Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Reply
IDN 4/2014
12/09/2014 Indonesia
JAL
Freedom of
expression;
Human rights
defenders;
Alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of two journalists and an indigenous leader in
West Papua, Indonesia. On 6 August 2014, two French journalists, Mr. Thomas
Dandois and Ms. Valentine Bourrat, interviewed Mr. Areki Wanimbo, a Papuan
indigenous leader, to obtain information regarding the conflict between the Indonesian
security forces and the National Liberation Army of West Papua (Tentara Pembebasan
Nasional Papua Barat, TPNPB). The journalists were accompanied by a Papuan
human rights defender, Mr. Theo Hesegem, and a local interpreter, Mr. Aleksander
Logo. After the interview, police arrested all participants and interrogated them at the
police station. Mr. Logo and two other Papuans, Mr. Deni Dow and Mr. Jornus
Wenda, were released without charges on 7 August 2014. The two journalists and the
indigenous leader remain in detention. Reportedly, the journalists, who were travelling
on a tourist visa, were charged with misuse of their visa under the Immigration Law
and attempted treason under articles 106 and 110 of the Penal Code, for providing
ammunition to members of the TPNPB. Mr. Wanimbo was charged with complicity to
misuse the visa and attempted treason for providing ammunition to the TPNPB, as
well as for collecting donations for a meeting.
THA 10/2014
12/09/2014 Thailand
JUA
Freedom of
expression;
Freedom of
peaceful assembly
and of association;
Human rights
defenders;
Torture;
Alleged defamation complaint against two human rights defenders for their legitimate 15/09/2014
exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and their activities in
monitoring, documenting and reporting on cases of torture and ill-treatment.
According to the information received, on 2 May 2014, Ms. Khongkachonkiet,
Director of Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), and Mr. Homla-or, President of CrCF,
published an open letter calling for an investigation into allegations of torture
reportedly committed by Thai security forces. On 20 May 2014, a criminal complaint
was filed against Ms. Khongkachonkiet and CrCF for defamation of the army. On 24
August 2014, Ms. Khongkachonkiet and Mr. Homla-or received a letter summoning
them to meet with the police. It is alleged that the defamation complaint was filed to
intimidate Ms. Khongkachonkiet and Mr. Homla in relation to CrCF’s activities in
monitoring and documenting cases of torture and ill-treatment, and as a form of
reprisal for CrCF’s cooperation with the United Nations Committee against Torture
during the examination of Thailand’s initial report in May 2014.
A/HRC/28/85
78
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