructing or impeding the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of 2 years or a maximum fine of IDR 500 million."

Therefore, AJI Padang, PFI Padang, and IJTI Sumbar condemn the acts of intimidation and violence by the police towards journalists on duty at the Grand Mosque of Sumbar. The three associations also urge the Chief of West Sumatra Regional Police to apologize for the incident of intimidation and violence.

The Chief of Police of West Sumatra is urged to process his members who intimidate and use violence against journalists in accordance with regulations. In addition, the Chief of Police of West Sumatra is requested to ensure that standard operating procedures for handling demonstrations always prioritize professionalism, persuasion, and respect for press freedom.

On the other hand, AJI Padang, PFI Padang, and IJTI Sumbar appreciate the actions taken by several police officers from Polresta Padang who prevented violence against several journalists and immediately apologized. Finally, the three journalistic organizations also urged journalists to continue to adhere to the journalistic code of ethics while working.

On Saturday afternoon, at the Masjid Raya Sumbar, one of the journalists who became a victim, Zulia Yandani, reported the issue to the Inspector General of Sumbar, Suharyono. Initially, Suharyono responded jokingly to the alleged behavior of his member who is suspected of being intel. "So the intel is still fond of you, Mom," he said.

However, after Zulia convinced that the police officer's actions were serious, Suharyono summoned the Director of Intelligence of the West Sumatra Provincial Police, Commissioner Sunarya, to apologize directly to Zulia for the incident.

Indian authorities must drop the charges against journalist Santu Pan, who was arrested live on air while reporting on allegations of abuse by West Bengal officials, and investigate the earlier assault of three journalists reporting on clashes related to one of those officials, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday.

On Monday, police arrested Pan, who works for the privately owned news broadcaster Republic Bangla, while he was reporting from a woman’s home in the village of Sandeshkhali, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of West Bengal’s state capital, Kolkata, and remanded him in police custody for three days, according to news reports. Pan’s arrest was captured in a video by Republic World.

Pan, who was freed on bail on Thursday, was reporting on weeks of protests by local women over alleged rape and sexual assault by officials with West Bengal’s ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). One of the alleged assailants has fled, while another was arrested.

On Thursday, Calcutta High Court ordered a stay on further proceedings in the police investigation into Pan for violating multiple sections of the penal code. If charged and found guilty of criminal trespass, Pan could face imprisonment for up to three months; for house trespass, imprisonment for up to one year; for outraging the modesty of a woman, imprisonment for up to three years; for voyeurism, imprisonment for up to three years; and for criminal intimidation, imprisonment for up to two years.

The unrest in Sandeshkhali started on January 5, when hundreds of supporters of an AITC official attacked federal officials with the Enforcement Directorate who had arrived to conduct a raid on the official’s house over an alleged scam regarding government-subsidized food distribution, according to news reports. Several officials were injured, their vehicles set on fire, and their laptops and phones were looted, those sources said.

Journalist Ayan Ghoshal of the privately owned news broadcaster Zee 24 Ghanta and reporter Sandeep Sarkar and camera operator Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya of the privately owned news broadcaster ABP Ananda were stoned, beaten with sticks, and kicked, during clashes between crowds and officials in Sandeshkhali, those sources said, as well as Ghoshal. Their cameras and other equipment were stolen and broken, and their vehicles were damaged, those sources said.

Sarkar said in an interview with his outlet ABP Ananda that he was beaten by the crowd and forced to unlock his phone. When the crowd saw the photos that he had taken, Sarkar and his driver were beaten again, their car was damaged, and their video live streaming equipment was stolen, he said. The crowd also beat his colleague Chattopadhyaya and snatched and broke his camera, Sarkar added.

In an article in The Telegraph an anonymous journalist said that they were chased and beaten by people who snatched their camera and destroyed it. They are undergoing medical tests after vomiting, they added. Ghoshal told CPJ that his vehicle was the first to be targeted and damaged by the crowd with stones, bricks, and sticks.

“It is disturbing to witness the growing intolerance of press freedom in West Bengal,” said Kunāl Majumder, CPJ’s India representative. “Authorities in West Bengal must drop all charges against journalist Santu Pan, investigate the violence meted out against reporters covering unrest in Sandeshkhali, and ensure that the media can do their jobs without fear or interference.”

Cases of abuse against members of the press occurred again at the Keerom District Government office, Papua Province, on Thursday 09/03/2023, around 14:00 WIT.

This abuse occurred in the office area of ​​the Keerom Regency Border Area Management and Cooperation Agency, while carrying out his journalistic duties in the online media globalinvestigation.com, whose initials "N" were beaten by security officers (Police).

According to the victim's statement, the chronology of the incident of persecution allegedly occurred because of previously published reports regarding the beating of a member of the public against a Satpol PP officer who was on duty in the Deputy Regent's and Keerom Regional Secretary rooms.

Moments later, the police officer (perpetrator) came out of his room and looked for the victim (journalist) then shouted loudly reprimanding and hitting the victim while he was standing near the betel nut seller, next to the Border Area Management Agency office. The victim saw a security guard (police) with several of his colleagues walking quickly up to him, then the security officer (police) said

"I just got the news that was shared. Why bring down the Keerom Government?” he said.

Then the security guard (police) punched the victim, and the victim only tried to dodge and block the blows, but several punches were made to the victim's face resulting in bruises.

Then from that, the victim ran into the room of the secretary of the Border Agency office to save himself, but the security guard (police) continued to chase the victim and the victim fell down, then was beaten again by him ".

"When the victim was hit, it was suspected that there was a tone of threat to shoot the victim with a gun," said the person loudly to the victim "Don't you know me? person against the victim".

After that, the victim told the unscrupulous person that the news did not bring down the Keerom District Government.

The victim made this report spontaneously when an incident occurred when a member of the public beat a Satpol PP officer, besides the victim was not far from the TKP.

JLW, when confirmed by the media crew, confirmed that the victim's family had made a Police Report (LP) and a post mortem et repertum was being carried out at the Kwaingga Keerom Hospital.

He conveyed that he, as a family, deeply regretted the unethical behavior of unscrupulous members in the persecution of his younger sibling.

He asked that unscrupulous members be dealt with strictly according to applicable law and investigators must also apply the rules of the Press Law because at the time of the incident the victim was a journalist carrying out his journalistic duties. This has hindered his work as a journalist and the perpetrators must also be charged under Article 18 of the Press Law No. 40 of 1999 which carries a penalty of 2 years in prison or a fine of Rp. 500 million.

JLW continued, "there is no word of peace", the behavior of unscrupulous members also seriously injured our family's honor. If these unscrupulous members are not processed, then I as a family will complain about this to the National Police Headquarters, "said JLW.

Female students marched in the Dasht-e Barchi area to condemn repeated attacks on Hazaras and education centers related to the Hazara community, which were violently dispersed by the Taliban.

One of the protestors, on the condition of anonymity, told Hasht-e Subh that dozens of female students started marching in the west of Kabul at 10:00 a.m. today (Saturday, October 1st).

According to this protester, the rally was launched to protest over Friday’s suicide attack on the students of the Kaj education center in Kabul. The protest started from the Pul-e Sukhta area and the protesters wanted to go to Mohammad Ali Jinnah Hospital.

The protester says that the Taliban stopped the protestors near Mohammad Ali Jinnah hospital with aerial gunshots and violent behavior.

The Taliban have beaten the female students with rifles and electric gears. The Taliban have stopped the journalists from covering this event.

Approximately 100 students were killed and injured in a suicide attack yesterday at Kaj education center in the west of Kabul where a mock Kankor examination was held.

--

A source in the girls’ dormitory of Kabul University confirms that 80% of the female students in this dormitory have been poisoned.

The source, speaking to Hasht-e Subh said that this incident happened on Saturday morning, October 1, when students were supposed to demonstrate at the girls’ dormitory of Kabul University on Sunday in response to the continuing attacks on educational centers.

According to the sources, the hostel manager and some of the staff members are healthy, except for the cooks.

The officials of the girls’ dormitory of Kabul University, after facing the reaction of the students blame hygiene and the use of outside food as the reason behind the issue.

Several poisoned students visited the doctor at their own expense after their condition worsened.

Following the attack on Kaaj Educational Center in west Kabul, a large number of women in Kabul, Herat, and Bamyan provinces staged on the streets, and tens of thousands of users on social media launched a campaign under the name “Stop the Genocide and Killing the Millennials”.

MENEMENG, Indonesia - An environmental activist and his family survived an attack on their lives early Sunday morning after assailants barricaded them inside their home and set it on fire. Murdani heads a chapter of Indonesia's largest environmental NGO, the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi). At around 3 a.m., he and his wife woke to the smell of burning on the second floor of their home in Menemeng village on Lombok, an island next to Bali. Over the past few months, Murdani had noticed people watching his house. He had recently taken to sleeping on the front porch in order to keep guard, though on this night he slept upstairs. Upon waking, Murdani and his wife immediately woke their two children. Murdani grabbed the younger one and rushed downstairs to find the front door on fire. The fire had surrounded part of the house and was spreading inside. His wife brought the older child down by way of the roof of a kiosk next door. Seeing her shouting, the neighbors rushed over to help. It took them 45 minutes to douse the flames. After dawn broke and the police arrived, they found a pillow under the front wheel of Murdani's car, apparently used to set it alight. They also found a plastic bag that smelled of gasoline by the house. Whoever started the fire had covered the security camera above the front door with a hat. They used a wooden chair to jam the door shut and a bamboo table to block another door. "The goal was to trap us inside," Murdani told Mongabay two days after the attack. Precisely why Murdani was targeted is not yet clear. The list of contentious development projects he has spoken out against in West Nusa Tenggara province, where he heads Walhi's operations, is long - from the reclamation of Bima Bay on the neighboring island of Sumbawa to gold mining on Lombok. However, Murdani suspects it was his work on sand mining that prompted the attack. Sand mines abound in the part of Lombok where Murdani lives. Under his leadership, Walhi's chapter in the province has fought illegal sand mines and urged the government not to issue permits for new sand mines. A year ago, residents asked Murdani to help advocate for the rejection of a proposed sand mine on the border of Menemeng and Bilebante, a village known as an ecotourism destination. Residents have complained the sand mining has resulted in damaged roads, landslides and cloudy water. At one point the developers behind a controversial plan to reclaim Bali's Benoa Bay floated plans to dredge sand from Lombok to be used as infill for the massive tourism project, although the provincial government rejected the proposal. "We've received a lot of threats by text message," Murdani said. There are many players in the local sand mining industry. Murdani doesn't want to speculate as to the culprit. He wants the police to handle it, although Walhi has formed its own team to investigate the attack. Murdani's case is not an outlier, said Puri Kencana Putri, campaign manager with Amnesty International. She pointed to the 2015 murder of Salim Kancil, a farmer who organized protests against a sand mine in Lumajang, East Java; and an attack last November on the office of the Mining Advocacy Network, or Jatam, in East Kalimantan province. "In Murdani's case, we know he advocates for and defends people's rights in the natural resource and extractive sectors, including mining," Puri said. "There are groups who don't like what he does." She called on the government to ensure protection for Murdani and his family. From 2010 to 2018, there were 171 recorded cases of violence against activists in Indonesia, according to Ainul Yaqin from the Indonesian Human Protection Foundation (YPII). Most of the victims were environmental activists. Muhammad Isnur of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation called on the police to focus on catching not just the people who attacked Murdani's house, but whoever put them up to it. "They've got to go after the mastermind," he said. However, he was pessimistic about the police getting to the bottom of the case, citing the lack of progress in the Jatam investigation.

Student journalists from the University of Lampung (Unila) were the targets of digital attacks on June 10, amid preparations to hold an online discussion on racism in Papua. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia condemn the digital attacks and call the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation immediately.

Writing for the student publication, Teknokra, two journalists, Chairul Rahman Arif and Mitha Setiani Asih received threats after they planned an online discussion on racial discrimination against Papuans. While Chairul received intimidating messages on WhatsApp, sending him his identity card and threats to his parents� security, the attacker sent Mitha dozens of food deliveries despite not ordering food and hacked Mitha and the publication�s Instagram and Facebook account.

One of the planned speakers for the discussion, Tantowi Anwari, who works for the Journalists Association for Diversity (Sejuk) and his wife also received threats.

AJI notes the same pattern of attacks, hacking a person�s social media account, sending anonymous messages and calls on WhatsApp and receiving unexpected food deliveries has been used many times against human rights and media freedom activists in Indonesia.

Source of Information on the Incident: MASUM, (Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Manch), a human rights organisation based in West Bengal, India. About the Human Rights Defenders under attack: Mr. Mohar Ali Mondal is the son of Late Shahar Ali Mondal, a resident of Village and Post Office- Gobindapur, Police Station- Swarupnagar, District- 24 Parganas (North) in West Bengal. He has been working as the District Human Rights Monitor for MASUM. The Perpetrators: Mr. Bajlur Rahman, Sub Inspector of Police, Swarup Nagar Police Station. Date and time of Incident: 27 July, 2014, 11.50 PM Place of Incident: Swarup Nagar Police Station, 24 Parganas (North) District in the East Indian state of West Bengal. Incident According to the information received, on 27th July 2014 at around 8.00 pm, few villagers of Gobindapur under Swarupnagar Police Station, District- 24 Parganas (North) informed the MASUM District Human Rights Monitor Mr. Mohar Ali Mondal that the cross-border cattle smugglers had attacked and severely beat one Mr. Kabirul Mondal, son of Late Afsar Mondal of the same village. According to the source, those smugglers operate with support of the police and BSF. The villagers requested Mr. Mohar to assist them in lodging a formal complaint against the cattle smugglers at the police station.At around 11.00 pm, Mr. Kabirul's uncle, one Mr. Siddik Mondal, son of Late Ahad Ali formally made the complaint at the Swarupnagar police station. The then on-duty officer of the police station read the complaint as well enquired about the incident. Then he asked the complainant along with the human rights defender from MASUM to wait in the courtyard of police station for Mr. Bajlur Rahman, the Sub Inspector (SI) of that police station. Mr. Rahman came at the police station at about 10.00 pm forcing the villagers and the human rights defender to wait for one and half hours. Mr. Rahman also read the complaint and apparently narrated the whole complaint over his mobile phone to some higher-ups and also informed the complainant that the Officer in Charge was not at the police station at that moment.When the complainant and Mr. Mohar Ali were about to leave the police station at around 11.50 pm, Mr. Rahman, the SI, called them again to the room where the Duty Officer was sitting. All of a sudden; Mr. Bajlur Rahman SI of Police caught hold of Mohar Ali's collar and started threatening him saying, "You have to face the consequences of your involvement with human rights work" and "You will pay for your activities against the police and BSF". Mr. Mohar Ali and Mr. Siddik Mondal were literally prevented from any sort of movement and made to stand for 40 minutes while the other villagers were asked to vacate the police station. Later the said police personnel obtained signatures on "arrest cum inspection" memo and released them. This is not an isolated incident; rather the police and Border Security Force administrations are trying to throttle the voices of protest against their incessant acts of torture. A similar incident happened to another human rights defender of MASUM at Murshidabad district earlier on. This incident is also a blatant attack on initiatives to check the atrocious acts of the police and BSF personnel at the Indo-Bangladesh border areas of West Bengal and against the internationally accepted ethos and guidelines to protect the human rights defenders. The incident also reveals that the smugglers and the police and BSF share a hand in glove relationship. On 28th July 2014 (today) Mr. Mohar Mondal made written complaints to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, 24 Parganas (North) asking legal action against the erring officers and security for self.

