Subject: AI UA044/99 INDONESIA Threats and
intimidation
Date: 09 Mar 99 19:17:11 -0500
From: UA E-Mail Incoming UA%AI-UK@amnesty.org.uk
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PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 21/16/99 9 March 1999
UA 44/99 Fear for safety / Threats and intimidation
INDONESIA Hermanus Wayoi Don Flassy Workers at ELS-HAM, a local human rights
organization
Amnesty International is concerned by recent threats and intimidation against human
rights defenders and against individuals and groups in the province of Irian Jaya who are
supporters of opening dialogue (referred to as the "National Dialogue") with the
government concerning the political future of the province.
Those targeted so far were part of a delegation who met with President Habibie in
February 1999, after some months of trying, in order to start talks on the subject. Those
also at risk are supporters, or those perceived to be supporters, of efforts to open the
debate.
The delegation, made up of around 100 people from Irian Jaya, travelled to Jakarta, the
capital, to discuss issues of greater autonomy and independence for the province. The
delegation consisted of government officials, religious and tribal leaders and
representatives from non-governmental organizations.
On 9 March, Hermanus Wayoi, who lives in Jayapura, the capital of Irian Jaya, had the
windows of both his house and his car parked outside smashed in by a couple of men. A note
was left in the car which said "you people think that what you are doing is the best
thing for the people of Papua".
Later a rock was thrown into the office of the Forum Rekonsiliasi Rakyat Irian
(Foreri), Forum for Reconciliation of the People of Irian, located at the offices of the
non-governmental organization the Human Rights Study and Advocacy Foundation for Irian
Jaya (ELS-HAM). Attached to the rock was a message saying "Why didn't you invite us
to the dialogue, you think you yourselves can become the leaders of the OPM",
referring to the armed separatist group, Organisasi Papua Merkdeka (OMP), the Free Papua
Organization.
At 3am, a group of people arrived outside the home of the director of ELS-HAM, Yohanis
Bonay, demanding he come out and making abusive comments.
At around 6 am, a bottle was left outside the home of Don Flassy, a prominent leader of
the movement for the "National Dialogue", containing a similar message to that
above. Don Flassy, who was arrested last year but later released still faces charges, with
five others, of rebellion.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The opposition movement to Indonesian rule of Irian Jaya developed following the
transfer in 1963 of de facto authority over the province from the Netherlands to Indonesia
and a subsequent plebiscite in 1969, which resulted in a vote for integration. The OPM is
the most prominent group advocating independence for Irian Jaya, or West Papua as it is
known to local people. Although the OPM advocates armed struggle many supporters of
independence have employed peaceful means. This has included demonstrations, flag-raising
ceremonies, political discussion groups and appeals to the UN and other groups. Since
President Habibie came to power in May 1998, there have been growing demands from the
province for a review of its political status and for local grievances to be addressed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in
Bahasa Indonesia or English or your own language:
- expressing concern at recent threats and intimidation of human rights defenders and
of individuals and groups in Irian Jaya in support of or perceived to be in support of the
"National Dialogue" with the government;
- urging the authorities to investigate these threats and asking that those engaged in
the peaceful expression of their beliefs, and human rights defenders, be protected from
such threats and intimidation;
- reminding the Indonesian Government of its obligations to protect human rights
defenders under the UN Human Rights Defenders Declaration adopted by the General Assembly
in December 1998.
APPEALS TO: (Time difference = GMT + 7 hrs / BST + 6 hrs)
Chief of Police for Irian Jaya:
Brig. Gen. (Pol.) Hotman Siagian [Salutation: Dear Brigadier General] Head of Regional
Police Irian Jaya Jl. Sam Ratulangie No. 8 Jayapura, Irian Jaya INDONESIA Telegrams:
Police Chief, Jayapura, Irian Jaya Faxes: + 62 967 533763 (best to try during local office
hours +9 GMT)
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: Embassy of Indonesia, 38 Grosvenor Square,
London W1X 9AD. Fax: 0171 491 4993
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
Chief of National Police:
Gen. Roesmanhadi Kapolri, Markas Besar Kepolisian RI Jl. Trunojoyo 13 Kebayoran Baru,
Jakarta Selatan Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 720 7277
Commander of the Armed Forces (ABRI):
General Wiranto, Panglima ABRI Markas Besar ABRI, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No 13 Jakarta
Pusat, Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 36 1471 (Armed Forces HQ) / 37 8144 / 35 6404/384 5178
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 20 April 1999.
If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about + + the UA scheme in
general, please contact: + + Ray Mitchell / Becky Hess + + Amnesty International UK
Section + + 99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue + + London EC1R 4RE email: ua@amnesty.org.uk
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