ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-015-2021
November 23, 2021
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INDONESIA: Allegation of torture against inmates at the Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary (Lapas) Yogyakarta
ISSUES: Torture, access to justice, fair trial, impunity
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Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the strong allegations of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment against inmates at the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary Yogyakarta Province.
CASE NARRATIVE:
The practice of mistreatment of inmates was allegedly carried out by the Wardens at the Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary (Lapas) Yogyakarta. The case was revealed after a number of former prisoners in the penitentiary complained to the Indonesian Ombudsman, Representative of the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
A number of former inmates of the Yogyakarta Penitentiary, reported the onerous behavior of the penitentiary Wardens to the Ombudsman, representative of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. These former convicts reported allegations of inhumane acts of violence within the penitentiary against the inmates.
One of the former convicts at the Yogyakarta Class IIA Penitentiary, Vincentius Titih Gita Arupadhatu (35) said the acts of violence carried out by Wardens at the penitentiary were considered inhumane. Almost every day the inmates in that place were tortured by the Wardens.
He had seen his fellow penitentiary inmates when they were held naked in the detention room. This was considered as only a ‘mistake’ by the Wardens. The inmates (WBP) were commanded to forcibly roll around the ground up to 100 meters, which is quite a distance. When an inmate (WBP) vomited after repeatedly rolling over so many times, the Wardens demanded that the inmate (WBP) eat his own vomit.
“Some were told to drink urine–the Wardens’ urine. Worse was yet to come as soon as a member of Police Resort (Polres) or Regional Police (Polda) Yogyakarta arrived. There was a cucumber filled with chili sauce that was thrown away. They told the victims to masturbate there and then and told them to eat the discarded cucumber”.
Victims of alleged violence perpetrated by IIA Yogyakarta Narcotics Penitentiary wardens increased by the tens.
They have reported this case to the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). A Legal Activist accompanying the reporter, Anggara Adiyaksa, revealed that there were 46 victims of alleged violence by members of the IIA Narcotics Penitentiary in Yogyakarta.
As of Thursday, November 4, 2021, 46 former WBP had been registered who claimed to be victims of torture in the Pakem Penitentiary. In addition to the Ombudsman, this case has also been brought to the National Human Rights Commission and the plan is that former WBP will also ask for assistance from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the Authorities listed below. Request the following action. Ask them to ensure that the Law Enforcement Agency investigate acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against inmates at the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary Yogyakarta Province. The Law Enforcement Agency must ensure that the Wardens who were found guilty must be prosecuted under fair trial principles.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
INDONESIA: Allegation of torture against inmates at the Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary (Lapas) Yogyakarta
Name of victim: Inmates at the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary Yogyakarta Province.
Names of alleged perpetrators: WARDENS at the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary, Yogyakarta Province.
Date of incident: Between October 2021 and Early November 2021
Place of incident: the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary Yogyakarta Province.
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the strong allegations of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment against inmates at the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary Yogyakarta Province.
The practice of mistreatment of inmates was allegedly carried out by the Wardens at the Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary (Lapas) Yogyakarta. The case was revealed after a number of former prisoners in the penitentiary complained to the Indonesian Ombudsman, Representative of the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
A number of former inmates of the Yogyakarta Penitentiary, reported the onerous behavior of the penitentiary Wardens to the Ombudsman, representative of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. These former convicts reported allegations of inhumane acts of violence within the penitentiary against the inmates.
One of the former convicts at the Yogyakarta Class IIA Penitentiary, Vincentius Titih Gita Arupadhatu (35) said the acts of violence carried out by Wardens at the penitentiary were considered inhumane. Almost every day the inmates in that place were tortured by the Wardens.
He had seen his fellow penitentiary inmates when they were held naked in the detention room. This was considered as only a ‘mistake’ by the Wardens. The inmates (WBP) were commanded to forcibly roll around the ground up to 100 meters, which is quite a distance. When an inmate (WBP) vomited after repeatedly rolling over so many times, the Wardens demanded that the inmate (WBP) eat his own vomit.
“Some were told to drink urine–the Wardens’ urine. Worse was yet to come as soon as a member of Police Resort (Polres) or Regional Police (Polda) Yogyakarta arrived. There was a cucumber filled with chili sauce that was thrown away. They told the victims to masturbate there and then and told them to eat the discarded cucumber”.
Victims of alleged violence perpetrated by IIA Yogyakarta Narcotics Penitentiary wardens increased by the tens.
They have reported this case to the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). A Legal Activist accompanying the reporter, Anggara Adiyaksa, revealed that there were 46 victims of alleged violence by members of the IIA Narcotics Penitentiary in Yogyakarta.
As of Thursday, November 4, 2021, 46 former WBP had been registered who claimed to be victims of torture in the Pakem Penitentiary. In addition to the Ombudsman, this case has also been brought to the National Human Rights Commission and the plan is that former WBP will also ask for assistance from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).
Therefore, I respectfully urge you to ensure that the Law Enforcement Agency investigate acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against inmates at the Class II A Narcotics Penitentiary Yogyakarta Province. The Law Enforcement Agency must ensure that the Wardens who were found guilty must be prosecuted under fair trial principles.
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 of Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 Kebayoran Baru, 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
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Mr. Bambang Soesatyo
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
Ketua Komisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Tel : +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax : +62 21 5715566
7. Mr. Drs. Hasto Atmojo Suroyo, M.Krim.
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dana 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
8. 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
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Package
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
