Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JAKARTA3101
2007-11-07 11:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
HUMAN RIGHTS -- PRESSING GOI RE DETAINED ACTIVIST
how-toVZCZCXRO0210 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #3101/01 3111104 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 071104Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6968 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 3540 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1518 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1985 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1082 RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003101
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF, EAP/MLS,
INR FOR CHARLIE ZENZIE
NSC FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KISL ID
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS -- PRESSING GOI RE DETAINED ACTIVIST
AND ON TREATMENT OF SECT
REF: A. JAKARTA 03062
B. JAKARTA 3042
C. JAKARTA 3041
D. JAKARTA 3015
E. JAKARTA 2878
F. 06 JAKARTA 13476
JAKARTA 00003101 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003101
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF, EAP/MLS,
INR FOR CHARLIE ZENZIE
NSC FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KISL ID
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS -- PRESSING GOI RE DETAINED ACTIVIST
AND ON TREATMENT OF SECT
REF: A. JAKARTA 03062
B. JAKARTA 3042
C. JAKARTA 3041
D. JAKARTA 3015
E. JAKARTA 2878
F. 06 JAKARTA 13476
JAKARTA 00003101 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission continues to monitor two key human
rights cases. Based on Mission information, a Papuan human
rights activist detained without formal charge since
mid-October remains under detention. In the meantime, a
Muslim sect remains under pressure, with the police placing
more of its members in detention. In a November 7 meeting
with a key government contact, Pol/C expressed continued USG
concern about the two cases. Pol/C also raised the sect's
treatment with a senior official of the influential
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI),stressing the need for
tolerance and religious freedom. END SUMMARY.
ACTIVIST -- STILL DETAINED
2. (C) Based on Mission information, a Papuan human rights
activist detained since October 18 remains in police custody.
On November 2, Iwanggin Sabar Olif was transferred back to
police headquarters in Jayapura, Papua, after spending
several days under investigation at national police
headquarters in Jakarta (refs A, C). The Deputy Police Chief
of Papua told poloff on November 7 that the possible charge
of "defamation against President Yudhoyono" will not be
applied (apparently because the relevant act in the criminal
code was ruled unconstitutional in 2006 -- refs A, F). That
said, Iwanggin remains under suspicion for the crime of
"inciting violence or disruption of public order," according
to the Deputy Police Chief.
3. (C) As of yet, in any case, no formal charges have been
brought, according to Papuan human rights activist Aloysius
Renarwin. By law, that is legal: police have up to 30 days
to detain persons for investigation before bringing formal
charges (ref A). In a November 7 conversation with Gembong
Prijono, a senior advisor to Vice President Kalla, Pol/C
underscored USG concern about the case, urging the GOI to
conclude the investigation and either file a credible charge
or let Iwanggin go free. Prijono said he would look into the
matter.
MUSLIM SECT IN TROUBLE
4. (C) The treatment accorded a small Muslim sect continues
to be in the news. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is
set to decide on the legal status of the sect, which is
called Al-Qiyadah (see background in ref E),this week. An
office under the AGO can issue legally-binding determinations
on the status of religious sects. Unless the AGO takes a
neutral position, prospects for the sect look very negative.
Since November 2, police confirm that they have arrested and
questioned seven members of Al-Qiyadah, while several
followers in Java and South Sumatra say they have renounced
the sect and are returning to "mainstream" (orthodox Sunni)
Islam. The leader of the sect remains in police custody.
Upwards of 20 sect members appear to be under detention, with
some of the sect's property seized or destroyed by Muslim
vigilantes.
