Tanggal 2 Mei 2016 kemarin, sebanyak 1.724 aktivis Papua ditangkap dalam demonstrasi damai yang dilaksanakan serempak di Jayapura, Sorong, Merauke, Fakfak, Wamena, Semarang dan Makassar. Beberapa hari sebelumnya, 52 orang juga sudah ditangkap di Papua terkait dengan masalah yang sama.

Bahkan, menurut data dari LBH Jakarta, ada dua orang yang ditangkap di Merauke ketika menyerahkan surat pemberitahuan aksi ke kantor polisi.

Aksi demo tersebut dilakukan dalam rangka menyuarakan aspirasi bagi penguatan representasi warga Papua dalam forum diplomasi internasional Pasifik Selatan untuk menyelesaikan masalah Papua secara damai dalam kerangka Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) dan mendorong alternatif penyelesaian damai melalui pertemuan International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) yang dilakukan di pada London 3 Mei 2016.

Pasal 28 Undang-undang Dasar 1945 dan Undang-undang Nomor 9 Tahun 1998 tentang Kemerdekaan Menyampaikan Pendapat di Muka Umum jelas menjamin kebebasan hak warga negara Indonesia dalam berkumpul, bersyarikat dan menyampaikan pendapat.

Sekalipun tuntutan demonstran berseberangan dengan kebijakan resmi pemerintah pusat, warga Papua adalah warga negara Indonesia. Hak konstitusional mereka untuk berpendapat harus dijaga. Negara seharusnya melakukan pendekatan yang mengedepankan dialog, bukannya merepresi aspirasi.

Oleh karena itu, penangkapan para aktivis Papua 2 Mei lalu jelas merupakan perbuatan yang inkonstitusional, melanggar hak asasi warga, dan bertentangan dengan prinsip demokrasi di Indonesia

Penyelesaian masalah di Papua seharusnya  menekankan cara-cara yang manusiawi, dengan memberikan ruang kebebasan dan memfasilitasi warga untuk menyampaikan aspirasi. Pembatasan ruang demokrasi justru akan semakin memperkeruh isu pelanggaran HAM di Papua.

Kami menuntut agar seluruh warga Papua yang ditangkap 2 Mei lalu dibebaskan. Negara harus menjamin hak warga Papua untuk menyampaikan aspirasi mereka secara damai dan tanpa ancaman penahanan.

Dan yang paling penting, kami menuntut agar Negara menjamin  dan berjanji, aksi penangkapan semena-mena terhadap warga Papua yang menyampaikan aspirasinya tidak terulang lagi.

Dukung petisi ini. Desak pemerintah untuk membebaskan para aktivis yang ditangkap 2 Mei lalu dan pastikan Negara melindungi hak warga negara nya untuk beraspirasi dan mengeluarkan pendapat tanpa kecuali dan menegakkan Indonesia yang berdemokrasi!

Darmawan Triwibowo, email: darmawan@tifafoundation.org

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President Jokowi and police chief Badrodin Haiti: Release Papuans activist arrested during demonstration on May 2, 2016

May 2, 2016, a total of 1,724 Papuan activists arrested during peaceful demonstrations that was carried out simultaneously in Jayapura, Sorong, Merauke, Fakfak, Wamena, Semarang and Makassar. A few days earlier, 52 people have also been arrested in Papua related to the same problem.

In fact, according to data from LBH Jakarta, two people were arrested in Merauke when delivering written notification to the police station.

The demonstrations was delivered to express the will for strengthening the representation of Papuans in the South Pacific forum of international diplomacy to resolve Papua issue peacefully within the framework of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), and to encourage alternative peaceful settlement through International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) meeting on May 3, 2016 in London.

Article 28 of our Constitution and Law No. 9 of 1998 on Freedom of Expression in Public explicitly guarantees freedom of Indonesian citizens for assembly, associate, and expression.

Although what the protesters demanded in contravention with the official policy of the central government, Papuans ARE Indonesian citizens. Their constitutional right to argue should be kept. Government should have implement conflict resolution that emphasizes on dialogue, rather than repress aspirations.

Therefore, the arrest of Papuan activists last May 2 clearly an unconstitutional act, violating rights of citizens, and contrary to the principles of democracy in Indonesia

Resolution of conflicts in Papua should emphasize humane manner, by providing as much possible space and facilitate freedom of expression. Restriction on democratic space will only make  issue of human rights violations in Papua murkier.

We demand that all Papuans that was arrested on May 2 be released. The State must guarantee the right of citizens to express their aspirations peacefully and without threat of being arrested.

And most importantly, we demand for the state to promise and guarantees, that similar action - arresting Papuans without clear fundamental reasoning - are not repeated.

Support the petition. Urges the government to release the remaining arrested activist and ensure that the State protects the rights of its citizens to express and discuss their opinions without discrimination and to uphold Indonesia as democratic country!

Darmawan Triwibowo, email: darmawan@tifafoundation.org