Jakarta - A human rights commission has formally accused ten police officials in Irian Jaya are suspected of involvement in human rights abuses that took place after the Abepura incident on December 6 last year.

Albert Rumbekwan, a member of Papuas Human Rights Abuse Inquiry Commission, said that one of the ten police is a policewoman and member of the Jayapura District Police. The commission is an authorised government agency and, while it does not have judicial powers, its reports are said to be very influential in bringing the accused to justice.

He predicted that the number would increase as the investigators continue to examine evidence. The ten police officers were observed by independent eyewitnesses as perpetrating a series of human rights abuses.

However Albert refused to name the identity of the ten police. I cannot name those held responsible in the incident but I will say that they were responsible when at least three people were killed. He added that his team has been coordinating with Jayapura Police Chief Daud Sihombing and his Deputy Alex Sampe in their investigation.

The human rights violations took place when police chased and attacked demonstrators, allegedly members of the Papuan separatist group.