On 9 April 2023, human rights defender Pranab Roy was physically assaulted by officers of the Border Security Force (BSF) while returning from his agricultural land in North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. The officers severely beat the defender, threatened to file false criminal cases against him and repeatedly said that he was being targetted due to his human rights work. The following day, 10 April 2023, Pranab Roy filed a complaint against the BSF with the Sutia Police out post Police recorded his complaint but refused to give him a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) as required by law. To date no action has been taken against those responsible and named in the FIR. Pranab Roy is a human rights defender, activist and farmer in the Barnaberia village of North 24 Parganas District in West Bengal. He is the organiser of Amra Simantabasi (“We, the border residents”) a community organisation that advocates for socio-political issues faced by people residing close to the India-Bangladesh border. The human rights defender Pranab Roy has been vocal for the rights of the local community and against the arbitrary restrictions imposed on them by the BSF. In 2023, the human rights defender organised a campaign to protest against the illegal land grabbing of approximately 600 acres of land in North 24 Parganas by the BSF. On 9 April 2023 around 5 PM, Pranab Roy and his father were stopped by BSF officers from the 105 Batallian posted at the Barnaberia Border outpost and two soldiers while returning from their agricultural land. The officers asked Pranab Roy a few questions and without warning started beating and slapping him. They kicked him and hit him with wooden rods and dragged him towards the river. The officers also threatened Pranab Roy with implicating him under false charges of smuggling items across the Bangladesh border or of being an undercover agent for Bangladesh. The BSF officer said that he was punishing Pranab Roy for his human rights work in the village against the interests of the BSF. The BSF is a paramilitary force posted at the India-Bangladesh border and is under the direct control of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. They have been accused of widespread human rights violations against the local community and reprisals against human rights defenders. After severely assaulting Pranab Roy, the BSF officer forced him to sign a false confession stating that he was detained by the BSF for returning home late at night and was not tortured in any form. The human rights defender recieved treatment for his injuries at the local hospital and the doctor who examined him noted “traumatic bruises” on his body. The following day, on 10 April 2023, Pranab Roy submitted a written complaint at the Sutia Police outpost against the BSF personnel. While the police accepted the written complaint, they did not confirm whether a formal complaint has been lodged in the form of a FIR and did not give the defender a copy of the FIR as required by the Criminal Procedure Code. Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the violence inflicted on human rights defender Pranab Roy by BSF personnel as it believes it to be a reprisal against his legitimate and peaceful human rights work. It is also concerned that the police refused to provide a copy of the FIR, in violation of the provisions of India’s legal obligations. Front Line Defenders urges the relevant authorities in India to ensure the safety and security of Pranab Roy and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards.

(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 30 January 2019) - The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the threat, intimidation and verbal abuse of women human rights defender Shila Bewa, 28 years old. Shila is an active member of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), a member of FORUM-ASIA, which works on human rights issues in the border areas of West Bengal, India. FORUM-ASIA condemns the continuous harassment of Shila, and urges the authorities to take immediate action against the perpetrators. Shila was distributing posters on 25 January 2019 in river bank areas of in Toltoli village in Ghospara Gram Panchayet in West Bengal, India. She was verbally abused, threatened, and intimidated for distributing the posters, which is a peaceful human rights activity. Threats, intimidation and harassment of a women human rights defender for distributing posters is a clear violation of her fundamental rights of rights to expression guaranteed under article 19 of Constitution of India. FORUM-ASIA is concerned that women human rights defenders are increasingly facing gender-based violence and harassment for carrying out peaceful human rights activities across India. FORUM-ASIA urges both the State and Central Government to conduct an investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. FORUM-ASIA calls on the National Human Rights Commission to exercise its power under the Protection of Human Rights Act (1993) to intervene in this case taking cognizance of the two communications sent on 26 and 29 January 2019 by MASUM. It should also address the issue of increasing attacks on human rights defenders, such as of MASUM advocating for constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights.

As per the sources, on April 9, 2018, while nominations were being filed for the upcoming local body elections in West Bengal, there were violent clashes between cadres and supporters of various political parties in which many people including contestants were brutally attacked. The journalists at Kolkata were covering once such incidence of violence in Alipore, Kolkata. The violent mob suddenly started attacking journalists who were recording with cameras the attacks and clashes between supporters of political parties. The mob started thrashing the journalists, clothes torn and stripped and their cameras were damaged. Mr. Biplab Mondal from Times of India while refusing to delete the videos and photos from his mobile, was beaten up badly and stripped by the mob. They forcibly deleted all the video and photos from the mobile phones and cameras of other journalists. While they tried to snatch the camera of Mr. Manas Chatterjee, he resisted and was attacked brutally. There were reports of violence and attacks of similar kind from other districts like Murshidabad, Hooghly, Birbhum where photojournalists were facing assault. Though the journalists and media houses have complained to the police about the brutal attacks on journalists, the police did not take any action on the matter

A prominent Pakistani journalist investigating the alleged murder of a British woman in an "honour killing" says he has received death threats. Samia Shahid, 28, from Bradford, was strangled to death while visiting her family in northern Punjab last month. Her husband, Mukhtar Syed Kazam, said he believed his wife was killed because her family disapproved of their marriage. Shahid's first husband, Mohammad Shakeel, her father, Mohammad, and another cousin who are suspected of her murder are all on the run, according to Pakistani police. It is alleged that Shahid, 28, had been tricked into travelling to Pakistan in July and killed for divorcing her first husband and remarrying against the wishes of her family. The stories you need to read, in one handy email Read more The case, which has been highlighted by the Bradford West MP Naz Shah, has become a priority for Pakistan after the country's interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, announced that he had ordered a rapid investigation. The Guardian has learned that a journalist in Pakistan, who has been investigating Shahid's death, has made a formal complaint to police after allegedly receiving death threats from a British man. Raja Waqar said he received five disturbing phone calls in which he was told he would be killed and his children would also be harmed if he continued to pursue information about Shahid's murder. During the phone calls, the longest of which is said to have lasted eight minutes, Waqar said he was told: "If you carry on doing this I'm going to kill you and your children." Waqar, who works for the AAJ TV station in Karachi, says he began receiving calls from a British mobile phone number on 24 July. The calls, from a man who only identified himself as Ali, continued for two days and became increasingly disturbing, he said. Speaking from Pakistan, Waqar said: "When I started covering this story I started receiving threats from a man called Ali. He was ringing on an English mobile number. "He asked me why I was covering the story and I told him that as a journalist in the area for the past 15 years, it was my duty to cover the story and that I had smelled that this was not a natural death. "He told me to drop the story and when I refused he said he was going to kill me and my children." Waqar was told by his bureau chief at the TV station to contact the police and filed a complaint in writing. He said: "This was my assignment and I was not going to allow him to threaten me. But after he kept calling and telling me to stop I had to call the police. He told me to leave it because Samia was not my sister but it was very clear to me that she had been murdered- I have no doubt about it." A West Yorkshire police spokesman said: "We are aware of a report of a Pakistan-based journalist who has allegedly been receiving threats. They have reported this matter to the Pakistani police." He added: "West Yorkshire police is currently reviewing all previous contact with Samia Shahid, including any alleged criminal offences and the action taken as a result. Her death remains a matter for the Pakistani authorities and we are continuing to liaise with them and with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office." Shahid returned to Bradford from Dubai, where she had been living with Kazam, her second husband, last September to try to build bridges with her family. She asked a female police officer to chaperone her to the family home in Manningham, Bradford, after allegedly being harassed by one of her relatives who wanted her to return to her first marriage. West Yorkshire police confirmed that a man received a harassment warning following the meeting but the force declined to identify the offender. Shahid's friends in Bradford said the beauty therapist was not frightened for her life but was increasingly stressed about what some relatives were telling her mother and father. "I could tell from her Snapchats that she was really affected by her relatives saying stuff to her family, her parents," one friend said. "She was saying "People can't keep their nose out of things'." She added: "She wasn't a scared person. It would take a lot for her to fear stuff. She felt, "Why are they doing stuff like that?' but I don't think she was scared because she is a strong person in her character. "She was just stressed for her family - she didn't want her parents to be stressed out because of what her relatives were doing. That was her main concern[rather] than being scared for herself." Shahid's family in Bradford claimed she had died from natural causes on 20 July and police initially said there were no visible injuries on her body. However, police last week launched a murder investigation after a forensic examination found she had died from asphyxiation.

A journalist in West Flores was allegedly mistreated by a group of people while doing coverage. AL is suspected of being abused by a contractor with the initials of SD along with his workers after covering the visit of a number of members of the DPRD Flores Barat to monitor the construction of the Bale Puskesmas in Klubagolit District on Saturday, January 16.

The journalist was assaulted for covering the allegations of corruption of the construction of health facilities which later were found not to be in accordance with the budget plan.

Chairperson of the University of Indonesia (UI) Student Executive Board (BEM) Melki Sedek Huang admitted that he received intimidation, including his family in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. He suspects that the intimidation is related to the student movement about the Constitutional Court (MK) decision regarding the minimum age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Since the beginning of the management of BEM UI in 2023, Melki admitted that he and a number of other students often received digital attacks and terror in various forms.

However, the intensity has increased since the frenzy of the Constitutional Court decision led by President Joko Widodo's brother-in-law, Anwar Usman.

"I don't know what the motive is, but I have confidence that this is quite closely related to the socio-political conditions that are currently in the air, one of which is about the frenzy of the Constitutional Court's decision," Melki said when contacted by CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday (8/11).

Melki said his family in Pontianak, West Kalimantan was also visited by a number of parties claiming to be security forces a few weeks ago. Melki said the party did not mention the origin of the unit. They only claimed to be officers.

"The worst thing was that my mother was at home in Pontianak, visited by people in TNI and police uniforms. They asked about Melki's habits at home, what he used to do, what my mother did when she came back home, whether she came back at night or at what time. Yes, asking about the habits of people at home," he said.

In addition, Melki also admitted that he received news from his teacher at SMA Negeri 1 Pontianak that someone had asked about his habits while attending school. Until now, Melki has not reported the terror incident to the police.

"Until now, we are still waiting and seeing," he added.

The terror, said Melki, has been discussed within BEM UI.

CNNIndonesia.com has attempted to contact West Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Pipit Rismanto regarding Melki's claim. However, until this news was published, he had not yet responded.

Kapendam XII Tanjungpura Colonel Inf Ade Rizal Muharram admitted that he had not received information about the alleged terror of the authorities against Melki's family in Pontianak. He said he would immediately inform you if he received information about the alleged incident.

"I'll find out first," Ade told CNNIndonesia.com, Wednesday night.

The Constitutional Court has ruled on the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, which was originally 40 years old, to be 40 years old or have / are currently holding positions elected through elections, including regional elections.

The decision finally opened the door for Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is still 40 years old, to run in the 2024 presidential election. It is known that Gibran is the eldest son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as well as the nephew of Anwar Usman, who at that time served as Chairman of the Constitutional Court.

The decision reaped pros and cons. There were a total of 21 reports of alleged violations of the ethics of constitutional judges filed by a number of parties. Anwar was the most reported party, namely 15 reports.

The Constitutional Court Honor Council (MKMK) finally declared Anwar proven to have violated serious ethics related to conflicts of interest in the Constitutional Court's decision on the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Then, Anwar was sanctioned with the dismissal of Anwar Usman from the position of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. The verdict was read out by MKMK Chairman Jimly Ashhiddiqie at the MK Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/11) evening.

Jimly said this decision was made after MKMK conducted an examination of Anwar and collected facts and a defense from Anwar. Among the nine MK judges, Anwar was examined twice by MKMK in this alleged ethical violation.

Through this letter, I want to attract your immediate attention to a case of intimidation and harassment by the state agencies on a Human Rights Defender (HRD), Mr. Arkadeep Goswami aged about 28 years, S/o Mr. Madan Gopal Goswami, a resident of 158/2, Parui Kancha Road, Kolkata 700061 in the state of West Bengal. This intimidation and harassment by the state agencies upon the HRD is probable infringement of his right to liberty and freedom of expression.

Since 18 years of age, Mr. Arkadeep Goswami has been active in Socio-political movements. He was a student activist during his college days. He was an executive member of All India Council for Student Struggles. In 2017 he was a member of ‘All India University Students Fact Finding Team on Fake Encounters’ and few other national consolidations. In 2014 he associated in ‘Hok kolorob’ movement, From 2016 to 2018 he joined in the movement called ‘Justice for Rohith Vemula’. Mr. Goswami always stands for the human rights of the people in the country and raises his voice against the extremist and fascist politics.

In the year 2018 when Mr. Arkadeep Goswami did fact finding on the political prisoner in the West Medinipur district in the state of West Bengal, the state government charged him in a fabricated case vide Goaltore Police Station case number 220/2018 dated 13.11.2018 under section 149 (Unlawful assembly) /120B (Criminal conspiracy) /121 (Waging war against the Government) /121A (Conspiracy to commit offence u/s 121) /123 (Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) /124A (Sedition) of Indian Penal Code. It is a fact that after passing the four years’ time, the police failed to submit charge sheet against Mr. Goswami.

In the year 2022, when Mr. Goswami used to stay at Bolpur in Birbhum district of West Bengal with his wife, on 24th April, 2022, he was kidnapped by some officials of Special Task Force (STF) and Counter Insurgency Force under the instruction of the then-Superintendent of Police, CIF, Durgapur Range, and was taken illegally almost 200 KM far to the Barikul PS and slapped with a fabricated case vide Barikul Police Station case number 04/2022 dated 27.01.2022 under section 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon) /149 (Unlawful assembly) /120B (Criminal conspiracy) /121 (waging war against the Government) /121A (Conspiracy to commit offence u/s 121) /122 (Collecting arms with intent to wage war against the Government) /123 (Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) /124A (Sedition) of Indian Penal Code of sedition. During the time of apprehension no memo of arrest was prepared and no legal formalities were not followed by the personnel of that state agency. Till date no charge sheet was submitted by the police against Mr. Goswami in connection with this case.

Mr. Arkadeep Goswami is now working as a freelance journalist and also working with a reputed human rights organization in the country, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM). As his voice sometimes goes against the establishment, he has been systematically targeted and charged with fabricated cases. These repeated incidents are violating his Constitutional rights as a citizen and also as a Human rights Defender.

Now, On 18.04.2023, while he was at the office of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), two suspicious people, one told his name as Sandipan Mondal, gave a visit to his house placed at 158/2, Parui Kancha Road, Kolkata, around 3 O'clock in the afternoon. They told his parents that they are the friends of Mr. Goswami and want to talk to him about some unspecified things. They asked his mother to call him and when his mother called Mr. Goswami, they questioned about his whereabouts incessantly. Upon asking their identity and address, they didn't come up with any satisfactory answer. Later, they repeatedly asked Mr. Goswami by which time he will return home. When Mr. Goswami refused to divulge any information to them, they said, "So you won't talk to us? Okay, we will see you.” The man identified himself as Sandipan Mondal. Mr. Arkadeep Goswami categorically doesn't have any friends or acquaintances by this name (Sandipan Mondal) but that person also told him that they met Mr. Goswami at Barikul Police Station, last year, when he was there in police custody on a fabricated charge. Mr. Goswami informed that he had not met anybody else during that time apart from officials from different state agencies.

The voice which he heard in phone call and physical appearance of the person which he was informed by his mother, from that Mr. Goswami identified that in yesterday's call was similar to one of those kidnappers associated with intelligence branches (state agencies) when he was fabricated with false charges in Barikul Police Station.

Mr. Goswami apprehended that the person from the state agencies tried to apprehend him and therefore they intimidate and harass him continuously without any reason. As he is now involved himself as human rights movement which raises voice against human rights violation by the state apparatus, he has been targeted planfully.

The incident also violates the rights guaranteed in Article 19 (i) (a) (Freedom of speech) and Article 21(Right to life) of Indian Constitution. The incident also violates the Govt. of India's obligation to adhere to the United Nations' declaration on Human Rights Defenders (General Assembly Resolution A/RES/53/144) that obliges the government to protect, promote and implement human rights within the country.

