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Papua rights coalition urges government to give full access to the UN special rapporteur

NGO Joint Forum in Papua Press Release - November 14, 2007

During the past nine months, Indonesia has been visited by three UN human rights experts, Hina Jilani, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Human Rights Defenders in June, Louise Arbour, head of the UN Human Rights Council, and Professor Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

Professor Manfred Nowak is visiting Indonesia from 10-25 November. According to his mandate, he is visiting Indonesia in order to help eliminate all forms of torture that still occur in Indonesia. The visit is part of Indonesia's commitment as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, in particular regarding its willingness to comply with various procedures laid down by the Human Rights Council. The types of torture to be investigation by Professor Nowak have been defined under the UN Convention Against Torture adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948 [this is when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted] which was ratified by Indonesia in 1998.

Professor Nowak will visit a number of detention centres and prisons where torture has occurred. He will also meet law enforcement officers, victims and humanitarian activists.

There are serious concerns among anti-torture groups at home and abroad about his visit to Papua because of the controversy surrounding Indonesia's commitment to upholding human rights. In conformity with its position as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, the government should give the fullest possible access to the UN envoy. This would ensure that the initiative in inviting the UN envoy is not mere lip-service but is a genuine commitment by Indonesia to respect humanitarianism and restore its credibility on the world stage.

We therefore call upon the Indonesian Government and institutions concerned with law enforcement and the defence of human rights:

1. to give the fullest access to the UN Special Rapporteur Manfred Nowak to visit places of conflict and detention centres and prisons
2. to be fully cooperative during the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur to Indonesia

Jayapura, 14 November 2007

• J. Septer Manufandu Br. Yohanes Budi Hermawan O.F.M Executive Secretary FOKER LSM Director SKP Jayapura
• Alosius Renwarin, SH Pdt. Dora Balubun, STh Director Elsham Papua Coordinator, KPKC Sinode GKI
• Matius Murib Leonard Imbiri Kontras Papua General Secretary DAP
• Peneas Lokbere Paskalis Letsoin, SH Chair of the Victims' Community Director LBH Papua
• Elias Weah Secretary-General FNMPP
• Secretariat of NGO Foker Papua

See also:

West Papua Links

Indonesia News Digest

Statements/press releases on West Papua