Papua rights coalition defends lawyer, calls charges criminalization

A coalition of legal and human rights organizations in Papua has strongly condemned the reporting against Johnny Teddy Wakum, the head of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Papua Merauke. The coalition asserts that the charges constitute criminalization and infringe upon the fundamental right of advocate immunity, a principle enshrined in Indonesian law.

According to the coalition's statement, which references Article 16 of Law Number 18 of 2003 concerning Advocates, lawyers cannot be prosecuted either civilly or criminally while performing their duties in good faith to defend their clients. This legal protection is crucial for ensuring fair representation and access to justice.

The case at the heart of the dispute involves Yasinta Moiwend, a client of the Merauke Solidarity Advocacy Team, who is pursuing an environmental lawsuit at the Jayapura State Administrative Court. The lawsuit, filed on March 5, 2026, challenges a decree issued by the Merauke Regent concerning the environmental feasibility of a 135-kilometer access road project intended to support a food security program by the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Defense subsequently intervened in the case as a second defendant on May 18, 2026.

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Advocates cannot be prosecuted either civilly or criminally while performing their duties in good faith for the defense of clients in court proceedings.

The coalition alleges that the reporting against Wakum is directly linked to the ongoing legal proceedings. They point to a video circulating that features Yasinta Moiwend questioning the use of her image in the "Pesta Babi" documentary and stating her intention not to attend the court hearing. The coalition believes the dissemination of this video was a deliberate attempt to target the ongoing PTUN Jayapura legal process.

Furthermore, the coalition questions the basis of the report against the LBH Papua Merauke chairman, noting that Yasinta Moiwend has not withdrawn her power of attorney to the advocacy team. They have urged the National Police Chief to instruct the Jakarta Police Chief to adhere to advocate immunity provisions and have also called for the Indonesian Advocates Organization's Honorary Council to investigate alleged ethical violations related to the Mama Yasinta case.

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The party that took the pictures and spread the video clearly targeted the ongoing legal process at the PTUN Jayapura.