Trans Peruvian Activist Died In Bali Police Custody

The assertion from Ventosilla’s household “raises very severe questions that deserve clear and correct solutions,” Harvard Kennedy Faculty Dean Douglas Elmendorf mentioned. “Harvard Kennedy Faculty helps the household’s name for a right away and thorough investigation and for public launch of all related info, and the Faculty stands with all of Rodrigo’s pals and colleagues and with the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.”

Ventosilla’s household has requested the Peruvian Ministry of International Affairs to push for an investigation into Indonesian authorities’ conduct. However in an announcement issued this week, the ministry appeared to aspect with Indonesian officers’ account of the occasions.

In a information launch on Aug. 22, the Ministry of International Affairs denied that Indonesian authorities’ actions amounted to discrimination and anti-trans violence. The ministry mentioned that the arrest occurred as a result of customs officers discovered drugs with a medical prescription and “objects that contained traces of hashish, in addition to varied merchandise made with mentioned substance.”

“As is public data, Indonesia maintains a zero-tolerance coverage concerning the possession of medicine and their by-product merchandise, for which one of many detained nationals would have dedicated a severe crime beneath the strict legal guidelines of that nation,” the ministry mentioned.

It additionally mentioned that the Peruvian Consulate was in contact with native authorities all through to make sure that they labored inside native regulation and revered Ventosilla and Marallano’s rights.

Gianna Camacho, a spokesperson for Ventosilla’s household, informed BuzzFeed Information that they reject the ministry’s assertion, calling it an “offense in opposition to the households” and “biased” in opposition to Sebastian and the households’ accounts.

“We demand a course of that determines these chargeable for the torture, extortion and violation of human rights that Sebastián suffered and that led to the loss of life of Rodrigo,” they mentioned.

Marallano has since returned to Lima, the spokesperson mentioned. Ventosilla’s physique is predicted to reach on Aug. 31.

The deterioration of LGBTQ rights in Indonesia has alarmed activists and human rights organizations. There isn’t any regulation explicitly prohibiting same-sex relations, and trans individuals can change their gender on official paperwork after gender reassignment surgical procedure. However authorities have leaned on different legal guidelines to crack down on LGBTQ individuals within the nation. Stories of violence and discrimination in opposition to the LGBTQ neighborhood in Indonesia are rampant, and native activists have mentioned it may worsen.

Indonesia additionally has a few of the strictest drug legal guidelines on this planet. Vacationers from different international locations have been handed the loss of life penalty for drug offenses prior to now. Hashish is taken into account a Class 1 narcotic, and possession can lead to years of imprisonment and hefty fines.

Most prescription treatment is allowed into Indonesia, although authorities strongly advise bringing a physician’s letter and the unique prescription together with it. Worldwide vacationers have additionally been detained in Indonesia for carrying treatment with no prescription.