Despite the threat of resistance from the KNPB in response to a summons from the police to its chairperson, Buchtar Tabuni, the police chief, Drs BL Tobing said that they will continue to issue the summons the chairperson of the KNPB to take responsibility for the demonstrations.
‘We will give him until two or three weeks after Easter to respond to our summons. If he fails to respond, we will have to use force to bring him here.’
He said that the summons had been issued because the demonstrations were anarchic and the particpants had been carrying traditional weapons such as spears and bows-and-arrows and took place outside the Abepura Post Office and in Taman Imbi on Tuesday 20 March and Monday 2 April.
According to the chief of police, traditional weapons were only to be carried on ritual occasions
He said that the KNPB had broken its promise about the demonstration. He also said that the KNPB was trying to influence public opinion and had adopted the position of rejecting a police summons.
PAPUAN, Jayapura — The statement made by the Papua Regional Police Chief via the Deputy Regional Police Chief Brig.-Gen. Police Paulus Waterpauw in several media outlets on Tuesday (3/4), requesting that the Chair of West Papua National Committee (KNPB – Komite Nasional Papua Barat) Buchtar Tabuni take responsibility for protest action that was organized by KNPB on Monday (2/4), is evaluted to be without sound legal basis, and very premature.
This position was affirmed by KNPB (Vice-)Chair I, Mako Tabuni, who issued a statement to journalists at Prima Garden Café, Tuesday (3/4) in Abepura, Jayapura, Papua. In his statement, Mako clarified a few issues underlying KNPB’s rejection of the Police Chief’s reaction, given that from the start the Papua Regional Police failed to issue a letter acknowledging receipt of the notice for the action that was submitted by KNPB well in advance of the day of the demonstration.
“Papua Regional Police refused and did not issue a a Notice Receipt Letter, whereas we organized a peaceful demonstration featuring Papuan arts and culture, without violating the law of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI – Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia), said Mako to journalists.
“Arrows and spears are part of the Papuan nation’s cultural toolkit, and even this was clearly stated in our notice letter to the Regional Police, so how does it make sense for them to see demonstrators carry these objects and then to ask KNPB to take responsibility?” said Mako.
According to Mako, since decades ago the legal system of NKRI has occupied the Papuan nation, and this is a form of modern colonization which the Papuan people know and understand.
For this reason, Mako continued, KNPB is legally guaranteed the right to demand a referendum in the land of Papua, because the presence of the Indonesian government in Papua does not accord with international principles and standards from a standpoint of law, human rights and democracy.
Because, continued Mako, “From 1961 to 1969 the status of the territory of Papua was included in the United Nations’ decolonization category”.
Mako also denied that by calling the Chair of KNPB the mass actions in Papua will be stopped.
“Go ahead and call the Chair of KNPB, or even decide not to issue a demonstration permit to KPNB, but we will still mediate the people of West Papua to convey their demands and actions by other means”, stated Mako who has in the past been a political prisoner.
Mako also regretted the coverage in a number of mass media outlets, which is consistently biased in its perspective, and always judges each demo action negatively.
“Coverage like that harms KNPB, and harms the people of West Papua, so we invite media in Papua to show some consideration”, asserted Mako hopefully.
Previously, yesterday, Monday (2/4) a mass of thousands responded to the KNPB call for a peaceful demo action to show support for the Nieuw Guinea Raad conference and launching of the Netherlands branch of IPWP (International Parliamentarians for West Papua) which took place Wednesday (5/4).
This event was coordinated by the Free Papua activist in Britain, Benny Wenda, and a group of international lawyers who are members of IPWP, with a number of Netherlands Parliament members in attendance.
The Aliansi Demokrasi Untuk Papua – Democratic Alliance for Papua – has called on the Indonesian government and specifically on the police force to immediately arrest and charge the perpetrators of the serious bloody incident which occurred at the time of an attack on the ammunition dump of Kodim – district military command – 1702 in Wamena on 4 April 2003.
Cory Silva, speaking on behalf of the ALDP, said that the government should also provide a clarification about the incident.
She said that incident was a serious tragedy that led to the loss of many lives.
‘As far as we know, the government has failed to acknowledge responsibility for that incident and it has simply been swept under the carpet,’ she told journalists.
She called on Komnas HAM, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Attorney General’s Office, to provide information about any recent developments with regard to the case. It seems to us, she said, that the incident has got stuck somewhere between these two agencies.
‘We urge the government to provide clarifications with regard to any developments concerning the case. This would help explain things to the victims and to the general public,’
Cory went on to say that the police should arrest the perpetrators and bring them before the court. ‘If at all possible, the persons behind that incident should be arrested and face justice in accordance with the law of the land.’
The deputy director of the ALDP in Jayapura, Yusman Conoras, said the state should accept responsibility for those who became political prisoners in connection with the case, bearing in mind that they received heavy sentences. ‘Those who were held as tapols in connection with this case need special attention because of the heavy sentences they have had to serve,’ he said.
According to the available information, the security forces rounded up six persons whose names are as follows: Kanius Murib, Enos Lokobal, Jefrai Murib, Numbunnga Telenggen, Kimanus Wenda and Michael Hesello. They were tried and convicted by the district court in Makasar. They are at present facing proceedings before the Makasar State Court. The first three were sentenced to 20 years, while the other three were given life sentences.
