ELSHAM (abbreviation of ''Lembaga Studi dan Advokasi Hak Asasi Manusia'', meaning Institute of Human Rights Studies and Advocacy) is a human rights
non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...
based in
Jayapura
Jayapura (formerly Hollandia (1910-1962), Kota Baru (1962-1963), Soekarnopura (1963-1968)) is the capital city, capital and List of Indonesian cities by population, largest city of the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of Papua (provi ...
,
Papua,
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
. ELSHAM is the leading Papuan human rights organization. It was established in 1996 by the Roman Catholic Church, the Jayapura diocese of the
Evangelical Christian Church in West Papua (GKI), and the
Gospel Tabernacle Church of Indonesia (GKII).
ELSHAM leader
John Rumbiak fled to the United States in 2002 following threats by the Indonesian police.
In June 2003 the Indonesian Military Commander, Maj. Gen.
Nurdin Zainal, issued orders for the arrest of:
#
John Rumbiak, Supervisor of ELSHAM
# Yohanis G. Bonay, Director of ELSHAM
# ''
Koran Tempo'', a Jakarta-based daily
# the editor of ''Koran Tempo''
# ''
Suara Karya'', a Jakarta-based daily
# the editor of ''Suara Karya''
upon charges of publishing a story about
TNI (Indonesian military) troops ambushing a bus. The incident in question occurred August 31, 2002 when a bus carrying employees and family from the
Freeport International school was attacked. Three teachers (including two Americans) were killed, 14 others were injured. Local statements and
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
investigations in 2003 attempted to tie the shooting to Papuan rebels, but the connection was unsupported by evidence.
References
External links
Official website
Organizations based in Papua (province)
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