Filep Karma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Filep Karma
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| Born |
Filep Jacob Semuel Karma
14 August 1959 Jayapura, Dutch New Guinea
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| Died | 1 November 2022 (aged 63) |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Known for | 2004 arrest |
Filep Jacob Semuel Karma (born August 14, 1959 – died November 1, 2022) was an activist who worked for the independence of West Papua. On December 1, 2004, he helped raise the Morning Star flag at an event in Jayapura. Because of this, he was accused of acting against the government and was sent to prison for fifteen years. Groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch spoke up for him. He was let out of prison on November 19, 2015.
Contents
Who Was Filep Karma?
Early Life and Family
Filep Karma was born in 1959 in Jayapura, which was then called Dutch New Guinea. He grew up in a well-known family that was active in local politics. His father, Andreas Karma, was a civil servant who worked for the government. One of Filep's cousins, Constant Karma, even served as a deputy governor in Papua.
When Filep was a child, his home was raided by soldiers one night. This happened because of a false tip that two visiting relatives were actually his uncles, who were colonels in the OPM. This event had a big impact on him.
Education and Career
Filep Karma studied at Sebelas Maret University in Solo, Java. He earned a degree and, like his father, became a civil servant. In 1997, he went to Manila to study for a year at the Asian Institute of Management, but he was not able to finish his studies there.
Filep Karma had two daughters, Audryne and Andrefina, with his wife, Ratu Karel Lina.
Why Was He an Activist?
Protesting for Change
When Filep Karma came back from Manila, he saw many protests happening in Java against the government. He joined these movements and began to support the idea of Papua becoming independent from Indonesia.
On July 2, 1998, he led a ceremony in Biak to raise the West Papuan flag. After this, there were clashes between activists and police. Filep Karma was injured and later arrested. He was accused of acting against the state and sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. However, his sentence was later overturned, and he was released after ten months.
Another Flag-Raising and Prison Sentence
On December 1, 2004, Filep Karma took part in another flag-raising ceremony. This event marked the anniversary of Papuan independence. He was arrested again and accused of acting against the Indonesian government. This time, he was with another activist named Yusak Pakage.
During his trial, Filep Karma was given a fifteen-year prison sentence. He served this sentence at Abepura Prison in Jayapura. Yusak Pakage was also imprisoned but was released earlier in 2010.
Release and Later Life
Freedom from Prison
Filep Karma was released early on November 19, 2015. He had served 11 years of his 15-year sentence. This was part of President Joko Widodo's plan to grant clemency to political prisoners in Papua. Filep Karma had been offered release earlier in 2015, but he had refused to sign the pardon papers because of his beliefs.
Final Years
Filep Karma enjoyed diving as a hobby. On December 12, 2021, he was reported missing after diving near a hotel in Jayapura. He was found alive the next day on a beach.
Sadly, on November 1, 2022, Filep Karma was found dead in a diving suit on Base-G beach in Jayapura. According to initial reports from Komnas HAM Papua, there were no signs of foul play. It was believed he likely drowned while diving. His daughter, Andrefina Karma, also stated that her father drowned due to strong waves. She hoped that people would not spread rumors, as his death was believed to be an accident.
