31.5.2006: Kabar Irian: Reverend Yoman spooked by Indonesian security officers
Religieuze Papoea leider lastig gevallen door Indonesische militairen/veiligheidsofficieren.
Het hoofd van de Papoea Baptisten Kerk stelt dat het treiteren van Indonesische veiligheids beambten/militairen hem niet beletten te blijven spreken over mensenrechten problemen in Papua.
Dominee Socratez Sofyan Yoman heeft een lijst van incidenten samengesteld over het afgelopen jaar, waarin hij precies aangeeft wanneer en hoe hij door Indonesische militairen, politie of inlichtingen officieren werd geterroriseerd en geïntimideerd.
Op 16.3. werd zijn auto door de Mobiele Brigade(politie) vernield. Men beschuldigde hem voor het bezit van Molotov cocktails voor steun aan een studenten demonstratie in Jayapura.
Het laatste incident overkwam hem op Jakarta Airport, waar zijn paspoort werd ingenomen.
Het heeft hem echter niet afgeschrikt. “Ik ben niet bang, want ik heb het over rechtvaardigheid en vrede en ik heb het over menselijke waardigheid en mensenrechten.
Ik ben er nog, wel bang ben ik voor mijn 2 zoons, maar of de politie luistert of niet, wij moeten hen onderwijzen over vrede, rechtvaardigheid en de waarheid”
Socratez Sofyan Yoman
Opmerking: Gelet op gebeurtenissen in het nog niet zo lange verleden, waarbij Papoea leiders zo maar van het toneel verdwenen, lijkt het mij nuttig bepaalde zaken op de website vast te leggen.
Socratez Sofyan Yoman is een moedig man, die ook zo maar iets kan overkomen.
Vanuit Australië ontving ik een video band, waarop de dominee verhaalt over excessen door militairen begaan, kerken werden platgebrand en tevens ziet men trainingen in opleidingskampen in Papua waar extremistische moslims worden opgeleid.
Het is dan ook geen wonder dat functionarissen van de UNHCR en buitenlandse verslaggevers de toegang tot Papua wordt geweigerd.
5.6.2006: Sarah Miles: Greens: Indonesië bespioneert Papoea’s
Het hoofd van de Australische inlichtingendienst heeft geweigerd commentaar te geven op beschuldigingen dat de Indonesische inlichtingendienst Papoea’s in Australië laat bespioneren.
Directeur generaal van ASIO, Paul O’Sullivan ontweek vragen over betreffende spionage, die door senator Kerry Nettle, Greens, aan de orde werden gesteld.
Zij claimde dat mensen van de Indonesische inlichtingendienst activisten van de Pro Papua demonstraties in Sydney, Melbourne en Canbarra hadden gefilmd en gefotografeerd.
Zij zelf had een Indonesische agent in Sydney getraceerd. De leider van Greens, Bob Brown, heeft documentatie hierover aan de Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, Alexander Down, doorgegeven.
“Ik denk dat de Australische regering hier iets moet ondernemen en niet moeten toelaten dat buitenlandse agenten Australische burgers monitoren”, aldus senator Kerry Nettle.
De Minister van Justitie, Chris Ellison, stelt: Zaken die veiligheid en inlichtingen betreffen kunnen niet publiekelijk worden besproken.
Een woordvoerder van de Indonesische ambassade in Canberra vertelde van niets te weten.
5.6.2006: Hetze tegen familie , moeders van Papoea vluchtelingen.
See: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/06/341819.html
Er is duidelijk bewijs dat er een hetze gaande is om de mensen betrokken bij het incident van 16 Maart te liquideren.
Op 16 Maart viel de politie een protestdemonstratie aan buiten de Cendrawasih Universiteit, waarbij 3 politieagenten en een agent van de inlichtingendienst werden gedood. Veel studenten en burgers , inclusief een 5 jarig kind raakten gewond en meer dan 70 mensen werden gearresteerd.
Betreffende demonstranten eisten sluiting van de in eigendom zijn Amerikaanse goud en kopermijn, Freeport en men eiste terugtrekking van Indonesische troepen uit Papua.
Een Papoea onafhankelijkheids activist, onlangs in PNG, heeft in een rapport het volgende aan de AWPA doorgeseind: In de afgelopen maanden zijn ’s nachts ca 40 mensen, moeders van vluchtelingen opgepakt en gedurende ¾ dagen geslagen en gemarteld.
Er wordt melding gemaakt van 3 legerkampen in de buurt van Arso en Wendi. Zo’n 2500 troepen in gevechtstenue trainen dagelijks en men heeft tanks en helicopters. De troepen bivakkeren met Jihadisten.
De zogenaamde “ninja “aanvallen worden toegepast en er is sprake van verdwijningen.
Men zoekt dringend steun en onmiddellijke hulp van de UNHCR is noodzakelijk.
Slechts 80 vluchtelingen, die vluchtten na de gebeurtenissen van 16 Maart zijn getraceerd en het lot van 380 vluchtelingen is onzeker, misschien wel dood.
Militairen stroopten de dorpen af waar de vluchtelingen vandaan kwamen.
Er is geen toegang, geen voedsel en de mensen zijn getraumatiseerd.
De correspondent stelt: Wij behoeven een gezamenlijke internationale aanpak om deze stuitende affaires de kop in te drukken.
7.6.2006: De Amerikaanse goud en kopermijn, Freeport McMoRan,in opspraak.
In de afgelopen tijdsperiode is betreffende mijn meermaals in het nieuws gekomen vanwege personeels stakingen en protest demonstraties, waarbij zelfs sluiting van deze mijn werd geëist.
Freeport is de grootste belastingbetaler van Indonesië en wordt geëxploiteerd vanuit voormalig Nederlands Nieuw Guinea, Papua.
Over deze mijn is al heel veel te doen geweest en het “gouden ei” vertoont momenteel allerlei scheurtjes.
Met rapport van 30.12.2005 in hoofdstuk 37 wordt weerlegd dat er gesjoemeld werd met de naleving van de milieuwetgeving en regels met als gevolg dat er grote schade is toegebracht aan het leefmilieu, rivieren, regenwouden. Het lozen van zware metalen als koper, cadmium etc had ook grote gevolgen voor de lokale bevolking.
Al in een vroeg stadium kwam men in conflict met de lokale bevolking in de regio en tegen betaling werden Indonesische militairen ingehuurd om” bepaalde problemen het hoofd te bieden”.
Men heeft zich schuldig gemaakt aan mensenrechten schendingen.
Een land als Noorwegen heeft in November 2005 $ US 355 milj. aan investeringen ingetrokken. Het betrof hier 8 internationale firma’s o.a. voor de levering van wapentuig.
In Januari 2006 werd nog eens $US 500 milj. ingetrokken van 7 multinationals.
Frappant detail is dat Nederland dit jaar 4 korvetten aan Indonesië leverde, maar Nederland is nu eenmaal een “gedoogland”.
Over Freeport hoorde men begin 60”jaren niets, terwijl toen als bekend was dat er in Nieuw Guinea koper en goud viel te winnen.
Amerika zag de kip met de gouden eieren en via een handige deal met Indonesië, het zogenaamde New York Akkoord, liet men Nederland vallen ten gunsten van Indonesië en dit liefst zo snel mogelijk.
Met Indonesië was het kennelijk goed zakendoen!
Op 15.8.1962 was het dan zover
Het management van Freeport was bemand met rijke en invloedrijke Amerikanen, die de afwikkeling zeer zeker hebben beïnvloed. Men heeft de Indonesische regering heel lang in het ongewisse gelaten over de gang van zaken bij het Freeport gebeuren. Ook zou er te weinig belasting zijn afgedragen.
Freeport president James R. Moffet en andere top managers worden nu opgeroepen op een hoorzitting te verschijnen om verantwoording af te leggen voor beschuldigingen die via NGO’s en gemeenschaps groeperingen naar voren zijn gebracht.
Het bolwerk begint nu dan toch te kraken, nu ook Indonesië inziet dat het toenmalige afgesloten contract eigenlijk toch niet zo lucratief uitvalt en de Indonesische regering bezint zich op een andere formule, zodat er nog meer geld naar Jakarta vloeit.
Voor de Papoea’s zijn de kersen zeer zuur. Het is eigenlijk hun land en dit land wordt van zijn natuurlijke rijkdommen beroofd. Om nog maar niet te spreken van de enorme illegale houtkap, gas voorraden etc.
Van de Freeport opbrengsten vloeit slecht 1% naar de Papoea’s, met de wetenschap dat 40% van de Papoea bevolking onder de armoedegrens leeft.
De grieven van de Papoea’s zijn dus zeer terecht, vooral nu de speciale autonomie wet ook maar niet van de grond komt.
De Freeport mijn is de rijkste geologische troef ter wereld en het bezorgt het Freeport concern 97% van het totale inkomen.
Volgens Reuters ontving president Moffet US$ 26 milj.. Dat is 1/5 deel van wat de Indonesische regering ontving.
Er zou nu al 18 biljoen pounds koper en 26 Milj. ounces goud uit de Freeport mijn zijn gehaald, gebaseerd op huidige prijzen zou dat een waarde vertegenwoordigen van US$ 55 biljoen.
Volgens een onderzoeksrapport heeft Freeport nog een reserve van 40 milj. Pounds koper en 44 milj.ounces goud en natuurlijk wil het Amerikaanse bedrijf Freeport dit behouden.
Papoea leiders willen nu een gesprek met de top van Freeport en wel in eigen land en ook Indonesië bezint zich of contractverlenging op de bekende voorwaarden nu niet op de helling moet.
