The Jakarta-based Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), has denounced what it calls the recent arbitary arrest and assault on Papuan civilians by police in Kotaraja, Jayapura.

“KontraS condemns this awful method of law enforcement which involved the use of indiscriminate violence by police in Papua against a number of people there. Such actions are severe human rights violations which should be punished since they are contrary to regulations,” said Haris Azhar, the commission’s coordinator in a statement on Saturday.

Fifteen people living in the Vuria residential complex were arrested and allegedly beaten on August 31, during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Police accused them of disrupting an Eid al-Fitr prayer and of being members of the Free Papua Movement, a militant organization. During their arrest police allegedly kicked, slapped and pistol-whipped the suspects.

“We are afraid that this is a result of a stigma being borne by Papuans, which is being exploited by security personnel in the police and military,” Azhar continued.

“We ask the National Police Commission and National Commission on Human Rights to immediately carry out an investigation into the alleged beatings. If they are confirmed that and enough evidence is available, the perpetrators must be punished under the law,” he said.

Related Reports:

Papua peace still elusive, say leaders (http://www.ucanews.com/2011/08/23/papua-peace-still-elusive-say-leaders/)

Commission reports civilian torture cases (http://www.ucanews.com/2011/06/27/commission-reports-civilian-torture-cases/)