Edison Waromi Edison Waromi – Papuans Behind Bars

Edison Waromi, born in 1964, is a lawyer and the Executive President of the West Papua National Authority (Otoritas Nasional Papua Barat), an organisation which campaigns for Papuan independence. Mr Waromi was first arrested in October 2003, in connection with his leadership role in the commemoration of the West Melanesia State’s fourteenth anniversary (see below). On 7 July 2011, he participated in the drafting of the Papuan Peace Declaration, as part of the “Dialog Jakarta-Papua” process advocated by Dr Muridan Widjojo and Dr Neles Tebay.

From 17 to 19 October 2011, the Third Papuan People’s Congress was attended by more than 4,000 Papuan participants, and took place at the Zacheus football field of the Catholic Mission in Padang Bulan, near the provincial capital of Jayapura. The ‘Morning Star’ flag was raised at the event. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), around 2,200 members of the Indonesian military (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI) and the police Mobile Brigades (Brigade Mobil, known locally as ‘Brimob’) were present. At least 100 members of the security forces reportedly surrounded the area with police cars, armoured vehicles, and heavy firearms, whereas the participants were unarmed.

On 19 October 2011, according to the AHRC and the Jakarta Globe, Mr Waromi was elected as the Prime Minister of the newly-declared West Papuan Federal State. At 14:00 local time, Mr Yaboisembut, elected president of the West Papuan Federal State, read out a political declaration about the self-determination of Papuan people. He reportedly said that the objective of the Congress was not to destroy the Republic of Indonesia, but to discuss the basic rights of the indigenous Papuan people.

Following the declaration, the Congress ended and participants began to disperse to return to their homes. Security forces began to fire shots into the air and reportedly used tear gas on the retreating crowd whilst beating participants, resulting in dozens injured. Around 300 persons were arrested and taken into custody in trucks, most of whom were later released. Video footage of the event, obtained by Down to Earth and TAPOL, has confirmed that a large number of shots were fired, and that unarmed Congress participants were beaten.

According to AHRC and the Jakarta Globe, Mr Waromi was arrested with his wife and child, along with four of the other Congress organisers; Forkorus Yaboisembut, August Makbrawen Sananay Kraar, Dominikus Sorabut, and Gat Wenda. On 20 October, Selpius Bobii, Chairman of the Congress, surrendered to the police. Gat Wenda was charged with Emergency Law 12 of 1951 for possession of a sharp weapon. The remaining five men were charged with treason (article 106 of the Indonesian Penal Code), conspiracy (article 110), and public incitement to violence against the authorities (article 160).

Gat Wenda was tried, sentenced to five months imprisonment and then released, as he had already served this time in detenion. Mr Waromi and the other four defendants were tried at the State Court in Abepura over 13 sessions, starting on 30 January 2012. On 16 March 2012, the four men were found guilty and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment – two years less than the five years requested by the Public Prosecutor. The defendants’ legal team and the Public prosecutor both appealed the decision on 4 April and the case was referred to the High Court. On 11 May 2012, the appeal was rejected by the High Court, which decision was again appealed by the defendants’ legal team, who took the case to the Supreme Court. On 24 July 2012, the Supreme Court issued Decision MA No.1029K/PD/2012 rejecting the appeal which had been made on behalf of the five defendants.

2002 Arrest

Before his arrest in 2011, Edison Waromi had already spent much of the last two decades in jail for his political beliefs. As his friend Herman Wanggai has recounted in an internet blog, Mr Waromi was first jailed in 1989 for twelve years, then in 2001 for six months, then again for two years in 2002, before being arrested once again at the Third Papuan Congress.

The 2002 arrest was due to an action to raise the 14-star flag of the West Melanesian State. Edison Waromi was arrested together with Herman Wanggai and Yordan Ick. An article in the Jakarta Post newspaper explains that the event, which took place on 14 December 2002 at the Cenderawasih University Compound, was in commemoration of the fourteenth anniversary of the day when Thom Wanggai (Herman Wanggai’s uncle) proclaimed West Melanesia as an independent state. Edison Waromi and Yordan Ick had both been present that day in 1988; it was the occasion of their first arrest and subsequent imprisonment.