12./6.2006: Kabar Irian – Maire Leadbeater: Ask the Papuans what they want-
Vraag de Papoea’s wat men wil.
Kerkelijke instanties promoten al 4 jaar om Papua een “land of Peace” te laten zijn.
De eenheid moet worden bewaard, het betreft een binnenlandse aangelegenheid.
Wat er de afgelopen 44 jaar is gebeurd, is gebeurd en voor Indonesiërs niet meer bespreekbaar.
Opmerking: Waar heb ik dit vaker gehoord? Jazeker, Hans van Baalen en P.J. Balkenende.
Op betreffende politieke blamage moet men niet teruggrijpen. Wat gebeurd is, is gebeurd!
Dat er een boek verscheen van P.J. Drooglever: “ Een daad van vrije keuze” is immers al erg genoeg.
Nederland had er nog een referendum uitgesleept, maar zoals wij nu weten, werd dat een farce.
12.6.2006: Kabar Irian: Indonesische ambassadeur terug naar Australië.
Een daad die door Jakarta werd gezien als steun voor de Papoea afscheidingsbeweging.
12.6.2006: Australian Green Party: Security treaty with Indonesia should not be signed.
16.6.2006: Radio New Zealand:Watchdog ontdekt verdachte transacties Papua politie.
Het betreft banksaldi, geld, dat van illegale praktijken afkomstig zou zijn.
22.6.2006: Kabar Irian: Zorgen over in Papua gearresteerde mensenrechten advocaat.
Hij werd overgebracht naar Jayapura en opgesloten in een politie gevangenis.
Hij was bezig met mensenrechten onderzoek en humanitair werk.
Rapporten vermelden dat Mr. Wenda ziek is en dringend medische hulp nodig heeft.
Mensenrechten medewerkers kregen geen toegang en maken zich nu zorgen over zijn gezondheidstoestand.
Bashier wordt ervan verdacht de leider te zijn van het terroristen netwerk Jemaah Islamiah.
Inmiddels heeft er een ontmoeting tussen John Howard en Yudhoyono plaatsgevonden.
26.6.2006: The Australian: Indonesische politie “martelde Papoea’s
Men handelt hier uit wraak voor de dood van 4 politie agenten.
De hoorzittingen vinden plaats in een bedreigende sfeer en gevangenen staan bloot aan geweld.
28.6.2006: Kabar Irian: Indonesië ondermijnt Papoea gewoonten/landrechten voor eigen gewin.
29.6.2006: Kabar Irian: Nun indentifies key to understanding West Papua tension.
Non verstrekt opheldering over spanning in West Papua.
5.7.2006: Papua in need of 340 more teachers/ In Papua behoefte aan meer onderwijskrachten.
7.7.2006: Kabar Irian: Nederland steunt ontwikkelingsprogramma met US$ 8 milj.
7.7.2006:Papua shooting suspects want trial in Timika.
Alleen de Minister van Justitie heeft de bevoegdheid dit te doen, zegt advocaat Johnson.
Het gebeuren zou door het Hooggerechtshof zijn bepaald.
13.7.2006: Kabar Irian: Illegale houtkap.
16.7.2006:Drunk policeman killed by incensed residents.
19.7.2006:Kabar Irian: Papoea student pleit voor solidariteit
Zonder steun wordt de strijd heel moeilijk, zelfs na het bereiken van de onafhankelijkheids status.
25.7.2006: Kabar Irian: Tribal war in Mimika / Stammen oorlog in Mimika.
Lees: http://www.suaramerdeka.com/cybernews/harian/0607/23/nas8.htm
25.7.2006: Kabar Irian: West Papuan Guerilla’s Unify at Meeting in PNG.
Lees: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00414.htm
25.7.2006: Special atttention: “Words are Dangerous” – “Woorden zijn gevaarlijk”
Waarom ligt de Papoea kwestie zo gevoelig?
Bovengenoemd verslag geeft weer hoe bedreigend de situatie in Papua voor de Papoea’s zelf moet zijn.
25.7.2006: The Jakarta Post: B. Atururi, W.Irian Jaya’s first governor
Barnabas Suebu Papua’s first governor
28.7.2006: Kabar Irian: President agrees on evaluation of Papua special autonomy
President Yudhoyono heeft er in toegestemd de Papoea speciale autonomie wet 21/2001 te evalueren.
Volgens Agus Alue Alua is het noodzakelijk de wet te evalueren voordat deze wordt herzien.
Als voorbeeld noemt hij artikel 76, waar wordt vermeld, dat bij oprichting van nieuwe provincies
de goedkeuring nodig is van de MRP en DPRD.
Evaluatie is nodig omdat er verschillende zaken zijn die de belangen van de Papoea’s niet dienen.
Nikolaus Ipo Hau is de voorzitter van de OPM revolutionaire Raad.
Men vraagt de internationale gemeenschap betreffende nieuwe organisatie in hun opzet te steunen.
29.7.2006: Kabar Irian: Aantal doden stammenoorlog loopt op tot 10.
Op Maandag werden al 11 Papoea’s, een voor 6 jaar en 10 andere voor 5 jaar veroordeeld.
Lees: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00533.htm
Er is geen vrijheid van meningsuiting en de vele rapporten geven hem gelijk.
2.8.2006: Radio Australië/Pacnews: West Papua wants independence talk at Pacific forum.
Als er niets gebeurd zal de vluchtelingen stroom naar PNG en Australië toenemen.
7.8.2006: Antara news: Four people killed – 4 Papoea’s gedood
Eerder in Juli kwamen bij botsingen al 10 mensen om.
13.8.2006: Radio New Zealand: PNG troops shoot fisherman.
15.8.2006: Kabar Irian: Two conflicting tribes in Mimika reach peace.
15.8.2006: Kabar Irian: Australian PM drops asylum bill (verwerpt asiel wetgeving)
De Australische premier John Howard werd er al van beschuldigd met betreffende wet de Indonesiërs
zou zijn vermoord, wanneer hij naar Papua zou zijn teruggestuurd.
New Zealand ‘not doing enough’ over West Papua
22.8.2006: Kabar Irian: Arrestatiebevel voor Papoea activist
Lees: www.tewahanui.info/news/190806_wpGreenMp.shtml
De overgebleven 8 personen werden met een boete naar Papua teruggestuurd.
No justice under Indonesian rule.
Het gaat hier om aangeklaagden in de Abepura demonstraties van Maart dit jaar.
Een beklaagde, Nelson Rumbiak, werd afgeranseld en mishandeld, terwijl andere beklaagden toekeken.
Men kwam terug van een hoorzitting toen men door politie werd aangevallen.
Lees: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00041.htm
2.9.2006: From correspondents in Jakarta: Weer doden in stammenoorlog, Mimika district.
9 employees werden beschuldigd van nalatigheid.
Munir stierf in de business class room vlak voor hij Amsterdam in September 2004 bereikte.
Een Nederlandse autopsie wees uit dat hij met arsenicum was vergiftigd.
De piloot buiten dienst, Pollycarpus Priyanto deed het gif in zijn drankje en kreeg 14 jaar.
Door zijn werk had Munir zich de haat van inlichtingendienst en leger op zijn hals gehaald.
14.9.2006: The Age – Film crew ready for deportation/ Aust. Filmploeg uitgewezen
Werd de toegang tot Papua geweigerd en worden teruggestuurd.
Lees: http://theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20410807-2702,00.html
Clemens Runawery is de hoofdpersoon in de film: Land of the Morning Star, bij mij in bezit.
21.9.2006: Amnesty International: Indonesia: Resumption of executions/ Hervatting executies
Amnesty International is diep teleurgesteld dat de doodstraf toch werd voltrokken.
Tenminste 90 mensen wachten nog op de doodstraf en voor hun lot moet worden gevreesd.
Ook de EU verzocht de Indonesische regering de doodstraffen te herzien.
21.9.2006: Papua: Papoea gouverneur Barnabas Suebu onderscheiden in PNG.
De onderscheiding werd hem door het volk en de regering van PNG aangeboden.
25.9.2006: The Australian: De 42 uitgeweken Papoea vluchtelingen werden uitgezocht.
Hij heeft zijn kansen uitstekend benut om aan onderdrukking en vervolging in Papua te ontkomen.
De restanten van de politie/leger staat zijn in Papua duidelijk aanwezig.
3.10.2006: AAP: Papuan activist dies in a Sydney hospital (Willem Zonggonau)
Op 20.9.2006 is er op de website melding gemaakt van zijn campagne.
Lees ook: www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20517581-1702,00html
6.10.2006: Kabar Irian: Andi Widjajanto: New doctrine needed to truly reform military/
Nieuw stelsel nodig om werkelijk militaire hervormingen door te voeren.
Wij hebben gedebatteerd over de invulling van burger suprematie en wetten hiertoe aangepast.
6.10.2006: The Jakarta Post :Nethy Dharma Somba: Papuans upbeat on funding plan/
Papoea’s enthousiast over fondsen plan.
Het plan van Suebu behelst in totaal RP 260 biljoen, hetgeen over 2600 kampongs zal worden verdeeld.
Het geld wordt via Bank Papua doorgesluisd.
Dit item is spectaculair, geïsoleerd en moeilijk onder de aandacht van Indonesië te krijgen”.
Williams en Sinnerton kwamen als toerist West Papua binnen en gedroegen zich als toerist.
15.10.2006: The Associated Press: Eis van 20 jaar voor hoofdverdachte in Freeport zaak.
Antonius Wamang hoorde 20 jaar eisen, 3 andere 15 jaar en voor nog 3 mannen werd 8 jaar geëist.
