In brief

At the end of April 2015, there were at least 44 political prisoners in Papua.

Papuan human rights groups reported two new cases of torture in Pirime and Lanny Jaya in the Central Highlands. In Lanny Jaya, two men were tortured in relation to the possession of a pistol belonging to a deceased relative which they had attempted to hand over to authorities in response to a weapons amnesty. In Pirime, two teenagers were arrested and tortured following a military raid on a village church. Cabang Tabuni, one of the two victims, died after more than six months in police detention suffering from serious gunshot injuries without receiving medical treatment.

One of the Lanny Jaya victims, Kamori Murib, and the two teenagers in the Pirime case were taken to Bhayangkara hospital in Jayapura to receive treatment after being tortured by security forces. All three victims received insufficient medical care. Murib continued to be tortured and cruelly treated in hospital, including being doused in scalding water, forced nudity and forced feeding on fish bones. Oktovianus Tabuni, a 15-year-old boy, was smuggled out of the hospital by local human rights workers so that he could receive treatment elsewhere. Upon receiving surgery in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, a pair of surgical clamps was found in his abdomen, demonstrating an abominable level of negligence at Bhayangkara hospital. This is the third case recorded by Papuans Behind Bars where detainees continued to be tortured or received dire medical treatment at Bhayangkara hospital.

The use of Bhayangkara hospital as a place of torture under the total control of the police negates the idea of hospitals as traditionally ‘safe’ spaces for healing. The freedom enjoyed by police to torture detainees at Bhayangkara hospital perfectly illustrates the entrenched culture of impunity in Papua. Furthermore, this dynamic of public torture perpetuates a culture of fear and domination and breeds distrust among indigenous Papuans towards state institutions.

Violence perpetrated by military and police forces has reportedly resulted in the displacement of up to 20,000 people in Lanny Jaya and Yahukimo. In Pirime district in Lanny Jaya alone, Papuan human rights groups reported the displacement of 12,000 people, more than half of the district’s population. Forcibly uprooted communities were reported to have fled to forests to seek temporary shelter from the violence and as a result are facing starvation and illness. Such conflict areas are often remote and heavily controlled by security forces, making it difficult for independent reporting on human rights violations. Furthermore, the complex system imposed by the Indonesian government in allowing access for humanitarian agencies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross to Papua restricts the availability of aid to displaced communities. Additionally, the lack of free and open access for international humanitarian agencies makes it impossible to get timely and accurate information on the scale of the problem of internally displaced persons in Papua. According to information received from Papuan civil society groups, displacement is causing a growing humanitarian crisis in these remote conflict areas.

Arrests

264 arrested for commemorating 1 May

Papuan civil society groups reported the arrest of 264 people in Manokwari, Jayapura, Merauke and Kaimana in relation to the commemoration of the 52^nd anniversary of the administrative transfer of Papua to Indonesia. There were reports of ill-treatment and intimidation of demonstrators. Two KNPB members in Kaimana and one university student in Manokwari remain in detention.

Manokwari

On 30 April, 12 members of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) were arrested for distributing leaflets about a peaceful commemorative action planned for the next day. Manokwari police fired four warning shots on arrest. It is believed that all four have been released without charge.

On 1 May, a demonstration led by the KNPB and joined by other Manokwari-based groups was forcibly dispersed by Manokwari and Brimob police. At around 08:00 local time, Brimob officers arrested 79 demonstrators, forcibly dragging them onto police trucks and severely beating them on arrest. At 09:30, a second group of demonstrators gathered in front of the State University of Papua (Universitas Negeri Papua, UNIPA) campus to conduct a march to the  Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua, DAP) office. Halfway through the march, the demonstrators were stopped by Brimob officers. They were beaten with wooden planks and kicked on arrest. The majority of the 126 people arrested were university students.

Those detained were made to sit in the hot sun in an open field for several hours. Four people were singled out and brought to Manokwari Regional police station as they reportedly carried sharp weapons, while the rest were released. Three of the four detained were released without charge. Domingus Babika, a UNIPA student, is still believed to be in detention in Manokwari Regional police station.

Jayapura

On 1 May, demonstrators gathered in front of the Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) campus in Waena were forcibly dispersed by Jayapura City police (Polresta Kota Jayapura). 30 people were detained and brought to a police post in Buton village in Jayapura. Three KNPB members, Bazooka Logo, Ogram Wanimbo and Yoner Uwaga were separated from the group and brought to the Papuan Police Headquarters. All 30 detainees have since been released.

Merauke

According to reports by the KNPB, on 1 May, 15 people were arrested in Merauke in relation to 1 May commemorative activities. At 01:00, Merauke Regional police raided KNPB Merauke offices and arrested 13 KNPB members and two community leaders, including Mrs Panggresia Yeem, the Head of the Merauke People’s Local Parliament (Parlemen Rakyat Daerah, PRD). They have since been released without charge.

Kaimana

On 1 May, KNPB and PRD demonstrators who had gathered at the KNPB Kaimana secretariat office to commemorate 1 May were forcibly dispersed by Kaimana Regional police. Police raided the secretariat office and fired warning shots. Police allegedly attempted to burn down the secretariat office, but the fire was put out by KNPB members. Police arrested two KNPB leaders, Ruben Furay and Sepi Surbay, who are still believed to be in detention.

Five detained for three weeks under treason charges

Human rights lawyers with KontraS Papua (Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan Papua) reported the detention of five men for three weeks under treason charges following their meeting with the Indonesian Minister of Defense, General Ryamizard Ryacudu.

On 10 April, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta between General Ryacudu and a four-person delegation from the Independent Papua Committee (Komisi Independen Papua, KIP). The KIP states that it acts as a facilitator for the pro-independence movement Federal Republic State of West Papua (Negara Federal Republik Papua Barat, NFRPB). The meeting between the minister and Dr Don Flassy, Dr Lawrence Mehue, Mas Jhon Ebied Suebu and Onesimus Banundi was facilitated by Heni Tan Fere, a staff member with the Department of National Unity and Politics (Kesatuan Bangsa dan Politik, Kesbangpol) in Papua. The travel costs for the four men to attend the meeting were reportedly paid for by the Defense Ministry. The meeting was reported to have been brief but friendly, with the KIP members handing over several letters explaining the mandate and purpose of the KIP and NFRPB.

On 14 April, the four KIP members returned to Jayapura. A press conference about the meeting with Ryacudu was arranged by Fere to take place the same day. However, before the press conference could commence, the four KIP members and Fere were arrested by police and taken to Jayapura Regional police station. They were told by police that they had been arrested because of information received alleging that they were connected to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Later the same day, they were transferred to the Papuan Police Headquarters where they were interrogated for four hours. Another man, Elias Ayakeding, was also arrested the same day, due to his involvement with KIP.

While Flassy, Mehue and Fere were allowed to return home and instructed to report to the police headquarters the next morning, Suebu, Banundi and Ayakeding remained in detention.

The next day, on 15 April, Flassy and Mehue were charged with treason under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Suebu and Banundi were charged with treason and rebellion under Articles 106 and 108. Ayakeding was charged with treason and incitement under Articles 106 and 160. While Heni Tan Fere was not charged, police stated that she was still under investigation.

On 5 May, KontraS Papua lawyers reported that the five men had been released on bail but remain under city arrest and are obliged to report to the police once a week. They remain at risk of re-arrest and prosecution.

Two men arrested and tortured over possession of pistol in Lanny Jaya

Information received from the Advocacy Network for Upholding Law and Human Rights (Jaringan Advokasi Penegakan Hukum dan HAM Pegunungan Tengah Papua, JAPH&HAM) detailed the detention and torture of two Papuans, Kamori Murib and Kelpis Wenda from Lanny Jaya regency. They were arrested and tortured in relation to the possession of a pistol. Even though Murib was arrested in December 2014 and Wenda in February 2015, human rights workers have only recently managed to obtain information on this case.

The two men intended to hand over a pistol belonging to a deceased relative to Papuan Legislative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua, DPRD) authorities in Puncak Jaya regency. Around the period of the incident, Lukas Enembe, the Governor of Papua province, had urged those in possession of any firearms weapons to hand them over to governmental authorities. The pistol was found by Wenda in a cupboard at a honai (a traditional Papuan house) belonging to their late relative. Arrangmenets were then made for Murib to hand the pistol over to DPRD authorities.

On 9 December 2014, Murib travelled on his motorcycle from Lanny Jaya heading towards Wamena to hand over the pistol belonging to his deceased relative to DPRD authorities. On his way to Wamena, he came across a police roadblock outside Pirime District police station. Fearing that he would appear suspicious as he was carrying a pistol, Murib got off his motorcycle, raised his hands and told police officers that he was carrying a pistol and would like to hand it over to authorities. Upon hearing his admission, police immediately started beating Murib and dragged him into the police station.

Five Brimob officers proceeded to torture him for several hours. After shaving his hair off with a bayonet blade, Brimob officers slashed his head and rubbed the bleeding wound with chilli paste. Following this, scalding water was splashed onto the wound five times. His thighs were slashed four times with bayonet blades. The tip of his left toe, and parts of both his ears were sliced off. He was doused with scalding water resulting in serious burn injuries. He was also beaten in the back and ribs with rifle guns.

Under tight security, Murib was then sent to Wamena General Hospital to undergo medical treatment. While receiving treatment in Wamena, his hands were cuffed, and remained so for more than two months. After receiving treatment, he was taken to Jayawijaya Regional police station to be detained in a holding cell.

The following day, on 10 December 2014, under tight police supervision, he was flown to Jayapura to receive treatment at Bhayangkara Hospital. Murib remained in Bhayangkara Hospital for two months. While there, he underwent further torture and beatings. He was force-fed fish bones and chicken bones and was doused in scalding water three times. Throughout his time in Bhayangkara Hospital, he was kept naked.

On 16 February 2015, Murib was taken to the Papuan Police Headquarters in Jayapura. He was then allowed to wear clothes and his handcuffs were released. After being detained for 40 further days, he was taken back to Wamena. On 27 April Murib’s trial began, but he was too ill to attend the hearing. Doctors in Wamena who examined Murib observed that he was suffering from trauma.

Kelpis Wenda, a friend of Murib’s, was arrested on two separate occasions following Murib’s arrest. As police had not informed Murib’s family of his arrest, Wenda attempted to find out more about his disappearance by querying police officers at Lanny Jaya police station. Police denied any knowledge of Murib’s whereabouts.

Following his attempts to locate Murib, Wenda was first arrested in February 2015. On arrest, he was forced into a vehicle by being dragged along the ground and beaten with rifle butts on his upper abdomen. In detention, he suffered further torture. Two seven centimetre nails were hammered into his left forearms with wooden planks until they reached the bone. He lost two teeth and suffered facial wounds as a result of being beaten on the face with rifle butts. His left big toe was broken and he was beaten on the back with a chair. He was also beaten with wooden planks.

The following day, Wenda was taken to Papuan Police Headquarters in Jayapura for further interrogation. He was taken back to Wamena and released shortly afterwards. However on 17 March 2015, he was arrested again when Murib, while in detention and under torture, admitted that Wenda too knew about the pistol.

Both men are currently awaiting trial while being detained at Wamena prison. It is unclear what charges they are facing.

Arrests and torture of Pirime church members during military and police raid

Reports received from the Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of Franciscans of Papua (Sekretariat Keadilan Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan Fransiskan Papua, SKPKC Jayapura) described a military and police raid in Pirime district in January last year. Three people were reported to have died and three others tortured. Security forces from the army and police reportedly conducted raids in seven villages in Kurilik, Pirime district in retaliation for the alleged theft of eight firearms from Kurilik police post on 24 January 2014.

Two days after the alleged theft, on 26 January 2014, dozens of army and police officers raided a church during Sunday service. According to an eyewitness, security forces forced church attendees to lie on the ground and threatened to kill them. Security forces then reportedly fired shots, resulting in the death of two members of the congregation – Yukilek Tabuni and Tigabut Tabuni. According to the report received, two other people also faced arbitrary violence during the raid. Reverend Pamit Wonda and Les Murib, a village head, were each stabbed several times with bayonet blades. A Papuan woman, Yulina Wonda, was beaten and suffered bruises all over her body.

Oktovianus Tabuni, a 15-year-old boy, and Cabang Tabuni, who was 19 years old, were arrested and detained in a police cell in Puncak Jaya. Security forces tortured the two teenagers to force them to confess to involvement in the theft of firearms that took place on 24 January 2014. Oktovianus was shot eight times in the knee and stomach while Cabang was shot 12 times in the arms, chest and knees. The two teenagers were then taken to Bhayangkara Hospital, in Kota Raja, Jayapura to receive medical treatment for their gunshot injuries.

According to reports from local sources, Cabang was not operated on and intentionally left to die. On 29 July 2014, Cabang died after more than six months of suffering from serious gunshot injuries without receiving sufficient medical treatment. Police allegedly attempted to conduct his funeral without the knowledge of his family and had sought the help of the Head of the Papuan Peoples’ Assembly (Majelis Rakyat Papua, MRP) Timotius Morip to do so. However, Morip refused and informed the deceased’s family, after which, the body was handed over to the care of the family.

Reports described that Oktovianus was operated on in Bhayangkara Hospital, but that he continued to suffer pains in his stomach and knees. After receiving news of the death of Cabang Tabuni, local human rights workers were concerned that if left under the care of the police, Oktovianus too would be left to die of his injuries through insufficient medical care. They bribed 12 police officers and medical staff members in order to be allowed to take Oktovianus out of the hospital in order to seek treatment elsewhere. On 3 August, Oktovianus was secretly taken out of hospital and hidden in a safehouse in Jayapura.

On 5 August, human rights workers took him to Vanimo in Papua New Guinea to obtain surgery for the constant pains in his stomach and knees. When doctors carried out an x-ray on Oktovianus, they found a pair of surgical clamps in his stomach where he had previously been operated on in Bhayangkara Hospital. The following day, Oktovianus received an operation to remove the surgical clamps from his stomach. Human rights workers reported that a small packet, allegedly containing poison, was found attached to the pair of surgical clamps. X-rays of his knees reportedly also indicated signs of chemical poisoning in the nerves. However, doctors were not able to operate on his knees, reportedly due to pressure from the local Vanimo government. The local government had instructed hospital staff not to operate on Oktovianus until his identity was clearly established. Human rights workers stated that West Papuans living in Papua New Guinea are often discriminated against and denied essential services such as medical treatment.

Human rights workers reported that Oktovianus still has not received an operation for his knee injuries. He is also in need of a transfusion following severe blood loss due to injuries suffered.

According to the report by SKPKC Jayapura, 12,000 people remain displaced due to military raids in Pirime districts. There are concerns that they are facing starvation, illness and traumatic stress due to the raids and their subsequent displacement.

Majalah Selangkah journalist arrested for wearing slogan t-shirt

On 30 April, Yohanes Kuayo, a journalist with Papuan news site Majalah Selangkah was arrested in Nabire for wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “Free West Papua”. He was arrested at around 12:00 outside Nabire General Hospital, where he was reporting on three TPN-OPM members who were admitted after being shot by Nabire police. Police confiscated Kuayo’s handphone, laptop and other belongings and brought him to the office of the Nabire Regional Special Police Team (Tim Khusus Polres Nabire). At 12:30, his colleagues arrived at the office and secured his release. When asked for the reason for his arrest, the Commander of the Special Police Team explained that it was because Kuayo wore a shirt with the slogan “Free West Papua” on it. According to international journalism ethics and standards, journalists are required not to wear items of clothing bearing political slogans or affiliations.

Global Day of Action protests in Jayapura and Manokwari curbed; 4 arrested

On 29 April, 22 demonstrations were held across 10 countries calling for free and open access to Papua for international journalists, human rights observers and humanitarian agencies. While protests in other cities were allowed to take place, protests in Jayapura and Manokwari were curbed.

Jayapura

According to a report from the Papuan Student Youth Movement (Gerakan Mahasiswa Pemuda Rakyat Papua, GempaR) who organised the demonstration in Jayapura, police forbade demonstrators from conducting a long march. Student demonstrators originally intended to march from their campuses in Waena and Abepura to the offices of the Papuan Legislative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua, DPRD) where they would hold speeches. Due to this restriction, demonstrators were forced to hold a static demonstration which was heavily guarded by fully-armed police officers. Even though GempaR demonstrators submitted a notice of demonstration to police a week before the protest, they were told that they had no permission to demonstrate and would be forcibly dispersed if they attempted to carry on with their march to the DPRD office.

Manokwari

Information from LP3BH (Institute for Research, Investigation and Development of Legal Aid in Manokwari, Lembaga Penelitian, Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Bantuan Hukum) described the detention of four students on 29 April who participated in a demonstration in Manokwari. They were released several hours later.

As an act of solidarity with the Global Day of Action, on 29 April, LP3BH put up a banner of support outside their offices in Manokwari. The same day, Semuel Yensenem, an LP3BH staff member, was reportedly followed by intelligence officers when he left the office. The following day, an army officer from the Manokwari Military District Command (Komando Distrik Militer, Kodim) visited the LP3BH office. He questioned Yensenem regarding LP3BH’s activities and funding and left shortly afterwards.

Three arrested for cleaning memorial park

On 28 April, three men were arbitrarily arrested by Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers while they were cleaning a flower park in Nabire. Majalah Selangkah reported that Martinus Pigai, Anton Pigome and Marthen Iyai were cleaning the park in preparation for a prayer service to be held in the park in commemoration of 100 days of the passing of church leader Father Nato Gobay, as well as a socialisation event on alcohol addiction and HIV/AIDS organised to take place in early May. The three men were released without charge the following day.

Human rights activist Yones Douw told Majalah Selangkah that police had arrested the three men under suspicion of their involvement in 1 May-related commemorative activities. Douw also noted that the flower park, known as the “Papuan Peoples’ Flower Park”, was previously a well-known spot for political activity.

Releases

Lendeng Omu released

According to local human rights sources, on 22 March 2015, human rights activist Lendeng Omu was released from Wamena prison. On 21 May 2014, Omu was arrested Yahukimo Regional police in relation to his affiliations with the KNPB. He was severely beaten, kicked and struck with rifle butts before being arrested and detained in Yahukimo Regional police station. He had been sentenced to one years’ imprisonment for maltreatment under charges of Article 351 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

Sarmi treason detainees released

Information received from local sources reported that Isak Demetouw (alias Alex Makabori), Niko Sasomar and Sileman Teno were released in April following the end of their prison sentences. The three men were sentenced alongside one other person, Daniel Norotouw, for conspiracy to commit treason and possession of weapons. On 1 February 2014, Norotouw, was released after the completion of his one year prison sentence. Local sources reported that security forces had charged them under fabricated evidence.

Political trials and cases overview

Sami Melanesian Flag detainees sentenced to 1.5 years’ city arrest sentence

On 22 April, Edison Werimon and Soleman Fonetaba were each sentenced to one-and-a-half-years’ city arrest minus time already spent in detention after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason. City arrest forbids them from leaving Sarmi regency. As they have already been under city arrest since 23 July 2014, their sentences would end on 23 January 2016. The two men have since submitted an appeal on their sentences to the Sarmi High Court.

