National Liberation Army (TPN/PB) Spokesperson Arrested in West Papua

Media Alert

Sunday 13 September 2009

National Liberation Army (TPN/PB) Spokesperson Arrested in West Papua

A peaceful resolution to West Papua’s long-standing conflict with Indonesia has suffered a serious set-back with the arrest by Indonesian authorities of leading pro-peace activist Jonah Wenda.

Mr Wenda was detained in Sele District, Sorong Regency, in the western part of West Papua, on 6 September, and was formally arrested on 11 September on the grounds of being investigated for subversion (makar) at Papua Regional Police (POLDA) in Jayapura, Papua.

Mr Wenda is a spokesperson for the military wing of the West Papua liberation movement, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB, or Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, formerly known as TPN/OPM).

However, despite working for peace, Mr Wenda is now being held pending being charged with undermining the Security of the State (subversion).

Australian-based spokesperson for the WPPWG (West Papua Peace Working Group, formerly known as West Papua Peace Task Force), Ms Paula Makabory (footnote 1) , described the arrest of Mr Wenda as a serious set-back to finding a peaceful resolution to the continuing troubles in West Papua. She said: ‘Mr Wenda has been working for the past three years with the West Papua Peace Working group to bring about a cessation of hostilities between the forces of the Republic of Indonesian and the indigenous people of West Papua’.

Paula Makabory said: ‘To this end, the West Papua Peace Working Group and Jonah Wenda have facilitated the formation of unified West Papuan political and civil society umbrella organisation called the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL).

’The WPNCL, which includes representatives of the TPN-PB, has expressly sought to commence peaceful dialogue with the Indonesian President and the Republic of Indonesian over issues of the political control and administration of West Papua as a remedy to the impacts of Indonesian Government policies on the West Papuan people.”

”Jonah Wenda has been acting for past two years as ‘media spokesperson’ for the TPN-PB in West Papua. In this role he has meet with the TPN-PB military commanders throughout West Papua to gain support for peaceful negotiation with the Republic of Indonesia. Jonah Wenda plays an important part of the movement to unite West Papuan resistance groups and support them to pursue a strategy of non-violent political change. “

The TPN-PB (or as the TPN/OPM) has been fighting a war of succession in West Papua since Indonesia took control of the territory in 1963.

West Papuan grievances include, disputing the way the territory was incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia during the 1960s, traditional land rights and resource rights and control; widespread killings, human rights violations and abuse by the security forces; unregulated migration; impacts of large scale resource exploitation particularly mining, logging and plantation establishment; economic disadvantage through a development and civil policy that does not benefit indigenous land owners; environmental destruction; political repression, institutional racism and discrimination.

After East Timor achieved independence in 1999 and the conflict in Aceh was resolved through an international peace accord in 2005, West Papua remains Indonesia’s largest unresolved territorial dispute.

For further information, please contact:

Paula Makabory on +61(0)402547517;

Steve Waramory/Defense Lawyer on (+62) (0)85254831555;

Chris Warinussy/Defense Lawyer on (+62) (0) 81344694500

Photo available at http://ipahr.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/jonah-wenda/

INSTITUTE FOR PAPUAN ADVOCACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS (IPAHR)
PO Box 1805
Byron Bay, NSW 2481
Australia
Tel Matthew Jamieson +61 (0) 418291998

1/ Paula Makabory is a board member of Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights and is spokesperson for West Papua Peace Working Group and the Human Rights organisation Els-ham West Papua.

West Papuan Political Prisoner is physically abused by Public Prosecutors and Police in Jayapura Courthouse

Human Rights Report                             23April 2009

West Papuan Political Prisoner is physically abused by Public Prosecutors and Police in Jayapura Courthouse

Indonesian Public Prosecutors have triggered an attack against a Political Prisoner,  Buchtar Tabuni,  at the Jayapura District Court, 22 April 2009, in Jayapura, West Papua

On Thursday 22 April 2009, Buchtar Tabuni, was taken by members of the public prosecution team and police from prison to attend a hearing of his trial at the Jayapura District Court. The hearing was scheduled to hear the testimony of an expert witness.

Upon entry to the courthouse Buchtar requested to be put in the cell at the back of the court.  He said that wished to see his defense lawyer’s as had been the usual practice before the trial commenced. Team members of public prosecutor and police responded to his request with repressive actions by dragging and beating Buchtar and forcing him into the court cell.

During the incident Buchtar Tabuni said he was held tightly by 3 of the team members of public prosecutor office while he was attacked by members of the Indonesian Police and Indonesia security forces intelligent agents, who were wearing civilian’s clothes and carrying pistols. The Police and intelligence agents beat him and kicked him.  This resulted in him suffering back and backbone pain and a wound to his left arm and blisters on his feet.  A witness also independently verified that he saw the members of public prosecutor drag Buchtar forcefully and police beat him.

Buchtar said that he was trying to protect his head and face from the attackers while being held and dragged.   Buchtar said that members of public prosecutor who were holding his arms had also laid their hands on him. He said that he was hit by a hard object at his back and his arm when he covering his head during the attack. This was confirmed with the medical report (Fig.2 below), that states 1.there is a scratch wound at left elbow; 2.there is a pain in the back bone; 3.there is a pain oat the leg marks of beaten. The diagnose states there is a wound (ulkus luka) and marks of in sharp object (trauma tumpul).

One of Buchtar’s defense lawyers said the hearing was cancelled because the expert witness did not show up.  He said that Buchtar Tabuni’s defense team was angry at the police and members of public prosecutors because these two institutions used violence against their client.

He said that the incident happened while team of defense lawyers were waiting in their room and had not realized that Buchtar had been taking to the courthouse through another gate (not the usual one).   The defense lawyer also reported that 80% of the courtroom was stacked by Indonesian security forces members, including intelligent agents.

The defense lawyer said that in front of judges, the public prosecutor pronounced that he got a direct order from his superior (office of Chief Public Prosecutor) to bring Buchtar through non-formal gate, but did not state a clear reason for this change of procedure. The Judge asked the Public Prosecutor to take Buchtar Tabuni to the hospital and that he be checked by a doctor immediately.

Instead Buchtar was taken to Abepura prison by Public Prosecutor and left there. His defense lawyers came at the prison and asked officials of the prison to provide a medical treatment and check (visum report) in the prison for Buchtar.

Buchtar received a medical check by a nurse, appointed to work as a health worker in the prison.   Some of his defense team then went to the police office to report the incident.

On 18 February 2009, Buchtar Tabuni (30) had been charged under article 106 of the Criminal Code regarding ‘makar’ or ‘subversion’, Article 160 of the Criminal Code regarding acts of incitement (rebellion) and article 212 of the Criminal Code regarding resisting personnel of the state, on his first trial. Buchtar Tabuni was arrest on 2 December 2008 in relation to a mass demonstration, which occurred in Jayapura supporting the establishment of International Parliamentarians for West Papua, which took place in London of 15 October 2008.

