Jayapura, (23/3) Jubi – Buchtar Tabuni, who is on a Papua police wanted list, asked the international community to provide protection and security for him in accordance with the international humanitarian law.
“Buchtar Tabuni sent this message from his hiding place. He needs international advocacy because he has become the most wanted person by the Police and Indonesian Military for leading a peaceful demonstration to declare a referendum for West Papua. He has been hiding in the jungle of Papua for five months” Victor Yeimo told to Jubi on Sunday (23/3) via a text message.
Yeimo who is a political prisoner in Abepura Prison said Tabuni has moved from from one place to another while on the run and had difficulties in getting food and medicines.
After the peaceful demonstration on 26 November 2013 that led to clashes between the National Committee for West Papua with security forces, the Police Chief of Jayapura City, the Adjunct Commissionaire Senior Alfred Papare asked Tabuni as the person in charge to come to the Police Office to provide information.
“We ask Buchtar Tabuni to come to the Papua Police in order to provide information related to the protest,” Papare said at that time.
One week later police put him on the wanted list for ignoring the summons. (Jubi/Victor Mambor/rom)