Report on Yahukimo fundraising case reveals more than a hundred arrests, dozens tortured

Information received from the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) reported that from 19 to 21 March, more than a hundred people were arrested and dozens tortured in relation to a week-long fundraising event for Cyclone Pam victims in Vanuatu. In our March update, we reported on the arrests of at least 21 people and the shooting of at least six people by Papuan National Police (Polda Papua) and Mobile Brigade (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers. Updated information confirms that more were arrested and tortured than previously thought, and that the situation in Yahukimo remains unstable.

According to the report, witnesses described the mass arrests of more than a hundred people from 19 to 21 March. The report contains information on six people who were shot and 26 people who were tortured in detention, amongst others. Seven of those who were arrested and suffered torture or ill-treatment were women. Testimony from one of the detainees described how they were repeatedly tortured for two days by rotating groups of police officers. A police officer reportedly mocked the detainees by holding up a bible, asking for “God to help them” and then proceeding to tear the bible up.

The report also described how from 19 to 21 March, Yahukimo police and army officers provided shelter and food to non-Papuans during search operations in the homes of indigenous Papuan families. Local sources estimated that around 8,000 indigenous Papuans have fled the violence in Yahukimo and remain displaced.

Cases of Concern

Police attempt to disperse ULMWP seminar in Kaimana

On 14 April, police attempted to disperse a United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) socialisation seminar in Kaimana Regency. The seminar, attended by political, religious and indigenous leaders, was interrupted by Kaimana Regional police officers. Police attempted to confiscate ULMWP material, including megaphones, seminar material and printed billboards. After two hours of negotiation with the police, the seminar was allowed to continue.

News

Global Day of Action in 22 cities urges free and open access to Papua

On 29 April, hundreds of demonstrators from 22 cities in 10 different countries protested against West Papua’s 50-year long isolation. Demonstrators called on the Indonesian government to open access to Papua for international journalists, human rights observers and humanitarian agencies. Rallies took place in Jayapura, Manokwari, Wamena, Jakarta, London, Honiara, Melbourne, New York, Berlin and Paris, amongst others. In conjunction with the worldwide event, coined the ‘Global Day of Action for Papua’, a joint letter signed by 52 organisations and parliamentarians was sent to President Joko Widodo demanding free and open access to Papua and to end violence against journalists in West Papua.

 April 2015 Papuan Political Prisoners

* While these detainees have been bailed and are not currently behind bars, they continue to face charges and are currently undergoing investigation. As they are vulnerable to re-arrest, we will continue to monitor any developments in these cases.

In brief

At the end of March 2015, there were at least 38 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

On 6 March, 17-year-old high school student and West Papua National Committee (Komisi Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) activist Deni Bahabol was kidnapped, tortured and murdered, and his body dumped in a river in Yahukimo regency. Early reports indicate the involvement of Special Forces Command (Komando Pasukan Khusus, Kopassus) officers in the murder. Bahabol’s murder echoes the Martinus Yohame case in August 2014. Yohame, who was also a KNPB activist and active in leading peaceful demonstrations, suffered a similar fate.

On 19 to 21 March, under the orders of Papua Police Chief Inspector General Yotje Mende, Papuan National Police and Mobile Brigade (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers were deployed from Jayapura to Yahukimo to forcibly disperse, shoot and arrest Papuans taking part in a peaceful campaign to collect donations for victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. At least 21 people were arrested and six people were shot. A 48-year-old village head, Obang Sengenil, died from gunshot injuries.

In another incident in Jayapura, four Papuan youths aged 14 to 23 were publically attacked by Brimob officers. One of them, Lesman Jigibalom, is believed to be in a critical condition as a result of torture.

The arbitrary nature of police action this month – from shooting people collecting donations in Yahukimo to torturing and beating four young men seemingly without reason in Jayapura – highlights the lawless and reckless manner of policing in Papua. This dynamic of imposing public torture, violence and arrest breeds a culture of fear and distrust amongst indigenous Papuans.

Despite demands for accountability from Papuan civil society groups into these cases of state violence, police have yet to launch investigations. The lack of political will to seek transparency and accountability in cases of state violence ensures that perpetrators continue to enjoy total impunity. Instead of addressing long-standing violations committed by the Indonesian military in Papua, the authorities have opted to ramp up militarisation by establishing new plans to build a Brimob command base in Wamena. Jakarta-based solidarity group PapuaItuKita issued a ten-point statement rejecting the new plan, stating that the increased presence of Brimob forces would only serve to further destabilise the area.

On 2 March, hundreds of armed security personnel forcibly dispersed a peaceful socialisation seminar and detained at least three people in Jayapura. The seminar, on the theme of “Reclaiming Papuan Identity in Melanesia”, was organised by the newly formed United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), which consists of different factions of the West Papuan pro-independence movement. In a statement to the Papuan press this month, Police Chief Yotje Mende called for the KNPB to be banned as it supports Papuan independence. This zero tolerance approach by security forces towards demonstrations and gatherings associated with Papuan independence, despite their peaceful nature, is a violation of the rights of freedom of expression, association and assembly as guaranteed in the Indonesian Constitution.

Arrests

Fundraisers for Cyclone Pam victims shot and arrested in Yahukimo; three arrested in Timika

Yahukimo

Information received from various human rights and media sources reported that on 19 to 21 March at least 21 people were arrested and six people shot by Papuan National Police (Polda Papua) and Mobile Brigade (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers in Yahukimo regency for being involved in collecting donations for the victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. At least one person, Obang Sengenil, a 48-year-old village head, died from gunshot injuries. While reports indicate that most of those arrested have been released, it is unclear how many people remain in detention in Yahukimo regional police station.

The previous week, from 11 to 19 March, the Yahukimo group of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) had coordinated a donation drive involving community members and KNPB activists.

On 19 March, according to Majalah Selangkah, a prayer session was planned to take place at 15:00, as part of a closing ceremony of the week’s events. At 09:25, security forces composed of Papuan National Police and Brimob officers shot into the crowd that had gathered in preparation for the prayer session. Tabloid Jubi reported that Isai Dapla, a 37-year-old KNPB member, suffered gunshot injuries to the chest, while Salomon Pahabol, a 47-year-old primary school teacher, was shot in his left leg. Elias Kabak, a 40-year-old KNPB member, was arrested. Security forces reportedly confiscated items belonging to the KNPB organisers, including banners, megaphones, and a camera, as well as donations which had been collected.

In retaliation, a member of the crowd stole a firearm belonging to a Yahukimo police officer. According the Head of the Yahukimo People’s Local Parliament (Parlemen Rakyat Daerah, PRD), Aminus Balingga, as reported in Jubi, on 21 March the firearm was returned to the police by KNPB Yahukimo members. There were also reports of Indonesians from the non-Papuan community being attacked and suffering injuries during the commotion.

Media reports stated that at around 15:10 that afternoon, security forces shot a further four people and arrested 16 others. One of the four shot, Obang Sengenil, died of his injuries. Titus Giban, a 39-year-old primary school teacher, Simon Giban, a 42-year-old village head, and Inter Segenil, a 16-year-old high school student, suffered serious gunshot injuries. Local sources reported that 16 people were arrested, some of whom were KNPB members. There were unconfirmed reports that the 16 detainees may have been tortured on arrest and while in detention in Yahukimo Regional Police Station.

On 21 March, Yahukimo Regional Police and Brimob officers arrested four men – Yason Balingga, Yeniut Bahabol, Nefen Balingga, and an unnamed man. Local sources reported that police also conducted search operations in the surrounding area, and damaged and looted several homes. Reports stated that thousands of indigenous Papuans fled the violence and are hiding in the forests.

On 30 March, the Yahukimo Independent Student and Youth Forum (Forum Independen Mahasiswa dan Pemuda Kabupaten Yahukimo, FIMPY) held a demonstration involving students and the Yahukimo community, calling for the Papuan Provincial Parliament (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Papua, DPRP) to launch an investigation into the incident.

Timika

On 13 March, three people raising funds for Cyclone Pam victims were arrested in Timika. Else Rumrawer, Yuli Adokor and Yuliana Inggobou were detained in Mimika Regional Police Station. It is unclear whether they are currently still in detention.

Brimob officers tortured and severely beat four Papuan youths

Suara Papua reported that on 18 March four Papuan youths were attacked in Jayapura by 11 armed Brimob officers dressed in plain clothes. Media reports indicate that they were attacked seemingly without reason.

17-year-old Timotius Tabuni was stopped in front of Cigombong market in Kotaraja and forced to handover his motorcycle keys to Brimob officers. He was beaten with rifle butts and slashed with bayonet blades. As a result of the beatings, he suffered a deep gash on his head, slash wounds on his back, bruises on his face and knees, and also lost a front tooth. Two friends of Tabuni, 23-year-old Lesman Jigibalom and 17-year-old Eldy Kogoya were stopped in front of Kotaraja Mosque and threatened at gunpoint to walk in a squatting position. When they refused to do so, they were forced to lay down. Eldy Kogoya was dragged by the legs some distance away along an asphalt road. He suffered cracked ribs and bruises on his back and knees. Lesman Jigibalom was slashed with a bayonet blade and suffered a pierced lung and bruises all over his body. He underwent an operation the following day and is thought to be in a critical condition. 14-year-old Mies Tabo, who witnessed the incident and attempted to call for help, was kicked and beaten by the Brimob officers.

Papuan civil society members from KontraS Papua (Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan Papua) and Speak for Truth (Bicara Untuk Kebenaran, BUK) rejected statements from Brimob Deputy Head of Unit, Assistant Police Commissioner Tono Budiarto, that Brimob officers had instead saved the four youths from a mob attack. Human rights defender Peneas Lokbere of BUK stated that testimonies from the victims, their families and eyewitnesses show clearly that the perpetrators were Brimob officers. KontraS Papua lawyer Olga Hamadi stated that the perpetrators should be brought to justice. Jayapura police have yet to launch an investigation into the incident.

Three men detained for participating in ULMWP seminar

On 2 March, Benu Rumbiak, Simeon Alua and Yes Wenda were arrested during a police raid of a seminar in Jayapura. Hundreds of armed security personnel disrupted and forcibly dispersed a peaceful socialisation seminar held by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Police also confiscated seminar material. Academics, church leaders, Papuan Provincial Parliament (DPRP) and Papuan People Assembly (Majelis Rakyat Papua, MRP) representatives had been invited to speak at the seminar on the theme of “Reclaiming Papuan Identity in Melanesia”. It is unclear whether the three men are currently still in detention. Ones Suhuniap, the General-Secretary of the KNPB, criticised the police actions as a violation of the rights to free expression and assembly as enshrined in the Indonesian Constitution.

Releases

There were no releases reported in March 2015.

Political trials and cases overview

Pisugi detainees sentenced to one-year imprisonment

On 1 April, the five detainees in the Pisugi Election Boycott case were each given a one-year prison sentence. Prosecutors had previously called for a five-year prison sentence each for Yosep Siep, Ibrahim Marian, Marsel (alias Marthen) Marian, Yance (alias Yali) Walilo and Yosasam Serabut (alias Jhoni Marian). The five men were charged with conspiracy to endanger security under Articles 187 and 164 of the Indonesian Criminal Code under accusations of making Molotov cocktails in attempts to boycott the Presidential Elections in July 2014.

During the court hearings in Wamena in March, Ibrahim Marian, Marthen Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut testified that they had been forced to confess to the charges under torture. Yosep Siep, who was not considered well enough to stand trial due to the lack of psychological treatment available in Wamena, has returned to his home village in Pisugi district.

Court hearings revealed that on 11 July 2014, the night of their arrest, they had gathered at the home of Yosep Siep to take part in a prayer session and had then spent the night there. The detainees testified that at around 04:00 security forces arrived at their village and arrested them. On arrest, their hands were tied behind their backs, they were chained together by the neck, and dragged along the ground.

Yosasam Serabut aka Jhoni Marian testified that during his interrogation he was repeatedly beaten and electrocuted by police officers. He stated that he confessed to the charges as he was afraid that police would shoot and kill him. When questioned on his ability to read and write, Jhoni Marian stated that he was illiterate. He went on to say that police investigators had not read out the Police Investigation Report (Berita Acara Pemeriksaan, BAP) to him after his interrogation and that he was forced to give his thumbprints to verify the results of his interrogation. Furthermore, appeals by the defence lawyers to provide a translator for Jhoni Marian, who struggles to speak and understand Indonesian, went unheeded by the court.

Marthen Marian testified that a Police Brigadier named Endy tortured him in detention. He was forced to remove his clothing and his arm was slashed with a machete. He stated that he was also stabbed and beaten with arrows until they were broken. He added that other officers took turns in entering the interrogation room and beating him with weapons and knuckleduster gloves.

Ibrahim Marian testified that Police Brigadier Alex Sianturi interrogated him in detention. Ibrahim stated that he was beaten with knuckleduster gloves which resulted in broken teeth. He said that police investigators also crushed his fingers by placing them under chair legs after which officers would take turns to sit on the chair. He was also beaten on the head with hammers. He was told that he would be killed if he did not admit to the charges against him.

Yance Walilo testified that Police Brigadier Yeskel F.M. had interrogated him in detention. He stated that he was beaten with wooden beams and rifle butts in a locked detention room. His legs were also stamped on by police officers.

During court hearings in March, Police Brigadiers Endy, Alex Sianturi and Yeskel F.M. denied that they tortured or ill-treated the five detainees.

The four detainees also stated that they rejected the Police Investigation Reports filed against them and denied making Molotov bombs and boycotting the Presidential Election last July. Defence lawyers argued that the confessions extracted under torture could not be used as evidence against the detainees and that such practice contradicted the right of the detainee to testify without pressure in any form, as stated in Article 117 of the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code. They also argued that the evidence presented in court differed from the evidence described in the Letter of Indictment (Surat Dakwaan), and concluded that evidence used against the detainees had been fabricated.

Cases of Concern

KNPB Yahukimo activist murdered and dumped in river

A report from a local human rights source revealed that on 6 March, 17-year-old high school student and KNPB activist Deni Bahabol was murdered and his body dumped in a river in Yahukimo regency. Information received showed that two days earlier, on 4 March, Bahabol had led a peaceful KNPB march in support of a campaign tour of South Africa by Benny Wenda, leader of the Free West Papua Campaign.

It is believed that Bahabol was attacked by Kopassus forces while he was on his way to the KNPB Secretariat in Yahukimo. He is reported to have been tortured and beaten with stones. His body was dumped in the Brazza river and was found by fishermen in Patipi village in neighbouring Asmat regency four days later. He was buried by his family in Yahukimo on the same day. As at the end of March 2015, police have not conducted any investigations into the incident.

KNPB Merauke Secretariat searched following bomb scare; Papuan police chief calls for KNPB ban

On 5 March, the KNPB Merauke Secretariat was searched by military and Merauke Regional Police officers following a bomb scare which the KNPB believes had been orchestrated by the police.

At around 18:00, a KNPB member found a suspicious looking box at the gates of the Secretariat which was then reported to the police. Security forces who arrived at the scene entered the Secretariat, damaging equipment and confiscating flags, banners and documents. The KNPB asserts that the Police had orchestrated the bomb scare as an excuse to raid the Secretariat offices.

On 24 March, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Yotje Mende stated that the KNPB should be banned as it is a pro-independence organisation. KNPB spokesman Bazoko Logo told Jubi that Mende’s statement was in reaction to police failure to take responsibility for the shootings and arrests in Yahukimo earlier in the month (see Arrests).

News

University students commemorate Bloody Abepura; Head of Jayapura Regional Police warns against pro-independence demonstrations

On 16 March, Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) students held a peaceful commemorative gathering at their campus in Kota Jayapura remembrance of the victims of Bloody Abepura. Nine years ago, on 16 March 2006, violence erupted between demonstrators and security forces during a demonstration calling for the closure of the Freeport McMoran mine in Timika. The violence resulted in the deaths of five security officers. Dozens of demonstrators were hospitalised and 24 people were tortured in detention.

During the commemorative event, the Head of Jayapura Regional Police, Kiki Kurnia, told student demonstrators that any demonstrations related Papuan independence would not be tolerated. He stated that pro-independence demonstrations would be forcibly dispersed and that participants would be arrested and detained.

Elsham study: Women and children severely impacted by military violence and impunity

On 15 March, a public discussion on military impunity and violence and its impact on women and children was held by Papuan civil society groups in Jayapura. Research by Elsham Papua (Lembaga Studi dan Advokasi Hak Asasi Manusia, Institute of Human Rights Studies and Advocacy) reported that women and children were severely impacted by military violence in Papua. Violence against women was not only recorded in instances of domestic violence, but also in cases of rape, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention and murder inflicted by military forces. Elsham data collected from 2012 to 2014 revealed 389 cases of military violence resulting in 234 deaths, 854 people injured, and 880 arrests.

PapuaItuKita calls for rejection of new Brimob base in Wamena

On 31 March, Jakarta-based West Papua solidarity group PapuaItuKita demonstrated outside the Presidential Palace in the capital city against the building of a new Brimob (Brigade Mobil, Mobile Brigade) command base in Wamena. PapuaItuKita stated that increased militarisation only serves to increase violence, terrorisation and impunity in Papua. It added that the indigenous community in Papua is against the plans and that the Government can no longer adopt a militaristic stance to solve issues in Papua. Alius Asso, a youth leader from Wamena, told Majalah Selangkah that instead of increased militarisation, the Government should focus on the economy, health, education, and dealing with HIV/AIDS in Papua.

March 2015 Papuan Political Prisoners

In brief

At the end of February 2015, there were at least 38 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

The trials for Areki Wanimbo and the case of the Pisugi Election Boycott detainees are underway after months of postponed court hearings. In both cases, local human rights observers report a lack of sufficient evidence against the detainees. The legal process in both cases has also been fraught with irregularities. In the case of Areki Wanimbo, a Lanny Jaya tribal leader, police charged him with treason instead of acquitting him once they failed to find evidence to charge him for possession of ammunition. In the Pisugi case, court hearings were postponed six times as prosecutors were unable to present any witnesses. The five men standing trial were arrested for allegedly boycotting the Presidential elections in July last year. They were tortured on arrest and in detention, forced to confess and forced to sign fabricated police investigation reports (Berita Acara Pemeriksaan, BAP). The use of coerced confessions and falsified evidence in criminal proceedings is a direct violation of the right to fair trial. In the Sasawa case of February 2014, seven detainees were sentenced to 3.5 years’ imprisonment each after a trial that used falsified police reports as key evidence in their conviction. In many political cases in Papua, trials lack material evidence and depend heavily on police reports that are often signed by detainees under duress and in the absence of a lawyer.

In February, the team for the National Human Rights Commission (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM) leading investigations into Bloody Paniai returned to Enarotali to conduct interviews with victims and eyewitnesses. Even though early reports from Komnas HAM indicate that human rights violations were committed, it remains to be seen whether those responsible for the fatal shootings of four high school students will be held accountable. Without the establishment of a mechanism such as an Investigative Commission into Human Rights Violations (Komisi Penyelidikan Pelanggaran HAM, KPP-HAM), Komnas HAM would lack the necessary mandate to seek prosecution at Indonesia’s Ad Hoc Human Rights Court. Furthermore, the suspicious circumstances surrounding the burning down of a high school attended by two of the Bloody Paniai victims suggests that the local community in Enarotali continue to face threats and intimidation. Eyewitnesses and victims of Bloody Paniai are reluctant to come forward to provide testimony due to insufficient victim and witness protection.

Information received from local church groups reported that those detained in mass arrests in Utikini village in Timika last month have since been released. Maxson Waker, one of the 65 detained on 6 January, is reported to have been arrested for being drunk and suffered torture at the hands of police.

