The measures taken to disperse the pro-independence Papuan Peoples’ Congress in Jayapura on Oct. 19 were well within the bounds of regulations governing the use of force, the National Police chief said on Monday.
“Everything was done according to the regulations, and police believed participants had committed an act of subversion during the congress,” National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo said. “We were legally responsible to take action.”
Six people were reported killed and dozens were injured in Jayapura on Oct. 19 after Indonesian security forces fired warning shots to break up the large gathering after participants read aloud a declaration of independence and raised the outlawed separatist flag.
The government has denied firing on the demonstrators, but several witnesses have issued statements to the contrary.
In addition, witnesses say that security forces pistol-whipped or beat those they arrested with rattan canes and batons, resulting in several injuries.
Timur was responding to a statement by Ifdhal Kasim, chairman of the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM), who claimed that security forces had violated the human rights of the congress attendees.
Comr. Gen. Sutarman, the National Police’s chief of detectives, said the officers in Jayapura had only been trying to preserve the unity of the nation.
However, Sutarman said that the police were open to the idea of further coordination with Komnas HAM regarding allegations of human rights violations by security forces.