URGENT ACTION: ACTIVIST SHOT BY POLICE DENIED PROPER MEDICAL CARE

October 4, 2018

Message from Amnesty International

Papuan political activist, Yakonias Womsiwor, has been suffering from severe pain in both his legs for more than two weeks after being shot by police. Despite being unable to stand as a result of the gunshot, proper medical care has been denied by police.

On 15 September 2018, the local Mimika Police Force shot Yakonias Womsiwor in both legs when a joint police military forces raided the office of the KNPB (National Committee of West Papua) Timika branch, a pro Papua independence organization. Nine members of KNPB were arrested.

During the arrest, the police shot two KNPB members, claiming they had threatened the police with sharp weapons. Yakonias Womsiwor suffered three bullet wounds to his thighs, two to his shinbones and one to the sole of his foot. The other KNPB member was shot in his right leg once. After the arrest, the police brought the two men to a hospital in Timika city to clean the wounds and put bandages on them. Three days later, the police brought them again to the hospital to clean the wounds and changed the bandages.

As a result of the gunshots, Yakonias Womsiwor cannot stand and, according to his lawyers, still suffers from
severe pain, raising concerns that the wounds may have affected his bones. All requests by his lawyers for better
medical care, have been rejected by the police.

The police released the other seven KNPB members, without charge, later on the day of their arrest. Yakonias
Womsiwor and the other man who suffered a gunshot wound are being detained at the Mimika Police Mobile
Brigade (Brimob) headquarters and have been named as suspect on suspicion of possessing sharp weapons
under Article 2(1) Law No. 12/1951 on Emergency and threatening a law enforcement official with violence under
Article 214 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code.

Article 10(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights obliges states parties, including Indonesia,
to treat all prisoners humanely. The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson
Mandela Rules) provide that prisoners needing treatment not available in the prison hospital, clinic or infirmary
must be treated by an appropriate civil institution, and that all healthcare treatment must be free of charge.

Please write immediately in English, Bahasa or your own language urging Indonesia authorities to:

 Ensure that Yakonias Womsiwor immediately and fully receives all medical treatment he may require;

 Ensure that Yakonias is protected from torture and other ill-treatment and is provided with regular access to
his family and lawyers.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 9 NOVEMBER 2018 TO:

Papua Regional Head of Police
Irjen Martuani Sormin
Papua Regional Police Headquarters
Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 8
Papua Province
Indonesia 99115
Fax: +62 96 753 3763
Twitter: @HmsPoldaPapua
Salutation: Dear Inspector General

Head of Presidential Staff Office (KSP)
General (Retired) Moeldoko
Gedung Bina Graha
Jl. Veteran No. 16 Jakarta Pusat
DKI Jakarta Indonesia 10110
Twitter: @KSPgoid
Fax: +62 21 345 0009
Email: webmaster@ksp.go.id
Salutation: Dear General

And copies to:
Chairperson of the National Human Rights
Commission (Komnas HAM)
Mr. Ahmad Taufan Damanik
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B, Menteng
Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta
Indonesia 10310
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
Email: info@komnasham.go.id

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:

Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Over the last few years the KNPB (National Committee of West Papua) have organised mass demonstrations in several cities in Papua to call for self-determination for Papuans, including possible independence from Indonesia through a referendum. KNPB claims their political strategy is non-violent, but some reports indicate that their members have engaged in violence.

Amnesty International has also documented the use of unnecessary and excessive force and firearms as well as torture and other ill-treatment against political activists and others accused of being linked to pro-independence groups, including members of KNPB. Accountability for such acts is rare, and at most security personnel receive disciplinary sanctions.

Amnesty International takes no position on the political status of any province of Indonesia, including calls for independence.

However, Amnesty International considers that the right to freedom of expression protects the right to peacefully advocate independence or any other political solutions that do not involve incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

The Indonesian authorities have an obligation under international law to treat all prisoners humanely, including by providing them with adequate medical treatment. Similarly, Article 17 of the Indonesian Government Regulation No. 32/1999 on terms and procedures on the implementation of prisoners’ rights in prison requires the prison authorities to provide access to adequate
medical treatment.

Information source: https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/ASA2191862018ENGLISH.pdf

Photo information: Yakonis Womsiwor (center) and Eric (right) while being in police custody in Timika. (Doc PAHAM Papua) Melanesia News

 

#WestPapua #HumanRights #UNGA2018 #FreeWestPapua

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yakonias Womsiwor Amnesty Int Urgent call to action UNGA 2018