About us
We are a small UK-based NGO, with three members of permanent staff. We were founded in 1973 by our current senior campaigner, Carmel Budiardjo, a former political prisoner in Indonesia and Amnesty International prisoner of conscience.
TAPOL (which means political prisoner in Indonesian) was originally set up to campaign for the tens of thousands of political prisoners remaining in Indonesia. Over time our mandate expanded to cover campaigning for human rights in general in Indonesia and East Timor. In 2007, in response to the democratic changes taking place in Indonesia, our mandate was further broadened to include the promotion of peace and democracy in Indonesia and East Timor although our activities now are primarily focused on Indonesia.
Carmel Budiardjo has extensive human rights experience and has dedicated her life to defending human rights in Indonesia, leading TAPOL for some 35 years. Co-ordinator Paul Barber, joined TAPOL as a volunteer in 1994 and has gone on to become a key member of the team working alongside Carmel on all activities. He has a background in law and human rights. Part time office manager Jaime Walsh joined the team in 2009 and has a background in community development work and donations admin. TAPOL is extremely lucky to have a small team of dedicated long term volunteers, and an active management committee.
TAPOL works with a number of local organisations in West Papua and has a wide network of partners based in Indonesia, the UK and beyond.
TAPOL is currently funded by Sigrid Rausing Trust, CAFOD and Cordaid and a small number of tireless supporters. It is associated with the charity Human Rights Indonesia, through which charitable donations may be made.
We would like to thank all our funders, donors and volunteers without whom our continued human rights work would not be possible.
Below are an article published in the TAPOL Bulletin at the time of our 25th anniversary in 1998 and a profile of our founder.
TAPOL (which means political prisoner in Indonesian) was originally set up to campaign for the tens of thousands of political prisoners remaining in Indonesia. Over time our mandate expanded to cover campaigning for human rights in general in Indonesia and East Timor. In 2007, in response to the democratic changes taking place in Indonesia, our mandate was further broadened to include the promotion of peace and democracy in Indonesia and East Timor although our activities now are primarily focused on Indonesia.
Carmel Budiardjo has extensive human rights experience and has dedicated her life to defending human rights in Indonesia, leading TAPOL for some 35 years. Co-ordinator Paul Barber, joined TAPOL as a volunteer in 1994 and has gone on to become a key member of the team working alongside Carmel on all activities. He has a background in law and human rights. Part time office manager Jaime Walsh joined the team in 2009 and has a background in community development work and donations admin. TAPOL is extremely lucky to have a small team of dedicated long term volunteers, and an active management committee.
TAPOL works with a number of local organisations in West Papua and has a wide network of partners based in Indonesia, the UK and beyond.
TAPOL is currently funded by Sigrid Rausing Trust, CAFOD and Cordaid and a small number of tireless supporters. It is associated with the charity Human Rights Indonesia, through which charitable donations may be made.
We would like to thank all our funders, donors and volunteers without whom our continued human rights work would not be possible.
Below are an article published in the TAPOL Bulletin at the time of our 25th anniversary in 1998 and a profile of our founder.
Carmel Budiardjo, founder of TAPOL
Carmel Budiardjo was born in Britain in 1925 and gained a degree in economics from the London School of Economics in 1946. She went to Indonesia in 1952 after marrying an Indonesian government official, Suwondo Budiardjo, in Prague where she worked at the Secretariat of the International Union of Students. |
Special Honour
• 2010 - Eldest daughter of Papuan nation• 2009 - Order of Timor-Leste • 2008 - John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award • 1995 - Right Livelihood Award |
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TAPOL: 25 years, and still going strong
TAPOL's 25th anniversary comes just months after the downfall of the Indonesian dictator, Suharto. A glance back at what we have tried to do provides an insight into the depth and persistence of gross human rights violations suffered by people living under Indonesian rule. It will help identify the tasks which lie ahead as Indonesia struggles to create a democratic country. |
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