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Defenders/Lawyers threatened in West Papua
Human Rights Defenders/Lawyers threatened in West Papua
The lawyers for Nelson Rumbiak and other accused
West Papuans have been intimidated by the attorney general
who has reported them to the police. The attorney general
has accused the legal team of behavior that was insulting
to the state.
Paula Makabory of the West Papuan human
rights organisation, ELSHAM (Institute for Human Rights
Study and Advocacy) says “it seems there is no guarantee
for human rights defenders or legal people in West Papua
even though they are simply trying to defend people as is
their right under the law.
The lawyers have been defending accused Papuans who are being charged with involvment in the demonstrations which took place in Abepura in March of this year against the Freeport mine.
On Monday 28 August a number of the accused were attacked by police when they were returned from a hearing at the local court. Nelson Rumbiak was beaten and suffered injuries to his face and ribs.
Joe Collins of the AWPA said that Australian Government should be calling on the Indonesian President to control his police and military in West Papua. The Australian government who talks about instability in the region should reflect on its causality . It is the police and military acting with impunity in West Papua which is causing instability . This latest provocation proves yet again to the West Papuan people that they can receive no justice under Indonesian rule.
Ends
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