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Police use gun to threaten Papuan rights advocate
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights Press Release - July 31, 2007
Police use gun to threaten Rev Sofian Yoman, outspoken Human Rights advocate, at Church service
The Rev Socretez Sofian Yoman, President of the Baptist Church in West Papua, has been threatened by members of the Indonesian Police and members of military intelligence with a gun outside Sunday service in Jayapura.
Rev Socratez Sofian Yoman, the President of the Communion of Baptist Churches, Jayapura, West Papua, is an outspoken advocate of Human Rights and a critic the action of the TNI (Military) and the policies of the Indonesian Government in West Papua.
Rev Sofian Yoman has spoken about military & police human rights abuse, the recent rise of Military backed civilian militias in West Papua, the failure of Jakartas 5 year old 'special autonomy' package and the policies of Indonesian government which he has described as 'Genocidal'.
Reports last night and today indicate that Rev Sofian Yoman was threatened and intimidated by members of the Indonesian Police, Brimob and Military (TNI) intelligence service outside the Sunday service of the Baptist Church in Jayapura at 5.30 pm 29 July 2007.
Outside the Church Rev Sofian Yoman was approached by the Police and threatened at gun point. Rev Yoman said that a pistol was pointed directly at him and he was verbally threatened. The Policeman with the pistol was reported to be Abiddin Zainal, a member of the local police in Abepura.
Rev Yoman said he told the Police that they had no business at the Church and they had gone away but returned after a short period and threatened him with the gun.
He also said that, "Military intelligence has infiltrated the Baptist church and are trying to subvert the work of the church in relation to protecting the Human Rights of the West Papuan people."
Rev Yoman said, that members from the Indonesian administration and security forces in the Highlands were trying to silence him and have him 'forcibly removed 'from his role as President of the Baptist church in West Papua.
Rev Yoman said that the Police action is supported by Bupati/regent Pegunaungan Bitang (Star Mountains District) Wellington Wenda, Bupati Jayawijaya, (Wamena District) Nicolas Yigibalom, Major TNI (Military) Marthen Kogoya & Adolof Kogoya member MRP (Peoples Legislative Assembly).
Paula Makabory spokesperson for the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said "This intimidation is to silence an outspoken church leader and is similar to the attempt earlier this year by the Police to take control of the Kingme church (Bible Tabunacal Church of West Papua)."
"The West Papuan churches are one of the few independent voices for the rights of the people. Rev Sofian Yoman is a fearless voice for exposing what is happening in West Papua. But the TNI (Indonesian military) try to influence other members of the church to pull him down."
"Parts of the Indonesian government and particularly the military are taking increasing action in West Papua to stop people who speak for the rights of the people."
"My organisation is very concerned about Rev Yomans personal safety, especially with the apparent rise in repressive action by the Military and Police. The Indonesian President should step in to safeguard Rev Yoman and other West Papuan people so they have the right to speak freely."
Letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Australia West Papua Association
(Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction,
Sydney, Australia 2088
Ph/fax 61.2.99601698 email:
bunyip@bigpond.net.au
President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia
31 July 2007
Dear President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
On behalf of the Australia West Papua Association (Sydney), I am writing to you with great concern for the safety of the Reverend Socretez Sofian Yoman, who is head of the Baptist Church in West Papua
The Rev Socretez Sofian Yoman is a human rights advocate and has worked tirelessly to improve the human rights situation in West Papua. The Rev Socretez Sofian Yoman has been critical of the behavior of the security forces and because of this he has been intimated by the military, police and members of the intelligence community.
We are increasingly concerned for Rev Yoman's personal safety as he has been receiving a large number of threats and intimidation by telephone and text in recent times. He was also threatened at gun point. Rev Yoman reported that a pistol was pointed directly at him and he was verbally threatened after a church service in Jayapura on Sunday.
This intimidation has not only being confined to Rev Yoman but also to a number of individuals and organisations in both West Papua and Yogyakarta. We believe there is a systematic campaign by the military and police to intimidate any individual or organisation whom they (the military and police) deem to be separatists even do they are only raising concerns about the human rights situation.
The intimidation of West Papuan students and NGO organisations by the security forces will only lead to an increase in tension and instability in West Papua. We urge you to guarantee the safety of Rev Sofian Yoman and urge you to control the military and police in West Papua and ordered them to return to barracks as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.
Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)
President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono
Istana Merdeka, Jakarta
10110, Indonesia
Fax: + 62 21 345 2685 +62
21 526 8726
Copy to:
Indonesian Embassy
8 Darwin Avenue,
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Fax. + 612 - 62736017
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