Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of death threats issued against prominent human rights defender Albert Rumbakwan during the months of June and July 2007. Albert Rumbakwan is Director of Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia in Papua province.
Further Information
In June 2007, Albert Rumbakwan met with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders. Since then he has reportedly received a number of text messages on his mobile phone threatening both himself and his family with death. One of the text messages allegedly stated the following: "You who already report on the Papuan nation with human rights to destroy the people, you want proof of the bitterness of the people. The troops will instantly make your ancestors and your children become skin and bones in the Papuan zone of peace."
On 14 June 2007, two unknown individuals in a black Avanza Kijang LX car reportedly kept watch outside the National Human Rights Commission office. The two men allegedly entered the office in the morning and asked for Albert Rumbakwan's whereabouts. As he was out of the office at the time they returned to their vehicles, where they remained until 4:00pm that afternoon. A similar car had reportedly been seen earlier in the month following Hina Jilani during her visit to Jayapura, Papua province.
Furthermore, on the evening of 24 July 2007, unidentified individuals reportedly surrounded Albert Rumbakwan's home using electrical equipment in order to see into the house. Police officers, who were with Albert Rumbakwan in the house at the time, were reportedly intimidated by the incident and told him to prepare himself with traditional weapons. Police have been monitoring the situation closely since Albert Rumbakwan began receiving threats, however, he continues to be followed when traveling by car and members of his family have also been followed. They have also been questioned concerning his whereabouts. In addition, text messages, allegedly written on behalf of Albert Rumbakwan have been sent to people in Papua urging them to attack police and military offices in the province, so as to achieve a free Papua.
Front Line is concerned that the afore-mentioned events are directly related to Albert Rumbakwan's work in defence of human rights. Further concern is expressed that they may also be related to an ongoing campaign against human rights defenders in Indonesia, particularly in light of comments made on 7 July 2007 by Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, Military Commander in the city of Jayapura, who reportedly stated "For the sake of the NKRI [The Unitary Republic of Indonesia] we are not afraid of human rights. It is the TNI's [army] duty to destroy any group wanting to separate from Indonesia, irrespective of what methods they are using to struggle." Colonel Siagian has been indicted twice for crimes against humanity in East Timor, and was named as a suspect in Indonesia's own commission of investigation into the human rights abuses carried out in Timor at the time. However he has never faced trial.
Action Finished:
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
