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Freedom Flotilla contacts say military threats have forced them into hiding Freedom Flotilla contacts say military threats have forced them into hiding
(34 minutes later)
A group of West Papuans involved with the Freedom Flotilla say they are in hiding after receiving threats from the Indonesian military and police.A group of West Papuans involved with the Freedom Flotilla say they are in hiding after receiving threats from the Indonesian military and police.
The flotilla, which sought to raise awareness about human rights abuses in West Papua, had planned to sail from Australia to the Indonesian port of Merauke earlier this month but changed its plans after the Indonesian navy said it would not rule out using lethal force against them in response.The flotilla, which sought to raise awareness about human rights abuses in West Papua, had planned to sail from Australia to the Indonesian port of Merauke earlier this month but changed its plans after the Indonesian navy said it would not rule out using lethal force against them in response.
Instead, a group of West Papuans crossed the Indonesian sea border in a small boat to meet with the Australian and West Papuan activists last week.Instead, a group of West Papuans crossed the Indonesian sea border in a small boat to meet with the Australian and West Papuan activists last week.
Yacob Mechrian Mandabayan, who was a key local contact for the flotilla in Merauke, was on board. He is now in hiding with five others and fears for his life.Yacob Mechrian Mandabayan, who was a key local contact for the flotilla in Merauke, was on board. He is now in hiding with five others and fears for his life.
"I need to inform you about the situation in Merauke – it is not safe," Mandabayan told Guardian Australia from an undisclosed location on Wednesday."I need to inform you about the situation in Merauke – it is not safe," Mandabayan told Guardian Australia from an undisclosed location on Wednesday.
"I and my friends already evacuated and [we're] hiding in a safe place, but cannot stay long.""I and my friends already evacuated and [we're] hiding in a safe place, but cannot stay long."
He said military and police intelligence officers had visited his home to ask about his involvement with the flotilla.He said military and police intelligence officers had visited his home to ask about his involvement with the flotilla.
"The military threatened me," he said, adding that there was "ongoing surveillance around the house at night and during the day"."The military threatened me," he said, adding that there was "ongoing surveillance around the house at night and during the day".
"They are trying to identify [whether] me and other cousins were involved directly with the flotilla or not.""They are trying to identify [whether] me and other cousins were involved directly with the flotilla or not."
He said they came to the house in person on Monday and said the border [with Papua New Guinea] was closed and they would do "sweeping" to find out who was involved in planning a welcoming ceremony for the flotilla, he said. He said they came to the house in person on Monday and said the border [with Papua New Guinea] was closed and they would do "sweeping" to find out who was involved in planning a welcoming ceremony for the flotilla.
Another West Papuan, who was also on board the boat that met with the flotilla, had received late-night phone calls from an anonymous caller threatening him and his family.Another West Papuan, who was also on board the boat that met with the flotilla, had received late-night phone calls from an anonymous caller threatening him and his family.
"Since then we have been on alert and it's just a matter of time [before] they find out about our involvement," Mandabayan said. "We've become refugees in our own country and we ask your help to expose our situation here.""Since then we have been on alert and it's just a matter of time [before] they find out about our involvement," Mandabayan said. "We've become refugees in our own country and we ask your help to expose our situation here."
Freedom Flotilla spokesperson Ronny Kareni, a West Papuan refugee living in Melbourne, told Guardian Australia that he held grave concerns that the local West Papuan participants would be targeted now that international attention around the flotilla had died down.Freedom Flotilla spokesperson Ronny Kareni, a West Papuan refugee living in Melbourne, told Guardian Australia that he held grave concerns that the local West Papuan participants would be targeted now that international attention around the flotilla had died down.
"My concern is that it's just a matter of time before they are identified and there are repercussions," he said."My concern is that it's just a matter of time before they are identified and there are repercussions," he said.
"In Merauke, you can count the Indigenous people on one hand. There are not many of them, so they [the authorities] can identify people easily. The place where they are staying is under constant surveillance.""In Merauke, you can count the Indigenous people on one hand. There are not many of them, so they [the authorities] can identify people easily. The place where they are staying is under constant surveillance."
Kareni feared they would either be arrested or physically attacked if found. "If they don't find them it will be their families [who are arrested or attacked]," he said.Kareni feared they would either be arrested or physically attacked if found. "If they don't find them it will be their families [who are arrested or attacked]," he said.
Guardian Australia is seeking comment from the Indonesian military and police.Guardian Australia is seeking comment from the Indonesian military and police.
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