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Indonesia: Prisoner of conscience receives treatment: Filep Karma
Amnesty International Public Statement - October 1, 2012
Further information on UA: 109/12. Index: ASA 21/040/2012
On 17 September, prisoner of conscience Filep Karma received medical treatment after the Abepura prison authorities allowed him to travel from Abepura prison in Papua province to a hospital in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.
On 14 September, Filep Karma travelled from Abepura prison to the Cikini hospital in Jakarta to seek medical treatment for a suspected tumour on the colon. He was accompanied by a prison guard and a police officer. Reliable sources have said that Filep Karma was treated well at all times.
On 17 September, Filep Karma underwent a colonoscopy, which found that he did not have a tumour. However, doctors did find that he had an inflammation of the stomach. He was kept in the Cikini hospital to receive treatment for this. He travelled back to Abepura prison in Papua on 26 September.
Local and international groups have been highlighting Filep Karma's case over the last few months. Many contributed to a fund to enable him to receive medical treatment. The authorities in Papua had refused to cover the cost of his treatment and travel, even though they are obliged to under national law and international standards.
While Amnesty International welcomes the news that Filep Karma has received medical treatment, there are still concerns that he remains imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Amnesty International continues to call for his immediate and unconditional release, and the release of all prisoners of conscience in Indonesia.
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