Mr. Gajendra Singh isa journalist based in Churu district for around five years,working for First India Newsfor last two years. He reports from Sardarshahar Tehsil on all matters. On July 22, 2020, in Sardarshahar of Churu district, the residents of Kaka Colony went inside the office of the executive engineer of the city's water department Mr. Govind Prasad Sharma to give a memorandum for concerns related to water. Mr. Sharma allegedly told the residents that requestwill not be metat which point the residentsof Kaka Colony asked the executive engineer to give the same in writing. At this point, Mr. Sharma allegedly started misbehaving and started abusing the residents telling them to get out of his office. He allegedly threatened the residents that he would take action on grounds that they were crowding in his office and not maintaining social distance.Mr. Gajendra Singh was accompanying the residents of the colony at their request. Before coming to the office of the executive engineer, they had given a similar memorandum at the Sub Divisional Magistratewhose proceedings had been recorded by Mr. Singh. Here too,Mr. Singh started recording the proceedings. Mr. Sharma demanded that Mr. Singh stop recording and even threatened tocharge him with obstructing a public servant, if he didn’t stop. He then pushed the journalist and even triedto snatch themobilewith which Mr. Singhwas recording. When the residents left the premises,Mr. Singh decided to take Mr. Sharma’s view to ensure that hisreporton the incident has both sides. At this point, Mr. Sharma again assaulted Mr. Singh and pushed him outside the premises.Both instancesof assaults and abuses were recorded on camera and there is also CCTV footage that has recorded the incident.The same was aired by news channels.Mr. Singhhas submitted a written complaintto the Sub Divisional Magistrateof Sardarshahar, Ms. Rina Champa,on the same eveningof the incidentwho stated on record that an inquiry will be initiated. However, there has been no inquiry report, nor has any action been taken against Mr. Sharmawhocontinues to hold his office.We are greatly concerned with this blatantmisuse of powerand criminal assault of a journalist by a government employee who was a coveringnews of a delegation for redressal of citizensgrievances.This is also a clear abuse of power by a public servant against the public they serve. It appears that the Executive Engineer was provoked by seeing Mr. Singh recording his abuse ofthe citizens and thus physically assaulted him. This is not only a criminal act, but an action to prevent a journalist from their right to obtain information in public interest. Our Constitution gives journalists the right to exercise freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(a) of the Indian Constitutionwhichis crucial to the work of HRDs, including journalists. The right to freedom of expression encompasses three different aspects: 1) the right to hold opinions without interference; 2) the right of access to information; and 3) the right to impart information and ideas of all kind. On the aforesaid it is stated that Declaration on Human Rights Defenders seeks to protect the monitoring and advocacy functions of defenders by recognizing their right to obtain and disseminate information relevant to the enjoyment of human rights.

The Extrajudicial Execution Victims Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) has informed that the life and security of EEVFAM coordinator of Jiribam district, Yengkhom Ibomcha Singh is under threat from inspector, Manipur police, S. Ibotombi and appealed for urgent intervention of the director general of police. In a statement addressed to the DGP, the organisation sought immediate necessary action in connection to the alleged threat and intimidation by inspector, S. Ibotombi for posting court order of Chief Judicial Magistrate (Imphal West) where his name is mentioned as one of the accused in the CBI charge sheet pertaining to EEVFAM v/s Union of India case, writ petition criminal no. 129 of 2012 of the Supreme Court of India. Ibomcha, a resident of Jiribam IB Leikai under Jiribam police station, Jiribam district was actively involved in data collection and coordination of families of the victims of fake encounters in Jiribam, it said. One day, Ibomcha received a court order of the CJM (Impha West) from a Whatsapp group pertaining to the charge sheet filed by the CBI, it informed. As a coordinator of EEFVAM, he disseminated the document to various Whatsapp groups, it informed. In the last week of September when Ibomcha was busy for organising Lamyanba Irabot celebration to be held at Hojai Langka, Assam where ministers,MLAs and leaders of civil voluntary organisations from Manipur were to attend, he received several phone calls from Jiribam Police Station and told him that he should visit the police station, the statement further informed. When he enquired about the reason, the police insisted him the he should visit the police station without any delay, it said. Soon after Ibomcha's arrival at his home, he got another call from Jiribam Police Station, thereafter, Ibomcha visited Jiribam Police Station, it continued while adding the officer on duty inquired about the court order that he had shared on social media. The police officer on duty insisted Ibomcha to make an apology for sharing the said court order to which Ibomcha replied it was not he who shared the court order first, it informed. After some time, one of the police personnel of Jiribam Police passed a mobile phone and inspector Ibotombi, who was on the line, told Ibomcha that the investigation conducted by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is illegal and he had received gallantry award, the statement informed. The inspector further told Ibomcha that some member of Kalinagar Youth Club have already sought his apology for sharing the said court order, and insisted that Ibomcha should also make an apology for sharing the said document otherwise Ibomcha would face dire consequences, it stated. The statement sought the urgent intervention of DGP by taking necessary legal action against inspector Ibotombi to that Ibomcha can carry out his legitimate human rights work without intimidation and fear, it added

On 5 November 2011, Mr Shyamal Roy, founder of Dodhichi, an organisation aimed at reporting human rights violations committed by authorities of the state of West Bengal and at promoting women"s rights and the right to education, was intimidated by two plainclothed police officers. They told him that they had come to seize his SIM card and alleged that they were the Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police at Sonarpur Police Station. Reportedly they wanted to confiscate other items belonging to him but Mr. Roy requested a legal order from the court. The two policemen called the Officer-in-Charge of Sonarpur Police Station before leaving and telling Mr. Roy that they would come back. Mr. Roy allegedly sends text messages to inform civil society groups about cases of human rights violations occurred in his community and to make people aware of their human rights.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has urged the police to investigate the alleged doxing (dissemination of personal information) and intimidation of a journalist working for popular news outlet Detik.com following his report on President Joko �Jokowi� Widodo�s plan to monitor �new normal� preparation measures in malls in Bekasi, West Java.

�We demand the police investigate the alleged crime of doxing and threats of violence and murder against the journalist until the perpetrators are brought to court,� AJI Jakarta chairman Asnil Bambani and AJI Jakarta advocacy team head Erick Tanjung said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The harassment was apparently inspired by an article titled �Jokowi to lead the opening of several malls in Bekasi this afternoon amid pandemic� published by Detik.com on Tuesday.

Asnil said the journalist obtained all of the information from the Bekasi administration�s head of external publication.

Security threats from conservative Islamic groups in Indonesia have forced organizers of a Southeast Asian LGBT event to move it from Jakarta to an undisclosed location.

The Indonesian capital was to host the five-day ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Queer Advocacy Week conference from July 17.

However, the organizing committee which received death threats from conservative groups decided to move the venue citing "security reasons after monitoring the situation very closely, including the anti-LGBT wave on social media.”

“The decision was made to ensure the safety and security of the participants and the committee,” the committee said in a statement.

Arus Pelangi, a Jakarta-based LGBT rights advocacy outfit and the local organizer, claimed in a July 16 statement that they received a barrage of death threats via social media like Twitter and Instagram.

Personal accounts of its activists and the identity of the organizers were disclosed on social media to tarnish its image, Arus Pelangi further claimed.

Hendrika Mayora Victoria, 35, a Catholic transgender and coordinator of Fajar Sikka, a same-sex advocacy group, said, "Indonesia is not ready to accept diversity and is increasingly homophobic."

This latest case was a worrying signal, Victoria added.

"What's sad is that hate speech, under the pretext of certain religious teachings, continues to be echoed," Victoria told UCA News.

"The event actually aims to unify the vision of an inclusive ASEAN region and strive for a safe space for civil society."

The Journalists Union for Diversity and the Alliance of Independent Journalists in a July 16 joint statement lamented local and national media coverage which fueled persecution of same-sex couples.

Most online media reports contain more statements from politicians, police, Ulema (religious) councils, and government officials calling for anti-LGBTQ laws “to increase hostility, hatred, discrimination and persecution against the group," they said.

The Human Rights Working Group, a coalition of NGOs, with the Secretariat for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscans as one of its members, urged the police to investigate and take action against perpetrators of hate speech.

Daniel Awigra, the group’s executive director, said the cancellation of the event in Jakarta was "a form of powerlessness and failure of the state in its constitutional obligation to guarantee a sense of security for everyone without exception to express and assemble peacefully."

"The state should actually take action against the perpetrators who have been spreading incitement and hatred," he said.

Same-sex couples are vulnerable to discrimination in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world.

Earlier this month, Garut district in West Java province passed a regulation criminalizing same-sex activities.

In December last year, a visit by US special LGBTQ envoy Jessica Stern was canceled after resistance from Islamic groups.

In December 2021, Bogor, a city in West Java province passed a regulation to prevent sexually deviant behavior.

Between 2006 and 2017, Arus Pelangi recorded 172 cases of persecution in Indonesia, including intimidation, physical and verbal abuse, and maltreatment against same-sex couples.

On 2 May 2017, in Ho Chi Minh City, a group of ten government loyalists brutally attacked Le My Hanh, a female environmental activist from Hanoi for her activities which aim to promote multi-party democracy, human rights and environmental protection. The attackers, who included women, broke in the private residence of Hanh's friend, using tear gas to assault Hanh and her friend and brutally beating them. The attackers filmed their actions and later posted videos on their Facebook accounts. This is the second attack against Hanh within one month. On April 5, she and blogger Trinh Dinh Hoa were brutally beaten by Hanoi-based government loyalists in Ho Tay (West Lake) as they were broadcasting a Facebook live stream about the environmental disaster caused by the Taiwanese Formosa steel plant in the central coastal region in April 2016. One day later, independent civil organizations and hundreds of local activists jointly signed a petition to Vietnam's authorities to demand a thorough investigation into the case to hold perpetrators to account.

In May, July and August 2010, three Right to Information (RTI) activists were murdered. On 26 May 2010, Datta Patil was killed. On 20 July 2010, Amit Jethwa, 32 year old RTI activist from Gir, was shot dead by two assailants on a motorbike outside the Ahmedabad High Court. Jethwa had used information obtained under the Right To Information Act 2005 to expose the network of illegal mining run by BJP MP Dinu Solanki in the Gir forest area. On 7 September 2010, the MP's nephew Shiva Solanki was arrested for Jethwa's murder. On 27 August 2010, Ramdas Ghadegaonkar was killed. Murder is usually the last step in a build up of harassment that takes many forms. Invention of cases and imprisonment is the most common form of police harassment, but it is not unlikely for the force to physically assault petitioners either. In other cases, intimidation is dealt out via less "legitimate' channels. From Jharkhand, Sumit Kumar Mahato, Convenor of the RTI Forum, talks about being manhandled by goons for seeking information about funds spent on the building of a road. Rolly Shivhare of Jaano Re Abhiyaan from MP says, "I filed an application to ask for the Midday Meal Scheme budget from the Panchayat and Rural Welfare Department. I received a threatening phone call asking what I would do with this information. The caller said he was the "Development Commissioner'. When the police traced the call, it was found that it had indeed come from his office, though the commissioner himself denied any knowledge of it." RTI activists have learnt through unfortunate examples not to take such initial threats lightly. Down south in Karnataka, Venkatesh, 32, had filed an application to expose the Bangalore Development Authorities' involvement in a land scam case. Despite receiving threats, he continued to pursue the case alone. In April 2009, Venkatesh's body was found near the divider of a highway. His death was registered as a traffic accident. The RTI Study Centre filed an RTI application for the post-mortem report which revealed that his head injury was caused by a blunt instrument. On investigation, four people were charged. They have all been linked to the contractors involved in the scam. Malay Bhattacharya, secretary of the West Bengal RTI Manch differentiates between the harassment in urban and rural areas, "In urban West Bengal, applicants are harassed by the police who come to their house and threaten them and their family members." In villages, he says, the authorities ensure that those filing RTI applications are boycotted socially. Patterns differ from state to state but every state can be mapped with such stories, each one more horrific than the other. From tiny tribal villages to the bustling lanes of Mumbai and Delhi; from farmers and lorry drivers to middle class professionals- cases of criminal harassment following RTI applications abound everywhere. The monitory and emotional fallouts in all cases are life altering for the petitioners and their families. In most cases, the petitioners that are attacked have already been through harassment, because of rigorous attempts to obstruct their application.

Background: The Mumbai - Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (Bullet Train) project is being proposed with financial aid from Japan through its agency Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is said that the Indian government has exempted the project from environment and social impact studies. However, the JICA finance mandates that social and environment impact be carried out to ascertain minimum impact due to the project.There are guidelines provided by JICA to undertake the social and environment impact studies and it also provides that transparency be maintained by taking the stakeholders into confidence and holding consultations for the same. There is a discontent brewing among the affected farmers and populace as there is not much information shared with them by the project authorities about the impact and likely displacement. Incident Details: On May 14, 2018, the environment consultation for the Bullet Train project was announced by National HighSpeed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), a special purpose company registered under the Companies Act with the ownership of Government of India through the Ministry of Railways. The consultation was organised by Arcadis, a company from Netherland holding the contract to undertake surveys.The said consultation wasto be held at 3 PM at Gandhi Smruti Hall, Nanpura, Surat. For the public hearing invitations were sent to elected representatives of local bodies and also through newspaper advertisement to the general public to participate and raise their queries. There was unprecedented police deployment at the entrance and inside of the Gandhi Smruti Hall, around 150 police personnel were present.Peoplewho came to attendthe consultation were frisked and thoroughly checked at the entrance itself. Even their hand-kerchiefs were checked for the colour, to ensure that only people supporting the project get access to the consultation. An atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created by the police to intimidate the farmers and deter them from representing themselves and facts in a fair manner. Before the start of the consultation, Mr. Darshan Nayak, Member of the Surat District Panchayat and Director of Sayan Sugar Co-operative Society who was in conversation with the designated land acquisition officer was taken into custody by police personnel. The farmers and activists demanded to know his whereabouts. The police then detained other farmer leaders and environment activists who demanded the whereabouts of Mr. Darshan Nayak who was detained by the police. The farmers and leaders were forcefully taken away from the venue and were illegally detained by the police for more than two hours, thus, preventing them from participating in the public hearing and to raise and share their legitimate concerns and issues

Mr. Thokchom Veewon is the former president and present advisor of Manipuri Student Association, Delhi (MSAD). On February 15, 2019 at around 5.20 p.m. a four- member joint team of Delhi Police and Manipur Police came to his resident at Saket in search of him. The police physically assaulted him and took him away in the samecondition as he was, he was not even allowed to wear his slippers. At the time of the incident his younger sister was at home, who later informed the family members about his arrest. It is mention worthy that the team of police did not inform the arrestee about the reason of arrest and the physical assault. After around one hour of his arrest, the family members came to know that Veewon was detained with the Special Brach of the Delhi Police at Janakpuri. Veewon's brother, Venus and some members of MSAD who went to Janakpuri Police Station were informed that his arrest was for sedition charges under Section124A of the Indian Penal Code. On February 13, 2019 at around 6 p.m. a team of Manipur Police from both Imphal East and West visited his residence at Lamlai Mayai Leikai, Imphal and searched his room, took pictures of his parents and threatened his parents and advised them to ask Veewon to concentrate on his studies.

Three men attempted to intimidate a journalist at his house in Tamiang Layang, Central Kalimantan, on July 17, allegedly for his coverage of sexual harassment by a local official. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia, to condemn the intimidation of the journalist and demand the authorities conduct an investigation.