Arrests

KNPB Sorong activist detained

On 15 February, Yeheskial Kossay was arrested in Nabire for possessing documents related to Papuan independence. The member if the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) was detained for nine hours before being released without charge. Police also confiscated his mobile phone and recorded his contacts.

Releases

Detainees of Utikini mass arrest released; another report of torture observed

On 6 January, 65 men were arrested in Utikini village during a military and police sweeping following the fatal shooting of two Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, Brimbo) officers and one Freeport security guard. On 23 January, 64 of the 65 men were released without charge. Information received from the Baptist Voice of Human Rights in West Papua (Suara Baptis Papua) reported that the remaining detainee, 35-year-old Maxson Waker, has since been released.  Human rights sources reported that Waker was arrested simply for being drunk, and was tortured by Timika police. On arrest, police reportedly tied his hands and dragged him across the ground. His head was then slashed and his wounds were sprayed with salt water. During the mass arrests on 6 January, Seribu Kogoya, a 30-year-old Papuan, suffered similar torture when he attempted to speak out against the police beating of a tribal chief. Baptist Voice sources stated that Maxson Waker was not involved in the 1 January shootings of the security officers.

It is believed that the 13 men said to have been arrested in separate arrests on 1 January have since been released.

Political trials and cases overview

Areki Wanimbo trial begins

On 6 August 2014, Areki Wanimbo was arrested alongside two French journalists who had visited him in his home in Wamena. He initially faced charges of possession of ammunition under Emergency Law 12/1951 but this was later changed to charges of conspiracy to commit treason under Articles 106 and 110. His trial began in late January.

Wamena-based human rights investigators reported that witness testimony presented during court hearings in February revealed inconsistencies regarding the case. One of the witnesses, Nursalam Saka, a Jayawijaya police intelligence officer, testified that a document by the Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua, DAP) signed by Wanimbo was a crucial piece of information that led to his arrest. The document asks for donations for upcoming meetings with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Human rights investigators argued that Areki was arrested on suspicion of hiding weapons, but that police have not yet found any evidence to prove this. Instead, police used the DAP document, although insufficient as evidence, as an excuse to prolong his detention.

Defence lawyers for Wanimbo stated that he has requested that the two journalists testify on his behalf.  Court hearings will resume in early March.

Prosecution demands three-year prison sentences for Sarmi Melanesian flag detainees 

Human rights lawyers for Edison Werimon and Soleman Fonataba reported that the trial for the two men, which had been postponed since July 2014, has now resumed. On 3 March 2014, the Public Prosecutor demanded a three-year prison sentence for the two men, minus time already spent in detention. Werimon and Fonataba face charges of conspiracy to commit treason and are currently under city arrest.

Their trial had been delayed due to the Prosecution’s failure to submit a sentencing demand. On 18 February 2015, defence lawyers submitted a second appeal to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor, stating that the repeated postponement of the trial kept the two defendants in a state of legal limbo, and urged the trial to move forward. Lawyers have said that the Prosecution’s demand for a three-year sentence for each of the men is excessive and made little sense given that no evidence had so far been presented to the court. Furthermore, lawyers asserted that the testimony of the four witnesses presented did not match the charges levelled at the two men of conspiracy to commit treason.

According to defence lawyers, the Prosecution team may have submitted an excessive demand for a prison sentence in retaliation to their appeal to the Chief Prosecutor. The Office of the Chief Prosecutor has started an examination into the matter, following on from the second letter of appeal submitted by defence lawyers.

Detainees forced to confess in Pisugi case

On 19 February 2015, after months of suspended court hearings, the trial for Ibrahim Marian, Marsel Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut in the Pisugi election boycott case resumed. The trial for Yosep Siep, the fifth detainee in the case, has since been suspended. He was hospitalised in December 2014 due to pains endured as a result of torture on arrest, and is required to make a full recovery before his trial can be resumed. Ibrahim Marian told Suara Papua that they stand accused of making Molotov cocktails intended for use to disrupt the Presidential Elections in July last year. Marian denied the accusations and stated that they had voted during the elections.

The five men experienced torture and cruel and degrading treatment on arrest and in detention. Ibrahim Marian told Suara Papua that they were threatened with guns while in detention at the police station and forced to confess to making Molotov cocktails. Police also forged an investigation report while interrogating the detainees without the presence of a lawyer.

On 11 July, the five men were arrested alongside 12 others who have since been released, allegedly for participating in a boycott against the Indonesian Presidential elections. They face charges under Articles 187 and 164 of the Indonesian Criminal Code for conspiracy to endanger security of persons or property, for allegedly making and using explosives.

Two political prisoners intimidated into signing Statement of Loyalty

On 24 February 2015, human rights lawyers met with authorities from the Papua Regional office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Papua (Kementerian Hukum dan HAM, Kemenhukam) to seek clarification on the legal status of long term political prisoners Kimanus Wenda and Linus Hiluka. In early December 2014, the two men signed a Statement of Loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia. This is a requirement to be eligible for parole under government regulations for crimes against the state. Lawyers reported that the two men had signed the Statement of Loyalty under duress and felt intimidated and was threatened into doing so. The two men have since rejected the Statement of Loyalty. Kemenhukam authorities told lawyers that they would move ahead with the coordination of their parole application.

As reported in our November 2014 update, on 8 November, the two men were moved from Nabire prison to the holding cell of the Nabire Regional police station after an altercation broke out between Kimanus Wenda and a prison guard. The two men were inhumanely treated while detained in the police station, being denied access to a toilet and only given plastic bottles to use.

Cases of concern

Bloody Paniai report

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM) continued its investigations into ‘Bloody Paniai’ this month. Tabloid Jubi reported that on 18 to 20 February, dozens of eyewitnesses and victims met with the Komnas HAM investigative team led by Maneger Nasution. Nasution told Indonesian press that thus far, Komnas HAM had found indications of four human rights violations: the right to life, children’s rights, women’s rights and the right to freedom from torture. He also added that the team will collect more information and that it is possible an ad-hoc team may be formed should there be indications of more severe human rights violations. In particular, the team plans to look for evidence demonstrating that the shooting was premeditated.

Papua Police Chief Inspector General Yotje Mende told Papuan press that police are faced with difficulty in investigating the shooting incident as witnesses had reportedly moved and autopsies on the dead victims were forbidden by their families. On 13 and 14 February, Jhon Gobai, the head of the Paniai Customary Council, met with the Institute of the Protection of Witnesses and Victims (Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban, LPSK) to ask them to oversee and provide protection to witnesses and victims throughout the investigative process. Gobai reported that the local community had been living in fear and trauma since the 8 December shootings.

Mende has also stated that an armed rebel group led by Leo Yogi could have been responsible for the shootings, despite several well-documented accounts by eyewitnesses and Papuan human rights sources that clearly describe military and police responsibility for the shootings. Laurenzus Kadepa, a member of the Papua Legislative Council, told Jubi that he suspected that a fire that had broken out in a junior high school in Enarotali was possibly intended to prevent a resolution to the case. The Junior High Gospel Church Educational Institute (Yayasan Pendidikan Persekolahan Gereja Injil, YPPGI) was attended by two of the four students who were shot dead on 8 December 2014.

On 28 January, the Independent Student Forum (Forum Independen Mahasiswa, FIM) held a peaceful demonstration in Jayapura calling for accountability for the case. The demonstration was dispersed by Abepura District police (Kepolisian Sektor Abepura) who claimed that they did not have permission to demonstrate.                                                 

Abepura prison guard raped a juvenile detainee

Information received from lawyers with KontraS Papua (Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan Papua) reported the rape of a juvenile prisoner by a prison guard in Abepura prison. The incident allegedly took place on 17 November 2014 when Lodwik Entong, the Sub-Section Chief of Abepura prison, attacked the minor in his prison cell. Lawyers providing legal accompaniment to the victim reported that Jayapura High Court judges blamed the rape on the victim, reportedly because of his ‘effeminate nature’. Lawyers are currently coordinating with the Head of the Correctional Division (Kepala Divisi Pemasyarakatan, Kadiv Pas) of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia, Kemenkumham Provinsi Papua) to transfer the victim to Biak prison due to fears of retaliation. The victim could also be closer to his family if he was transferred to Biak prison. Further court hearings will take place in March.

UNCEN students threatened by intelligence officers

An article by Suara Papua reported intimidation and threats faced by two Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) students from officers from the National Intelligence Agency (Badan Intelejen Negara, BIN). On 7 February, Kansiskoris Mahuze was reportedly followed by seven people who monitored him outside his house in Waena, Jayapura. Mahuze’s wife overhead their conversation, where they reportedly discussed their plans of kidnapping him and another UNCEN student, Benyamin Lagowan. Lagowan told Papuan news site Suara Papua that he had been followed and monitored by intelligence officers previously. The two men are politically active students involved with the Medical Faculty Solidarity for Student Health (Solidaritas Mahasiswa Kesehatan Peduli Fakultas Kedokteran, SMKP-FK).

News

Human rights lawyers come together to address security

On 16 and 17 February, a focus group discussion was organised by the Institute for Research, Investigation and Development of Legal Aid, (Yayasan Lembaga Penelitian, Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Bantuan Hukum, LP3BH) on the theme of the System of Protection for Lawyers and Human Rights Defenders in Papua. The focus group was attended by lawyers who are at high levels of risk of threats, harassment, intimidation and physical attacks due to their work with cases involving human rights violations. The focus group will work together to coordinate several action points and strategic programmes to address these issues.

February 2015 Papuan political prisoners

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org.

In brief

At the end of January 2015, there were at least 38 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

The notable apparent decrease in the number of political prisoners is due to updated information on cases where news is often inaccessible or hard to come by. As timely information is often difficult to obtain, it is at times challenging to confirm if a political prisoner has been released. Additionally, news was also received this month of the release of six political prisoners in the Aimas 1 May case last November, following the end of their 1.5 year prison sentences. While the number of political prisoners recorded this month is comparably lower than those recorded in previous months, reports of mass arrests, ill-treatment and torture continue.

In January, at least 78 people were arrested in Utikini village and detained at Mimika Regional police office following the shooting of two Mobile Brigade (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers and one Freeport security officer. During the large-scale raid in Timika, at least 116 people were rounded up, including 48 women and three children. At least four people were reported to have suffered serious injuries from torture and ill-treatment, 439 homes were reportedly burned down and five people, including a baby, are believed to have died due to a lack of food and medicine after fleeing the violence.

The terrorising of whole communities in retaliation for armed activity demonstrates a common form of collective punishment used by security forces against indigenous Papuans. Similar reprisal attacks were also seen in Pirime district, Lanny Jaya in July 2014 and Puncak Illaga district, Timika in December 2014. Local communities in conflict areas are often targeted for arbitrary arrest and suffer torture, ill-treatment and internal displacement. While it is hard to ascertain the exact number of people living in such areas who are at risk of serious human rights violations, reports received from Papuan human rights sources indicate that the figure is in the thousands. The raid on Utikini village in Timika this month alone has reportedly resulted in around 5,000 internally displaced people. It is difficult to obtain accurate and timely information on the situation in these areas as they are often remote and heavily controlled by security forces. Instead of ensuring the protection of basic rights for local communities, the presence of security forces seem to be deeply destabilising.

Also in Timika this month, a student was heavily beaten by Brimob officers because he could not afford to pay for a meal at a street stall. He was shot when he attempted to retaliate by fighting back and throwing stones. The tendency for security forces to resort to the use of firearms to respond to the slightest provocation or in some instances, as the first measure used on arrest or detention of unarmed individuals, is an ongoing serious concern regarding policing methods. Such trigger-happy responses were seen in the ‘Bloody Paniai’ incident and in demonstrations in Dogiyai last month, as well as events in Yotefa market in July and August 2014. It is important to highlight that in almost all recorded cases, the perpetrators continue to enjoy total impunity.

Newly received information regarding the Bloody Paniai case has revealed that on 8 December 2014, four Papuans were fatally shot, and not the previously reported number of six. While the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM) has formed a Fact Finding Team (Tim Penyelidikan Fakta, TPF), such a mechanism is only able to submit recommendations to the Indonesian government. Human rights groups are pushing for Komnas HAM to establish an Investigative Commission into Human Rights Violations (Komisi Penyelidikan Pelanggaran HAM, KPP HAM) in order to be able to bring the case to trial.

Arrests

Mass arrests, ill-treatment and torture during large-scale security raid in Mimika

Scores of people were arrested in Timika following the fatal shootings of two Brimob officers and one Freeport security officer. Human rights workers and Papuan media also reported cases of torture, ill-treatment and indiscriminate shooting by security forces in response to the shootings which took place on 1 January 2015.

On 1 January, at around 21:00 Papuan time, Second Brigadier Officers Riyan Hariansyah and M Adpriadi and Freeport security officer Suko Miartono were fatally shot in an armed attack while they were passing through Utikini village, Tembagapura district, in a patrol car. An armed pro-independence branch of the West Papua National Liberation Army (Tentera Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, TPNPB) headed by Ayub Waker issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

A report received from a local human rights source stated that 13 people were arrested later the same day and are currently detained at Mimika Regional police station. It is currently unclear whether the 13 detainees are affiliated with the armed group and what charges they face.

On 6 January, a joint police and military task force raided Utikini village and rounded up at least 116 people, including 48 women and three children. Some reports indicated higher figures of more than 200 people. Out of those rounded up at Utikini village, 65 people were arrested and interrogated at Mimika Regional police station, reportedly because they possessed membership cards for the West Papua Interest Association (WPIA), a group that supports self-determination. Kamaniel Wakel, a tribal chief from Utikini village, was one of the 65 believed to have been detained. On 23 January, 64 of the detainees were released from Mimika Regional police station. 35-year-old Maxson Waker remains in detention, however it is currently unclear what charges he faces.

Papuan news site Jubi also reported torture, ill-treatment and unprocedural use of firearms by security forces during the raid. Two men from the village, Narogay Ela and Yondiman Waker, reportedly suffered gunshot injuries. Another Papuan, Merson Waker, is reported to have suffered serious stab wounds. According to a report by the Baptist Voice of Human Rights in West Papua (Suara Baptis Papua), 30-year-old Seribu Kogoya was reportedly tortured during the raid after he tried to speak out when police severely beat Senimela Wakerkwa, a Lanny Jaya tribal chief. Security forces allegedly slashed his head and sprayed salt water on his wounds while interrogating him. Local human rights activists told Jubi that those in need of medical treatment following the violence could not access hospitals as roads were being blocked by security forces.

According to witness testimony, security forces burned down 439 homes and confiscated pigs belonging to the villagers. Benny Pakage, a human rights activist with the Tabernacle Church in Papua (Kingmi Papua), told Jubi that as many as 5,000 villagers have fled the village to escape the violence. Due to the displacement, they sought temporary shelter in forests without adequate food and water and were then forced to find refuge in other regions. Five people, including a baby, is reported to have died due to a lack of medication or starvation while hiding in the forests.

According to a press statement by the Head of National Police, Inspector General Yotje Mende, 1,576 security personnel were involved in the raid. Among them, two-thirds of the officers were from the Mimika Regional police, 453 from the Amole Task Force and 150 from the Mimika District Military Command Battalion.

Due to difficulty in obtaining accurate and timely information from Timika, it is still unclear whether the 13 people arrested on 1 January are still in detention. It is believed that the 13 detainees, along with Maxson Waker, do not currently have any legal representation. Papuans Behind Bars will continue to report on this case as developments come to light.

Releases

Six detainees in Aimas 1 May case released

On 1 November 2014, Hengky Mangamis, Yordan Magablo, Obaja Kamesrar, Antonius Saruf, Obeth Kamesrar and Klemens Kodimko were released following the end of their 1.5 year prison sentences. Isak Klaibin, the only remaining detainee in the case, continues to serve a 3.5 year prison sentence in Sorong prison. The seven men were sentenced for conspiracy to commit treason under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code and possession of weapons under Emergency Law 12/1951. They were arrested on 30 April 2013 during a gathering of community members to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the administrative transfer of Papua to Indonesia on 1 May 2013. Security forces had fired into the crowd for 20 minutes, causing the death of two Papuan men.

Salomina Klaibin, the sister of Isak Klaibin, suffered serious gunshot injuries and later died in hospital under suspicious circumstances.

Pastor arrested in Lanny Jaya raids released

Information received from Jayapura-based human rights workers indicate that Pastor Ruten Wakerkwa, who was arrested on 1 August 2014 during a military raid in Lanny Jaya has since been released. Wakerkwa was arrested when fighting broke out between security forces and an armed group led by resistance leader Enden Wanimbo.

KNPB Merauke activists released

Reports received from local human rights workers state that Ferdinandus Blagaize and Selestinus Blagaize, two activists of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) have been released from detention in Okaba District police station. The two activists were arrested for possessing a referendum-related document and books on Papuan history that were intended for a socialisation event in their home village of Okaba.

Timur Wakerkwa released

In early November 2014, Timur Wakerkwa was released following the end of his 2.5 year prison sentence. On 1 May 2012, he was arrested alongside Darius Kogoya for taking part in a demonstration marking the 49^th anniversary of the administrative transfer of West Papua to Indonesia. Both men were charged with treason under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Kogoya continues to serve a three-year sentence in Abepura prison.

Election boycott detainees released

Human rights lawyers reported the release of Sudi Wetipo, Elius Elosak, Domi Wetipo and Agus Doga from Jayawijaya Regional police station in Wamena. According to updated information obtained from sources in Wamena, the four men were arrested in Silokarno district on 11 July 2014, instead of 14 July as previously reported. They were detained alongside the five detainees in the Pisugi Elections Boycott case. On 13 July, they were released without charge. The four men were arrested because they chose not to participate in the Presidential Elections in July 2014 and had called for an election boycott.

Political trials and cases overview

Yosep Siep not receiving psychological treatment; trial for four others suspended

Defence lawyers from the Democracy Alliance for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, AlDP) have reported that Yosep Siep, one of the five men arrested in the Pisugi Election Boycott case, is no longer in detention in Wamena prison. Last month, Siep was hospitalised for chest and ear pains endured as a result of torture he faced on arrest. He also seemed to be suffering from stress and was unable to concentrate when answering questions. He has been advised to consult with a psychologist by the general practitioner of the hospital, but as there are no such services in Wamena, he has not been able to receive the treatment he needs for a full recovery. As there are no definite arrangements with the District Court to ensure that Siep is receiving the medical treatment he needs to be fit for trial, he has since returned home. However, his status as a suspect in the case remains and he is still at risk of re-arrest or trial. Court hearings for the four other detainees have been repeatedly postponed due to a lack of witnesses willing to submit testimony.

25 detained in Illaga raid released

On 12 December 2014, the 25 men arrested in the Puncak Illaga military raid were released. On 3 December, they were arrested in relation to the fatal shootings of two Brimob officers in Puncak Jaya. According to a local human rights investigator, the men were released from detention due to insufficient evidence linking them to the attack. Pro-independence armed group TPNPB had claimed responsibility for the attack, but stated that those who were arrested during the raid were ordinary civilians and not TPNPB members.