16.10.2006: Watch Indonesia: Dominee doodgeschoten
Hij verlieten een winkel in Pula en werd dodelijk in zijn hoofd getroffen.
De daad is geen toeval. Twee jaar geleden werd ook iemand van dezelfde Kerk vermoord.
17.10.2006: Radio New Zealand Int.: Fiji question politician over Papua comment
AWPA teleurgesteld dat 37ste PIF conferentie zo weinig voor Papoea’s oplevert.
Lees: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0610/S00504.htm
25.10.2006: West Papua – still calling for its freedom / gaat nog steeds voor vrijheid.
Het is de eerste overzeese reis sinds de MRP op 31 Oktober 2005 werd opgericht.
De regering erkent hun tradities en gewoontes.
7.11.2006: Kabar Irian: Antonius Wamang krijgt levenslang.
Wamang wordt gezien als de hoofddader van de Freeport overval van 31.8.2002.
Hadden Indonesische militairen voorkennis van deze overval? Waarom worden verslaggevers gevolgd?
Politie rapporten zijn niet in overeenstemming met militaire rapporten.
Binnenkort gaat Bush bij Yudhoyono op de koffie!
12.11.2006: Jakarta Post- Nethy Dharma Somba: Gus Dur to receive award from Papuans.
De Gus Dur politiek leverde een wezenlijke bijdrage aan de democratie en mensenrechten problematiek.
13.11.2006: Kabar Irian: Plans to raise Papua’s profile.
In het verleden is er veel verkeerd gegaan en Papoea’s werden genegeerd en aan hun lot overgelaten.
“Ook onze achtertuin moet worden geharkt”
27.11.2006: Kabar Irian,Port Moresby: Banned Papua flag flies in PNG
1.12.2006: Kabar Irian: Papua separatists mark “independence day”
7.5.2007:
This is the 36th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This reporting series is produced by the West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua.
The West Papua Advocacy Team is a non-profit organization. Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com
Na een 4daagse staking bij de enorme Freeport goud en koper mijn konden
Papoea werknemers via opmerkelijk vertoon van moed, eendrachtig samenwerken en vreedzaam geweldloze methodes afdwingen, dat aan al hun eisen tegemoet werd gekomen.
Defensie minister Sudarsono was niet in staat inlichtingen te verstrekken over de toestand van Papoea’s in het centrale bergland, die vanwege militaire
operaties van hun woongebied werden verdreven.
Rapporten binnen West Papua geven aan dat de verwijdering van een locale districts leider, die samenwerkte met leger/politie en spanningen veroorzaakte, de verdreven bevolking over de streep zou kunnen trekken om naar hun woongebied terug te keren.
3 Groeperingen protesteerden over het mislukken van de “Speciale Autonomie” en verzochten om V.N. betrokkenheid om
de Papoea fundamentele rechten te waarborgen.
Een 1 mei rechts uitspraak besliste, dat de GKI baas bleef over Synode in Papua, alhoewel de druk
blijft voortduren. Eind april organiseerden Papoea moslims een conferentie en gaven er blijk van meer
met andere geloofsgroepen te willen samenwerken teneinde in hun behoeften in West Papua te voorzien.
David verslaat Goliath in West Papua.
Op 22 april voelde Indonesië een aardschok toen vastbesloten werknemers een onvoorziene overwinning behaalden met een goed
georganiseerde staking bij de grote Freeport Mc Moran mijn, waarbij de productie werd stilgelegd.
Freeport heeft veel kritiek gehad na de tientallen jaren van roofzuchtige praktijken waarbij de locale Amungme en Kamoro Papoea stammen van hun woongebied werden beroofd en er sprake was van mensenrechten schendingen en verwoesting van de leefomgeving.
Maar deze confrontatie was in een opzicht heel bijzonder: Freeport verloor en de Papoea bevolking won.
De stakers kwamen niet onder de indruk van militair/politie machtsvertoon in het Timika gebied tijdens betreffende staking.
Werknemers kregen een verdubbeling van hun basis maandsalaris.
Papoea’s vormen 1/3 deel van de 9000 werknemers.
Weinig Papoea’s behoren tot het management en dit reflecteert het beeld van latent racisme en regerings structuur door geheel West Papua, zoals mensenrechten schendingen, oneerlijke verdeling van de welvaart en de respectloze houding ten opzichte van de Papoea’s vormen dan ook de grootste grieven in de provincie
28 april markeert een grote overwinning voor Papoea werknemers en meer in het algemeen voor de gehele Papoea bevolking.
De behaalde overwinning rechtvaardigt de vreedzame, geweldloze strategie, die de Papoea bevolking voorstaat tegenover de enorme provocaties die men het hoofd moet bieden.
Papoea werknemers hebben hier een overwinning geboekt die men kan vergelijken met andere aardschokken in de wereld op gebied van raciale, sociale en politieke onderdrukking.
B.v. de V.S. in de 1960’s en Zuid Afrika in de 1980’s en 1990’s.
Groeiend ongenoegen over mislukking van de Speciale Autonomie.
Ca. 1000 Papoea’s hielden op 1 mei een 3 uur durende demonstratie in Manokwari.
De demonstranten, georganiseerd door het Jeugd Communicatie Centrum Cenderawasih eisten een V.N. missie naar Papua –
Een herziening van de “Act of Free Choice”-
Door de annexatie bleef ook nog de speciale autonomie achterwege-
Gedurende de demonstratie vloog een vliegtuig laag over de demonstranten met de bedoeling hen te intimideren.
Op 27 april kwam een studenten groep en mensen die zich inzetten voor Papua met een verklaring met dezelfde strekking zoals
verwoord door de Manokwari demonstranten.
De verklaring ging ook over mensenrechten schendingen, het ontbreken van basis behoeften in zorg en opleiding, de groeiende werkloosheid en de corruptie, waarbij fondsen zoals bedoeld met de speciale autonomie, niet vrijkomen.
Ook het opsplitsen van nieuwe provincies zonder raadpleging baart Papoea’s zorgen.
De verklaring eiste een dialoog tussen Papoea’s en Jakarta
Defensie minister Sudarsono blijft antwoord schuldig over vragen betreffende toestand Yamo Papoea’s
Op de conferentie in Washington op 18 april met mensenrechten advocaten was Sudarsono niet in staat informatie te verstrekken over de toestand van Papoea’s die hun woongebied in de Yamo region waren ontvlucht wegens militaire operaties gedurende December 2006/Januari 2007.
Vragen over de terugkeer van de bevolking en of voedsel en medicijnen werden doorgelaten, beantwoordde Sudarsono simple met: Dit was een over reactie in het gedrag van militairen.
Sudarsono ontkent plannen om een extra divisie in Papua te stationeren.
Vragen over de reisbeperking in West Papua door V.N. personeel, journalisten, onderzoekers en zelfs diplomaten bevestigde hij en hij gaf aan dat dit een frequent onderwerp van gesprek was in Jakarta.
“Papua is een issue met een hoog internationaal profiel”
Ontheemde Yamo Papoea’s kunnen misschien terug naar hun woongebied
Een gerespecteerde Papoea in Jayapura vertelde het West Papua mensenrechten team dat de vervanging van de Bupati/burgemeester(region leider) in Puncak Jaya door een Papoea
Wellicht de opgang zou zijn voor de terugkeer van duizenden Yamo bewoners.
De vorige leider, geen Papoea, had samengewerkt met leger/politie om conflicten te genereren.
Papoea pastors vormen nu een team om het gebied binnen te gaan om de bewoners te bewegen terug te keren.
Rechtbank steunt Papoea Kingmi Kerk Synode
Een rechtsuitspraak op 1 mei steunt de controle van synode bezittingen in West Papua van de nieuwe Papoea Synode. De controle lag eerder bij de Indonesische Synode, waarvan de Papoea Synode was afgescheiden.
Papoea moslims congres
Begin April hielden Papoea moslims een 3 daags congres in Jayapura met honderden deelnemers. De Papoea moslim solidariteits beweging leidde de vergadering.
Volgens media berichten richt het congres zich op verbetering van relaties met andere religieuze Papoea organisaties, alsmede publieke, provinciale en locale overheden in Papua.
Men zoekt de dialog met Papoea GKI synode, Baptisten synode, de Wereld Raad van Kerken,
Stamleiders, veiligheidsbeambten etc. om te spreken over hot items, zoals mensenrechten, opleiding, gezondheidszorg, verbetering in economie etc.
In total zijn er 1.150.000 Protestanten, 410000 Katholieken, Hindoe’s en Boedisten minder dan 6000. Een onbekend aantal Papoea’s beleidden het traditionele geloof.
De moslim minderheid verblijft in kustgebieden, vooral in het Westen.
Zowel Christelijke als moslim geestelijke leiders waren tot dusver succesvol in het vermijden van spanningen, maar de toevloed van veel moslim immigranten zorgt voor chronische spanningen.
5.6.2007
From West Papua report June:
Politie verhoogt druk op Papoea Kerk
Volgens een rapport d.d. 16.5.2007 bezette de Indonesische politie midden Mei de Kingmi Kerk
in Jayapura. De Kingmi Kerk keert zich sterk tegen de schending van de mensenrechten .
De meerderheid van de Kingmi leden komen uit het hoogland, daar waar Indonesische militairen
ernstige misdrijven plegen.
De Kingmi Kerk heeft zich onlangs afgescheiden van de GKII(Geraja Kemah Ingil Indonesia) en keerde terug naar hun zelfbestuur status.
