UN panel raps Indonesian police over snake torture

Demands probe into use of serpent to question boy, other cases suggesting 'widespread pattern of violence' against Papuans.

The U.N. has called for a torture inquiry after Indonesian police put a snake on West Papuan youth. (YouTube screengrab)

Jakarta:  The use of a large snake by Indonesian police to frighten a young boy during an interrogation is indicative of a “widespread pattern of violence,” and other abuses committed against Papuans, according to a United Nations panel of experts.

They called for an end to a culture of impunity in dealing with human rights abuses, and for the prosecution of those involved.

The call follows a video circulated earlier this month that showed police wrapping a snake around a handcuffed Papuan youth they were interrogating.

In the video, the young man — arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone — was seen screaming in fear while police officers laughed at him.

The U.N. experts said the case reflected a “widespread pattern of violence, alleged arbitrary arrests, and detention as well as methods amounting to torture.”

“These tactics are often used against indigenous Papuans and human rights defenders,” they said in a statement.

“This latest incident is symptomatic of the deeply entrenched discrimination and racism that indigenous Papuans face."

Prompt and impartial investigations must be carried out to ensure “those, who have committed human rights violations against the indigenous population of Papua are held to account.”

“We are also deeply concerned about what appears to be a culture of impunity and general lack of investigations into allegations of human rights violations in Papua,” the panel said.

Rights activists within the church in Papua, welcomed the call.

Yuliana Langowuyo, deputy director of the Franciscan Commission for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation said the Indonesian government must respond to this call immediately.

The interrogation with the snake was just one of many examples illustrating discriminatory treatment by security officers against Papuans.

“We have called on police and the military to stop such practices but to no avail,” she told ucanews.com.

Father John Djonga, a human rights activist who has worked for 40 years in Papuan villages, said indigenous Papuans said the abuse has gone unabated for many years.

“It does not look like any change will be forthcoming soon,” he said.

Arrmanatha Nasir, spokesman for Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said those responsible for the snake incident would be investigated and punished.

“This was an action committed by individuals and is against the national police's rules and regulations,” he said.

Ahmad Mustofa Kamal, a police spokesman in Papua called the incident highly irregular.

However he denied claims of systematic abuse being committed against Papuans.

“We treat every Papuans fairly and enforce the law fairly,” he claimed.

Source: UCAN