Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
AWPA Condemns Book Bans In Indonesia
AWPA Condemns Book Bans In Indonesia
The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) condemns the banning of books by the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office (AGO) . The books banned cover a variety of issues including that of West Papua. The reason given for the banning is that they could fuel movements toward the nation's disintegration and encourage separatism. The Tempo Interactive of the 6 January reported that the Head of Research and Development of the Justice and Human Rights Department, Hafid Abbas said “We do not want to see Indonesia separated,” and "that separatists know the hardship of armed resistance so they chose to do their campaign through publications".
Joe Collins of AWPA said, "is Indonesia's democracy so fragile that it cannot allow the raising of the West Papuan Flag and books on the issue of West Papua? The banning of freedom of expression is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Instead of banning books on West Papua the Indonesian government should be allowing the West Papuan people to discuss human rights and self determination in their country.
AWPA calls on The Indonesian Constitutional Court to revoke the authority of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to ban books in the country.
ENDS
UN Climate Change: Financing The Future - Vera Songwe’s Vision For A Climate And Growth Agenda At COP29
Glasgow Actions: At COP29, Global Activists Urge Strong Climate Finance Deal By Transforming Baku's Olympic Stadium Into Call For Action
Climate Action Network: COP29 - Repression Epidemic Regarding Climate Activists And Human Rights Defenders
Demand Climate Justice DCJ: Climate Justice Groups Condemn COP29’s Carbon Markets Decision - Corporate Profits vs People’s Interests
UN News: COP29 - Push For Agreement On A New Climate Finance Deal ‘Right From The Start’
Powering Past Coal Alliance: Coal Transition Commission Lays Out Recommendations To Accelerate The Coal-to-Clean Energy Transition