De politie heeft de Kingmi Kerk beschuldigt de Papoea onafhankelijkheids beweging te steunen.
Kerkelijke leiders promoten de Papoea’s hun protesten via de weg van de geweldloosheid te sturen en gaan resoluut voor een staakt het vuren en voor ontmanteling van de grote militaire aanwezigheid in Papua.
Politie voertuigen en een waterkanon werden opgesteld bij de Kerk en para militaire politie
bewapend met geweren bezetten het dak van een gebouw en 50 politie agenten namen positie in.
200 leden van de Kingmi Kerk demonstreerden en blokkeerden de weg.
Ds. Benny Giay, hoofd van de Kingmi Kerk, zei bij een vorige politie bezetting van de Kerk:
“De slachtoffers van het Indonesisch optreden zijn leden van deze Kerk. De Kerk heeft het recht
om voor deze mensen op te komen.”
Volgens laatste berichten zou de politie zich hebben teruggetrokken, maar betrokken Papoea
leden en vertegenwoordigers blijven mikpunt en worden nog steeds bedreigd.
26.7.2007
Papua land of peace
Faith-based Network on West Papua online
faithbasednetworkonwestpapua.org
What is ‘Papua, land of peace?’
A land of peace is not merely an area free of violence. It is a social condition, in which the socio-cultural, economic and political problems Papuans face today are resolved without the use of violence. More..
Our work
The faith based network on West Papua supports efforts by the religious leaders in West Papua (Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Christian and Catholic) to create ‘a land of peace’ in Papua by:
- speaking out about injustice and all forms of oppression in Papua;
· preventing all plans and actions that contravene the concept of ‘Papua, land of peace’.
Human rights
Since the downfall of the Suharto regime, Indonesia has improved its human rights standards significantly. However, Indonesia’s easternmost part, still shows a gloomy image. Peaceful protesters are labelled ‘separatists’ and receive heavy sentences, suspects have been tortured into confessions and human rights activist are intimidated. Due to the restricted access to the two provinces, reliable information is scarce. Recently however, an independent expert representing the UN, Ms Hina Jilani, made strong comments on the situation of Human Right Defenders in Papua. More…
Contitutional Court declares “hate sowing” articles unconstitutional
On July 17 Indonesia’s Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional articles 154 and 155 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, commonly known as the “hate sowing” (Haatzai Artikelen) offences. Left over from the Dutch colonial administration, these offences were often used by the government to restrict peaceful criticism of the government. Nowadays, peaceful expressions in support of independence by Papuan activist are sentenced on the basis of these articles. For example, Yusak Pakage and Filep Karma were sentenced in April 2005 to 10 and 15 years in prison respectively for having raised the Papuan independence flag in the province of Papua. Also see articles on our news site.
News on the website
“Indonesian police vows to look into reported Papuan abuses”. National Police chief Gen. Sutanto said in a reaction to a Human Right Watch report on abuses by the Indonesian police and army in the Central Highlands of Papua (Jakarta Post).
“Building a Peaceful Future for West Papua” Interview with Monsignor Alo, bishop of Agats.
“Indonesia improving on human rights, but stronger steps needed” says UN Expert on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Hina Jilani, who especially expresses her concern on the situation of Human Right Defenders in Papua.
“Papuan culture under threat” Al Jazeera article on the disappearance of the distinct Papuan culture with the increasing arrival of migrants from Sulawesi and Java.
“Open letter to president Yudhoyono concerning Colonol Siagan (indicted twice for crimes against humanity in East Timor)” from Papuan and Indonesian Human Rights organisations.
4.8.2007: from report 39:
Papoea mensenrechten activisten maken zich ernstig zorgen over de uitbreiding van door leger gesponsorde milities.
De mensenrechten organisatie IPAHR kwam 26.7 met een verklaring om aandacht te vragen voor de groei van milities onder leiding van een Indonesische kolonel, die is veroordeeld
voor misdaden tegen de menselijkheid.
In de verklaring stond:
“The Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights (IPAHR) is extremely concerned at the increasing activity of pro-Indonesian militias in West Papua. That the regional commander Col. Burhanuddin Siagian has publicly threatened ‘separatists’ in the past few weeks in West Papua is alarming considering that he and other senior military and police are actively meeting with nationalist civilian militias.”
In support of its contentions, IPAHR provided reports from its sources in West Papua that pointed to an increase in meetings by nationalist militia groups throughout West Papua organized by the Indonesian military.
IPAHR noted that pro-Indonesian nationalist and militia groups met on 6 July 2007 at the Military (KOREM 172) Auditorium in Jayapura, West Papua. Col. Siagian, who has been indicted for crimes against humanity in East Timor where he was involved with similar militia groups, reportedly addressed the meeting which was attended by approximately 500 people. IPAHR notes that additional militia meetings followed elsewhere in West Papua over the next three weeks. Siagian recently has made public threats against Papuans pressing for their
political and other rights (see West Papua Report – July and final item in this report).
IPAHR and other human rights organizations have drawn attention to the Indonesian military’s modus operandi in East Timor and elsewhere in the Indonesian archipelago where the it has organized, trained and armed militias
which have been used to terrorize local civilians. These militias have specifically targeted civilians seeking to assert their legitimate rights.
IPAHT concluded its public statement by a warning from its Director, Paula Makabory, who said: “These new reports signal that the Indonesian military and police appear to have started a program to actively promote and support militias across West Papua.”
In addition to these IPAHR concerns, other Papuan sources report military training operations have been launched in populated areas causing apprehension among the local people.
27.8.2007: PBI teams luiden nu noodklok i.v.m . toenemende bedreiging mensenrechten activisten.
PBI (Peace Brigades International) maken zich ernstig zorgen over de veiligheid van Yan Christian Warinussy en Albert Rubekwam en andere leden van mensenrechten organisaties.
Dit naar aanleiding van de VN vertegenwoordigster Hina Jilani aan Papua over mensenrechten.
Mensenrechten activisten worden nu continu bedreigd, geïntimideerd, gevolgd etc.
Men ontvangt sms jes, telefoontjes, er staan auto’s geparkeerd.
Bij politie en legerleiding komen sms’jes binnen met valse ondertekening over plannen om politie/militairen
aan te vallen.
De bedreigingen krijgen een systematisch patroon en mensenrechten activisten worden gehinderd hun werk te doen, terwijl de pressie hun gezondheid aantast.
In rapport 41 wordt zelfs melding gemaakt van kidnapping van kinderen van betreffende activisten.
Meldingen aan politie en legerleiding over deze bedreigingen worden niet serieus behandeld en als bedreiging komt van een militair, geeft de politie
zelfs aan niet te kunnen ingrijpen.
Een mensenrechten activist wordt zo maar ergens van beschuldigd: hij brengt de eenheid van de staat in gevaar, is een collaborateur etc.
Ook Amnesty International en andere mensenrechten organisaties komen met berichten dat de pressie via politie/leger, milities toeneemt en uitwassen weer grotere vormen gaan aannemen.
5.10.2007
Pressure on Human Rights Defenders Continues/Intensifies
Reports from reliable sources in West Papua indicates that pressure on Papuan human rights defenders continues. A September Amnesty International alert raised concern about Johanes Djonga, a human rights activist and church pastor. According to the AI report, a military commander and his men have reportedly threatened to kill Pastor Johanes Djonga for his activism in defense of the human rights. Amnesty International believes his life could be
in danger.
The AI report notes: “The commander of the Army Special Forces (Kopassus) in Waris district, Papua province, Lettu Usman, and the soldiers under his command, allegedly threatened to kill Johanes Djonga and bury him in a 700-meter-deep gorge, on 22 August. They accused him of making false allegations about the situation in Waris district to local and international NGOs, and of being a provokator (provocateur) who was betraying the Indonesian state. A Kopassus military officer has also alleged on 16 September that Johanes Djonga is involved in illegal logging and food business. This appears to arise from Johanes Djonga’s human rights activism: he recently presented a report to the governor of Papua and the military commander in the city of Jayapura, Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, criticizing the actions of the military at the border between Waris and Papua New Guinea.
On September 18, Johanes Djonga reported the death threats to the head of Papua Police. The police commander explained that if the person threatening him was a soldier, there was nothing the police could do to protect him. Johanes Djonga then reported the threats to the Chief of Military Regional Command in Papua province: he reportedly said he would take action, but would sue Johanes Djonga for defamation if his accusations turned out to be false.
In addition to these pressures, during September, members of the human rights community and Alberth Rumbekwan, head of Komnas HAM Papua (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, National Commission for Human Rights), have continued to receive anonymous text messages and telephone calls that insult them or accuse them of supporting the separatist movement. A September 27 article in the Indonesian daily “Kompas” concluded that intimidation of a leading Papuan human rights representative “could tarnish Indonesia’s image.” Specifically, the article asserts that “(t)he terrorization of the Papuan chief
representative of the National Human Rights Commission or Komnas HAM, Albert
Rumbekwan, could have an impact on Indonesia’s image as a member of the United
Nations Human Rights Commission. (Indonesia is also a member of the UN Security Council.) Amnesty International has pressed the matter with President Susilo Bambang Yuhoyono. The intimidation of Rumbekwan began after he met with Hina Jilani, the Special Representative to the United Nations General Secretary.
Yan Christian Warinussy, a prominent international human rights laureate, also has been the target of threats which have prompted international concern and calls for his protecton.
