URGENT ACTION AND MEDIA ALERT - WEST PAPUA

UPDATE: WEST PAPUANS CHARGED WITH REBELLION FOR FLAGRAISING IN MANOKWARI

FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST - FRIDAY MARCH 14, 2009 2230 AEST

WEST PAPUA, Friday March 14 2008: URGENT/ IMMEDIATE ACTION: (FORWARDING FROM LP3BH MANOKWARI / PAPUAN PEOPLES’ HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY TEAM)

On Thursday, 14 March at around 2pm, thirteen people who had taken part in a peaceful demonstration protesting against government regulation PP 77/2007 were arrested by the Manokwari police (This PP reiterates the prohibition to unfurl the banned Morning Star flag). They were arrested for carrying and waving the Kejora (Morning Star) flag. One of the thirteen arrested was Jack Wanggai, spokesperson of the West Papua National Authority.

Apart from Wanggai, they are at present being questioned by the Criminal Investigation personnel of Manokwari police.  It has been confirmed that Wanggai tonight has been charged with Rebellion (under Indonesian Law (KUHP) article 7 (1( (g), article 112 (1) (2), article 113 and article 155).  The LP3BH has been given access to the detainees by Drs Jacobus Marjuki of the police force and has been able to meet the men.

Other detainees currently under interrogation:

·         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