Dear __________,
INDONESIA: Man beaten to death by sector police in Tangerang
Name of the victim: Teguh Uripno, a resident of Tangerang district
Alleged perpetrators: First Brigadier Police’ Syarifudin and Arifin and other seven unnamed police officers, all attached to the Serpong Sector Police
Date of incident: 20 to 21 April 2007
Place of incident: Serpong Sector Police Headquarters, Tangerang district
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the brutal death of Teguh Uripno, who was beaten to death by officers of the Serpong sector police at their station headquarters on 20 April 2007 in Tangerang district. Uripno was arrested after defending himself against a police officer who tried to attack him for unknown reason. He was handcuffed and taken into police custody. He was then allegedly brutally beaten for several minutes by police officers.
When Uripno’s family was informed of his arrest, they immediately rushed to the Serpong police station but they were prevented from seeing him. They went again to the police station the following morning, April 21, but they were once again denied permission to see him. At around 3:30 pm, police representatives went to the victim family’s home informing them he had already died while being taken to a local hospital. They victim’s dead body had several torture marks, a broken arm, fractured skull and severe bruises. His cause of death was due to blunt force trauma to the skull.
The Uripno family filed a formal complaint with Komnas Ham (National Human Rights Commission), who in turn demanded for an investigation into the case. The Serpong police, however, have yet to give further information on the circumstances of the victim’s death. The progress of investigation is likewise not given to the victim’s family. Furthermore, I also urge that the reason and the identity of the police officers who attacked the victim prior to his arrest should also be investigated.
I therefore strongly urge you to apply necessary pressure ensure that an effective investigation in this case is conducted, and to exhaust all means that alleged perpetrators attached to the Serpong District Police are effectively prosecuted. In addition, adequate compensation should be given to the victim’s family without further delay.
I understand that Indonesia had just been reelected to the UN Human Rights Council. As a result of this reelection, I urged the government to show its sincerity to protect and uphold the highest standards on human rights for its citizens by proving to make its pledges into reality, in particular to guarantee that perpetrators in Uripno’s case are held to account and victim’s family obtain redress. More importantly, flagrant abuses by persons in authority should not be tolerated.
The Indonesian government ratified the Convention against Torture in 1998 but has so far refused to pass appropriate legislation criminalizing torture with proper punishment. To prevent further acts of torture the government must pass proper legislation and punish the perpetrators without allowing the culture of impunity to continue.
I look forward to your prompt and effective response in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono
President
Republic of Indonesia
Presidential Palace
Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara
Jakarta Pusat 10010
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 3845627 ext 1003
Fax: + 62 21 231 41 38, 345 2685, 345 7782
2. Mr. Hendarman Supandji
Attorney General
Kejaksaan Agung RI
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 7221337, 7397602
Fax: + 62 21 7250213
3. Gen. Sutanto
Chief of National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 721 8012
Fax: +62 21 720 7277
4. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Chairperson
KOMNAS HAM (National Human Rights Commission)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3925230
Fax: +62 21 3151042/3925227
5. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Atten: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
6. Prof. Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Safir Syed
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 917 9016 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TORTURE)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