Meanwhile the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (IPAHR) on September 28 reported an incident involving psychological intimidation and abuse of a family member of a prominent West Papuan leader by “unknown persons.” Targeted was the 17 year old daughter of prominent West Papuan Independence leader, Edison Waromi. Ms. Yane Waromi was abducted, sedated and abused over an 18 hour period September 25-26. Ms Yane Waromi provided Human Rights workers with details of an abduction involving a group of 10 “unknown persons” believed to be linked to the Indonesian intelligence service or military. Human Rights workers are viewing the incident as an act of deliberate intimidation by security forces directed at Mr Edison Waromi and other leaders of the West Papuan community. Human Rights workers say that although the incident has been reported to the Police in Jayapura, they appear unwilling to properly investigate the incident.
Edison Waromi, is President of West Papua National Authority, a pro-independence group. In recent months Mr. Waromi is reported to have been sent SMS messages that he is on a black list to be kidnapped and killed.Human Rights workers in West Papua report that since visit of the UN representative Ms Hila Jilani in June and the unsuccessful visit of US congressman Eni Faleomavega in July, there has been an increased intensity of incidents involving threats and intimidation of human rights workers, human rights lawyers, clergy, students, and pro-independence political leaders.
Human rights workers from the most of the regional centers in West Papua describe a deteriorating human rights environment. There are also reports of increased troop numbers in many areas and, from the remote Puncak Jaya region, accounts of further deaths associated with the operations by security forces.
2.11.2007: from report 42: Indonesia fails to cooperate with Human Rights Council and the Security Council
Alhoewel Indonesië lid is van betreffende Raad weigert men mee te werken aan enig onderzoek
UN Official Raps Indonesia For Blocking Access to Investigate Extrajudicial Killings
UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings Philip Alston has expressed frustration over the lack of response from Indonesia among other countries who have refused to answer questions about charges of extrajudicial killings. Indonesia has refused his repeated requests for access in order to explore the charges. Alston noted to international media on October 28 that Indonesia and several other states “are failing the basic test of accountability.” He added that, “if a country has problems of extrajudicial executions and doesn’t let (me) in, that should be of concern to the General Assembly and Human Rights Council…” Indonesia is a member of the Human Rights Council and of the Security Council and in November will assume the presidency of the latter body. Alston noted that Indonesia’s failure to cooperate with his office in this regard was “especially serious for (a) Human Rights Council member … because the council members are supposed to have said, ‘We promise to cooperate fully with the council’ as part of being elected.”
Indonesian and international human rights organizations have accused Indonesia of extrajudicial killings in recent decades. While most of the killings transpired during the Suharto dictatorship, the accused perpetrators, usually Indonesian security and intelligence personnel, continued to enjoy impunity from prosecution under “democratic” regimes, including that of current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Many of these extrajudicial killings, as acknowledged by the US State Department’s annual human rights reporting have been committed in West Papua.
West Papuan Human Rights Organizations Uniformly Note Growing Pressure
Kontras Papua (The Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence) and the Catholic Church’s Office for Justice and Peace, among others have noted to counterparts an increased atmosphere of fear and suspicion, notably in the Jayapura and Timika areas. Tensions are also high in Wamena. Much of this relates to unconfirmed reports of killings , kidnappings and poisoning. Human rights defenders have also been the target of threatening and provocative anonymous text messages. The head of the Papuan branch of the National Human Rights Commission has been the victim of such threats for several months and has also faced physical intimidation.
This October updating reflects a continuous and some claim growing atmosphere of intimidation focused on human rights advocates. The latest surge in intimidation appears to have begun immediately following the visit of the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative Hina Jilani who met with many of those now facing the most serious pressure.
2.1.2008: from report 44: Bezoek V.N. afgevaardigden, congreslid Eni Faleomavaega.
Betreffend congreslid op bezoek aan Papua had stevige kritiek op het Indonesisch leger (TNI) naar aanleiding van de strenge beperkingen die hem werden opgelegd.
In zijn brief gericht aan president Yudhoyono beschreef hij de intimidatie, de schendingen, onderdrukking van
de Papoea’s. Zijn toegang aanvraag van 5 dagen werd verkort naar 2 uur.
In Biak sprak hij met gouverneur Barnabas Suebu, terwijl Papoea leider Tom Beanal in die tijd gevangen werd gehouden. Toegestroomde Papoea’s kregen te maken met een militaire barricade en kregen niet de kans de V.N.
afgevaardigden te ontmoeten.
In Manokwari hetzelfde tafereel, terwijl de militaire leiding te verstaan gaf, dat men niet welkom was.
3.5.2008: From WPAT report 48: Veiligheids troepen verhinderden Papoea studenten demostraties.
Demonstranten worden als gewone criminelen behandeld.
9.5.2008: Watch Indonesia: A long journey toward democracy
Op 21 mei 1998 werd Suharto gedwongen terug te treden als president.
Zijn opvolger Habibie kondigde verkiezingen aan. Sindsdien volgden Wahid, Sukarnoputri en de huidige Indonesische president werd in 2004 door het volk gekozen.
Indonesië heeft wel de internationale standaards voor mensenrechten aangenomen – de pers geniet persvrijheid, maar tegen deze vrijheid staan ook min punten.
Radicale moslim groeperingen krijgen veel volgelingen, zeker in onzekere tijden.
De enorme armoede, corruptie, zwakke politieke partijen zorgen voor veel problemen, zegt de Duitse Jezuiten priester Franz Magnis- Suseno.
Hij leeft al langer dan 40 jaar in Indonesië en tuft op zijn Vespa door de straten van Jakarta
op weg naar de Driyakarya Universiteit, waar hij filosofie doceert.
De economie maakt wel vorderingen maar ca. de helft van de bevolking left van $2 = 1,30 Euro per dag. Te veel mensen voelen zich achtergesteld en te weinig mensen komen op voor democratische doelen, rechten, geen hulp voor arme boeren en het gevaar bestaat dat de democratie zijn legimiteit verliest.
Al er geen verandering optreedt, wordt het een grote desillusie.
Veel Indonesiërs verlangen al naar de tijd onder Suharto: genoeg voedsel, opleiding goedkoop.
De enorme corruptie verhindert veranderingen in het zieke rechtssysteem en de oude elite
teert nog steeds op de vroegere macht en hebben nog steeds de connecties.
De democratische geest is er niet en sociale rechtvaardigheid ontbreekt.
Achter de Koulissen gebeurt te veel wat het daglicht niet kan verdragen.
De militaire dictator Suharto kwam nooit voor het gerecht en werd nooit ter verantwoording geroepen voor de miljarden die hij gedurende zijn 32 jarig ambtstermijn
voor zichzelf en familie kon wegsluizen.
De grootste fout is dat Suharto nooit is vervolgd, zegt Usman Hamid, voorzitter van mensenrechten organisatie Kontras.
Het was een speerpunt, maar het glipte uit onze handen. Suharto kreeg zelfs een staatsbegrafenis.
Er is meer openheid, maar het land moet een keer schoon schip maken met het verleden en zaken willen oplossen.
Zijn goede vriend en voorganger bij Kontras, Munir Said Thalib werd in 2004 vergiftigd met arsenicum en kreeg de Nobel prijs en een heleboel vijanden.
De inlichtingendienst(BIN) had de hand hierin en ook dit onderzoek verloopt heel moeizaam.
2.6.2008 from report 49:
Indonesian troops have begun sweep operations targeting villages in the Papuan central highlands in search of clothing or paraphernalia which bear what the government considers separatist symbols.
Indonesische troepen zijn zoek operaties begonnen in het centrale bergland, op zoek naar kledingstukken, persoonlijke bezittingen, die zelfs maar de schijn wekken van separatistische symbolen, bedoelingen.
Papuan religious leaders visited the US in May to describe to US officials, US religious leaders and others ongoing human rights abuse and environmental devastation in West Papua.
In mei bezochten Papoea religieuze leiders de V.S. om V.N. functionarissen, geestelijke leiders en andere geïnteresseerden in te lichten over de voortgaande mensenrechten schendingen en verwoesting van de natuurlijke rijkdommen.
10.6.2008: Human Rights Council
Continuation of Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review for Report on Indonesia
HESTI ARMIWULAN, of Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), welcomed the conclusions in the report, but noted that the question on the role of the Commission and its independence was not sufficiently addressed. The Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had observed the insufficient impartiality and independence of the Commission. It was regretted that the issue on the protection of religious minorities had not been properly responded to by the Indonesian delegation. Further efforts to combat impunity should be undertaken.
AMR ROSHDY HASSAN (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the African Group, said the African Group welcomed the participation of civil society in the Universal Periodic Review. The discussion or comments made should be made only on the outcome. The African Group supported the ruling of the Chair and that interventions should focus on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review. Paragraph 30 was as essential as paragraph 31 and neither could be read or viewed without the other. Comments made out of the aforementioned parameter should not be published in text or on the Internet.
MICHAEL MUTZNER, of Franciscans International, in a joint statement with Dominicans for Justice and Peace; et Pax Romana, said questions about West Papua, which were in the adopted report after changes were made to the original report and were raised by various Member States, remained unanswered. Franciscans International encouraged the Government to extend invitations to all United Nations Special Procedures, especially concerning West Papua. It called on the Government of Indonesia to not delay any further the adoption of a definition of torture in the Criminal Code, in accordance with the Convention against Torture. The Government should urgently ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. The Government must in accordance with its international organizations prosecute those responsible for gross violations on human rights in Timor Leste.
