INDONESIA: Military judges must effectively prosecute torture and death of Papuan man

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear ___________,

INDONESIA: Military judges must effectively prosecute torture and death of Papuan man

Name of victim: Mr. Isak Dewayekua (23)

Names of alleged perpetrators: Sergeant First Class La Dilli Wance, Private Fredrik Pattiasina, Private Abiatar Harri, all Army Personnel of Yonif 755/Yalet Papua

Date of incident: 18 to 19 November 2017

Place of incident: Kimaam District, Merauke Regency, Papua Province

I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the case of torture and death of Mr. Isak Dewayekua (23), an indigenous Papuan. Army personnel of Yonif 755/Yalet unlawfully arrested and detained Isak and tortured him to death in Kimaam, Merauke Regency, Papua Province. The investigation has taken a long time with little progress. Moreover, the case submitted before the military court lacks all the facts and there are concerns at the low standards of justice applied by the military investigators and prosecutors.

According to the information received by the AHRC, the trial into the death by torture of Isak is being held at the Military Court III-19, Jayapura. In the first hearing, the military prosecutors submitted the indictment of alleged torture committed by army personnel of Yonif 755/Yalet, First Sergeant La Dili Wance (Vice Commaner of Military Post of Kimaam Satgas Pamrahwan), Abiatar Harri Katoar and Fredrik Pattiasina (personnel at the Kimaam Military Post Kimaam Satgas Pamrahwan).

So far, the investigation process of the case has taken a very long time; since November 2017 the Military Police of Merauke (POMDAM Merauke) has conducted its investigation, and in December 2017 the case was submitted to the Military Police of Cendrawasih (Provincial level of Papua). The investigation process went on for nearly one year, and in July 2018 the case finally went for trial before the Military Court, with a lack of facts and witnesses.

According to KontraS, there are serious gaps and differences between their investigation results and that of the Military Police. For instance, the military police investigator did not examine all the witnesses. Also, in the police’s chronology of the case, there are several missing facts. Furthermore, the police investigators also avoided applying any charge of sexual harassment, despite one of the alleged perpetrators, Abiatar, having tried to persuade Isak’s younger sister for sexual favours.

Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure that the judges of the Military Court III-19, Jayapura seriously investigate and examine all the facts of the case relating to Isak’s death. The judges must actively uncover the facts and reconstruct the case, and develop a standard of justice in line with the International Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Indonesia is a State party. Further, the judges must ensure that the trial process is held under fair trial principles. The Judicial Commission must actively monitor the trial process to ensure that the family has access to the court and adequate remedies.

I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.

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. Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto
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

5. 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

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. 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

8. Mr. Aidul Fitriciada Azhari 
Chairperson of The Judicial Commission 
Jalan Kramat Raya No. 57 Jakarta Pusat 
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3905876
Fax: +62 21 3906215
Email: pengaduan@komisiyudisial.go.id

9. 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 Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)