Paula Makabory from Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights said today,  “This attack on Buchtar Tabuni shows the fundamental bias in the Indonesian judiciary system in courts prosecuting West Papuan political prisoners.  There is little hope that Indonesian judicial procedure will bring about a fair or safe trial for Buchtar Tabuni and the many other West Papuan political prisoners.”

“A culture of injustice, persecution and Human Rights abuse exists within Indonesian state institutions which are hostile to West Papuan people.  Indonesian state institutions, such as public prosecutors office and the court system, which have obligations under International law and Indonesia’s national laws to ensure justice for West Papuan people are actually at the fore front of the attack on the indigenous people of West Papua and their civil & political rights.”

Reported by Paula Makabory
Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (IPAHR)

For  further information contact:

Paula Makabory   (+61) 402 547 517; or

Buchtar Lawyers for Indo interview:
1.    Gustaf Kawer (+62) 813 1915 0718
2.    Peter Ell (+62) 8124 808 500
buchtar-tabuni230409-photo

Human Rights in West Papua deteriorates with shootings, arrests and orchestrated violence reported in Nabire

Human Rights Report 8 April 2009

Human Rights in West Papua deteriorates with shootings, arrests and orchestrated violence reported in Nabire

The human rights situation in West Papua continues to deteriorate before Indonesia’ General Election tomorrow. Local people have been shot and critically injured in a operation reportedly organised by Indonesian security forces against West Papuan demonstrators in Nabire on the 6 April 2009.

This report provides details of nine people who are confirmed shot by security forces. A policeman was also wounded by a traditional arrow in Nabire on the 6th April and many other protesters and police are reported to have also suffered injuries.

Paula Makabory from Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said today, “Reports received from Nabire indicate that the violent confrontation that occurred on Monday the 6 April between the security forces and Pro-independence protesters was actually promoted by a Pro-Indonesian militia member and other Papuans working with the Indonesian security forces.” “The fact that there are reports that the Indonesian security personnel were positioned in the buildings & armed clearly suggests that this confrontation and the subsequent shooting and wounding of civilians was planned & staged by the Indonesian security forces.”

“This incident occurred following two other Pro-Independence rallies by about 15,000 local people in the town of Nabire, and another of 10,000 people in the Wamena district on Friday-the 3 April which the police had attempted to prohibit. Rally organizers ignored the attempted ban claiming their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.”

The protesters at both these rallies said they were supporting the launch of the group “International Lawyers for West Papua” [ILWP] and said they would boycott Indonesia’s general elections this year. Protesters also called for a referendum on self-determination. A report containing information about the incidents in Nabire on 6 April 2009 is detailed below.

For further information, including video footage of the protesters contact: Paula Makabory Institute for Papuan Advocacy & human Rights (+61) 402 547 517;  or Matthew Jamieson (+61) 418291998;

— 1.0 Events in Nabire from 30 March to 6 April 2009

The KNPB (National Committee for West Papua) set up their tents on 30 March 2009 as a base camp for KNPB in Nabire, under the leadership of Zeth Giay. On Friday 3 April 2009, the KNPB held a large rally with more than 15,000 people involved. This peaceful rally was in support of the launch of International Lawyer for West Papua (ILWP). The rally also called for a referendum in West Papua and a boycott of the Indonesia Election and a demand for Independence for West Papua. One of the organisers of the rally and the chair of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) for Nabire, Zet Giay, said the rally had been the biggest ever in Nabire. ‘We support the launch of ILWP in America and we know that we are not Indonesian, we are Papuan, Melanesian, so we will not vote in the Indonesian Public election 2009,’ Mr Giay said. He added that the protesters would continue to rally against these attacks by the security forces and in support of the ILWP. The protesters were also calling for investigations into the widespread human rights violations that have occurred in West Papua, and for a review of the 1969 so-called ‘Act of Free Choice’, which saw West Papua’s formal incorporation into Indonesia. On Saturday the 4 April 2009, KNPB sent an information letter to the police precinct to let them know about the second rally that was to be held on Monday 6 April. There was no response from the police.

2.0 Raid on KNPB Protest camp

On Monday the 6 April 2009, at around 3am (Papua local time) there was a raid on the KNPB camp in Taman Bunga Bangsa, Oyehe, Nabire. Two tents that had been set up since the 30 March 2009 were burned by the police . The police also searched for Morning Star flags and other political articles. The Nabire Police Precinct under the command of Police Chief AKBP. Rinto Jadmoko, SIK, then arrested 15 people from the KNPB group. One man Jerry Nawipa (Male/ 18 Years old) was shot with a bullet during this police raid on the KNPB camp. The Taman Bunga Bangsa grounds is the location that was used by the West Papua people to raise the Morning Star in a series of flag raising in 1999 and 2000. According to a local KNPB organizer, after the raid the KNPB and their supporters decided to continue the rally and focus their next rally at Taman Bunga Bangsa Oyehe. They decided that the people who were living in each of the regions of Oyehe, Siriwo and Karang Tumaritis would gather and travel together to meet at Taman Bunga Bangsa . The KNPB planned not do a long march to DPRD (Local Provincial Assembly) and to focus their next demonstration at Oyehe. There was some concern reported at that time that their protest was infiltrated by Papuans working as informers for an Indonesian security forces intelligence group (TBO).

3.0 Indonesian militia in Karang Tumartis protest

Later in the morning of the 6 April at about 8am, one of KNPB organizers passed the Karang Tumaritis area and saw that people were blockading the road. A local man, Alipin Pigay, who is recognized as being from a militia group from the Nabire Military District Command (KODIM), was seen clearly encouraging the other demonstrators. Another 6 Papuans who work as TBO (Tenaga Bantuan Operational/ Operational Field Helper) for the Indonesian security forces intelligence organisation, were also seen among the people who were blocking the road. This KNPB organizer told the protesters that he wanted them to clear the road and wait beside the market or in the taxi terminal or by the road at Karang Tumaritis. He told the people that they had to choose to follow the instructions of KNBP or this other party. He asked them to wait for the other KNPB organizers to join the rally from Karang Tumaritis to Oyehe. A local community member who also recognized Alipin Pigay reported that it was Alipin Pigay who encouraged the protesters to block the road and to attack the traffic policemen and the police car. According to this source Alipin Pigay was the first to throw stones at the traffic police and their car. It was reported that Alipin Pigay and the others from TBO encouraged the other people to violently resist the Police and throw stones and then to fire arrows against the traffic policemen. Bribda Jejen (Male/ 24 Years old) a policeman, was shot with an arrow. He was shot during the incident when the police attacked the protesters at Karang Tumaritis. The traffic police had tried to clear the road to allow an army truck from TNI Battalion 753 to pass through. Some people were also arrested by the Nabire police precinct at that time in Karang Tumaritis. An eye witness said that there were casualties on both sides, the Indonesian police and the protesters who were fighting. The police troops were using machine guns and stones against the protesters and the protesters were using arrows and stones against the police. Metro TV has shown footage of this conflict between protestors and police.

