PBI Public Statement
Peace Brigades International (PBI) has closed its current phase of operations in Indonesia as a result of a series of challenges and constraints during the past year that have severely limited its ability to effectively protect human rights defenders at risk. Our departure means the withdrawal of the last international human rights organisation from Papua after other organisations have had their operations disrupted.
PBI has maintained a presence in Indonesia for over ten years and during this time carried out valuable protection and peace education work with human rights defenders and local NGOs in various parts of the country, including Aceh and Papua. Although we appreciate the cooperation we have received from the Indonesian authorities over the years, we very much regret that it has not been possible to sustain this, with the result that we are no longer able to carry out our programme of protection work.
In making this decision to leave, PBI is aware that human rights defenders may face increased risk. Despite the fact that the Indonesian Government has made progress in the field of human rights over the past twelve years, some of those who defend human rights continue to face threats when carrying out their work, particularly in Papua.
In July 2010, for example, journalist Ardiansyah Matra’is, was found dead near his home in Merauke. The cause of death remains unclear although autopsy results at the time revealed signs of physical abuse.[1] For several months prior to his death, Matra’is had been subjected to sustained intimidation by unknown actors in the form of threatening text messages, anonymous telephone calls and physical intimidation which he believed was a result of his work, which included investigations into corruption, illegal logging and unresolved cases of human rights violations in Papua.
PBI trusts that the Government of Indonesia will fulfil its obligations as signatory and party to a number of international human rights conventions[2] to protect human rights defenders throughout the country, and give full access to Papua to human rights organisations as well as national and international journalists.
PBI remains committed to the well-being of Indonesian human rights defenders and steadfastly supports the continuing efforts of all those in the international community and our colleagues in the human rights movement who work to ensure their safety and protection. We are currently assessing ways of re-establishing effective operations in Indonesia, should circumstances allow.
Background
The Indonesia Project (IP) began work in 1999 at the request of the country’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), with a focus on East Timor (now Timor Leste). In the years that followed, PBI has worked in West Timor (2001), Aceh (2001–08), Jakarta (2001-10) and Papua (2004–10).
Contact
Laura Clarke, PBI International Coordinator, London, UK
laurafclarke(at)peacebrigades.org
Footnotes
1) Following the announcement of the autopsy results, FORUM-ASIA, AJI (Alliance of Independent Journalists) and Imparsial (the Indonesian Human Rights Monitor), concluded that Matra’is had been murdered. Joint Press Statement, 26 August 2010.
2) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (1984); Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989); International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (2006): signed in September 2010 but not yet ratified.