Probe of alleged rights abuses in Timika begins<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A three-member team from the National Commission
\non Human Rights has begun investigating alleged abuses of human
\nrights in Timika, Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
The team of Marzuki Darusman, Clementino Dos Reis Amaral and
\nSoegiri has met with security officials, representatives of
\ncopper company PT Freeport Indonesia and members of the Amungme
\nand Kamoro tribal communities.<\/p>\n
A Timika Roman Catholic priest, Nato Gobay, proposed yesterday
\nthat the team also meet with Jayapura bishop Mgr. H.M.F.
\nMoninghoof, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
The bishop sent a letter to the Commission earlier alleging
\nthat 17 people were killed on Freeport grounds by soldiers
\nassigned to guard the company's plants.<\/p>\n
Freeport has denied accusations that its security personnel
\never participated in the reported clashes, which occurred from
\nlate last year to the beginning of this year.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces said the clashes were between troops and
\nseparatist rebels and caused only one or two casualties. The
\ninitial report was filed by the Australian Council for Overseas
\nAid.<\/p>\n
Moninghoof has also called on the Indonesian Conference of
\nChurch Elders in Jakarta to look into the allegations.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month the Commission received other reports from
\nfive non-governmental organizations that related the clashes to
\nthe villagers' opposition to Freeport's activities.<\/p>\n
Gobay said the Commission is scheduled to visit the villages
\nof Tsinga and Hoya to meet members of the Amungme and Kamoro
\ncommunities.<\/p>\n
Councilor Anthonious Rahail, chairman of the Irian Jaya branch
\nof the Indonesian Democratic Party, hailed the Commission's
\ninvestigation. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/probe-of-alleged-rights-abuses-in-timika-begins-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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