"We are open to such plans. However, the one we are processing does not cover criminals convicted of involvement in armed insurgencies," Agtas said after a press conference here on Wednesday.
The minister conveyed the remarks in response to calls for amnesty for those convicted of taking up arms against the government in Papua. Decisions on amnesty are ultimately in the President's hands, he added.
Agtas informed that the Law Ministry is preparing and verifying up to 44 thousand convicts whose names have been proposed for amnesty. However, those convicted of armed insurgencies in Papua are not among them.
"We concurred that (those involved) in armed insurgencies will not be proposed for the President's amnesty for now," the minister said.
Responding to amnesty proposals for armed insurgents in Papua, House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II legislator Indrajaya, on Wednesday said he believes it would mark a new approach to peace in Papua.
Indrajaya, who hails from South Papua, further said that such amnesty would open new opportunities to permanently end armed conflict in the Papua region.
However, he reminded the government that humane dialogue with local stakeholders should be the next step beyond the amnesty.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Ministry launched a booklet on the human rights and responsibilities of law-abiding Indonesians on January 22, 2025. Minister Natalius Pigai informed that the book would be provided to those granted amnesty by President Prabowo.
Pigai said he believes that they must receive proper human rights education to develop a humanity mindset before their reintegration into society.
Translator: Agatha Olivia V, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