Cases of concern

Brimob shoots student in Timika

Papuan news site Majalah Selangkah reported that on 10 January 2015, Melkias Nawipa, a 20-year-old student was beaten and shot by Brimob officers because he was IDR 3,000 (USD 0.25) short of paying for his meal at a street side noodle stall. The stall owner reported him to police who proceeded to severely beat him. Brimob officers fired five shots in Nawipa’s direction when he retaliated by fighting back and throwing stones. He suffered a gunshot injury to his back and was taken to the emergency unit in Mimika Hospital.

Correction to Bloody Paniai report

New information from Nabire-based human rights investigators has revealed that on 8 December 2014, four Papuans were shot dead in the ‘Bloody Paniai’ incident, instead of six people, as reported in our December update. The victims were Simon Degei (an 18-year-old high school student), Alpius Youw, Alpius Gobai and Yulian Yeimo (all 17-year-old high school students).

Suara Papua reported that the situation in Enarotali, Paniai, is still tense and that the local community are severely traumatised by the shootings. On 7 January 2015, the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM) formed a Fact Finding Team (Tim Penyelidikan Fakta, TPF) which would be able to submit recommendations regarding the case to the government, but not to bring the case to trial. Papuan human rights groups have called on Komnas HAM to form an Investigative Commission into Human Rights Violations (Komisi Penyelidikan Pelanggaran HAM, KPP HAM) in order to be able to bring the case to trial in accordance with Law 26/2000 on the Court of Human Rights.

News

Note regarding the removal of three men from the political prisoner list

In this month’s update, we have removed three men – Deber Enumby, Tiragud Enumby and Yenite Morib – from the list of political prisoners. Papuans Behind Bars has not received any new information regarding the three men for more than a year. It is likely that they may have already been released. On 4 Janaury, Deber Enumby was arrested following the theft of eight firearms from the Kurilik police post. Several weeks later, Tiragud Enumby and Yenite Morib were arrested in a raid at Dondobaga Church in Kurilik village. We will continue to report on their case should any new developments come to light.

January 2015 Papuan political prisoners

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org.

In brief

At the end of December 2014, there were at least 55 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

Six Papuans were killed and at least 22 others suffered injuries as a result of indiscriminate shootings by military and police officers on 8 December 2014 in Enarotali district in Paniai regency. Security forces fired into a crowd of around 800 peaceful demonstrators who were performing a traditional Papuan waita dance in protest of the torture of a 13-year-old boy by Special Military Team Unit Batallion 753 (Oknum Tim Khusus Batalyon 753, Timsus 753) officers the previous day. Timsus 753 military officers were also responsible of the documented torture of two Papuans in May 2010. This brutal treatment of children by State security forces in open and public spaces is particularly alarming and sums up the entrenched culture of impunity in Papua.

Without conducting a thorough, independent and impartial investigation, Indonesian military officials gave what one analyst called a “classic response” by shifting blame for the 8 December shootings on the Free Papua Movement (Operasi Papua Merdeka, OPM). In another response, dismissed by Papuan community leaders as fabrications, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security told Indonesian media outlets that the shootings had already been dealt with in the customary manner, by performing an indigenous ritual of bakar batu. These responses seriously call into question the political will of Indonesian authorities to seek accountability and transparency for what has come to be known as ‘Bloody Paniai.’

While President Joko Widodo stated that a fact-finding team would be formed, it remains to be seen if it would be a joint inquiry consisting of the army, police, the National Commission of Human Rights (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM), and traditional Papuan leaders, in accordance with the recommendations of Komnas HAM. The importance of such a joint inquiry would be to ensure that military personnel responsible could be questioned and therefore held to account. Political and human rights analysts have speculated that the 8 December shootings may have been fuelled by an emboldened military following the announcement of Jokowi’s support for a new regional military command (Komando Daerah Militer, Kodam) in Papua. Long-standing violations by the Indonesian military in Papua, perpetuated by a culture of impunity, suggest that such plans are incompatible with Jokowi’s earlier pledges of protecting human rights in Papua. On 27 December, tens of demonstrators in Jayapura were arrested for protesting the planned visit of President Jokowi. The demonstrators, along with other Papuan civil society groups, rejected Jokowi’s visit in response to Bloody Paniai.

In a separate case in Puncak Illaga in Mimika regency this month, at least 26 Papuans were arrested and ill-treated, some of whom were tortured. This case echo three other cases reported in 2014: the Nimbokrang arrests in August, the Sasawa arrests in February and Bloody Yotefa in July. In these cases, security forces continue to target ordinary Papuan civilians with excessive use of force and indiscriminate arrests in a bid to collectively punish indigenous Papuan communities for violent acts committed by other criminal individuals and groups. Such violent reprisal attacks highlight the lack of basic protection afforded to indigenous Papuans against atrocities committed by Indonesian state security forces.

One of the detainees in the Pisugi Elections Boycott case, Yosep Siep, has been hospitalized due to pains endured as a result of torture faced on arrest. Court hearings for the five Pisugi detainees have been repeatedly postponed due to the difficulty of obtaining witness testimonies in court. In Nabire, ten West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papus Barat, KNPB) members were released after more than a month in detention, reportedly due to the lack of evidence to bring them to trial.

Arrests

Several arrested for demonstrating against Jokowi visit

Papuan news source Suara Papua reported that on 27 December 2014, tens of demonstrators were arrested by security forces for participating in a long march protesting the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Papua. According to a testimony from one witness, the demonstrators were dressed in indigenous dress and intended to march from Sosial Street in Sentani to Sentani Airport. On the march, they were stopped by Military Infantry Batallion 751 and were reportedly arrested by both military and police officers. They were then detained in Jayapura Regional police station. It is not yet clear exactly how many demonstrators were arrested and if they currently remain in detention.

Dozens arrested and tortured by security forces in Puncak Illaga

Information received by independent local human rights workers reported the arrests of at least 26 Papuans in Illaga in Puncak Jaya, Mimika regency following the fatal shootings of two Mobile Brigade (Brigades Mobil, Brimob) officers by the pro-independence armed movement the West Papua National Liberation Army (Tentera Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, TPNPB).

On 3 December 2014, two Brimob officers were shot in front of the offices of the Papuan Legislative Council (DPRD, Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua) in Kago district, Mimika. TPNPB members also took their assault rifles. TPNPB has released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. Shortly afterwards, a joint military and police task force responded by conducting a search operation in the area, burning down 15 homes belonging to local villagers, who were reportedly not involved in the attack. The homes that were burned down include 13 traditional honai houses and the home of Kwarnus Murib, the local district head. 24 people were arrested and allegedly faced ill-treatment and torture on arrest. One of the detainees, Pai Murib, was released in a critical condition following heavy beatings to his stomach. Murib was sent to the public hospital in Puncak Jaya following his release, and was only able to speak and eat after two days. According to Murib’s testimony, on 3 December he was out collecting wood in the forest to use at home when police, without questioning him, proceeded to severely beat and then detain him.

The 23 other people who were arrested are Baitem Murib, Rekules Murib, Patung Kulua, Munius Tabuni, Pliton Murib, Wisisi Murib, Elison Murib, Yomis Murib, Ketamius Telenggen, Daud Murib, Penggeri Murib, Tipen Tabuni, Kitenius Murib, Matius Murib, Malukni Murib, Delpi Kulua, Agus Magai, Isak Tabuni, Manus Waker, Yonar Telenggen, Donar Telenggen and Yuh Mom. According to human rights investigators, the 23 men were not involved in the attack against the two Brimob officers. They are currently detained in Puncak Ilaga Regional police station.

On 5 December, Mernus Murib and Tomas Tabuni (a member of the Regional People’s Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah, DPRD) of Puncak Ilaga) were arrested outside Bank Papua in Puncak Ilaga and detained in Puncak Ilaga Regional police station. They were reportedly arrested in relation to the attack on the two Brimob officers. It is unclear what involvement, if any, the two men have in the attack.

Human rights investigators reported concerns for the welfare of the 25 detainees, stating that they may be at risk of torture. The detainees are currently without legal representation.

Releases

KNPB Nabire and Dogiyai activists released

On 23 December, ten KNPB activists from Nabire and Dogiyai who were arrested on 19 November, were released. Sadrak Kudiai, the head of KNPB Nabire, Agus Tebay, Derius Goo, Yafet Keiya, Hans Edoway and Aleks Pigai from Nabire, and David Pigai, the head of KNPB Dogiyai, Enesa Anouw, Marsel Saul Edowai and Agus Waine from Dogiyai, were previously charged with incitement and treason under Articles 160, 106 and 55 of the Indonesian Criminal code. They were arrested for taking part in commemorative activities celebrating the 6th anniversary of the formation of the KNPB. Majalah Selangkah reported that the Head of Nabire Regional Police, H.R. Situmeang stated that the ten members were ‘gifted’ a Chrismas release following appeals from the local tribal leader and villagers. One of the detainees, Sadrak Kudiai, challenged Situmeang’s statement, asserting instead that they were released because police could not find evidence to detain them further.

Political trials and cases overview

Yosep Siep hospitalised; hearings postponed amid no-show of witnesses in Pisugi Elections Boycott case

One of the detainees of the Pisugi Elections Boycott case, Yosep Siep, has been hospitalised for chest and ear pains endured as a result of torture he faced on arrest. According to defence lawyers, Siep also seemed to be unable to concentrate when answering questions and is under tremendous stress. He is also reportedly suffering from typhoid. Siep previously received medical treatment but was still made to attend hearings despite his poor condition. However, defence lawyers appealed for Siep to receive intensive treatment in hospital until he is fully recovered. His court hearing has since been postponed until he is fully recovered.

Court hearings have also been postponed for the four other detainees – Ibrahim Marian, Marsel Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut – as witnesses did not show to testify. Court hearings scheduled for 3 and 10 December were postponed when witnesses who were called forward to present their testimonies failed to attend the hearings. Witnesses who were called forward included members of the public and police officers. According the Public Prosecutor, the members of the public were no longer living in the area and thus not able to attend, and the police witnesses were too preoccupied with policing activities to be able to attend.

Case of concern

Six dead, 22 injured in Paniai military and police shootings

On 8 December 2014, five Papuans were fatally shot by military and police officers and at least 22 others suffered injuries in Enarotali district in Paniai regency. A sixth victim died in hospital the following day. Security forces began indiscriminately shooting into a crowd of Papuans who were performing a traditional indigenous dance in protest of the torture and ill-treatment of three boys by military officers the previous day.

According to reports from local human rights investigators and Papuan media, on the evening of 7 December, at around 20:20 Papua time, three boys aged 12 to 13 stopped a vehicle in Enarotali and urged its occupants to turn on their headlights for safety reasons as it was dark. At 21:00, the same vehicle accompanied by a military vehicle belonging to Special Military Team Unit Batallion 753 (Oknum Tim Khusus Batalyon 753, Timsus 753) arrived back to the same spot to seek out the three boys. Timsus 753 military officers severely beat Yulianus Yeimo, one of the three boys, with rifle butts and slashed him on the head and body, as documented in a report by the Peace and Justice Department of the Papuan Gospel Tabernacle Church (Departemen Keadilan dan Perdamaian Sinode Gereja Kemah Injil (KINGMI) di Tanah Papua). Yeimo eventually managed to escape and ran away with the two other boys. The military officers chased the three boys and fired shots in their direction. As a result, one of the boys, Jeri Gobai, reportedly suffered a gunshot wound on his right shoulder.

The following day, on 8 December, at around 07:00, the Head of Paniai Regional police arrived to the location where Yeimo was tortured. Local villagers assumed they were responsible for the torture and ill-treatment of the three boys, as the vehicle they used was similar to the one used the previous night, and started throwing stones at the police. After an intervention from the local regent, tension eased and the crowd stopped their actions.

At around 09:00, a crowd of around 800 Papuans gathered at Karel Bonay field in front of Enarotali district police station and the Military Command (Komando Rayon Militer, Koramil) to demand an explanation for the events of the previous night. The demonstrators performed a traditional Papuan waita dance, in expression of their grievance. Military and police officers responded by indiscriminately shooting live ammunition into the crowd. Paniai-based human rights investigators and news reports stated that five people died on the spot; Alpius Youw, Yulian Yeimo and Alpius Gobai (all 17-year-old high school students) and Simon Degei (an 18-year-old high school student). Abia Gobay (a 17-year-old high school student) also died from gunshot wounds, but his body was found 400 metres from Karel Bonay field. Reports indicate that his family brought his body back to the family home. The following day, on 9 December, Yulian Tobai, a 40-year-old security guard died of his injuries in hospital, making him the sixth victim of the police and military shootings. A report by Jayapura-based church organisation the Fellowship of Baptist Churches of Papua (Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja Baptis Papua) stated that at least 22 other people suffered gunshot-related injuries. The youngest amongst those that suffered injuries was 8-year-old Benny Yogi, an elementary-school student who was shot in his hand.

On 11 December, Major General Fuad Basya, the Head of the Information Centre for the Indonesian National Army (Tentera Nasional Indonesia, TNI) told Indonesian media of the possibility of separatist involvement in the 8 December shootings. General Gatot Nurmantyo, the Army Chief of Staff, claimed that the shootings were initiated by the Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, OPM) from the surrounding mountains. Dr. Otto Nur Abdullah, who heads the National Human Rights Commission (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM) team investigating the 8 December shootings, stated that this was impossible given that the mountains were far away. He asserted instead that military officers from Timsus 753 were responsible for the shootings.

On 15 December, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security (Menteri Koordinator Politik, Hukum dan Keamanan, Menko Polhukam) told Indonesian media outlets that while investigations into the incident are ongoing, the local Papuan community had come to a deal with the military and police in line with customary ways (secara adat), by performing a customary ritual of bakar batu. Local church and community leaders condemned the announcement stating that no such agreement had been made and that it only served to further anger the families of the victims. The Head of the Papuan Customary Council (Dewan Adat Papua, DAP) in Paniai, Jhon Gobay, told Majalah Selangkah that such a statement represented a systematic effort by the Indonesian State to conceal the situation and to abscond responsibility for the 8 December shootings.

Komnas HAM has called on the Indonesian government to conduct a joint fact-finding inquiry consisting of the army, police, Komnas HAM and traditional Papuan leaders. Human Rights Watch Indonesia and Imparsial have similarly implored the Indonesian government to conduct a joint inquiry, to ensure that investigators can question military personnel who were present during the incident. Human Rights Watch have also called on the Indonesian government to protect witnesses present during the 8 December shootings, noting that a preliminary report by Komnas HAM showed that witnesses were “unwilling to testify” due to concerns of reprisals. A Suara Papua article reported that the local community were severely traumatised by the shootings and that a heavy presence of armed members from the security forces could still be found in Enarotali almost a week after the shootings.

In response to the 8 December shootings, that has now come to be known as ‘Bloody Paniai’, Papuan civil society groups including the Ecumenical Forum of Papuan Churches (Forum Oikumenis Gereja-Gereja Papua) and student group Gempar-R voiced their disagreement against President Jokowi’s planned Christmas visit to Jayapura on 27 December. On 27 December, in a speech addressing a crowd of hundreds in Mandala Stadium in Jayapura city, Jokowi broke his silence on the 8 December shootings, stating that he wanted “the case to be solved immediately” and that “by forming a fact-finding team” he hoped to “obtain valid information [about what actually happened], as well as find the root of the problems.”

News

Komnas HAM to monitor treason cases in Papua; Theys Eluay murder case may be reopened

An article on the Democracy Alliance for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, AlDP) website reported that Komnas HAM will begin to pay more attention to monitoring treason cases in Papua. Dr. Otto Nur Abdullah, who leads the Komnas HAM team investigating Bloody Paniai, noted that they plan to monitor the full trial process of cases involving treason charges. Komnas HAM also plans to conduct plenary sessions examining past cases, including the murder of Papuan leader Theys Eluay, the disappearance of Eluay’s personal driver, Aristoteles Masoka, and the disappearance of 17 speedboat passengers in Serui in March 2009. Dr. Abdullah also stated the possibility of reopening the Theys Eluay case to reach a verdict regarding his abduction.

December 2014 Papuan political prisoners

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org.

In brief

At the end of November 2014, there were at least 65 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

The West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) remains the most heavily targeted civil society group in Papua. So far this year, there have been 101 arrests of KNPB activists or those suspected of being affiliated to the KNPB. The pattern of mass arrests of KNPB members continued this month with 28 KNPB members arrested for participating in peaceful commemorative activities celebrating the 6^th anniversary of the formation of the KNPB in 2008. This July, 36 KNPB arrests were made in relation to a peaceful planned boycott of the Indonesian Presidential elections. There appears to be no end in sight for punitive and indiscriminate actions against the KNPB, including raids, mass arrests, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture. Police attempts to delegitimise the KNPB as an ‘illegal’ organisation under the auspices of Law 17/2013 on Social Organisations (UU 17/2013 tentang Organisasi Kemasyarakatan) restricts peaceful expression and represents a shrinking of democratic space.

The 12 detainees in the Nimbokrang Elections Boycott case were released on bail but may yet be tried and are currently under city arrest. The four detainees in the Freedom Flotilla arrests case in Sorong in August 2013 and the two detainees in the Sarmi treason case in December 2013 likewise remain in legal limbo. In these cases, bail conditions included the possibility of re-arrest if found repeating the same ‘offence,’ such as demonstrating or boycotting an election. These stringent bail conditions together with police surveillance and restrictions on physical movement are aimed at deterring indigenous Papuan activists from exercising their right to peaceful protest. This clearly violates the rights to freedom of assembly and expression. Similarly, the inclusion of activists and leaders in police ‘wanted’ lists (Daftar Pencarian Orang, DPO) is another strategy used by police to criminalise and intimidate indigenous civil society groups.

Linus Hiel Hiluka and Kimanus Wenda, two political prisoners detained in Nabire who are serving sentences of 19 years and 10 months each, were subjected to inhumane treatment by police. The trial for Areki Wanimbo, who has been detained since 6 August, is expected to begin in December. Wanimbo was arrested alongside two French journalists who visited him as part of their investigations into the situation in Lanny Jaya. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit treason which carries a maximum six-year sentence.

Arrests

KNPB members in Nabire, Dogiyai and Kaimana face ill-treatment and arbitrary arrest for commemorating anniversary

28 West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) members in Nabire, Dogiyai and Kaimana were subject to arrest and ill-treatment by Indonesian police during commemorative activities celebrating the 6^th anniversary of the formation of the KNPB. 

Nabire

On 19 November, ten people were arrested in two separate gatherings in Nabire City district. According to testimony of one those arrested and later released, Agus Tebay, the organiser of one of the gatherings was beaten on arrest. All ten men were reported to have been detained in isolation overnight and were not given access to proper sanitation, food or water. On 23 November, it was reported that four of the men had been released. According to a report from Papuan news site Suara Papua, the six men who remain in detention, Sadrak Kudiai, the head of KNPB Nabire, Agus Tebay, Derius Goo, Yafet Keiya, Hans Edoway and Aleks Pigai were charged with incitement and treason under Articles 160, 106 and 55 of the Indonesian Criminal code.

Dogiyai

12 men were arrested in Dogiyai Regency when KNPB members gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the KNPB. They were stopped by Nabire police and Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) officers, some of whom were fully armed. When KNPB members attempted to negotiate with the security forces to allow them to conduct a prayer session, police reportedly responded by firing shots into the crowd and beating and arresting those who attempted to flee. Four of the 12 men arrested – David Pigai, Oktovianus Tebay, Markus Mote and Ansalmus Pigay – were reported to have suffered gunshot wounds.

