Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information from our local partner in Papua, that the Military Court III-19 sentenced a defendant for burning Bibles to 30 months imprisonment, and dismissal from service. However, there has been no further investigation into the army’s excessive use of force in dispersing protesters, including firing at three persons.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
The AHRC appreciates that the panel of judges of the Military Court III-19 Jayapura, Papua province, sentenced Second Sergeant (Serda) Bangun Ahmad Kasmawan to 30 months imprisonment and dismissal from military service. Ahmad was found guilty of burning Bibles in front of the military regional commands (Korem) 172/PWY in Jayapura, Papua on 25 May 2017. The military judges consisted of Chief Justice Colonel CHK James Vandersloot, Justice Lieutenant Colonel CHK Dwi Yudo Utomo and Major CHK Dendi Sutiyoso.
There has been no further investigation however, upon the alleged excessive force conducted by the army personnel at the Military Regional Command when the army forcibly dispersed protesters protesting against the burning of Bibles. In the previous Urgent Appeal, the AHRC had raised the fact that the military personnel attacked several houses nearby the Padang Bulan main road. During the forceful dispersal, three persons were injured by bullets. Even around 5 p.m., army personnel carried out sweepings at Padang Bulan houses area II, where they challenged the residents to leave their houses and face them. As people did not respond to the provocation, the military personnel left the area. By 6 p.m., the army had entirely dispersed the demonstration. However, the military arrested some protesters in front of the military regional command at around 7 p.m.
Rather than conducting a proper investigation into this matter, the army has merely focused on the burning of Bibles by Second Sergeant Bangun Ahmad Kasmawan.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the Army conducts further clarification and investigation into the excessive use of force in dispersing protesters. All those found guilty should be held accountable before the court, and the victims must be given adequate remedies. In addition, please request the authorities to ensure that security forces in Papua behave in a neutral and impartial manner, and refrain from breaching the law. Rather, the security forces should contribute to the protection of human rights in the province.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment calling for their intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
INDONESIA: Further investigation needed in the case of burning Bibles, excessive use of force and firing in Papua
Name of victims: Congregations of the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) Sion Padang Bulan
Names of alleged perpetrators : Second Sergeant (Serda) Bangun Ahmad Kasmawan, an Army personnel at the military regional commands (Korem) 172/PWY in Jayapura and other personnel
Date of incident : May 25, 2017
Place of incident : In front of the military regional commands (Korem) 172/PWY in Jayapura, Papua.
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the Military Court III-19 sentenced a defendant for burning Bibles to 30 months imprisonment, and dismissal from service. However, there has been no further investigation into the army’s excessive use of force in dispersing protesters, including firing at three persons.
The AHRC appreciates that the panel of judges of the Military Court III-19 Jayapura, Papua province, sentenced Second Sergeant (Serda) Bangun Ahmad Kasmawan to 30 months imprisonment and dismissal from military service. Ahmad was found guilty of burning Bibles in front of the military regional commands (Korem) 172/PWY in Jayapura, Papua on 25 May 2017. The military judges consisted of Chief Justice Colonel CHK James Vandersloot, Justice Lieutenant Colonel CHK Dwi Yudo Utomo and Major CHK Dendi Sutiyoso.
There has been no further investigation however, upon the alleged excessive force conducted by the army personnel at the Military Regional Command when the army forcibly dispersed protesters protesting against the burning of Bibles. In the previous Urgent Appeal, the AHRC had raised the fact that the military personnel attacked several houses nearby the Padang Bulan main road. During the forceful dispersal, three persons were injured by bullets. Even around 5 p.m., army personnel carried out sweepings at Padang Bulan houses area II, where they challenged the residents to leave their houses and face them. As people did not respond to the provocation, the military personnel left the area. By 6 p.m., the army had entirely dispersed the demonstration. However, the military arrested some protesters in front of the military regional command at around 7 p.m.
Rather than conducting a proper investigation into this matter, the army has merely focused on the burning of Bibles by Second Sergeant Bangun Ahmad Kasmawan.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the Army conducts further clarification and investigation into the excessive use of force in dispersing protesters. All those found guilty should be held accountable before the court, and the victims must be given adequate remedies. In addition, please ensure that security forces in Papua behave in a neutral and impartial manner, and refrain from breaching the law. Rather, the security forces should contribute to the protection of human rights in the province.
I look forward to your prompt action in this case.
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. 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
5. General Gatot Nurmantyo
Chief of Indonesian Military
Mabes TNI Cilangkap Jakarta Timur
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 84595576, +62 21 8459-5326
Fax: + 62 21 84591193
Email: ppidtni@puspen.tni.mil.id
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. H. Bambang Soesatyo, S.E., M.B.A
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi 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
10. 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
11. Mr. Nur Kholis
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
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
