URGENT ACTION AND MEDIA ALERT - WEST PAPUA

UPDATE ON ARREST OF WEST PAPUANS FOR SUBVERSION FOR FLAGRAISING IN MANOKWARI

FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST - FRIDAY MARCH 14, 2009 1330 AEST

WEST PAPUA, Friday March 14 2008: URGENT/ IMMEDIATE ACTION: Yesterday in Manokwari, Indonesian police and military arrested 13 West Papuan people holding a peaceful demonstration calling for a referendum on the future of West Papua.

Information has just been received from the POLRES (Police HQ Prison) in Manokwari that Jack Wanggai, West Papua National Authority Co-ordinator Manokwari, and 12 other West Papuan activists arrested for an attempted raising of the banned Morning Star flag, and will be charged with Subversion and Rebellion. This is occurring amidst a climate of intimidation and repression of West Papuan people peacefully expressing their aspirations for political and human rights, which are guaranteed under Indonesian law..

On 13 March 2008 at 15:00 PM Jack Wanggai, spokesperson of West Papua National Authority Manokwari together with 13 Papuan Youth and Students were arrested by Indonesian police and military. They have been charged under Indonesian Law (KUHP) article 7 (1( (g), article 112 (1) (2), article 113 and article 155. (The articles of Subversion and Rebellion). The 13 people arrested on March 13 are:

· Yakobus Jack Wanggai;

· Frans Kareth SE;

· Ariel Werimon;

· Daniel Sokatorei;

· Orgenes Mandabayan;

· Markus Umpres;

· Noak Baransano;

· Deki Bame;

· Yorgen Ayorbaba;

· Yan Maniani;

· Andi Ayorbaba;

· Martinus Koromat;

· Silas Carlos T. Mai.

Serious and grave concerns are held for the potential for torture or ill-treatment whilst in the hands of the Police and intelligence, as all activists have caused a deal of international humiliation to the Indonesian security forces through creative and peaceful expression of their legitimate aspirations over the past few weeks. Please monitor this situation closely by calling the numbers in Manokwari below to ask why West Papuan people have been arrested and threatened with violence under Suharto era charges. It is important to put pressure on these Military and police figures.

· Police Papua province hp:967 531 014

· Indonesian Criminal Intelligence Unit Manokwari: + (62 986) 211363

· Indonesian TNI Commander of Manokwari regency/DANDIM phone Number: +62 (986) 211703

· Head of Police Manokwari Regency (KAPOLRES) phone No. +62 (986) 211359

· Deputy Police Manokwari Regency level (WAKAPOLRES) phone NO. +62 (986) 211826

· rmh dins kapolres tlp.0986 211355;

· Waka (Deputi Commander) Polres.tlp.0986 211826.

Ongoing information, please contact:

Dr Jacob Rumbiak

Australia, Mobile +61 (0)4313 88 976 or +61 (0)3 9510 2193 Co-ordinator, Foreign Affairs, West Papua National Authority

For contacts in MANOKWARI, please contact Nick Chesterfield on +61 (0) 409 268 978