According to an early report by Majalah Selangkah, David Pigai is reported to have been heavily beaten and stabbed in the back of the head with a bayonet blade in detention. It is believed that he is being denied access to medical attention. The detainees were also reportedly denied food and clean water. David Pigai, the head of KNPB Dogiyai, Enesa Anouw, Marsel Saul Edowai and Agus Waine were charged with incitement and treason under Articles 160, 106 and 55 of the Indonesian Criminal code.

Kaimana

According to a report by Jubi, on 24 November, police conducted a search operation in the KNPB secretariat in Kaimana regency and arrested six KNPB members. The arrests follow activities held on 19 November by KNPB Kaimana commemorating the 6^th anniversary of the KNPB. Gofur Kurita, Nikolaus Busira, Demianus Waita, Marden Namsau, Kores Namsau and Dewi Kurita were released shortly afterwards.

Releases

Nimbokrang detainees bailed

On 13 and 14 November, the 12 detainees in the Nimbokrang case were released on bail and are currently under city arrest. Lawyers from KontraS Papua (Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan) reported that seven of the detainees, Philemon Yare, Loserek Loho, Sahayu Loho, Alpi Pahabol, Gad Mabel, Enos Hisage and Herman Siep, originally from Yalimo, were released and flown back to Yalimo. The remaining five detainees, Nius Alum, Yos Watei, Jhon Pigai and Anton Gobay, were released the following day. Police informed KontraS Papua lawyers that the decision to release the detainees was because some of the detainees were elderly and that a few of them were tribal leaders from Yalimo whose prolonged detention might destabilise the situation in that area. According to lawyers, during police investigations the 12 detainees were not treated as main suspects in the case. Despite this, they spent more than three months in detention, charged with treason and are now set to remain in a legal limbo.

On 10 August 2014, the 12 detainees were arrested alongside eight others under accusations of involvement with the National Papua Army/Free Papua Movement (Tentera Papua Nasional/Operasi Papua Merdeka) TPN/OPM. Their arrests followed repeated police raids in Berab village in Nimbokrang district, reportedly due to information received by security forces about alleged armed pro-independence camps in the village. Lawyers reported that while unlikely, the 12 men are still at risk of facing trial.

Stefanus Banal released

On 18 November, Stefanus Banal was released from Abepura prison. Information received from the Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of Franciscans of Papua (Sekretariat Keadilan Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan Fransiskan Papua, SKPKC Jayapura) stated that Banal has not yet received an operation needed for his leg as a result of being shot on arrest by police in Oksibil in Pegunungan Bintang regency. The operation required involves removing metal rods that were inserted in his leg to realign his broken shin bone. The medical treatment he initially received in Bhayangkara Police hospital shortly after his arrest in May 2013 was criticised by human rights investigators as being insufficient. Abepura prison authorities had refused to pay for his medical costs, which have so far been covered by civil society groups.

Political trials and cases overview

Sasawa detainees sentenced, appeal to be transferred to Serui prison

On 13 November, the seven detainees in the Sasawa case were sentenced to three-and-a-half years’ imprisonment each after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason, rebellion and possession of sharp weapons. The Public Prosecutor in the case had demanded for a four year prison sentence.

According to defence lawyers, the trial could not be considered to be fair as only two witnesses were called to submit their testimonies. More importantly, lawyers argued that the court did not take into account the fact that the witnesses faced intimidation in Sasawa, where all aspects of social life is heavily controlled by the criminal armed group headed by Fernando Worawoai. The 12 detainees were accused of being affiliated with this group.

Lawyers stated that the seven detainees have decided not to appeal their sentences for fear of potentially receiving longer sentences. However the seven detainees have requested a transfer to Serui prison to be closer to their families. The Regional Office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kantor Wilayah Kementerian Hukum dan HAM, Kanwil Hukum dan HAM), in Jayapura stated that this request may not be fulfilled as the local government lacks the funds for the transfer and that the associated costs may have to be met by the families themselves. Lawyers were told by Jayapura authorities that they would have to appeal to the Regional Office in Manokwari instead as Sorong is part of West Papua province and not Papua province.

Areki Wanimbo trial imminent

Defence lawyers reported that the trial for Areki Wanimbo will be held in Wamena. Wanimbo, who is currently held in Papuan Police Headquarters in Jayapura, is expected to be transferred to detention in Wamena in early December. Wanimbo was arrested alongside two French journalists who were released after 11 weeks in detention. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit treason under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. These charges carry a maximum six-year sentence.

Kimanus and Linus inhumanely treated in detention

A report from the Democracy Alliance for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, AlDP) described the inhumane treatment faced by Linus Hiel Hiluka and Kimanus Wenda in Nabire Regional police station. On 8 November, Hiluka and Wenda were moved from Nabire prison to the holding cell of Nabire Regional police station due to an earlier incident. Both men were given permission to do odd jobs outside Nabire prison where they could earn some money to send to their families. In reaction to being denied permission to leave Nabire prison to send money to his family, Wenda reportedly chased a prison guard with an axe as he was chopping wood in the kitchen. Shortly afterwards, they were moved to a special cell in Nabire Regional police station and refused permission to leave. They were reportedly refused access to a toilet and were only given plastic bottles to use.

Following the incident, the Head of the Correctional Division (Kepala Divisi Pemasyarakatan, Kadiv Pas) of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia, Kemenkumham) stated that the two men may be transferred to Abepura prison in light of security concerns. However, ALDP lawyers brokered an agreement with the authorities to allow both men to remain in Nabire prison so that they could remain close to their families.

Cases of concern

Police block access to lawyers in new ammunition case

Worrying details of police attempts to block access to legal representation have emerged with regard to the arrests of five people in Wamena. According to Jubi, on 26 October, Rambo Wenda was arrested alongside two male and two female counterparts on suspicion of buying of ammunition, among other accusations. Information received from local human rights investigators states that Jayawijaya Regional police fired dozens of shots at the time of arrest, resulting in all five detainees suffering gunshot wounds to the legs.

According to local human rights lawyers, Wamena police attempted to block the detainees’ access to lawyers by stating that the detainees were already receiving legal accompaniment from the Papua Legal Aid Institute (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum, LBH Papua), when in fact they were not. Human rights lawyers stated that this was a way for police to block access to lawyers until the very last stages of investigation before their case was transferred to the Public Prosecutor. The five detainees remain without legal representation. It is not yet clear what charges they face.

News

Filep Karma’s book marks 10 year imprisonment

On 1 December, ‘As if we were half beasts: Indonesian racism in the land of Papua (‘Seakan Kitorang Setengah Binatang: Rasialisme Indonesia di Tanah Papua’) was launched, marking Karma’s 10^th year behind bars. The book tells the story of Karma’s childhood in Wamena and Jayapura, the tragedy of Bloody Biak on 6 July 1998 and the racist attitudes of Indonesians towards indigenous Papuans. Karma is currently carrying out a 15-year prison sentence for treason.

Note regarding removal of George Ariks from the list of political prisoners

In this month’s update, we have removed George Ariks from the list of political prisoners. Papuans Behind Bars has not received any new information regarding Ariks for more than a year and it is likely that he has been released as his five-year sentence passed in 2009, should now have been spent. However, we will continue to report on his case should any new information come to light.

November 2014 Papuan political prisoners

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org

In brief

At the end of October 2014, there were at least 69 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

At least 46 members of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) were arrested in Jayapura and Merauke this month for participating in peaceful demonstrations. The demonstrators were urging the Indonesian government to release two French journalists who faced trial for breaching immigration rules. In likely reference to the Social Organisations Law (RUU Organisasi Kemasyarakatan, RUU Ormas), police claimed during the mass arrests that the KNPB is an illegal organisation as it is not registered with the Department of National Unity and Politics (Kesatuan Bangsa dan Politik, Kesbangpol) and affiliated symbols or attributes are also therefore illegal. Last June, police conducted a mass arrest in Boven Digoel under the same auspices. Indonesian human rights group Imparsial challenged the shutting down of peaceful demonstrations in Jayapura and Merauke, stating that freedom of expression in Papua is the worst in Indonesia, particularly when it comes to the treatment of KNPB rallies. The criminalisation of peaceful demonstrations, often under the auspices of the Ormas Law, restricts democratic space and stigmatises Papuan civil society groups.

On 27 October, two French journalists, Thomas Dandois and Valentine Bourrat, were released after 11 weeks in detention. However, Lanny Jaya tribal leader Areki Wanimbo, who was arrested alongside the pair, still faces charges of conspiracy to commit treason. Lawyers from the Democracy Alliance for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP) have stated that the legal process for Wanimbo has been fraught with irregularities and that his case has been handled unprofessionally. Wanimbo faces charges different to those he was first accused of, and unsuitable evidence was used to build a case against him. The decision to impose a two-and-a-half-month prison sentence on the two journalists instead of acquitting them was a harsh blow for the campaign to open access to Papua. As noted by Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono, foreign journalists face a complex system of applying for visas to Papua, which requires the approval of 18 different government agencies – a process that severely restricts journalistic access. It remains to be seen whether Indonesian president Joko Widodo will make good on his promise of opening access to Papua.

In our July update we raised concerns regarding an incident which has come to be known as ‘Bloody Yotefa,’ that took place on 2 July at Yotefa market in Abepura. Early reports stated that three Papuan men were killed following a police raid on a gambling den at Yotefa market. At least four Papuan men from the Central Highlands were tortured and 40 people arrested according to a report from the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Desk (Keadilan, Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan, KPKC) of the Evangelical Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Injili, GKI). Following the raid on the market, police arrested and handed over two Papuans, including a 14-year-old boy, to a mob of non-indigenous Papuans who publicly tortured and beat them while police stood by, later continuing the job themselves at Bhayangkara Police Hospital. While police beatings, torture and killings of indigenous Papuans are not new phenomena, the public involvement of non-indigenous mobs to achieve this is a particular low point. Bloody Yotefa challenges the government perspective that torture and killings are carried out by a rogue police in isolated cells, showing instead that these arbitrary violations are becoming social events in which the non-indigenous community can participate. This dynamic perpetuates a culture of fear and domination in which indigenous Papuans are exposed to constant risk of public violence, even in traditionally ‘safe’ spaces such as hospitals and university campuses. Police discrimination and profiling of indigenous Papuans, especially those who come from the Central Highlands, makes them still more vulnerable to public torture, violence and arbitrary arrest.

Arrests

Mass arrests in Jayapura and Merauke during demonstrations to free French journalists

On 13 October a total of 46 members of the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) were arrested for participating in demonstrations in Jayapura and Merauke demanding the release of two French journalists, according to reports from independent human rights workers and the Papuan press.

In Merauke, 29 KNPB members were arrested at around 06:20 Papuan time as they prepared for a march to the Immigration Office in Merauke. They were released shortly after from Merauke Regional police station. At 08:30 the same day, Merauke police reportedly searched the KNPB Merauke Secretariat offices and confiscated posters, banners, various publications and pictures of the KNPB flag.

In Jayapura, 17 KNPB members were detained for several hours for holding a peaceful silent demonstration. KNPB Secretary Ones Suhaniap stated that Jayapura police had not issued a letter of acknowledgement of notice (Surat Tanda Terima Pemberitahuan, STTP) in reply to the KNPB’s notice of their intent to demonstrate. Police had previously stated that they considered the KNPB to be an illegal organisation as it was not registered with the Department of National Unity and Politics (Kesatuan Bangsa dan Politik, Kesbangpol).

Releases

Cultural group leader released

On 23 August 2014, a day after his arrest, Abner Bastian Wanma, the Head of Sanggar Budaya SARAK-Sorong, a Papuan cultural group, was released from detention in Raja Ampat Regional police station. According to information from the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (Lembaga Penelitian, Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Bantuan Hukum, LP3BH), Sanggar Budaya SARAK-Sorong were scheduled to perform at the opening of ‘Sail Raja Ampat’ the next day, an event aimed at promoting tourism to Raja Ampat that was attended by Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. It appeared that the arrest was a pre-emptive move by the police to ensure that the performance of indigenous dance would not include any anti-Indonesian elements. The arbitrary arrest of Wanma echoes those of 23 men who performed the Cakalele dance at an event in 2007 in Ambon, Maluku which was also attended by Yudhoyono. During the event, the Benang Raja flag, a symbol of South Maluku independence was unfurled.

Political trials and cases overview

French journalists released; Trial for Areki Wanimbo to be held in Wamena

On 27 October 2014, Thomas Dandois and Valentine Bourrat were released from detention in Jayapura Immigration Office (Kantor Imigrasi Klas 1A Jayapura). They were sentenced to two-and-a-half-months imprisonment for breaching Article 122 of Law 6/2011 on Immigration. On 6 August, Dandois and Bourrat were arrested alongside five Papuans in Wamena. Areki Wanimbo, a tribal leader from Lanny Jaya, remains in detention in Papuan Police Headquarters in Jayapura. Lawyers from ALDP reported that his trial will be held in Wamena. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit treason under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

Jayapura Administrative Court drops summons against human rights lawyer

On 29 October, the Jayapura Administrative Court (Pengadilan Tata Usaha Negara, PTUN) signed an agreement with Papuan human rights organisations to waive the summonses against human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer. Papuan civil society groups such as the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (Lembaga Penelitian, Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Bantuan Hukum, LP3BH), the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua and the Working Group of Ecumenical Churches in Papua (Forum Kerja Oikumenes Gereja-Gereja Papua, FKOGP) had intervened and campaigned for the PTUN to drop the summonses against Kawer. The prominent human rights lawyer received a first summons on 22 August and a second one three days later. This was not the first time Kawer has faced the threat of prosecution for his human rights work. In 2012, he faced police intimidation when he represented the Jayapura Five who were accused of treason.

Pisugi Elections Boycott detainees may be forced to testify against each other

Lawyers with the Democracy Alliance for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP) reported that the five detainees in the Elections Boycott case in Wamena may be required to testify against each other.  Yosep Siep, Ibrahim Marian, Marsel Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut remain in detention in Jayawijaya Regional police station as they await the start of their trial. They experienced torture and cruel and degrading treatment on arrest and in detention. On 12 July, they were arrested alongside 13 others who have since been released, allegedly for participating in a boycott against the 9 July Indonesian Presidential Elections. However the five detainees now face charges under Articles 187 and 164 of the Indonesian Criminal Code for conspiracy to endanger security of persons or property, for reportedly making and using explosives.

Stefanus Banal receives bone graft surgery

A report from the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office (Keadilan, Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan, KPKC) of Franciscans of Papua stated that on 18 October, Stefanus Banal received bone graft surgery in Abepura hospital. On 19 May 2013, Banal was arrested under accusations of being involved in an arson attack on a police post in Oksibil in Pegunungan Bintang regency. Human rights workers reported that he was not involved in the attack. He was shot on arrest and underwent an initial operation where metal rods were inserted in his leg to realign his broken shin bone. The medical treatment he received in Bhayangkara Police hospital was criticised by human rights investigators as being insufficient. Abepura prison authorities have so far refused to pay for his medical costs. He was sentenced to one year and seven months imprisonment under Article 170 of the Indonesian Criminal Code for violence against persons or property.

Cases of concern

Report reveals extrajudicial killing, torture and mass arrests in ‘Bloody Yotefa’ incident

More information has been received revealing alarming details of an incident now known as ‘Bloody Yotefa’ that took place on 2 July 2014 in the vicinity of Yotefa market in Abepura, as stated in a report from the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Desk (Keadilan, Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan, KPKC) of the Evangelical Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Injili, GKI). As reported in our July update, a clash broke out between gamblers and two Jayapura police officers at a gambling den in Yotefa market that resulted in the death of a police officer. In the commotion, a firearm belonging to the deceased police officer was stolen by one of the illegal gamblers who then ran away. The report revealed that on top of the three people who were previously reported to have been killed, four people were also tortured and at least 40 arrests were made.

Two hours after the clash broke out, Jayapura police conducted a search operation in the area. The report states that according to a police spokesperson, the purpose of the search operation was to recover the firearm that was stolen. According to witness testimony, police fired three warning shots upon arrival at Yotefa market. Two farmers, 14-year-old Meki Pahabol and 20-year old Abis Kabak, were trading their produce at Yotefa market when they heard the shots. In a panic, they attempted to leave the area by boarding a public bus headed towards Koya, a different town. Police reportedly fired shots at the bus, prompting Pahabol to exit the vehicle in a panic. He was then chased by a group of non-Papuan immigrants who beat him with hammers and wooden planks. Pahabol was also stabbed with a knife by one of the immigrants. Abis Kabak, was forcefully pulled out of the vehicle by Jayapura police who then handed him over to a group of non-Papuan immigrants. He was chased and beaten with sharp weapons, hammers and wooden beams by the mob.

Both Pahabol and Kabak were taken to Bhayangkara Police Hospital where they experienced further torture in police custody. The KPKC report stated that the two Papuans were sent to the hospital along with eight other people who were injured, though it is not yet certain whether they too faced torture or ill-treatment. A police officer allegedly beat Kabak on the head repeatedly with a metal rod, which resulted in wounds requiring stitches. Pahabol and Kabak were also made to face a wall as they were repeatedly kicked by police officers wearing jackboots.

Upon receiving medical attention at Bhayangkara Police hospital, they were sent to a local police station. The KPKC report stated that upon their arrival at the police station, 17 other men were already in detention after being arrested in relation to the clash at Yotefa market. Five days later, on 7 July, Pahabol was released without charge. It is believed that the 17 other men were also released, but it is unclear exactly when. On 8 July, Kabak was sent to Bhayangkara Police Hospital to receive further medical treatment and was released from detention on 11 July. As a result of the torture he faced, Kabak required an operation on his lower jaw which was broken. He was unable to eat solid food for four weeks. He was reportedly denied any visitors while in hospital.

On 3 July, a day after the incident at the gambling den, Urbanus Pahabol and Asman Pahabol were arrested during a search operation at Kilo 9 in Koya. The two men were threatened at gunpoint and blindfolded as they were led out to a police truck. Police repeatedly intimidated the two men with death threats. They were driven to an unfamiliar place where they were then taken down from the truck and repeatedly beaten and kicked in turns by different police officers. They were questioned about the missing firearm that had been stolen and the murder of the police officer at the gambling den in Yotefa market. Asman Pahabol was hit on the elbow and wrist until he wet himself due to the pain he was suffering. Urbanus Pahabol was kicked and stabbed with a bayonet blade in the leg. His left eye and back were beaten with a wooden beam and he was kicked in the side four times by an officer wearing jackboots. He was also hit in the head with a hammer which was taken from his own home. Urbanus Pahabol was then forced to stay in a water basin containing cold water for approximately five hours. He was then hauled out and forced to march.

After enduring this torture, police then brought the two men to a local police station. On the way to the police station, they endured further torture as police whipped them with an electric cable. However, as the wounds faced by Urbanus Pahabol were so severe, police were forced to send him to Bhayangkara Police Hospital where he received 12 stitches to his face. Following this, Urbanus Pahabol and Asman Pahabol were taken to Papuan Police Headquarters to be detained. According to testimony from Urbanus Pahabol, police began to interrogate them on their third day in custody, even though the two men were without legal representation. They were questioned as to whether they took part in illegal gambling at the Yotefa market and whether they followed pro-independence activity. When Asman Pahabol answered that he did not, he was forced to squat while police beat and kicked him. During interrogation, he was also beaten and stabbed with a knife, reportedly to extract a confession that he supported pro-independence activity. On 7 July 2014, the two men were released. It was reported that there were 19 other people who were detained in Papuan Police Headquarters in relation to the same incident. They were also released the same day and were not given back the items that had been confiscated from them, including IDR 1,400,000 (about USD 115), three machetes used for farming, a laptop and two hand phones.

