Progressio to call for investigation into abuse of West Papuans

Progressio welcomed a call by several members of the House of Lords this January for action by the UK government on Indonesian human rights abuse in West Papua, and is to ask the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor Manfred Nowak, to investigate alleged torture of detainees by police and military officers when he visits Indonesia this year.

In 2006 there were serious allegations that Indonesian police had tortured West Papuan suspects during interrogation in order to coerce confessions, and to punish those who raised the issue of torture. Religious leaders in West Papua, who are working together to make Papua a 'Land of Peace' have sought to encourage the Indonesian authorities to investigate these allegations and to subject the perpetrators to the rule of law. However to date Indonesia has taken no action against police officers alleged to have been involved.

Members of the House of Lords called on the UK government to take a lead in raising human rights abuse in West Papua at the United Nations. The Lords also asked the UK government to make specific direct representations to the Indonesian government. Progressio would like the UK government to press for the Indonesian government to reform its security forces and end impunity for acts of torture by police and military officers. 

The Lords' debate on 8 January acknowledged that this will be no easy task. Lord Harries of Pentregarth noted 'a number of powerful countries have strong economic ties to Indonesia, not least in the arms trade.' (1),  In addition Indonesia recently gained a two year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. This makes the need for action by the UK government all the more critical. As Lord Judd said: 'We have a government who claim that they want to see a world based on human rights, accountable government and democracy. They want to play a full part in working towards that world. It logically follows therefore that we have an interest in the injustice of the situation in West Papua.' (2)

In late December 2006 two police officers allegedly physically assaulted a youth who was guarding the synod office of a West Papuan church. Complaints were lodged but no action was taken against the two police officers involved. Then on 29 December 2006 the same two police officers with other colleagues forcibly entered the synod office and removed the staff from the office. In protest, supporters of the synod, reported as numbering hundreds, blocked the main road in Jayapura to protest against the abuse by the police officers. Again no action was taken against the security forces.

This is the first visit to Indonesia by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture granted by the country since 1991. West Papua remains largely closed to the United Nations, humanitarian agencies, journalists and human rights monitors, and recently the Indonesian government has attempted to discredit international NGOs by accusing them of promoting separatism in West Papua. In such circumstances it is pressure by governments which is most likely to be effective in bringing about change in Indonesia.

1. Hansard Text Lord Harries of Pentregarth 8 Jan 2007: Column 91.
2. Hansard Text Lord Judd 8 Jan 2007: Column 96.