ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-195-2017
November 16, 2017
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INDONESIA: Peaceful protesters in Slamet Mountain brutally attacked and dispersed by the Police
ISSUES:
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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-195-2017
16 November 2017
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INDONESIA: Peaceful protesters in Slamet Mountain brutally attacked and dispersed by the Police
ISSUES: Fair trial, impunity, remedy, due process of law, Rule of Law, healthy environment
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Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received the following information from our local partner. Violence and a brutal attack were carried out by Police Officers and the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) against the Local Community in Banyumas Regency, Central Java province. The Local Community has been struggling to fight for their traditional lands and to save Slamet Mountain against the Company Project causing environmental damage. Despite the fact, that the Local Community faced violence and a brutal attack, no Police Officers or other State personnel have been prosecuted for their illegal actions.
CASE NARRATIVE:
According to information received by the AHRC, on October 9, 2017, the Civil Society Alliance to save Slamet Mountain held a peaceful public protest. They demanded cancellation of the permit issued to the Geothermal Power Plant (PLTPB). It belongs to the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company which operates in Slamet Mountain, Central Java province. The protest started at 8:00 a.m. The protesters walked from Purwokerto Islamic University (IAIN Purwokerto) to the office of Banyumas Regent. During the protest, the mass of demanded to meet with the Banyumas Regent, but he refused.
Finally, the protesters occupied the front yard of the Regent’s office where they all prayed in unison. In addition, they set up tents and prepared a cultural stage. But at 10:00 p.m., the Police and the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) guarding the protestors, destroyed their tents and their stage. They then proceeded illegally to arrest the protesters.
At 10:00 p.m., the Police, using a loud speaker warned the protesters to stop and to discontinue their protest. 10:00 p.m. is the time limit set for the protesters to discontinue their protest. The Police argued that the warning was in line with the negotiation results previously discussed with the Protestor’s Representative a day before the protest. One of the protesters spoke out and demanded the Regent and the Police inside the Regent’s office send a representative to re-negotiate for a time extension.
Instead of responding professionally to the protester’s demand, Police Officers and the Civil Service Police, inside the office, suddenly moved on the protesters. They dragged them into the Regent’s office, and beat them over and over again.
At 10:30 p.m., the protesters were brought to the Banyumas Police Station (Polres Banyumas). A total of 24 protesters had been illegally arrested and transferred to the Police Station. Two protesters had to be hospitalized in a local hospital in Banyumas Regent. As of now, all protesters have been released from police custody. The violence and illegal arrests by the Authorities have resulted in three significant outcomes: very serious trauma of the protesters, further distrust of legitimate authority and putting in danger the development of democracy in Indonesia.
One of the local journalists, who documented the protest, was beaten by Police, while another journalist was intimidated and his camera appropriated. Their rampage continued as they destroyed the sound system belonging to the protesters, breaking the glass windows of the car which carried the sound system. The police destroyed a motorcycle of one of the protesters, eye glasses and two mobile phones. Are these the actions of a disciplined, trained, professional Force?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Local Community which took part in the coalition for saving Slamet Mountain has a very strong legal case to reject the development of the Geothermal Power Plant (PLTPB), operated by the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company (PT SAE). The project as it developed, forcibly appropriated traditional land and forests belonging to the Local Community. The majority of the local people rely on these lands and forests to support their daily life. Environmental damages have ensued where more than seven local villages suffer from a water crisis. In addition, the Project also threatens the animals on the slopes of Slamet Mountain due to the massive and invasive activity of the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the Authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that the Geothermal Power Plant developed by the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company be audited properly. Law Enforcement agencies should ensure that any violation of the Law committed by the Company must be prosecuted under fair trial principles. They should also investigate whether or not there was any involvement of Police Officers or Local Government personnel in this matter. Independent State agencies such as the National Commission on Human Rights and their Ombudsman must be involved to ensure that law enforcement is conducted fairly, accountably and transparently with access of the Public and the Media.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, calling for their intervention in this matter.
