INDONESIA: Another protester dies amidst the tense situation at Freeport

Dear President of Indonesia,
INDONESIA: Another protester dies amidst the tense situation at Freeport

Name of victim: Leo Wandagau
Names of alleged perpetrators: members of Timika Dictrict Police, Chief of Papua regional police

Date of incident: 10 and 14 October 2011
Place of incident: The entrance gate of the Gorong-gorong company bus transportation terminal, mile 27 checkpoint zone located at Freeport area, West Papua.

I am writing to voice my deep concern about a union protester who died on 15 October 2011 because of a shooting injury inflicted on 10 October 2011, and the repressive approach used to resolve the conflict in Freeport, Timika, West Papua.

Leo Wandagau, a union protester shot in the back on October 10, incident died at his house on October 15 at 2pm. According to Virgo Salossa (senior staff of the Chemical Energy Mining Union-All Indonesia Workers Union/SPKEP-SPSI PT Freeport), the forensic doctor at Timika hospital is not sure what caused Leo's death. The doctor said that the hospital's lack of facilities prevented further investigation. Previously, on October 10, Mimika hospital stated that Mr. Wandegan was healthy and permitted him to go home.

I have learnt that on October 14, Paulus Waterpau, one of the Indonesian police deputies, and the chief of Papua regional police were instructed to disperse union protesters, resulting in the Papua regional police and their subordinates forcing open a blockade in mile 27, Freeport area, West Papua. On the same day, seven PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) union protesters, Gebi Taneloh, Pardianto, Degei, David Mirino, Derek Waitai, Jonotan Iyei, and Hermanus Kogoya, were examined as witnesses by the provost (special military police force in a military unit with tasks of security, military discipline and criminal investigation) of the Timika resort police regarding the shooting incident on 10 October 2011. Furthermore, Hengky Binur, the coordinator of the protesters, continues to be examined regarding the strike since 16 September 2011.

I learnt that on October 18, Godlif Mansnembra, the chief of brigade mobile of North Sulawesi, and one of the police members ordered by the Indonesian police to resolve the conflict in Timika was ordered by the chief of Papua regional police to leave Timika. According to Mr. Mansnembra, the alleged reason for this order was the assumption that Mansnembra was siding with the protesters as he preferred to use a non-violent and open approach to resolve the conflict rather than a repressive or aggressive approach.

I also know that general oversight inspectorate of sector 4 of Indonesian Police (Irwasum wilayah 4) also examined this case, however, until now, there is no further information from the police regarding the investigation.

I am therefore urging you to take immediate action in this case, and to ensure that it is not buried or ignored, as happens to most cases involving PT Freeport Indonesia. An impartial criminal investigation must be conducted by a professional investigation team into police officers who were using lethal ammunition resulting in the death and injury of several workers. An independent investigation team should also subsequently conduct an investigation into the allegation of corruption based on the payments made by the company to the police. All those found guilty must be prosecuted according to the law. Furthermore, all members of the Indonesian police must respect the right of the protesters to strike, and prevent all forms of repression action against them.

I also urge you to ensure that PT Freeport Indonesia takes responsibility for the outcome of the conflict, for which they share responsibility, and ensure that there are no more violations of labour rights.

Yours sincerely,
William Nicholas Gomes