Edison Waromi was charged with treason under articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. Articles in the local Cenderawasih Pos newspaper followed the progress of their trial. One article explains that the three defendants presented demurrers in which they affirmed their belief in the West Melanesian State and presented the whole process of their arrests, detention and trial as a violation of their human rights. Edison Waromi’s demurrer bore the title “Melanesians in a Malay court.”

On 9 October 2003, Edison Waromi and Herman Wanggai were both sentenced to two years in prison, the full amount that the prosecution had demanded. A Cenderawasih Pos article quotes Edison Waromi as he received his sentence as saying “It is not the first time I received a sentence like this, and it proves that the Papuan problem cannot be resolved only by means of law and justice. Just as Nelson Mandela struggled for his country, and as with East Timor, we will keep resisting whatever the risks.”

Sometime after their sentencing, the three men went missing from the Abepura jail. The Cenderawasih Pos reports that Edison Waromi was re-arrested in Abepura on 1 December 2003 and served the rest of his sentence. Herman Wanggai at that time had travelled to Sorong, but it is not clear whether he then returned to prison. Yordan Ick had already served all ofhis 10 month sentence.

Sources

Amnesty International, “Indonesia: release participants of peaceful gathering in Papua,” 20 October 2011,
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/033/2011/en/5eb8e86b-1945-4f87-8ef2-d9c7022e7985/asa210332011en.pdf

Asian Human Rights Commission, “Papuan Peace Declaration,” 12 July 2007,

INDONESIA: Papuan Peace Declaration

Asian Human Rights Commission, “Security forces open fire at the Third Papuan People’s Congress,” 19 October 2011,

INDONESIA: Security forces open fire at Third Papuan People’s Congress

Asian Human Rights Commission, “Troops open fire on Papuan gathering,” 20 October 2011,

INDONESIA: Troops Open Fire On Papuan Gathering

Asian Human Rights Commission, “Indonesia: one person killed, hundreds arrested, and five persons charged with rebellion at the Third Papuan People’s Congress,” 20 October 2011,

INDONESIA: One person killed, hundreds arrested and five persons charged with rebellion at Third Papuan People’s Congress

East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, “Congressman Faleomavaega calls upon government of Indonesia to ensure safe and humane treatment for West Papuans in custody and to work for their release,” 21 October 2011,
http://www.etan.org/news/2011/10faleo.htm

Harian Cenderawasih Pos, “Satu Terpidana “Bintang 14” Ditangkap – Yang Lainnya Sudah Diidentivikasi Keberadaannya,” 2 Desember 2003, http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/Komunitas_Papua/message/1232

Harian Cenderawasih Pos, “Terdakwa ‘Bintang 14’ Dinyatakan terbukti bersalah Dinilai Memenuhi Unsur Dakwaan,” 10 Oktober 2003, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Komunitas_Papua/message/1068

Harian Cenderawasih Pos, “EKSEPSI KASUS MAKAR “BINTANG 14” DOBEL -Para Terdakwa Tolak Isi Dakwaan Jaksa,” 17 Juni 2003, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Komunitas_Papua/message/684

Herman Wanggai, “West Papua. Trial on Monday 30th of January 2012. Where is our Freedom and Justice?,” January 2012 http://hermanwainggai.blogspot.com/2012/01/west-papua-where-is-our-freedom-and.html

Jakarta Globe, “Dozens injured as Papua group declares independence from Indonesia,” 19 October 2011,
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/dozens-injured-as-papua-group-declares-independence-from-indonesia/472697

Jakarta Globe, “At Papuan Congress, a brutal show of force,” 22 October 2011,
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/editorschoice/at-papuan-congress-a-brutal-show-of-force/473327

Jakarta Post, “Two Papuans sentenced to jail for state treason,” 10 October 2003,
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2003/10/10/two-papuans-sentenced-jail-state-treason.html

Jakarta Post, “Police arrest three over seperatist street parade,” 16 December 2002, http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2002/12/16/police-arrest-three-over-separatist-street-parade.html
Nethy Dharma Somba, “Papuan people warned against celebrating independence,” Jakarta Post, 14 December 2004,
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2004/12/14/papuan-people-warned-against-celebrating-independence.html

