Civil Society Coalition - Papua For All (Ko Masi Papua)
Press Conference
Jayapura, 17 September 2019
Exposing Violation of Law and Human Rights During and After Anti-Racism demonstrations in Papua and West Papua Provinces
One month after the waves of demonstrations that took place in various regions throughout Papua, the public still questioned as to why there is no clarification related to those who were injured and or lost their lives. On the 2nd of September 2019, Papua Regional Police released a number of damages after the August 29th demonstration in Jayapura. It was stated that at least 15 banking units and 7 police posts along the main road were damaged and burned. There were 24 units of kiosks and shops damaged and burned. There were 33 motorcycles and 36 vehicles that were damaged and burned.
The police were quick in releasing data on material losses yet could not release the information on the number of people who were injured or killed during the demonstrations. The people of Papua do not know how many injuries and deaths there are, especially after some sweeping activities carried out by certain community groups. This confirms the existence of deliberate efforts to limit information which in itself is a form of discrimination that results in the non-fulfillment of the rights of victims and their families to obtain justice.
The Civil Society Coalition- Papua for All (hereinafter referred to as the Coalition) has conducted an independent investigation as a check and balance mechanism for the monopoly of information by state institutions. Based on the Coalition's findings, in Jayapura, on August 29th, 3 civilians were shot of whom 2 residents were hit by stray bullets during a mass demonstration at Waena Expo, another citizen was shot in Abepura, after the demonstration by the Pro-Indonesian vigilante community groups.
In addition, the Coalition found a sweeping action carried out by certain community groups on 30 August led to at least one person dead and 9 people suffered serious and minor injuries attacked using sharp weapons. On 1st September, 2019, there was also an attack by a group of people against the residents of Nayak I Dormitory, Abepura, Jayapura. As many as 19 people were victims of this incident (17 people suffered injuries due to stone throwing and sharp weapons, 1 person died due to being shot and 1 other person injured by a shot.
The Coalition also found that at least 8 civilians and 1 TNI member died during a demonstration in Deiyai on 28 August. Subsequently, 17 people suffered physical violence and 2 people were injured due to gunfire.
Until now, the authorities continue to conduct searches and the public is still experiencing intimidation and terror. Those who were shot wounded and other physical violence victims were also found in Timika and Fakfak. Based on the Coalition’s investigation, 2 people were shot and at least 18 people experienced physical violence in Timika on 21 August. While in Fakfak, on the same day, 1 person had stab wound, 1 person was hit by a stone throw and 1 person was hit by a stray bullet.
Unfortunately, efforts to disclose criminal liability for the perpetrators were concealed from the public. Though the police are aggressively continuing to make arrests of those suspected of being provocateurs of demonstrations no attempts were made into investigate the perpetrators especially against the Indonesian military and the nationalist groups. In addition to conducting investigations related to various post-demonstration events against racism, the Coalition also established the Civil Society-Papua Complaints Command Post for All (hereinafter abbreviated as the Ko Masi Papua Command Post) on 9 September 2019.
This initiative was established to obtain strong and valid data related to various community reports with rampant intimidation and terror. A week after its establishment; the Ko Masi Papua Command Post continues to receive complaints from the public. As of September 14, the team had received 26 reports, relating to arrests outside legal procedures, intimidation and terror to reports of the disappearance of a community member after the demonstration.
Incoming complaints came from several cities in Papua and West Papua. The coalition estimates that complaints will continue to increase along with the intense sweeping and arrest actions that continue to be carried out by the authorities. Therefore the Coalition appealed to the victims and their families to be able to report, both those who were intimidated, terrorized, wrongfully arrested to the extent of physical violence. This community report is very important in developing alternative narratives for the expression of truth and justice for victims.
The Coalition is also paying attention to the arbitrary arrests that are being carried out in Papua and West Papua. According to the Coalition’s data, 99 people were named as suspects. In Jayapura there were 39 people, Timika Regency: 8 people, Deiyai Regency: 16 people, Manokwari Regency: 19 people, Fakfak 3 people and Sorong City: 14 people.
