Imparsial, the Indonesian Human Rights Monitor, has expressed its deep regret at the action by the police who shot Mako Tabuni, the chairman of KNPB, the National Committee of West Papua, resulting in his death.
The executive director, Poengky Indarti said that if the police suspected that Mako Tabuni was involved in recent acts of violence , they should have acted in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code
‘It is extremely regrettable that the police shot Mako Tabuni, as a result of which this activist died,’ she said.
She went on to say that the police would have needed evidence in order the conduct an investigation. and if they did have such evidence in this case, Mako Tabuni should have been taken into custody and treated as a suspect.
‘The procedure would then be for the police to summon the person in question for interrogation. He can only be detained if there is reason to fear that he may abscond or commit a further crime.
A person can indeed be arrested if he is caught red-handed. But bearing in mind that this was not the case, the action by the police in arresting and shooting Mako Tabuni was a violation of the criminal procedural code, KUHAP.
‘Even if he had resisted, the security forces should not have taken action that resulted in his death. If he had offered resistance with a sharp weapon or with a firearm, the police should have first warned him of the consequences, and if forced to shoot, they should have made sure that this would not cause any fatal injuries.’
The Imparsial executive-director said that it was also very regrettable that the death of Mako Tabuni had made the situation in Jayapura worse than ever. The response to his death by members of the KNPB has resulted in the situation in Jayapura becoming very tense indeed. ‘We urge the security forces to take greater care in handling a case like this, and they should always act in accordance with the provisions of the law.’
The failings of the police can only result in the situation getting worse, reinforcing the occurrence of further acts of violence and causing the people to feel even more insecure.
[Translated by TAPOL]
Related articles
- KNPB leader Mako Tabuni shot dead by Aust-funded Indonesian Detachment 88 troops; riots in Jayapura (westpapuamedia.info)
- Chairman of KNPB arrested – many calls for his release (westpapuamedia.info)
- KNPB: We never seek justice from Indonesia (westpapuamedia.info)
- DPRP member warns: Continued detention of Tabuni could strengthen pro-independence ideas (westpapuamedia.info)
- Police who shot Papuans in Degeuwo must be arrested, says Imparsial (westpapuamedia.info)
- Imparsial: SBY must take action to stop the terror in Papua (westpapuamedia.info)
- New Matilda: SBY Ignores West Papua Murders (westpapuamedia.info)
- KNPB denies that violence occurred during its demonstrations (westpapuamedia.info)
- KNPB: Police Chief’s Statement Has No Legal Basis (westpapuamedia.info)
- Police issues ultimatum to Buchtar Tabuni (westpapuamedia.info)
West Papua Media Alerts 
The concern raised by the chairwoman of the ‘imparsial’ relates to ongoing gross human rights abuses and in particular regarding the slain of Mako M Tabuni is well appreciated.
The recent arrest of Chairman of KNPB Buchtar Tabuni and current murder of the KNPB’s Vice-Chair I – Mako M Tabuni is clear indication that the colonial authorities are detrmined to kill and suppress the leaders of the group (KNPB) based on notion that when the leaders are killed or reprimanded in jails the movement (peaceful struggle to demand referendum) will die away. They (the colonial authorities) are wrong in having formed such notion.
when leader/s killed, more leaders will raise up. So instead of fading the movement will grow from strength to strength.
Ccolonial authorities should realise and read the changed time now that it is time for them to turn to the dialogue with the Papuans. They should leave behind the ‘living sayings’ of their forefathers and fathers that ‘they annexed West Papuan with the blood so to leave West papua to choose its own destiny there has to be blood bath in papua’.
How much more blood papuans have to bled? How much more lives papuans have to lose?. Or are papuans not humans? are papuans animals? is the land of Papua a chamber of slaughtering and buthchering?.
Are there people with eyes, ears and heart out thre in regional and international governments and nations? Are the governments constituted of animals with no human hearts and brains?
Papuans urgently need inetervention of the united Nations peace keepers.
Ignatius Mujijauw