TAPOL, East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, West Papua Advocacy Team, “Indonesian crackdown on Papuan Congress sparks outrage,” 20 October 2011,
http://www.etan.org/etanpdf/2011-13/TAPOL%20WPAT%20ETAN%20Crackdown%20sparks%20outrage.pdf

Video : Metro TV, Polisi Buru Peserta Kongres Pendirian Negara Papua,» 19 October 2011, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eB_lHvxGdg

Video: West Papua Media, “Edison Waromi during long march to Papuan People’s Congress,” 18 October 2011,

Last updated: 4 January 2013Edison Waromi, lahir ditahun 1964, adalah seorang pengacara dan Executive President Otoritas Nasional Papua Barat, organisasi yang berkampanye untuk kemerdekaan rakyat Papua. Waromi sudah ditangkap beberapa kali dengan tuduhan makar. Pada tanggal 7 Juli 2011, dia ikut berpartisipasi dalam penyusunan Deklarasi Perdamaian Papua, yang merupakan bagian dari “Dialog Jakarta – Papua” yang difasilitasi oleh Dr. Muridan Widjojo dan Dr. Neles Tebay.

Kongres Rakyat Papua ketiga yang diadakan pada tanggal 17 – 19 Oktober 2011 dan dihadiri oleh lebih dari 4,000 peserta ini berlangsung di Lapangan Zakeus milik misi katolik Padang Bulan yang terletak berdekatan dengan Ibukota propinsi, Jayapura. Bendera “Bintang Kejora” dikibarkan dalam acara tersebut. Menurut Komisi HAM Asian (AHRC), sekitar 2,200 anggota TNI dan Brimob (Brigade mobil) berada disekitar lokasi acara. Sedikitnya 100 anggota penjaga keamanan dilaporkan mengelilingi lokasi acara dengan mobil polisi, mobil – mobil berlapis baja dan senjata api, sedangkan peserta acara hadir tanpa bersenjata.

Pada tanggal 19 Oktober 2011, menurut sumber dari Komisi Hak Asasi Asia (AHRC) dan Jakarta Globe, Edison Waromi terpilih menjadi Perdana menteri Negara Federasi Papua Barat yang baru dideklarasikan. Pada pukul 14.00 waktu setempat, Bapak Yaboisembut yang baru terpilih sebagai Presiden Negara Federasi Papua Barat, membacakan deklarasi politik menyatakan mampunya rakyat papua untuk berdiri sendiri. Juga dilaporkan beliau menyatakan bahwa tujuan diadakannya kongress tersebut bukan untuk menghancurkan Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, tetapi untuk membicarakan hak – hak asasi masyarakat pribumi Papua.

Kongress berakhir setelah pendeklarasian tersebut dan para peserta mulai bubar dan kembali ke tempat masing – masing. Aparat keamanan mulai menembakkan senjata api diudara dan dilaporkan menggunakan gas air mata kepada para peserta yang hendak bubar sambil memukuli mereka. Kejadian ini meninggalkan lusinan orang terluka. Dari sekitar 300 peserta ditangkap dan ditahan dengan truk – truk aparat sebagian besar kemudian dibebaskan. Video rekaman acara tersebut, yang diperoleh dari LSM Down to Earth dan TAPOL, memastikan bahwa tidak sedikit tembakan dilepaskan aparat keamanan, dan bahwa para peserta dianiaya.

Menurut Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) dan Jakarta Globe, Bapak Waromi beserta istri dan anaknya dibawa ke penahanan, juga dengan empat anggota lain yang merencanakan kongres tersebut; Forkorus Yaboisembut, August Makbrawen Sananay Kraar, Dominikus Sorabut, dan Gat Wenda. Pada tanggal 20 Oktober, Selpius Bobii, Ketua kongres, menyerahkan diri kepada polisi. Gat Wenda dituduh dengan UU 12/1951 tentang senjata tajam, sedangkan kelima orang lain dituduh telah melakukan tindakan makar (Pasal 106 KUHP), konspirasi (pasal 110 KUHP), dan penghasutan untuk melawan pihak aparat dengan menggunakan kekerasan (Pasal 160 KUHP). Hingga hari ini mereka masih ditahan di Kantor Polisi Jayapura untuk menunggu sidang.

