Tag: brutality

KomnasHAM-Papua condemns recent violence and makes recommendations

Bintang Papua. 15 August 2011

Jayapura: Komnas HAM, the National Human Rights Commission has condemned the brutal actions by unidentified people against innocent civilians as well as members of the security forces.that have occurred since June in
the province of Papua.

The chairman of Komnas HAM’s office in Papua, Julles R.A Onggen SH, together with other members of the commission called a press conference to discuss the security situation in Papua. They said that the significant increase in acts of violence was very worrying indeed, particular because of its impact on the need to safeguard peace in Papua.

They made the following points and recommendations:

First, they strongly condemned the many acts of violence perpetrated by unidentified persons towards the civilian population and members of the
armed forces acting in the course of their duties.

Second, they called on the police to take action speedily and objectively in accordance with the laws in force regarding acts of violence, while at the same time not forgetting to use the cultural approach in accordance with the terms of special autonomy to minimise these acts of violence.

Third, the Commission has set up a joint team consisting of the Komnas HAM, the DPRP, the provincial government of Papua, local governments, the churches and NGOs to investigate these acts of violence, each making their own specific contribution.

Fourth, it called upon all sections of the community to remain calm, not to be provoked, to live peacefully together, respecting each other in order to safeguard security.

Fifth, to request the military commander of Kodam XVII to clarify the issue of the KINGMI Church and it will set up a team to investigate the matter.

Sixth, in accordance with the provisions of article 34 of the Constitution, the Commission will seek the commitment of the national government as well as local governments to provide social security for the dispossessed, the poor, the street children and the unemployed people.

Seventh: in connection with the sixth point, to call upon the provincial government to put this into practice in accordance with the special autonomy law.

Other points dealt with the recognition of collective rights, including the need for peace, for development and for a healthy and clean environment. The provincial government should also ensure that civil and political rights are safeguarded, such as the right to compensation for those whose rights have been violated, freedom of thought and freedom of religion.

It also called on the provincial government to safeguard people’s economic, political and social rights, freedom from fear and impoverishment and from racial discrimination, the right to get a job with a decent wage.

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Reports of shooting in Paniai

JUBI, 17 August 2011

On 17 August, at 1.55 am, there was the sound of gunfire in Pagepota and
Uwibutu, two kampungs that are not far from Madi, the capital of the
district of Paniai. There were no reports of any casualties, however.

From another source in Paniai, it was reported that at 5am, armed
civilian groups believed to be part of the TPN/OPM were using two
locations in the vicinity of Madi as their base from which to attack the
Indonesian army and police based in Madi. This is near the building in
which the DPRD Paniai has its office.

As a result of the fact that the areas are now under the control of
armed civilian groups, people living in Madi are unable to travel
anywhere because it is through these areas that people travel back and
forth from Madi to Enaro and Bibida.

The gunfire stopped for a while but was heard again between 5am and 7am,
then at 9.30am and then later in Enarotali.

Two days earlier, spokesmen for the Synod of the KINGMI Church and the
Catholic Church in Paniai said that they were very worried about the
security situation in Paniai during the past few days. They said that
reports of armed conflict between the TPN/OPM and the security forces
have worried the population and some people have even decided to leave
their homes in search of somewhere safer.

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Acts of violence are damaging the Papuan people, says DPD member

Bintang Papua, 8 August. 2011

Sofia Popy Maipauw, a member of the DPD, the Council of Regional
Representatives, said that the recent upsurge in acts of violence that
have been occurring in the Land of Papua can be very damaging for the
Papuan people and called on those who are responsible for all this
violence to stop.

She said she doesn’t want to mention any names but insists that all
those involved in violence should stop. The incident in Ilaga, district
of Puncak Jaya and the Nafri incident in Jayapura have been very
harmful for indigenous Papuan people. These incidents have had damaging
consequences for the economy. People living in the kampungs are afraid
to come to the markets to sell their products, which can result in an
increase in the price of these products, she told journalists in Jayapura.

She went on to say that the indigenous Papuan people are much weaker
economically than other people in the province which means that these
acts of violence can be very burdensome for them.

‘I would like to know what the state intelligence agency, BIN, has been
doing all this time. The recent shootings in Papua are not the first
time such things have happened. They keep on happening but no action has
been taken against those responsible,’ she said.

She said that in November last year, a similar incident occurred in
Nafri but no one has been arrested and held to account for this
incident. Incidents like this, she said, give the Papuan people a very
bad reputation. Such stigmas must end so that Papuans can feel
comfortable as part of Indonesia.

She went on to say that SBY, the president, should not keep silent about
problems in Papua but should take action to prevent these incidents from
occurring and ensure that these incidents are dealt with seriously. She
said that this was a huge challenge for the new chief of police who
should take action regardless of who is involved. ‘The acting governor
of Papua should take responsibility for safeguarding the forthcoming
local elections. He should cooperate with the Elections Commission (KPU)
of the province of Papua to deal with any violations that occur during
the elections,’ she said.