Duitse krant bericht over vermoorde Indonesische mensenrechten activist Munir
Frankfurter Rundschau, 21.6.08
Ex-Agent verhaftet
Indonesiens Polizei meldet Erfolg im Fall Munir
VON MORITZ KLEINE-BROCKHOFF
Jakarta. Knapp vier Jahre nach dem Giftmord am Menschenrechtler Munir
Thalib hat Indonesiens Polizei am Donnerstagabend den damaligen
Vizedirektor des nationalen Geheimdienstes BIN als mutmaßlichen
Drahtzieher verhaftet. Muchdi Purwopranjono, ein ehemaliger
Armee-General, soll wegen vorsätzlichen Mordes angeklagt werden. Er
könnte bei einem Schuldspruch vor Gerichtmit dem Tod bestraft werden.
Der Jurist Munir, Träger des alternativen Nobelpreises, war im September
2004 während eines Fluges nach Amsterdam an einer Arsen-Vergiftung
gestorben. Richter sahen es als erwiesen an, dass ein Pilot der
staatlichen Fluglinie Garuda ein Getränk mit Arsen versah und Munir
reichte. Der Pilot wurde wegen Mordes zu 20 Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt.
Ermittlungen wiesen darauf hin, dass er auch für den Geheimdienst
arbeitete und 2004 insgesamt 41 Mal mit BIN-Vize Muchdi telefonierte.
Ein anderer Geheimdienst-Mitarbeiter sagte aus, dass er dem Piloten im
Auftrag von Muchdi umgerechnet 900 Euro gegeben habe.
Munir hatte bis zu seinem Tod Menschenrechtsverletzungen untersucht.
Seine Heimat Indonesien war bis 1998 von Militärs regiert worden und ist
seitdem demokratisch. Munirs Recherchen trugen dazu bei, dass zwei
Armee-Generäle, Muchdi und Hendropriyono, ihre Posten verloren. Munir
berichtete, dass Hendropriyono für ein Massaker mit 246 Toten und Muchdi
mit für das Verschwinden von 14 Demokratie-Aktivisten verantwortlich
seien. Nach dem Ausscheiden aus dem Militär wurde Hendropriyono
Geheimdienstchef und Muchdi ein Stellvertreter. Die beiden mittlerweile
pensionierten Männer gerieten nach dem Giftmord in Verdacht. “Weder ich
noch BIN haben etwas mit Munirs Mord zu tun”, sagte Muchdi.
Hendropriyono äußerte sich ähnlich: “Ich habe nie Anweisung gegeben, ihn
zu töten.”
Indonesiens aktive und pensionierte Generäle sind trotz Demokratisierung
weiterhin mächtig, sie galten bislang als weitgehend unantastbar. Die
Verhaftung des Ex-Generals Muchdi gilt als Sensation. “Die Festnahme ist
ein wichtiger Schritt auf dem Weg, die Kultur der Straflosigkeit zu
beenden”, lobte Munirs Witwe Suciwati. Anfang der Woche forderte sie
indirekt auch die Verhaftung Hendropriyonos : “Falls die Polizei Muchdi
als Drahtzieher nennt, glaube ich das nicht. Es gibt eine Person, die
zur Verantwortung gezogen werden sollte.” Allerdings sind keine Indizien
bekannt, die Hendropriyono in dem Mordfall belasten.
—
***********************************************************************
Watch Indonesia! e.V.
Arbeitsgruppe für Demokratie, Menschenrechte
2.7.2008:
SUMMARY:
*The West Papua Advocacy Team announces creation of the “John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award” and that the first winner of this annual award is legendary human rights defender Carmel Budiardjo, founder of TAPOL.
*Chronic Public Health Emergencies in West Papua Belie Claims of Special Autonomy Success.
*We Mark The Tenth Anniversary of The Biak Massacre with Personal Accounts by Two WPAT Members.
*Government Plans for Massive Highway Project Threatens Papuan Forests and Papuans Themselves.
*International Crisis Group Report Looks at Prospects of Communal Violence But in Recommendations Fails to Call for Justice and An End to Impunity for Security Forces.
1)Carmel Budiardjo wint de eerste “John Rumbiak” mensenrechten prijs
De WPAT komt met een speciale John Rumbiak prijs, die jaarlijks, te beginnen in 2008, zal worden uitgereikt aan diegene of organisatie, die het meest heeft bijgedragen aan de bescherming van de mensenrechten in Papua.
Betreffende prijs eert hiermee John Rumbiak, een Papoea mensenrechten advocaat, die in 2005 door een beroerte werd getroffen en die voor ging in de strijd tegen mensenrechten schennis.
Hij was de oprichter en voorzitter van Elsham, een Papoea mensenrechten organisatie.
De 2008 prijs is nu dus uitgereikt aan Carmel Budiardjo, de oprichtster van Tapol, een Indonesische organisatie.
Zij zette zich decennia in voor Indonesië, in het bijzonder voor Papua.
2) Het uitbreken van allerlei ziektes onderstrepen het falen van “speciale autonomie”
De media en mensenrechten rapporten wijzen op het uitbreken van allerlei ziektes in verschillende delen van Papua.
Begin juni schreef Paula Makabori( WPAT) al naar de Wereldgezondheids Organisatie en de internationale gemeenschap om de aandacht te vestigen voor de verspreiding van besmette bacteriën in het Paniai en Nabire gebied.
De ziekte, misschien cholera, kostte meer dan 66 Papoea’s het leven.
Zij verzocht om onderzoek en meldde dat de basis gezondheids zorg hier ontbrak.
In Mimika stierven 14 mensen aan diaree.
De Australische AWPA(Sydney) berichtte dat 76 mensen stierven in het district Kammu.
Artikel 25 van de Universele Verklaring van de Rechten van de Mens vermeldt, dat iedereen recht heeft op basiszorg, voedsel, onderdak , medische zorg en diensten.
3) Een bloedige verjaardag ( Biak massacre 1998 )
Juli 2008 markeert de 10e verjaardag van het Biak bloedbad in 1998.
Ca 100/ 139 Papoea’s werden 2 marine schepen opgedreven en afgeslacht, andere werden bij de watertoren ter plekke doodgeschoten.
2 Leden van WPAT, de een indertijd student en de ander een diplomaat bezochten Biak
tijdens het incident.
De diplomaat mocht Biak niet bezoeken, maar tijdens een laadstop van het schip op weg naar Jayapura, ging hij van boord.
Hij trof een diep getraumatiseerde Biak gemeenschap en enkele waren bereid met de V.S.
diplomaat te spreken en getuigden dat lichamen van slachtoffers in militaire voertuigen werden gegooid en dichtbij de kustlijn werden begraven, waarbij geen poging werd ondernomen om lijken te identificeren.
De lokatie van het bloedbad werd haastig schoongemaakt en hersteld van sporen.
Een tip van een Biak inwoner deed de diplomaat besluiten de watertoren te onderzoeken en hij kreeg kogel inslagen te zien, waaruit bleek dat men niet over de hoofden of op voeten van Papoea’s had geschoten. Het was pure moord!
Ondanks een periode van democratische vorderingen in Indonesië, is niemand van het Indonesisch leger/politie vervolgd voor deze misdaad, onderdeel van genocide.
Een uittreksel van een verslag van een WPAT lid, Eben Kirksey, die gedurende het bloedbad in Biak was, volgt hieronder:
Elke morgen brachten wij voedsel en water naar de demonstranten, vertelt een van de overlevenden. Zij vertelde over de eerste momenten van de aanval.
Wij liepen met voedsel en die morgen zagen wij verschillende leger trucks naderen.
Zij maanden ons te stoppen, maar toen wij zagen dat het militairen waren en begonnen te rennen.
Zij begonnen ons te beschieten en wij schreeuwden: “De vijand is hier”.
Toen de aanval begon, maakte Filep Karma, leider van de demonstranten en nu een Amnesty International “Prisoner of Conscience”, zijn volgelingen, allemaal ongewapende burgers, wakker met een lied.
Zij hielden hun armen omhoog, zittend in een kring onder de watertoren, waar de vlag wapperde.
Zij werden neergemaaid toen zij zongen.
Een andere getuige verklaart: Militairen, Brimob oproer politie en soldaten vormden de letter U en schoten herhaaldelijk.
29 mensen stierven in de eerste aanval.
Ik zag 2 schepen naderen vanaf het hotel waar ik stond.
Een onderzoeksteam concludeerde dat ca 139 mensen op 2 fregatten werden gedreven en in 2 richtingen wegvoeren. Het bloedbad begon!
Een vrouw, die ternauwernood ontsnapte aan deze orgie vertelde: Militairen namen mij aan boord van een marineschip, het nummer was 534 AL.
Verschillende vrienden waren aan boord. Men sloeg ons en sommige waren al dood.
Naast mij werden vrouwen verkracht.
Een soldaat van Toraja, redde mij en zei mij te springen. Het schip was nog dicht bij de kust.
Ik sprong van de achterkant en zwom terug, waar ik een veilig plaats vond en hield mij verborgen van 08.00 tot 20.20 s’avonds.
Verschillende lichamen spoelden op de Biak kust. Indonesische functionarissen verklaarden dat dit slachtoffers waren van een aardbeving die de kust 600 km verder in de buurt van PNG trof op 17 juli 1998.
De officiële verklaring dekt echter niet de feiten!
4 lichamen spoelden aan op 10 juli. Dit was 4 dagen nadat de politie het vuur opende op de demonstranten en een week voor dat de aardbeving kwam.
Sommige lijken misten hoofd, handen of genitaliën. Een lichaam had de Morning Star vlag
op zijn borst geschilderd en het lichaam van een kind lag nog in de armen van de omgekomen moeder.
De lichamen van mensen die onder de watertoren werden neergeschoten werden in een kleine vrachtwagen gehesen. Sommige waren nog niet dood.
