Human rights defenders tour Europe

Peneas Lokbere is associated with PBHI (Perhimpunan Bantuan dan Hak Asasi Manusia Indonesia) and is coordinator of the Abepura Victims Association (KKA). He is himself a victim of a violent series of events that occurred in Abepura, Papua in 2000.

PBI accompanies Peneas as his work towards getting justice for the victims has resulted in threats on his life.

In February 2007, Peneas, together with Rudolf Kambayong from SKP (Sekretariat Keadilan Papua, the Catholic church's human rights committee) took part in a tour of Europe to raise awareness of his situation and the cases he is working on. His week in the UK was packed with meetings with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords and Foreign Office officials.

Having the opportunity to meet with officials and explain the human rights situation in Papua is extremely important as it is not very often that people get to hear about their particular case, or indeed anything much about this region in Indonesia.

One of the members of our Emergency Support Network; Tom Brake MP, commented that he had never had anybody from Papua visiting and speaking to him about the situation there before.

Tours such as the one that Peneas took part in are a crucial part of the struggle for recognition of their human rights internationally. They have an opportunity, as human rights defenders, to tell their stories and gain support for their cause. Strengthening links between human rights defenders and the international community increases their safety and breaks down isolation and fear.

The School of Oriental and African Studies'(SOAS) Peace and Non-violence Student Society hosted a public meeting where Peneas spoke of his work:

"For more than four years we, the victims of the human rights abuses in Abepura in 2000, have struggled tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice and to have our rights to reparation recognised. The permanent human rights court in Makassar finally gave the verdict against the accused officers in September 2005. Sadly enough the defendants were found not guilty and we continue to be disappointed that impunity has won again in Indonesia."

KKA was set up in order to enable the victims to organise themselves in their fight for justice. The Abepura case is a landmark one in that it was the first case to be brought to the newly formed permanent human rights court in Indonesia. KKA provides human rights education so that the victims can really understand that they do have rights and that they should be fought for. They are struggling for justice and are looking for the help of the international community.

Peneas produced a short video about his case. Copies are available from the office.