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Joint letter on recent Papua human rights cases - Buktar Tabuni (arrested) and Mr. Yosias Syet (murdered)
December 15, 2008
To: Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
President, Republic of Indonesia
Mr. Andi Matalatta, Minister
of Justice and Human Rights, Republic of Indonesia
Mr. Hendarman Supandji,
Attorney General, Republic of Indonesia
Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri,
Chief of National Police, Republic of Indonesia
Re: Buktar Tabuni and Yosias Syet
We are writing to express our dismay with the recent arrest of Mr. Buktar Tabuni on the 3rd of December 2008 in Sentani, Jayapura, Indonesia and the murder of rights activist Mr. Yosias Syet on October 16, 2008.
Mr. Tabuni is a human rights activist, and a Student Association leader. He has organized a number of peaceful demonstrations. The most recent one was in support of the launch of International Parliamentarians for West Papua in London, and was held on October 16, 2008.
Despite the fact that the various demonstrations organized by Mr. Tabuni have been peaceful, and in accordance with the requirements set out in Indonesian Law No. 9/1998 regarding freedom of expression, he was arrested, charged with treason, and remains in detention. No warrant was presented at the time of his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department.
Mr. Syet was found dead in his home on October 16, 2008. Witnesses reported that there were distinct blue bruises on the right flank of the upper part of his body, a wound at the joints of the victim's right hand that seemed to have been inflicted by a sharp object and a scar around his neck, suggesting that he had been strangled with a rope.
In the few days immediately preceding his death, Mr. Yosias was helping to organize a demonstration in support of the meeting of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua in London. Further, because Mr. Syet provided security for Fokorus Yaboisembut, the head of the Papua Customary Council, there is concern that this crime may have also been an effort to intimidate Mr. Yaboisembut and the entire council.
Given the political context, and the professional nature of the murder itself, it is feared that his death may be politically motivated..
We are writing to ask your help in assuring that Mr. Tabuni is released immediately from custody. We have further concerns that he may be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Further, all charges against Mr. Tabuni should be dropped.
The arrest of Mr. Tabuni for peacefully expressing his political views is a violation of international human rights, specifically, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Indonesia is a state party.
We also call on you to ensure there is a thorough investigation of Yosias Syet's death. Inaction in the face of this killing would facilitate impunity for the perpetrators.
Yours Sincerely,
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