Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding yet another incident of targeted attacks against officials and the offices of a political party, the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas), in Palu, Central Sulawesi on 13 May 2007. It is reported that around 50 to 60 persons allegedly attached to the Indonesian military (TNI) had perpetrated the attack seriously injuring three persons.
CASE DETAILS:
At around 1:00 am on May 13 the alleged perpetrators, some of whom are carrying firearms, attacked the regional office of the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas) in Palu, Central Sulawesi. The attackers, upon gaining entry, started brutally beating the people inside leaving three of the party’s officers, namely M. Ikhsan (20), Wira Arezki (23) and Eko Arianto (24), seriously injured and suffering bruises on various parts of their bodies. One of them, Wira, also suffered a cut to his mouth.
Following the incident, only one of the perpetrators, identified as private first-class Makmur, has been arrested by the Palu Municipal Police. Although Makmur’s superior, Colonel Husein Malik, commander of the Palu 132/Tadulako Sub-district Military Command (Korem), admitted that Makmur is one of his men, he denied the attack was premeditated or motivated by the military’s political interests. Makmur was later turned over to the Palu military police headquarters.
Papernas’ chairperson for Central Sulawesi, Martin Sibarani strongly protested the military men’s involvement in violently attacking their office and their staffs. Martin described those who perpetrated the attacks as having huge body builds, short-cropped hair and wearing military boots.
The party is demanding that the Commander of the VII/Wirabuana Regional Military Command (Kodam) and the Commander of Korem 132/Tadulako should also be held accountable as a result of the incident.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
There have been a series of targeted attacks perpetrated against Papernas in recent times. What is appalling is the inaction by the police authorities to intervene in stopping the violence, in particular on instances where the police are present in the area when the perpetrators have carried out attacks against this party’s officers and members. Although a number of complaints have been filed against the perpetrators, there has been inadequate police investigations and action taken on these cases.
For example, on April 29, the party’s meeting in Tanjung Anom, Grogol, Sukoharjo, was forcibly cancelled by a group critical of them. The Papernas was at the time holding a meeting at the Gajah Building in Tanjung Anom, when members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) arrived and insisted that they cancel their meeting. They stated that they believe Papernas are representing the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI).
The supposed peaceful demonstration by Papernas on March 28, to protest against the government’s Foreign Investment Bill, in Jakarta likewise turned violent when a group of persons–who are said to be anti-communist–attacked them. The violence resulted in 17 buses being destroyed and five persons injured. A woman also suffered a heart attack during the incident. The police who were present at the scene did not intervene to stop the violence. (See further: UP-054-2007)
In another incident, a conference organized by Papernas on March 4 was also disrupted by a group called the Indonesian Anti-Communist Front/Front Anti Koumnis (FAKI) in Batu in East Java. Also in this case, although several policemen were present in the area they did not intervene or take action to halt the violence. (See further: UA-075-2007).
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to authorities listed below requesting for their intervention to ensure that an independent and credible investigation is carried out in this case. The military unit involved must be investigated to answer the allegations against them. The police authorities must thoroughly investigate to identify the other military men who perpetrated the attack and to file charges against them. They must also take prompt action to the complaints the victims filed.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
INDONESIA: Yet another brutal attack against officers of a political party by military men
Name of the wounded victims:
1. M. Ikhsan, 20 years old
2. Wira Arezki, 23 years old
3. Eko Arianto, 24 years old
All of them are officials of the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas). At least ten of their colleagues were also present inside their office during the incident.
Alleged perpetrator/s:
1. Private first class (Pfc) Makmur of Palu 132/Tadulako Sub-district Military Command (Korem)
2. Around 50 to 60 persons allegedly attached to the same military unit
Place of incident: Papernas offices in Jl. Raja Moili, Palu, Central Sulawesi
Date of incident: At around 1am on 13 May 2007
I am writing to raise my deep concern regarding the brutal attack perpetrated against the officers and regional office of a political party, the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas), allegedly by military men in Palu, Central Sulawesi on 13 May 2007. The attack left three of the party’s officers, namely M. Ikhsan (20), Wira Arezki (23) and Eko Arianto (24), seriously injured and suffered bruises on different parts of their bodies. One of whom, Wira, suffered cuts to his mouth.
I am extremely disappointed to learn that the attackers, numbering around 50 to 60, are military men allegedly attached to the Palu 132/Tadulako Sub-district Military Command. One of whom, Private first class (Pfc) Makmur, has in fact been arrested by elements of the Palu Municipal Police. Pfc Makmur’s alleged involvement into the incident was also admitted by his superior, Colonel Husein Malik, commander of the said military unit.
The manner whereby the police are conducting arrest, in particular the Palu Municipal Police, is completely negligible. The arrest of one person, Pfc Makmur, do not commensurate to the huge number of persons that have perpetrated the attack. I therefore urge you to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted in order to identify other military men involved, and to ensure they are also held to account. I am also disappointed of the police’ failure to protect the rights and welfare of the party’s officers and colleagues despite frequent attacks against them in recent times.
As you are aware, similar attacks have already been perpetrated against the officers and colleagues of the Papernas by various groups in recent times–which include anti-communist groups and the government’s security forces. I am deeply disappointed however that despite this frequent attack against them there has not been substantial efforts or measures taken by the authorities to afford them with appropriate security and protection. I am also not aware of any progress to the number of complaints they have filed against the perpetrators.
It is the government’s obligation to ensure that your citizen’s exercise for freedom of expression and assembly, for instance the Papernas in this case, are protected and upheld as provided by the Constitution and Law No. 39 Year 1999. These provisions clearly stipulate the citizen’s rights to enjoy freedom of expression and assembly by which the government is obliged to observe. These two instruments are essential to the exercise of democracy in your country. I urge you to take appropriate measures to ensure that similar incidents are prevented.
Finally, I urge you to observed high respects to the rights of citizens or groups regardless of their political orientation or ideologies. For the authorities to either to tolerate or not to take action to violence perpetrated against groups with legitimate concerns is completely unacceptable. The freedom of assembly and expression is integral to Indonesia’s Constitution as a democratic country and obligation as State party to International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
I trust that you will take prompt action in this case.
Yours sincerely,
———————
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Hendarman Supandji
Attorney General
Kejaksaan Agung RI
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 7221337, 7397602
Fax: + 62 21 7250213
2. Gen. Sutanto
Chief of National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 721 8012
Fax: +62 21 720 7277
3. Mr. Andi Matalatta
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Uahi Utoyo Usman S.H.
Menteri Kehkiman
JI. H.R. Rosuna Said Kav. 6-7
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
4. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Chairperson
KOMNAS HAM
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3925230
Fax: +62 21 3151042/3925227
5. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Attn: J Deriviero
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9177
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
