Sunday, May 10, 2015

Indonesia Frees Prisoners, Lifts Media Curbs in Papua

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has agreed to free political prisoners and allow for a relaxing of the media and travel restrictions on tbe Papua province. Papua has been clamoring for independence since the Dutch left in 1962 and has had separatist activity all through the decades of Indonesian Rule. President Widodo promised a roll back of the restrictions in Papua upon taking office last October. Widodo did not though condemn the death penalty administered to 5 foreigners in Papua, calling it a "positive law". Foreign travel had been restricted in Papua to stel the amount of non governmental information on what was happening there. Papuans are happy but not yet satisfied with the concessions that have been made.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32677259

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