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Indonesia: Fears for safety of Indonesian rights activist
Amnesty International Urgent Action - August 5, 2011
Human rights defender Yones Douw has received medical treatment after he was beaten by military officers on 15 June. However, he continues to fear for his safety and the safety of his family after he received information that he is under surveillance by members of the Indonesian security forces.
On 1 July Yones Douw travelled to Jayapura, Papua province in Indonesia, to seek medical assistance for the injuries he sustained while monitoring a demonstration on 15 June. X-rays revealed a blood clot in his head and a fracture to his hand. He is still receiving medical treatment for these injuries and continues to feel pain at the back of his head and in his hand. He also suffers from frequent headaches.
While he was travelling to Jayapura for treatment, Yones Douw received information that a senior police officer in Nabire had contacted police intelligence officers in the district by SMS asking "Has Yones left Nabire, please check and keep a close eye on him". On 15 July he was informed by a credible source that the Nabire District Police Station had ordered officers to monitor Yones Douw's movements in Nabire. Since then Yones Douw has seen strangers waiting in the vicinity of his house and heard motorcyclists revving their engines as they pass by. Human rights groups have raised concerns in the past about individuals and groups being hired to intimidate human rights defenders, minority groups and others. Yones Douw fears for his safety, and the safety of his family.
Yones Douw was
beaten while monitoring a demonstration calling for accountability for
the stabbing and killing of Papuan Derek Adii on 14 May, reportedly by
military officers. To Amnesty International's knowledge there has been
no investigation into the death of Derek Adii.
Minister of Justice
and Human Rights
Patrialis Akbar
Ministry of Justice
and Human Rights
Jl. H.R. Rasuna
Said Kav No. 4-5
Kuningan, Jakarta
Selatan 12950
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 525
3095
Salutation: Dear
Minister
Papua Police Chief
Inspector General
Bekto Suprapto
Papua Regional
Head of Police (Kapolda)
Jl. Samratulangi
No. 8 Jayapura,
Papua, Indonesia
Fax: +62 967
533763
Salutation: Dear
Kapolda
And copies to:
Chairperson National
Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)
Ifdhal Kasim
Jl Latuharhary
No.4 Menteng
Jakarta Pusat
10310, Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 39
25 227
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
See also:
West Papua West Papua Links Statements and Press Releases on West Papua Indonesia Indoleft Archive Indonesia links Indonesia News Digest News services on Indonesia Publications & videos on Indonesia Reports & articles on Indonesia Statements & press releases on Indonesia