In March 1996 at least 120 people were detained in connection with riots in the province of Irian Jaya. While most have since been released, at least 39, currently detained in Jayapura, are facing charges. Amnesty International believes that many may be political prisoners. Amnesty International recognises the right of the authorities to bring to justice those responsible for acts of violence. However, in view of recent serious human rights violations in Irian Jaya, including reports of torture by members of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI), there is fear for the safety of anyone taken into incommunicado detention. There are further fears that those facing charges will be denied a fair trial. Also in March, four other Irianese activists were arbitrarily detained incommunicado for up to nine days, before being released without charge. They appear to have been targeted for their peaceful activities, and their arrests may signal that other activists are at risk of arbitrary and incommunicado detention.