On July 17, three men visited the residence of Agustinus Bole Malo, a journalist for local online media Borneonews.com. According to Agustinus’ wife, they looked through the windows and attempted to find the journalist, before leaving upon determining he was not at home.

Agustinus had recently published several articles regarding the sexual harassment of a female university student allegedly by the head of the Social Department for Empowering Villagers in East Barito, when the student applied for financial assistance under the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) program.

Agustinus has filed a report on the intimidation of his family to the sub-district police of East Barito.

Many local journalists in Indonesia have faced intimidation and harassment while in the field or following their coverage, from a range of perpetrators including the public order agency (Satpol PP), police, local agency officers and other individuals.

Since the beginning of June, the IFJ has documented at least five incidents of harassment against journalists in Indonesia. On June 29, local journalists Adhe Junaedi Sholat, associated with Radar Sulbar, and Abdul Rahman, a reporter for Tribunsulbar.com, were harassed while covering the coordination meeting of the taskforce agrarian reform in Mamuju, West Sulawesi.

On 8 February 2018 at around�_3.00 AM�_three Manipur Police Commandos forced their way into the house of Manoj Thokchom, a human rights defender that established Human Rights Initiative for Indigenous Advancement and Conflict Resolution (HRI). His father was woken up by the entrance of three men, who demanded him to confirm if Manoj resided in their house. After doing so, they entered Mr Thokchom's bedroom and told Mr Thokchom that their Officer-in-Charge wanted to ask him a few questions. When Mr Thokchom asked them for an arrest memo, it was revealed they never had any. Mr Thokchom was then taken by the police to the Manipur Police Commando Complex. Mr. P. Achuoba, Officer-in-charge of the Imphal West Police Commando, arrived at the complex at around�_10.00 AM. He interrogated Mr Thokchom, accusing him of being involved in the activities of armed groups. Having found nothing incriminating against him, Mr Thokchom was released from their custody at around�_6.30 PM�_the same day. It is believed that this act of arbitrary harassment is linked to Mr Thokchom's work in the HRI, and specifically the organization's collaboration with the Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR) in submitting a memorandum to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial and arbitrary executions in Manipur. This memorandum, which revealed that there has been 1528 cases of extrajudicial executions of citizens in Manipur, was converted into a petition to the Supreme Court last year, and eventually led to the decision for for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate into each of these cases, and hold state actors accountable. At present, around 90 cases have been investigated. Human rights activists have argued that with this investigation taking place, the police are purposefully harassing and intimidating human rights defenders to create an atmosphere of fear.

Mr. Laimayum Sevananda Sharma, aged about 35 years, S/o. L.Kedarnath Sharma, residing at Sagolband Salam Leikai, Imphal West District, Manipur. He is a Law Officer associated with Human Rights Law Network's (HLRN) Imphal center. HRLN is the network of lawyers and social activists working in solidarity with like-minded organizations and individuals to realize civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental rights and social justice for all. It works on promoting human rights through free / pro bono legal aid and legal awareness programmes, advocacy, networking and publications. Sharma has been associated with HRLN since 2010 and practices law at the Imphal district court and also visits different trial courts nearby, in the state of Manipur. He does pro-bono lawyering on matters like Domestic Violence, Environment etc. and has filed several Public Interest Litigations. According to the information received, on June 13th 2014 at about 6.30 p.m. while he was returning from his office in his personal two-wheeler vehicle two persons followed him in a four wheeler vehicle (car) and intercepted him. When Sharma questioned them about this, the two persons seated in the car came out and started assaulting Mr. Sharma as a result of which he suffered severe pain in his chest and fell down from his vehicle. As per the information, in the meanwhile another vehicle (TATA DI), in which about 8 Manipur Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel were travelling, also came there. Sharma identified one of the persons who assaulted him as Dhanbir Singh who is a commando with the Manipur police. Sharma managed to escape somehow and went for a medical examination on the next day i.e. on 14th July 2014, and filed a complaint before the Director General of Police for necessary immediate action. The human rights work that Sharma is involved in has brought on this attack on him and he fears such assaults in future too.

A prominent Muslim poet has been visited and threatened by police after tweeting about the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in China's political "re-education camps." Cui Haoxin, a member of the Hui Muslim ethnic group known by his pen-name An Ran, received a visit from the local state security police after he sent and retweeted posts from his Twitter account about the detentions. "Chinese police raided my home and warned me not to use my social media account, such as Twitter and Facebook," Cui wrote in a blog post about the Aug. 16 visit. "Five policemen went into my home and talked with me for two hours. The threat is real!" "Recently a meeting of the U.N. discussed re-education camps that hold several million Muslims in China," he wrote. The U.N. has estimated the numbers detained at around one million. "Today this discussion happens between Chinese police and me." "They still denied it and warned me not to be made use of[by enemies in the] West," he said. "The Chinese authorities are unwilling to hear the different views and confuse dissent with disloyalty." "The government doesn't resolve the question but they resolve the questioner. A lot of Chinese Muslims were resolved. Some of them are my friends. Some of them disappeared. Some are in prison like Professor Ilham Tohti," Cui wrote. In a later interview with RFA, Cui said the authorities had taken issue with three tweets in particular. "In the first, I retweeted a tweet that mentioned the issue of 'concentration camps'," he said. "They asked me if I believed that, and I said I did, because there are a lot of witnesses and a lot of evidence, and video. Why wouldn't I believe it?" "They told me I shouldn't allow myself to be used by hostile forces in the West," he said. "They said that[reports of] events in Xinjiang had been concocted by the foreign media to smear China, and they wanted me to stop commenting on overseas websites." Facing brutality Cui said he had previously kept a low profile following threats to his family in 2013 by state security police. But the mass detention of Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other minorities in "re-education centers" had changed his outlook, he said, citing his recent viewing of the movie "Schindler's List." "I think that what's happening in Xinjiang will eventually spread to the rest of China, and we will meet with the same fate," he said. "That gave me courage to face up to this brutality." "I don't want to drift and dodge through life; I want to live and die in dignity," Cui said. Sulaiman Gu, a rights activist currently studying in the United States, said Cui had also been a vocal opponent on social media of plans to demolish a huge mosque in the northern region of Ningxia, which were put on hold after thousands of people protested outside. "An Ran, who spoke out courageously at a crucial moment on the Weizhou Mosque, is now being threatened because of the Uyghur issue," Gu said. "China is sending Uyghurs to[concentration camps] and taking mosques away from Hui Muslims because they want to crush us into the mud, so we'll keep quiet," he said. "That's why they have to gag anyone who speaks the truth," he said. "This ethnic cleansing that is going on right now shows us that China isn't our country; much in the same way that Nazi Germany wasn't the country of the Jews." UN panel 'deeply concerned' Earlier this month, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) expressed concerns over China's mass internment of ethnic Uyghurs and restrictions on their religious freedom. The panel said it was "deeply concerned" by reports that China "has turned the[Xinjiang] Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) into something that resembles a massive internment camp that is shrouded in secrecy" in the name of eradicating "religious extremism" and "maintaining social stability." Beginning in April 2017, Uyghurs accused of harboring "strong religious views" and "politically incorrect" ideas have been jailed or detained in political "re-education camps" throughout the region. A recent editorial in the ruling party-affilated Global Times dismissed international coverage of the Xinjiang re-education camps, which it labeled "training institutes," saying western media outlets were incorrectly labeling them as "detention" sites and "baselessly criticizing China's human rights." Aside from the brief mention in the article, China's central government authorities have not publicly acknowledged the existence of political re-education camps in Xinjiang, and the number of inmates kept in each facility remains a closely guarded secret. But in interviews with RFA, local officials in many parts of the region have described sending significant numbers of Uyghurs to the camps and even described overcrowding in some facilities. Meanwhile, the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC) exile group told the panel that basic legal rights for Uyghurs in China, including the right to legal representation, a fair and prompt trial and due process, "are virtually non-existent."

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 26 June 2017) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned about recent police hostility against human rights defenders in Murshidabad district, West Bengal. Human rights defenders from the respected human rights group Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) have been facing harassment and intimidation and are now at risk of arbitrary arrest and detention. MASUM undertakes research and runs campaigns against torture and killings by security forces in the area. On the night of 14 June 2017 police personnel from Raninagar Police station surrounded the residence of Sanjit Mondal, MASUM's District Human Rights Monitor. As Sanjit suspected he would be arrested, he left the premises before the police could get to him. He and other members of MASUM are feared to be at risk and FORUM-ASIA is particularly concerned that repeated calls for investigation and intervention have not been acted upon by the authorities. Sanjit filed a written complaint to Murshidabad district's Superintendent of Police but is yet to receive any response. Concerns about the incident and the hostile environment MASUM members are experiencing in Murshidabad have been raised with the authorities, including the National Human Rights Commission of India, on multiple occasions. These have not been acted upon. It is feared that Sanjit and other members of MASUM may meet the same fate as colleagues Ajimuddin Sarkar and Najrul Islam, who both are also District Human Rights Monitors for MASUM, who were arbitrarily arrested and detained on trumped-up charges. Similar to Sanjit, Ajimuddin's home was surrounded and ransacked. His family was later attacked, while Ajimuddin himself was arbitrarily detained and tortured in custody. The authorities need to prevent further injustices and put into place immediate, concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of MASUM's human rights defenders. FORUM ASIA urges the Government of India to: Ensure that a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the arrest and harassment of human rights defenders in Murshidabad district is undertaken without delay. Immediately take measures to ensure that human rights defenders in Murshidabad are able to conduct their human rights work safely and are not be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, harassment and attacks. Commit to its obligation under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments ratified by India. Demonstrate its ability to reign in and hold to account those in Murshidabad that disregard the rule of law and due process, as they are core elements of India's legal system. Foster a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders, where they can carry on their activities unhindered and liberally express discontent with the State. Guarantee values of free expression, human rights and democracy are enabled. Update: The Observatory has been informed by Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) | [1] about renewed acts of police harassment and intimidation against Mr. Sanjit Mondal, MASUM District Human Rights Monitor in Murshidabad district, West Bengal State. According to the information received, on November 8, 2017, at around 9am, Mr. Sanjit Mondal accompanied a youth from Malipara village to see a medical practitioner, in order to record evidence of torture to which the youth had been subjected in custody at Raninagar police station. A medical certificate documenting the nature of the injuries sustained was required to register a complaint against the police personnel for torture. At around 2pm on the same day, Mr. Sanjit Mondal saw a police officer named Mr. Dipak Mondal, from Raninagar police station, loitering around his family's shop. Upon seeing Mr. Sanjit Mondal, the police officer walked a few metres away. When Mr. Sanjit Mondal went to meet him, Mr. Dipak Mondal left immediately. A few minutes later, a large number of police personnel from Raninagar police station drove past Mr. Sanjit Mondal's shop in a white police vehicle. They parked their vehicle one kilometre away, and walked back near to Mr. Sanjit Mondal's shop. During this time, Mr. Sanjit Mondal escaped from his shop due to fear of being arrested. Upon arrival outside Mr. Sanjit Mondal's shop, the police personnel from Raninagar police station gathered at a tea stall in front of the shop, from which they monitored it for more than three hours. Witnesses present at the tea stall subsequently reported having heard Mr. Dipak Mondal saying that "Sanjit must be taken into custody tonight as he is trying to make[a] complaint against police personnel and the Officer in Charge[wants] his arrest". Witnesses also reported having heard Mr. Dipak Mondal expressing his concern that "Sanjit could flee to Kolkata to evade his capture". The comments related to Mr. Sanjit Mondal's assistance to the youth from Malipara village earlier that day. On November 9, 2017, Mr. Dipak Mondal monitored Mr. Sanjit Mondal's shop for the entire day. At around 2pm, a white police vehicle passed by his shop. At the time of publication of this Urgent Appeal, Mr. Sanjit Mondal remained in hiding for fear of being arrested. The Observatory condemns the police harassment and intimidation of Mr. Sanjit Mondal, which seems to be only aimed at punishing him for documenting and denouncing allegations of human rights violations committed by police forces. The Observatory fears that Mr. Sanjit Mondal may be arrested at any time on fabricated charges. The Observatory recalls that several members of MASUM and Mr. Sanjit Mondal in particular (see background information) have already faced reprisals in the past for documenting and denouncing grave human rights violations allegedly involving members of the police forces and BSF. The Observatory calls upon the Indian authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment, intimidation, and criminalization of Mr. Sanjit Mondal and all MASUM members, as well as of all human rights defenders in India.

After practising lawyer and human rights defender Mr Sishir Dey of Karimganj district in Assam (India) posted a short satirical comment on facebook on 8 December 2017 denouncing terrorism in the name of Hindu religion and violent ideas of Hindu political groups, he received abusive and intimidating comments and outright threats with physical assaults and murder. The comment was made in the context of video of a gruesome murder of a migrant labourer in Rajasthan state on 6 December 2017 that was circulating on internet where the perpetrator was seen boasting about the murder and claiming that he did it as a warning against inter-religious relationship. A complaint was also filed at the Karimganj Sadar police station against Mr Dey. Mr Dey is at risk of physical and mental harm from the supporters of concerned political groups as well as of harassment by the police. Mr Sishir Day is a lawyer practising at the Karimganj district courts. He is a voluntary member of Barak Human Rights Protection Committee (Registered vide no. RS/CA/ 243/B/61 of 2002-03), a voluntary human rights organisation mainly documenting and making legal intervention in cases of violations in Assam. He is responsible for reporting violations of human rights in the district. He is also honorary secretary of the district committee of Assam Mojuri Sramik Union (Registered Vide No. 2287 under the Trade Union Act) a lobour rights defending organisation. He is an active member of Forum for Social Harmony, a platform fromed collectively by different social activists and human rights defender groups of south Assam to combat the religious violence and protect peaceful co-existence of communities in the area. On 6 December 2017 a video was uploaded on internet by one Shambhulal Regar or Shambhu Bhawani, an inhabitant of Rajsamand district in Rajasthan state. In that video it was seen that he was killing a man by hacking him with a hammer like weapon in cold-blood. He then burnt that man pouring some kind of liquid that looked like petrol over the body of that half-dead man. He said that he murdered that person because that person had committed "Love Jihad", a term used by the Hindhu religious extremists to denote inter-religious marriage or relationship as a form of Islamic terrorism. Later on, the murdered man was identified as Mr. Afrajul Haque (aged 48), a migrant labourer from Maldah in West-Bengal state. That video went viral and created mixed reactions among people. The progressive, humanitarian and human rights defender groups condemned this brutal act and denounced those political and religious groups that support and encourage violence in the name of religion, religious identity and religious sentiments. However, some other people also tried to rationalise and justify this kind of violence and killings on social media platforms and applauded Mr Regar by putting his picture as their profile picture. In that context, Mr Sishir Dey posted a public "status' on his Facebook wall on 8 December 2017 stating in Bengali that "??????? ?????? ?? ? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??????????? ????? ????" which translates as "Down with the Ram devotee apes, their Sanghi brutal ideas and Hindu-terrorism". After he made the post, abusive and threatening comments started to pour in the comment section of his post. Abuses and threats were also posted by some people in their own facebook pages. They accused him of hurting their religious sentiments and threatened him with assaults and murders. On 10 December a complaint was also filed against him in the Karimganj Police Station by Mr. Debdulal Das and Mr. Pankaj Das, both identified themselves as the President and Vice-President of Bharatiya Janata Party Yuba Morcha, North Karimhanj Block Mondal, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP is the political party which is now running governments both at Assam state and Union of India. However, till the time of writing this report it could not be confirmed if the complaint was registered by the police. After the BJP formed governments both at union in 2014 and in Assam state in 2016, India has been witnessing a rise of religious fundamentalism and politically motivated violence. Before, the perpetrators of violence committed in the name of religions and violations of human rights by state agencies did not enjoy the kind of political support and impunity as they are getting now. Many Muslim youth were killed in the name of cow protection, and protection of women from alleged "love-jihad" and other excuses. South Assam, also known as Barak valley, is a relatively peaceful area in the state. But now it is evident that to gain political advantage a group of people are trying to flare up communal violence in the valley. Recently a relatively new Kolkata (in West Bengal state) based outfit known as Hindhu Samhati called a conference on 2 December, 2017 at Silchar, the main town in Barak valley, where some of their leaders delivered communally provocative speeches and tried to polarise people in the name of religion. One of their guest speakers Mr. Debatanu Bashu openly asked his followers to go for mass killing of the Muslim people in the valley*. In this connection a first information report (FIR) was registered by police but no further actions were taken. In this background it appears that the abuse, threats and complaint against Mr Dey were an effort to create an environment of fear among the human rights defenders and progressive community workers. Mr Dey is at risk of getting physically assaulted and even killed by the extremists who issued threats. He is also likely to be harassed by the police in connection with the complaint against him, though it does not attract any penal provisions. There are also concerns about safety and physical and mental wellbeing of his family and friends and other human rights defenders working in Assam.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) supports the statement of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) condemning all forms of repression and intimidation against civil society during the preparation and implementation of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). Based on the information we received, one of the cases was the alleged criminalization attempt by West Manggarai Police officers against four Labuan Bajo residents, they are Mr. Ladislaus Jeharun, Mr. Dionisius Parera, Mr. Viktor Frumentus, and Mr. Dominikus Safio Sion by the West Manggarai Police on May 6 2023. They were summoned by the police concerning allegation of incitement. Meanwhile, journalists who report on the voice of the people become victims of hacking and intimidation. Most recently, four Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) activists also experienced hacking.

