Benny Wenda - Indonesia

Last updated: 20 December 2011

Benny Wenda is a West Papuan tribal leader who leads an international campaign for the independence of West Papua from Indonesia. Due to his activities he was persecuted by the Indonesian government, subjected to torture and a politically-motivated prosecution. He escaped to the UK and was given asylum in 2002. Benny is now a British citizen and lives with his wife and six children in Oxford.

In 2011, Benny discovered that Interpol had listed a “red notice” against him following a request from the Indonesian police. This red notice authorizes Benny’s provisional arrest with a view to extradition to face prosecution on the same politically-motivated charges that caused him to flee from West Papua. If Benny leaves the UK he could therefore be arrested and extradited to Indonesia. Despite being the leader in exile of his people, Benny is now unable to travel to meet with international campaign supporters or with other West Papuan exiles. Indonesia has used the red notice to continue its persecution from afar.

Benny’s case demonstrates how Interpol (an international organisation of national police forces) is being abused by oppressive and undemocratic regimes to pursue political opponents. FTI is calling for the red notice against Benny to be removed and for broader reform of Interpol to make this powerful international body accountable and prevent its abuse.

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• Benny Wenda Full downloadable spotlight with further details

Related Pages

• Interpol Cross-border crime is a grim reality and police must cooperate across borders to tackle it. But, at Fair Trials International, we believe that no one should be above the law: not the international criminal, not the international crime-fighter.
• Call to end continuing injustice in Indonesia An open letter calling on Indonesia to stop the persecution of Benny Wenda.