In just a period of one month, there were 99 suspects in Papua and West Papua. However, this large number of arrests is not procedural and impartial. The Coalition found a disproportionate pattern of law enforcement, in the absence of an arrest warrant and a copy to the family, torture, violations of the right to legal assistance to alleged wrongful arrests.
Acts of sweeping, intimidation, terror and arrests that continue to be carried out by the authorities seem to contradict the term 'conducive' a narrative that continues to be conveyed by the state and its instruments. Another failure of the state in providing a sense of security is evidenced by the return of thousands of Papuan students from various study cities across Indonesia to Papua. Many reports received by the Coalition regarding racism, intimidation and terror treatment that they (the government) denied after the anti-racism demonstration including fear experienced by their families in Papua.
The exodus of these students shows that the perception of 'safe' and 'conducive' as narrated by the state, is not a collective experience. The government must ensure the student’s right to continue their education but also guarantee their security. The Coalition urges the central government, the provincial governments of Papua and West Papua, as well as the district and city governments to take full responsibility for the fate of thousands of students. They are victims and should not be burdened let alone ignored their right to get access to education. The return of students in itself reflects the failure of the state and its instruments in ensuring the safety of every citizen without exception.
Therefore, the Coalition submits the following demands:
Request the government and the police to issue valid data related to the number of injured and death after the demonstration in Papua and West Papua Provinces
Ensuring lawsuits against perpetrators of crime
Ensure victims and their families can get comprehensive and effective reparations
Ensuring the fulfillment of the rights of demonstration suspects during the examination.
The government stops intimidation and criminalization of advocates, activists, journalists and human rights defenders
Stop the criminalization of treason article against Papuan civil society
Conduct in-depth review related to tactics used by the police and army in handling the crowd
Immediately withdraw all BKO troops from all regions in Tanah Papua and strengthen the role of civil administration in Tanah Papua
Carry out legal and social recovery due to post-riot social conflicts that occurred in the provinces of Papua and West Papua.
Broadest possible access for journalists and humanitarian workers to the Land of Papua
Request full responsibility for national, provincial, and city and district governments in Papua and West Papua to fulfill the rights of thousands of students to access education after returning to Papua
The central government immediately resolves the Papua conflict in a comprehensive and dignified manner
Contact person:
Sem Awom, +6282198052223
Latifah Anum Siregar, +6285244060000
Yuliana Langowuyo, +682199668664
Emanuel Gobay, +6282199507613
Yulius Lala’ar, +6282398660005
Haryanto, +6285244988734
Civil Society Coalition-Papua for All (Ko Masi Papua)
1. Bersatu Untuk Kebenaran/ United for Truth (BUK)
2. KontraS Papua
3. Aliansi Demokrasi Untuk Papua (AlDP)
4. Keadilan Perdamaian dan Keutuhan Ciptaan GKI di Tanah Papua
5. KPKC Sinode Papua Franciscan SKPKC
6. KPKC Kingmi di Tanah Papua
7. LBH Papua
8. PBH Cenderawasih
9. LP3BH Manokwari
10. PAHAM Papua
11.LBH Kaki Abu
12. Cedaw Papua Work Team
13. Elsham Papua
14. Dewan Adat Papua
15. Solidarity for Indigenous Papuan (SIP)
16. Yayasan Anak Dusun Papua (YADUPA)
17. JERAT of Papua
18. Ilalang Papua
19. Papuan Tiki
20. YaLi Papua
21. Walhi Papua
22. Badan Koordinasi HMI Papua dan Papua Barat
23. HMI Cabang Jayapura
24. PMKRI
25. GMKI
26. Pemuda Katolik
27. GEMPAR Papua
28. SEPAHAM Papua
29. Papuan Voices
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