The Indonesian government has recently announced the creation of an umbrella organization, the National Antiterrorism Agency (BNPT), to coordinate the actions of the National Police, especially Detachment 88, the Indonesian military, the State Intelligence Agency, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. There are concerns that this new agency-s scope will broaden to target to not just terrorism suspects but "separatist" activists as well, as well as deepen the military-s controversial internal security role.
The National Police have now put Detachment 88 under direct control of the National Police chief, General Bambang Hendarso Danuri. Over the weekend Danuri said -Please understand that our officers, particularly those of Densus 88, have never violated human rights in the course of their duty.-
ETAN was formed in 1991 to advocate for self-determination for occupied East Timor. The U.S.-based organization continues to advocate for democracy, justice and human rights for Timor-Leste and Indonesia. For more information, see ETAN's web site: http://www.etan.org. The West Papua Advocacy Team produces the monthly West Papua Report.
Contact: John M. Miller (ETAN) +1-718-596-7668Ed McWilliams (WPAT) +1-575-648-2078 (after)
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