RFK Memorial Commends Officials for Swift Action

RFK Memorial Commends US and Indonesian Officials for Swift Action in Missing Person Investigation; Nirmala Ohee Found Unharmed in Jayapura

Washington, D.C. – The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights today announced the good news that Nirmala Ohee was found yesterday in Jayapura, capital city of the Indonesian province West Papua. Ohee is the wife of Papuan human rights defender Demy Bebari, who works with the Amungme Tribal Council (LEMASA) and with the Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (ELSHAM). On May 12 Ohee departed on a plane for Jayapura without notifying her husband, family, or friends. Her whereabouts were unknown until May 14.

Indonesian police and military authorities were quick to respond to calls from the international community to help locate Nirmala Ohee. After initial reluctance by local police officers to initiate a search, senior police and military officers provided Demy Bebari with timely help in locating his wife. Recognizing Demy Bebari’s long-time help in investigating the 2002 murder of two American citizens, the US Embassy in Jakarta took swift action by communicating the importance of this missing person investigation to Indonesian authorities.

ENDS

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