Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2000 05:26:12 -0600
URGENT: Massacre in Wamena
From: George Monbiot [mailto:g.monbiot@zetnet.co.uk]
Sent: 06 October 2000 09:49
Subject: MASSACRE IN WEST PAPUA - URGENT NEWS
POLICE MASSACRE IN WEST PAPUA
4 killed, 18 injured, as fighting breaks out in Central Highlands.
Contact Sem Karoba in Wamena: 00 62 969 593160 (mobile)
This morning, at 7.30 pm local time, four men were shot dead and 18 injured after Indonesian police opened fire on demonstrators in the town of Wamena, West Papua. The demonstrators were seeking to fly the flag of West Papuan independence, but the police had cut the flagpole down with a chainsaw.
Fighting broke out, during which the police opened fire. While most of the casualties were on the West Papuan side, two policemen were wounded with arrows, and taken to hospital in the West Papuan capital, Jayapura.
Fighting has now spread through Wamena and the surrounding countryside, and latest reports suggest that it continues to escalate.
Contact Sem Karoba in Wamena: 00 62 969 593160 (mobile)
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LEMBAGA STUDI DAN ADVOKASI HAK ASASI MANUSIA (ELS-HAM)
Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (Ihrstad)
Jln. Kampus ISTP - Padang Bulan, Jayapura - PAPUA BARAT
Tel/Fax: 62-967-581600/581520; email:elsham_irja@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
(More information on Wamena at 14:00 - papuan time, October 6, 2000)
THE SITUATION IN WAMENA IS ESCALATING
Two Dead and 15 Wounded, the people are to fight back
After this morning Brimob and Police opened fire to the people forcing them to lower the Papuan flag "morning star" ELS-HAM headquarter in Jayapura have receiving reports from its human rights monitors in Wamena that the
situation now escalating. Latest reports said that 2 people dead, 15 wounded (12 people and 3 Brimob or police). This incident has provoked the people in the Baliem valley, Wamena to now organising themselves to fight back. The
main bridges that connecting Kurima sub-district and Wamena town as well as Kimbim and Wamena town have been cut off by the angry people and thousands of people from various villages are reported to attack Wamena town. There is a great concern that many lives will be lost in this situation. "We're concerned that the frustration of the angry people to the security forces can be directed to the non-papuans, " said a pastor in Wamena. Meanwhile the situation in Wamena totally dead. Again please do something to eliminate any further violence. ELS-HAM continuesly monitoring the situation and will keep inform you on any developments.(@)
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Paul Barber
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign,
25 Plovers Way, Alton Hampshire GU34 2JJ
Tel/Fax: 01420 80153
Email: plovers@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Defending victims of oppression in Indonesia and
East Timor, 1973-2000
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