4.0 Hidden Security forces and shooting around Karang Tumaritis

According to another local witnesses Indonesian security force intelligence officers with long and short guns were seen hiding in a second floor house in front of the Effata church in Karang Tumaritis and other houses that belonging to non-Papuans around the Karang Tumaritis area before the incident/protest on the road occurred. Those security forces reportedly shot at civilians who were not involved in the conflict & demonstration on the road around Karang Tumaritis. These local people were passing the location of the protest to reach their houses and were shot at by the security forces. Local Human Rights sources reported that while the Police troops were attacking groups protesting on the road and the concealed security forces were shooting as people went past the protest to reach their homes. The shooting in Karang Tumaritis resulted in many civilians suffering server bullet wounds. Reports from Nabire said eight shot with seven of the injured being treated at Emergency Unit (UGD) in the Nabire public hospital. The News Service from Reuters confirms 11 hospitalised in Nabire with serious bullet wounds. It is not clear who the police shot amongst the protesters on the road. Reports provided to IPAHR suggest that 7 people who were shot and injured but were not part of the protest. These people were said to be shot in the vicinity of the protest, amongst this group was an orphaned 4 grade elementary student Albertus Tagi. The shooting of Fritz Singamui and Albertus Tagi had clearly no link to the protest.

Details of victims shot at Karang Tumaritis District, Nabire 6 April 2009:

1. Fritz Samuel Singamui / Roy (Male 30 Years old) is dying in hospital in a very critical condition. He was shot with a real bullet in the left side of the chest, the bullet passed through to his left shoulder blade. He is in a coma in Nabire Public hospital. He was shot when he was trying to take a short cut with his motorcycle to his house. The Indonesian Police members attacked him and pushed him off his motorcycle into the gutter and shot him on the ground. He was not involved in the demonstration. Fritz has been working for an NGO called VCI, which focuses on community service providing clean water, natural disaster relief, promoting health for women and children, and raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. Fritz was reported to be evacuated to Makassar, Sulawesi, for further medical treatment.

2. Albertus Tagi (Male/10 Years old) is an orphan, a 4th grader student at the local elementary school. He is in a very critical condition in Nabire hospital. He was shot with a real bullet in his right ribs as he approached his house after school. He was not in the demonstration. He was sent home early in the morning before the visiting of the Papua Regional Police Chief to the hospital that was planned for the 7 April 2009. According to the medical workers who told activists that as an orphan, Albertus, has no one to look after him in the hospital was sent home.

3. Yunandi Pigome (Male/28 Years old), is a farmer. He is reported to be dying in Nabire hospital. He was shot with a real bullet, the bullet entered his left back skull bone, passed through the front skull and went out above his left eye brow. He was shot on his way to his house. He was not involved in the demonstration.

4. Ipo Boga (Male /28 Years old), a farmer, he was shot with a real bullet in the buttocks and the bullet passed through near his genitals. He went to the local market and bought some rice and was returning home when shot. He was not involved in the demonstration.

5. Hengky Boma (Male/ 25years old), a farmer, was shot in his right thigh. He is supposed to have an operation at Nabire hospital today (April 7, 2009). He was not involved in the demonstration.

6. Alfonse Yeimo (Male/ 22 Years old), a student was shot in the forehead, lost lots of blood.

7. Yafeth Keiya (Male/26 Years old) a farmer, he was shot in the right wrist, he was not involved at the demonstration, he was on his way to market. w

8. Hengky Tenouye (Male/ 20 Years old), a farmer, he was shot on the left side of his chest. He was not involved in the demonstrations.

For further information, including video footage of the protest rally, contact: Paula Makabory (+61) 402 547 517;  or Matthew Jamieson (+61) 418291998;

Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights PO Box 1805 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister poor stance on West Papuan Human Rights

The following work is by Monaro Chrisitan Forum and is taken from report published by US based ETAN.

Stephen Smith defends Australia’s historic human rights stance in West Papua
The Dept. Foreign Affairs and Trade has written to the Monaro Christian Forum to defend the track record of this and previous governments in speaking up for human rights in West Papua.

A letter signed by about 50 Monaro Christians, community members and with the support of members of the Sydney Muslim community has asked for evidence that the Rudd Government is dealing with the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua more effectively than previous governments have.

The letter ( Letter to Stephen Smith) outlines that not only are the Indonesian military (TNI & Kopassus) still involved in well documented atrocities such as beatings, kidnapping, rape, torture and murder of Papuans, but the officers involved are still being protected from prosecution for their actions. The letter asked for evidence that this government was strengthening its stance in ways such as involving the international community as recommended by a Joint Select Committee on Treaties in 2007.

The response from Mr Smith’s office( Letter from Smith office) was extremely disappointing for the following reasons.

1) As with the Howard Government and in denial of the UN findings and numerous reports from human rights organisations, abuses are referred to only as “alleged” abuses. It appears that the current diplomatic stance is still to downplay the abuses publicly. A 2003 report by the United Nations into abuses by the Indonesian military in East Timor found that this diplomatic policy was instrumental in allowing Indonesia to continue with these abuses for so many decades.

2) The letter defends the actions of previous Governments with the words: “The Australian Government has a strong track record of representations in urging the Indonesian Government to investigate alleged human rights abuses”. Presumably this track record includes the original turning of a blind eye when Indonesia falsified the 1969 “Act of Free Choice” where 1000 West Papuans were forced at gunpoint to vote for their country to be put under Indonesian control. It would also include the Keating Government’s efforts to confiscate footage of the 1993 Santa Cruz massacre by Indonesian troops before it could be shown internationally. More recently it would include the Howard Government’s suppression of Defence Intelligence showing the Indonesian “Scorched Earth” policy for the massive slaughter of East Timorese when they voted for independence in the 1999 Referendum, and Mr Howard’s efforts to draft legislation that would stop legitimate West Papuan refugees from being given asylum in Australia.

It would have been a little heartening if the DFAT letter had at least recognised past failures, but unfortunately it seems this Government has chosen to close ranks with the very Government that was voted out for its weak and selfish stance on such issues. It’s understandable – new oil deals in West Papua provide Australia and the US with the opportunity to postpone our energy crises for just a little longer if we can keep Indonesia happy with us. Not only this, but retired General Prabowo Subianto, a former head of the Kopassus (Indonesia’s Gestapo) responsible for a range of massacres is rapidly rising in power and appears to be a serious contender for the upcoming Presidential elections in July.

