Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Security forces block peaceful demonstration in Papua
Security forces block peaceful demonstration in Papua
11 August 2012, 07:40: Amnesty International calls for an independent and impartial investigation into reports that police used unnecessary and excessive force to disperse a peaceful demonstration in Papua province commemorating International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on 9 August 2012.
If the
investigation finds that the security forces committed human
rights violations, then those responsible, including persons
with command responsibility, should be prosecuted in
proceedings which meet international standards of fairness,
and victims provided with reparations.
At least seven
people were arbitrarily arrested during and after the
demonstration and are being held at the Yapen District
police station. They should be released immediately and
unconditionally if they have been arrested solely for the
peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of
expression.
Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and military from the 1709 District Military Command (Kodim) led by the Yapen District Police Chief blocked hundreds of peaceful protesters as they marched on the morning of 9 August 2012 in Serui, Yapen Island.
According to local sources, the Indonesian security forces then fired their guns into the air to disperse the protesters, causing many to flee in fear. At least six protesters were arbitrarily arrested during the demonstration and some were reportedly beaten by security forces during their arrest. The police then travelled to Mantembu village to arrest one of the demonstration organisers, a local political activist. When they could not find him they arrested his wife, who is reportedly eight months pregnant.
The actions of the security forces fly in the face of statements made by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in February 2012 that he wanted an end to repressive actions by the military and police in Papua.
The rights to freedom of expression and
peaceful assembly are guaranteed in Articles 19 and 21 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a state party. Moreover,
these rights are protected under Indonesia’s Constitution.
However, Amnesty International has documented dozens of
other cases of arbitrary arrest and detention in past years
of peaceful political activists in Papua.
Amnesty
International continues to receive credible reports of human
rights violations committed by the security forces in the
provinces of Papua and West Papua, including torture and
other ill-treatment, unnecessary and excessive use of force
and firearms by the security forces and possible unlawful
killings. Investigations into reports of human rights
violations by the security forces are rare and only a few
perpetrators have been brought to justice.
During a 2008 gathering to commemorate International Day of the World’s Indigenous People in Papua, peaceful demonstrator Opinus Tabuni was discovered dead with a bullet wound clearly visible in his chest, after police opened fire at the crowd. Despite a police investigation, to date no one has been held to account for his death.
ENDS
UN News: Indigenous Peoples Sidelined In Global Climate Fight, UN Warns
Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy Condemns Deep Sea Mining Executive Order
UNICEF Aotearoa NZ: Increases In Vaccine-Preventable Disease Outbreaks Threaten Years Of Progress, Warn WHO, UNICEF, Gavi
Save The Children: Vanuatu - Families Find Climate-Smart Ways To Grow Crops 18 Months On From Cyclone Devastation
New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference: Cardinal Dew Leaves For Pope's Funeral, Papal Election
The Nature Conservancy: Bird Species Lost From Wild For Almost 40 Years Lays First Eggs On New Island Home