Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the terror and intimidation experienced by Mr. Theo Hesegem, a Papuan human rights defender. Prior to this intimidation, Theo advocated against the Yahukimo Regent’s abuse of power in unlawfully dismissing 199 village heads. While this has been reported to the authorities, no action is being taken.
CASE NARRATIVE:
On 25 June 2018, Mr. Theo Hesegem, a senior and credible human rights defender from Papua, was threatened and intimidated by the campaign team of the Regent of Yahukimo, Mr. Busop MA. According to Mr. Theo, the campaign team, a total of four people, came to Theo’s house. They came by two cars and parked in front of the house without any permission.
When they reached the house, the four people suddenly shouted that they will kill Theo. Without enough evidence, they accused Theo of stealing money belonging to Air Garam village, Kurima district, Yahukimo regency. Although Theo said he does not know anything about the money, the four persons insisted that Theo has stolen the money.
According to Theo, this intimidation is related to his advocacy for 199 village heads who had been dismissed by the Regent of Yahukimo on 26 April 2018. Theo told the media that this dismissal violated Law No 6 of 2014. This provoked the Regent’s anger.
While Theo has communicated this problem to the Papuan governor and the Chief Police of Papuan Regional Police Office (Kapolda Papua), Police Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar, as of yet nothing has been done to address the problem.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Theo Hesegem is a prominent human rights defender from Wamena, Papua. He is the coordinator of a local human rights organization in Wamena, and a consistent advocate against various human rights cases in Papua. Previously, the AHRC had issued an urgent appeal related to military intimidation against Theo: Papuan human rights defender insulted and intimidated by military command
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below. Ask them to ensure that the intimidation and death threats against Mr. Theo Hesegem must be stopped. The police and local government of Papua have to immediately address the problem. In addition, the police should investigate any form of terror and intimidation committed by the Yahukimo Regent’s campaign team.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders calling for his intervention in this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
INDONESIA: Papuan human rights defender intimated and threatened by Yahukimo Regent campaign staff
Name of victims: Theo Hesegem
Names of alleged perpetrators: Yahukimo regent and his campaign team
Date of incidents: 25 June 2018
Place of incident: Papua
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the terror and intimidation experienced by Mr. Theo Hesegem, a Papuan human rights defender. Prior to this intimidation, Theo advocated against the Yahukimo Regent’s abuse of power in unlawfully dismissing 199 village heads. While this has been reported to the authorities, no action is being taken.
On 25 June 2018, Mr. Theo Hesegem, a senior and credible human rights defender from Papua, was threatened and intimidated by the campaign team of the Regent of Yahukimo, Mr. Busop MA. According to Mr. Theo, the campaign team, a total of four people, came to Theo’s house. They came by two cars and parked in front of the house without any permission.
When they reached the house, the four people suddenly shouted that they will kill Theo. Without enough evidence, they accused Theo of stealing money belonging to Air Garam village, Kurima district, Yahukimo regency. Although Theo said he does not know anything about the money, the four persons insisted that Theo has stolen the money.
According to Theo, this intimidation is related to his advocacy for 199 village heads who had been dismissed by the Regent of Yahukimo on 26 April 2018. Theo told the media that this dismissal violated Law No 6 of 2014. This provoked the Regent’s anger.
While Theo has communicated this problem to the Papuan governor and the Chief Police of Papuan Regional Police Office (Kapolda Papua), Police Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar, as of yet nothing has been done to address the problem.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the intimidation and death threats against Mr. Theo Hesegem must be stopped. The police and local government of Papua have to immediately address the problem. In addition, the police should investigate any form of terror and intimidation committed by the Yahukimo Regent’s campaign team.
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. H. Bambang Soesatyo, S.E., M.B.A
Chief of the Indonesian House of Representative
Gedung DPR/MPR RI
Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 6
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 5715509; 5715344; 5715621
Fax: + 62 21 5714469, 5734389
9. 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
10. 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
11. Inspector General Pol Boy Rafli Amar
The Chief of Police Area of Papua [KAPOLDA]
Jalan. Sam Ratulangi No. 8, Papua 99112
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 967 531014
Fax : +62 967 533763
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
