1) Indonesian military says troops suspected of killing 2 Papuan civilians

2) Komnas HAM was asked to investigate the alleged torture of 14 KNPB activists 

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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/indonesia-papua-military-separatist-conflict-13831470

1) Indonesian military says troops suspected of killing 2 Papuan civilians

23 Dec 2020 09:18PM

Indonesia’s Papua province has been dealing for decades with demands for independence and a low-level separatist insurgency.  (Photo: AFP/JUNI KRISWANTO)

JAKARTA: Indonesia's military on Wednesday (Dec 23) named nine soldiers as suspects in the killing in April of two civilians in the country's Papua region, as part of a state probe into violence this year in an area beset by separatist conflict.

The military is conducting an internal investigation as part of a fact-finding mission that started in October into several incidents in the Intan Jaya district, including the fatal shooting of a Christian pastor in September.

Lieutenant General Dodik Wijanarko in a statement said the nine soldiers had committed "acts beyond the limits of propriety" while interrogating two Papuans suspected of being separatist rebels, who later died.

The suspects burned their bodies and threw their ashes into a river, according to the military.

West Papua, the easternmost region of the archipelago nation, has been riven by separatist conflict since the former Dutch colony was incorporated into Indonesia, following a controversial United Nations-backed referendum in 1969.

Dodik said the suspects faced a maximum 12 years in prison if found guilty of violence leading to death, among other violations.

Usman Hamid, director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said the admission by the military that its personnel may have engaged in illegal acts in Papua was rare, although he cast doubt over its sincerity and transparency.

Colonel Gusti Nyoman Suriastawa, a military spokesman in Papua, said there was "no tolerance for soldiers who commit these violations".

Reuters was unable to immediately reach the victims' families for comment.

In September, a Christian pastor, Yeremia Zanambani, was fatally shot in the same region. Indonesia's military has denied allegations by church groups that soldiers were responsible.

Mahfud MD, Indonesia's chief security minister, said in October that state forces or "a third party" may have been involved.

Source: Reuters/dv

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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. Original bahasa link at

https://jubi.co.id/papua-komnas-ham-diminta-selidiki-dugaan-penyiksaan-14-aktivis-knpb/

2) Komnas HAM was asked to investigate the alleged torture of 14 KNPB activists 

Reporter: Admin Jubi

• December 22, 2020
• 11:12 pm

14 detained Merauke KNPB activists - Jubi / IST

Papua No. 1 News Portal | Jubi Jayapura, Jubi - The Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition asked the National Human Rights Commission to immediately investigate the Merauke Police Chief, AKBP Untung Sangaji in the alleged torture of 14 members of the West Papua National Committee or KNPB Merauke. The Coalition's request was stated by the Coalition in their written press release on Tuesday (12/22/2020). In its written press release, the Coalition highlighted AKBP Untung Sangaji's statement which was reported by the Cenderawasih Pos Daily. In the news, AKBP Untung Sangaji denied that the Merauke Police had criminalized 14 KNPB Merauke activists. Untung stated that 14 KNPB activists were named treason suspects, and were charged with violating the provisions of Articles 106, 107, 110 of the Criminal Code. The coalition emphasized that AKBP Untung Sangaji should immediately deal with the alleged torture by the police against 14 KNPB Merauke activists. The coalition states that every act of investigators to arrest people should not be carried out arbitrarily. Also read: PH calls the police persecuting 14 KNPB activists

"The fact of the arrest using a violent approach clearly shows that the Merauke Police Chief and his staff have ignored the explanatory order for article 17, Law Number 8 of 1981 concerning Criminal Procedure Law above. This explanation rests on the principle 'Everyone has the right to freedom and personal security. No one can be arrested or detained arbitrarily. No one can be deprived of their liberty except on valid reasons and in accordance with procedures stipulated by law "as stipulated in Article 9 paragraph (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," said the Coalition's press release. The coalition states that the arrest process using a violent approach violates Article 351 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 170 of the Criminal Code and Article 1, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment which has been ratified by Law Number 5 of 1998 concerning Ratification of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment in conjunction with Article 7, Law Number 12 of 2005 concerning Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The coalition believes that AKBP Untung Sangaji's statement reported by the media actually indicated his involvement in the violence against 14 KNPB activists. "It seems that the Merauke Police Chief did not practice the" presumption of innocence principle "in the law enforcement process against 14 Merauke KNPB activists. In addition, perhaps the Merauke Police Chief also forgot to read the provisions of ‘Every person who is arrested, detained and prosecuted because he is suspected of committing a criminal act has the right to be presumed innocent, until proven guilty legally in a court session and given all legal guarantees necessary for his defense in accordance with statutory provisions as stipulated in Article 18 paragraph (1), Law Number 39 Year 1999 concerning Human Rights, ”said the Coalition's press release.

Also read: Merauke KNPB activist is suspected of being a victim of criminalization The coalition states that the Merauke Resort Police have the obligation to carry out constitutional provisions related to "Protection, advancement, enforcement and fulfillment of human rights are the responsibility of the state, especially the government" as stipulated in Article 28i paragraph (4), the 1945 Constitution. acts of maltreatment against 14 KNPB Merauke activists, acts of vandalism against the KNPB Merauke Secretariat building. We ask the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission to immediately investigate the Merauke Police Chief and his staff for alleged acts of torture, ”said the Coalition's press release. The coalition also asked the National Police Chief through the Papua Regional Police Chief to provide an understanding of Law Number 8 of 1981 concerning Criminal Procedure Law, Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 2 of 2003 concerning Disciplinary Regulations for Members of the State Police of the Republic of Indonesia and Perkap No 8 of 2009 concerning Implementation of Rights Principles and Standards Human Rights in Carrying Out Polri's Duties to the Merauke Police Chief and his staff. "[We ask] the Papua Police Chief to arrest and prosecute the Merauke Police Chief for criminal acts of mistreatment of 14 Merauke KNPB activists as regulated in Article 351 of the Criminal Code and criminal acts of destruction of the KNPB Merauke Secretariat building as regulated by 170 KUHP, and alleged violations of Article 6 letter q, Government Regulation. Republic of Indonesia Number 2 of 2003 concerning Disciplinary Regulations for Members of the State Police of the Republic of Indonesia. The Papua Police Chief [must] immediately order the Papua Regional Police's Direskrimum to arrest and prosecute unscrupulous members of the Merauke Resort Police who perpetrated the criminal offense of 14 KNPB Merauke activists, "said the press release of the Coalition. Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G.

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