Indonesia: Stop police violence in Papua | Amnesty International Hong Kong

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http://www.amnesty.org.hk/chi/node/20344

A low-level conflict between Indonesian security forces and pro-independence insurgents in Papua has resulted in a heavy police and military presence in the region. Violence there has increased during recent months and Amnesty International has received consistent reports about the police violating human rights in Nabire, Papua. These include allegations of torture, ill-treatment and unlawful killings.

On 29 January and 6 April 2009, peaceful demonstrators were shot at by the police, with live ammunition as well as rubber bullets. They also kicked and beat the demonstrators, and ill-treated those arrested and detained.

You can help to secure justice for the victims of human rights violations in Papua. Please write to the Indonesian authorities, calling on them to:

• Investigate reports of human rights violations and deaths involving police officials in Nabire, Papua province and make the results of the investigation public. Remove any police officials found to have committed human rights violations from their duties and ensure that they are brought to justice.
• Ensure that all police officials stationed in Nabire are familiar with Indonesian Police Regulations on Human Rights and on the Use of Force and relevant international standards, and have the necessary knowledge and equipment to apply these in their daily work.
• Set up an independent police oversight mechanism to deal with complaints from the public in a prompt, impartial and independent manner.

Write to:
National Head of Police (Kapolri)
General Bambang Hendarso Danuri
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia

Fax: + 62 21 7202142

Please also send a copy to:
Chairperson
Indonesian National Commission for Human
Rights (KOMNAS HAM)
Mr Ifdhal Kasim
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B
Menteng, Jakarta Pusat
10310, Indonesia

Fax: + 62 21 3925227

Refer to the model letter below to write letters in English or in your own language:

Created Date:28/01/2010

Please fill in your name and email address below

Name:

Email:

Dear Kapolri,

I am writing to express my concern about recent human rights violations in Nabire, Papua Province. According to information I have received from Amnesty International, the police have committed many human rights violations in this area, including torture, ill-treatment and unlawful killings. One example of this occurred on 6 April 2009 when police opened fire using live ammunition and rubber bullets on demonstrators calling for a boycott of elections in protest against human rights violations in Nabire, Papua. At least seven people were injured. Police officers in Nabire were also reportedly involved in the unlawful killings of two men: Abet Nego Keiya and Melkias Agape.

I urge you to immediately conduct an independent and impartial investigation into reports of police human rights violations and deaths involving police officials in Nabire, Papua province, and to make the results of the investigation public. If police officials are found to have committed offences involving human rights violations they should be immediately removed from their duties, disciplined and brought to justice.

I understand that the police face many challenges in their work, and that their job is not an easy one. But it is of vital importance that all police officials stationed in Nabire are familiar with Indonesian Police Regulations on Human Rights and on the Use of Force and relevant international standards, and have the necessary knowledge and equipment to apply these in their daily work. I urge you to do all in your power to ensure that this is the case.

To ensure that any future reports of human violations are dealt with swiftly and impartially, I further urge you to support the setting up of an independent police oversight mechanism to deal with complaints from the public.

Yours sincerely,