Banjir Ambarita – A member of the US House of Representatives on Saturday sent a letter to the Indonesian ambassador to the United States asking to ensure the safety of those arrested at the Third Papuan Peoples' Congress on Wednesday.

"I am writing to request your intervention in ensuring the safety and the humane treatment of Mr. Forkorus Yaboisembut and many others who were arrested on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at the third meeting of the Papuan Peoples' Congress in West Papua," Eni Faleomavaega, a representative from American Samoa, wrote in his letter to Ambassador Dino Patti Djalal.

"According to numerous media outlets, it has been reported that the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) fired shots during the meeting where a crowd of thousands of defenseless and unarmed civilians were engaged in peaceful political assembly. While the crowds dispersed after the shots were fired, many West Papuans, including journalists, were attacked and apprehended by the Indonesian military and police."

Six were found dead after the attack and police have arrested Papuan Customary Council chairman Forkorus Yoboisembut, who was declared as the president of an independent Papuan state on the last day of the gathering.

Faleomavaega said the reports gave evidence of crimes against humanity, especially given that the government of Indonesia is a signatory to both the UN treaties on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Faleomavaega also cited media reports that Adj. Sr. Comr. Imam Setiawan, Jayapura Police chief, may have played a significant role in the attacks.

"I have very serious concerns in the matter and I do not condone the serious acts of violence by the TNI and police on the peaceful demonstration by unarmed civilians who were simply voicing their opinions about the failure of the Government of Indonesia to seriously implement the Special Autonomy law for West Papua."