Document - INDONÉSIE: CRAINTES POUR LA SÉCURITÉ

PUBLICAI Index: ASA 21/006/2002

UA 43/02 Fear for Safety11 February 2002

INDONESIAJohanes G. Bonay (m), aged 39

John Rumbiak (m), aged 39

and other Human Rights Defenders in Papua Province

Human rights activists in Papua Province have received threats that they will be killed by the Special Forces Command (Kopassus) because of their involvement in investigating the killing of local political leader, Theys Eluay on 10 November 2001.

At around 12.15 pm on 11 February, a staff member of ELS-HAM (Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy) received a phone call, informing her that ELS-HAM director Johanes G. Bonay and ELS-HAM Supervisor John Rumbiak were among a group of people considered “dangerous” by Kopassus. The caller added that Kopassus were planning to eliminate a number of Papuans considered “dangerous” before the end of their tour of duty in Papua on 7 March.

The phone call was received after a joint statement by three Papuan human rights organizations including ELS-HAM, Legal Aid Institute Papua (LBH Papua) and the Commission for Anti Violence and Forced Disappearance Papua (Kontras Papua) was issued on 11 February. In the statement, the three organizations rejected the establishment of the National Inquiry Commission (KPN)and the Central Military Police Inquiry Commission (Tim Puspom TNI) to investigate the killing of Theys Eluay.

ELS-HAM has already carried out an investigation, which pointed to evidence of Kopassus involvement in the death of Theys Eluay. The police have also carried out an investigation into the killing. Although the findings have not been made public, statements by the Papuan Chief of Police also indicate Kopassus involvement in the killing. ELS-HAM, other human rights organizations and churches are concerned that the new government investigation is neither credible nor independent and is calling for a fully independent inquiry.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Theys Eluay was an independence activist in Papua and in February 2000 he became chair of the Papuan Presidium Council which was created to lead civilian support for Papuan independence. (See News Service 199, 12 November 2001, ASA 21/052/2001).

Over the last year human rights defenders in Papua have come under increased pressure. On 15 December 2000 Johanes Bonay was detained overnight for questioning, in relation to ELS-HAM reporting on torture and death in custody of students in Abepura. Demianus Wakman of the Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Papua) was summoned in the same case, as were a number of journalists who had reported statements made by ELS-HAM and LBH on the Abepura case. On 18 July 2001 Johanes Bonay received two death threats by telephone. John Rumbiak has been threatened with arrest in relation to investigations into the “disappearance” of Humbertus Wresman (see UA 165/01 ASA 21/026/2001, 3 July 2001 and follow ups). Other activists with ELS-HAM and with other human rights organizations including LBH have also been subjected to harassment and intimidation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or Indonesian or your own language:

- urging the authorities to take immediate and concrete measures to guarantee the safety of Johanes G. Bonay, John Rumbiak and other human rights defenders in Papua;

-calling on the authorities to identify the sources of the threats and if substantiated, take immediate and appropriate action against those responsible;

- Ensure that all members of the police and military are made aware of the legitimate role of human rights defenders and their responsibility to protect human rights defenders under the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

APPEALS TO:

Commander, Kodam VIII/ XVII Trikora

Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon

Jl. Polimak Atas

Jayapura, Papua

Indonesia

Fax: + 62 967 31642

Salutation: Dear Major General Mahidin Simbolon

Commander of the Armed Forces

Admiral Widodo Adisutjipto

Panglima TNI

Markas Besar TNI

Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 13

Jakarta Pusat

Indonesia

Fax: + 62 21 356 404

Salutation: Dear Admiral Widodo Adisutjipto

COPIES TO:

President Megawati Sukarnoputri

President of the Republic of Indonesia

Istana Merdeka

Jakarta 10110

Indonesia

Telegrams: President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Jakarta, Indonesia

Fax: + 62 21 345 2685 (via State Secretariat) / 62 21 526 8726 / 62 21 380 5511 / 62 21 345 7782

Salutation: Dear President

and to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 March 2002.