Papua dan Kasus HAM Berat Disorot Komite PBB

Summary

In a recent session in Geneva, Indonesia faced scrutiny from experts regarding human rights violations in Papua, including torture and extrajudicial killings. The Indonesian delegation denied militarization and highlighted efforts to strengthen autonomy in the region. However, critics argue the government's responses are merely normative, lacking political will for transparency and accountability. Despite ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2005, concerns persist over unresolved past human rights abuses. A coalition of 34 civil society organizations urges the Indonesian government to take meaningful action rather than treat the situation as a mere formality.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Indonesia attended the UN committee sessions on human rights, social, economic, and cultural rights in February and civil and political rights in March.
• 🔍 Experts questioned the violence against Papua's civilian population, which has led to many refugees.
• 🚨 Reports of torture and extrajudicial killings by security forces in Papua and West Papua during 2022 were raised.
• 🇮🇩 The Indonesian delegation denied military presence in Papua and stated the government is funding efforts to strengthen autonomy in the region.
• 📜 The committee highlighted 12 cases of past severe human rights violations that remain unresolved.
• ⚖️ The Indonesian government has established a Human Rights Court for certain historical cases but is still in discussions for handling other violations.
• 😔 Indonesia expressed regret for past human rights violations but has not yet revealed the truth or pursued legal processes.
• 🛡️ The UN Human Rights Committee consists of 18 independent experts monitoring the implementation of international covenants on civil and political rights.
• 📅 Indonesia ratified the covenant into law in 2005, which encompasses 10 rights, including the right to life, association, and freedom of expression.
• 🤝 Civil society organizations present in Geneva criticized Indonesia's responses to past human rights violations as normative and lacking political will to uncover the truth.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Indonesia's attendance at the committee session in Geneva?

Indonesia attended the committee session to address questions regarding human rights violations and the situation of refugees in Papua.

What specific human rights issues were raised by experts during the session?

Experts raised concerns about violence by security forces against civilians in Papua, which contributed to a significant number of refugees.

How did the Indonesian delegation respond to allegations of militarization in Papua?

The Indonesian delegation denied the allegations of militarization and claimed that the government was implementing funding approaches to strengthen autonomy in Papua.

What past human rights violations did the committee highlight?

The committee highlighted twelve cases of serious past human rights violations, which were noted to be unresolved.

What steps has the Indonesian government taken regarding past human rights violations?

The government has created a human rights court for cases such as Tanjung Priok but stated that discussions between the National Commission on Human Rights and the Attorney General's Office regarding other cases are ongoing.

What are the main rights protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

The Covenant protects ten rights, including the right to life, the right to associate, and the freedom of expression.

What was the assessment of civil society organizations regarding Indonesia's response to past human rights violations?

Civil society organizations assessed Indonesia's responses as normative and lacking political will to uncover the truth regarding past violations.

What concerns did the coalition of civil society organizations express before the UN committee meeting?

The coalition expressed concerns about whether the Indonesian government would genuinely address past human rights issues or merely use the situation as a political gimmick.

What year did Indonesia ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

Indonesia ratified the Covenant in 2005, making it part of its national law.

How many independent experts are part of the UN Human Rights Committee?

The UN Human Rights Committee consists of 18 independent experts who oversee the implementation of the Covenant.