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Indonesian soldiers open fire on defenceless people in Paniai, West Papua

24 January 2006

Letter sent to -
Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP,
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
King George Street,
London SW1 1AA

Dear Mr Straw,

Indonesian soldiers open fire on defenceless people in Paniai, West Papua

On Friday, 20 January 2006, Indonesian troops opened fire on a crowd of people at a local market in Waghette, district of Paniai, Enarotali in West Papua, killing one person and seriously wounding two others. The man who died was Mozes Douw, a 14-year old student, who was fatally wounded by a shot in the chest and died on his way to hospital. The two persons who were seriously wounded were Yulike Koaouki, aged 18 years and Petrus Pekei, aged 23 years. A fourth man was held and beaten, but managed to escape and is now in hiding.

According to human rights activists in the area, the shooting followed a protest which was triggered by anger over payment received for construction work. The soldier or soldiers who opened fire were members of Battalion 753 which is based in the area. The shooting led to widespread protests in the area and calls for those responsible to be brought to justice for the tragic incident.

Our sources also report that as a result of feelings of distress in the area, the possibility of violent clashes cannot be ruled out. There can be no justification whatever for troops to resort to using firearms against unarmed, defenceless people. Such action is bound to create tensions, as is apparent from reports that many of the migrants who have settled in the area from other parts of Indonesia have fled their homes.

We believe that the British Government should protest in the strongest terms to the Indonesian authorities at the wanton use of firearms against defenceless people. We also call on the British Government:

1. To call for those who opened fire at Waghete market place to be brought to justice without delay.
   To press the Indonesian Government to set up an independent commission to investigate the events in Paniai which led to one person being killed and two being injured, and to report on its findings within three months. The Commission should include representatives from local churches and from human rights groups.
2. To allow unrestricted access to West Papua for UN human rights monitors, and allow international and local human rights organisations to enter the area to provide ongoing monitoring.
3. To add its voice to calls for Indonesian troops to be withdrawn from the area and for the maintenance of law and order to be placed in the hands of the police.

This incident occurred one day after a group of 43 West Papuans reached northeastern Australia after fleeing their homes and are now requesting asylum in Australia. We understand that some of the asylum-seekers are from Paniai and may be related to one or several of the victims.

The decision by such a large group of Papuans to undertake such a hazardous trip to Australia is an indication that the situation in the province is fraught with problems and that those who fled, some with their families, have strong reason to fear for their personal safety.

We urge you to prevail upon the Australian Government to allow unfettered access to the asylum seekers so that they can clarify the circumstances that persuaded them to leave their homes and seek safety abroad.

Yours sincerely,

Carmel Budiardjo

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