Victor Yeimo's Separatist Figure Should Not Be Petitioned for Release Before Finishing the Trial

A petition appeared on the portal site Pena.amnesty.id urging President Jokowi to protect the rights to freedom of expression and opinion for Indigenous Papuans (OAP). The description describes the whereabouts of Victor Frederik Yeimo or familiarly called Victor Yeimo, who is threatened with imprisonment for 20 years to life after being arrested and charged with violating Article 106 of the Criminal Code on treason and Article 110 of the Criminal Code on conspiracy to commit treason.

In the petition, it is also chronologically explained that Victor Yeimo was arrested after participating in an anti-racism protest in 2019. He was arrested without regular access to family and legal counsel. His health condition was also reported to have deteriorated during his imprisonment. Victor Yeimo is currently undergoing the trial process even though he is being treated at the hospital due to a chronic lung disease. According to him, no one should be convicted just for exercising the right to an opinion. Therefore, at the end of the petition, it urges the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, to protect the rights of indigenous Papuans in peaceful expression, opinion and assembly. Including protesting against racism and discrimination against the Papuan people. A bait to get to the demands of Victor Yeimo's release using a general pretext on behalf of the OAP.

The Traces of Victor Yeimo as One of the Separatist Figures

There are many considerations from the government why until now Victor Yeimo is still in detention even though he is sick and the issue of limited access to him. Just to recall about his figure, Victor Yeimo is one of the leaders of the Papuan separatist group or the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) who was involved in the riots in Papua in 2019. Among the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), he is known as a pro-independence activist and holds the position of international spokesperson for the KNPB. Previously, he had also served as Chairman of the central KNPB from 2012 to 2018. He was also familiar with pro-independence Papuan activists and students. During his imprisonment, the issue of limited access for Victor Yeimo became the concern of a number of parties. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Mary Lawlor, for example, highlighted the condition of Victor, who was reportedly ill while being detained at the Papua Police Mobile Brigade Headquarters. LBH Papua along with 30 other civil society organizations urged the police to release Victor. Veronica Koman and the human rights organization (HAM) TAPOL even reported the arrest to the UN Human Rights Council.

Government denies accusations that Victor Yeimo is critical in prison

The issue of the treatment of Victor Yeimo which was said to be inappropriate for prisoners in general later became the attention of several parties who were concerned about the issue of Victor Yeimo's arrest. The government through an official statement from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia (PTRI) in Geneva, Switzerland, stated that it had carried out a court order to provide hospital treatment since August 30, 2021, showing the government's seriousness in upholding the rights of its citizens, including Victor Yeimo. The existence of a special rapporteur on human rights is called bias and one-sidedly misrepresents Victor's detention. On this occasion, the government also included supporting evidence regarding the routine health checks that have been given since his detention on May 9, 2021. The Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri said that Victor's rights were always fulfilled in detention, including health checks. Instead, he said that Victor had refused the request for a medical examination that was offered to him. The police chief also said that it was Victor Yeimo who had fled to Papua New Guinea some time after the 2019 riots.

Petitions Containing Separatist Group Missions

The emergence of a petition demanding the release of an activist from a separatist group is ridiculous. On the other hand, for those in the opposition, some people who 'struggled' and were then detained in prison were considered heroes. Like a former political prisoner, Filep Karma, who called Yeimo a line of elite world leaders who fought for the nation's independence. A hallucination of the Papuan independence fighter separatist group.

Not only the president, but even the lowest structures in the government will surely protect the rights of indigenous Papuans as called for in the petition. However, if it is related to the figure of Victor Yeimo, the situation and conditions will be different. Freeing himself means giving more space to separatist figures to show their existence to support the mission to escape from Indonesia.

The existence of the petition should be questioned and reviewed from various angles. Who is the actor behind the screen to raise the petition is an issue that is slowly being discussed by a number of media. There is a long mission of trying to keep the issue of the release of Victor Yeimo alive.

The Government's Focus Is To Build Papua

There is no need to get involved in the process of conveying opinion in the form of a petition, let the Victor Yeimo case proceed according to the applicable processes and procedures. Papuans are more expected to welcome development policies implemented by the government, such as the expansion of the New Autonomous Region (DOB).

In line with this, the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI), Jefri Gultom stated that the agreed expansion of Papua was for the welfare of Papua and the Papuan people could become masters in their own area. President Jokowi is very concerned about Papua and loves its people, as evidenced by several visits to Papua accompanied by his policies.

Secretary of the Papua Province M Ridwan Ruikutun in his explanation also stated that in order to welcome new autonomous regions in the Papua region which had been ratified by the President, of course, good preparation was needed in terms of facilities and infrastructure, human resources, and law enforcement for the realization of legal certainty and human rights for the community in implementing good and accountable governance. Therefore, synergy and collaboration between government institutions is very much needed for the development of the new region.

Meanwhile, the latest news regarding the construction of the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH) building in Wahno Village, Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua Province, which was initiated by Papua Young Inspiration (PMI) has reached 73%. PMI representative Elia Musa Rawar said that the building would later be used by all young people in Papua to develop their potential. It is hoped that the creativity that has been owned by young Papuan friends can appear on the national and international stage. The Papua Youth Creative Hub building is a building that has the most complete facilities in Papua. These facilities can be used for co-working space, space for learning technology, digital technology, concert hall, space for product innovations, dormitories, and sports facilities.

These various things, in the context of the Papuan people, have more benefits for the development of the Cenderawasih Earth than being absorbed in paying attention to the Victor Yeimo issue which is prone to being exploited by certain parties.

SOURCE: https://time.online/2022/08/24/10104/