Gat Wenda disidangkan dan dihukum dengan lima bulan dipenjara. Dengan menilai bahwa lima bulan sudah habis sebelum sidang, dia langsung dibebaskan. Sedangkan Waromi dan keempat terdakwa lain menjalani sidang di Pengadilan Negeri Kelas I A Abepura sebanyak 13 kali, dimulai pada tanggal 30 Januari 2012. Pada tanggal 16 Maret 2012, kelima laki-laki diputuskan bersalah makar secara sah dan menyakinkan dengan hukuman penjara selama tiga tahun atau dua tahun lebih rendah dari tuntutan Jaksa Penuntut Umum(JPU). Tim Penasehat hukum dan JPU sama–sama telah menyatakan banding terhadap putusan tersebut pada tanggal 4 April ke Pengadilan Negeri 1 Jayapura dan akan diteruskan kepada Pengadilan Tinggi untuk diperiksa dari fakta–fakta persidangan. Pada tanggal 11 Mei 2012, pengajuan banding kelima tahanan politik ke Pengadilan Tinggi (PT) Jayapura ditolak. Terkait penolakan tersebut, Penasehat Hukum (PH) Forkurus Cs akan mengajukan kasasi ke Mahkamah Agung (MA). Pada 24 Juli 2012, Mahkama Agung melalui Putusan MA No. 1029K/PD/2012 menolak permohonan kasasi dari pada pemohon kasasi/para terdakwa dalam kasus Kongres Rakyat Papua (KRP) III yakni Selpius Bobii, Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Waromi, Dominikus Surabut dan August Magbrawen Sananay Kraar.

Penangkapan sebelumnya

Sebelum penangkapan pada tahun 2011, Waromi sudah menghabiskan dua puluh tahun sebelumnya di balik jeruji atas dasar kepercayaan politiknya. Herman Wanggai, teman Waromi menceritakan dalam blognya, bahwa Waromi dipenjara pertama kali pada tahun 1989 dan divonis 12 tahun. Sesudah itu, pada tahun 2001 dia dipenjara selama enam bulan, lalu pada tahun 2002 dia ditangkap lagi.

Penangkapan pada tahun 2002 terjadi sesudah pengibaran bendera Negara Melanesia Barat. Waromi ditangkap bersama dengan Herman Wanggai dan Yordan Ick. Menurut sebuah artikel di koran Jakarta Post, kegiatan ini berlangsung di Universitas Cenderawasih sebagai peringatan 14 tahun sejak proklamasi Thom Wanggai (paman Herman Wanggai) bahwa Melanesia Barat adalah Negara independen. Edison Waromi dan Yordan Ick hadir pada perayaan itu pada tahun 1988, ketika mereka ditangkap dan dipenjarakan untuk pertama kali.

Waromi dituduh melakukan makar berdasarkan pasal-pasal 106 dan 110 KUHP. Koran lokal Cenderawasih Pos mengikuti proses persidangan mereka. Menurut Cenderawasih Pos, ketiga terdakwa mengajukan eksepsi yang memperkuat keyakinan mereka tentang Negara Melanesia Barat dan menyatakan bahwa proses penangkapan, penahanan dan sidang adalah pelanggaran hak asasi manusia. Eksepsi dari Waromi berjudul “Orang Melanesia di dalam pengadilan Malay.”

Pada 9 Oktober 2003, Waromi sama Wanggai divonis dua tahun di penjara, sesuai dengan tuntutan maksimal dari kejaksaan. Cenderawasih Pos mengutip Edison Waromi pada saat menerima hukuman: “Hukuman ini bukan kali pertama yang saya terima, ini pembuktian bahwa masalah Papua tidak bisa hanya diselesaikan lewat jalur hukum dan peradilan, seperti apa yang diperjuangkan oleh Nelson Mandela bagi bangsanya, Timor Leste, kami akan berjuang terus apapun resikonya.”

Berapa lama kemudian, ketiga orang tersebut hilang dari LP Abepura. Menurut Cenderawasih Pos, Waromi ditangkap kembali di Abepura pada 1 Desember 2003 dan menjalankan sisa hukumannya. Pada waktu itu Herman Wanggai sudah pergi ke Sorong, tapi belum jelas apakah ia dikembalikan ke penjara atau tidak. Yordan Ick sudah menjalankan hukuman selama 10 bulan.

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