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Indonesia: Polish citizen and indigenous Papuans arrested and detained by police

Asian Human Rights Commission Urgent Appeal - September 11, 2018

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-045-2018

Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the local network in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, regarding the arrest and detention of one Polish tourist and other indigenous Papuans. The police have accused the tourist of misusing his visa and being involved in selling illegal bullets in Papua. Civil society and human rights organizations are urging the police to be more transparent in investigating the case.

Case narrative:

On 25 August 2018 in Wamena, Papua, the Jayawijaya Police Office (Polres Jayawijaya) arrested Mr. Jakub Fabian Skrzypski (39 years old), a Polish citizen. Jakub entered Indonesia and visited Papua on a tourist visa. The police arrested him at the Military post Napua Wamena at 12:20 p.m. when he visited the Habema lake, and later transferred him to the police office. He was interrogated there for one hour, and released at 2 p.m. Jakub was arrested together with three others, Naftali Wasahe, Edward Wandik and Habel Wilil, while driving to Habema.

After his release, Fabian was again arrested by police officers of the Jayawijaya Police Office from a hotel in Wamena city. Other Papuans were also arrested at the same time, in various places. In Potikelek Market of Wamena, the police arrested Naftali Wasahe (head of village), Edward Wandik (university student), Alfons Hisage (senior high school student) and Linus Wandik (senior high school student).

On the same day, the police went to Elelim, the Capital city of Yalimo regency, where they arrested Yohanis Wandik and Alex Wasahe, who were then taken to Wamena. On 27 August 2018, three people including Jakub were transferred to Jayapura (the capital city of Papua). The police charged them with involvement in the illegal trade of bullets.

Suggested action:

Please write to the authorities listed below. Ask them to ensure that the police investigation of the case is conducted under fair trial principles and in line with international human rights standards. The police investigators must be accountable and transparent, and should also involve the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM) as well as the National Police Commission to ensure the minimum abuse of power. If there is not enough evidence, then all suspects must be released immediately.

The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers calling for their intervention in this matter.

To support this case, please click here: http://www.urgentappeals.net/support.php?ua=AHRC-UAC-045-2018

Sample letter:

Dear ___________,

INDONESIA: Polish citizen and indigenous Papuans arrested and detained by police

I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the arrest and detention of one Polish tourist and other indigenous Papuans. The police have accused the tourist of misusing his visa and being involved in selling illegal bullets in Papua. Civil society and human rights organizations are urging the police to be more transparent in investigating the case.

On 25 August 2018 in Wamena, Papua, the Jayawijaya Police Office (Polres Jayawijaya) arrested Mr. Jakub Fabian Skrzypski (39 years old), a Polish citizen. Jakub entered Indonesia and visited Papua on a tourist visa. The police arrested him at the Military post Napua Wamena at 12:20 p.m. when he visited the Habema lake, and later transferred him to the police office. He was interrogated there for one hour, and released at 2 p.m. Jakub was arrested together with three others, Naftali Wasahe, Edward Wandik and Habel Wilil, while driving to Habema.

After his release, Fabian was again arrested by police officers of the Jayawijaya Police Office from a hotel in Wamena city. Other Papuans were also arrested at the same time, in various places. In Potikelek Market of Wamena, the police arrested Naftali Wasahe (head of village), Edward Wandik (university student), Alfons Hisage (senior high school student) and Linus Wandik (senior high school student).

On the same day, the police went to Elelim, the Capital city of Yalimo regency, where they arrested Yohanis Wandik and Alex Wasahe, who were then taken to Wamena. On 27 August 2018, three people including Jakub were transferred to Jayapura (the capital city of Papua). The police charged them with involvement in the illegal trade of bullets.

Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the police investigation of the case is conducted under fair trial principles and in line with international human rights standards. The police investigators must be accountable and transparent, and should also involve the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM) as well as the National Police Commission to ensure the minimum abuse of power. If there is not enough evidence, then all suspects must be released immediately.

I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

...................

Please send your letters to:

1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id

2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6 – 7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095

3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6 – 7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095

4. General Pol. Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id

5. Ms. Poengky Indarti
Commissioner of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id

6. Professor. Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05

7. Mr. Kahar Muzakir
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
Ketua Komisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp: +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax: +62 21 5715566

8. Mr. Abdul Haris Semendawai
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
Jalan Raya Bogor KM. 24 No. 47-49, Susukan, Ciracas, RT.6/RW.1, Susukan, Ciracas, Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13750
Tel: +62 21 29681560
Fax: +62 21 29681551/+62 21 29681557

9. Mr. Ahmad Taufan Damanik
Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id

10. Mr. Aidul Fitriciada Azhari
Chairperson of The Judicial Commission
Jalan Kramat Raya No. 57 Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3905876
Fax: +62 21 3906215
Email: pengaduan@komisiyudisial.go.id

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)

Source: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-045-2018.

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