The
Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS),
FORUM-ASIA member in Indonesia, expressed its concerns over the
violence that took place in Papua region of the country before its
legislative elections on 9 April. The organisation's statement issued
on 9 April notes arrests and murders in the violence, with "excessive
behaviour by the police" which is likely to have caused these actions.
The
Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS),
FORUM-ASIA member in Indonesia, expressed its concerns over the
violence that took place in Papua region of the country before its
legislative elections on 9 April. The organisation's statement issued
on 9 April notes arrests and murders in the violence, with "excessive
behaviour by the police" which is likely to have caused these actions.
 
KontraS regrets the occurrence of several incidents of
violence prior to the elections in Papua which have spread a sense of anxiety
among Papuan people. The latest was an
incident last night when eight students were arrested following an attack on
the head office of the police in Abepura and a fire at the office of the Rector
of Cenderawasih University in Waena.
  

The police declared that the conflict in Papua would
be subject to special handling during the election period. However a number of
incidents have occurred. Such special treatment should not lead to acts of
violence and violations of human rights.
  

KontraS has received the following reports of recent
incidents.

1. On 7
   April: The arrest of Markus Haluk, secretary-general of the Leadership Council
   of the Association of Students from the Central Highlands, on charges of
   spreading information and provocation for calling for a boycott of the election
   in Papua.
2. On 8
   April: The killing of three members of the public in Wamena, with two others
   critically injured and now being treated at Wamena Hospital.
3. On 8 April
   at 11 p.m., rumours circulated that a member of the police force had been stabbed
   by an unidentified person near Youfeta Market, Abepura. In response, the police
   conducted sweepings of everyone along the main roads.
4. On 8 April
   at 1,30 a.m., a group of unidentified people attacked the head office of the
   police in the vicinity of Abepura and one person was shot dead.
5. On 8 April
   at 2,30 a.m., the Rector's Building at Cendrawasih University was burnt down by
   unidentified  people. Police conducted
   sweepings which resulted in the arrest of eight students at the Minmin Students
   Mess, one of whom sustained gunshot wounds.

The 2009 elections represent a step in the direction of
democratisation. Although they have been involved in a number of conflicts, the
people of Papua are entitled to enjoy a time of peace during the period of the
elections.

We call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid
the use of violence. At the same time, we call on the security forces, in
particular the police, to uphold professional standards and respect the human
rights of those people who are critical of the 2009 elections. We are very much
afraid that excessive behaviour by the police which has been part of the
problem in Papua up until the present has been incited by provocative actions
by outside elements.

In particular, we request that the additional forces
for the army and police as instructed by the chief of police of Indonesia should not lead to the conflict spreading and
there should be no further acts of violence. In addition, we urge that these
events should not result in further acts of repression against the people in
general.
 
Indra Fernida A
Deputy Coordinator
 
Syamsul Alam Agus
Division of Politics, Law and Human Rights