UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

3 May 2002

Indonesia - OCHA Consolidated Situation Report No. 74

26 April - 3 May 2002
. PAPUA 

General Situation 

The Indonesian Army has extended for another 30 days the detention of three Kopassus officers suspected of involvement in last year's death of Papuan separatist leader Theys Hiyo Eluay, according to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday (1 May). The three army personnel have been detained at the National Military Police Headquarters since 10 April and if convicted of murder face a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail. Theys was found dead on 11 Nov. 2001 on the outskirts of the provincial capital Jayapura. The three, identified as Lt. Col. HM, Maj. DH, and Capt. R, were officially charged with the murder last Friday (26 Apr.) by the military police. 

The government-initiated National Inquiry Commission (KPN) announced on Monday (29 Apr.) that six military officers from the Tribuana X Task Force of the Trikora Regional Military Command in Papua were allegedly involved in the murder of Papuan separatist leader Theys Hiyo Eluay. The commission failed to discover the motives of the murder, saying the three-month time given to them to conduct their investigation was not enough. 

Elsham (Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy) announced it has obtained documentary evidence linking the TNI with East Timor-style militias in Papua, according to The Age last Friday (26 Apr). The document, dated 8 April 2002, signals an attempt to step up anti-independence activity in the province, according to Elsham. The institute's supervisor, John 
Rumbiak, said that the letter confirmed his fears of a militia group being created. 

The three-page document is headed "List of Satgas Merah Putih candidates from Kodim 1702/Jayawijaya". It contains the names of 80 people described as farmers from Walesi village, about 15 kilometres from Wamena town and is signed by the commander of the Kodim of Wamena. Satgas Merah Putih (Red and White Task Force) is named for the colours of the Indonesian flag. 
After examining the document, the Indonesian military said yesterday it was a demographic tool for the local commander.