Papua Rights Lawyer Condemns Transfer of Political Prisoners’ Trial to Makassar

Jayapura, Jubi – Human rights lawyer Yan Christian Warinussy has denounced the decision to transfer the trial of four Papuan political prisoners to Makassar, South Sulawesi, saying it violates Indonesian law and undermines the rights of the accused.

The defendants — Abraham Goram Gaman, Maksi Sangkek, Piter Robaha, and Nixon May — were indicted last week and remain in detention at Makassar’s Class IA Special Prison.

Warinussy, Executive Director of LP3BH Manokwari, argued the move contradicts Article 85 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which allows a change of venue only for reasons of security, public order, or judicial efficiency.

“There is no legal basis for this decision. By moving the trial away from Papua, authorities are preventing families and the public from attending hearings,” he said.

The lawyer warned that the relocation adds psychological pressure on the defendants and called on civil society and human rights groups to monitor the proceedings.

Rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have previously criticized similar trial transfers, saying they obstruct transparency and weaken fair trial guarantees.

Media Laloran Tasi Mane

28 Augusto 2025