In my opinion, Articles 24 and 25 of Law 39/1999 regarding Basic Human Rights guarantee the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of association, and the freedom to state one’s opinions in public.
In view of this, the convening of the Second Congress of the KNPP in Manokwari is a peaceful event which is aimed at discussing the working programme and activities of the organisation, in order to strengthen unity between young Papuans in their struggle for the basic rights of the Papuan people.
The action taken by the police is clearly intended to prohibit and postpone, even to restrict the right of assembly and the freedom of expression of the views of Papuan people as citizens of the Republic of Indonesia.
As a member of the Steering Committee of the afore-mentioned Congress, I regard the decision by the police to refuse to acknowledge the letter (STTP) because the said organisation is not registered with the Kesbangpol in West Papua as a procedural matter which can be dealt with by means of negotiations.
Concerns regarding the security arrangements are always being given by the police even though the KNPP and the Steering Committee have taken all the necessary measures to guarantee and safeguard the security of the Congress
Yan Christian Warinussy
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