FLAG RAISERS BEATEN & CHARGED WITH SUBVERSION IN FAKFAK, WEST PAPUA
I’ve attached an extract from a press release by the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights. We need to contact one or more of the Indonesian Embassy ((02) 6250 8600), Member for Eden Monaro Mike Kelly or Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and ask for the release of individuals taken prisoner for the peaceful, democratic demonstration.
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Reports from Fakfakstate that 6 West Papuans involved in a flag raising ceremony, with the banned Morning Star flag, on early Saturday morning, will be charged under the Indonesian Criminal code for crime of ’subversion’.
These reports follow earlier information that 35 local West Papuan, including ex-political prisoners, were involved in a flag raising ceremony outside the “Act of Free Choice” building (Fakfak Archives office) on 4.30 am Saturday morning 19 July 2008.
Local Human Rights workers reported that Indonesian Police in Fakfak arrested 46 local West Papuan people, which included some people not involved in the ceremony. (Also see attached IPAHR Human Rights Alert 19 July 2008. Also Jakarta Post Sunday 20 July 2008 reported 41 arrests of ex political prisoners in the incident.)
Human Rights workers report that the Indonesian Police appear to have had prior knowledge of the ceremony and attacked the demonstrators beating them, kicking them with boots and torturing the demonstrators. The men in the group were then stripped to their underwear before being taken to the Police compound. Two women were included in those arrested.
The names of those now charged with Subversion ‘Makar’ under section 110 of Criminal Code and detained by Indonesian Police are:
1/ Simon Tuturop, 58 years;
2/ Tadeus Weripang, 52 years;
3/ Viktor Tuturop, 42 years;
4/ Tomas Nimbitkendik, 19 years;
5/ Benedidiktus Turuop, 35 years;
6/ Teles Piahar, 20 years.
Three men, Walter Wareopor 60 years, Daniel Nimbitkendik 14 years and Simon Hindom 50 years, who had bush knives/machetes in their possession were charged under Emergency Regulation Section 12.
It was reported that the other 37 detainees would be sent home after meeting with and being briefed by the Fakfak Regent, Dr Wahidin Puarada.