International Christian Concern
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For Immediate Release

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Violence Against Christians on the Rise in the Wake of Damanik Trial

 

7/15/03 4:58:00 PM) Since the June 16th verdict in the case of Rev. Rinaldy Damanik, a human rights advocate falsely sentenced to three years imprisonment on illegal weapons charges, the situation for Christians in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia is worsening. In addition to threats received by Damanik’s legal team, which has filed an appeal to the Central Sulawesi Hight Court, the following incidences of violence have been reported.

On Thursday, July 10^th, Julius Ledo Pamini, a Torajan Christian man, was shot to death in broad daylight at his plantation, located between Sa'atu and Pinedapa villages. The villagers heard a gunshot, and when they went towards the place from which the sound came, they found Mr. Pamini lying dead on the ground.

Also on July 10th around 10.30pm, a restaurant in Kawua village was destroyed by a bomb. This restaurant belongs to a Christian couple, Mr. Josep Tosabu and Mrs. Tini Alimin. Four people were seriously injured in the bombing and are now in Poso Public hospital. The victims are: Mrs. Tini Alimin, 36 years old, a Christian; Trisno, 46 yrs old, Muslim. He lost his right foot and left hand. Trisno is an internally displaced person from Poso city who sought refuge in Kawua village; Mr. Melky, 43 years old, Christian. He lost his right foot and 3 toes; and a boy named Grafel Decky, Mr. Josep and Mrs. Tini's son. He is badly injured on his right foot.

On Saturday July 12th, at 11.30 am, a Christian policeman named Sergeant Petrian Malenge was shot in Lembomawo village while he was riding a motorcycle with his neighbor. The neighbor was able to escape major injury because she fell from the motorbike and only received a few scratches. Mr. Malenge is assigned to the police station in Tagolu village, near to Lembomawo village where he was shot. According to ICC sources, Mr. Sangele has a great concern for the internally displaced people because he used to help by accompanying Rev. Damanik's group when they evacuated the people.

Tensions are rising in the Poso area after these recent violent incidences. However, there is some hope that the government is beginning to crack down on Islamic militants. On July 9^th four Muslim men were arrested in Central Sulawesi in connection with mysterious sniper shootings dating back to last summer. In addition, nine members of the terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), were arrested in central Java on July 11th. One of those arrested, Pranata Yuda, admitted to the group’s involvement in last year’s Central Sulawesi conflict. Over 20,000 rounds of ammunition, 11 rocket launchers and two M-16s were among the weapons confiscated by police during the capture of the JI terrorists.

International Christian Concern asks the Indonesian government to keep a close eye on recent events in Central Sulawesi and to help restore peace and order through continued efforts to crack down on militants. ICC also calls for the Central Sulawesi High Court to immediately throw out the lower court’s sentence against Rev. Damanik.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness of the problem of persecution in the US Church and is an advocate for the persecuted to the US Government. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 301-989-1708.