As reported in our July update, three indigenous Papuan men from the Central Highlands, Sabuse Kabak, Yenias Wanimbo and Demi Kepno who were not involved in the incident at the gambling den were killed in this incident. The KPKC report stated that according to testimony from a friend of Sabuse Kabak, on the day of the incident, Kabak was on his way to Kilo 9 in Koya when he was stabbed in the chest outside a Bank Papua branch close to Yotefa market. Yenias Wanimbo is believed to have been killed during the police search operation in Yotefa market following the earlier clash at the gambling den. Wanimbo was beaten to death around 100 metres from Yotefa market. It remains unclear who the perpetrators of the violence against Kabak and Wanimbo are. According to testimony from Demy Kepno’s girlfriend, Kepno was forced into a grey vehicle by several immigrant men while the police search operation was taking place. Later on his body was sent to Bhayangkara Police Hospital where it was found to have gunshot wounds to the stomach and back, stab wounds to the right shoulder and facial wounds as a result of blunt force trauma.

As at the end of October 2014, police have not conducted any investigations into the incident.

News

Note regarding removal of four detainees from the list of political prisoners

In this month’s update, we have removed four men –  Apolos Sewa, Yohanis Goram Gaman, Amandus Mirino and Samuel Klasjok – from the list of political prisoners. Papuans Behind Bars has not received any new information regarding the four men for more than a year. While they are technically still facing charges of conspiracy to commit treason, no steps have been taken so far to bring them to trial. As they are still at risk of re-arrest and trial, we will continue to report on their case should any new developments come to light.

October 2014 Papuan political prisoners

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org

In brief

At the end of September 2014, there were at least 74 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

New reports of attacks against lawyers in Papua indicate that the situation is becoming worse for those involved in human rights work. A public attack on Latifah Anum Siregar, a lawyer with the Democracy Alliance for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP) and the failure of Indonesian authorities to end legal intimidation towards Gustaf Kawer, as reported in our previous update, demonstrates the dangers faced by lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases.

Reports from the Advocacy Network for Upholding Law and Human Rights (Jaringan Advokasi Penegakan Hukum dan HAM Pegunungan Tengah Papua, JAPH&HAM), based in Wamena, described police complicity in allowing violence to continue during a fight that broke out between two groups in Lanny Jaya. Two traditional honai houses belonging to tribal leader and political detainee Areki Wanimbo were burned down by an opposing group during the violence, whilst Jayawijaya Regional police reportedly watched and failed to stop the incident from occuring.  Another incident involving police complicity in allowing violence reportedly took place in Youtefa Market in Abepura. David Boleba, an indigenous Papuan, was publically tortured, mutilated and murdered by a group of non-Papuan youths, reportedly in the presence of an Abepura District police officer. Again, the police officer took no action against the perpetrators.

There were several reports of random acts of police brutality against indigenous Papuans. A 15-year-old boy was shot in the leg three times by members of the police Mobile Brigades (Brigades Mobil, Brimob) for simply blocking their vehicle. In another case, a student of Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) and activist with the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) Rigo Wenda was publically tortured in Waena by Indonesian army officers with bayonet blades in a random act of violence.

Information received by ALDP detailed the torture and cruel and degrading treatment faced by 18 men arrested in Wamena in the Boycott Presidential Elections case. Despite the fact that they were initially arrested for peacefully calling for an election boycott, they were instead charged for reportedly making and using explosives. The criminalisation of the freedom to not participate in a democratic process is an undemocratic step backwards for Indonesia.

Indigenous Papuans from the highlands, such as areas like Wamena, are often automatically deemed to be separatists by Indonesian authorities. Because of this stigmatisation, security forces often take a heavy handed approach with highlanders and single them out for arrests, intimidation and torture. Reports received this month described continued violent reprisals against indigenous communities in Wamena. Security forces continued to burn down houses as they hunt for members of armed pro-independence movements.

Indonesian authorities have so far failed to investigate into the murder of KNPB Sorong leader Martinus Yohame. It remains to be seen if steps will be taken towards accountability and justice, or if like previous cases of murder of Papuan activists, it will go uninvestigated and unpunished. The entrenched culture of impunity that currently runs throughout police and military units in Papua poses a serious threat to human rights and democracy in Indonesia.

Arrests

There were no reported political arrests in September 2014.

Releases

There were no reported releases in September 2014.

Political trials and cases overview

Human rights lawyer in Areki Wanimbo case attacked; arrest ruled as procedural

On 16 September, prominent human rights lawyer with ALDP, Latifah Anum Siregar, was attacked in Wamena on the way back to her hotel after a court hearing. At around 7.30pm, Siregar was attacked by an unidentified person armed with a knife who stole her bag and injured her hand before fleeing the scene. She received two stitches for her wound. It is believed that she may have been targeted for her involvement in the trial of Areki Wanimbo. Despite not having conducted any investigations into the incident, on 25 September Papuan police issued a statement published in Papuan newspaper Cenderawasih Pos that denied that the attack was in any way related to the trial. Papuan and Indonesian human rights groups such as LP3BH, KontraS, Napas and AMP have called on Indonesian authorities to conduct investigations into the attack.

Since 10 September, pretrial hearings were held examining the legality of the arrest of Areki Wanimbo. Defence lawyers from ALDP argued that the formal requirements of an arrest were not met by Jayawijaya Regional police at the time of arrest. Lawyers also stated that the arrests were unprocedural as Wanimbo was arrested without an arrest warrant and that he was detained in Jayawijaya Regional police station in Wamena for more than 24 hours without a detention warrant. Lawyers also criticised police for arresting Wanimbo based on charges which were then dropped and replaced by different charges. While he was initially charged under Emergency Law 12/1951 and Article 122 of Law 6/2011 on Immigration, he is now facing charges of conspiracy to commit treason under Article 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. On 29 September, Wamena District Court ruled in favour of Jayawijaya Regional police, stating that the arrest was conducted in compliance with regulations.

The case of the French journalists Thomas Charles Dandois and Valentine Bourrat, who were arrested after visiting Areki Wanimbo, has been transferred to Jayapura District prosecutors. They are currently facing charges of breaching immigration rules under Article 122 of Law 6/2011 on Immigration, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of IDR. 500 million (around USD 42,700).

Boycott Election detainees tortured

Information published on the ALDP website revealed details of torture and cruel and degrading treatment in the arrests of 18 people on 12 July in Wamena, in relation to the 9 July Presidential Elections boycott (as reported in our July update). 13 of those arrested have been released, while Yosep Siep, Ibrahim Marian, Marsel Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut remain in detention.

ALDP stated that on 12 July, a joint military and police task force raided Wara village in Pisugi district, Jayawijaya regency. Those arrested were tied together with rope and dragged along a ditch towards a vehicle parked on a main road. The men were chained together with their necks and hands tied with nylon twine, which meant that if one person fell down, the rest too would be dragged down. They were also reportedly beaten with rifle butts. Ibrahim Marians was beaten until he fainted and was then thrown into a ditch by security forces. Yance Walilo was severely beaten with a rifle butt and as a result has lost hearing in one ear.

Another man, Novi Alua, was repeatedly kicked in the chest and suffered difficulty breathing. Other villagers received threats that they would be bayonneted. The wife of Yosep Siep, one of the men who remains in detention, was hit on the ear and suffered temporary hearing loss. Another woman, Ape Wetipo, was punched in the chin and had difficulty eating for some time. Security forces also ransacked and ruined homes, reportedly destroyed their food supplies, slashed livestock with machetes and threatened to burn down the houses of Yosep Siep and Yance Walilo. Other items were also allegedly destroyed including noken bags from Yosep Siep’s family that had been made for sale.

The 18 men who were arrested were brought to Jayawijaya Regional police station for interrogation where they continued to face torture.  While being questioned they were allegedly kicked, beaten and electrocuted. Jayawijaya police reportedly used a hammer to hit their spines, heads and toes. ALDP lawyers reported that some of the detainees who have already been released suffered broken bones as a result of being beaten with hammers and are receiving traditional medication in their village. There have also been reports of the detainees being denied access to visits from their families.

The five men who remain in detention are currently facing charges under Articles 187 and 164 for conspiracy to endanger security of persons or property, for reportedly making and using explosives.

ALDP lawyers stated that police have so far failed to clearly explain what explosives the five men allegedly possess or a clarification on why they are being charged under these articles.

Lawyers submit letter of complaint in Nimbokran case

On 26 August, human rights lawyers representing the 12 detainees in the Nimbokran arrests case submitted a letter of complaint to the Head of Papua National Police province, criticising the barriers they faced while attempting to gain access to their clients while they were detained in Jayapura Regional police station, and the ill-treatment the detainees faced on arrest.

The letter stated that police officers forced Sahayu Loho, one of the 12 men that remain in detention, to wear military fatigues and pose with several objects that had been found during one of their searches, including arrows and a baton, and then photographed him. Paulus Logo, who has since been released, was hit repeatedly on the neck with rifle butts, beaten on the back with batons and hit on the head with a wooden stick on arrest. Wene Naftali Hisage was also hit repeatedly with rifle butts and beaten with batons on arrest. In detention at Jayapura Regional police station, Hisage was hit on the mouth, back and neck with a wooden plank and his legs were stamped on by police officers. He had acted as a translator for those detainees who do not speak Indonesian, and police started beating him when they thought his translation was insufficient. A woman named Amina Sapla was hit on the back and left arm with a car jack. The letter also stated that another detainee, Jhon Lakopa Pigai, still had visible injuries from beatings endured on arrest and in detention.

The 12 men face charges of treason under Article 106 of the Indonesian Penal Code.

Supreme Court increases prison sentence of Biak 1 May detainee

Information received from defence lawyers in the Biak 1 May case reported that one of the six detainees, Oktovianus Warnares, has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by the Indonesian Supreme Court. This is an increase from the prison sentence handed down by the Biak High Court of five years.

Cases of concern

UNCEN student and activist publically tortured in Waena

On 2 September, KNPB member and UNCEN student Rigo Wenda was allegedly beaten and stabbed by Indonesian army officers in Waena, Jayapura. A report received from an independent human rights worker stated that military officers who were guarding a security post approached Wenda and his brother as they were on their way home and reportedly started beating them without any reason. The two men reacted in self-defence and attempted to fight off the military officers. Military officers then slashed Rigo Wenda with a bayonet blade on his thigh, knee, chest, ear and stabbed him in the stomach. Wenda was reported to be in a critical condition and unable to breathe without the help of respiratory equipment. Later on the same day, UNCEN students demonstrated against the incident and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. It is unclear whether police are conducting any investigations into this incident.

Papuan man publically mutilated and murdered close to Youtefa market, Abepura

On 7 August, David Boleba, an indigenous Papuan, was publically tortured, mutilated and murdered by a group of immigrant youth close to Youtefa market in Abepura. His relative Daniel Boleba suffered beatings and gunshot wounds. The incident reportedly took place in the presence of an Abepura District police officer who took no measures to stop the violence from occurring.

Testimony from Daniel Boleba recorded in a report from the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Desk (Keadilan, Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan, KPKC) of the Evangelical Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Injili, GKI) stated that at around midnight, a fight broke out between a group of immigrant youth and Daniel Boleba. One of the youths hit Daniel Boleba with a glass bottle on his head while another threatened him with a pistol. Once the fight subsided, he then left to inform his relative David Boleba of the incident. David and Daniel Boleba then both headed to the place of the incident to confront the group of youths. The two men were then attacked by the group and both suffered gunshot wounds. While Daniel managed to escape, David Boleba was beaten to death by the group. According to testimony from Daniel Boleba, an Abepura District police officer named Robby Fingkrew was present at the time of the incident, who reportedly did nothing to stop the youths.

Upon escaping, Daniel Boleba sought treatment in Bhayangkara hospital for his gunshot and other wounds. According to testimony from the victims’ family, David Boleba’s body was found mutilated; his head had been sliced with a sharp weapon and two of his legs were amputated. The family stated that only one man had been arrested by police so far.

Police fail to stop burning of two houses belonging to Areki Wanimbo

A report received by the Advocacy Network for Upholding Law and Human Rights (Jaringan Advokasi Penegakan Hukum dan HAM Pegunungan Tengah Papua, JAPH&HAM) reported a fight that broke out between two groups in Lanny Jaya on 18 September, which led to the burning down of two traditional honai houses of Areki Wanimbo. The report alleged that at the time of the incident, Jayawijaya Regional police were present at the scene and made no efforts to stop the violence and arson. Police did however fire gunshots, injuring 18-year-old Kukes Wandikbo, who suffered wounds on the neck and back. According to the report received, while it does not seem that the burning down of the houses was in any way related to the trial Wanimbo is currently facing, police may have allowed the incident to happen due to the fact that Wanimbo is currently standing trial for charges of conspiracy to commit treason.

Military and police continue to terrorise villagers in Pirime district

As reported in our last update, the humanitarian situation in Lanny Jaya was of particular concern following fighting that broke out between Indonesian police and military forces and a pro-independence armed movement led by Enden Wanimbo. Information published on the KNPB website reported similar concerns, stating that on 26 and 27 September, security forces continued to burn down houses in Indawa village in Pirime district. Security forces also allegedly shot and killed the villagers’ livestock. KNPBNews reported that the situation in Lanny Jaya remains unstable with villagers being forced to flee their homes. On 1 August, during a similar raid on Ekanom village in Pirime district, Pastor Ruten Wakerkwa was arrested when police found a photo of the Morning Star flag on his phone. Early reports indicate that he is likely to have faced torture in detention. It remains unclear what charges Wakerkwa faces if any. It is believed that he remains in detention in Lanny Jaya Regional police station.

15-year-old boy shot by Brimob officers

A report from JAPH&HAM described the shooting of Weak Wantik, a 15-year-old boy, on 6 September in Kosiape village in Musatfak district, Jayawijaya regency. Wantik was reportedly drunk when he stopped a car containing four Mobile Brigades (Brigades Mobil, Brimob) officers with the intention of asking for a cigarette. The four fully armed Brimob officers exited the vehicle which then caused Wantik to panic and run away. The Brimob officers then fired in his direction, hitting him three times on his left leg. He received seven stitches as a result of his bullet wounds. He was reportedly tightly guarded by police officers while seeking medical treatment at Wamena Hospital. As a result, he felt intimidated and left the hospital after two days without seeking further advice from doctors. While intelligence officers had visited him in hospital to reportedly interview him regarding the incident, there have been no further investigations into the incident.

Memorial service interrupted because of Morning Star decoration

Papuan news site Majalah Selangkah reported that on 5 September, Timika District police interrupted a church memorial service for Dr John Otto Ondawame in Timika and demanded that banners with the images of the Morning Star flag to be taken down. Police forbade people from taking photographs of the incident. Following this, police monitored the memorial service from outside the church. Dr Ondawame hailed from Timika and was the vice-chairman of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL).

Calls for investigations into murder of Martinus Yohame remain unheeded by Indonesian authorities

Demands from the Papuan branch of the National Human Rights Comission (Komisi Hak Asasi Manusia, Komnas HAM) and Amnesty International calling on Indonesian authorities to seek justice for the murder of KNPB Sorong leader Martinus Yohame have so far gone unheeded. Indonesian police stated that the absence of an autopsy has made investigations into Yohame’s death difficult. However, an initial hospital report found that Yohame suffered from heavy beatings on his face, stab wounds and gunshot wounds, clearly indicating foul play.

Yohame’s family had rejected a request for an autopsy to be performed. KNPB Chairman Agus Kossay told Jubi that this was because Yohame’s family did not trust that police investigations would be effective. Kossay cited past cases of murders of Papuan activists such as Mako Tabuni, Hubertus Mabel, Yesa Mirin and Terijoli Weya, where police investigations yielded no results and no one was held to account. Papuan human rights network Solidarity for Victims of Human Rights Violations in Papua (Solidaritas Korban Pelanggaran Hak Asasi Manusia, SKP-HAM Papua) has called on the UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture and Extrajudicial Executions to visit Papua to conduct thorough investigations into the murder of Martinus Yohame.

News

KNPB leader and ex-political prisoner Victor Yeimo calls on Papuan police to stop criminalising activists

Ex-political prisoner and KNPB leader Victor Yeimo has called on the Head of the Papua National police (Kepala Kepolisian Daerah, Kapolda) to stop criminalising human rights activists by removing them from the list of people wanted  by the police (Daftar Pencarian Orang, DPO). Yeimo cites Simeon Dabi, a KNPB leader in Wamena, as an example of an activist listed in the DPO despite him not being involved in any criminal cases.

September 2014 Papuan political prisoners

* Apolos Sewa, Yohanis Goram Gaman, Amandus Mirino and Samuel Klasjok are currently facing charges of conspiracy to commit treason. Even though they were bailed a day after their arrest, they are currently undergoing investigation and are vulnerable to re-arrest. They are currently obliged to report to the police twice a week.

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org

In brief

At the end of August 2014, there were at least 74 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

The situation in Papua deteriorated this month, as Indonesian security forces intensified their crackdown on Papuan civil society. Lawyers, activists, human rights defenders, priests, tribal leaders and journalists were targeted for arrests, intimidation, beatings and murder. The arrest and continued detention of two French journalists in Papua and a Papuan tribal leader highlighted the ongoing restrictions on access to Papua.

While the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) has consistently been targeted since their formation in November 2008, there has been an observably increased crackdown on them since April 2014. In the past five months, a total of 81 KNPB members were arrested. Data collected by Papuans Behind Bars shows that in April, there were six KNPB-affiliated arrests and in May, there were three further arrests. The number of KNPB arrests in June rose to 24 as Indonesian authorities aimed to prevent peaceful events commemorating 1 July, a date Papuans consider to be their national day. In July, there were 36 KNPB arrests in relation to a planned boycott of the Indonesian Presidential elections, the highest recorded number of KNPB arrests in 2014. This pattern continues in August with the arrests of 12 further KNPB members. One of the 12 arrested was a 16-year-old boy, who faced ill-treatment by Navy officers in Manokwari. Martinus Yohame, leader of the KNPB Sorong branchs, was kidnapped, tortured and murdered. Human rights NGO Amnesty International issued a statement condemning the murder and called on Indonesian authorities to carry out a prompt, thorough, competent, and impartial investigation into the killing.

In June and July 2014, mass arrests were recorded in Boven Digoel, Wamena and Timika. The pattern of mass arrests continued this month with the arrests of 20 people including women and children, in Nimbokrang district on the basis of alleged affiliations with the Papuan National Army/Free Papua Organisation (Tentera Papua Nasional/Organisasi Papua Merdeka, TPN/OPM). They were detained without arrest warrants and were beaten on arrest. Human rights lawyers were continuously obstructed in their attempts to gain access to the detainees in this case who remain in detention.

The humanitarian situation in Lanny Jaya is of particular concern following the reported burning down of traditional honai houses by the Indonesian military and police forces. Information received from the Advocacy Network for Upholding Law and Human Rights (Jaringan Advokasi Penegakan Hukum dan HAM Pegunungan Tengah Papua, JAPH&HAM) and the Fellowship of Baptist Churches of Papua (Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja Baptis Papua), among others, described reprisal attacks on civilians in Pirime district in Lanny Jaya regency. An unconfirmed number of people remain internally displaced, as they are unable to return to their villages due to destabilising military activity in Pirime district.