Based on the information we gathered, the summons to the four residents was due to a demonstration that the local residents wanted to carry out. The reasons/demands behind a number of residents holding the demonstration are because until now the right to compensation related to the houses and land of residents who are suspected of having been evictioned for the construction of the Labuan Bajo-Golo Mori road ahead of the ASEAN Summit has not been received.

We regret that the action that will be held by a number of residents actually responded excessively by the police by summoning a number of residents on charges of alleged criminal acts of incitement. The police should be able to see this problem as a whole by looking at the construction of demonstrations by residents demanding the right to eviction compensation as part of freedom of expression.

We consider that the allegation of the incitement article as stated in the summons is of course very problematic. Because, in that article 2 there is an element of inciting to commit a crime. Even though demonstrations are legal and constitutional actions and are guaranteed by statutory instruments, for example Law no. 9 of 1998 concerning freedom of expression in public. In addition, voicing opinions related to the obligation to compensate for the land that was confiscated is a form of maintaining life and increasing the standard of living guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Looking back, the various forms of repression that existed cannot be separated from the statement by the Chief Police of NTT Regional Police who banned the action at the end of April 2023. Thus, that the existing attacks from the police on the community can be classified as systematic violations.

Furthermore, the delay in providing compensation for evictions by the state has resulted in various forms of multi-layered violations of the basic rights of citizens, including the right to a right to live properly, the right to peaceful and secure, and the right to a proper job. Furthermore, this action not only violates the human rights guaranteed in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, but also the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which the government has ratified through Law Number 11 of 2005.

This is not the first time the repression has been committed against the residents of Labuan Bajo. Previously, there were cases of arbitrary arrests of Labuan Bajo residents who blocked the road to refuse force eviction for a national strategic project. The allegation of arbitrary arrest experienced by Mr. Paulinus Jek, a resident of Racang Buka, because of his effort to stop an excavator which will be conducting force evictions on his land.

Moreover, repressive methods as part of the security approach at major events also occurred in the midst of the G20 at the end of 2022. At that time, excessive methods were used by security forces such as the use of facial recognition, spying, forcibly dissolving discussions, blocking activist activities and stigma against groups that refused. Ironically, the group that refused was also stigmatized as rioters. This is of course very dangerous if it continues and at the same time continues paradoxical practices. On the one hand, Indonesia wants to improve its image in the eyes of the international community, but on the other hand, it continues to silence people’s rights. The decline in democracy is again evident from the Indonesian democracy index published by Freedom House in 2023 which shows a decrease from the previous year from 59 to 58 point.

The situation is getting worse marked by digital attacks targeting against journalists who report on the other side of the ASEAN Summit. Media Floresa.co, which collaborates with the Mulatuli Project in making a report on a case where a road was made for a resident’s land, was hacked. This action is a clear violation of press freedom. In addition, the hack that was directed at four JATAM activists was not only a violation of the right to privacy, but also a serious threat to the work of human rights defenders.

Based upon above-mentioned situation, the AHRC urges that:

First, the security forces stop all forms of repression and intimidation of citizens at the ASEAN Summit and other major agendas in the future.

Second, the Central Government and related institutions are immediately responsible for fulfilling the obligation to pay compensation to the victims of the evictions.

Third, the security forces to immediately investigate the actors who hacked journalists and the four JATAM activists. The police must find the perpetrators of digital attacks and prosecute them under the fair trial principles in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations.

On August 26, 2021, human rights defender Haris Azhar and woman human rights defender Fatia Maulidyanti were issued one subpoena by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment concerning the posting of a talk show on Haris Azhar's YouTube channel. In the subpoena, Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidyanti were asked to explain the motive for posting the video to the Coordinating Minister. In addition, the two defenders were asked to apologize in five days to the Minister through Haris Azhar's YouTube channel, mass media, and online media and promise not to repeat the act. The subpoena mentions that if an apology is not made, legal actions will be taken against the human rights defenders. Haris Azhar is a human rights defender in Indonesia. He previously served as the Coordinator of Commission for the Disappeared and Victim of Violence (KontraS) a nation wide group and community of NGOs operating in Indonesia since 2010. Haris Azhar has contributed to human rights and public interest litigation cases, events, campaigns and publications for promoting and defending human rights in Indonesia and South East Asia. The human rights defender had also served as a member of the Executive Committee of FORUM-ASIA and has been the Deputy Chair of INFID-Indonesia, which are both prominent human rights organizations. Fatia Maulidiyanti is a woman human rights defender and the Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a prominent human rights organization in Indonesia established in 1998. She has been involved in various civil society movements since she was in the university, namely student press, working on various human rights issues such as death penalty, business and human rights, unfair trial, human rights defenders and human rights in conflict. She is also the founder of a book donation community for death-row inmates called Books For Tomorrow. In the online video for which the human rights defenders are facing legal action, Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti discussed the research results of several human rights organizations, such as KontraS, Walhi, Jatam, YLBHI, and Pusaka, about the business of Indonesian Army officials and retirees behind the gold mining business and their plan to exploit the Blok Wabu area in Intan Jaya, Papua. The subpoena issued by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment has mentioned that Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti will face charges under Article 27 paragraph (3) of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law concerning defamation, and Articles 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code concerning attacking someone’s honor and reputation with accusations and defamation respectively. However, the Criminal Code also contains relevant justifications for the posting of the talk show under Article 310 paragraph (3), which states, “it does not constitute defamation if the act is carried out in the public interest”. Human rights defender Haris Azhar has been a target of similar reprisals in the past. On 28 July 2016, the human rights defender published an article on Facebook alleging the involvement of Indonesian police officials in corrupt activities, including the acceptance of bribes from an international drug trafficking network. On 2 August 2016, three government agencies, the BNN, the TNI, and the National Police, filed a joint defamation complaint against Haris Azhar under the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Law. Following public pressure, on 10 August 2016, the National Police announced that they have set up an independent team to investigate the alleged involvement of security officials in drug trafficking. It has been observed by human rights defenders in Indonesia that government officials are abusing their power by using the Electronic, Information, and Transactions Law to silence activists or human rights defenders in the country.

Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned about the subpoena issued against Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar as it believes that they are being targeted for their peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights.

The terror acts still haunt the residents of RW 11 Tamansari Village, Bandung City who reject the row house construction project (rudet).

Residents are haunted by acts of terror by unknown people who destroy their homes.

A resident or anti-eviction activist from the Tamansari Bersatu Forum, Eva Eryani Efendi reported that the destruction by unknown persons was most recently discovered on 19 and 23 March 2022. A fish pond and windows of his house were broken.

However, no valuables were lost, Eva also suspected that the perpetrator did not intend to steal but sent a threatening signal.

Eva used to open a confectionery business at home, since the eviction of Tamansari in 2019 she lost her livelihood and is now a daily laborer at a sewing house in Bandung. The destruction usually happens when Eva is out of the house for work.

"We found that our house, our fighting post was damaged by unknown people. The atmosphere of the dwelling became chaotic," he said recently.

To Suara.com, Eva showed the broken window. Now it's been patched again. There was also a fish pond barrier that was also damaged, the water was dry and the fish disappeared. In fact, it is one of the residents' self-help food sources.

Similar damage had occurred on February 11, 2021. The vegetable garden managed by the residents was ransacked by a group of people.

At that time, there were also attacks and intimidation not only against residents but also legal assistants and a journalist. Some of them were injured and taken to the hospital.

The incident has been reported to the Bandung Police. However, according to Eva, a year has passed and the handling of the case has not progressed.

For this experience, Eva is pessimistic and disappointed. The reason is that this time the residents chose not to report the recent incident.

"If you report to the police a case that has not continued at that time, no one has been declared the perpetrator, so for this case I will not report to the police because it is useless to report to the police, where there has been no progress in the past," said Eva.

In addition to criticism of the police's performance, Eva said, the choice not to report is also a symbol of criticism of the treatment of Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, who reported human rights activists Haris Azhar and Fatia to the police.

It is known that Haris Azhar is the director of Lokataru and Fatia Maulidiyanti is the coordinator of KontraS. They have been named as suspects based on Luhut's report.

The report that was sent to the two of them originated from the video content of Haris and Fatia on YouTube. There, they alluded to the allegation that Luhut was involved in the mining business in Papua.

Eva could not stand to speak up for Luhut's actions, which she said were a form of criminalization or repression against civilians, especially human rights defenders, including those who often fight for land rights.

"This country with a government that is now so brave (oppresses) to its people, to its citizens they use power," he said.

Eva believes that what Haris and Fatia convey is data from a research result. Luhut should have responded with research or scientific data, not a report to the police. According to Eva, Luhut is childish.

As a satire, Eva gave diapers and pacifiers to the minister, who is often called Lord Luhut.

"I'm really angry. I want to give him a diaper with a pacifier, right. Yes, it's because it's childish," he said. "Even if I have to be in front of Luhut, I'll say it like that, okay, if you say the ITE Law is geus weh wanina ka me, I'm sorry that you've been arrested, ambeh loba deui my suffering. )," said Eva. More about this source text Source text required for additional translation information Send feedback Side panels

Journalists covering student protests in cities across Indonesia were attacked by police in a series of brutal incidents on September 24. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) condemn the systematic harassment and brutality by Indonesian police and call for immediate action by authorities to hold all perpetrators to account.

Thousands of university students held rallies across Indonesia this week to protest the revision of several Indonesian laws in Jakarta, Bandung, Garut, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Malang, Palembang, Medan, Denpasar, Makassar and Palu. AJI said some journalists covering the rallies were injured by police, while others were intimidated to stop filming or were asked to delete the videos.

At least four journalists were attacked during the Jakarta protests. According to AJI Jakarta branch, a journalist for Kompas Nibras Nada Nailufar was intimidated by police to delete footage of alleged police brutality against a protester near the Jakarta Convention Centre during the evening of September 24. Vanny El Rahman, a reporter of IDN Times, was assaulted and also pressured to erase a video of police violence in Slipi, in West Jakarta. Tri Kurnia Yunianto, of Katadata, and Febrian Ahmad, of Metro TV, were attacked in Jakarta. Despite showing a press card, police confiscated Kurnia’s mobile phone and deleted a video of police firing tear gas at protesters. In a separate incident, Metro TV’s Febrian Ahmad was set upon by a mob of protesters who attacked his work car with sticks and stones.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, AJI Makassar reported that three journalists were assaulted by police at a rally in front of the regional legislative council. Journalists Muhammad Darwi Fathir, of Antara news agency; Saiful, of inikata.com; and Ishak Pasabuan, of Makassar Today; were physically attacked by police during police clashes with student protesters. In Palu, on Central Sulawesi, police snatched the camera of Rian Saputra, a journalist with public broadcaster TVRI Central Sulawesi and demanded he delete videos.

AJI calls on authorities to investigate the attacks and urged Indonesia’s Press Council to establish an independent task force to deal with violence inflicted against journalists during the mass protests in the country.

AJI Chairman, Abdul Manan, said: “We must remind all sides to respect journalists’ safety while they are on the jobs. We also ask newsrooms to provide tools to keep journalists safe.”

The IFJ said: “We condemn the attacks against journalists in Indonesia while they are endeavouring to do their jobs and report in the public interest. Indonesia’s authorities need to respect the media’s role and ensure every effort to ensure the safety of journalists while they are covering protests.”

Chinese authorities in the eastern province of Shandong have sent a prominent Muslim poet for "re-education," but police in Jiangxi detained and searched him en route, in a move he said could be linked to his recent writings on the Uyghur ethnic group. Cui Haoxin, a member of the Hui Muslim ethnic group known by his pen-name An Ran, was asked to attend a week's "red" ideological education by the Lu Xun College of Literature, which is officially sanctioned by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. He complied but was detained, searched, and questioned by Jiangxi state security police as he got off the plane en route to the event at Jiangxi's Jingangshan airport on Sunday. "I'm not really sure what happened yesterday," Cui told RFA on Monday. "I traveled to Jingangshan as part of an official delegation, and yet I was suddenly apprehended by police, who deprived me of my liberty." Cui said he refused to cooperate, because nobody else in his delegation had been subjected to similar treatment. "They said they wanted to investigate me, and search my luggage, which I thought was very strange," he said. "They had no warrant or summons. They just waved their police ID at me, which said Taihe county police department." Cui, 39, said he was attending the event because he had been told to do so by the authorities. "Of course I'm not interested in singing revolutionary songs or events of that kind where you have to act a certain way," he said. "I don't have that kind of mindset, and I'm not cut out to be an actor." LInk to article Cui refused to cooperate with the search or interrogation, insisting on a search warrant and other legal documentation, and was released only after other members of his delegation intervened with the police at the airport. He said he believes the reason for his detention was a recent article he penned looking back at his collection of poetry, which contains a number of poems referencing the troubled region of Xinjiang, home of the mostly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group. "I wrote a piece called 'My Poems,' looking back at the time when I wrote them, and talking about the theme of Xinjiang that runs through them," Cui told RFA. "From today's point of view, those poems are still very sensitive, but I think that they are meaningful to anyone. I wanted to encourage people to reflect, and for them to resonate with the majority of people." At one point, the article references the conflict in Syria, to which Cui describes himself as "almost a witness, in this high-technology information age." "I witnessed the Arab Spring, which mutated from marches, suppression, and protest backed by the West, into the worst humanitarian crisis in history," the article reads. "I witnessed the cruelty of dictators, the fickle nature of politicians, and the people's pain and helplessness." A massive presence In the same article, Cui describes Xinjiang as having left a "planet-sized impression" on him. "Xinjiang, that massive presence that defies expression, left a planet-sized impression on me that is ineradicable," Cui wrote. "This is a land of poetry and song ... when I headed out west to the Central Asian city of Kashgar, no sooner had I arrived than I made straight for the tomb of an ancient poet, and raised my hands in prayer for him beside the dusty tomb swathed in green silk." Sulaiman Gu, a rights activist currently studying in the United States, said he sees Cui's invitation to "re-education" as part of the ruling party's "united front" work under President Xi Jinping, who recently began an unlimited term in office, and who is extending ideological controls throughout Chinese society, particularly in education, the media, internet, and the publishing industry. "[I think they thought] let's bring him into the Lu Xun College of Literature, put him through some political education, and make him part of the establishment," Cui said. "This is how the[idea that the] party leads in everything manifests itself in the Xi Jinping era, and it's a Chinese Communist Party tradition to make literature and culture serve the interests of socialism." "But An Ran refused to surrender, and actually spoke of his concern for the plight of Uyghurs within the Lu Xun College of Literature," Gu said. Heavily policed Xinjiang-where Uyghurs complain of pervasive discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression under Chinese rule-has become one of the world's most heavily policed places and a testing ground for increasingly restrictive policies since the region's party chief Chen Quanguo was appointed to his post in August 2016. Around 120,000 ethnic Uyghurs are currently being held in political re-education camps in Xinjiang's Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture alone, a security official with knowledge of the situation told RFA in January. Independent Chinese PEN secretary general Zhang Yu said authors who refuse to be coopted by the ruling party's ideological outreach programs, especially those who write about politically sensitive topics, run the risk of becoming targets for "stability maintenance"by the state security police. "Anything to do with Xinjiang is sensitive, and[Cui] is also a Hui Muslim," Zhang said. "I'm guessing that has something to do with it." "Political education is taking us backwards to the Cultural Revolution and before that. Everyone should be treated with dignity, and this crosses a line for too many people." Writers targeted Chinese writers have been targeted by the Communist Party since the 1950s for their "bourgeois" insistence on artistic freedom and creativity, for failing to represent the experiences of the masses, and for criticizing the party after late supreme leader Mao Zedong called for an intellectual renaissance in the "Hundred Flowers" movement. Writers have been sent to the countryside for "re-education," banned from publication and academic posts, and even subjected to torture and other abuses, most notably in the "anti-rightist" campaigns of the 1950s to the violence and turmoil of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).

