Evidence Of 749 Acts Of Violence In Papua

8/22/2012

This is reported in the recently launched book, Masa Lalu dan Tak Lalu - The Past and Never Past - which was published by ELSHAM and the International Center for Transitional Justice.

During its investigations, the researchers examined 108 testimonies about human rights violations . They spoke to 76 people in Biak, 12 people in Manokwari, ten people in Paniai and ten people in Sorong. The period covered was from the mid 1960s (prior to the Act of Free Choice in 1969) up to the period of 'reformasi' (following the downfall of Suharto).

Their researchers spent three months out in the field, studying testimonies and obtained information about 749 cases.

Of the 749 cases, 312 were violations against males and 56 violations against women. The details were obtained from101 victims who were interviewed. One hundred and one victims had suffered violations together with a group of people or with more than one person. The types of violence were arbitrary arrests and detentions, 234 cases, military operations against the civilian population including operations to forcibly evict people 181 cases, and torture and ill-treatment, 97 cases.

There were also 86 cases of deaths as the result of extreme torture, threats 53 cases, assaults 28 cases, the seizure or destruction of people's belongings, gardens or livestock 22 cases, orders to report 26 cases, attacks and searches of people's homes 4 cases, lack of access to food or medication 4 cases, forcible removals, preventing people from finding work 4 cases, forcible removals 3 cases, lack of access to food or medications, denial of access to families 2 cases, trials without lawyers, 2 cases, preventing people from traveling 2 cases. Finally, there was prevention of access to education. A total in all of 749 cases.

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Outlet: 
Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources