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West Papua Komnas HAM chair terrorised following UN rights representative visit

Kompas - September 24, 2007

Jayapura, Kompas – The residence of the chairperson of the Papuan Representative office of the National Human Rights Commission or Komnas HAM, Albert Rumbekwan, was broken into by unidentified individuals on Sunday September 23.

Earlier, on Monday last week, a group of unidentified individuals entered the Kondios Abepura Public Building claiming they were searching for Catholic priest Yohanes Djonga Pr. Prior to the arrival of the individuals, over the last four months Rumbekwan has been terrorised by death threats sent by SMS and having his car tailed.

The intimidation began after Rumbekwan met with United Nations Special Representative for Human Rights Hina Jilani in June. “Jilani left Papua on June 10, since June 11 I have experienced various forms of intimidation”, said Rumbekwan.

On Sunday night at around 12.30am there was an electricity blackout in Jayapura. Rumbekwan placed two candles in front of his house but they were extinguished a short time later.

One of Rumbekwan’s neighbours, Rio Katmo, who was in front of his house claims to have seen a person extinguishing the candles. “Several minutes later, the candle was lit again”, he said. Another neighbour, Jack Komboy, also said that he had seen a number of unidentified individuals prowling around Rumbekwan’s house. (row)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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