5. (C) Mission continues to raise the matter of the sect's
treatment. Pol/C discussed the matter with Prijono of the
VP's office. In addition, in a November 7 meeting with
Ichwan Sam, Secretary General of the influential MUI and a
member of the national legislature, Pol/C underscored U.S.
concern over the matter. Ichwan Sam insisted to Pol/C that
the MUI and other Muslim groups had a right on theological
grounds to condemn the sect. While remarking that the USG
did not have views on theology, Pol/C noted that MUI's
regular edicts decrying the sect's alleged "deviance" may
well have spurred vigilantes to protest and attack Al-Qiyadah
properties (ref B). Pol/C stressed the need for tolerance
and religious freedom. Sam remarked that he appreciated
that, but nonetheless wanted the sect "banned" by the
JAKARTA 00003101 002.2 OF 002
government as soon as possible.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF, EAP/MLS,
INR FOR CHARLIE ZENZIE
NSC FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KISL ID
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS -- PRESSING GOI RE DETAINED ACTIVIST
AND ON TREATMENT OF SECT
REF: A. JAKARTA 03062
B. JAKARTA 3042
C. JAKARTA 3041
D. JAKARTA 3015
E. JAKARTA 2878
F. 06 JAKARTA 13476
JAKARTA 00003101 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission continues to monitor two key human
rights cases. Based on Mission information, a Papuan human
rights activist detained without formal charge since
mid-October remains under detention. In the meantime, a
Muslim sect remains under pressure, with the police placing
more of its members in detention. In a November 7 meeting
with a key government contact, Pol/C expressed continued USG
concern about the two cases. Pol/C also raised the sect's
treatment with a senior official of the influential
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI),stressing the need for
tolerance and religious freedom. END SUMMARY.
ACTIVIST -- STILL DETAINED
2. (C) Based on Mission information, a Papuan human rights
activist detained since October 18 remains in police custody.
On November 2, Iwanggin Sabar Olif was transferred back to
police headquarters in Jayapura, Papua, after spending
several days under investigation at national police
headquarters in Jakarta (refs A, C). The Deputy Police Chief
of Papua told poloff on November 7 that the possible charge
of "defamation against President Yudhoyono" will not be
applied (apparently because the relevant act in the criminal
code was ruled unconstitutional in 2006 -- refs A, F). That
said, Iwanggin remains under suspicion for the crime of
"inciting violence or disruption of public order," according
to the Deputy Police Chief.
3. (C) As of yet, in any case, no formal charges have been
brought, according to Papuan human rights activist Aloysius
Renarwin. By law, that is legal: police have up to 30 days
to detain persons for investigation before bringing formal
charges (ref A). In a November 7 conversation with Gembong
Prijono, a senior advisor to Vice President Kalla, Pol/C
underscored USG concern about the case, urging the GOI to
conclude the investigation and either file a credible charge
or let Iwanggin go free. Prijono said he would look into the
matter.
MUSLIM SECT IN TROUBLE
4. (C) The treatment accorded a small Muslim sect continues
to be in the news. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is
set to decide on the legal status of the sect, which is
called Al-Qiyadah (see background in ref E),this week. An
office under the AGO can issue legally-binding determinations
on the status of religious sects. Unless the AGO takes a
neutral position, prospects for the sect look very negative.
Since November 2, police confirm that they have arrested and
questioned seven members of Al-Qiyadah, while several
followers in Java and South Sumatra say they have renounced
the sect and are returning to "mainstream" (orthodox Sunni)
Islam. The leader of the sect remains in police custody.
Upwards of 20 sect members appear to be under detention, with
some of the sect's property seized or destroyed by Muslim
vigilantes.
5. (C) Mission continues to raise the matter of the sect's
treatment. Pol/C discussed the matter with Prijono of the
VP's office. In addition, in a November 7 meeting with
Ichwan Sam, Secretary General of the influential MUI and a
member of the national legislature, Pol/C underscored U.S.
concern over the matter. Ichwan Sam insisted to Pol/C that
the MUI and other Muslim groups had a right on theological
grounds to condemn the sect. While remarking that the USG
did not have views on theology, Pol/C noted that MUI's
regular edicts decrying the sect's alleged "deviance" may
well have spurred vigilantes to protest and attack Al-Qiyadah
properties (ref B). Pol/C stressed the need for tolerance
and religious freedom. Sam remarked that he appreciated
that, but nonetheless wanted the sect "banned" by the
JAKARTA 00003101 002.2 OF 002
government as soon as possible.
HUME