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)