[Kabar-indonesia] Letter to Secretary of State Rice on recent arrests in W Papua

[John M Miller]

PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202

March 25, 2008

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
US State Department
2201 C St., NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice,

On March 13, Indonesian police arrested twelve people in Manokwari, 
West Papua, during a demonstration against a 2007 law banning the 
display of separatist symbols, including the Morning Star Flag. The 
demonstrations also called for a referendum regarding the political 
status of West Papua and expressed opposition to the 2001 Special 
Autonomy Law that they claim has failed to bring improvement to the 
lives of Papuan people. As Human Right Watch has reported, one of the 
twelve arrested in Manokwari is reported to be a 16-year-old boy. As 
of March 25 there were reports that he had been released from custody 
but he may still face charges.  On March 19, Indonesian security 
officials in Jayapura arrested four more Papuans in a similarly 
peaceful demonstration that opposed the same 2007 law.  On March 25, 
security authorities arrested Eli Kaiway in connection with the 
peaceful demonstrations of March 13 and 19.

The 17 individuals appear likely to face trial for breaching 
Regulation 77/2007 and may also be charged with makar, which 
translates into English as "rebellion." In the past, Papuan activists 
openly supporting separatism have been sentenced to a 20-year prison 
term for the peaceful expression of their political views.

Indonesia's arrest and detention of peaceful activists violates the 
internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression and 
assembly as set forth in the International Covenant on Civil and 
Political Rights, which Indonesia ratified in February 2006.

The West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) and the East Timor and Indonesia 
Action Network (ETAN) condemn Indonesia's violation of the right of 
peaceful self-expression and urges the US Government to press the 
Indonesian government to drop all charges against these peaceful 
demonstrators. WPAT and ETAN, recalling the recent UN reporting 
regarding severe mistreatment of those detained by Indonesian 
security officials, also urge that the U.S. Government communicate to 
the Indonesian government its concern for the welfare of these 
detainees pending their release.

The names of the detained are as follows: Arrested on March 13 in 
Manokwari were: Yakobus Wanggai (Jack Wanggai), Frans Kareth, Markus 
Solig Umpus, Edy Ayorbaba, Daniel Sakwatorey, Marthinus Luther, Noak 
AP, George Risyard Ayorbaba, Amd T, Ariel Werimon, Leonardus Decky 
Bame and Silas Carlos Teves May (16 years old).

Arrested on March 19 in Jayapura were: Zakarias Horota, Elias Weah, 
Ester Dolorus Tapnesa, and Abu Mari.

According to credible reporting by international monitors, Papuan and 
other journalists who have sought to monitor developments associated 
with these demonstrations and other recent peaceful demonstrations 
have faced intimidation and interference from security forces. This 
security force conduct violates Indonesia's commitments under 
international human rights instruments to which it is party. WPAT and 
ETAN urge the US Government to remind the Indonesian Government of 
its obligations in this regard as well.

Sincerely,

West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT)

East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)

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John M. Miller         Internet: fbp at igc.org
National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668     Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
Skype: john.m.miller
Web site: http://www.etan.org

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