Verschillende ooggetuigen vertelden dat de vrachtwagen geladen was met lichamen.
Men telde 15 lichamen bij de eerste rit, 17 lichamen bij de tweede.
Mensenrechten onderzoekrs konden niet vaststellen wat er gebeurde met de dode en gewonde mensen die met deze truck werden getransporteerd.
Filep Karma vertelde over een massagraf, maar forensisch onderzoek bleef tot dusver achterwege.
Elsham Papua produceerde een 19 pagina’s tellend rapport over het bloedbad getiteld:
“Names without graves, graves without names”
Betreffend rapport verzocht om internationaal onderzoek.
Luguber, maar een saillant detail: In 2003 op bezoek in Biak vond ik nog een kogel
op het strand vlak bij een hotel.
4) Eind juni berichtte Agence France dat de geplande Indonesische snelweg met lengte 1650 km door de rimboe van Papua op hevige weerstand stuitte van Papua NGO’s en Greenpeace.
NGO’s geven aan dat Papoea’s niet werden gekend in de plannen.
Men vreest verwoesting van hun levensomstandigheden, snellere ontbossing en de aanleg van palmolie plantaties. (Zie gebeuren in Kalimantan)
5) International Crisis Group Asian voorspelt spanningen in Papua.
Conflicten tussen moslims en Christelijke gemeenschappen nemen toe.
In 2007 waren er conflicten in Manokwari en Kaimana.
Moslims steunen de centrale regering en Papoea’s vinden de autonomie niet ver genoeg gaan.
Zie: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5485&=1
28.7.2008: Watch Indonesia: John Mc Beth : Activist’s widow presses for justice
Activisten weduwe vecht voor rechtvaardigheid:
In een eenvoudige kleurige blouse en zwarte rok, strak gezicht en vrij van make-up treedt de opmerkelijke weduwe van de vermoorde mensenrechten activist Munir Said Thalib vreedzaam naar buiten.
Bijna 4 jaar geleden stierf haar man, vergiftigd in een Garuda vliegtuig op weg naar Amsterdam.
Mevr. Suciwati, 40 jaar, besteedt al haar energie om de rechtszaak van haar man te winnen en op te komen voor andere slachtoffers van niet behandelde misdaden.
Het heeft een zware wissel op haar en haar 2 jonge kinderen getrokken maar desondanks praat zij ongebroken over de laatste ontwikkelingen.
Mevr. Suciwati is aangenaam verrast wanneer een hoge functionaris van de BIN(inlichtingen dienst),
Muchdi Purwopranjono, 59 jaar, wordt gearresteerd.
Als bewijs heeft men de opgenomen telefoongesprekken tussen hem en de dader, piloot Pollycarpus Priyanto.
Purwopranjono wordt gezien als het brein van de gifmoord.
2.9.2008: From WPAT report 52:
Summary:
* 40 Members of US Congress Force Look at Justice in West Papua in the Cases of AI Prisoners of Conscience Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage
* New Report Reveals Evidence of TNI Role in 2002 Murder of U.S. and Indonesian Civilians and US Government Cover-up
* Indicted War Criminal Removed from Post in West Papua … and Promoted
* Police Killing of Peaceful Papuan Protester Draws International Protest and Calls for Investigation
* Human Rights Victims’ Families in West Papua Meet to Discuss Absence of Justice
* Papuan Tribal Chief to Sue Freeport over Environmental Pollution
* US Court Action Regarding Exxon-Mobil Collusion with TNI Could Expose Freeport to Court Action in U.S.
* UK Environmental Justice Urges UK Government to Press for Ecological Justice and Human Rights Protection in West Papua
* Local Papuan Community Points to Central Government’s Violation of “Special Autonomy” in Awarding Mining Contracts
End summary
Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director. “This incident highlights the heavy hand with which Indonesian authorities use in dealing with the people of Papua.”
AI placed the incident in the context of a “deteriorating human rights situation (in West Papua) over the past few years quoting that:
“The indigenous population, ethnically distinct from other parts of Indonesia, has increasingly questioned the Indonesian government’s policies regarding Papua’s natural resources and the migration of non-Papuans into the area. The Indonesian government maintains a heavy police and military presence, whose members are accused of repeatedly intimidating and threatening members of the local indigenous community who support greater autonomy or independence from Indonesia through peaceful means. Attacks are increasingly targeted against human rights activists and church leaders. Amnesty International recognises the numerous Papuans convicted or awaiting trial for displaying the banned “Morning Star” flag in a peaceful manner as Prisoners of Conscience.”
5) No Progress in Human Rights in West Papua
Tapol has forwarded the following report:
A two-day workshop in Jayapura at the end of August which was attended by victims of abuses and relatives of victims said in a statement that there had been no significant improvement in the human rights situation, which remained unchanged despite enactment of Law 39/1999 on Human Rights, Law 26/2000 in Human Rights Courts, Law 13/2006 on Protection for Witnesses and Victims, and Law 21/2001 on special Autonomy for the Province of Papua.
The workshop was attended by among others Yonas Masoka, the father of Aritoteles, the chauffeur of Theys Eluay – murdered in November 2001 – who disappeared after he was seen entering the local unit of Kopassus, apparently to inform them of what had happened to Theys, Penias Lokbere, a victim of the Abepura 2000 incident, and Gayus Yomaki, the father of Herman Yomaki, who disappeared in Bonggo in 2000.
All these cases had not been followed up by legal proceedings, nor have such cases as the Mapunduma 1998 case, the Bloody Biak incident in 1998, the 2001 Wasior case and the 2003 Wamena case.
The workshop came to the conclusion that the central government was not interested or was not capable of resolving these cases, nor had it ratified the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court. It called on the government to set up an inquiry by KPP-HAM into these disappearances. It also said the local government, DPRP, should draw up local regulations – perdasus and perdasi – to restore people’s rights in relation to gross human rights perpetrated in West Papua
.
1) Op 29 juli tekenden 40 leden van het V.N. Congres op initiatief van afgevaardigde
Patrick Kennedy een brief, gericht aan de Indonesische president Yudhoyono om aandacht te vestigen voor onrecht in West Papua, in dit geval voor de vrijlating van Papoea mensenrechten advocaten Filep Karma en Yusah Pakage.
De brief gaf aanleiding tot felle kritiek van verschillende Indonesische politici. De meeste zagen de brief als ondermijning van Indonesisch gezag en de territoriale integriteit.
Uiteindelijk koos men ervoor de brief niet ontvankelijk te verklaren en de beantwoording aan de Indonesische ambassade over te laten.
Dino Jalal, woordvoerder van de president, vertelde de media, dat de leden van het V.S. Congres Indonesische issues niet begrepen en dat men genoeg had van deze incidenten.
In 1999 fungeerde Jalal als woordvoerder van de beruchte door het leger gesponsorde milities, die amok maakten in Oost Timor.
Amnesty International U.S.A. , Oost Timor , Etan(Indonesian Action Network) en WPAT gaven op 19.8.2008 een gezamenlijk verklaring uit:
De brief gaat over Universele Rechten van de Mens en daarom is het gepast en vereist dat betreffende rechten door leden van de globale gemeenschap , zoals het V.N. Congres voorstaat, worden gerespecteerd.
Hieronder de tekst van de brief:
Dear President Yudhoyono:
We the undersigned members of the U.S. Congress respectfully call to your attention the cases of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage who, in May 2005, were convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the legitimate and peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression in Abepura, Papua on December 1, 2004. Amnesty International has declared the two ‘prisoners of conscience.’
We also call your attention to reports by reputable sources that Mr. Karma was beaten by the police following his arrest. There are also reliable reports that police at the scene of the demonstration beat a human rights defender who sought to photograph the violent police action against peaceful demonstrators.
The unjust imprisonment of Mr. Karma and Mr. Pakage occurs in the context of a crackdown on Papuan human rights defenders, which has included general public threats by senior military officials and intimidation directed at individuals by anonymous figures. This campaign of threats and intimidation has targeted Papuans who met with and gave testimony about human rights abuse to a senior UN human rights representative when she visited Papua at your government’s invitation in June 2007.
We urge you to take action to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Karma and Mr. Pakage. Any security officials who mistreated Mr. Karma or who may have employed inappropriate force against peaceful demonstrators should be prosecuted. Such steps would be an important indicator that Indonesia, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, takes its international obligations to fully respect universally recognized human rights.
2) Nieuw bewijs TNI betrokkenheid bij Freeport overval, collaboratie Bush administratie
Een nieuw rapport beschuldigt het Indonesisch leger (TNI) achter de moord te zitten van de Freeport overval, bij Timika in augustus 2002, waarbij 2 Amerikaanse onderwijzers en hun Indonesische collega omkwam en 8 andere werden verwond .
Er is ook bewijs dat de Bush administratie bewijs van betrokkenheid TNI negeerde.
Militairen zouden de overval hebben georganiseerd.
Op dit moment is het niet duidelijk of er een nieuw Indonesisch onderzoek komt, zei Dr. Eben Kirksey, een antropoloog en schrijver van dit artikel.
Dr. Kirksey is ook lid van WPAT, een Papoea onderzoeks team.
Indonesische rechtbanken berechtten 7 Papoea’s, o.a. leider Antonius Wamang, die banden met de TNI onderhield.
Dr. Kirksey heeft echter grote twijfels over de geloofwaardigheid van betreffende rechtbanken.
3 van de gearresteerden waren niet eens ter plekke, maar de FBI droeg hen over.
