http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/6/10/ngo-receives-report-on-violence-in-abepura-prison/
06/10/07 15:22 NGO receives report on violence in Abepura Prison Jayapura (ANTARA News) - PADMA Indonesia, an advocacy service for justice and peace, has received a written report from inmates at the Abepura penitentiary in Papua province on violence they were suffering in jail. "The report is earmarked for the Papua governor while PADMA as a non-governmental organization (NGO) received a copy of the report," leader of PADMA Indonesia, Dr Norbeth Betan told Antara by phone from Jakarta on Sunday. According to the priest, PADMA would not keep silent after receiving the report as the NGO is committed to offering advocacy for justice and peace to all people regardless of ethnic groups, religions, races and social status. Norbeth admitted various kinds of violence frequently occurred against inmates in the prison but many of them were not known because the penitentiary is located on a remote isle. It was reported that Filep JS Karma who respresented other prisoners had the courage to send a letter telling what had happened in jail to the Papua governor with the copies to the Law and Human Rights Minister, the Papua provincial police chief and NGOs including PADMA Indonesia "We are trying to get information as soon as possible on the violence case at the Abepura penitentiary from different parties especially prisoners. We will also open a representative office in Jayapura soon to enable us to give advocacy for justice and peace there," Norbeth said. Meanwhile, Filep JS Karma expressed hope that Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu would follow up on the letter under the prevailing law. "On June 4, 2007, the inmates at the Abepura penitentiary sent a letter reporting various kinds of violence committed by jailers there to the Papua governor who is expected to take legal measure for the protection of the prisoners` human rights," he said. The inmates called on the governor to protect them from any violence and extortion frequently committed by certain jailers. They also asked the governor and the central government to take actions on the warden of the Abepura penitentiary who was considered irresponsible and unable to control his subordinates so that ill treatments against the inmates occurred in the prison. The letter to the governor was also signed by other prisoners including Gustaf Sineri, Karlos D Patry, Gunawan and C. Ita Rianti. (*) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
