2) Local Govt misuses communal funds to pay compensation for killings committed by soldiers in Puncak Jaya
3) West Papua targets opening special school in South Manokwari in 2025
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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/mysterious-death-during-police-custody-in-merauke-raises-human-rights-concerns/
1) Mysterious death during police custody in Merauke raises human rights concerns
On 15 July 2024, Mr Herik Gombo died under suspicious circumstances during custody at the Merauke Police. Mr Gombo and his colleague had been detained following a motorcycle accident earlier that day. His family and legal representatives demand clarity and accountability from the police regarding his death inside the detention cell.
On 15 July 2024, Mr Gombo and his colleague were involved in a motorcycle collision with a Merauke resident. While the Merauke resident suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized, Mr Gombo and his colleague were taken to the Merauke Police Traffic Unit cell because both men appeared to have only minor injuries from the accident. Police officers claimed they detained both men to prevent horizontal conflict.
According to the information received, both men fell asleep in the detention cell. As Mr Gombo’s colleague woke up again, he discovered Mr Gombo’s body dead in the cell’s bathroom inside the water tub. The circumstances of Mr Gombo’s death are unclear, with his family questioning how he could have drowned in the small bathtub given his large stature.
The victim’s family, represented by the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), demands a thorough investigation and legal accountability from the police (see phot on top, source: Jubi). They have raised concerns about the lack of medical treatment for Mr Gombo, the absence of an autopsy, and the police’s handling of the body without involvement of relatives.
As of 31 July 2024, the relatives had not received any explanation for Mr Gombo’s death from the police. LBH Papua Director, Mr Emanuel Gobay, questioned the decision to detain Gombo without medical attention following the accident and the absence of police officers monitoring the cell at the time of his death.
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Merauke (-8.504678428664668, 140.40851223608217)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Selatan Province, Merauke Regency, Merauke City
total number of victims: one
period of incident: 15.07.2024
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: Traffic Police
Issues: extra-judicial killings, ill-treatment, indigenous peoples
Sources: https://jubi.id/mamta/2024/kematian-herik-gombo-di-sel-satlantas-polres-merauke-tidak-wajar/
name of the location: Merauke (-8.504678428664668, 140.40851223608217)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Selatan Province, Merauke Regency, Merauke City
total number of victims: one
period of incident: 15.07.2024
perpetrator: police
perpetrator details: Traffic Police
Issues: extra-judicial killings, ill-treatment, indigenous peoples
Sources: https://jubi.id/mamta/2024/kematian-herik-gombo-di-sel-satlantas-polres-merauke-tidak-wajar/
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Human Rights Monitor.
2) Local Govt misuses communal funds to pay compensation for killings committed by soldiers in Puncak Jaya
On 16 July 2024, the Indonesian military shot dead Mr Tonda Wanimbo, Mr Yotenus Wonda, and Mr Dominus Wonda in the Mulia District, Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs). All three men, respected figures in their community, died at the scene as a result of gunshot wounds inflicted by members of the joint Military Task Force 753 from the Maleo and Elang military units. Failed negotiations between local military representatives and relatives demanding justice for the victims triggered a spontaneous outbreak of horizontal violence against non-Papuans living in the area, costing the lives of one non-Papuan and leaving three others injured.
Almost three months passed after the killing, but the Indonesian military has not undertaken efforts to investigate the allegations of unlawful killings by members of the Joint Military Task Force 753 from the Maleo and Elang military units. In addition, the military refused to withdraw its statement that the three victims were affiliated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and apologise to the victims’ relatives.
Instead of pursuing legal justice, the Puncak Jaya Regent settled the case by paying a compensation payment of 7.5 billion rupiah (about € 1.569.500) from the communal budget. This decision was justified as adhering to local customs among Papuan indigenous groups of paying fines for incidents resulting in deaths. The local government framed this as a necessary measure to maintain security and stability in the region, especially in light of upcoming local elections.
