Two prisoners die after attempted escape from Abepura Detention Facility – KOMNAS HAM suspects prison negligence
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- Published on Saturday, 22 June 2019 22:39
Ten convicts attempted to escape the Abepura Detention Facility (Lapas Klas IIA Abepura) in Jayapura on the 24 April 2019. A group of local residents discovered the escapees shortly after the escape and beat them before prison wardens brought them back to the detention facility. The Papuan representative office of the national human rights commission (KOMNAS HAM Papua) launched an investigation into the deaths of Maikel Ilinmaton (25 years) and Selyus Logo (27 years). The investigation was unable to prove whether the wardens had tortured the prisoners as a form of punishment for the attempted escape. However, the investigation came to the result that negligent behavior by the prison wardens was a contributing factor for the deaths of both prisoners.
Second extra-judicial killing in Wogikel Village within ten months
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- Published on Friday, 07 June 2019 23:46
The Papuan news outlet Tabloid Jubi published an article about another extra-judicial killing in Wogikel Village of the Ilwayap District, Merauke Regency. An intoxicated police officer with the initials RK shot dead Yohanes Octo Moiwend on 4 June 2019, around 0.30 am. The shooting occurred during a dispute between RK and Yohanes Octo Moiwend in front of a local bar. RK and two bar owners dragged Yohanes Moiwend outside the bar and collectively beat him. Witnesses stated that officer RK pulled his revolver and repeatedly hit Yohanes Moiwend with the gun handle before he released two shots. Yohanes Moiwend sustained a bullet wound near the ear, causing his instant death.
Political detainee’s physical condition deteriorates during detention – relatives request adequate medical treatment
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- Published on Friday, 07 June 2019 23:26
The ICP has received credible information regarding the deteriorating health condition of Papuan political activist Sami Lokon during custody. Sami Lokon was arrested in early January 2019. Police officers accused him of motor cycle theft but failed to provide a warrant and sufficient evidence for the arrest. Human rights activists claim that Sami Lokon was tortured during detention at the KP3 police station in the Jayapura harbor, where police officers attempted to force a confession from him. A police officer allegedly beat him with a wooden stick on the back and slapped him on the left and right cheek for ten times.
Although, Sami Lokon refused to sign the confession letter, the police charged him with article 480 of the Indonesian criminal code (KUHP) on reception and distribution of stolen goods. The criminal charges appear to be a pretext to criminalize Sami Lokon. During the police interrogations, officers repeatedly asked the activist about his relation to the West Papua National Committee, a political movement organization promoting the right to self-determination of the Papuan people through civil resistance and other peaceful activities.
The Mairasi Tribe protests against prolongation of logging concession
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- Published on Friday, 07 June 2019 23:14
Indigenous communities of the Mairasi tribe living in the villages Undurara, Wosimo and Inyora, Teluk Wondama Regency of Papua Barat Province are protesting against the prolongation of a logging concession on their ancestral land. The ministry for forestry affairs (now the ministry for forestry and environmental affairs) approved the logging concession for the company PT. Kurniatama Sejahtera (Number SK.648/Menhut-II/2009) on 15 October 2019. The Mairasi communities represent the view that the presence of the company has not contributed to the welfare of the local indigenous peoples. On the contrary, the presence of the company has resulted in heavy military presence, hence the Mairasi people do not longer feel safe on their own land. They demand the provincial agency for forestry and environmental affairs not to prolong PT. Kurniatama Sejahtera’s concession on their indigenous lands.
Terrorist organization allegedly established training camps in West Papua
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- Published on Friday, 07 June 2019 23:10
The police is currently investigating allegations regarding several training camps which have been established by the Islamist terror organisation Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). The police suspects that JAD trained recruited fighters in the Papuan regencies Merauke and Keerom. According to Indonesian terrorism expert, Al Chaidar Puteh, from the Malikussaleh University in Aceh, the JAD has several members owning companies and land in the Papua Province. The JAD cell based in Lampung, South Sumatra, claimed responsibility for the terror attack in central Jakarta on 17 January 2016.
Military member opens fire at group of protesters in Asmath regency – four protesters killed, another four injured
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- Published on Thursday, 30 May 2019 21:15
The forceful dispersal of a protest by a group of supporters of a local election candidate has resulted in the killing of four indigenous Papuans on 27 May 2019 in Basim Village in the district of Fayit, Asmath Regency. Four other protesters were injured during the incident. According to local media outlets the protest occurred shortly after the local election commission announced the election results. At 10.00 am, an angry mob of approximately 350 protesters began vandalizing the house of a newly elected local parliament member. Three military members - namely second sergeant Jamaludin Retop, corporal Eko Saputro and sergeant FR - who were guarding a nearby military post saw the incident and attempted to disperse the crowd using firearms instead of applying means of de-escalation.
AHRC on Indonesia: A Review of the Indonesian Government’s Obligation under International Human Rights Instruments in Regard to the Truth, Remedy and Justice of Gross Violations of Human Rights
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- Published on Thursday, 30 May 2019 00:17
AHRC-PAP-001-2019
May 30, 2019
By Chrisbiantoro1
Introduction
As a member of the United Nations (UN)2, Indonesia has ratified at least six major international human rights treaties3. Currently, Indonesia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council 4, therefore, it has obligations to increase the standard of human rights protection in its territory under the resolution of the UN General Assembly creating the Human Rights Council.5 This short paper will address the concern on the performance of the human rights obligations of the Indonesian’s Government in accordance with international human rights law, regional human rights instruments and national law.
The WCC Executive Committee Statement: Concern and Solidarity for West Papua
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- Published on Thursday, 30 May 2019 09:17
27 May 2019
Statement: Concern and Solidarity for West Papua
Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5: 24 (NRSV)
The executive committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Bossey, Switzerland, on 22-28 May 2019, recalls the many initiatives and expressions of concern about the situation in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and Papua Barat (together referred to herein as “West Papua” or “Tanah Papua”) by national, regional and international ecumenical and church-related organizations over many years. Since the joint World Council of Churches (WCC)/Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) delegation visit to Indonesia (including West Papua) in 1999, the WCC has repeatedly lifted up issues related to human rights, environmental degradation, and economic justice in West Papua, particularly from the perspective of the Indigenous Papuan people. The same concerns were raised through the Living Letters team visit to Indonesia in July 2008, and the WCC General Secretary’s visit to West Papua in June 2012, and underlined in WCC governing body statements (including by the executive committee in February 2012, and by the central committee in June 2016).
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