Home
Torture as Theatre in Papua
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 25 October 2016 10:15
Despite international and national exposure, torture in Papua remains widespread and systematic; it is also surrounded by virtually complete impunity and denial. This article analyses torture through a Foucauldian perspective and conceptualizes torture as “theatre” in order to fill the gap of understanding state violence in Papua. Theatricality proffers a new analytical lens to examine the phenomenon by exploring the interplay and dynamics of four interrelated elements: the rationalities that underpin the web of power relations, the techniques of domination, the actors with their multiple and fluid identities, and finally their motivational postures. Taking a Foucauldian perspective, the article analyses the way the Indonesian state exhibits sovereign power to govern Papua as a docile body, and conceptualizes torture as an element of “the art of government”. The analysis is based on 431 cases of torture in Papua during 1963–2010 as well as 214 testimonies of torture survivors, perpetrators and spectators.
Opening Statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council
- Details
- Published on Monday, 26 September 2016 03:39
Human Rights Council
Opening Statement by
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Geneva, 13 September 2016
Mr President, Excellencies, Colleagues and Friends,
I am honoured to open this first session of the Council's second decade.
After two years as High Commissioner, I believe it is important for me to share with you in this oral update our concern over an emerging pattern: the growing refusal on the part of an increasing number of Member States to grant OHCHR, or the human rights mechanisms, access - either to countries generally, or to specific regions, when that access is requested explicitly, or in other instances to engage with us. Why and for what reason, do those who deny access place their shield before us?
I intend to devote this statement mainly to this single issue. Before I do, I wish to first draw on some general observations of our present circumstances.
ICP Compilation of Recommendations and Observations by International Mechanisms
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 10 September 2016 04:51
ICP has created an electronic document which compiles observations made by international mechanisms between 2008 and 2016. The document includes all important quotes of recommendations and statements from documents related to the 1st cycle of the universal periodic reviews in 2008, the 2nd cycle of the universal periodic review in 2012, reports of Special rapporteurs as well as documents related to Indonesia' s reviews by the UN Committee against Torture, the UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The quoted text passages either refer directly to the human rights situation in West Papua or were mentioned in a national context, but have strong relevance for the circumstances in Indonesia's easternmost region.
Brimob chase teenage boy, shooting him dead outside his house
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 01 September 2016 11:50
A high school student was killed by Brimob guards on the morning of Saturday 27th August in the highland town of Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency. Otinus Sondegau had been drinking on the street with friends when the Brimob guards were called, who ended up pursuing him through the streets, shooting him dead as he reached the front of his house. Another teenager was reportedly shot in the hand in the incident, and others narrowly dodged bullets. The community, in response, burned the local police station to the ground.
Human Rights defender Olga Hamadi dies at 34
- Details
- Published on Monday, 01 August 2016 13:01
Papuan human rights lawyer Olga Helena Hamadi died in a hospital in Jayapura on July 28th 2016 after a long period of illness. The exact cause of death is not yet clear.
Olga Hamadi worked for the legal aid organisation LBH Papua and the Commission for the disappeared and victims of violence (KontraS Papua). She took on politically sensitive cases, mainly of indigenous Papuans who were charged with high treason for voicing their opinions and taking part in demonstrations.
REPORT ON THE UNLAWFUL ARRESTS OF 1,269 WEST PAPUANS BETWEEN 10-15 JUNE 2016
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 06 July 2016 14:03
Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Jakarta (LBH, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute) has released a report based on testimony collected on location by members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and Papuan Students Alliance (AMP). The information has been verified by Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) to be consistent with its own telephone witness interviews. The number of people arrested is consistent with local media reports.
Joint press release on 6th European Union- Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue
- Details
- Published on Friday, 01 July 2016 11:36
1. The sixth session of the EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue was held on 28 June 2016 in Brussels. The Delegation from the Republic of Indonesia was led by Mr Dicky Komar, Director for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Delegation of the European Union was headed by Mr Julian Wilson, Acting Director for Asia-Pacific, and Mrs Anette Mandler, Head of the Human Rights Division in the European External Action Service.
Oral Statement of the 32nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 22 June 2016 05:02
On June 22nd 2016, an oral statement regarding the human rights situation in West Papua was heldbefore the UN Human Rights Council. The statement was supported by several organisations, including the International Coalition for Papua (ICP)
Mr. President,
We would like to draw the Council’s attention to the human rights situation in West Papua. As one of the most isolated areas in the world, it remains one of the last conflict regions within Indonesia. Local activists continue to report cases of arbitrary arrests by Indonesian security forces of predominantly-indigenous Papuans participating in peaceful gatherings expressing their political opinions. In several cases, the arrests are followed by torture, reflecting the widespread impunity enjoyed by security forces and the lack of effective mechanisms to prosecute perpetrators.
More Articles...
- MSG as possible peace platform for conflict resolution between West Papua and Indonesia
- REBUILDING AFTER COMMUNAL VIOLENCE: LESSONS FROM TOLIKARA, PAPUA
- Unlawful Mass Arrests of 326 West Papuans between May 28 and May 31, 2016
- Aftermath of the IPWP meeting in the United Kingdom
- Press Release - The Poorness of Indonesia's Forest Management
- Papua: Pricking our national conscience
- Urgent Appeal - Unlawful Mass Arrests of at least 1,783 West Papuans in April and May 2016
- Delegation of 20 Bishops from the Pacific Region visit West Papua
- Report From LBH Jakarta On The Unlawful Arrests Of 1,783 West Papuans Between 25 April - 2 May 2016
- Police Officers try to Stop Papuan Journalist from Taking Pictures of Demonstration (2)