Civil society and human rights groups have strongly criticized National Police chief Gen. Sutarman for stating that the force will continue to investigate a member of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), a state-sanctioned watchdog, for speaking out in a TV interview about rampant corruption in the police. Sutarman's target was Adrianus Meliala, also a professor of criminology at the University of Indonesia (UI). Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) chairman Neta S. Pane said on Wednesday that the legal battle against Adrianus reflected the police's reluctance to accept criticism and begin the long-stalled process of bureaucratic reform within the institution. "There are scores of corruption cases implicating rank-and-file officers up to police generals, yet the force appears to keep those from public scrutiny and does not bring corrupt officers to justice," Neta said during a meeting at Kompolnas in Jakarta. Adrianus, a former journalist, is under investigation for allegedly defaming the force in a recent interview on Metro TV, in which he said that criminal investigation divisions at the regional police level were often exploited like "automatic teller machines" by the police's top brass to enrich themselves. The statement was made in response to the arrest of four West Java Police officers, who were caught red-handed tampering with an online gambling investigation and accepting over Rp 5 billion (US$425,894) in bribes. Adrianus declined to withdraw his statement and insisted it was based on numerous public complaints and reports from police officers received by Kompolnas. Sutarman said the intention of investigating a promiment professor of criminology due to the latter's comments remained intact. Sutarman said Adrianus should be held responsible for his words, despite Adrianus speaking out in his capacity as the member of Kompolnas. "I will always accept criticism based on facts, but we cannot accept them if they are some sort of analytical view. Even my seniors - former National Police chiefs - feel these analyses are unacceptable," he said. IPW's Neta said there were several unresolved cases, including an alleged bribery case implicating Jakarta Police Traffic Corps director Sr. Comr. Nurhadi Yuwono and East Java Police Traffic Director Sr. Comr. Rahmat Hidayat. However, despite possessing strong evidence, the National Police have not launched an investigation into the allegations. In May, Nurhadi, Rahmat and several of their subordinates were removed from their posts for allegedly accepting hundreds of millions of rupiah in kickbacks from agencies arranging driver's licenses and vehicle registration documents. The National Police have also been accused of dragging their feet in investigating a civil servant in Batam municipality, Riau Islands. The individual had a questionable bank balance of Rp 1.3 trillion and was allegedly linked to the fuel-smuggling business. Ray Rangkuti of the Indonesian Civil Society Circle said the investigation into Adrianus gave the impression that the National Police were belittling Kompolnas, which was tasked with supervising the police's performance. "Adrianus' summons may be the police's way of showing that they can treat Kompolnas as their little brother or subordinate," he said.

Shadishkanta had company at the Porompat police station on the night of April 1 � Konsam Victor Singh, an employee at a government-run college in Imphal who had also been picked up from his home that evening.

When he asked the police officials why he was being detained, they told him it was related to a Facebook post he had written the previous day, claimed Victor Singh.

The post, written in the Meeteilon language, read: �CM covid-19 relief fund da CM Biren masagi oiba lupa kaya hapkhi khangbiba yaobibaro?� Does anybody know how much has Chief Minister Biren contributed to the CM Covid-19 relief fund?

At the police station, officials told him that there was �pressure from the chief minister�s side� to take action against him, said Victor Singh. �They told me I had no choice but to spend the night in lock-up,� he said.

There were no formal charges against him. The next morning, according to Victor Singh, the police told him he would be released if he deleted his Facebook post and posted an apology on the site. �I had spent the night with six other people in a small cell in the time of Covid-19, so I did what they asked me to,� he said.

He was released after he posted a new update on his Facebook page. It read: �I am deleting this post. I don�t have any negative intention towards the CM of Manipur.�

Haobijam declined comment on Victor Singh�s detention.

Two days later, on April 3, Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, a rights activist and a public health physician, was picked up from his home. At the police station, Roy said, he was asked to explain a Facebook post he had written the previous day.

It read: �The present Manipur Chief Minister, especially at this time of crisis, should desist from wasting State resources, time and personnel in carrying out any personal political agenda or vendetta. It demeans and belittles the position occupied and the responsibility that entails.�

Roy said he told the police official interrogating him that the post did not make any personal attack on the chief minister or his colleagues: �I told them it was just encouraging them not to waste time in pursuing other agenda in a time like this.�

Roy said he also wrote down his explanation, as demanded by the police. Yet they insisted that he had to spend the night in prison.

When his lawyer asked for a formal FIR, the police reportedly furnished a draft FIR that charged Roy under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, a section that deals with actions that amount to �disobedience to follow order promulgated by public servant�. However, the FIR was not registered.

The next day, Roy was released after the police made a video of him reading out an apology note to the chief minister.

Imphal West police superintendent, K Meghachandra Singh, said Roy had accused the government of �wasting its resources�. �So, we had an interaction with him and released him on bail bond,� said the police official.

Church bodies have joined advocacy groups to complain against alleged use of intimidatory measures by Indonesian police against villagers protesting a geothermal project in a Christian-majority province.

In a complaint submitted to the National Human Rights Commission in Jakarta on Oct. 20, they accused police of carrying out "intimidation and criminalization" against residents opposing the power project led by State’s Electricity Company (PT PLN) at Poco Leok in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The organizations, including Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC) of the Franciscans and Divine Word, pointed out that the summons issued to seven residents earlier this month and 12 others this week were “an arbitrary act by the Manggarai Police.”

"The Poco Leok indigenous community does not know the reason why the police carried out this summons which was completely unreasonable," they said.

The Manggarai Police in the summons, a copy of which was obtained by UCA News, accused the residents of committing a crime "by deliberately obstructing or impeding the development of a geothermal business and by using violence against officials who were carrying out their legitimate duties."

Manggarai Police spokesman I Made Budiarsa said residents were "randomly summoned to ask for clarification regarding police officers' information reports” about an incident on Sept. 27.

Around 30 police and military personnel had gone to Poco Leok on that day to escort officers from the state-owned Electricity Company on a visit to the geothermal project site.

Syamsul Alam Agus, chairman of the executive board of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago said it is the duty of police to protect vulnerable people.

“Unfortunately, the police protect individuals or companies who come to destroy the land of indigenous peoples," he added.

Valens Dulmin, a lawyer from Franciscans’ JPIC Commission said the police action violated the 1945 Constitution which assures “equal treatment before the law.”

Meanwhile, Melky Nahar, coordinator of the Mining Advocacy Network, said that "in the name of a national strategic project that was created without prior consultation, small people are being evicted from their territory."

Hari Kurniawan, a commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission said they would convene a joint meeting before arriving at a decision on the complaint.

The Poco Leok geothermal project is an expansion of the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant, about 3 kilometers west of Poco Leok, which has been operational since 2012.

The government aims to hike the project capacity to 40 megawatts from the current 10 megawatts through the expansion.

However, the project funded by the Germany-based Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) continues to face opposition from local residents who fear it will take away their ancestral land and livelihoods across 10 villages.

Most of the affected residents, who are farmers and also raise livestock, are Catholics under the Ruteng diocese.

Flores Island was designed as a geothermal spot by a 2017 government decision.

It has a total geothermal potential of 902 megawatts, or 65 percent of the total capacity in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

On 5 April 2017, two activists from Hanoi, Le My Hanh and Trinh Dinh Hoa, were brutally beaten by unidentified individuals as they were broadcasting a live stream on Facebook about the environmental disaster caused by the Taiwanese Formosa steel plant in the central coastal region in April 2016. According to the video posted on their Facebook accounts, as Ms. Hanh and Mr. Hoa were conducting the live stream in Ho Tay (West Lake) to report about the current situation in the central region, a group of six thugs appeared behind them, attacking Ms. Hanh and robbing her cell phone with which she was filming herself. Throwing her cell phone into the lake, the thugs turned to beat Hanh and Mr. Hoa, who stood near her. Due to the assault, Hanh and Hoa suffered from a number of injuries. Mr. Hoa's face was covered in blood as his nose was broken. Hanh recognized one of the attackers as Ha Vu, a member of a pro-government group in Hanoi which has received support by the local authorities to disturb patriotic and pro-democracy activities organized by local activists. In 2015, the same group persecuted the family of activist Nguyen Lan Thang. Ms. Hanh is a citizen journalist who has actively reported peaceful demonstrations by central coast residents who seek compensation for the environmental consequences of a waste discharge by the Taiwanese Formosa steel plant in the central coastal waters and request the Taiwanese group to leave Vietnam. Meanwhile, Mr. Hoa has actively attended peaceful demonstrations which aim to protest China's violations of the country's sovereignty in the East Sea (South China Sea), human rights violations and other issues in the communist nation. Hanh and Hoa are among numerous activists who have been assaulted by plainclothes agents and pro-government individuals in the past few years. Among victims are human rights lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Nguyen Bac Truyen, prominent human rights activists Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, Nguyen Trung Ton, Pham Thanh Nghien, and Vu Quoc Ngu, anti-China activists La Viet Dung and Truong Minh Tam. In order to silence local critics, Vietnam's communist government has deployed a number of measures, including intimidation, harassment, physical assaults, and arbitrary arrests and detentions against them. Over a hundred of pro-democracy advocates, social activists and human rights defenders have been imprisoned while dozens of others have been assaulted as the government has intensified its crackdown against local dissent amid increasing public dissatisfaction due to its failure to address systemic corruption, economic slowdown, and rising social inequality. Facebook's live streaming is an effective tool used by Vietnamese activists to address social issues. Meanwhile, state media, including the Vietnam Television (VTV) has continued to broadcast false information about peaceful demonstrations of fishermen in the central region to accuse protesters of conducting violence against local authorities, and to provide untrue facts about the polluted waters in the central coast. At the same time, citizen journalists are striving to cover the news about the situation in the central coastal region, particularly the hard life of the local residents due to the environmental pollution caused by the Formosa steel plant, and the unfair compensation from the insufficient overall $500 million pledged by the Taiwanese group.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the Myanmar government's latest interference in the work of journalists, a ban on local broadcasting by US government-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) for rightly using the term "Rohingyas" to refer to members of the persecuted Muslim community in Rakhine state, in the west of the country. The ban is officially imposed today, six months to the day after the arrest of two Reuters journalists who had been investigating a massacre of Rohingya civilians. The last broadcast of an produced programme in Myanmar was yesterday evening. It was carried by MRTV, a TV channel owned by Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), which was ordered by the authorities to stop transmitting RFA programmes if they continued to use the word "Rohingyas." "Radio Free Asia will not compromise its code of journalistic ethics, which prohibits the use of slurs against ethnic minority groups," RFA president Libby Liu said. "We would like to express our solidarity with the RFA journalists who have been working constantly in the field to provide the Myanmar public with freely and impartially reported news and information," said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF's Asia-Pacific desk. "It is the prerogative of totalitarian regimes to want to impose their "newspeak' by banning the media from using certain terms - all the more so when the rest of the world uses the term. A prohibition on the word "Rohingya' is indicative of a desire to rewrite history and reality. In a reminder of the former military government's worst era, this latest press freedom violation has further compromised the transition to democracy begun by Aung San Suu Kyi's party." Orwellian order The authorities first announced their Orwellian ban on the word "Rohingyas" in June 2016, two months after the installation of a government headed by Suu Kyi, who was long seen as the embodiment of democratic hopes in Myanmar. The word was to be replaced by the improbable phrase "people who believe in Islam in Rakhine state," the authorities said. Since then, Myanmar media that want to continue publishing or broadcasting have had to comply with the directive. Those that are critical of the government's policies in Rakhine state, such as the Myanmar Times, use the neutral term "Muslims." But media that support the government use the discriminatory term "Bengalis," implying that the Rohingyas are just immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh in order to legitimize the ethnic cleansing to which they have been subjected since August 2017. In reality, the Rohingya presence in Rakhine state dates back centuries. The BBC's Burmese language service announced on 4 September 2017 that its daily programmes would no longer be broadcast by its local partner, MNTV, because MNTV was being pressured by the authorities over the use of the term "Rohingya." The ban on using the word "Rohingya" is indicative of the scale of the taboo that this issue represents for Myanmar's authorities. Six months ago, just as Reuters was preparing to publish a report about a massacre of Rohingya civilians in the village of Inn Din, two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, were arrested on a charge of possessing official secrets after being lured to a meeting with a police officer and being handed some documents. Myanmar fell six places in RSF's 2018 World Press Freedom Index and is now ranked 137th out of 180 countries.

The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur has expressed serious concerns against the repeated arbitrary summoning of secretary, CRA, Manipur, Jiten Yumnam by Manipur Police Commandos without serving any notification or reasons. A release signed by president, CRA, Manipur, Sanaton Laishram informed that on August 13, around six Manipur police commando personnel came in a gypsy at Jiten's residence at Kwakeithel Mayaikoibi Ninthoujam Leikai around 2:30 pm and summoned him at Manipur Police Commando complex at the time when he was visiting Sikkim for environment programme. No written document and reasons were furnished to his family by the police personnel for the summon, it said. The police personnel verbally informed his mother that a case is pending against him, as a member of the Committee of Human Rights while providing no details of the case to his family, the release informed. They took pictures of his residence but did not disclose their identities and left a phone number for contacts to his family, it continued. The Manipur police commandos had earlier summoned Jiten on October 2, 2013 at Manipur Police Commando complex without serving any notification or reasons, it maintained. Such repeated order to come at police commando complex without any explanation in an extra-legal manner caused much anxiety and uncertainty for his physical integrity and mental wellbeing, and similar concerns to his family members, especially children, while also damaging his impression among his locality, it stated. Such verbal summon constitutes a continued threat and harassment to human rights defenders of Manipur, it added. The CRA, Manipur is concerned that the summon at Manipur police commando complex reminds him of the third degree torture subjected to him during his arrest, detention and interrogation on September 14, 2009, it further said. Further, there are concerns that the verbal summon at commando complex may lead to similar acts of atrocities or fabricated charges against him as happened earlier in 2009, it continued. He was arrested on September 14, 2009 as a member of the Committee on Human Rights for protesting against the infamous July 23, 2009 incident related to the killings of Chungkham Shanjit and Thockhom Rebina, the release informed. However, Jiten was among those released unconditionally on January 7, 2010 after an agreement was reached between the former, chief minister, and Apunba Lup on January 6, 2010, it further informed. And as such, all cases against him should have been withdrawn, it added. Jiten Yumnan is an environmentalist and a human rights defender, involved in protecting Manipur's environment, land, and resources and the human rights, it informed. He writes regularly for the Imphal Free Press, the E-Pao.Net and others on development and human rights concerns and challenges in Manipur, it said. The organisation urge the government of Manipur and the Manipur police to stop the verbal summoning of human rights defenders by police personnel at Imphal West Commando Complex without following due process of law, it continued. And to withdraw all FIR and close all cases filed against him, if pending, as per the agreement of Apunba Lup and the former chief minister of Manipur on January 6, 2010 related to the protest of July 23 incident, the stated. The organisation appealed authorities concerned to recognise the rights and role of human rights defenders, to ensure their security and protection and end all forms of harassment to human rights defenders as per the provisions of the UN declaration of the Rights of Human Rights Defenders, 2008 and as per the directives of the National Human Rights Commission, it added.

