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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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