Seven Papuan activists convicted of treason after anti-racism protests

Balikpapan Seven' accused of promoting West Papua independence movement at Indonesia rallies

Seven Papuan activists have been found guilty of treason and sentenced to up to 11 months in prison for their involvement in anti-racism rallies in West Papua last year, a verdict that has been condemned by human rights groups.

The men, known as the Balikpapan Seven", were convicted over protests that were sparked last summer by a viral video in which Papuan students were called monkeys" and subjected to other racist taunts. Thousands of people took part in the rallies, some of which turned violent.

Prior to Wednesday's hearing, protests calling for the treason charges to be dropped took place in cities across Indonesia, where the Black Lives Matter movement has prompted greater discussion of injustices facing West Papuans.