On 21.12.2018 at around 10 AM, a meeting of "Amra Simantabasi' (we the people of border) was organized at village- Banskothal under Post Office- Sukarur Kuthi, Police Station- Sahebgunj, Block- Dinhata II, District- Cooch Behar, West Bengal. MASUM facilitated the meeting and commoners from the adjoining bordering villages attended the same to discuss about the unnecessary and illegitimate restrictions created by the Border Security Force) BSF to run the normal livelihood activities. The meeting was held at Kadamtala Bazar of the Banskothal village. After the meeting the participants decided to paste posters published by "Amra Simantobasi' addressing the ongoing restrictions by BSF to run normal civil life at Indo- Bangladesh border and they pasted several printed posters at Banskothal Kadamtala Bazar. Matter of the poster was in Bangla, vernacular language, in English translation, it was " BSF should be posted in actual border, not inside the village; BSF should stop creating obstruction to cultivate the land of the villagers; stop torture, trafficking, murder, enforced disappearance of bodies by BSF; punish those officials of BSF who are corrupt and torturous". The commission is aware of the fact that there are thousands of complaints of torture, killing, rape, obstruction to livelihood are pending before your office for years together. It was learnt that at around 6.45 to 7.00 PM, the "Intelligence Babu' of G company of Border Outpost- Banskothal of BSF Battalion No. 38 with other BSF constables, are in uniform and sophisticated arms in their hands, came to Kadamtala Bazar of the Banskothal village and torn the pasted posters, after that they visited the house of Mr. Shah Alam; one of the organizers of the said meeting at the village and a family member of the Ms. Umrao Bewa; a victim of extra judicial killing by BSF (NHRC Case No. 1680-25-6-2014-AFE) and questioned about the organizers and purpose of the meeting. The BSF personnel who visited his house even suggested that the issues could be resolved by mutual discussions and the organizers of the meeting should contact Mr. Nadim Saheb; the Sector Officer over phone to resolve the issue; during the meeting the husband of the local gram panchayet member was also present. Mr. Shah Alam in contrary asked the Sector Officer of BSF over phone to come to the village and discuss the issues with the aggrieved. The Sector Officer queried about the presence of MASUM activists during the meeting and Mr. Shah Alam informed the Sector Officer that Ms. Tilakbala Barman, District human Rights Monitor of MASUM was present during the meeting. This illegal activity of BSF and their intention to curb and stifle the voice of the aggrieved further intensified the solidarity of the populace and they pasted posters at the said locality including the vicinity of the Border Outpost of mentioned BSF rank on 22.12.2018. It was learnt that the BSF officer called the Sahebgunj police station thereafter and made a telephonic complaint and just after that the Officer in Charge of Sahebgunj police station called Mr. Shah Alam asked him to desist from pasting posters at the vicinity of the said BSF camp. The whole illegal actions of BSF and supported by policeare in contravention of rights ensured by the Article 19 (a) of Indian Constitution and Article 19 (1) and (2) of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The act of BSF is infringing the Goal Number 16 of Sustainable Development Goals earmarked by the United Nations and in both these international instruments; Government of India has responsibility to comply and adhere.

A journalist working with The Caravan magazine was on Friday allegedly assaulted by a senior police officer in North Delhi and detained for nearly four hours while he was reporting on protests against the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in the area.

“Today [Friday] afternoon, the Delhi Police assaulted The Caravan India’s staffer Ahan Penkar while he was reporting,” the magazine tweeted. “ACP [Assistant Commissioner of Police] Ajay Kumar kicked and slapped Penkar inside the Model Town station premises. Penkar repeatedly told the police that he was a journalist and prominently displayed his press ID.”

However, the deputy commissioner of police, North West Delhi, on Saturday said that Penkar was seen protesting and was detained, after which he had said he was a journalist. The police have sent him a notice on the matter.

Penkar was reporting on a protest concerning the alleged rape and murder of a teenager in North Delhi, the magazine added. “Students and activists had gathered outside the Model Town police station to demand the registration of an FIR in the case,” it said. Caravan also shared a photo of the injuries on Penkar’s back.

Penkar later submitted a complaint to Delhi Commissioner of Police SN Srivastava. The journalist said that he saw a group of people gathered around the police station, demanding that the police file an FIR in the rape case.

Penkar said he was speaking to the 14-year-old girl’s aunt when the police began taking the protestors inside the station. He held up his press card and kept repeating that he was reporting the news, but the police took him inside too.

The journalist said that the police forcibly took his phone from him and deleted all the videos that he had recorded while reporting. “The police was abusing us the whole time and threatening us,” Penkar said in his complaint. “After a little time, the ACP Ajay Kumar came into the room holding a steel rod and threatened to beat us with the rod.”

Penkar added that Kumar kicked him in the face, back and shoulders. He also said that the police officer stamped on his ankle and threatened to register a case against him and others. The journalist added that he also saw the police beat up a Muslim man and a Sikh boy. He demanded an FIR against the police officers who assaulted him.

In August, three journalists from magazine were attacked by a mob in North East Delhi’s Subhash Mohalla neighbourhood while they were reporting on a story.

Journalists Prabhjit Singh, Shahid Tantray and their colleague were covering communal tensions that broke out in the area on the night of August 5, following the foundation-laying ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In his complaint to the police, Singh said that had he not intervened, Tantray would have been beaten to death by the mob since he was a Muslim.

At a meeting organised by the Press Club of India on August 13, the journalists said that the Delhi Police had been helpless and scared of the mob.

Several journalists’ organisations had expressed outrage over the attack on Singh, Tantray and their colleague and demanded a first information report against the accused. The Editors Guild of India called the attack on the journalists “reprehensible” and demanded that the police take quick action against the guilty.

On 2 January 2011, around 10am, one police officer from the Raninagar Police Station -who did not disclose his name and was not in uniform- came to Mr. Julfikar Ali's house. Mr. Ali was not present at that time. The police officer told his family members that the warrant of arrest - in connection to the criminal case Raninagar Police Station no.8/2008- is still pending. The unidentified police man did not show the warrant of arrest to Julfikar's family and did not provide any further information, except that he should immediately surrender himself before the court of law, leaving his family members feeling intimidated. On 13 January 2011 Mr. Julfikar Ali met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya, during her country visit to India. He met the Special Rapporteur during a consultation with human rights defenders held in Kolkata, West Bengal. During the said consultation, Mr. Julfikar Ali reported to Ms. Sekaggya the cases filed against him, as well as the harassment and threats of arrest he receives from the police who come to his house. He told the Special Rapporteur about the visit of the police to his house on 2 January 2011. On 18 January 2011, FORUM-ASIA sends an urgent alert to the UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs containing information about the 2 January 2011 incident, when police visited the house of Mr. Julfikar Ali. Days after Mr. Julfikar Ali reported to the UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs, police visits to his home became more frequent. There was a marked increase and frequency of the visits after Mr. Julfikar Ali spoke to the SpecialRapporteur. Police would seek him out in his village and knock on his door, asking his family about his whereabouts. Allegedly, the police would tell his family that there is a warrant out for the arrest of Mr. Julfikar Ali and that they will arrest him if they see him. (Note: On 12 January 2008, Inspector Vikash Chandra of the BSF lodged a complaint against Mr. Julfikar Ali at the Ranninagar Police Station under sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 307, and 326 of the Indian Penal Code. These sections are on: rioting; rioting armed with a deadly weapon; unlawful assembly; obstruction of public servants; assault to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty; attempted murder and grievous bodily harm by means of a dangerous weapon. A warrant of arrest has been issued based on this complaint. The warrant names 4 persons, including Mr. Julfikar Ali, although his name was miswritten as Mr. Julfikar Shiekh.) On 11 February 2011, Mr. Julfikar Ali, accompanied by Mr. Kirity Roy, Secretary of MASUM, went to the District Court and Session Judge in Murshidabad to surrender himself. Mr. Julfikar Ali decided to do this after police visits to his home became more frequent after he spoke to the UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs. He also felt he needed to do this so that he can move freely to do his work as a human rights defender. Mr. Julfikar Ali filed a petition before the District Court to post anticipatory bail. The hearing was held on this day and his petition was granted. On 14 February 2011, another hearing was held at the District Court on another petition filed by Mr. Julfikar Ali to post anticipatory bail for another false case against him. This case arose from a complaint filed on 16 February 2008 by Sandip Kumar Yadav, Commander of the "A" Company of 90 Batallion. The complaint alleged that certain persons committed violations under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 307, and 511 of the Indian Penal Code. AlthoughJulfikar Ali's name was not in this complaint, Mr. Rajat Das, the Investigation Officer of Raninagar Police Station included Julfikar Ali's name in the Charge Sheet. The District Court, on this day, allowed Mr. Julfikar Ali to post anticipatory bail for this case against him.

On 5 March 2013, about 600 human rights defenders, including relatives of disappeared persons from Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaithivu, Mannar and Vavuniya districts, were reportedly heading to Colombo in a convoy of 13 buses in order to attend a peaceful demonstration organized by the Association of the Families Searching for the Disappeared Relatives, an association set up to seek justice for victims of enforced disappearances, and thereafter march to the United Nations office in Colombo with a view to submitting a petition. This peaceful protest was meant to be part of a larger advocacy campaign organized by relatives of disappeared persons.When defenders started gathering at the Vavuniya Urban Council (VUC) ground in Vavuniya, men in plainclothes, believed to be intelligence officers, started enquiring about the identity of the organizer, and the purpose and funding of their trip. The men advised them to return home. Around 5.30p.m., police officials registered the details of the buses and drivers, and then agreed to allow the buses to proceed to Colombo, although it is reported that no such registration, nor permission, is needed for buses and private vehicles to travel from Vavuniya to the capital or any other destination. At 8.30p.m., when the buses, loaded with people, started to move out from the VUC ground, the police reportedly stopped them on alleged security grounds since, according to the police, a bus had been stoned between Vavuniya and Anuradhapura. The police claimed that they would not be able to ensure the security of the convoy should it proceed.The police eventually resorted to block the path in front of the buses with their trucks. The military was reportedly ready to intervene. Defenders inside the buses became disconcerted, and the police gave them assurances that they would be allowed to travel the following day at 4.30a.m.. On 6 March 2013, at 1:00a.m., 11 bus drivers were reportedly called by men dressed in plainclothes, believed to be police officers, to remove the buses from inside the VUC ground. The men warned the bus drivers that they would be prevented from working in Vavuniya, and that they could lose their route passes enabling them to operate commercial buses in the north of the country, should they not follow their instructions. As a consequence, nine of the 11 bus drivers moved the vehicles outside the VUC ground, and drove their buses home. It is further alleged that two more bus drivers received similar threats on the phone, and they reportedly removed the buses from Pampaimadu, about 10 kilometers west of Vavuniya, where their buses had been parked. At 5:00 a.m. the organizers went to the police headquarters, and were told that they could leave after 5.30 a.m. However, it is reported that at the same time the police instructed all bus drivers in Vavuniya, including the Private Bus Owners Association, not to drive the peaceful demonstrators to Colombo, warning them that they would be in trouble should they do so. The organizers eventually had no other choice than cancelling their travel to Colombo.They decided to peacefully march to the office of the Government Agent with a view to handing over a memorandum to him, in which they called, inter alia, for the release or disclosure of names of individuals abducted and detained. After some exchanges between representatives of the group of peaceful demonstrators and the Government Agent, the latter went out of his office to receive the memorandum.At 2:00p.m., a delegation of human rights defenders and members of political parties met with the Inspector-General of Police in Colombo to report and enquire about the action of law enforcement authorities who prevented their colleagues from reaching Colombo to attend a peaceful demonstration.

An environmental activist recently elected to Hong Kong's legislature with a record number of votes is under police protection after receiving death threats targeting himself and his family, forcing them to leave their home. Eddie Chu has reported receiving "escalating" death threats to police, saying he hasn't had anywhere safe to take his family since he won his seat in Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo). "The government is extremely concerned about the Eddie Chu case, and takes[the threats] very seriously," a Hong Kong government spokesman said in a statement. "The police are taking appropriate measures and arrangements to ensure the safety of Eddie Chu and his family, and police have begun a full investigation." Hong Kong's government would not accept threats against anyone speaking out on matters of concern to the community, the spokesman said. The statement came after Democratic Party chairman and fellow lawmaker-elect Andrew Wan slammed the police for failing to act on threats he received. Wan had reported receiving threats including a letter containing a sharp blade, both before and after the election. Hundreds of people staged a rally on Sunday outside police headquarters in Hong Kong's Wanchai district to show support Chu, who is currently under police protection, and who has spoken to the city's chief executive Leung Chun-ying over alleged corruption linked to a land deal in his home district. 'Imminent' threat feared Chu has also requested permission to move himself and his family into offices in the LegCo building, for their own protection. "I don't know what else to do, as there is a while to wait without police protection, and I need to protect my own and my family's safety," he said. "We need a safe place to stay." Chu told journalists last week that the threats against him were "imminent", saying he had reported them to police and was considering hiring a private security firm to protect himself and his family. The threats came as Chu garnered some 84,000 votes in his New Territories West electoral district, the most ever won by a single individual, following a lengthy campaign as a land activist targeting corruption and organized crime involvement in land transactions there. "We consider the threats to be credible death threats against Mr Chu and his family," Chu's lawyer Michael Vidler told journalists at the time. "We'll report them to the police, seek their advice, and then we can come out and speak to you again." "We can't say any more at the moment, because we don't want to prejudice the results of any police investigation," Vidler said. "We consider them to be very credible threats." Local media reports suggest that the threats against Chu are linked to the land deal rather than his election campaign, government broadcaster RTHK reported. Andrew Wan told RFA he had reported similar threats to the police four times, accusing them of treating his complaints with indifference. New Territories land deal He believed his threats were also linked to the New Territories land deal issue. "It's very clear that this has to do with vested interests in the New Territories land[dispute]," Wan said. "The sums involved could run from billions into tens of billions." "Hong Kong's political culture is becoming increasingly dangerous, and such incidents are becoming more frequent this year than they have been for many years," he said. " Wan said he wouldn't back down, however. "I have a duty to our citizens now, and I have handed over all of the information to police on each incident," he said. "But they never asked me for a statement, nor did they ask me for any details, until Eddie Chu mentioned that I had been threatened too." "Only then did the police realize that this was a major incident." The alleged threats against Chu and Wan came after Liberal Party candidate Ken Chow withdrew from the LegCo elections citing threats from "three people from Beijing." Liberal Party chairwoman Miriam Lau, who represents Hong Kong at the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, has called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to investigate whether any Beijing officials tried to influence the outcome of the Sept. 4 election.

