POLICE KILL TWO IN CLASH WITH MOB IN WAMENA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 006392 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2016 TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS KCRM ID SUBJECT: POLICE KILL TWO IN CLASH WITH MOB IN WAMENA JAKARTA 00006392 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Marc L. Desjardins, Poltical Officer. Reason 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Police reportedly fired on an attacking mob of some 200 villagers in Wamena, Papua, killing two persons. The clash occurred on May 17 when police move to arrest David Hubi, a former district chief who faces corruption charges. Police briefly detained over 100 villagers, including women and children, and one source alleged their treatment constituted abuse. The Commission on Human Rights in Papua has not yet decided whether to investigate. Thus far, no groups have accused the police of using improper force to fend off the mob. End Summary. FOUR CIVILIANS SHOT, TWO DEAD -------------- ¶2. (C) On May 17, police in Papua shot and killed two people in a raid to arrest David Hubi, the incumbent regent of Jayawijaya Regency, according to our contacts and press reports. Hubi had evaded repeated summons for trial on corruption charges. Police fired on a crowd of people, killing two and injuring two, after villagers attacked police with traditional weapons such as bows and arrows, knives, and stones. Police reportedly shot two other civilians seriously injuring them. Press accounts note that a total of six persons were injured, including a police officer. Police confiscated 200 arrows, 13 bows, 11 slingshots, 11 spears and an axe. ¶3. (C) Aloysius Renwarin, Chairman of Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (Elsham),told us that the police most likely acted within their authority when they fired shots although the exact chronology of events was unclear. The head of police in Papua, Tommy Trider Jacobus, told the press that that the police acted according to procedure and had met with traditional and religious leaders before attempting Hubi's arrest in the hopes of avoiding such a clash. In media accounts, Jacobus described the shots fired as "warning shots." Amcit missonaries present in Wamena reported that they heard very few shots, not a prolonged barrage, and that the incident did not last long. The rest of Wamena remained calm. HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATION POSSIBLE -------------- ¶4. (C) Albert Rumbekwan, head of the Commission on Human Rights in Papua, told us that they have not decided whether or not to send a team to Wamena to investigate the shooting incidents as human rights violations; however this is under active consideration. Elsham submitted a request for a Komnas Ham investigation into the shootings. ABUSE ALLEGATIONS -------------- ¶5. (C) On May 18, Elsham member in Wamena, Lewis Madai, told us that the police detained over 100 villagers, including women and children, and forced them to sit in the sun in front of the police station for nearly four hours. Grown men allegedly were forced to sit in the sun naked for an hour. Madai told us that the extended time in the sun constituted abuse; however, he did not report any resulting injuries. According to an Elsham report, the police released most people the same day of detention. Madai told us that as of May 18, seven adult men remained in detention. The people detained appear to have members of Hubi's clan or tribal group who, having benefited from patronage, had a vested interest in thwarting his arrest. Two of the men identified by police as instigators of the incident share Hubi's family name. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) The exact circumstances of the May 17 shootings remain unclear. However, thus far, no one (note: Elsham is traditionally among the most eager to accuse the GOI of human rights violations) has blamed the police for using excessive force in shooting the individuals. Hubi's reputation for mismanagement, corruption, and rights abuses, in addition to the confrontation with a violent mob, may have muted human rights groups' criticism of the police action in this case. JAKARTA 00006392 002.2 OF 002 PASCOE