Free the West Papuan -Flag Raisers

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee calls on the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs to support the international campaign for the release of the “Manokwari Eleven”: 11 young men jailed in West Papua for periods of three and three and a half years for no other reason than that they dared to take part in demonstrations at which the West Papua “Morning Star” flag was raised.

“This draconian action flies in the face of the international law which protects the rights of individuals to freedom of expression, opinion and assembly. As a country committed to human rights New Zealand should be part of the international appeal for the release of these young people.” Letter follows.

For further information: Maire Leadbeater Phone 815-9000 or 0274-436-957

Hon Murray McCully,

Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Parliament Buildings,

Wellington.

17 January, 2009

Dear Mr McCully,

There is now an international campaign supported by several human rights groups, including Amnesty International which is appealing to the Indonesian authorities to release the “Manokwari 11”. The Indonesia Human Rights Committee urges New Zealand to publicly support this campaign.

Eleven West Papuan men were sentenced on the 9 January 2009 to jail terms of three and three-and-a-half years by the district court in Manokwari. The 11 activists were arrested in March 2008 when they had taken part in demonstrations where the West Papuan national flag was displayed.

We urge you to speak out and call on Indonesia to release these young men who have done no more than exercise the right of freedom of expression and assembly as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Indonesia is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which also guarantees rights to freedom of opinion, expression and association. It is New Zealand’s responsibility as a Pacific neighbour and as a nation committed to international law to take action now.

At the time of the arrests a series of peaceful public demonstrations were held to protest a 2007 government regulation which banned all display of the Morning Star flag and any logo considered to be ‘separatist’. The District Court in Manokwari, initially sentenced the activists to eight month’s imprisonment on charges of ‘rebellion’ under Article 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Penal Code. On appeal, the Papua’s provincial High Court upheld the guilty verdict and extended their sentences. Prominent activist Jack Wanggai was sentenced to three-and-a-half years and the 10 others were given three year sentences. It is reported that the defendants plan to appeal the decision to Indonesia’s Supreme Court.

We also note the worrying indications that the human rights situation in West Papua is deteriorating. New troops have swelled the tens of thousands of military, intelligence and the militarised Brimob police numbers. Some reports allege that the military are recruiting for “Red and White” militia members from the local community.

In the latter part of 2008 there were many reports of violence on the part of the security forces. This escalation began when Opinus Tabuni was killed during a celebration held on August 9 to mark Indigenous Peoples Day celebration organised by Dewan Adat Papua (Papuan Customary Council). His death occurred when security forces opened fire after a flag had been raised in a section of the large crowd attending the peaceful event.

Since then there have been a number of unexplained violent deaths such as that of Dewan Adat Papua member Yosias Syet who was found dead in his home on 17 October 2008. Over the Christmas period there were two unexplained deaths in Manokwari, before the recent earthquake, these included the eath of a local priest who was found in ditch with head injuries. Local people suspect the involvement of the security forces.

In early December the Indonesian police attacked members of the GKIP church (Gereja Kemah Injil Papua/Tabernacle Bible Church of Papua) in Nabire West Papua. In all, 12 members were beaten and 5 students shot and wounded.

As the respected international Human Rights Watch summed up the situation in its recent annual report “Despite dozens of Indonesian government statements pledging a new approach in Papua and positive developments on some fronts, justice has noticeably lagged. Security forces, including special Mobile Brigade (Brimob) police units, continue to engage in abuses in remote highland regions with virtual impunity.”

Despite the tense atmosphere, there were thousands-strong demonstrations in several centres in December calling for an end to militarism and for independence. Around this time two activsts Buchtar Tabuni and Seblom Sambon were arrested in December apparently for their role in organising an October demonstration in support of the formation of International Parliamentarians for West Papua. Both men are reported to have been beaten in custody.

We appeal to you to act now to help prevent any further escalation of the violence against the people of West Papua. New Zealand must take a public stand against blatant abuses of international law.

Yours sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater

(for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee

ends

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