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SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear ………………..,
INDONESIA : Peaceful protestors in Slamet Mountain brutally attacked and dispersed by the Police
Name of victims : Civil Society Alliance for saving Slamet Mountain
Names of alleged perpetrators : Police officers of Banyumas Police Station and Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) of Banyumas Regency and the Regent of Banyumas Regency
Date of incident : October 9, 2017
Place of incident : Banyumas Regency, Central Java province
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding violence and a brutal attack were carried out by Police Officers and the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) against the Local Community in Banyumas Regency, Central Java province. The Local Community has been struggling to fight for their traditional lands and to save Slamet Mountain against the Company Project causing environmental damage. Despite the fact, that the Local Community faced violence and a brutal attack, no Police Officers or other State personnel have been prosecuted for their illegal actions.
According to information received by the AHRC, on October 9, 2017, the Civil Society Alliance to save Slamet Mountain held a peaceful public protest. They demanded cancellation of the permit issued to the Geothermal Power Plant (PLTPB). It belongs to the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company which operates in Slamet Mountain, Central Java province. The protest started at 8:00 a.m. The protesters walked from Purwokerto Islamic University (IAIN Purwokerto) to the office of Banyumas Regent. During the protest, the mass of demanded to meet with the Banyumas Regent, but he refused.
Finally, the protesters occupied the front yard of the Regent’s office where they all prayed in unison. In addition, they set up tents and prepared a cultural stage. But at 10:00 p.m., the Police and the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) guarding the protestors, destroyed their tents and their stage. They then proceeded illegally to arrest the protesters.
At 10:00 p.m., the Police, using a loud speaker warned the protesters to stop and to discontinue their protest. 10:00 p.m. is the time limit set for the protesters to discontinue their protest. The Police argued that the warning was in line with the negotiation results previously discussed with the Protestor’s Representative a day before the protest. One of the protesters spoke out and demanded the Regent and the Police inside the Regent’s office send a representative to re-negotiate for a time extension.
Instead of responding professionally to the protester’s demand, Police Officers and the Civil Service Police, inside the office, suddenly moved on the protesters. They dragged them into the Regent’s office, and beat them over and over again.
At 10:30 p.m., the protesters were brought to the Banyumas Police Station (Polres Banyumas). A total of 24 protesters had been illegally arrested and transferred to the Police Station. Two protesters had to be hospitalized in a local hospital in Banyumas Regent. As of now, all protesters have been released from police custody. The violence and illegal arrests by the Authorities have resulted in three significant outcomes: very serious trauma of the protesters, further distrust of legitimate authority and putting in danger the development of democracy in Indonesia.
One of the local journalists, who documented the protest, was beaten by Police, while another journalist was intimidated and his camera appropriated. Their rampage continued as they destroyed the sound system belonging to the protesters, breaking the glass windows of the car which carried the sound system. The police destroyed a motorcycle of one of the protesters, eye glasses and two mobile phones. Are these the actions of a disciplined, trained, professional Force?
The Local Community which took part in the coalition for saving Slamet Mountain has a very strong legal case to reject the development of the Geothermal Power Plant (PLTPB), operated by the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company (PT SAE). The project as it developed, forcibly appropriated traditional land and forests belonging to the Local Community. The majority of the local people rely on these lands and forests to support their daily life. Environmental damages have ensued where more than seven local villages suffer from a water crisis. In addition, the Project also threatens the animals on the slopes of Slamet Mountain due to the massive and invasive activity of the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company.
Therefore, I respectfully request that you ensure that the Geothermal Power Plant which is developed by the Sejahtera Alam Energy Company should be audited properly. Law Enforcement Agencies should see that any violation of the Law committed by the Company must be prosecuted under fair trial principles. They should also investigate whether or not there was any involvement of Police Officers or Local Government Personnel in this matter. Independent State Agencies such as the National Commission on Human Rights and their Ombudsman must be involved to ensure that the law enforcement is conducted fairly, accountably, transparently with access by the Public and the Media.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol. Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky Indarti
Commissioner of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor. Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. H. Bambang Soesatyo, S.E., M.B.A
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp : +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax : +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Abdul Haris Semendawai
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
Jalan Raya Bogor KM. 24 No. 47-49, Susukan, Ciracas, RT.6/RW.1, Susukan, Ciracas, Kota Jakarta Timur, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 13750
Tel: +62 21 29681560
Fax: +62 21 29681551 / +62 21 29681557
9. Mr. Ahmad Taufan Damanik
Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
Urgent Appeals Program
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)