Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Briefing: Crackdown on peaceful activists in West Papua
The following is a brief summary concerning the crackdown on peaceful activists by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua. It is by no means exhaustive.
In recent months the security forces in West Papua have been targeting peaceful activists including members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB). In one horrific incident the security forces killed Mako Tabuni, deputy chairman of the KNPB on the 14 June. The police claimed he was armed and resisting arrest but witnesses said he was not armed when shot by the security forces which included members of the Australian trained Detachment 88.
Marko Tabuni Marko Tabuni’s funeral
On the 29 of September eight members of KNPB were arrested by the security forces (including by members of Detachment 88). They were arrested during a raid on the KNPB Regional Secretariat in Wamena and were accused of having been involved in a bomb incident in Wamena. The KNPB claim the explosives were planted and that they were being framed to justify the squads (Detachment 88) activities. Victor Yeimo of the KNPB said “We are the non-violent activists in West Papua. We will fight for our right of freedom according to the peaceful means in West Papua. We demand our right of self-determination to a referendum to be held in West Papua by UN peacefully and democratically”.
Victor Yeimo
Fanny Kogoya
On the 16 of October a group of Indonesian intelligent agents raided a boarding house to arrest Danny Wenda and Fanny Kogoya who is a human rights defender from the Papuan women’s
network TIKI. This is part of the security forces strategy to intimidate human rights defenders and civil society organisations in West Papua
On the 18 October the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released an urgent action concerning the arbitrary arrest of five Papuan activists in Jayapura on the 12 October 2012. The five activists were arrested on the allegation of involvement in importing or distributing explosive materials. Several weeks before the arrest, two bombs were found at the secretariat of the West Papuan National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) in Wamena and the police suspected Yasons along with his friends to be linked to it. The allegation, however, could not be proven and the police later released the activists after their 24 hours of arrest
On the 23 October the security forces cracked down on peaceful rallies that were held in a number of towns throughout West Papua including in Timika, Sorong, Biak, Merauke, Yahukimo Jayapura and Manokwari. The rallies were organised by the KNPB to draw attention to the UN the human rights abuses suffered by the West Papuan people and in support of the IPWP meeting in London.
During the rallies on the 23rd, a Jakarta Globe stringer and SuaraPapua.com reporter Oktovianus Pogau was choked and beaten
by police as he attempted to report on the protest. Oktovianus was videotaping the scene when he was approached by a plainclothes officer and told to leave. When he refused a second officer attacked him from behind.
Oktovianus Pogau in Manokwari eleven people were arrestedAmnesty International raised concerns about the crackdown on the rally in Manokwari
“It is unacceptable that people who have gathered for a protest should have to fear for their lives. The indiscriminate use of firearms and excessive force against protesters by the security forces has to stop – it is a violation of international law.” said Isabelle Arradon, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director
At the end of October a security operation involving members of Detachment 88 caused Villagers from Kampung Maribu, West Sentani to flee into the jungle in fear of their lives. A KNPB report said Detachment 88 had invaded the house of Terrianus Sato who is a member of the National Parliament of Tabi region. Terrianus family and other residents in the village fled into the woods and were for calling international protection.
Refugee Families in the Forest from Kampung Maribu West Sentani Jayapura District
On the 30 October six activists were arrested by a combined team of police, Detachment 88 while in a rented house in Jalan Merpati, Gang Merpati III, Youtefa Market, Village Awiyo, Abepura District, Jayapura. The police said they found hundreds of rounds of ammunition which is why the activists were arrested.
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| Jhon Pekey Denny Hisage Two of the activists arrested |
On the 4 November traffic officer found a leader of KNPB in the Fak-Fak regency, Paul Horis dead by the roadside and another member of the KNPB, Klisman Woi who was critically injured. Klisman Woi died the following day. A member of the executive of KNPB sent the following account of the attacks. “The two activists had hired a motorcycle and were later found by a member of the traffic police who realised that the two men were both in a critical condition. They were lying on the road in terrible shape but the motorcycle they had been riding on was not damaged, there were no scratches or signs of damage of any kind”. Victor Yeimo believes they were victims of an attack by the Indonesian special forces.
Paul Horis Klisman Woi
One of the reasons for the crackdown on the KNPB is that through peaceful activism the KNPB is successfully raising awareness about the plight of the West Papuan people abroad. The last thing Jakarta wants, the international community focusing on the human rights abuses in West Papua.
Sources
Indonesia: End police violence against demonstrators in Papua
An Australian-funded police unit in West Papua has again been implicated in a crackdown on the region's independence movement.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3604232.htm
Papuans claim Australian link to death squad
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-28/papuans-claim-australian-link-to-death-squad/4228710
West Papua National Committe
To be added to a West Papua email list to receive further information and respond to urgent actions on West Papua contact AWPA Sydney at PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW Australia 2088 . Email: seosamh20@hotmail.com
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