I don’t envy Mr Rudd’s position. To stay in charge and get the support necessary for important changes Governments need to make popular decisions. It would be very unpopular if we were to lose important trade deals or peaceful diplomatic relations with Indonesia. Unpopular, but to us Christians aren’t there worse things? It does seems that to gain this part of the world we are being asked to lose our souls. I wonder how much this matters to Australian Christians; how many of us are prepared to put the welfare of our Papuan brothers ahead of our own pockets?

http://bloodwoodtree.org/2009/02/22/stephen-smith-defends-australias-historic-human-rights-stance-in-west-papua/

West Papua: Michael Buerk creates moral dilemma

Michael Buerk creates moral dilemma

Michael Buerk has managed to offend West Papuans on The Moral Maze – the Radio 4 programme that he presents – by calling them “primitive” and suggesting they kill outsiders. Tim Walker Last Updated: 6:06PM GMT 25 Feb 2009 A spokesman for Elsham, Papua’s leading human rights organisation, says: “I’m surprised an experienced journalist like Mr Buerk should say something that is both offensive and totally wrong. The people being killed in Papua are ordinary Papuans, by the Indonesian military and police. At least 100,000 have been killed. It would be nice to get journalists covering this, rather than regurgitating racist stereotypes. “Mr Buerk’s comments will reinforce public opinion that indigenous West Papuans are not capable of making their own decisions about their land, their natural resources and their forests, and that they should not be accorded human rights like other human beings. “It will reinforce the idea that to be oppressed and colonized, under an Indonesian occupation, is the right thing for us. “It would be better for Mr Buerk and his media to work with the UK government to pressure Indonesia’s government to make West Papua open to the outside world. That means allowing journalists to enter. That way, Mr Buerk could visit West Papua, meet West Papuans and judge the situation himself.” Surely, morally, Buerk ought to apologise and even, perhaps, consider devoting a programme to debate the issue? ————————

2) BBC Papua report labelled dangerously wrong RNZI Posted at 01:17 on 26 February, 2009 UTC Survival International, a British-based campaign group for the rights of tribal peoples, has criticised a top broadcaster over comments he made in apparent reference to Papuans. In comments on his BBC radio programme, ’Moral Maze’, the presenter Michael Buerk said the only really primitive societies to survive into the modern age were the tribes in the remote parts of New Guinea. Mr Buerk added that whenever they come across a stranger they kill them. In a statement, the director of Survival International, Stephen Corry, described Mr Buerk as dangerously wrong. Mr Corry said that little-contacted peoples had very good reason to fear outsiders, who he said had brought death and destruction in their wake. Mr Corry said the tribal people’s hostility and fear which he said characterised new contacts, had nothing to do with their being primitive. There’s been no response from Mr Buerk. Two years ago, Boris Johnson, who’s now Mayor of London, was criticised for saying his fellow politicians had been involved in what he called Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing. Mr Johnson later apologised to the PNG government for his remarks. He added he was sure that Papua New Guineans, as he put it, led lives of blameless bourgeois domesticity.

Dutch academic critical of Indonesian military role in Papua

Dutch academic critical of Indonesian military role in Papua
RNZI Posted at 01:37 on 16 February, 2009 UTC
The author of a controversial report on Papua has criticised Indonesian military tactics in the province.
The leading Dutch historian, Professor Pieter Drooglever, says it’s not the civil authorities, but the military apparatus that’s really in power in Papua.
He says the military does not have much patience with rebellious acts.
“For instance, demonstrations that took place in Manokwari – quite an innocent affair, you would say, from a distance, a couple of students are hoisting a flag… the Morning Star flag… but they are beaten up and put in prison, and now eleven of them have been sentenced, for three and a half years of prison, and no pleasant prison I suppose.”
Professor Drooglever says a solution to the Papua conflict is likely to come sooner if civil authorities are more involved.
Professor Drooglever wrote as groundbreaking report for the Dutch government in 2005, that was heavily critical of the United Nations referendum nearly forty years ago, which legitimised the Indonesian takeover of the region.

West Papua: Buchtar Tabuni on trial for subversion

Cenderawasih Post, 18 February 2009
[Summary only]

A 29-year old Papuan, Buchtar Tabuni, was due to go on trial today in Jayapura, charged with subversion (makar). The charge arises from an action he took, along with other West Papuans, in response to the launch in London on 16 October last year of International Parliamentarians for West Papua.

Buchtar Tabuni graduated in technology at a university in South Sulawesi.

The police announced that a heavy guard would be mounted round the courthouse, including two infantry units, two police units and a unit of Brimob troops. The security forces were being kept in readiness for all eventualities should there be problems inside or outside the courthouse. A senior police office said that they had received a request for a demonstration to take place, although without the required 72 hour notice. The officer also said that the names of those making the request were not clear.

According to Cenderawasih Pos, his lawyer, Pieter Eli, SH announced that a large number of lawyers are ready to defend him. Altogether no fewer than 45 lawyers have expressed a desire to be part of his defence team.

Pieter Eli told the press than his client was fit and well and ready to face the trial, although he had lost weight and was now thinner than before.

Today’s hearing would be devoted to the presentation of the case against the accused. Response from the defendant and his team will follow shortly.

The lawyer, Pieter Eli, said that Buchtar was ready to defend himself against the charges. ‘He says that he is somewhat confused because what he did was nothing more than the expression of an opinion.’ Responding to allegations that his client was pursuing separatist aspirations, he said that such accusations were not objective.

The lawyer said he had held discussions with the court regarding the large number of lawyers who want to be part of his defence team, and arrangements would be made to enable as many of the lawyers as possible to attend the trial, in view of the size of the court.

It was also likely that a large number of Buchtar’s friends and supporters would want to attend the court hearings. Among those wanting to attend were members of the Association of Central Highlands Students. How many exactly would come was not known. The trial is open to the public and has been announced to the public, so there’s no telling how many people might turn up in support of the defendant who is known as someone who struggles for the aspirations of the Papuan people.’

Buchtar has been held ‘in quarantine’ for two weeks before the trial and had only recently been allowed to mix with other prisoners.

[Reports from other sources reveal that Buchtar Tabuni and his colleagues have been subjected to maltreatment by the police and by prison officials since they were arrested on 3 December.]

Buchtar is quoted as saying that he was unclear the charges the police had laid against him. He had done nothing more than express his opinion in response to the launching of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua in London. He said the police claim that they have evidence of subversion against him whereas all he has was a letter giving notification of his action. His lawyer said that Buchtar was ready to defend himself against whatever charges were laid.

This report from Cenderwasih Post was which has been translated and reposting of something produced by  Tapol, UK and should be credited to Tapol.  It is not a report by IPAHR.

