Police Brutality in Nabire, Papua

21.7.09

Scoop:

Monday, 20 July 2009, 12:56 pm
Press Release: West Papua Media Alerts

Note: Abridged translation from West Papua Media Alerts crew. Information received sporadically and separately, then translated and compiled; has not been reconfirmed. However West Papua Media Alerts has taken isolated decision to post this information due to the nature of the illustrative photographs contained herein and no further communication.from the original informants

Photographs and eyewitness testimony is continuing to emerge from Nabire, West Papua, of continued and systemic Indonesian police brutality on peaceful demonstrators, including the unprovoked shooting of Melkias Agapa by paramilitary personnel, amid reports of continuing torture of political prisoners. The following is compiled from several reports from West Papua sources.

In light of major reports released by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International into widespread institutionalised human rights abuses of ordinary West Papuans, and emerging reports of Indonesian military violence against civilians across the border in Papua New Guinea, these photographs offer compelling proof of failure the Indonesian police to limit arbitrary violence and excessive force.

Eyewitnesses and Human rights Workers in Nabire, Papua have also reported that 16 civilian member's of the National Committee West Papua (KNPB), Nabire branch, detained last April 6 after Police shot demonstrators (see http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/09/2539161.htm), have been subjected to inhumane treatment after being moved to Prison in Nabire. Initial reports were that police arrested 28 people including a mother, but the remainder was released due to insufficient evidence. At this time 16 people remain in custody pending trial. Human rights workers in Nabire brought lawyers from Jayapura to accompany 16 people who were arrested at the time of a solidarity action for the launch of International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) in Guyana on April 5 2009

On June 25, a demonstration was held in Nabire in solidarity with the trial of April 6 detainees. According to reports, civilians were attacked by Police and plain clothes personnel with rattan, boots, and beaten with rifles by police. Ms Monica Zonggonau experienced severe injuries to her cerebellum (description received) because of being beaten. She required evacuation and medical treatment in Timika. Witnesses who have made formal complaints are reportedly being beaten and intimidated by the security apparatus in, according to a human rights worker speaking via phone. Photographs clearly show plain clothes personnel and civilian market traders (in sarongs) using police riot equipment.

Between 1400 and 1500 on June 25, Melkias Agapa (38) was shot dead by Police at his home in Nabire. Eyewitnesses where the incident occurred described that Mr Agapa was shot dead at his house by 4 police and 2 intelligence officers from Nabire POLRES. “I witnessed with my own eyes, my relatives in a group were shot by four police in full riot armour and equipment,” one eyewitness described.

Eight bullets from an automatic rifle were still lodged in Agapa’s body when it was taken by Nabire District Police for examination. District Police Chief NABIER AKBP Drs Rinto Djatmono admitted that the member was guilty and would be processed in accordance with the current law. "My subordinate was guilty, and we will be pursuing this case" he revealed.

In a tragic twist, Simon Petrus Hanebora the district head of Metago, Nabire regency said during the demonstration, Melkias was overcome by severe malarial symptoms. Under suspicion by the police after the demonstration, he was then sick in the market which disturbed market visitors. Police intervened and shot him.

Human Rights workers in Nabire have called for the international community to immediately respond to the widespread arbitrary arrests and detention by security forces in West Papua, and to push for a just resolution. “Our condition is that we are really threatened. We need protection from the international community,” he said.