PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE DENIED MEDICAL CARE

URGENT ACTION

Filep Karma is in need of urgent medical care. He has been seriously ill
since August 2009. A recent medical report recommended that he undergo
further treatment in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. However, the prison
authorities have told him they cannot fund his medical treatment
Filep Karma, a 50-year-old prisoner of conscience at Abepura Prison in the
Indonesian province of Papua, has been in prison since December 2004. He
had suffered from health problems before his arrest but the conditions at
the prison and the refusal of the authorities to provide adequate medical
care have exacerbated his conditions.

In August 2009, he had complained of intense pain in the lower abdomen,
difficulty in urinating and testicular swelling. Further medical tests
confirmed that he was suffering from bronchopneumonia, excess fluid in the
lungs, urinary tract infection and various other medical problems. In the
medical report the doctor recommended that he receive further treatment in
Jakarta, but prison authorities have refused to send him due to a lack of
funds. If untreated the conditions could be potentially life threatening.

Amnesty International believes the denial of medical care to Filep Karma
may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Indonesian or your own language calling on
authorities in Indonesia:
Expressing concern at reports that Filep Karma is not receiving adequate
medical care;
Urging the authorities to ensure that Filep Karma receives full and
immediate access to adequate medical care;
Urging the authorities to cover the cost of such treatment in accordance
with the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any
Form of Detention or Imprisonment (Principle 24);
Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Filep Karma as his
imprisonment is related to his right to peaceful demonstration.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 10 JUNE 2010 TO:
Head of Abepura Prison
Anthonius M. Ayorbaba
Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Abepura
Jl. Kesehatan 11
Jayapura
Papua 99351, Indonesia
Fax: +62 96 758 1705
Salutation: Dear Anthonius M. Ayorbaba

Director General of Prisons
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Drs. Untung Sugiyono
Jl. Veteran No. 11
Jakarta Pusat
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 384 1711
Salutation: Dear Director General
COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your
country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after
the above date.

Additional Information
Conditions in Abepura prison are reportedly poor. Bathing for prisoners is
restricted to once or twice a week due to a lack of fresh water. Filep
Karma did receive temporary medical leave from the prison in 2007 in order
to receive hospital treatment.

Former civil servant Filep Karma was among approximately 200 people who
took part in a peaceful ceremony in Abepura, Papua Province on 1 December
2004. In commemoration of the declaration of Papuan independence in 1962,
the Morning Star Flag was raised. Police then advanced on the crowd,
firing warning shots and beating people with batons. Filep Karma was
subsequently arrested. Amnesty International considers him to be a
prisoner of conscience.

During Filep Karma's trial, police responded with extreme force to large
demonstrations that took place outside the courthouse on 10 May 2005. Many
people were injured. A senior police officer was dismissed as a result,
but he did not face criminal charges. There has been no formal inquiry
into the events. Filep Karma was convicted of treason and sentenced on 26
May 2005. He is serving a sentence of 15 years' imprisonment, which was
confirmed by the Supreme Court on 27 October 2005.

West Papua and Papua provinces occupy the western half of the island of
New Guinea. Papua province borders the independent state of Papua New
Guinea. The arrests and detention of people in Papua are part of a larger
crackdown on political activists in areas where there has been a history
of separatist movements including Papua and Maluku. The Indonesian
authorities have reacted strongly towards individuals who have called for
independence. Amnesty International has documented dozens of arrests in
past years of such peaceful political activists. Some were sentenced to
terms of imprisonment for raising the prohibited pro independence ‘Morning
Star’ flag in Papua.

Amnesty International takes no position whatsoever on the political status
of any province of Indonesia, including calls for independence. However
the organization believes that the right to freedom of expression includes
the right to peacefully advocate referendums, independence or other
political solutions.

UA: 100/10 Index: ASA 21/004/2010 Issue Date: 29 April 2010

Posted in: Freedom of Expression,Human Rights,Papuan political prisoner,Prees Release