Sabar Iwanggin Arrest: Original IPAHR Reports

Human Rights Brief                                                               26 October 2007

Update:  West Papuan Lawyer arrested by anti Terrorism Police is moved to Jakarta.

Human rights workers in Jayapura report today that Sabar Iwanggin who was arrested by Indonesia’s special anti terrorism police force, Detachment 88,  last Thursday in Jayapura has been moved to Police Headquaerters in Jakarta today.

Sabar Iwaggin is a lawyer who works wth the respected Human Rights organisation, Els-ham  West Papua.

Sabar Iwanggin appears to have been charged with receiving & passing on a SMS text message which Police say is insulting to the Indonesian President.

Human Rights workers cannot understand why Sabar Iwanggin would be arrested by Indonesia’s most highly trained anti-terrorism police for his very minor role in the spread of this text message.

Police in Jayapura are now denying that Sabar Iwanggin was arrested by Detachment 88 and are saying that his arrest is a criminal matter.

Witnesses who were present with Sabar Iwanggin outside the Sports Hall in Jayapura on Thursday 18 October 2007 at the time confirm that his arrest was made by members of Detachment 88 and that the were 30 police officers present to make the arrest.

Police are reported to have sent Sabar Iwanggin in the company of another lawyer representing him and have made arrangements for his family to travel to Jakarta tomorrow.

Human rights workers have recommended that concerned people ring or fax  the Indonesian Police Headquarters and politely ask the reason why Sabar Iwanggin is being detained and to ask for his immediate release.

Alternate telephone numbers for Indonesian National Police Headquarters are:

+62 21 721800 ,  7251989,   7251967  and   7218014

The police fax number is :     +62 21 7246656

Matthew Jamieson representing the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said today,  “It is incredible that the Indonesian Police would use personnel from the Detachment 88, their highly trained anti terrorism force, to arrest the lawyer Sabar Iwanggin for his trivial involvement in this test message issue.”

“Human rights workers are very concern that the Indonesian Police have another agenda and that they will continue to ignore Sabar Iwanggin’s basic rights.   Sabar Iwanggin’s arrest, detention and now transportation  to Jakarta Police Headquarters clearly has a trivial legal basis.   His legal and human rights are at risk while he remains in Indonesian police custardy charged on this basis.”

For more information contact:

Matthew Jamieson +61 418291998

Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights has sent out a previous and related document   “Human rights report 24 October 2007,  ‘West Papuan Human Rights Lawyer arrested by US & Australian trained Anti Terrorism police’ “.

Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998

West Papua Human Rights  Report                         24 October 2007                    xi

West Papuan Human Rights Lawyer arrested by US & Australian trained Anti Terrorism police

A statement released today by the Human Rights organsiation, Els-ham West Papua, details how a West Papuan human rights lawyer, Sabar Iwanggin, has been arrested, detained and interrogated by members of Detachment 88, Indonesia’s special police anti-terrorism force.  Detachment 88 received substantial training and financial assistance from the Australian and US Governments after the Bali Bombing in 2002.

Mr Iwanggin has reportedly been charged under the Indonesian Criminal Code for spreading SMS messages which are insulting to the Indonesian President.  The SMS message says that the President  ‘has an agenda to wipe out Papuans by poisoning food and hiring members of the army as doctors, restaurant workers, and motorcycle taxi drivers to kill Papuans’.

Incredibly Sabar Iwanggin is reported to have only received the incriminating message, was not the person who originally sent the message.  He is reported to have sent the message onto a handful of friends and family members.

Human Rights workers in Jayapura report that this SMS message had been spread around Papua since July 2007.  Thousands of people in Papua have received the same message.

In an unusual development the Police in West Papua have said that they intend to move Mr. Iwanggin to Jakarta for further interrogation later this week.

Iwanggin is a volunteer lawyer who has worked with the Human Rights organisation, Els-ham West Papua.

Very serious concerns are held for Mr. Iwanggin’s safety as the reason for his interrogation and detention appear trivial and the intentions of the Indonesian police are not clear.

Other Human Rights lawyers from Els-ham in Jayapura are seeking to challenge the legal basis for the Police action against Sabar Iwanggin, who has been held since Thursday 18th of October 2007.

Human Rights workers report that personnel from Detachment 88 came from Indonesian Police Headquarters in Jakarta to arrest  Sabar Iwanggin in the street in Jayapura.

Human Rights workers said that the case against Mr Iwanggin appears to be based around Police intercepting his mobile phone messages.   Mobile phone monitoring and recording devices have reportedly been set up in several areas in West Papua.

Other inflammatory SMS messages about the threat of biological warfare by the Indonesian military and the deliberate spread of disease and the poisoning of crops have also been sent around  West Papua.    The cultivation of a ‘climate of fear’ in West Papua appears to the intention of these SMS messages.

Widespread instances of server sickness & deaths of Papuans from consuming poisoned food and toxic drink have been reported.  This new danger has prompted a major change eating and buying habits of West Papuan people.

Ongoing security operations by the military and police forces have disrupted community life in many regions and ‘mysterious’  killings and accidental killings have entrenched this ‘climate of fear’. Abductions and assaults of young Papuan women have also been reported.

Special Police Detachment 88 is a 400 strong anti-terrorist police force, which has been supported by Singaporean, Australian and US Governments,  was set up to fight terrorism in Indonesian after the Bali bombings.  Detachment 88 was originally raised from members of the Brimob, Indonesia’s notorious paramilitary police.

The establishment and operation of Detachment 88 was touted by the conservative US based Heritage Foundation in 2006 as a US – Indonesia bi-lateral success story.   This source says that members of Detachment 88 are vetted by the U.S. Embassy for their respect for human rights.

Indonesian rights campaigners allege the crackdown on terrorism  conducted by Detachment 88 has resulted in numerous instances of rights violation, as most of the arrests it made were illegal. (The Jakarta Post, December 8, 2005)

“The Human Rights workers in Jayapura ask why Detachment 88 Anti terrorism police should have singled out and arrested Sabar Iwanggin, a civilian lawyer who has acted on Human Rights cases.”

“It appears that Police are using the trivial involvement of Iwanggin in the insulting SMS issue as a way to disrupt the legitimate work of a Human Rights organisation.”  said Matthew  Jamieson spokesperson for the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human  Rights.

“Given the recent brutal history of the Indonesian Police and the elite training of the Detachment 88 very serious concerns are held for Sabar Iwanggin’s safety during detention & interrogation.”

“Sabar Iwanggin who is 43 years old is one of the volunteer lawyers of the Human Rights organisation Els-ham,  which acted  for students tried after the violent demonstration in Jayapura on March 16, 2006.   Four Brimob police and one  Indonesian military personnel were killed in this demonstration.”

“During the round up of students in relation to the incident and  throughout the subsequent trial process there were documented reports of human rights abuse, forced confession,  torture and judicial bias.”