Arrests

Five Papuans and two international journalists arrested in Wamena

On 6 August, five Papuans – Areki Wanimbo, Deni Douw, Enius Wanimbo, Jornus Wenda and Ahky Logo – and two French journalists; Thomas Charles Dandois and Valentine Bourrat, were arrested by Jayawijaya Regional police. Areki Wanimbo, Dandois and Bourrat remain in detention while the rest of those arrested have been released without charge.

On the day of their arrest, Dandois and Bourrat met with Areki Wanimbo, a tribal leader from Lanny Jaya, at his home in Wamena. Reports from human rights activists in Wamena stated that the two journalists intended to ask the tribal chief about the humanitarian situation following fighting which had broken out in Lanny Jaya between security forces and an armed movement headed by resistance leader Enden Wanimbo (See item below). After the meeting, the two journalists left to return to their hotel. Dandois travelled by motorcycle with Ahky Logo. The two men were followed by three intelligence officers from Jayapura Regional police, who moved to arrest them on their journey. Human rights activist Theo Hesegem, who drove Bourrat back to her hotel, was briefly stopped by intelligence officers who told them they would be in touch shortly. Hesegem returned home after sending Bourrat back to the hotel. Shortly afterwards, Bourrat was arrested at the hotel by Jayawijaya Regional police.

After the arrests of Dandois, Bourrat and Logo, police returned to the home of tribal chief Areki Wanimbo and searched his home. Police then arrested Areki Wanimbo, Deni Douw and Jornus Wenda who were also at his home. It is believed that another Papuan, Enius Wanimbo, was also arrested and later released without charge, but it is unclear exactly when and where. Information from lawyers with the Alliance for Democracy for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP), who are currently representing Areki Wanimbo, reported that the three men were verbally abused and received death threats from police officers on arrest.

According to information from Wamena-based human rights workers, the following day, Enius Wanimbo, Deni Douw, Jornus Wenda and Ahky Logo, the Head of the Foundation of Community Teaching, Education and Development (Yayasan Pendidikan Pengajaran dan Pembangunan Rakyat, Yayasan YP3R) were released without charge after being interrogated overnight without any legal accompaniment.

While initial accusations against Areki Wanimbo and the four other Papuan men were in relation to the breaching of immigration rules, given that the two journalists were working on tourist visas, the interrogation reportedly shifted to the situation in Lanny Jaya. Areki Wanimbo was then also accused of buying ammunition to give to the pro-independence armed movement the West Papua Nasional Liberation Army (Tentera Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, TPNPB). While he initially faced charges of possession of ammunition under Emergency Law 12/1951 and breaching immigration rules under Article 122 of Law 6/2011 on Immigration, he now faces charges of conspiracy to commit treason under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Penal Code. ALDP lawyers have criticised the unprofessional way Areki Wanimbo’s case had been handled, with the changing of charges and unsuitable evidence.

On 9 August, Dandois and Bourrat were transferred to Papua Provincial Police Headquarters (Kepolisian Daerah Papua, Polda Papua) for further interrogation. They are currently facing charges of breaching immigration rules under Article 122 of Law 6/2011 on Immigration, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of IDR. 500 million (around USD42,700). Police have also stated that the two are suspected of espionage and attempting to destabilise Papua, and that further investigations will continue. Reporters Without Borders have issued a statement appealing to the Indonesian authorities to release them without delay.

On 12 August, Wanimbo was transferred to Polda Papua, without the knowledge of his lawyers, to undergo further interrogation while awaiting trial. The four Papuan men who were released without charge, along with human rights activist Theo Hesegem, have now been called to act as witnesses during the trial of Wanimbo, Dandois and Bourrat. 

Pastor arrested during fighting between security forces and armed group in Lanny Jaya

Reports received from civil society organisations based in Papua, including ALDP, Advocacy Network for Upholding Law and Human Rights (Jaringan Advokasi Penegakan Hukum dan HAM Pegunungan Tengah Papua, JAPH&HAM) and the Fellowship of Baptist Churches of Papua (Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja Baptis Papua), among others, described events from 28 July to 5 August, highlighting serious human rights concerns including the arrest of Pastor Ruten Wakerkwa.

Information from JAPH&HAM and the Fellowship of Baptist Churches described a meeting on 28 July between a pro-independence armed movement led by Enden Wanimbo and Lanny Jaya police, reportedly so that an arms transaction could take place. However, fighting broke out between them, allegedly due to the unwanted presence of a separate police brigade who were not involved in the deal. Reports suggested that at least one police officer died and several others were injured. The armed group reportedly seized four weapons and thousands of bullets before escaping into the forest. Several Indonesian news sites however reported a different version of events, stating instead only that security forces were attacked by the armed movement. The following day, military and police forces reportedly burned down traditional honai houses in Yugumeya and Wenam villages in Pirime in retribution. On 30 and 31 July, the burning of honai houses reportedly continued in Indawa village in Awinayu district and Ekanom village in Pirime district. Abednego Wakerkwa, a 10-year-old boy, was reportedly found dead in a burned down honai. Two pigs were also reportedly shot by security forces in Indawa village.

On 1 August, fighting between security forces and the armed group led by Enden Wanimbo resumed in Ekanom village, resulting in injuries on both sides. Pastor Ruten Wakerkwa of the Baptist Church of Jerusalam in Tekun village, Pirime district, was arrested at this time. Wakerkwa is believed to be in detention in Lanny Jaya Regional police station. It is unclear what charges he faces but he was reportedly arrested when police found a photo of the Morning Star flag on his phone. Early reports indicate that he is likely to have faced torture in detention.

Local sources reported that villagers are still unable to return to their villages due to military activity in Lanny Jaya. An unconfirmed number of people are believed to have been displaced due to the violence.

KNPB activists arrested and ill-treated for graffiti act in Manokwari

On 8 August 2014, two KNPB members, 16-year-old Robert Yelemaken and 21-year-old Onni Weya were arrested in Manokwari by three military officers from the Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut, TNI Angkatan Laut) and one plainclothes police officer. Reports received from various independent local human rights activists stated that they were arrested because they were painting graffiti stating anti-Indonesian Independence Day messages.

According to video testimony from Yelemaken, who has since been released, they were forced to lie down on the ground upon arrest and then kicked and severely beaten by the security forces with rifle butts and rattan sticks. They were then forced into a police truck where they continued to be kicked and beaten until they arrived at Manokwari Regional police station. Police poured the paint on them that they had used for the grafiti, and reportedly forced them to drink the paint. The two activists suffered various injuries from the beatings. Yelemaken received a swollen eye and Weya suffered cuts to the chin.

Majalah Selangkah reported that on 18 August, student activists from the State University of Papua (Universitas Negeri Papua, UNIPA) and various members of the public held a demonstration in Manokwari demanding the release of the two KNPB activists. Yelemaken was released on the same day, reportedly without the knowledge of his lawyers from the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (Lembaga Penelitian, Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Bantuan Hukum, LP3BH). On 2 September, lawyers received information that Weya was similarly released without their knowledge. He previously faced charges of incitement under Article 160 of the Indonesian Penal Code.

12 detained and charged with treason in Nimbokrang district clampdown

As reported in the previous update, in July police Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) and Papua regional police (Kepolisian Daerah Papua, Polda Papua) conducted raids in Kampung Berab in Nimbokrang district, reportedly after receiving information about alleged armed pro-independence camps in the village. An updated report received from Jayapura-based human rights investigators confirmed further arrests and continued police surveillance in Nimbokrang district. On 10 August 2014, 20 people, including four women and one child, were arrested in Warambaim in Nimbokrang district under accusations of being members of the TPN/OPM.

Information received from local lawyers stated that during arrest, at least some of those arrested were beaten by Nimbokrang District police and Jayapura Regional police. The 20 people were brought to Doyo District police station. Eight people were released without charge the following day, including the four women and one child, and three other men – Paulus Logo, Wene Naftali Hisage and Albert Matuan. Even though they had technically been released without charge, several police investigators continued to interrogate them on their identities and instructed that they remain in the police station. On 13 August, lawyers from KontraS Papua were denied access to the remaining 12 detainees. Investigators refused to provide any information regarding the detainees and instead asked the lawyers to coordinate with the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Kepala Satuan Reserse dan Kriminal, Kasat Reskrim) of Jayapura Regional police station. When they approached the Kasat Reskrim, he in turn allowed access only to the eight people who had technically been released but remained in detention three days after their arrest. Upon meeting the eight individuals and hearing their plight, lawyers demanded their release. They were then released an hour later.

Lawyers continued to be denied access to the 12 remaining detainees – Philemon Yarem, Loserek Loho, Sahayu Loho, Enos Hisage, Herman Siep, Nius Alom, Jhon Lakopa Pigai, Gad Mabel, Anton Gobay, Yos Watei, Matius Yaung and Alpi Pahabol. Investigators at Doyo District police station refused their request of a copy of the arrest warrant, stating instead that this was not possible without permission from the Head of the Regional police (Kepala Polisi Resort, Kapolres).  On 14 August, after hours of negotiation with the police, lawyers managed to obtain arrest warrants for only four of the detainees – Philemon Yare, Loserek Loho, Sahayu Loho and Enos Hisage. On 18 August, lawyers were permitted to meet these four detainees to get the Power of Attorney letters signed but were not allowed to hold discussions with them.

In the following days, after continued barriers to access, lawyers managed to negotiate with police to meet with the eight other detainees in order to get their Power of Attorney letters signed. According to lawyers, six of the detainees do not speak Indonesian, exposing them to greater vulnerability during their legal process. The 12 men face charges of treason under Article 106 of the Indonesian Penal Code. On 26 August, lawyers submitted a letter of complaint to the Head of Papua Provincial police outlining the barriers they faced to attaining free access to the 12 detainees and the ill-treatment faced by the detainees on arrest and in detention.

UNCEN authorities continue working with police to disperse demonstrations; journalist attacked

On 15 August, nine student activists belonging to the Papuan Student Youth Movement (Gerakan Mahasiswa Pemuda Rakyat Papua, GempaR) were arrested during a demonstration against the New York Agreement of 1962 at the Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) campus. Jubi reported the arrests of two of the nine students – Regina Wenda and Ribka Komba. It is believed they were released early on. The seven remaining students – Benny Hisage, Yason Ngelia, Klaos Pepuho, Gerson Rumrapuk, Bram Demetouw, Markus Dumupa and Yulianus Dumupa – were arrested by Abepura District police under the instruction of the Assistant Rector of UNCEN, Frederik Sokoy, echoing arrests made in July at the request of Paulina Watofa, the ex-Dean of the Medical School.

Papuan media sources Jubi and Suara Papua reported the intimidation and physical attack on Jubi journalist Aprila Wayar. While photographing the event, Wayar was approached by five police officers who attempted to seize her iPad. The Head of Regional police was reported to have told her that as the demonstration was illegal, journalists were not allowed to take photos of the event. She was then strangled by a police officer and dragged towards a police truck. Her protestations were ignored, even when she told police that she was a journalist. She was released only after several other people negotiated with the police.

On arrest, Ngelia, Rumrapuk and Hisage were beaten with rifle butts. Police seized IDR. 200,000 from Benny Hisage and handphones belonging to Dumupa and Pepuho. On 16 August, five of the seven students – Benny Hisage, Gerson Rumrapuk, Bram Demetouw, Markus Dumupa and Yulianus Dumupa – were released without charge. On 20August, Klaos Pepuho and Yason Ngelia were released upon the request of Assistant Rector Sokoy. The charges for Pepuho and Ngelia were suspended, putting them at risk of being rearrested and for charges against them to be resumed should they hold further demonstrations in the UNCEN campus.

KNPB activists detained over opening of KNPB office in Asmat

On 11 August, ten KNPB activists were arrested in Asmat by Asmat Regional police, reportedly under the instructions of the local regent. They were arrested and interrogated for four hours in relation to the opening of a KNPB office in Asmat. A human rights activist reported that around 300 people demonstrated for the release of the KNPB activists. All ten activists have since been released.

Head of Papuan cultural group arrested in Raja Ampat

On 22 August, at around 23:00, Abner Bastian Wanma, the Head of Sanggar Budaya SARAK-Sorong, a Papuan cultural group, was arrested in Waisai, Raja Ampat by 11 fully armed plainclothes officers from a joint task force composed of the Papuan National Police (Polisi Daerah Papua, Polda Papua) and Raja Ampat Regional police investigators (Reserse Polres Raja Ampat). LP3BH have issued a statement protesting the unprocedural manner of his arrest and calling for his unconditional release. It is uncertain whether Wanma faces any charges, and under what basis he was arrested.

Releases

Victor Yeimo released

On 5 August, Victor Yeimo, the General Secretary of KNPB, was released on parole from Abepura prison. Yeimo was first arrested on 21 October 2009 and initially sentenced to three years in jail for conspiracy to commit treason. His sentence was later decreased to one year’s imprisonment. He was then arrested for a second time on 13 May 2013 while leading a demonstration and was ordered to finish the rest of his three-year sentence given in 2009. This is despite the fact that the sentence had been decreased to a year.

Five detainees in Timika 1 May case released

Credible information received from a local source in Timika confirmed the release of the five detainees in the Timika 1 May case – Domi Mom, Alfisu Wamang, Musa Elas, Eminus Waker and Yacob Onawame. The five men being tried for a peaceful flag-raising ceremony in Timika in May 2013 were given eight month prison sentences on 25 November 2013. The men were convicted of conspiracy to commit treason for their role in the ceremony, were reportedly tortured on arrest and have suffered various health problems while in prison, for which they did not receive medical attention.

Kristianus Madai released

Human rights lawyers from KontraS Papua reported the release of Kristianus Delgion Madai from Abepura prison on 3 August 2014 following the end of his six-month prison sentence. He was charged for possession of ammunition under Emergency Law 12/1951 after being arrested for allegedly smuggling eight 8.4mm calibre bullets while in transit at Sentani Aiport. Lawyers reported that it is possible that Madai was sentenced due to his previous activity in peaceful student demonstrations in Jakarta, during the visit of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Political trials and cases overview

Sasawa detainees charged with rebellion

Information from defence lawyers from the Alliance for Democracy for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP) reported that the seven detainees in the Sasawa arrests case are charged with rebellion under Article 108 of the Indonesian Penal Code for allegedly being involved the armed pro-independence movement, the West Papua National Army (Tentara Nasional Papua Barat, TNPB). This charge is on top of their charges of treason under Article 106 and possession of sharp weapons under the Emergency Law 12/1951. The next court session on 1 September will hear the testimonies of the witnesses.

According to information from local human rights defenders, the defendants Salmon Windesi, Peneas Reri, Kornelius Woniana, Obeth Kayoi, Rudi Otis Barangkea, Jemi Yermias Kapanai and Septinus Wonawoai were arrested during a military raid on Sasawa village targeting TPN/OPM members. Information published on ALDP’s website reported that the seven men faced torture on arrest by police and military forces. Defence lawyers from ALDP have stated that the seven men are not members of any armed movements but are instead ordinary civilians of Sasawa village with regular professions.

Five detained in 9 July Boycott arrests face charges of conspiracy to endanger security of persons or property

ALDP lawyers reported that Yosep Siep, Ibrahim Marian, Marsel Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut, who were arrested on 9 July, are currently facing charges under Articles 187 and 164 for conspiracy to endanger security of persons or property, for reportedly making and using explosives. The five men were arrested alongside 13 others, who have since been released, for their involvement in the distribution of flyers calling for an election boycott. ALDP lawyers were informed by the five men and their family members that they faced torture on arrest.

Two in Yalengga flag-raising case no longer in detention

Reports received from ALDP lawyers stated that Obed Kosay and Oskar Hilago in the Yalengga flag-raising case are no longer in detention. It is believed that they have escaped from Wamena prison. Clemency for the case is currently being considered at the Indonesian State Secretariat (Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia, Setneg). Meki Elosak and Wiki Meaga remain behind bars in Wamena prison.

Report reveals new details in Pirime shootings 2012 case

Newly received reports from Jayapura-based human rights sources reveal more information regarding the case of Yogor Telenggen. Information regarding this case has been difficult to obtain, and early reports received indicated that Telenggen was likely to be a political prisoner, as according to Papuans Behind Bars guidelines. More detailed reports however suggest otherwise and he has therefore been taken off the list of political prisoners. However, these reports have revealed concerning details on the case, including the arrests of three other people.

On 10 March 2013, Yogor Telenggen was arrested by Jayapura police and brought to Papuan Provincial Police Headquarters under accusations of an attack on Pirime District police station on 27 November 2012. On the way to the police station, he was hit on the face and beaten six times on the back with a rifle butt. His family was reportedly not told of his arrest. On 5 July 2013, Usmin Telenggen, a student, was arrested by Jayapura police in connection with the same case. During their detention in Papuan Provinicial police station, both detainees were not allowed legal representation. On 2 October 2013, they were transferred to Wamena Regional police station while awaiting trial. They did not have any legal representation throughout the length of their trial. On 15 June 2014, they were both sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Two days later, they were re-sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murder and violence against persons or property under Articles 340, 338, 170 and 251 of the Indonesian Penal Code and possession of weapons under the Emergency Law 1/1951. Upon sentencing, they were transferred to Abepura prison to serve their sentences.

Reports also described the arrests of two other men in Puncak Jaya. In connection with this case on 4 April 2014, Gision Wonda was arrested, while Dimion Telenggen was arrested two days later. They were initially detained in Papua Provincial Police Headquarters but were later transferred to Wamena Regional police station. They have both reportedly faced torture and intimidation in detention. Human rights workers reported that they were electrocuted, beaten with rifle butts and severely beaten in detention. Under torture, they have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the attack on Pirime District police station on 27 November 2012. They currently do not have legal representation.

Cases of concern

KNPB Sorong leader kidnapped and murdered

Reports received from KNPB activists described the kidnapping and murder of Martinus Yohame, the Head of KNPB Sorong. On 19 August, Yohame alongside other KNPB and People’s Local Parliament (Parlemen Rakyat Daerah, PRD) members held a press conference in Sorong addressing the visit of Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono aimed at promoting tourism to Raja Ampat. Yohame criticised the move as being harmful to the ecosystem and environment in Papua. After the press conference, he reportedly received a phone call from a woman who claimed to be from the National Committee on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Jakarta. The caller requested a meeting with Yohame, who obliged. They met in front of the Mayor’s office where the woman then offered to have a meal with Yohame. A man was also present, who was reportedly filming their actions. Before leaving, the woman told Yohame that they would stay in touch with him. Activists alleged that Yohame went missing on 20 August after leaving his home at around 12:00 to answer a phone call from the woman. He was allegedly told by the caller to cross the road from his home.

As reported in Tabloid Jubi, on 26 August, Martinus Yohame’s body was found by a fisherman close to the shore of Nana Island, in the Doom island area of Sorong. He was found in a sack, with his hands and feet tied. According to the hospital autopsy report, Yohame was shot in the left chest area and his face was smashed in due to heavy beatings.  A 1×1 cm hole was found in his left chest and a 2x3cm hole was found in the right side of his stomach, suggesting bullet wounds. The body’s height was 1.79 metres and had dreadlocks, fitting Yohame’s description. The KNPB have stated that they believe that Yohame was kidnapped and murdered by Special Forces Command (Komando Pasukan Khusus, Kopassus) officers.

