A/HRC/7/10/Add.1 page 28 Indonesia Urgent appeal sent on 2 August 2007 jointly with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders 105. The Special Procedures mandate holders brought to the attention of the Government information they had received regarding Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman who is the President of the Communion of Baptist Churches in West Papua. He is also an active spokesman on the issue of human rights, in particular relating to human rights violations allegedly committed by Indonesian police and military forces in West Papua. On 29 July 2007 at approximately 5.30 p.m., following the Sunday service of the Baptist Church in Jayapura, Rev. Yoman was allegedly subject to threats and intimidation at gunpoint by members of the Indonesian police force (Brimob) and members of the military intelligence service. The policeman holding the gun was reported to have been a member of Abepura local police force whose name is known to the Special Representative and the Special Rapporteur. According to some reports, this behaviour represents part of a campaign to force Rev. Yoman’s resignation from his position as the President of the Communion of Baptist Churches in West Papua. Rev. Yoman is reported stating that military intelligence has infiltrated the Baptist church and are trying to subvert the work of the church in relation to protecting the human rights of the West Papuan people. Response from the Government dated 27 September 2007 106. The Government of Indonesia informed that Rev. Yoman was reportedly threatened at gunpoint by a police officer as he was standing outside the Baptist church in Jayapura. Allegedly, Rev. Yoman had told the officer he should not be at the church, because the Reverend suspected police involvement in disturbing the work of the church with regard to human rights. Furthermore, it was alleged that the officer was a member of the local police in Abepura and that he had the support of the Brimob and the members of the Indonesian military (TNI) intelligence, who were also reported to have been present. 107. The Government decries this incident which is in effect as unusual as it is unacceptable. Furthermore, the Government indicated that the protection of all persons in Indonesia is fundamentally entrenched in article 28(G) subsection 2, Article 28 (I) subsection 2, and other provisions of the 1945 Constitution (and its subsequent amendment) as well as in the norms of the Indonesian legislation. Indonesia as a country supports the endeavours of its numerous civil societies and works equitably with non-governmental organizations to promote human rights from the grassroots level upwards. Indonesia therefore recognizes the efforts of human rights advocates as an important part of the process of human rights protection and promotion. 108. Furthermore, with regard to the allegation that this incident was religiously motivated, the Government wished to point out that it recognizes and respects the freedom of religious belief. This is evident in the provisions of Article 28 E subsections (1) and (2) of the second amendment of the Constitution, which respectively state “Every person shall be free to adhere to his/her respective religion and to worship according to his/her religion” and “Every person shall have the right to the freedom to believe his/her faith and to express his/her views and thoughts, in accordance with his/her conscience”. 109. Indonesia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is, among others, also reflected in its National Plan of Action of 2004-2009 and Article