“The arrest of Sabar Iwanggin gives a clear indication that the Indonesian police are intent on restricting the already limited legal rights afforded to West Papuans.”

“Media restrictions in West Papua mean that the Indonesian security forces receive limited international attention over their tactics which make human rights abuse commonplace.”

Matthew Jamieson went on to say, “What we are seeing is an example of the internationally created, trained & sponsored anti-terrorism police force, the Detachment 88, being used to remove a Human Rights defender who is critical of the Police.”

“The Indonesian security forces are clearly engaged in psychological warfare operations in West Papua which is combined with deliberate widespread human right abuse at a level which stays under the radar for the international community. Human Rights defenders like Sabar Iwanggin are one of the only defenses for the people in West Papua because access by the international community is restricted.”

“Many countries including New Zealand, Australia and the USA have  increased cooperation with and training of the Indonesian Security  forces arguing that by working with the Indonesian police and military they can be reformed.  Yet it is clear that Indonesian security forces are using anti terrorism training and other international support to maintain illegal & non democratic processes in Indonesia and  particularly in West Papua.”

“The lessons from East Timor need to be learnt. The Australian people and the international community in general cannot stand by and let our Government leave the West Papuan people in the hands of the Indonesian security forces.”

For more information contact Matthew Jamieson tel +61(0) 418291998

A picture of Sabar Iwanggin is available for publication.

Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998

Eleven West Papuan Political Prisoners found guilty of subversion in Manokwari, West Papua

Eleven West Papuan Political Prisoners  found guilty of subversion in Manokwari, West Papua

Eleven West Papuans have been found guilty of subversion (makar) and sentenced to terms of three and three-and-a-half years by the district court in Manokwari. The verdicts were announced on 8 January 2009.

One of the Papuans, Jack Wanggai was sentenced to three-and-a-half years while the other ten were sentenced to three years.

The men were arrested in March last year in connection with two incidents which took place on 3 March and on 13 March and have been in detention since then.

According to a report from Jan Christian Warinussy of the Manokwari-based legal aid institute, LP3BH, received today, the severity of the sentences came as a huge surprise.

The panel of judges led by Elsa Mutiara Napitupulu said that the  men had posed a threat to the integrity of the Indonesian state in seeking the separation of West Papua. The judgement  said that there had been an increase in separatist activities in the recent past throughout the whole of West Papua  which were  being organised from abroad. It was therefore necessary to ensure strict enforcement of the law so as to halt such activities from spreading and to ensure that no more victims would fall.

She also said that activities such as had been undertaken by the accused were disrupting the work of development which should be supported by the whole of society, bearing in mind the efforts currently being undertaken in accordance with the Special Autonomy Law to bring development to the remote villages and kampungs. Were such activities to be allowed to continue, she went on,  it would damage the consolidation of the ethnic culture of the Papuan people. It was therefore necessary for the court to deal with these matters by passing the heaviest possible sentences on the accused.

In their message, the legal counsel of the convicted Papuans said that these considerations were in contradiction with the social-political and social-cultural situation in West Papua and specifically in Manokwari.

An appeal against the sentence will be filed on 9 January.

[Details of the incidents in March will be posted shortly. TAPOL]

Further information postied by Tapol

Details of 3 and 13 March 2008 incidents in Manokwari

On 8 January 2009, a court in Manokwari passed down verdicts of guilty against eleven Papuans, one of whom was sentenced to three and a half years while the others received sentences of three years each.

The incidents in which they were involved occurred on 3 and 13 March 2008 when the following took place.

1. Monday, 3 March 2008:
At about 10.30 am, a demonstration took place near the Sports Stadium on Ciliwwung Street, Manokwari, organised by the West Papua National Authority, attended by around 200 people. One of the speakers was Jack Wanggai, the spokesperson of the WPNA in Manokwari.

The local chief of police, Drs Yakobus Marjuki came to the venue of the demonstration and told those attending not to display separatist attributes such as the Morning Star flag. But one person in the crowd was carrying a Morning Star flag which was tied to a pole that he was holding which he then placed in front of the policeman. Another demonstrator, Frans Kareth grabbed hold of the flag pole with the intention of handing it over to the police officer but he was immediately arrested by one of the policemen and taken to the police station for interrogation. On the following day, Frans Kareth was declared to be in the custody of the Manokwari police.

II. Thursday, 13 March 2008
At about 10am, a group of people most of whom were students from Gerakan Ekekutif Mahasiswa (BEM) in Manokwari gathered together. There were about 300 of them from state and private universities. They conducted a peaceful demonstration in front of the office of the local assembly (DPRD), having marched along Yos Sudarso Street and  causing congestion so that the traffic was diverted to another road. The demonstration was heavily guarded by the Manokwari police under the command of the police chief, Drs Yakobus Marjuki.

In the beginning, the action proceeded peacefully until about 2pm when one of the students read out a statement entitled: OTSUS PAPUA SOLUSI ATAU MALAPETAKA? (Is Special Autonomy for Papua the Solution or a Disaster?)

Then Jack Wanggai, spokesperson of the WPNA, arrived. He gave a speech which was responded to with great enthusiasm by all those present. Then all of a sudden, nine young men held up Morning Star flags and started jumping up and down and they were immediately rounded up  by some of the policemen present. Jack Wanggai was also arrested with the others because the police said that they had been watching his movements since the demonstration on 3 March. Altogether 13 people were arrested on this occasion.

Three were later released for lack of evidence, but ten were held in custody, including Jack Wanggai. The arrest of one of the persons, 16-year-old Silas Carlos Teves May was suspended.

In the following days, Elimelek Kaiway was arrested bringing the number of detainees to ten, plus Jack Wanggai, for a total of eleven people.

The police then said that the detainees would be charged under Articles 102, 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code, the articles which were used to convict Philip Karma and Yusak Pakage (who were sentenced to ten and fifteen years each in 2004).

Received from:

Yan Christian Warinussy, lawyer
LP3BH

West Papua: The Police shooting season over the New Year period makes major concern for upcoming Indonesian General Election

Human Rights Report 5 January 2008

West Papua: The Police shooting season over the New Year period makes major concern for upcoming Indonesian General Election

Reports of police violence in Timika, Wamena and Sorong are marked resurgence in Human Rights abuse by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua in the later part of 2008.  Also reports of mysterious deaths in Manokwari, before the massive earthquake, suggest ‘black killings’ have occurred there over the Christmas/New Year period.

The reports of killings and ‘accidental’ deaths together with renewed activity by the notorious Red & White (Merah Putih) Militia in Wamena, the arrest of two West Papuan rights activists[1], Buchtar Tabuni and Seblom Sambon in December 08 and the suppression of the indigenous Papuan Kingmi Church[2] are signs of the relentless pattern of Indonesian repressive control and arbitrary violence in West Papua.