Yohame had previously been arrested following his involvement in peaceful political activity. On 26 November 2013, Yohame and two other KNPB activists were arrested and detained for several hours because of their involvement in the demonstrations supporting the Sorong to Samarai campaign, which aimed to gather signatories from across Papua New Guinea in support of West Papua’s membership application to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Human rights lawyer summoned twice by Jayapura police

Prominent human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer has received two summonses under accusations of coercion and rebelliousness under Articles 211 and 212 of the Indonesian Penal Code. On 22 August, a first summons was issued stating that Kawer had been called as a witness to a case against himself. On 25 August, he was sent a second summons that explained that he had been reported by an administrative court judge. It concerned a protest Kawer had made against Jayapura court judges during a hearing on an indigenous land dispute with the government held on 12 June 2014. He protested the judge’s decision to dismiss his request for adjournment and hold the hearing without his presence. In 2012, Kawer was threatened with prosecution when he represented the Jayapura Five who were accused of treason.

News 

Filep Karma rejects Indonesian Independence Day remission

On 17 August, Filep Karma rejected a six month remission offered to him as part of remissions given to prisoners annually on Indonesia’s Independence Day. Karma stated that accepting a remission was akin to admitting to being guilty of wrongdoing, which he rejects. Karma is serving 15 years in prison for organising a flag-raising ceremony in Abepura in 2004. This December will see the 10^th anniversary of his imprisonment.

August 2014 Papuan political prisoners 

* Apolos Sewa, Yohanis Goram Gaman, Amandus Mirino and Samuel Klasjok are currently facing charges of conspiracy to commit treason. Even though they were bailed a day after their arrest, they are currently undergoing investigation and are vulnerable to re-arrest. They are currently obliged to report to the police twice a week.

Papuans Behind Bars aims to provide accurate and transparent data, published in English and Indonesian, to facilitate direct support for prisoners and promote wider debate and campaigning in support of free expression in West Papua.

Papuans Behind Bars is a collective effort initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together as the Civil Society Coalition to Uphold Law and Human Rights in Papua. It is a grassroots initiative and represents a broad collaboration between lawyers, human rights groups, adat groups, activists, journalists and individuals in West Papua, as well as Jakarta-based NGOs and international solidarity groups.

Questions, comments and corrections are welcomed, and you can write to us at info@papuansbehindbars.org

In brief

At the end of July 2014, there were at least 69 political prisoners in Papuan jails.

The number of political prisoners decreased this month following the release of 17 prisoners in three separate cases: the Third Papua Congress case, 26 November arrests and Nabire civilian accused as OPM case. 16 of these 17 releases were due to a completion of prison sentences. Meanwhile, there were at least 70 political arrests this month, the highest recorded number so far this year. These arrests included the mass arrest of 25 people in Timika at a peaceful demonstration, including at least five women and four children aged one to two years. Most people arrested this month faced ill-treatment on arrest or in detention. Bilim Wenda, one of the 25 demonstrators in Timika, faced torture and cruel and degrading treatment in detention.

Many of the arrests related to the recent Presidential Elections on 9 July 2014. At least 36 political arrests were related to peaceful calls for an election boycott by Papuan activists, following peaceful demonstrations and distributing of flyers. The freedom to not participate in a democratic process, or to campaign for a boycott, is an undeniable element of democratic freedoms. The criminalisation of these actions in Papua has also been documented by Papuans Behind Bars in relation to elections in 2004 and 2009.

The arrest and subsequent release of six people in relation to internal disagreements between students and authorities at Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) were the latest development in a deteriorating situation which began in mid-2012. There has been a move towards greater involvement of police and other security forces in response to student organising and demonstrations relating to human rights, democratic freedoms and internal campus issues. This has been accompanied by a decrease in the university’s role in effectively protecting students and their rights to free expression and assembly.

An incident at Youtefa market in Jayapura on 2 July triggered by the murder of a police officer who demanded bribes resulted in the killing of three men by security forces and a number of arrests. The reported involvement of non-Papuan immigrants in the arbitrary arrest, public torture and beatings of indigenous highlanders – at the invitation of police – is an alarming development. This incident, involving excessive use of force, unprocedural use of firearms and extrajudicial killings as collective punishment of indigenous Papuans represents a serious indictment of police conduct in Papua. It also demonstrates that at the local level, Indonesia’s ongoing climate of impunity is being extended by security forces to further groups whom they view as allies.

Arrests

Scores of activists arrested for peaceful boycott of 9 July Presidential elections

At least 36 people were arrested in Jayapura, Timika, Fak-Fak and Wamena during July 2014 for their peaceful involvement in calling for a boycott of the Indonesian Presidential Elections on 9 July. Local human rights activists reported that Papuans in these areas faced intimidation from police who attempted to force them to vote in the elections. 

Jayapura

On 3 July, six activists from the West Papua National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) were arrested in front of the campus of Cenderawasih University (Universitas Cenderawasih, UNCEN) for giving out flyers calling for an election boycott. The six men – Ono Balingga, Hakul Kobak, Yandri Heselo, Gesman Tabuni, Ronal Wenda and another unnamed man – were beaten on arrest and interrogated at Jayapura Regional police station. They have since been released without charge.

Timika

On 4 July, seven KNPB members were arrested for distributing flyers calling for an election boycott. The seven men – Ruben Kayun, Deky Akum, Kaitanus Siminak, Apollos Simare, Yanuarius Enakat, Gerson Banam and Anthon Damkokor – were arrested by military officers before being handed over to Timika Regional police. With the exception of Kayun, all were released without charge after a few hours in detention. The KNPB reported that Kayun was initially charged with Article 160 for incitement but was later released on 16 July. It is not clear whether the charges have been dropped or not. Testimony from Kayun about his time in detention states that he faced ill-treatment from Timika police. Upon release police also followed him back to his house where they took pictures of his home in a bid to intimidate him.

Fak-Fak

On 5 July, Mama Umi Safisa was arrested by police for distributing flyers calling for a boycott of the 9 July elections. KNPB members gathered outside Kaimana Regional police station where Mama Safisa was detained and attempted to negotiate for her release, however they were forcibly dispersed by police. KNPB Kaimana leader Ruben Furay, who was amongst those protesting against her detention, was reportedly beaten by police.

Wamena

A report received via email from local activists reported a total number of 22 boycott related arrests, with nine people remaining in detention. On 9 July, 18 people were arrested in Wamena for their involvement in the distribution of flyers calling for an election boycott. Out of the 18 people arrested, 13 have already been released from Jayawijaya Regional police station. The five still detained are reported to be Yosep Siep, Ibrahim Marian, Marsel Marian, Yance Walilo and Yosasam Serabut. On 14 July, a further four people were arrested by security forces, reportedly because they chose not to vote in the Presidential Elections. The four men – Sudi Wetipo, Elius Elosak, Domi Wetipo and Agus Doga – are reportedly still in detention at Jayawijaya Regional police station.

Yahukimo

A report received from a human rights investigator described harassment and threats against village leaders in villages Tomon I and Tomon II in Yahukimo to submit votes on behalf of their communities, despite the decision taken by both communities to boycott the elections.

Three arrested following Kampung Berab raid in Jayapura

A report received from a local human rights investigator reported the arbitrary arrest of three men following a raid in Kampung Berab in Jayapura. On 20 July at around 13:00 Papua time, Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, Brimob) and Papua regional police (Kepolisian Daerah Papua, Polda Papua) raided two houses in Kampung Berab belonging to two men, Z Tarko and Elim Berab. According to an interview with the aforementioned human rights investigator, Berab stated that Jayapura police had conducted the raid in response to information they received about alleged armed pro-independence camps belonging to David Tarko and Terianus Satto in the village, and a forthcoming inauguration ceremony there on 22 July.

During the raid on the home of Z Tarko, security forces ransacked the house, destroying much of the furniture. Three motorcycles parked outside the house were destroyed using stones and long wooden planks. A cash total of IDR 7 million as well as rice and sago were also seized from the house. While this took place, security forces also conducted a raid on the home of Elim Barab, a former principle of the local primary school. At around 17:00, Brimob officers returned to the home of Z Tarko, surrounding it and firing three warning shots.

After the raid, police then conducted a sweeping on the Demta-Sarmi road, stopping a local bus and arbitrarily arresting three indigenous Papuans – Jekeer Kalaka, Jhon Abolka and Yosepus Taplo. Kalaka and Abolka are workers at a local palm oil plantation owned by Sinar Mas. The men were detained for four days at Jayapura Regional police station and released on 24 July. The three men were reportedly targeted because they come from the Papuan highlands, where pro-independence sentiment is strong according to security forces. Following the arrests and raid, security forces continued to keep a tight watch on the village, inspecting the movements of the local community and conducting stop-and-searches on local villagers.

25 people, including women and children, arrested in Timika during referendum demo

According to various news sources as well as reports received from local activists, on 17 July 2014, a joint police and military force conducted mass arrests of at least 24 people in Timika. While earlier reports indicate that 24 people were arrested, a detailed report published by local news site Umagi News stated that 25 people were arrested, including five women and four young children. They were arrested during a peaceful demonstration demanding a referendum for West Papua. All those detained were released several hours later with the exception of the Head of KNPB Timika Sector SP 13, Leson Tabuni, who was released several days later on 23 July.

The 16 men arbitrarily arrested were Neles Tabuni, Ismael Wenda, Bilim Wenda, Lasarus Kogoya, Yandoa Tabuni, Efri Tabuni, Sem Tabuni, Nius Tabuni, Ev. Mirius Wenda, Kendi Keoway, Sole Tabuni, Linto Kossay,  Stevanus Koga, Leson Tabuni, Lerius Wenda and Wenemuk Kogoya. The five women arbitrarily arrested were Eliana Tabuni, Lepina Wenda, Diana Wenda, Amerina Tabuni and Merlin Wenda. The four children arbitrarily arrested, aged one-and-a-half to two-years-old were Alfa Tabuni, Jekson Tabuni, Rani Wenda and Tinggris Tabuni.

According to the reports, at around 09:00 Papua time, security forces began to forcibly disperse the demonstration and seized demonstrators’ banners, megaphones and personal items such as handphones and wallets. Upon arresting the 25 people, not all of whom were directly involved in the demonstration, the crowd were brought to Timika Regional police station 32.

According to the testimony of those arrested, as published on Umagi News, several people were severely beaten on arrest using rifle butts as well as being punched and kicked. 23-year-old Amerina Tabuni stated that she had reacted angrily during the arrests and threw a stone at a police officer, prompting police to drag her across the ground, hit her three times in the back with a rifle butt and beat her across the face before arresting her. On arrest, Bilim Wenda was hit in the testicles with a rifle butt while Yandoa Tabuni was stomped on by several officers wearing jackboots. Linto Kossay was hit in the head with a rifle butt, suffered a bloody head wound, and was also hit in the testicles. In detention at least one person, Bilim Wenda, was reportedly tortured and subjected to cruel and degrading treatment. Police cut off his dreadlocks and threatened to cut off his genitals. He was also forced to strip naked and alcohol was poured down his nose. At least two other people also faced cruel and degrading treatment in detention. Amerina Tabuni stated that in detention a police officer wearing jackboots kicked her. The personal items of the detainees, including handphones and wallets were seized and not returned upon release.

The Head of KNPB Timika Sector SP 13, Leson Tabuni, continued to be detained until 23 July while the other 24 detainees were released. Tabuni described receiving threats and being severely beaten by Timika Regional police while in detention. He is believed to have been charged with incitement under Article 160 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, although it is unclear whether he is still facing the charge after his release.

Six arrested at UNCEN

On 22 July, six people were arbitrarily arrested by Jayapura District police at the request of the ex-Dean of the Medical School at UNCEN, Paulina Watofa. According to information from human rights lawyers at KontraS Papua, one of those arrested was a secondary school student and was therefore released shortly after his arrest. The five other detainees were students from Cenderawasih University.

Information provided by lawyers indicated that the arrests followed student involvement in demonstrations held on 8, 10, 11 and 19 July, calling for the Dean of the Medical School to be replaced. The Dean was subsequently replaced, and Watofa, the previous Dean, reported the students to the police.  Only one of the five arrested were among the students named in Watofa’s complaint to the police. There is reportedly no evidence linking the other four students to the demonstrations. Two days prior to these arrests, one of the students was beaten with a helmet by an unidentified person on campus.

While in detention in Jayapura District police station, the five UNCEN students were not interrogated but were instead immediately determined as suspects and forced to sign both an arrest letter and another letter, the contents of which were unknown to them. Human rights lawyers accompanying the five students state that the letter may contain provisions promising not to hold any further demonstrations on campus, as happened during the arrest of UNCEN students last November.

The following day an internal agreement was reached between the police and Aloysius Giyai, the Head of the Health Department of Papua Province (Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Papua), and the five students were released. According to their lawyers, the students are still at risk of being charged or re-arrested, particularly if they attempt to demonstrate again.

Jayapura-based human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer has stated the intention of lawyers to submit a request for a pretrial hearing against the Head of Abepura District Police Officer, Kompol Decky Hursepuny examining the arrests of the five students. He criticised the arrests as unprocedural.

Releases

Jayapura five released

On 21 July, the Jayapura five – Forkorus Yaboisembut, August Kraar, Dominikus Surabut, Selpius Bobii and Edison Waromi – were released from Abepura prison after two years and nine months in prison. August Kraar, erroneously reported in our last update to have been released on 21 June 2014, was instead released on 21 July. According to a human rights worker, while Kraar had received an additional remission to his sentence, he chose to be released at the same time as the other four men.

The five men were arrested on 19 October 2011 for their involvement in the Third Papuan Peoples’ Congress, where a political declaration about the self-determination of the Papuan people was read out by Yaboisembut and Waromi. The Congress had elected the two men as political leaders of what was declared to be the West Papuan Federal State (Negara Federal Republik Papua Barat). Following the closing of the Congress, security forces guarding the event fired shots, used tear gas and beat and arrested hundreds of participants.

The Jayapura Five were sentenced to three years imprisonment but were given a remission of three months. Thousands of Papuans reportedly joined a procession welcoming the release of the five Papuan leaders. Upon release, Yaboisembut stated to local Papuan press that the five men would continue to work towards recognition of Papuan independence. Father Neles Tebay, Rector of Fajar Timur School of Philosophy and Theology in Abepura, told ucanews.com that the five men are at risk of re-arrest, but that in his opinion, political arrests “won’t solve the problem … the government of Indonesia and representatives of Papuans must sit together in a dialogue.

Remaining ten detainees in 26 November case released

Information from local human rights lawyers reported that the ten remaining detainees arrested in relation to demonstrations on 26 November 2013 were released on 25 July 2014. Pendius Tabuni, Muli Hisage, Karmil Murib, Tomius Mul, Nius Lepi, Tinus Meage, Mathius Habel, Agus Togoti, Natan Kogoya and Nikolai Waisal were released on concluding their eight month prison sentences. They were sentenced for violence against persons or property under Articles 170 and 351 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Previously, on 11 February, 16-year-old Nikson Mul was released. In April 2014, Penius Tabuni was released after receiving a sentence of five months’ imprisonment.

All 12 detainees in this case were arbitrarily arrested in connection to a demonstration on 26 November 2013 in Jayapura which led to clashes between police and demonstrators. All 12 men were engaged in other activities at the time and were not involved in the demonstration. Reports from local human rights workers state that they were tortured while in detention at Jayapura Regional police station. The men say that their police investigation reports were fabricated.

Two in Sarmi treason case released on bail

On 25 July, Edison Werimon and Soleman Fonataba were released on bail. The two men are still facing trial for conspiracy to commit treason under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. The next hearing is expected to be held on 6 August.

Otis Waropen released

Information received from local researchers reported the release of Otis Waropen from Nabire Regional police station. It is unclear exactly when he was released, however information received indicates that his release was secured by a local tribe leader. Waropen was arrested on 2 March in Sima village under accusations of being a member of the Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, OPM), a pro-independence movement. He has since been released without charge.

Release of the three detainees in Yapen police death case

In our last update, we reported on the removal of three detainees – Yahya Bonay, Astro Kaaba and Hans Arrongear – from the list of political prisoners due to not having received any information regarding the men for more than a year. New information received from individuals in Yapen confirmed that the three men have already been released. The three men were arrested and believed to have been tortured in connection with the murder of Brimob officer Jefri Sesa.

Political trials and cases overview

Clemency for Yalengga flag-raising prisoners under final consideration at State Secretariat

The Alliance for Democracy for Papua (Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, ALDP) reported that the Yalengga flag-raising case is currently being considered at the Indonesian State Secretariat (Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia, Setneg) and must be monitored. The four detainees in this case – Meki Elosak, Wiki Meaga, Oskar Hilago and Obed Kosay – were tortured on arrest. They were on their way to the funeral of a relative and were charged on the basis of carrying a Morning Star flag with them on their journey. The flag was intended to be put next to the deceased’s grave. All four men are currently serving eight-year prison sentences for treason under Article 106 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

Sasawa trial started end of July

The trial for seven detainees in the Sasawa arrests case started at the end of July. As reported on the ALDP website, Ida Kelasin, one of the defence lawyers for the seven detainees, stated they were in good health and that she hoped the trial process would be carried out fairly without any political intervention. Peneas Reri, one of the seven detainees, told ALDP that their detention period had been extended to 15 August 2014. The seven men were tortured on arrest during a military raid on Sasawa village targeting members of the armed pro-independence movement, the West Papua National Army (Tentara Nasional Papua Barat, TNPB).

Cases of concern

Three killed and several arrested following murder of police in Youtefa gambling den

On 2 July, three people were killed and several arrested following a clash between gamblers and two Jayapura police officers at an illegal gambling den in Youtefa market in Jayapura. According to information received from a local human rights investigator, the gambling den was reportedly tolerated by police who received bribes in exchange. An argument broke out between the gamblers and two Jayapura police officers when they were refused their usual bribe, which then quickly accelerated into a physical fight. During the commotion, a gun was stolen from one of the police officers by a gambler who then escaped. The group of gamblers reportedly beat one of the police officers to death and then ran away. The remaining police officer shouted for help, prompting other police officers and plainclothes Special Forces Command (Komando Pasukan Khusus, Kopassus) officers to arrive at the scene some time later. The report described the situation after to be chaotic, with people running for cover as security forces started firing shots.

Three people who were not involved in the incident at the gambling den are believed to have been killed in this incident. The report from the aforementioned human rights investigator stated the deaths of Sabuse Kabak and Yenias Wendibo, who were allegedly killed by plainclothes officers.

Reports from Majalah Selangkah and Tabloid Jubi confirmed the death of Demi Kepno who was reportedly forced into a car with plainclothes officers. He was allegedly taken to Yanmor police post in Tanah Hitam, Abepura district, where he was interrogated. Wendikbo attempted to escape, but was shot and then tortured to death.

The bodies of the three victims are believed to have been brought by security forces to Bhayangkara Hospital where they were kept overnight before being returned to their families. The family of Kabak have called on the Jayapura police for accountability and for the perpetrator to be taken to court.

The number of people arrested in this incident remains unclear, however early reports and interviews indicate that the total number could be in the dozens. Some of those arrested are believed to still be under investigation in detention at Jayapura Regional police station. Papuans Behind Bars will continue to report on this case when we receive more information.

July 2014 Papuan political prisoners