Three policemen died due to clashes with military members
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- Published on Friday, 24 April 2020 10:31
Three police officers reportedly died as a consequence of disputes with military personnel in Kasonaweja, Mamberamo Raya regency on Sunday 12 April 2020 in the morning. Two died and three were injured during the clashes, one died later due to his injuries. Papua Police Chief Paulus Waterpauw stated that the incident was caused by a misunderstanding between both parties, which took place on Saturday. The Military Command and the Papua Police have reportedly formed a joint team to investigate the incident.
Amnesty Indonesia: Urge the Government to Immediately Protect the Rights of Health Workers!
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- Published on Thursday, 23 April 2020 15:16
Finally the Indonesian government is planning to distribute 105.000 protection materials to a number of hospitals and health services. However, these protection materials are prioritized in a way that gives focus on Java and Bali, Please help us to pressurize this distribution plan in a just and even manner through the whole country.
Medical staff, health workers and other people servicing the healthcare are in the frontline against COVID-19, but it is precisely their health and welfare that are being neglected.
24 doctors and 6 nurses have already died because they were infected during their duty with COVID-19 of exhaustion and long working hours. Who knows how many more will have the same fate.
Two health workers from the Dr Soekardjo Hospital in Tasikmalaya were forced to use a plastic raincoat when transferring people suspected of having the virus.
Two Papuans shot dead in Mimika - Military members allegedly mistook victims for resistance fighters
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- Published on Sunday, 19 April 2020 11:02
The circle of violence in West Papua continues as the aggravating armed conflict in the regency of Mimika resulted in the displacement of over 1,500 civilians, the killing of a Freeport worker and the arrest of a human rights defender and her relatives. Now, human rights defenders and media outlets reported the killing of two Papuan young men by members of the Indonesian military on 13 April 2020. According to relatives, Eden Armando Bebari (20 years) and Ronny Wandik (23 years) left around 8.00 am and went to a river at Mile 34 inside the Freeport concession area to catch fish. In the evening, relatives looked for Eden and Ronny because they had not returned to their homes. Their relatives only found the motorcycles at Mile 34. Around 11.30 pm, rumors spread in the town of Timika that soldiers of the military mobile border security unit Gab YR 712 and YR 900 had shot dead two members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB). The following day, the relatives were informed that the bodies of Eden and Ronny had been brought to the public hospital in Mimika.
Urgent appeals filed with UN by 63 political prisoners in Indonesia amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
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- Published on Thursday, 16 April 2020 23:39
By: Jennifer Robinson and Veronica Koman with the Support of TAPOL
(London, Sydney, 15 April 2020) Sixty-three political prisoners detained on treason charges in Indonesia have made a joint urgent appeal to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and UN Special Rapporteurs.
The 63 political prisoners instructed Jennifer Robinson and Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman, with the support of human rights organisation TAPOL, to bring their cases to the UN. The urgent appeal demonstrates that all 63 prisoners are being arbitrarily and unlawfully detained, in violation of Indonesia’s international human rights obligations.
Police officers arrest Papuan human rights activist and relatives in Mimika Regency – five allegedly beaten during custody
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- Published on Thursday, 09 April 2020 10:06
According to the Papuan online media outlet ‘Suara Papua’, police officers in Timika arrested five indigenous Papuans on 7 April 2020. Around 3.00 pm, Papuan human rights activist Ema Natkime (see intro image, Source: Suara Papua) and five of her relatives named Yohanis Wamang, Roni Wamang, Nangain Magai, Emarain Marai and Imelda Magai (still a minor) were driving to the village of Jayanti, Iwaka District, as police officers stopped their car. When the officers found basic food supplies in large quantities inside the car, they suspected the six passengers were supplying food to members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB). Subsequently, the police officers arrested the six passengers and brought them to the Kuala Kencana Sub-District police station.
Trial update on killing of Govt contractors in Nduga Regency – Mispo Gwijangge released
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- Published on Wednesday, 08 April 2020 19:51
Judges at the Jakarta Central Jakarta District Court have rejected the public prosecutor’s indictment in their interlocutory verdict on 8 April 2020. The judges’ decision brought an end to 333 days of arbitrary detention. During previous court hearings, Mispo Gwijangge’s lawyers and the Indonesian Commission for the protection of children (KPAI) requested a forensic examination of his teeth due to substantial indications that the defendant was still a minor. According to the forensic examination, Mispo Gwijangge was estimated to be around 16 years old – too young to be prosecuted under adult law. The defendant’s age was not the only procedural breach in the law enforcement process. The police and the public prosecution of Jayawijaya regency failed to provide access to a translator and legal support during the investigation. The Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) stipulates that law enforcement institutions are required to provide legal support to all suspects of criminal violations punishable with more than five years imprisonment during all stages of law enforcement. The team called on the National Police (Polri) and the Attorney General’s office to launch an investigation into the allegations regarding the abuse of authority by law enforcement officers.
One employee killed and six injured during TPN PB attack on Freeport office
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 April 2020 00:03
Media sources reported that members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) attacked the offices of mining company PT Freeport Indonesia (PT FI) in Kuala Kencana on 30 March 2020. Around 2.00 pm, a group of TPBN PB fighters armed with three firearms and traditional weapons reportedly attacked PT FI workers in front of the office building. One employee was killed during the attack (see intro image, source: Suara Papua), two others injured by bullets. Their condition is still critical. Four workers sustained minor injuries and received ambulant medical care at the Freeport Hospital.
Sixth update on trials and detentions after anti-racism riots in West Papua
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- Published on Saturday, 28 March 2020 01:43
This article provides an overview on trials related to Papua-wide anti-racism protests between late August and late September 2019 as well as the subsequent wave of criminalisation against human rights defenders and political activists. The International Coalition for Papua summarised earlier stages of the legal proceedings and detentions in previous articles (first update, second update, third update, fourth update, fifth update). The following article covers recent developments in relation to the riots throughout March 2020.
Statistical data suggests that Indonesian police officers reportedly conducted at least 525 arrests between 18 August and 25 September 2019. Subsequently, the police and the public prosecutors initiated legal processes against at least 116 suspects. Twenty-two of them have been charged with treason for participating in demonstrations against racism or peacefully advocating for the right to self-determination.
More Articles...
- Jokowi’s Omnibus Bill for job creation – Observers fear far-reaching consequences for West Papua
- Coronavirus has reached West Papua
- Papuan student arrested in Ambon for wearing a net bag with Morning Star symbol
- CSO demands access for Indonesian Red Cross to West Papua
- Armed conflict in West Papua aggravates throughout past weeks – over 1,500 IDPs flee to Timika
- Public worship in Nduga overshadowed by armed clash – Security forces kill one indigenous woman, at least three others injured
- Police officers fail to protect truck driver during mob attack in Dogiyai Regency
- Fifth Update on trials and detentions after anti-racism riots in West Papua
- Unrest throughout August and September 2019 results in 59 fatalities
- Joint security forces kill indigenous community leader and minor during raid in Intan Jaya