Five Irianese get travel ban

Five Irianese get travel ban

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The National Commission on Human Rights
has protested the Directorate General of Immigration's travel ban
on four Irianese leaders and a journalist.

Banned are Rev. Herman Awom, deputy chairman of the
Evangelical Christian Church Synode in Irian Jaya; Rev. Beny
Giay, head of research and development commission at the
Indonesian Bible Camp Church; Willy Mandowen, a member of central
board of the Geneva-based World Church Council (WCC); Octavianus
Motte, a Kompas daily journalist and Tom Beanal, an Amungme
tribal leader in Timika.

"There is no clear reason to ban these five men from traveling
abroad. The ban constitutes a violation of human rights,"
commission member Albert Hasibuan said.

Both Herman and Benny said they had yet to receive official
explanations on the ban.

"The ban is an expression of intimidation toward the Papuan
people for expressing their aspirations," Tom said. (34/edt)