More arrests of KNPB activists in Yakuhimo

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release- 18 September 2016

More arrests of KNPB activists -in Yakuhimo

The Yakuhimo Police arrested 21 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) as they distributed leaflets about a peaceful rally to be held on Monday the 19 September.

8 activists were arrested first, followed by another 13 when over 200 people protested outside the local police station at the arrests.

One protestor was taken to hospital after been hit by a police officer. 

Jubi reported that the protestor said he was beaten after an unknown person threw stones at the police station. 

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “ yet again we have the security forces in West Papua using a heavy handed approach to KNPB activists who were simply handing out leaflets about the upcoming rally to be held on the 19th”

Chairman of the KNPB Victor Yeimo said the rally on Monday was to show support for the Pacific countries who are members of the Pacific Islands Coalition on West Papua (PICWP) who will be raising West Papua at the UN General Assembly. 

Names of some of those arrested from Jubi report

Ruben Wakla (18) , Arpius Magayang (18), Yeni Mambrasa (16), Anike Mohi (22), Menus Salla (16), Elka Payage (17), Yoas Payage (17), Anto Soll (26), Laki Balingga (17), Beto Suhun (26), Kayus Soll (27). Kemudian, Putiman Wakla (24), Yoel Soll (25), Anius Baye (23), Deko Kobak (16), Menus Salak (17), Elimas Soll (18) dan Anto Soll (15). 

ends

--------------------------

Background

A google translate of report in Jubi. be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.

Original bahasa link at

http://tabloidjubi.com/artikel-160-jelang-aksi-damai-19-september-21-anggota-knpb-yahukimo-ditangkap.html

Ahead of Protest 19 September, 21 Members Arrested KNPB Yakuhimo

Jubi | News Portal Papua No. 1

Jayapura, Jubi - Yakuhimo Police detained 21 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) the region as they distributed leaflets with messages for peace rally together on Monday (09/19/2016), in the Old Market Dekai, Jalan Sudirman, 8:00 pm local time, this morning.

Jubi contributors in Yahukimo, Piter Lokon said the arrests were made by police when dozens of members and sympathizers of the KNPB Yakuhimo divide leaflets in the Old Market, the city Dekai. He explained, visible members dressed from Brimob and police.

"They (officers) were ambushed members of KNPB, they carry weapons and remove the shot. First they arrested eight people at the police station. Then the number increased again to 21 people, "said Piter via phone on Saturday (17/09/2016).

Piter said, initially around 200an people came to the police station to ask eight were acquitted. However, they were dispersed by dozens of armed police officers. Here, as many as 13 other people were taken into custody at the police station.

Here the identity of the 28 people who were detained at the police station Yakuhimo. While three of them unidentified.

Ruben Wakla (18), Arpius Magayang (18), Yeni Mambrasa (16), Anike Mohi (22), Menus Salla (16), Elka Payage (17), Joash Payage (17), Anto Soll (26), Laki Balingga (17), Beto Suhun (26), Kayus Soll (27). Then, Putiman Wakla (24), Joel Soll (25), Anius Baye (23), Deko Kobak (16), Menus Salak (17), Elymas Soll (18) and Anto Soll (15).

Anto Soll (26), one of the investigators KNPB, which hit a police officer and had to be rushed to the general hospital Dekai. He claimed police hit when going to the Police station to negotiate Yakuhimo KNPB freed 10 members who had been held first.

"I was beaten when I went to the police station to free 10 people who were arrested first, but there is an unknown threw stones at the police station and the policeman came out and hit me using guns, rubber die and rattan rope at the eyebrows, forehead, spine and rib. Cerebellum they hit me with the tip of a weapon, "said Anto Soll to Jubi when lying down for treatment in hospitals Dekai.

Jubi not successfully connect with the Deputy Police Resort Yakuhimo, Commissioner Bahar Tushiba were contacted by phone 08.128582 billion.

Separately, Chairman of KNPB Victor F. Yeimo said it issued an appeal to the entire board of the organization throughout the region for simultaneously holding a rally on Monday (19/9). He said the action plan in support of the Pacific countries who are members of the Pacific Island Coalition on West Papua (PICWP) who will be speaking in the UN General Assembly the issue of Papua.

"With respect, we urge the People of West Papua, in the guidance of the Lord, for together we escorted struggle Self-determination and crime Indonesia against humanity in West Papua which will be voiced PICWP at the UN General Assembly, also in a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki -moon, "Victor wrote in a message to Jubi.

"The people of West Papua is the people's fighters, since the independence of the nation is in the hands of the people. Unity struggle in prayer and action is the key struggle. Therefore, engage yourself and your family in a prayer rally in a peaceful street on 19 September 2016 for the entire West Papua. "(*)

----------------------------------