AHRC-UAC-176-2010
Dear friends,
According to reports received from local activists, two villagers were killed in Bolakme, Papua, Indonesia during a sweeping operation by the security forces on December 1, 2010.
Case narrative:
Local activists reported that between 10am and 5pm on December 1, 2010 in the Bolakme sub-district of Jayawijaya in Papua, Indonesia, the Indonesian military (TNI) (Kodim 1702) and police (Jayawijaya resort police) conducted a joint sweeping operation regarding alleged separatist activities. Two indigenous Papuans, Asli Wenda and Elius Tabuni were shot dead during the operation at 1pm.
No post mortem examination has yet been conducted as there are no facilities for autopsies in the area. The relatives or supporters of the victim would have to travel and transfer the body to the nearest medical doctor themselves, which is difficult insecure given the distance to hospitals and the aggressive activities by the security forces.
Bolakme is a small town in the Papuan highland region, which is heavily militarized and suffers from an oppressive climate due to the tense security situation.
Additional information:
The AHRC has documented numerous cases of such human rights violations that point to a pattern of endemic and possibly systematic arbitrary arrest, torture and killings as part of military operations against separatist movements. Due to operations by the military as well as the police, many innocent members of the indigenous community are being deprived of their rights and freedoms as Indonesian citizens.
The AHRC has received credible reports about violations of rights allegedly committed by the military during "sweeping" operations by the military in the West Papuan highlands, which include the burning of houses, killing of livestock, arrests and other forms of violence. Since Indonesia is not allowing foreign journalists or human rights groups into the area, little is known about the extent of the problem, although reports are increasingly making their way out of the region.
The AHRC recalls that the military are placed beyond the reach of civilian courts, by virtue of Indonesia's military law. Discussions on legislation to enable soldiers that commit crimes against civilians to be brought before civilian courts have reportedly been halted without result and are no longer listed for discussion by the country's parliament.
Suggested action:
Please send letters to the authorities below calling for an independent and impartial investigation into the case, the effective prosecution of the perpetrators and investigations into all forms of intimidations of the indigenous community. Jakarta should respond to the call for a genuine dialogue with the indigenous communities.
The AHRC is also writing separate letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the UN Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people as well as the UN Independent Expert on minority issues.
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Sample letter:
Dear __________,
Indonesia: Killing of two indigenous Papuans during sweeping operation
- Names of victims: Asli Wenda, Elius Tabuni
- Date of incident: December 1, 2010
- Place of incident: Bolakme, Jayawijaya, Papua, Indonesia
- Alleged perpetrators: Indonesian military (TNI) (Kodim 1702) and police (Jayawijaya resort police)
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is writing to voice its deep concern regarding the deaths of Asli Wenda and Elius Tabuni, indigenous Papuan villagers of Bolakme in the Jayawijaya District in West Papua.
Between 10am and 5pm on December 1, 2010 in the Bolakme sub-district of Jayawijaya in Papua, Indonesia, the Indonesian military (TNI) and police conducted a joint sweeping operation regarding alleged separatist activities. Two indigenous Papuans, Asli Wenda and Elius Tabuni were shot dead during the operation at 1pm.
No post mortem examination has yet been conducted as there are no facilities for autopsies in the area and the relatives of the victims do not have the means to travel to the nearest medical doctor to submit the bodies.
We request you to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Asli Wenda and Elius Tabuni and that the perpetrators will be prosecuted and held accountable according to the serious nature of this human rights violation. We call upon you to facilitate an immediate autopsy of the bodies of the victims.
The Papuan provinces should be demilitarized and a genuine political dialogue initiated between Jakarta and the indigenous Communities to ensure security.
We must point out that the strongest action needs to be taken in accordance with the law to ensure that the use of violence against anyone 'suspected' of anti government actions will be stopped.
We urge you to act swiftly on this case.
Yours sincerely,
Please send your letters to:
1. AKBP I Gede Sumerta, SIK
Head of Jaya Wijaya District Police
(Kepala Kepolisian Resort Jaya Wijaya)
Jl. Sapri Darwin Nomor 1
Jaya Wijaya, Provinsi Papua
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 969 3268
Fax: +62 969 31075
2. General of Police Timur Pradopo
Chief of Indonesian National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No.3
INDONESIA
3. Drs. Bekto. Suprapto. M.Si
Head of Police Area Headquarters Jayapura, Papua province
Jl. Samratulangi No. 8 Jayapura
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 0967 531014
Fax: +62 0967 533763
4. R. Widyopramono SH,M.Hum
Prosecutor
Kejaksaan Tinggi Papua
Jl. Anggrek No.6 Tj. Ria Jayapura
INDONESIA
5. Drs. Petrus Waine
Director of the Criminal Unit
Papua Regional Police
Jl. Samratulangi
No. 8 Jayapura
INDONESIA
6. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono
President
Republic of Indonesia
Presidential Palace
Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara
Jakarta Pusat 10010
INDONESIA
Fax: + 62 21 231 41 38, 345 2685, 345 7782
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
Indonesia Desk (indonesia@ahrc.asia)