This extrajudicial settlement raises serious concerns about impunity for human rights violations. HRM understands the payment of compensation by the local Government as an attempt to:
- Avoid military accountability: The soldiers responsible for the initial killings are not being held accountable through proper legal procedures. Instead, the local government is using public funds to essentially “pay off” the consequences of their actions. In most cases, such compensation payments according to the Indigenous customs are used to avoid claims for justice from relatives to avoid a legal process against the perpetrators. The settlement bypasses the formal justice system, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for handling serious human rights violations;
- Misuse of public funds: According to indigenous customs, the compensation payments should be paid by the party causing the death and not by a third party. If the killings were committed by TNI (military) soldiers, the compensation should come from the military’s budget, not local government funds. The use of public funds to compensate for deaths caused by the military constitutes a misuse of public funds;
- Avoid public attention on the issue: Attempts by journalists to get comments from military officials have been unsuccessful, raising questions about transparency and accountability regarding the settlement of the case by the law.
The case highlights a troubling pattern of impunity for security forces in West Papua, where human rights violations are settled through informal means rather than through proper legal channels, potentially perpetuating a cycle of violence and injustice.
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3) West Papua targets opening special school in South Manokwari in 2025
October 7, 2024 17:24 GMT+700
Manokwari, West Papua (ANTARA) - Head of the West Papua Provincial Education Office, Abdul Fatah, stated that his side is endeavoring to make the integrated school for children with special needs in South Manokwari District operational in 2025.
Fatah explained here on Monday that the school's physical infrastructure had been completed in 2022 though supporting facilities are still being readied in stages based on the provincial government's budget capacity.
"There are other supporting facilities, such as the laboratory and computers, that need to be provided," he stated.
Fatah explained that the provincial government has coordinated with the South Manokwari district government to allocate or prepare teachers for the school.
He underscored the need for teachers to first participate in technical and special skills improvement training so that teaching and learning activities can later run in accordance with the provisions.
"We have asked the district to prepare teaching staff, both those who already have teaching competence in special schools and those who do not," Fatah remarked.
He stated that other districts in West Papua, such as Teluk Bintuni and Kaimana, are also completing the construction of integrated special schools. The provision of special schools is aimed at helping children with special needs get access to education.
The West Papua provincial government concurrently continues to encourage the two other districts of Pegunungan Arfak and Teluk Wondama to immediately make extensive preparations for the construction of special schools to ensure this facility is available in all regions in the province.
"There is only one active special school, namely SLB Panca Kasih in Manokwari," Fatah remarked.
Related news: TNI Habema holds Smart Papua program at school following fire
Related news: Southwest Papua builds tourism school to support Raja Ampat
Fatah explained here on Monday that the school's physical infrastructure had been completed in 2022 though supporting facilities are still being readied in stages based on the provincial government's budget capacity.
"There are other supporting facilities, such as the laboratory and computers, that need to be provided," he stated.
Fatah explained that the provincial government has coordinated with the South Manokwari district government to allocate or prepare teachers for the school.
He underscored the need for teachers to first participate in technical and special skills improvement training so that teaching and learning activities can later run in accordance with the provisions.
"We have asked the district to prepare teaching staff, both those who already have teaching competence in special schools and those who do not," Fatah remarked.
He stated that other districts in West Papua, such as Teluk Bintuni and Kaimana, are also completing the construction of integrated special schools. The provision of special schools is aimed at helping children with special needs get access to education.
The West Papua provincial government concurrently continues to encourage the two other districts of Pegunungan Arfak and Teluk Wondama to immediately make extensive preparations for the construction of special schools to ensure this facility is available in all regions in the province.
"There is only one active special school, namely SLB Panca Kasih in Manokwari," Fatah remarked.
Related news: TNI Habema holds Smart Papua program at school following fire
Related news: Southwest Papua builds tourism school to support Raja Ampat
Translator: Fransiskus W, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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