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Indonesia: Targeting of four human rights defenders

Front Line is deeply concerned for the safety of human rights defenders, Frederika Korain, Priest Perinus Kogoya, Yan Christian Warinussy and Albert Rumbekwan who were subjected to intimidation, threats and attacks following meetings with the United Nations Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Hina Jilani on her official visit to Indonesia on 7 June 2007.  Read More

Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders visits Indonesia

The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani, returned from a working visit to Papua and Aceh in Indonesia on 13 June 2007. Hina Jilani noted improvements on the promotion of human rights in Indonesia, but also expressed serious concerns on continuing violations committed against the human rights defenders in the countryRead full statement on Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development’s website

Acquittal bolsters impunity of Indonesian human rights defender

The Indonesian Supreme Court has acquitted the only person convicted of the murder of leading human rights defender Munir Said Halib, according to a statement issued by Human Rights Watch on 6 October 2006. Munir was the director of the human rights group Imparsial, he was poisoned and died on a flight from Jakarta to the Netherlands in September 2004. To read the full Human Rights Watch statement click here

Still no justice for Indonesian human rights defender two years after his murder

Munir (in green) at Front Line's Indonesia Report launch in 2003

8 September 2006

Two years after the murder of Indonesia’s leading human rights defender, Munir Said Thalib’s, some of his killers remain free and the police and Attorney General’s office continue to ignore the evidence and recommendations of a Presidential Fact-Finding Team. For more information see Human Rights Watch.

Indonesian Human Rights Defender Poisoned: Investigation Stalling

One of Indonesia's foremost human rights defenders, Munir, died in February 2004 on a flight to Amsterdam on the Indonesian state airline Garuda. An autopsy revealed a fatal dose of arsenic in the activist's system. Due to the efforts of Munir's colleagues and international pressure, at the end of last year the Indonesian government approved an independent fact-finding team to work alongside the police investigation. But progress has been slow. For more information and an opportunity to take action see Human Rights First.

Human Rights Defenders Under Attack in Aceh, Indonesia, February 2004

Human rights defenders have reportedly been arrested in Aceh in Indonesia. On 22 February 2004 at approximately 12.30, Iwan Irama Putra was reportedly arrested by Brimob at a friend's home in Banda Aceh, and has not been seen since. Early on 23 February 2004, police allegedly made a series of raids on the homes of members of ORPAD. At approximately 4.00, it is reported that they detained Ms. Harlina at her home, beat her and then took her away in a Kijang minivan. She was last seen approximately two hours later, when police took her with them to the house of another activist, who was reportedly not at home at the time.

In addition, according to the information received, on 23 February 2004 at approximately 6.00, Nursida was arrested at her home, together with Nova Rahayu. They were reportedly taken away in two trucks. They were subsequently released on 24th February and in their testimony said that Mr. Masrizal (who had been detained on 19th February), Mr. Iwan Irama Putra and Ms. Harlina had been tortured in detention. Mr. Masrizal reportedly remains in detention.  Read More