Kompas, 21 June 2002

Demo and Hunger Strike of Papuan Students at Komnas HAM Office

Seven students, members of the West Papua Students Front (FNPB), have started a hunger strike on the grounds in front of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) in Jakarta. They reject the findings of the official Commission of Investigation into the killing of Theys Hiyo Eluay and are calling on Komnas HAM to set up an independence investigation 
team to investigate the abduction and murder of the chair of the Papuan Presidium Council.

They are also calling on Komnas to set up a Investigation Commission - KPP HAM - to investigate a number of gross violations of human rights in West Papua in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The students have set up a tent in front of which they have unfurled a banner saying: 'Hunger Strike to demand the Solution of Theys Eluay Case and all human rights violations in Papua, in the cause of Justice and Truth'.

A spokesperson for the group said that the hunger strike began on the previous day, Thursday, in front of parliament but they were forced to disperse by the security forces. The students taking part in the action are Hans Gebze, Econ Alexander, Margareth Karuway, Robert Manaku, Methi Ronsumbre, Diana Gwijangge and Vivi Lousana.

The spokesperson said: 'We will continue this hunger strike until Komnas HAM states in writing that it is prepared to take steps to set up an independent investigation team to investigate gross violations of human rights in Papua.' He said the cases they wanted investigated included Mapenduma (1995), the Bloody Biak Tragedy (1998), the Cendrawasih University Tragedy (1998), the Nabire incident (1998), Wamena (2000), Abepura (2000) and Wasior (2001).

As the action was launched, a delegation from the FNPB met Komnas HAM member BN Marbun to present the organisation's demands. Marbun told the delegation that the request would be discussed at the Commission's forthcoming plenary session to be held next month. (mbk)