"They are abusing Babasaheb Ambedkar, they are abusing me, threatening to assault and rape me. It's become difficult to go outside my house. It is easy for them to attack me because I am a Dalit woman and they feel they can do anything to me."

Meena Kotwal

Journalist Meena Kotwal has been facing a relentless barrage of death threats and rape threats ever since she posted a video on social media of her burning the Manusmriti on 25 December 2021. She claims that those making the threat calls identified themselves as members of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and Karni Sena.

Kotwal tells The Quint, "I have said nothing wrong in the video. The Manusmriti contains a lot of anti-women and anti-Dalit content. Babasaheb Ambedkar had also burned the Manusmriti, on 25 December 1927. Since then, Ambedkarites have been observing the day as Manusmriti Dahan Divas."

"Every year, lakhs of people burn a symbolic image of the Manusmriti as an act of resistance. I have done the same, but I am being constantly abused for it. I think it is because I am a Dalit woman who is vocal about the rights and issues of the community."

Meena Kotwal, journalist

Following a complaint by Kotwal, the Delhi Police have registered an FIR on the threats against her, under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and two sections of the IPC (criminal intimidation and intention to insult the modesty of a woman). ‘They Threatened That I Will Suffer the Same Fate as Gauri Lankesh’

"Those threatening me are calling and telling me that I will suffer the same fate as slain journalist Gauri Lankesh. I am a journalist, my work is on the field. But the way these people have been threatening me, I am worried that they may physically attack me. "

Meena Kotwal

Kotwal adds, "If they try to fight me legally, I am ready for that. If they wish to register an FIR or a case against me, I am ready for that because I have not done anything wrong. I request the police and the government to provide me security arrangements because anything untoward could happen, at any time."

On December 30, 2021, Ms. Kotwal filed a complaint with the Ambedkar Nagar Police Station in New Delhi, with details of the numbers she was being threatened and abused from and enclosing screenshots of the abuses and threats. The SHO of the Ambedkar Nagar police station Mr. Mukesh Kumar Moga asked the Sub inspector Mr. Bansi Lal to file Ms. Kotwal’s complaint. According to her the SI Mr. Lal made her sit for a long time and advised her on not to do such things instead of filing her complaint. On her saying that she needs the receipt of the FIR, he said that it will take time. Ms. Kotwal said that she will meet the DCP and return to take the paperwork for the FIR. After she submitted a copy of the complaint to the Addl. DCP South West Delhi Ms. Benita Mary Jaiker, she was told that her FIR will be filed in the Ambedkar Nagar Police Station. She went back there but an FIR based on her complaint was not filed and since then she has been running pillar to post to get her FIR filed. According to the guidelines issued by the Delhi Police, a woman can lodge a complaint via email or registered post or even send a written complaint through an email or registered post addressed to a senior police officer of the level of Deputy Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. The officer then directs the SHO of the police station, of the area where the incident occurred, to conduct proper verification of the complainant and lodge an FIR. The police can then come over to the residence of the victim to take her statement. The FIR has to be filed and then an investigation takes place. However, so far no FIR has been lodged on Ms. Kotwal’s complaint. We fear that this apathy of the police is a sign of indifference and negligence of the Delhi Police towards crimes against Dalits, specially Dalit women, who often face apathy and hostility towards them in a police station. We are shocked that the FIR based on the complaint of a Dalit WHRD was not filed despite her repeated attempts. This inaction of the Delhi police has put the Dalit WHRD in grave danger from the death threats she is getting.

Dozens of residents from a fishing area in north-central Vietnam this week have protested the building of a port project, despite police launching a criminal investigation of them for disturbing public order, demonstrators said.

On Wednesday, Thanh Hoa provincial authorities mobilized dozens of police officers to force protesting fisherfolk — mostly women — to leave the construction site where a dock is being built, one of the sources said. Though they stayed, police did not take any measures against them and left the area at noon.

About 300 residents of Hai Ha commune first took to the streets on the morning of Oct. 23 with banners and placards to show their opposition to the Long Son Container Port project, which they say will adversely affect their livelihoods and living environment.

“We don’t want the Long Son Container Port project because it is located in the coastal area we inherited from our ancestors, and it has been passed down from generation to generation,” said a villager on Wednesday who declined to be named out of fear of reprisal by authorities.

Fishing provides the only income to cover her family’s expenditures, including her children’s education expenses, she said.

“If the port is built, residents like us will be adversely affected by pollution, and there will be no places for our boats to anchor and no places for us to trade seafood,” she said.

Generating income

Long Son Ltd. Co. is investing more than US$30 million to build the 15-hectare (37-acre) project, which will have a 250-meter (820-foot) dock. It is expected to be operational in 2025.

The project will play a crucial role in the development of the first dedicated container port area at Nghi Son Port, according to state-run Vietnam News Agency. Once Dock No. 3 is built, it will serve as a dike against waves and winds and create a 10-hectare (33-foot) water area for local fishermen to safely anchor their boats.

The port is expected to generate revenue and jobs in Thanh Hoa province, including Hai Ha commune.

State media reported that Thanh Hoa provincial authorities conducted thorough studies and environmental assessments as well as consulted local people on the project. But the woman said representatives of the authorities only went around to people’s homes to try to persuade them not to oppose the project and its implementation.

The protest on Oct. 23 prompted Nghi Son town police to file charges against them for obstructing traffic and causing a kilometer-long (0.6 mile) vehicle backup.

Police at the scene took photos of the protesters, recorded videos and collected other information, some villagers involved in the demonstration said.

Police also issued an order requiring Hai Ha residents to adhere to the law and not to gather in groups to disrupt public order, incite others, or be enticed to obstruct the construction of Dock No. 3 of the Long Son Container Port project.

Threatened with arrest

Police threatened them with arrest for disrupting public order — which carries a sentence of up to seven years in prison — if they continued.

Hai Ha commune includes nearly 3,000 households with about 11,000 inhabitants, most of whom rely on fishing to make a living. The villagers say they fear that port officials will cut off their access to the waters where they fish and prohibit them from anchoring their boats.

Villagers ignored the police order and continued their protest on Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping to prevent the dock’s construction.

The woman quoted above said that the villagers are not afraid of going to jail because they don’t want to lose their home beach.

But if they have to relocate as a result of a loss of livelihoods, villagers will expect satisfactory compensation and a new living area with spaces to safely anchor their boats, she said.

“We staged a march and did not offend anyone or did not cause any harm,” she said. “None of us offended the police. We followed the traffic law, [and] we walked on the roadside and stayed in rows.”

The port will join four other industrial projects surrounding the 1,200-hectare (2,965-acre) commune. The others are a cement factory, a port for coal transportation in the north, a thermal power plant in the west, and a steel factory in the south.

Though the projects have created jobs for locals, they have also created serious environmental pollution, negatively affecting residents’ lives, a second woman said.

A Hong Kong group that once campaigned for China's embattled human rights lawyers announced on Tuesday it would disband after being investigated by national security police under a city-wide crackdown on public dissent and peaceful opposition.

The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLCG) said in a statement on its website that it had received a letter of enquiry from the Hong Kong Police dated Aug. 25, 2021.

"The CHRLCG has decided to dissolve in September 2021 and has already activated the voluntary liquidation procedure," the statement said.

"Directors of the CHRLCG are going to resign from their directorships soon."

The group is the latest in string of civil society groups to disband following investigation by national security police.

The pro-democracy Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) will vote on Oct. 3 on whether to disband after being denounced in the Beijing-backed media, a typical precursor to investigation under the national security law.

The denunciations usually focus on accusations that a given activist group or non-government organization has done something that could be in breach of the law imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from July 1, 2020.

Several organizations, including protest march organizers the Civil Human Rights Front, the Professional Teachers' Union, and Wall-fare, a prison support group for those in custody because of the 2019 protest movement, have disbanded following similar articles, or after being criticized by Hong Kong's leaders.

And the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance said it had recently received a letter from the Registry of Trade Unions alleging that its funds were used for "political purposes."

Three are denied bail

The CHRLCG's decision to disband came as three activists linked to the Hong Kong activist group Student Politicism were denied bail on Tuesday following their arrest on subversion charges under a draconian national security law.

West Kowloon Court principal magistrate Don So rejected bail applications from lawyers acting for group convenor Wong Yat-chin, 20, and former members Chan Chi-sum, 20 and Jessica Chu, 18.

The trio embraced each other and cried in court when they heard bail had been denied, with the case adjourned until November following a request from the prosecution.

Judge So said he didn't believe the defendants would refrain from further actions "endangering national security" if they were released, meaning that the trio will now spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in jail instead of with their families.

Wong and Chan said they would reapply every eight days, while Chu waived her right to further bail hearings.

Their supporters also hugged each other, or wiped away tears when the decision was announced, while others chanted "release political prisoners!" and "Inhumane!"

Wong said in a message posted to social media by his lawyer that his fate was perhaps the result of the times Hongkongers are now living through.

"I hope we can all live bravely and openly, so we can face this together," Wong said. "[Let's] face fear, challenge fear, and conquer fear."

He also told people to "take care of themselves" and enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to the indictment, Wong, Chan, and Chu conspired with others in Hong Kong to "organize, plan, implement or participate in acts of force, or the threat to use force, or other illegal means to subvert state power, namely, to overthrow or undermine the current political system of the People's Republic of China ... and overthrow the central government or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government."

Their alleged actions dated from Oct. 25, 2020 to June 16, 2021, it said.

'Subversive acts'

Police had early alleged the trio had carried out "subversive acts" including warning people not to use the government's LeaveHomeSafe COVID-19 tracking app, and "inciting hatred of the government" via street booths.

Meanwhile, the host of an English-language talk show for government broadcaster RTHK was reportedly pulled from the show following an episode focusing on the ongoing crackdown on civil society groups under the national security law.

"Backchat" co-host Hugh Chiverton confirmed to Stand News on Tuesday that he was still at the station, but hasn't been heard on air since the civil society episode, which hasn't yet been uploaded to the archive section of the RTHK website.

The episode had featured former City University politics lecturer and pro-democracy activist Joseph Cheng.

Chiverton referred all queries about the show to RTHK's communications team, who told the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) that it wouldn't comment on "internal editorial matters of individual programmes."

"RTHK reviews the programme content from time to time to ensure compliance with RTHK Charter, the Producers' Guidelines and the Communications Authority's Codes of Practice," it said in a statement posted to Twitter by HKFP.

Chiverton and Koh had earlier interviewed Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam about the national security crackdown, during which Lam warned Koh that she was "treading on dangerous lines" after the host asked her about the government's failure to communicate with protesters during the 2019 anti-extradition movement.

After a publisher reprinted chapters of his book Post-Hindu India (2009) into booklets in Telugu, Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd, 65, has faced death threats, abuse and criticism from some members of the Arya Vysa community. In this interview given on the phone, the Hyderabad-based academic explains what he means by "social smuggling" and why that offends the castes that dominate Indian capitalism. Excerpts: Why are the Arya Vysas (Baniyas) of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh protesting against you? I wrote this book in 2009 in the background of a debate over merit and the demand for reservation in the private sector. It includes several chapters on various castes - a chapter on barbers is called "social doctors", one on dhobis is called "subaltern feminists", and so on. The chapter on Baniyas was called "social smugglers" and the one on Brahmins was called "spiritual fascists". This June, a small publisher printed each chapter as a separate booklet, with caste names on the cover page. This has led to protests and violent abuses by the Arya Vysa community. Two people have threatened to take my life on television. A TDP MP, P G Venkatesh, said in a press conference that I should be hanged and killed as is done in the Middle East. On September 23, I was returning from a meeting when my car was attacked. I was saved because my driver managed to take me out and reach the police station. I have filed cases at the Osmania University police station and requested for full police protection. The state has done nothing - at least as much as CM Siddaramaiah has done to protect intellectuals in Karnataka. Has anyone in the government reached out to you? Ministers in my Telangana state, including the home minister, joined the Arya Vysas in condemning me. The CM is silent. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has been sending out feelers that he will ban the book. Look at the climate in which I am fighting this battle - the murders of Gauri Lankesh and M M Kalburgi in my neighbouring state. This is the fear I have. Therefore, I placed myself under house arrest. I am telling the world that if the Indian government cannot protect an intellectual who is known in the country and world, then other intellectuals have no safety in this country. What do you mean by calling Baniyas social smugglers? Social smuggling is a concept I coined to capture caste-based economic exploitation, from the village upwards to the monopoly Baniya capital, which involves the Ambanis, Adanis, the Laxmi Mittals, and so on. Social smuggling is a method of deceptive business, which accumulates wealth in the Baniya economy itself, and does not let it go back to the producers, who are the source of the wealth. Historically, because of the nexus between the Baniya and the Brahmin priestly community, the wealth was also transferred into temples. This led to non-development of mercantile capital in the medieval and late medieval age, and later indigenous capital. This encirclement of business is done through the spiritual dictum of Manu, Kautilya and Vedic texts. Unlike in the West, only one caste was allowed to do business in India. Smuggling means taking away wealth out of the borders of the nation illegally, but "social smuggling" means taking away the produce of all castes into the vaults of one caste - the Baniya, without any access to others. Wealth remains within the nation but in the control of one caste. It does not go back into the agricultural economy or the philanthropic economy or the education economy. This happened historically and is now happening even in the modern, privatised economy. That is the reason why 46% of the corporate directors in India are Baniyas, whereas their population is 1.9%. Brahmins come second, with 44.6% of corporate directors from their caste. So, you are saying that in this form of capitalism, caste cannot be challenged. It is this caste-controlled, socially smuggled capital which does not want to give preferential treatment or reservation in the private sector. They have been talking about our meritlessness. But we have proved our merit in producing the wealth, in the agrarian economy. Why are they not sharing this wealth with 90 per cent of the other castes, including Jats, Patels, etc, by giving them space in the private sector? Is it true that you have set terms for withdrawing the book? These are the conditions I have set (to the Baniya community to disprove that they are social smugglers). Look at our soldiers on the border. When the nationalism debate is taking place, Amit Shah and (PM) Modi are holding up the soldiers as an example. But, among these foot soldiers, there are no Baniyas or Brahmins. I am asking for one job for the family of each soldier serving on the border in the private sector. Look at the number of constables fighting in Naxalite regions or in Kashmir. Their family members should be given jobs in the private sector. Farmer suicides is one of the biggest issues in the country today. I am asking for a farmer protection fund from the entire industrial capital - at least 1% of their annual profit, around Rs 30,000 crore. Corporate social responsibility doesn't fight the caste system, or help the tribal or Dalit issue. It should be a social responsibility. What is the social consequence of this "socially smuggled capital"? When Adam Smith wrote The Theory of Moral Sentiments, he said that without moral sentiment, a transparent capitalism cannot survive. The buyer and seller will have to be honest and treat each other with respect. In this Baniya-Brahmin capitalism, that empathy, that goodwill towards the poorest of the poor is missing. To the point of ignoring the death of the farmers, who is the source of wealth. Industries must prove their nationalism like the soldiers are proving their nationalism on the border. Why do you think writers are facing such anger today? Earlier, we have had writing which has become controversial when gods or prophets are involved, or women are involved. But this is an academic concept and as a research scholar I have full rights to formulate it. This is not an issue that can be settled on the streets. Tragically, and to my surprise, the Indian intellectuals or economists have not responded to this debate. In this environment of cow vigilantism, killings of intellectuals, if communists and liberals are silent, if the English media is not reporting this, it is very frightening. That scares me more. Why are our progressive intellectuals silent? Because I am a lower-caste intellectual?