23 Jul 2002

Indonesia blocks international phone calls to and from human rights group in Papua

5:40 pm on 23 July 2002

Telecom Indonesia has blocked international calls to and from a human rights group in Papua province.

Telecom Indonesia has declined to say why it has imposed restrictions on the phones at the Els-ham office in Jayapura.

The block applies only to international calls and not to local calls.

Elsham has alleged increased harrassment by pro-Jakarta militia towards human rights activists and volunteers of non-government organisations.

Elsham says the military harrassment is part of a government crackdown on pro-independence supporters.