In Wamena a youth was reportedly ‘accidentally’ shot dead by Police in a dispute in a market involving another Papuan man, who had been accused of stealing.  Later in the same day it is reported that the man accused of stealing, was then murdered in the street by a group of un-identified non-Papuans.  In a separate incident the unmarked body of another Papuan man had been found in the river at Wamena on the previous day.  Further information is detailed below for each case.

In Teminbuan, South Sorong Indonesian Police fired on a group of Papuans who were celebrating the New Year with firecrackers and sparklers.  This caused one local man to die a horrific death.  Local people responded to his murder by attacking and killing an Indonesian intelligence officer. Police then attacked again and fired at local people killing an 8 year-old boy and injuring others and then reportedly destroying houses and property.

While in Timika the special Para-military police, Brimob, are reported to have shot a local man at a gold mining camp on 30 December 2008.  The dead body of another local man was taken to the Timika hospital on 1 January 2008 but was not identified.

In Manokwari, the site of recent massive earthquake, there are reports of two mysterious deaths during the Christmas period.  The body of a Papuan man with serious wounds to his head was found on 25 December next to his undamaged motorcycle. The body of 75 year-old priest, was found in a ditch also with head injuries on 1 January 2009. Both deaths were suspected to be ‘black killings‘ used by Indonesian security forces.

Details of agitation by the notorious Red & White Militia in the highlands of West Papua were reported in December 2008.  Local Militia leaders are reported to have traveled to Jakarta to attend a meeting at Indonesian Military headquarters in December and then went onto hold meetings in Golkar offices in Wamena.  The Militia leaders are said to be planning a public launch of the Militia in Mulima, which is the site for staging traditional tribal warfare in the old days.  Mulima is an area where some of the grossest human rights abuse in West Papua occurred during the Soeharto era.

Paula Makabory representing the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said today, “The recent shootings and reemergence of the Red & White Militia has heightened our concerns that Indonesian politicians and security forces are seeking to further destabilization the situation and promote conflict in West Papua. “

“This Christmas in West Papua has been a shooting season for Indonesian police.  The security forces are trying to encourage conflict: Even a small child of 8 years has been a political target.”  Paula Makabory went onto say.

“By shooting people in West Papua the security forces encourage community based conflict and maintain the community opposition and distrust of Indonesia.   The cycle of conflict with Indonesian authority, leading to state control and the poverty, disease epidemic and dispossession of the indigenous people is ongoing.  Powerful people in Indonesia get political benefits from the conflict, the resource exploitation continues and the West Papuan people gain very little from Indonesian politics.”

“After the assassination of Opinus Tabuni[3][4] occurred in Wamena (10 August 2008) at the Dewan Adat Papua sponsored Indigenous Peoples Day celebration there was notably less police opposition to resultant demonstrations that occurred in Wamena and Jayapura.   Though during this time a member of the Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua) Yosias Syet was murdered by unidentified person on 17 October 2008 near village of Waibron close to Jayapura[5].”

“Pro-West Papuan Independence supporters then went onto undertake a series of demonstration in Jayapura around the assassination of Theys Eluay, the West Papua Pro-Independence leader who was killed by members of Kopassus Indonesia’s elite military force in 2001.  Further demonstrations were held supporting the formation of the International Parliamentarian for West Papua in London which appear been the reason for the arrest of Buchtar Tabuni and Seblom Sambon.”

“Papuans in many centers then went onto raise the Nationalist ‘Morning Star’ flag on 1 December 2008 against a police ban and the real threat of arrest and imprisonment.”

For further information contact:

Paula Makabory, Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights, Tel +61(0) 402547517

Matthew Jamieson, Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights, Tel +61 (0) 418291998

Human Rights Report Additional Information 5 January 2008

Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights

1.0 DEATHS IN WAMENA, WEST PAPUA 28 DECEMBER 2008

After a dispute over a Papuan man accused of stealing in a local market in Wamena Police shot and kill a 13 year old boy while shooting above heads of a local crowd (28 December 2008).  The man who was accused of stealing is then stabbed by a group of non Papuan on his way home.

In an unrelated incident the body of un-indentified & decomposing Papuan man is found in the river on 27 December 2008.

VICTIMS:

1. Melinus Kogoya (13yo) from Gamelia District, Jayawijaya – Lani tribe and resident of Wamena. He was hit by a gun bullet from the local police;
2. Anus Paragaye (23yo) from Asologaima District, Jayawijaya (Hubula Palika tribe) and resident of Wamena. He was stabbed by unknown assailants;
3. An unidentified dead body was found at Uwe River, he was predicted to be around 26/27 years old.

Cases

Melinus Kogoya (13yo) died immediately after a police bullet hit him, at local Jibama market, at around 5pm, on Sunday, 28 December 2008, in Wamena.

He was among others who were at the local market when the local police shot their gun into the crowd.

Melinus Kogoya was at the local market among others who were watching the local Police have a fight against Anus Paragaye (local /23yo).

A non-Papuan shopkeeper at the Jibama market alleged Anus Paragaye and his friend had stolen property. A non-Papuan at the market had previously asked the police to arrest Anus Paragaye.

Anus Paragaye had tried to defend himself against the police because he was innocent of the claim of theft. This dispute attracted the attention of the locals and who demanded that Anus Paragaye to be released.

The Cenderawasih Pos (CEPOS) 29/12/08 reported that when the police arrested Anus Paragaye as he struggled and fought against the police. The CEPOS reported that the attending crowd threw stones at the police post.  The police then started to fire their guns in the air to stop the crowd.  Malinus Kogoya appears to have died in this shooting. The head of police precinct, Wamena, AKBP Drs. Abd Azis Dj, SH, is reported to have said Malinus Kogoya was killed with a stray bullet.

According to local witnesses that police pointed their guns at the local people. Malianus Kogoya was taken to the hospital for autopsy and the result showed that a the bullet caused his death. Malinus Kogoya dead body was handed back to his family to be burial.

Anus Paragaye (23yo) was stabbed by unknown persons on his way back home from Pike to Hom-Hom, at around 5.45pm, on 28 December 2008. He was stabbed on the Trans Irian road in front of the Yali Hom-Hom Dormitory in Wamena. During the incident Anus Paragaye was stopped by 10 non-Papuan people and was stabbed by a sharp weapon in the stomach. The local people (who did not want his named for security reasons) saw the incident at the crime scene & tried to get Anus Paragaye to the local hospital.   But Anus Paragaye lost lots of his blood from critical wound and died in the hospital at around 22.30 at the same day.

Unidentified dead body (predicted to be 26/27yo) was also found at Uwe/ Wouma River on Saturday, 27 December 2008 at 6pm. According to the local newspaper, CEPOS, that this man had been died for 3-4 days before he was found.  CEPOS reported that it was assumed the man suffer from chronic epilepsy disease because there is no violent mark on the body.