One of the co-defendants, Michael Hesello, fell ill and died while he was being held in Gunung Sari Prison in Makasar. The others are at present facing proceedings at the Makasar State Court.
The KNPB – National Committee for West Papua– has denied allegations that violence occurred during demonstrations which it organised recently. In response to the decision by journalists to boycott activities organised by the KNPB which was recently announced, Mako Tabuni, the chairman of the national committee of the KNPB said at a press conference that the majority of journalists who operate in Jayapura are well known to the KNPB, and when people threw things at journalists, this occurred because the supporters of the KNPB were unable to recognise who were genuine journalists and who were not journalists but were members of the security forces in civilian dress who were posing as journalists.’We deny allegations that every time we organise demonstration, violence occurs. The truth is that when things are thrown and people are chased as happened on 20 March, these were members of the security forces wearing civilian clothing who were posing as journalists.’
Tabuni said that the KNPB would undertake to clarify any of the incidents that occurred during the demonstration which took place on 20 March.. ‘Ever since the KNPB has undertaken to promote the aspirations of the Papuan people, nothing has been done to harm national or local journalists, although some misunderstandings did occur.. Our activists and militants always do everything they can to protect journalists in all our activities, and we deeply regret what happened during our demonstration on 20 March.’
He referred to demonstrations which the KNPB organised on 2 May and 2 August 2011 when there were allegations that violence occurred and that someone at demonstration had stabbed a student.He denied that this had happened. He said that they had immediately gone to the police in Jayapura to ask about this allegation , but were referred to the police in Abepura. However none of them had produced any proof that such incident had occurred,.They also went to the hospital in Abepura to ask whether anyone who had been stabbed was being treated there, but there was no one being treated.
He said that it was very regrettable that such a report had appeared in the media who should be independent and neutral, and should not report something without having proof that it happened.
He also said it was very unfortunate that reports in the media about the demonstrations organised by the KNPB on 20 March had been greatly exaggerated
Meanwhile it has been announced that the KNPB will organise a Cultural Festival on 2 April on Taman Imbi, Jayapura.
KIMANUS WENDA, a prisoner usually detained in Nabire prison had an operation to remove a tumour from his stomach at Dian Harapan Hospital, Waena Jayapura on 14 March 2012. Wenda is detained for treason (makar) and is serving a 20 year prison sentence.
According to Peneas Lokbere from United for Truth (Bersatu Untuk Kebenaran), an organisation which provides support for political prisoners in Papua, the operation began at 10:00 and lasted for two hours.
“After the operation he was transferred to the inpatient ward. The procedure went well without any obstacles,” said Lokbere. A growth and a hernia were operated on, and he was given six stitches.
Wenda was hospitalised until Saturday 17 March 2012. On Satuday, Dr Trajanus Lauretius said that Kimanus could go “home” to the jail in Abepura, but that every Tuesday he needs a check-up at the Dian Harapan Hospital.
Lokbere took Wenda to Abepura jail on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday Lokbere came back to bring his medication. According to Lokbere, Kimanus Wenda said that two staff from the jail came into his cell. All his belongings – including his clothes and medicines – were turned upside down with no clear reason. He was offended by being treated in such an impolite manner while he was just recovering from an operation.
Kimanus Wenda is actually listed as a prisoner at Nabire jail. However he cannot return to Nabire at present because he needs to recover properly first and have the stitches removed from his stomach.
According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, Kimanus Wenda started
to complain of feeling ill in 2010, and was vomiting frequently. The doctor at Nabire prison examined him and said that he needed to be examined in Jayapura. However, the Ministry for Justice and Human Rights said that they could not pay for an operation in Jayapura. They claimed they didn’t have the money to cover the costs of the operation.
An official of Nabire jail disagreed that Wenda was ill. The proof? Kimanus Wenda could still play volleyball in the prison field in Nabire. His obstructive behaviour prompted Peneas Lokbere to gather funds for Wenda’s operation. Various non-governmental organisations have contributed to the cost of the journey, transfer between the Nabire and Abepura prisons, and the medication for Kimanus Wenda.
According to the Facebook page of TAPOL, an organisation which provides support for political prisoners, their internet fundraising campaign using the gofundme.com website raised £2,000, [which included £1,040 in direct donations and an anonymous private donation of £1,000 – TAPOL]. They channelled the funds through Peneas Lokbere and friends in Jayapura.
At present, Lokbere is monitoring Kimanus Wenda’s recovery in Abepura prison. Once he recovers and the stitches are out, Wenda will return to Nabire prison. According to Indonesian law, the Indonesian government is responsible for providing prisoners with healthcare.
However, the problem of budgets is often used by the Ministry for Justice and Human Rights as an excuse for not complying with this regulation.
Ironically, the Indonesian government has also banned the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from working in Papua since March 2009, despite the fact that ICRC often helps the families of prisoners to visit the detainees. The ICRC also usually gives support for medication for prisoners, no matter who they are.
Peneas Lokbere and TAPOL are now collecting funds for an operation for Jefrai Murib who is currently in Biak prison. Jefrai Murib is suspected of having suffered a stroke on 19 December 2011. The left side of his body and his left arm and leg have lost all sensation. Murib has been examined at the Biak General Hospital, where the doctor’s diagnosis was that he needs to be examined at the General Hospital in Jayapura.
West Papua Media Alerts 