[NOTICE: The AHRC have developed a new automatic letter-sending system using the “send letter” button. However, in this appeal, we could not include e-mail addresses of some of the Indonesian authorities. We encourage you to send your appeal letters via fax or post to those people. Fax numbers and postal addresses of the Indonesian authorities are attached below with this appeal. Thank you.]
INDONESIA: Torture resulting in death; Impunity
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Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed by Indonesian NGO Kontras of the severe torture of Denny Leuwoy by the police on August 19, 2006 and his subsequent death. At around noon, Denny Leuwoy reportedly had an accident while riding his friend’s motorcycle while travelling from the Arumbai Maggurebe Pela Gandong competition, a traditional sailboat race event held to promote solidarity between Christians and Moslems, held in Maluku on 17 August, to commemorate Indonesian Independence Day and the Maluku Provincial Anniversary commemoration, held on August 19.
On August 19, 2006, Denny Leuwoy reportedly collided with a Maluku Provincial Police officer’s motorcycle, in Taman Makmur. The police officer was reportedly wearing civilian clothes at the time of the accident.
On the way to Jembatan Batu, Benteng, police officers reportedly flagged down Denny Leuwol and brought him to Benteng Police Post. The officers then allegedly tortured and beat the victim until he was severely injured and had collapsed. He was then taken to the Dr. M. Haulussy hospital. The victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital later the same day.
The citizens of Haria hamlet who heard about the incident were angered and demonstrated at the Benteng Police Post, Nusaniwe, Ambon at around 3 pm. They reportedly broke windows with stones. They called for the officers who tortured Denny Leuwol to be brought to court. Some of them were arrested and detained in the Benteng Police Post. Raja Negeri (a traditional leader) Siri Sori Islam, Jhon Pattisahusiwa, Raja Negeri (traditional leader) Haria and Yacop Latuperissa tried to calm the citizens down and asked them to return to their homes, as the police had promised to investigate the case. The villagers complied and the persons that had been arrested were released later that day.
During the evening of August 19, 2006, armed police officers were still standing guard in the Benteng Police Pos. Maluku Provincial Police Brigadier General Guntur Gatot Setiawan promised to investigate the case and bring those responsible to court. He also promised to fire any members of the police that are proven guilty.
On August 21, 2006, the Spokesperson of Maluku Provincial Police, Ajun Komisaris Besar I Wayan Suparman, announced that the Maluku Provincial Police had arrested the perpetrators. They are alleged to be three officers of the Maluku Provincial Police (identified by their initials: AT, RR, QW) and one civilian (OL). They will be disciplined both administratively and under criminal law, according to the spokesperson, who added that they will be fired from the police. According to the latest information, the concerned police officers have been fired and are being detained in the Maluku Provincial Police Headquarters, and the investigation is reportedly ongoing. While the action taken so far by the authorities is welcomed, it is vital that the investigation and the judicial process are completed without undue delay. The expulsion of police officers is not adequate punishment for the crime of torture resulting in death.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the concerned authorities requesting them to ensure that the alleged perpetrators are brought before an independent and impartial court, and tried in accordance with international standards of fair trial. It is vital that the trial proceed without unnecessary delay or interference. If found guilty, the alleged perpetrators must be punished in accordance with domestic laws and international human rights law, standards and ethics. Adequate reparation that also meets international standards must be provided to the family of the victim.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
INDONESIA: Police torture man severely, resulting in his death
Name of victim: Denny Leuwol, 30, citizen of Haria hamlet, Saparua, Central Maluku
Alleged perpetrators: three officers of Maluku Provincial Police (initials AT, RR, QW) and one civilian (OL)
Place of incident: Benteng Police Pos Headquarter.
Date of incident: August 19, 2006
I write to you to express my deep concern with regard to reports of the severe torture of Denny Leuwoy by the police on August 19, 2006 which resulted in his subsequent death. At around noon, Denny Leuwoy reportedly had an accident while riding his friend's motorcycle while travelling from the Arumbai Maggurebe Pela Gandong competition, a traditional sailboat race event held to promote solidarity between Christians and Moslems, held in Maluku on 17 August, to commemorate Indonesian Independence Day and the Maluku Provincial Anniversary commemoration, held on August 19.
On August 19, 2006, Denny Leuwoy reportedly collided with a Maluku Provincial Police officer's motorcycle, in Taman Makmur. The police officer is alleged to have been wearing civilian clothes at the time of the accident.
On the way to Jembatan Batu, Benteng, police officers reportedly flagged down Denny Leuwol and brought him to Benteng Police Post. The officers then allegedly tortured and beat the victim until he was severely injured and had collapsed. He was then taken to the Dr. M. Haulussy hospital. The victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital later the same day.
The citizens of Haria hamlet who heard about the incident were angered and demonstrated at the Benteng Police Post, Nusaniwe, Ambon at around 3 pm. They reportedly broke windows with stones. They called for the officers who tortured Denny Leuwol to be brought to court. Some of them were arrested and detained in the Benteng Police Post. Raja Negeri (a traditional leader) Siri Sori Islam, Jhon Pattisahusiwa, Raja Negeri (traditional leader) Haria and Yacop Latuperissa tried to calm the citizens down and asked them to return to their homes, as the police had promised to investigate the case. The villagers complied and the persons that had been arrested were released later that day.
During the evening of August 19, 2006, armed police officers were still standing guard in the Benteng Police Pos. Maluku Provincial Police Brigadier General Guntur Gatot Setiawan promised to investigate the case and bring those responsible to court. He also promised to fire any members of the police that are proven guilty.
On August 21, 2006, the Spokesperson of Maluku Provincial Police, Ajun Komisaris Besar I Wayan Suparman, announced that the Maluku Provincial Police had arrested the perpetrators. They are alleged to be three officers of the Maluku Provincial Police (identified by their initials: AT, RR, QW) and one civilian (OL). They will be disciplined both administratively and under criminal law, according to the spokesperson, who added that they will be fired from the police. According to the latest information, the concerned police officers have been fired and are being detained in the Maluku Provincial Police Headquarters, and the investigation is reportedly ongoing. While the action taken so far by the authorities is welcomed, it is vital that the investigation and the judicial process are completed without undue delay. The expulsion of police officers is not adequate punishment for the crime of torture resulting in death.
I urge you to ensure that the alleged perpetrators are brought before an independent and impartial court, and tried in accordance with international standards of fair trial. It is vital that the trial proceed without unnecessary delay or interference. If found guilty, the alleged perpetrators must be punished in accordance with domestic laws and international human rights law, standards and ethics. Adequate reparation that also meets international standards must be provided to the family of the victim.
I trust that you will take action in this case.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOU LETTERS TO:
1. Gen. Sutanto
Chief of National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel.: +62-21-721 8012
Fax: +62-21-720 727
2. Brig.-Gen. Adityawarman
Chief of the Maluku Provincial Police
Jl. Pattimura No. 1
Maluku
INDONESIA
3. Enny Soeprapto
The Commissioner of Right to Personal Security
KOMNAS HAM [National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia]
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3925230
Fax: +62 21 3151042/3925227
E-mail: info@komnasham.or.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