2.0 Deaths on New Year Eve 31 December 2008, in Teminabuan, South Sorong, West Papua

1.              Ishak Lemauk (29 yo) was shot dead by the local police;

2.              Supriyono (40yo) was killed by the locals;

3.              Michael Kocu (8yo) was shot dead by the police.

It is customary in  West Papua that people celebrate the New Year by letting off firecrackers at midnight. Many of the people  in the Papuan town of Teminabuan, South Sorong, including children, were playing with sparklers and firecrackers during the celebration of the New Year 2009.

During the celebration people in Teminabuan had lit the firecrackers and sparklers for New Year, when a police truck carrying a detachment of the local police came. Reportedly these police then fired their guns on the people who were celebrating the New Year.

One man Ishak Lemauk was hit in the the stomach which caused an open wound and his belly come out from his stomach and he died horrifically at the scene.

After 40 minutes, other local people heard the news of the death of Ishak Lemauk and went to the scene and confronted the police.   The local people chased and killed an Indonesian police intelligence officer, Supriono (40yo).

The local Police then acting against the local people and shot and killed a small boy, Michael Kocu (8yo).  The local people were then chased with the shots of machine guns and some of their houses and properties were destroyed.   Beside the 3 deaths, Human Rights workers report that there are more wounded victims that require further attention.

All dead victims were buried on 02 January 2009, at 9am Papua local time. The events have caused serious trauma in Teminabuan.

3.0 Timika:  Brimob Shot Local Man Timika 30 December 2008.

Local sources report that the special police unit Brimob shot Teau Dang, a Damal Beaga man, on 30 December 2008 at a gold panning camp at Mile 50 in the Freeport Rio Mining Concession.  These local reports say that Brimob had demanded that a group of gold panners vacate the campsite at about 6 pm on that day.  After being told to leave one man Teau Dang returned to the camp to pick up a ‘nokem’ traditional bag, containing gold and other belongings.  The Brimob officers were said to be upset by Teau Dang’s action and had shot Dang seriously wounding his shoulder.  Dang colleagues heard the shot and returned to the campsite and found him lying on the ground.  They then took him to hospital.  Information about Dangs current condition is was not available.

Cenderawasih Pos 5/1/08 report a mysterious dead body taken to Timika Hospital on 1 January 2009.  The person name was Pianus, aged 28 years.  This man was buried by social department, on 4 January 2009, as no family members claimed his body.

4.0 DEATHS IN MANOKWARI, WEST PAPUA, AFTER 25 DECEMBER 2008

A man, Anis Asmuruf (16yo) was found dead in a bad physical condition in Bakaro, District of East Manokwari on 25 December 2008. He was found by the local people who were on their way home after attended the local church Christmas service, at around 10am (Papua local time). The body was sent to the Manokwari General Hospital for an autopsy.

It was reported by the CEPOS on 27 December 2008 that the victim went out from his house by his motorcycle on the Christmas Eve, 24 December 2008 and did not return home.

Local people who found the man report that the body was lying on the ground with some serious wounds in the face, his motor was near him without any damage.

The dead body of priest Daud Garyono 75 years also seems suspicious according to the local police after investigating the scene.  His body partly was in a ditch and had some injuries on his forehead. His vehicle not found around him, police were doing an investigation on his death to find out the reason on what cause his death. (1 January 2009)

5.0 Red & White Militia in Wamena

During December a group of ‘Red and White’ militia under the leadership of a local man, Salogo Walilo, traveled to Jakarta meet with the Indonesian
National Military Commander in Jakarta.  The group reportedly were told to ‘Defend Indonesian until the last drop of blood’ and were given a very large Indonesian National flag.

The name of those local men who attended this meeting were:
1. Salogo Walilo
2. Kuluwit Huby
3.Herman Doga
4. Yokoye Logo.

The group returned to Wamena and held a meeting in the office of the Indonesian Political party Golkar (Golongan Karya) in Wamena on 2 January 2009 at 09.00 pm.  The meeting was to decide the time for the public declaration of the ‘Red and White’ Militia’s in the Highlands.

This meeting was attending by the Tribal leaders ‘Kepala suku’ from the region around Wamena and middle mountains.  The names of eleven of those who attended were:

1. Salogo Walilo ( kordinator Milisi Merah Putih)
2. Dauke Mabel
3. Marius Marian
4. Yakoye Logo
5. Amandus Mabel
7. Kuluwit Huby
8. Nikilik Huby
9. Herman Doga
10. Naligi Kurisi
11. Lukas Itlay
12. others

The place chosen for the launch was the site of traditional site for tribal war (Markas Menara Perang Suku ( Libarek) Desa Mulima, Kurulu Kabupatan Jayawijaya). The planned declaration of the Militia was reported to be February 2009.

The selection of Mulima as a site has major connotations for local people.  During the period 1972 – 1977 that area Mulima was the site of gross Human Rights violation from the Military Operation in Jayawijaya.  Cases of extra judicial killing, rapes, large numbers of local people were forced into long periods of refuge in jungle & while the military burned down their houses.  The Human Rights organisation Els-ham reported that four periods of military offensives led to massacre of 12,397 Papuans (Team Els-ham Papua in 2003 p 125. Potrat HAM Jayapura: Els-ham, 2003, pp. 125).

Mysterious killings disappearances, rape, torture and sexual violence, including incidences where women were pierced through the vagina with bayonets, were reported.  Some of these abused women were sliced through their bodies cutting unborn babies in half.  Woman and married women were also raped and their husband and families were forced to watch.

Members of the community who were witness to these events are still traumatized by these events.

Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
5 January 2009

[1] Buchtar Tabuni was arrested on 03/12/09 for organizing a demonstration on 16 October 2008 relating to the formation of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua. Seblom Sambon was arrested on 17 December 2008 also apparently over the formation International Parliamentarians for West Papua.
[2] Indonesian police including Brimob attacked Papuan members of the GKIP (Kingmi) church (Gereja Kemah Injil Papua) in Nabire West Papua. 12 members were injured including 5 students who were shot with rubber bullets on the 3 & 4 December 2008.

[3] http://ipahr.wordpress.com/west-papua-indonesian-police-shoot-man-at-indigenous-peoples-rally/
[4] Papua shooting :In Indonesia’s Papua province, a tribal leader was killed at a rally two months ago. Human rights groups suspect he was murdered by a gunman working for the military or intelligence services. Jeff Waters reports. 15/10/2008 http://australianetwork.com/newshour/archives.htm?site=October2008#videoplayer
[5] http://ipahr.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/killing-of-activist-in-west-papua/

Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
PO Box 1805, Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61 (0) 418291998