TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A solidarity group defending human rights activist Veronica Koman stated that the advocate did not disseminate false or hoax news regarding the conditions of Papuan students in Surabaya in mid-august this year. They opined that she spread valid information originating from her clients.

The group in question consists of the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers), Safenet, the Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH Jakarta), the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), Satu Keadilan Foundation, LBH Apik, Perlindungan Insani, and other individuals.

“The information presented by Veronica on her Twitter account is facts, real events,” said Tigor Hutapea from the Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH Jakarta) at the Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) office, Jakarta, Monday, September 9.

On September 6, East Java Police Chief announced Veronica as a suspect for spreading hoaxes on social media through her six tweets.

According to him, Veronica distributed factual information as she got it from her clients, Papuan students in Surabaya. “They [Papuan students] in Surabaya told Veronica for her capacity as a lawyer,” he explained.

Tigor said that Veronica had been an advocate since 2014. She has actively defended human rights since her joining LBH Jakarta in 2012. She has actively been advocating for women, workers, minorities, and vulnerable groups. She is also known to be highly concerned about human rights violations in Papua.

“She has been an advocate of students in Surabaya since 2018,” he added.

Therefore, Veronica Koman has the rights to carry out advocacy, education, and assistance as regulated in the Human Rights Law and the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, Tigor declared.

FIKRI ARIGI