PUBLICAI Index: ASA 21/056/2001

UA 306/01Fear for safety/death threat30 November 2001

INDONESIATaha Mohammad Alhamid, aged 58

Aristoteles Masoka

Taha Alhamid, a leading pro-independence activist in the Indonesian province of Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya), received an anonymous telephone death threat on 28 November. Amnesty International is seriously concerned for his safety, particularly following the abduction and unlawful killing of another leading pro-independence activist, Theys Eluay, less than three weeks ago. Theys Eluay’s driver, Aristoteles Masoka, is still missing, and there are concerns for his safety.

The caller left this message: “Taha, you will soon be following Mr Theys”. Taha Alhamid contacted his lawyer, who immediately called the local police to ask for protection. The deputy police chief reportedly invited Taha Alhamid to meet with him and agreed to send police officers to provide protection at Taha Alhamid’s home.

Taha Alhamid met with the deputy police chief the following day, and asked again for police protection. The deputy police chief reportedly replied that he would order his officers to trace the owner of the telephone which was used to make the death threat. However, as of today, no police officers had been sent to Taha Alhamid’s house to provide protection.

Taha Alhamid is the Secretary General of the Papuan Presidium Council, a local body created to lead civilian support for Papuan independence. Theys Eluay used to be its Chair.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Since late last year the Indonesian authorities have taken an increasingly hardline stance against both peaceful and armed supporters of independence in Papua. The level of human rights violations in the province has escalated. Members of armed opposition groups have also been responsible for abuses.

Tension has increased following the killing of Theys Eluay. He was abducted while being driven home from an event organized by the Special Forces Command (Kopassus) of the Indonesian military in the Papuan capital, Jayapura, late in the evening of 10 November. His body was found the following morning in Koya, close to the border with Papua New Guinea. It remains unclear what the motive for the killing was or who was responsible.

Theys Eluay's driver, Aristoteles Masoka, called Theys Eluay's family the same evening to say that they had been stopped by "non-Papuans", but the phone line was cut before he could give any more details. This was the last time he was heard from.

In a statement issued at a press conference earlier today, the Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (Elsham), a leading human rights organization in Papua, claimed that members of the Indonesian security forces were responsible for the killing of Theys Eluay and called for an independent investigation. Elsham staff have experienced intimidation, including death threats, over recent months in connection with their human rights activities. There are serious concerns that their high profile public stance on this case may make them the target of further intimidation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Bahasa Indonesia, English or your own language:

- urging the authorities to take immediate and concrete measures to guarantee the safety of Taha Alhamid;

- calling on the authorities to locate and provide protection for Aristoteles Masoka and guarantee the safety of all other witnesses involved in this case;

- calling on the authorities to initiate full, immediate and impartial investigations to find who was responsible for the death threat against Taha Alhamid and the killing of Theys Eluay, and ensure that they are brought to justice;

- urging them to guarantee that peaceful political activists and human rights defenders can carry out their legitimate activities in Papua without fear of intimidation or attack.

APPEALS TO: Note that fax tones may be hard to obtain. Please keep trying.

CHIEF OF POLICE - PAPUA

Brig. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika

Head of Regional Police Papua

Jl. Sam Ratulangie No. 8

Jayapura, Irian Jaya

Indonesia

Telegrams: Papua Police Chief, Jayapura, Indonesia

Fax:+62 967 531717

Salutation:Dear Brigadier General

NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF

General D’ai Bachtiar

Kapolri

Markas Besar Kepolisian RI

Jl. Trunojoyo 3

Kebayoran Baru

Jakarta Selatan

Indonesia

Telegrams: National Police Chief, Jakarta, Indonesia

Fax:+62 21 7201402

Salutation:Dear General

COPIES TO:

MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Prof. Dr. Yusril Ihza Mahendra

Menteri Kehakiman

Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 6-7

Kuningan

Jakarta Selatan

Indonesia

Fax: +62 21 5253095 / 3104149 / 5225036

and to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 11 January 2001.