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AP: Military Vows Crackdown in Papua Province [+Reject Calls for Referendum: Lawmaker]

From Joyo

also: JP: Reject Calls for Papua Referendum: Lawmaker

The Associated Press
August 4, 2011

Military Vows Crackdown in Papua Province

Indonesia’s army chief vowed Thursday to hunt down separatist rebels
after a swell in violence in the restive province of Papua killed two
soldiers and three civilians in less than a week.

They will be “chased down” and “cleaned up” by local military units,
said Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, a day after gunmen shot a military
helicopter in the hilly district of Puncak Jaya, a rebel stronghold
and longtime hotbed of separatist violence.

The chopper had flown into the remote region to evacuate Fana Hadi, an
army private who was wounded during an attack on his post Tuesday
morning.

Gunmen opened fire as it passed a hill, killing Hadi with a shot to
his left rib, local military officials said.

That shooting followed the killings of one soldier and three civilians
Monday, shot and hacked to death during an ambush on their minibus and
taxi near the provincial capital of Jayapura.

Five other people were injured.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the uptick in violence.

Papua is a former Dutch colony on the western part of New Guinea. It
was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot.

A small, poorly armed separatist group known as the Free Papua Movement has battled for independence ever since.

Nineteen people were killed in clashes between supporters of rival
political candidates in a seemingly unrelated violence Sunday. Because
of the violence, elections for district chief scheduled for Nov. 9
will be delayed, local media reported Thursday.

———————————-

The Jakarta Post [web site]
August 4, 2011

Reject Calls for Papua Referendum: Lawmaker

by Mariel Grazella

The chairman of the Papua and Aceh special autonomy supervisory team,
Priyo Budi Santoso, urged the government to send the military to Papua
if the referendum movement escalated to a mass rebellion.

Thousands of Papuans across the province have demonstrated to call for
a referendum on independence.

The demonstrations coincided with a series of attacks on police and
military posts in Puncak Jaya that have been blamed on the Free Papua
Movement (OPM).

“I urge law enforcers not to hesitate in taking firm action,” he said.

He added that if the situation escalated to rebellion, the “military
should be sent in if necessary”.

“We should remain persuasive but if the situation leads to [demands
for] a referendum; [we] should not hesitate in sending in the
military,” he said, adding that special autonomy was the “best formula
in addressing the problems of Papua”.”Therefore, I urge the government to firmly reject [the calls for a
referendum] because Papua is part of Indonesia and that is final,” he
added.

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Amnesty: URGENT ACTION FEARS FOR SAFETY of Human rights defender Yones Douw

AI has released an Urgent Action Update for Yones Douw. (5 August 2011)
The original Urgent Action concerning Yones was Issued on the 17 June 2011and is below the present one.


————————————

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/023/2011/en/95040490-098a-445d-81e2-20f94150781e/asa210232011en.html

DOCUMENT – INDONESIA: FURTHER INFORMATION: FEARS FOR SAFETY OF INDONESIAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST

FU UA: 188/11 Index: ASA 21/023/2011 Indonesia Date: 5 August 2011

URGENT ACTION

fears for safety of indonesian rights activist

Human rights defender Yones Douw has received medical treatment after he was beaten by military officers on 15 June. However, he continues to fear for his safety and the safety of his family after he received information that he is under surveillance by members of the Indonesian security forces.

On 1 July Yones Douw travelled to Jayapura, Papua province in Indonesia, to seek medical assistance for the injuries he sustained while monitoring a demonstration on 15 June. X-rays revealed a blood clot in his head and a fracture to his hand. He is still receiving medical treatment for these injuries and continues to feel pain at the back of his head and in his hand. He also suffers from frequent headaches.
While he was travelling to Jayapura for treatment, Yones Douw received information that a senior police officer in Nabire had contacted police intelligence officers in the district by SMS asking “Has Yones left Nabire, please check and keep a close eye on him”. On 15 July he was informed by a credible source that the Nabire District Police Station had ordered officers to monitor Yones Douw’s movements in Nabire. Since then Yones Douw has seen strangers waiting in the vicinity of his house and heard motorcyclists revving their engines as they pass by. Human rights groups have raised concerns in the past about individuals and groups being hired to intimidate human rights defenders, minority groups and others. Yones Douw fears for his safety, and the safety of his family.

Yones Douw was beaten while monitoring a demonstration calling for accountability for the stabbing and killing of Papuan Derek Adii on 14 May, reportedly by military officers. To Amnesty International’s knowledge there has been no investigation into the death of Derek Adii.
Please continue to write in English, Indonesian or your own language:
Urge the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Yones Douw, in accordance with his wishes;
Call for an immediate, effective and impartial investigation into the unnecessary and excessive use of force used against Yones Douw, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice in fair trials;
Call on the authorities to initiate an independent investigation into the possible unlawful killing of Derek Adii, and ensure that, should the allegations be verified, those responsible be brought to justice in fair trials and the victims receive reparations;
Call on the authorities to ensure that all members of the police and military are made aware of the legitimate role of human rights defenders and their responsibility to protect them, as set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
P LEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 16 SEPTEMBER 2011 TO :
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Patrialis Akbar
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav No. 4-5
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
Salutation: Dear Minister
Papua Police Chief
Inspector General Bekto Suprapto
Papua Regional Head of Police (Kapolda)
Jl. Samratulangi No. 8 Jayapura,
Papua, Indonesia
Fax: +62 967 533763
Salutation: Dear Kapolda
And copies to:
Chairperson National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)
Ifdhal Kasim
Jl Latuharhary
No.4 Menteng Jakarta Pusat
10310, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 39 25 227
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update of UA 188/11. Further information: www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA21/014/2011/en
———————————————————————————————————————————-

