Indonesia rights body reports torture in Papua

The National Human Rights Commission has submitted to President Yudhoyono a report on its investigations

Indonesia’s top human rights body on Thursday urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take action against “serious” rights violations by security forces in Papua region, the most eastern provinces of Indonesia.

The National Human Rights Commission has submitted to Yudhoyono a report on its investigations, including alleged torture of Papuans by soldiers in Puncak Jaya district last May, its chairman Ifdhal Kasim told AFP.

The footage, posted on YouTube, shows soldiers applying a burning stick to the genitals of an unarmed man and threatening another with a knife as they interrogate them over the location of a weapons cache.

“Our investigations found that the military had committed serious human rights violations and we ask for those responsible to be brought to justice,” Kasim said.

“Military (personnel) carried out torture and cruel and inhuman treatment which demeans Papuans,” he added.

Kasim said the commission was told by high-ranking military officials that an “investigation is under way and a hearing will be held end January”.

Source: AFP