You could write about the plight faced by political prisoners, blog about it, share it on social networking sites, and pass it on to your friends. Remember to say that the information is from Papuans Behind Bars so that the source of the information is clear.
You can use the information on this site to build a campaign to raise awareness of the problem, raise money to support prisoners and their families.
If you know of a person who has been arbitrarily detained, you can telephone the police to demand their release and ensure that their rights are being respected. You can also write to the state authorities to raise cases of concern regarding political prisoners and other violations.
If you wanted to show support to political prisoners, you can send them letters and other items such as medicine and books. We can let you know what to send and how to send them to local human rights and church organisations that visit the prisoners.
In the comment box below, please tell us what you would like to send and to whom, and we will write back to you as soon as we can advising on where to address your items and/or letters to.
If you know of a political prisoner who is not listed on the site, or who is in trouble and needs advocacy support, please let us know by sending us a message here.
Or if you speak both English and Indonesian to a good standard, you could help Papuans Behind Bars make sure that information about Papuan political prisoners is available to as many people as possible. If you would like to help support this project, please let us know here.
Get together with Papuan groups, students and human rights groups to hold discussions on campus, or have a letter-writing workshop to write to the prisoners.
If you speak both English and Indonesian to a good standard, you could help Papuans Behind Bars make sure that information about Papuan political prisoners is available to as many people as possible. If you would like to help support this project, please write to us.
Campaign and Lobby
You can use the information on this site to build a campaign to raise awareness of the problem, raise money to support prisoners and their families, and to lobby the government and the police to change their policies.
If you know of a person who has been arbitrarily detained, you can call the police to demand their release and ensure that their rights are being respected. You can also write to the state authorities to raise cases of concern regarding political prisoners and other violations.
Phone calls from outsiders alert the prison authorities that people outside Papua are concerned and are monitoring reports of mistreatment. One West Papuan prisoner reported a few years ago:
“I was being kept in the pitch black in an overflowing toilet. I was cuffed at my hands and feet. After two weeks the guards pulled me out and asked me why all these people were phoning and enquiring about me. They looked scared and I told them that now the world is watching them. I was returned to my cell but they now cleaned it, put a light in and removed the cuffs… It made me feel strong to hear people outside were supporting me.”
Often it is most effective to call a prison at times when prisoners are especially vulnerable, for example when they have just been arrested and are at risk of torture; when they are unwell; when they have been harassed by prison guards, or transferred to another place of imprisonment such as a police station.
Link to address list
This is a fantastic way to make sure political prisoners know that they are not alone. Why not get some cards signed at an activist meeting or event and send them to the prisoners? You can also send them letters and other items such as medicine and books. We can let you know how to send them to local human rights and church organisations that visit the prisoners.
In the comment box below, please tell us what you would like to send and to whom, and we will write back to you as soon as we can advising on where to address your items and/or letters to.
It is perfectly okay to send letters in English, or any other language. They very much appreciate the support and solidarity.
If you speak both English and Indonesian to a good standard, you could help Papuans Behind Bars make sure that information about Papuan political prisoners is available to as many people as possible. If you would like to help support this project, please write to us.
From lobbying your government to joining a local solidarity group, there are many ways to show your support for political prisoners. You can also fundraise for political prisoners and their families. Some ideas would be to host bake sales, do a sponsored run or hold fundraising gigs.
If you are keen on spreading awareness, then you can host film screenings on Papua or organise demonstrations or public events highlighting the lack of freedom of expression in Papua.
In October 2013, Canadian activist cycled 12,000 km around the world to fundraise for political prisoners and raise awareness of human rights violations in Papua. The possibilities are endless!
This is a list of international organisations that carry out campaigns about human rights in Papua. Many also issue action points, such as letter-writing campaigns.
Faith-based Network on West Papua