April 9, 2009

Indonesian Police Shoot Papuan Protesters

"Four tribal Papuans are critically ill in hospital after police opened fire on demonstrators, injuring 11, at a rally on Monday in the West Papuan city of Nabire.

Demonstrators were calling for a boycott of today’s general election and for a referendum on the future of West Papua. They were also celebrating the launch in the US of the group ‘International Lawyers for West Papua’.

News is still emerging, but local people say the police fired shots into the crowd and at passers by. The police deny this, claiming they fired warning shots after an arrow injured one of their officers.

One of the critically injured is said to be a 10-year-old who was shot whilst returning from school. Sources say at least six others who were shot were not taking part in the demonstration. Witnesses spoke of Indonesian intelligence forces hiding in buildings and firing at passers by."

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Survival International

No comments: