10 Mar 2015

Indonesia criticised by UN over Papua torture

10:09 am on 10 March 2015

The United Nations special rapporteur on torture has criticised the Indonesian government's breakup of demonstrations in West Papua last year, saying it breached international conventions on torture.

West Papuan

West Papuan Photo: AFP

In a report tabled in Geneva overnight, the rapporteur, Juan Mendez, says two student demonstrators, Alfares Kapisa and Yali Wenda were arrested and tortured in Jayapura in April during the violent breakup of a protest.

Jakarta did not respond to communication from the office.

The report says there is substance to the pair's allegations and the Government of Indonesia has failed to protect Mr Kapisa and Mr Wenda from torture and inhuman treatment.