United Nations experts have called for "prompt and impartial investigations" into alleged inhumane treatment and killings of Indigenous Papuans by Indonesian police and military, including using a live snake as an interrogation method.
Earlier this month, Indonesian police admitted officers terrorised a handcuffed Papuan man with a live snake after video of the incident surfaced online. The boy, who is heard screaming throughout the video, had been arrested on February 6 for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.
In response, Jayawijaya police chief Tonny Ananda Swadaya said the two officers had been relocated and would be provided with ethics training.
But five UN experts, including special rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples Victoria Tauli Corpuz and special rapporteur on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Nils Melzer, said the video is just one example of a "culture of impunity".
"This case reflects a widespread pattern of violence, alleged arbitrary arrests and detention as well as methods amounting to torture used by the Indonesian police and military in Papua," the experts said.
"These tactics are often used against Indigenous Papuans and human rights defenders. This latest incident is symptomatic of the deeply entrenched discrimination and racism that Indigenous Papuans face, including by Indonesian military and police."
Last month, human rights lawyer Veronica Koman said the use of a live snake as an interrogation technique breached police policies and several laws.
She added that it was not the first time that snakes were used on Indigenous Papuans.
According to a local non-governmental organisation, increasing tensions between the Indonesian military and separatist rebels in West Papua has led to hundreds of students fleeing the region.
Since Indonesia's annexation of the former Dutch colony and a disputed UN referendum in 1969, thousands of lives have been lost in violence. Indonesia is also regularly criticised for human rights abuses as a small, poorly armed separatist group battles for independence.
"We urge the government to take urgent measures to prevent the excessive use of force by police and military officials involved in law enforcement in Papua. This includes ensuring those, who have committed human rights violations against the Indigenous population of Papua are held to account," the experts said.
