What is "tapol"

Tapol is a non-governmental organisation monitoring human rights issues in Indonesia. Tapol is an abbreviation of the Indonesian words for "political prisoners" (tahanan politik).

TAPOL was established in 1973 by Carmel Budiardjo, a former political prisoner in Indonesia.

Tapol began its work as the Tapol Bulletin, a British-based bulletin that monitored the "New Order" government of Suharto's measures against alleged members of the Communist Party of Indonesia after the 1965-1966 crisis in Indonesia.

Tapol is based in London and continues to monitor and report human right issues for Indonesia in subsequent presidential eras of Indonesia's history.

In 1995 the founder of Tapol, Carmel Budiardjo, was given the Right Livelihood Award "...for holding the Indonesian government accountable for its actions and upholding the universality of fundamental human rights."