Amnesty: Veronica Koman is a Papuan Activist Who Should be Protected

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Veronica Koman often receives terrors for her advocacy for human rights in Papua. The latest one was the explosion at her parents’ house on Sunday, November 7. Based on the police’s preliminary suspicion, it was caused by firecrackers.

Koman is a human rights activist with a high concern for the Papuan people. She continues to provide information about human rights violations in the country’s easternmost province and is also known as a human rights lawyer.

“What she says is actually factual,” said Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia in a press conference Monday, November 8. He cited several examples, including the disappearance of an activist and the arrest of activists by local authorities in Papua.

Koman also often voices the issue of human rights violations in Papua through social media and assists Papuan activists who deal with law enforcement. On this basis, Usman considered that her actions were legitimate works and expressions, her opinion was justified and even guaranteed by the Indonesian Constitution. “Of course she must get protection from the state,” he said

However, Usman acknowledged that the state, especially the government, has a different view about Koman, such as the issue related to the education fund from LPDP and her role in the racist incident in Surabaya which was said to have sparked riots in Papua in 2019.

“The state is obliged to protect everyone in its territory, moreover if the person has no connection at any unlawful actions,” Usman said in response to the terror at the house of Veronica Koman’s parents in Jelambar Baru of West Jakarta.

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JESSICA ESTER | FRISKI RIANA