Today (September 2, 2024), around 12 p.m., Nelson Roldão, a Timorese human rights activist supporting the pro-West Papua movement, was arrested at Timor-Leste the Prezidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, Timor-Leste, while accompanying West Papuan activist, who was traveling back to his home country.
Information gathered from a press conference by Human Rights Defenders later in the afternoon at 4 p.m. stated that Nelson Roldão and Lorico were accompanying a colleague from West Papua at Nicolao Lobato International Airport as he prepared to return to his home country. This West Papuan colleague had come to Timor-Leste to participate in the diplomacy training program whose patron is Ramos Horta, Timor-Leste’s President.
While still at the airport, the Papuan colleague proceeded to immigration to board an outbound Citilink flight. Nelson and Lorico returned to the gate to collect parking tickets when they were approached by armed police officers in plain clothes, threatened Nelson and detained him. The police seized Nelson’s documents, which included a small West Papua flag, but found no criminal materials. Further information indicates that the National Police of Timor-Leste, stationed at Nicolao Lobato International Airport, arrested and detained Nelson Roldão.
The Human Rights Defenders movement argued that the Timor-Leste Police are overreacting, and this is considered a violation of human rights.
“We consider the detention and actions of the police against Nelson to be arbitrary and illegal, as it violates human rights principles and the RDTL Constitution, specifically Article 10, paragraph 1, which asserts that the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is committed to solidarity with all peoples struggling for national liberation,” said Inocêncio de Jesus Xavier, spokesperson for the movement.
The movement also condemned the police arrest and demanded that the National Police of Timor-Leste immediately release human rights activist Nelson Roldão. They called on the international community to protest against the Timor-Leste government, particularly the Security Institution (PNTL), for the detention of Nelson Roldão.
Neon Metin journalists are attempting to confirm details with the police at the airport but have been unable to obtain clear information on Nelson’s current location. Initial reports indicated that Nelson was arrested by the Unidade Polícia Fronteira (Border Police Unit), but unit’s Commander Euclides Belo stated that Nelson was detained for identification with the latest information suggests he is in the custody of the National Police Investigation Unit at the PNTL’s headquarter.
The papal visit to Timor-Leste is just 10 days away, and the Timor-Leste government has issued warnings about the pro-West Papua movement, classifying it as a national security threat. The solidarity movement has been categorized as a security threat rather than as an act of solidarity.