DOCUMENT – INDONESIA: PAPUAN ACTIVIST AT RISK FOLLOWING BEATING

UA: 188/11 Index: ASA 21/014/2011 Indonesia Date: 17 June 2011 Date: 17 June 2011
URGENT ACTION

PAPUAN ACTIVIST AT RISK FOLLOWING BEATING
Yones Douw , a human rights activist in the Indonesian province of Papua , was beaten by military officers on 15 June and has been denied medical treatment . He fears for his health and safety , as he has previously been detained and assaulted as a result of his human rights activities.
A protest took place at the 1705 District Military Command (Kodim) base in Nabire, Papua province, on the morning of 15 June, to call for accountability for the stabbing and killing of Papuan Derek Adii on 14 May 2011, reportedly by military officers from the 1705 District Military Command. At about 9am on 15 June, Yones Douw, a 42-year-old human rights activist, heard that a protest, which included family members of Derek Adii, was about to take place, and he went to the base to monitor it. Thirty minutes after he arrived, a group of protesters turned up in three trucks, broke into the front entrance of the base and started to shatter the windows and throw objects. Yones Douw immediately rushed into the base to calm the protesters.

In response, the military fired shots into the air and started hitting the protesters. Yones Douw was struck on the head with pieces of wood many times. He also sustained injuries on his shoulder and wrists from the beatings. As he was beaten he heard the military threaten to shoot the protesters saying “these animals should be taught a lesson”. A military officer also hit the father of Derek Adii, Damas Adii, with a piece of wood. After the beatings, Yones Douw travelled to the Siriwini hospital for treatment and to obtain a medical report, but was told by medical staff that he required a letter from the police before they could treat him. He then decided to go home and is still suffering from the injuries. He fears for his health and safety.
Yones Douw is a respected human rights activist in Papua and has been documenting human rights violations by the police and military over the last decade.


PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Indonesia n , English or your own language:
Urging the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Yones Douw, in accordance with his wishes, and ensure his immediate access to medical care;
Calling for an immediate, effective and impartial investigation into the beatings and the threats against Yones Douw, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice in fair trials;
Calling on the authorities to initiate an independent investigation into the possible unlawful killing of Derek Adii, and ensure that, should the allegations be verified, those responsible be brought to justice in fair trials and the victims receive reparations; and
Calling on the authorities to ensure that all members of the police and military are made aware of the legitimate role of human rights defenders and their responsibility to protect them, as set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 29 JULY 2011 TO :
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Patrialis Akbar
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav No. 4-5
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
Salutation: Dear Minister
Chairperson National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)
Ifdhal Kasim
Jl Latuharhary
No.4 Menteng Jakarta Pusat
10310, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 39 25 227
Salutation: Dear Ifdhal Kasim
Papua Police Chief
Inspektur Jenderal Bekto Suprapto
Papua Regional Head of Police (Kapolda)
Jl. Samratulangi No. 8 Jayapura,
Papua, Indonesia
Fax: +62 967 533763
Salutation: Dear Kapolda
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
PAPUAN ACTIVIST AT RISK FOLLOWING BEATING

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In January 2009, police officers kicked and punched Yones Douw during his arrest, after he attempted to intervene to stop clashes between police and demonstrators in Nabire. He and seven other demonstrators were denied access to the outside world and he was deprived of food and drinking water during his one day detention.
In recent years, there have been a number of cases of intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders and journalists in Indonesia, and human rights defenders are regularly intimidated and harassed in Papua. International human rights observers, non-governmental organizations and journalists are severely restricted in their work there.
Amnesty International continues to receive credible reports of human rights violations by the security forces in Indonesia, including torture and other ill-treatment and the unnecessary and excessive use of force. There are often no independent investigations into allegations of human rights violations, and those responsible are rarely brought to account before an independent court. In January 2011 three soldiers who had been filmed kicking and abusing Papuans were sentenced by a Military Court to between eight and 10 months’ imprisonment for disobeying orders. The fact that the victims were not able to testify because of the lack of adequate safety guarantees raised serious concerns about the trial process. Amnesty International believes that the civilian courts are much more likely to ensure both prosecutions for crimes involving human rights violations and protection for witnesses than the military system, which is unlikely to be impartial and independent.
While Amnesty International acknowledges the difficulties faced by security forces in Indonesia, especially when confronted with violence, the power to use force given to security forces is restricted by relevant international human rights law and standards, the basis of which is the right to life. The Indonesian authorities must ensure prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all credible allegations of human rights violations by the security forces. Those found responsible, including persons with command responsibility, should be prosecuted in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness, and victims provided with reparations.
UA: 188/11 Index: ASA 21/014/2011 Issue Date: 17 June 2011

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