Draft:Jeremy Kewuan

Jeremy completed his primary education at SDI Tanah Endang in 1995, followed by SMPK Ritaebang in 1998 and SMA PGRI Larantuka in 2000. He pursued higher education at Universitas Nusa Cendana (Undana) in Kupang, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree (SH) in 2008. During his university years, Jeremy actively participated in student organizations, including serving as Secretary of the Gerakan Mahasiswa Nasional Indonesia (GMNI) Kupang branch from 2005–2006.

Jeremy's activism spans decades, focusing on democracy, human rights, and social justice. In 2017, he co-founded PRAKSIS (Lembaga Penguatan Demokrasi dan Hak Asasi Manusia), an NGO dedicated to strengthening democracy and human rights in Southwest Sumba.{{cite web|url=https://wlf.or.id/id/news-and-stories-id/news-id/rri-talkshow-dialog-peran-kaum-muda-dalam-mewujudkan-pembangunan-di-daerah-2/|title=RRI Talkshow – Peran Kaum Muda dalam Mewujudkan Pembangunan di Daerah|website=wlf.or.id|access-date=2025-04-17}}

The organization conducts activities such as:

• Research and data analysis on local issues
• Advocacy through media (print publications and documentaries)
• Collaborations with government institutions, NGOs, academics, and artists
• Legal education for communities
• Promoting social inclusion and equality in education, health care, and economic opportunities

PRAKSIS was officially registered with Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights in 2018.

Jeremy places significant emphasis on advocating for women and children affected by human trafficking and slavery practices. He collaborates with [https://suarajarmas.com/yayasan-seraphine-sumba-gelar-pelatihan-mekanisme-pencegahan-perdagangan-orang/ Yayasan Seraphine Sumba], an organization that works to prevent human trafficking while rehabilitating victims.

A [https://www.sbs.com.au/language/indonesian/id/podcast-episode/human-trafficking-in-ntt/7s2htd3k0 podcast by SBS] also highlights the issue of human trafficking in NTT, underscoring the importance of Jeremy’s ongoing advocacy work.

Through his YouTube channel, Jeremy publishes stories of abused children and women to raise awareness both locally and globally. For over a decade, he has also organized screenings across Sumba to engage local communities in discussions about systemic abuse.

Jeremy organized the first two mass protests against slavery on Sumba Island. These historic events introduced public demonstrations to the island for the first time, challenging deeply entrenched practices of hereditary slavery.

In 2024, inspired by Jeremy's efforts, local students independently organized their own Sumba Bukan Pulau Budak ("Sumba Is Not a Slave Island") protest on International Labour Day—a significant milestone for youth-led activism on the island.{{cite web|url=https://suarajarmas.com/aliansi-masyarakat-peduli-kemanusiaan-desak-pemda-perhatikan-buruh/|title=Aliansi Masyarakat Peduli Kemanusiaan Desak Pemda Perhatikan Buruh|website=Suara Jarmas|date=10 May 2022 |access-date=2025-04-17}}

Jeremy frequently visits schools to educate students about human trafficking and slavery practices. He emphasizes the importance of connecting Sumba with global human rights discourses through international observances like Labour Day. He is currently planning a larger protest focused on the Day of Global Slavery Abolition but acknowledges that widespread poverty remains a challenge.

He also contributes to strengthening local journalism as a tool for democracy and advocacy, supporting initiatives such as [https://suarajarmas.com/tingkatkan-kualitas-wartawan-melalui-pelatihan-jurnalistik/ journalist training workshops]. His opinion essay on democratic space in the region was published in [https://www.timexntt.id/ruang-kosong-demokrasi-oleh-yeremias-bayoraya-kewuan/ Timor Express NTT].

Additionally, he supports policy initiatives such as advocating for local legislation (Perda) for the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) across every district in NTT.{{cite web|url=https://pemudakatolik.or.id/ntt-lumbung-pmi-pemuda-katolik-usul-perda-pelindungan-pmi-di-setiap-kabupaten/|title=NTT Lumbung PMI – Pemuda Katolik Usul Perda Pelindungan PMI di Setiap Kabupaten|website=pemudakatolik.or.id|date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2025-04-17}}

Jeremy Kewuan co-directed the documentary [https://www.flandersimage.com/titles/slave-island Slave Island] (2025) with Belgian filmmaker [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5430426/ Jimmy Hendrickx]. The film explores [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1757780224000398 hereditary slavery practices] on Sumba Island through the lives of three enslaved children—Witta, Rangga, and Kedo—who are held by their "master," Lucky. When 8-year-old Witta disappears after Kewuan returns her to Lucky following a trip to the city, he embarks on a quest to find her and confront Lucky.

The film had its world premiere at the Movies That Matter Festival in The Hague in March 2025.{{cite web|url=https://moviesthatmatter.nl/en/festival/film/slave-island/|title=Slave Island – Movies That Matter Festival|access-date=2025-04-17}} It later won the Best Belgian Documentary award at Docville.{{cite web|url=https://www.haraldhouse.com/post/slave-island-winner-of-the-belgian-section-at-docville|title=Slave Island – Winner of the Belgian Section at Docville|date=4 April 2025 |access-date=2025-04-17}}

The documentary reveals the physical abuse, trauma, and scars endured by these children while delving into the cultural mindset that perpetuates slavery. It highlights the enduring caste system in Sumba, where the Ata (slave class) remain subjugated under the Maramba (nobility), despite legal abolition of slavery.{{cite web|url=https://asianmoviepulse.com/2025/03/documentary-review-slave-island-2025-by-jimmy-hendrickx-and-jeremy-kewuan/|title=Documentary Review: Slave Island (2025)|website=Asian Movie Pulse|date=11 March 2025 |access-date=2025-04-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-ironi-perbudakan-di-sumba-saat-gadis-remaja-ditukar-dengan-kerbau|title=The Irony of Slavery in Sumba|website=Kompas|date=9 April 2025 |access-date=2025-04-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vprogids.nl/cinema/films/film~15799300~slave-island~.html|title=Slave Island – VPRO Cinema|access-date=2025-04-17}}

• [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11430969/?ref_=ttawd_awd_1/ Jeremy Kewuan on IMDb]
• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11990464/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk Slave Island (2025) on IMDb]
• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11990464/awards/?ref_=tt_awd/awards Jeremy Kewuan's awards on IMDb]
• [https://www.flandersimage.com/titles/slave-island Slave Island at Flanders Image]

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