Mensenrechten advocaten en andere die het incident onderzochten komen met bewijzen dat de FBI faalde om de directe lijnen
die liepen naar de TNI betrokkenheid, door te geven. Reden zou zijn om de plannen de IMET hulp te hervatten, niet te verstoren.
Kirksey meldde dat er steeds uitgebreid is gerapporteerd dat het leger bij de overval was betrokken en het heeft georganiseerd.
De gereduceerde betalingen van Freeport zou hieraan ten grondslag liggen en een motief kunnen zijn.
Lees: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ip/sear.
3) Veroordeelde oorlogsmisdadiger overgeplaatst van post in Papua en gepromoveerd
i.p.v. vervolgd.
Internationale verzoeken voor overplaatsing hebben er toe geleid ,dat kolonel Siagian, veroordeeld voor oorlogsmisdaden in 1999 in Oost Timor is overgeplaatst naar Oost Java.
Hij is nu 3 na hoogste in rang en in realiteit is dat een promotie.
Mensenrechten schendingen, misdaden, vormen voor TNI officieren geen barriére om te promoveren. Zie in 2003, Timbul Silaen, politie chef in Papua, Maj. Gen. Damiri in Oost Timor en bevelhebber in Aceh.
Lees onderstaand verslag in het Engels:
The West Papua Advocacy Team renews its call for prosecution of Siagian and his active duty and retired TNI officers who continue to evade justice for their records of abuse and criminality. ETAN called the removal of Siagian from Papua “a welcome move,” but has also urged that Indonesia “take the next steps and suspend him from any command and then hand him over for trial for the crimes he committed in East Timor.”
Siagian’s record is notorious:
On February 3, 2003, U.N.-backed Special Panel for Serious Crimes of Dili, the capital of Timor Leste, indicted Siagian (‘ the Cailaco indictment‘) and on July 10, 2003 (‘ the Maliana indictment‘). He was charged with crimes against humanity: torture, murder, persecution, and deportation or forcible transfer of a civilian population. The creation of the Bobonaro militia system that became one of the most repressive in the whole of East Timor was also attributed to him.
Siagian in May 2007 publicly threatened to “destroy” anyone who “betrays” Indonesia in response to the Papuan activists who demanded a review of their history. The statement is reminiscent of Col. Siagian’s statement in Maliana as military commander of the Bobonaro district of East Timor. As commander of the Bobonaro District Military Command (Kodim 1636), Maliana in pre-independence East Timor, Col. Siagian was quoted threatening kill East Timorese independence supporters, which appeared to have directly led to a number of deaths among Timorese civilians.
4) Amnesty International Calls for Investigation of Police Shooting of Peaceful Papuan Protester
An August 18 Amnesty International (AI) statement called on the Indonesian Government to investigate the police shooting of Opinus Tabuni, a participant in a peaceful Papuan demonstration celebrating World Indigenous Day, August 9. Police used live ammunition to fire what police claimed were “warning shots” after some members of the crowd raised the banned “Morning Star” flag, regarded by Indonesian authorities as a symbol of the Papuan separatist movement. The crowd members also raised the UN and Indonesian flags, and one bearing the letters “S.O.S.” the international symbol for distress. Tabuni was not among those crowd members who raised the flags.
Indonesian security authorities initially sought to deflect blame from themselves, speculating that Tabuni might have died as a result of a stab wound, noting that some in the crowd carried traditional weapons. The AI statement made clear however that after police fired the shots into the crowd, “Opinus Tabuni was discovered dead by members of the crowd with a bullet wound clearly visible to his chest. The AI statement continued:
“Indonesian authorities must ensure a prompt, impartial, independent and transparent investigation to determine how it is that a peaceful protester was shot to death. The investigators should publicize the results of forensic tests, including an autopsy if it is performed,” said
6) Papuan Tribal Chief Challenges U.S. Mining Giant over Its Pollution
An August 11 AFP report notes that a tribal chief in West Papua has begun a David and Goliath campaign to win compensation from U.S. mining giant Freeport McMoran for its decades of environmental damage to his homeland.
Fabianus, chief of the Kapiraya tribe, said tailings from Freeport’s huge gold and copper mine in West Papua were causing more widespread ecological damage than was known. The tribal chief said several rivers in his tribe’s Kaimana district had been polluted, killing wildlife and poisoning water sources for local people. Mine waste was also fouling parts of the Etna Gulf coastline. “The local village communities were now facing water shortages as their rivers were contaminated by the chemical pollutants from the company,” he told local Indonesian media. Fabianus said he had hired lawyers to file a law suit against PT Freeport Indonesia over the alleged environmental damage.
Ed McWilliams of the West Papua Advocacy Team who has visited the mine site on several occasions noted that in addition to chemical pollutants, acid mine drainage has seeped into the ground contaminating local water sources. The drainage is created when massive fissures, created by mining and road construction servicing the mine exposes mineral laden rocks to monsoonal rains. He added that miles of massive tailings flow had smothered trees along the Ajkwa river system which acts as a giant sluice. Among the trees destroyed is the sago, a key food source for local Papuans. As the tailing flow has now reached the Arafura Sea, tailings have been extended east and west by tidal action smothering mangroves which line the coast, he noted.
Environmentalists say the Papua mine pollutes the World Heritage-listed Lorenz National Park and dumps copper-rich ore around the edge of its operations.
Critics accuse Freeport of not giving enough to the people of Papua in return for the mine. They also allege that the military’s protection of the site leads to human rights abuses, a conclusion supported by findings of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (KPP-HAM).
Freeport operates concessions totalling 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) stretching from the coast to the central mountain range at Timika, with its copper reserves estimated at 2.6 billion tonnes.
7) Precedent for Legal Action against Freeport McMoran over Human Rights Abuse by Hired TNI Personnel?
In a development which could have negative implications for the giant Freeport McMoran copper and gold mining operation in West Papua, a U.S. Federal court ruling in late August ordered that a trial could proceed against U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil, which stands accused of supporting the Indonesian military’s alleged killings and torture in Aceh. The decision would appear to expose multinationals regularly paying the Indonesian Military for protection to similar legal challenges. Specifically, the decision may open the way for suites by victims in West Papua to seek justice for violence inflicted by the military on behalf of Freeport McMoran over many years. Freeport McMoran, in its latest annual report, acknowledged that it had paid nine million dollars in ‘support costs’ to the Indonesian military and police in 2007 to protect its operations.
8) UK NGO Calls on British MP’s To Defend Climate Justice and Human Rights in West Papua
In its August newsletter, “Down To Earth,” an NGO pressing for ecological justice in Indonesia, reports that in June, it met with UK parliamentarians and called on the British government to take action on a range of issues related to human rights and development. The meeting focused in part on developments in West Papua. Its recommendations to the UK Government regarding West Papua included the following:
The UK government is urged to help improve the situation for Papuans by encouraging the Indonesian government to:
* Account for its failure to implement special autonomy in Papua.
* Look carefully at the role of the military (TNI) in Papua, in particular at the use of the TNI to repress the indigenous population; to investigate Human Rights abuses by the TNI and other elements of the security forces; and to fulfil its obligations as a member of the UN Human Rights Council to fully respect and protect the rights of the Papuan people.
* Allow the Papuan people to voice their concerns and aspirations by exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly without hindrance or intimidation; and release unconditionally all Papuans imprisoned for peacefully exercising those fundamental rights.
* Allow free and unfettered access to Papua by foreign journalists and international human rights organisations.
* Ensure that Human Rights Defenders in Papua can carry out their work without fear of intimidation and violence with the more systematic implementation of the EU Guidelines for the protection of Human Rights Defenders in the field and the recommendations of the UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders.
Impunity: as a contribution to efforts to end impunity, UK parliamentarians are requested to:
* Encourage the FCO to make impunity a priority issue in its relations with Indonesia and press Indonesia to implement in full the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the UN Committee Against Torture.
* Press for an end to the culture of impunity in West Papua and for the resolution of those cases which the National Commission on Human Rights has found to be gross violations of human rights.
The recommendations were all supported by: CAFOD, TAPOL, PBI, DTE, FWPC and Progressio. The full briefing is available here.
9) The Central Government Pushes Mining Expansion, Ignoring Local Preference for Fisheries Development and Tourism
The Jakarta Post, August 18, reported on a dispute between a Papuan community and the Jakarta Government which is emblematic of the government’s failure to observe the law or spirit of “special autonomy.”
A traditional tribal community in Waigeo, Raja Ampat regency, in West Papua, is challenging the government’s authorization permitting nine mining companies to operate in the region. Community representatives explained to the media that the central government had neglected their rights as traditional people as stipulated under the law on regional autonomy by failing to notify or consult with them regarding the issued mining licenses.
A spokesperson, Christine Ayello of Maya Kawei’s women’s group, explained that the community was able to benefit from the riches of the land without resorting to industrial mining. “Just from fishing, we can earn Rp 60,000 to Rp 100,000 a day. Our sea is very rich in fish,” the spokesperson explained. The community feels that as they live in harmony with their land, neither depleting its natural resources nor damaging the environment, that mining companies should have no right to operate in the area.
Local traditional community leader Korinus Ayello called on the administration to involve the traditional community in issuing mining licenses, noting that the body was obliged by law to take into account the rights of traditional people. He said it would be more prudent for the government to develop Raja Ampat regency as a marine industry rather than as a mining site, citing that a fishing industry would benefit from the region’s abundance of fish and would not damage the local tourism industry.
Albert Nebora, chair of Conservation International Indonesia for Sorong region, supported the local community perspective, noting that a marine-based development concept could preserve the environment and create more jobs in environmentally-friendly industries.
25.9.2008: from WPAT report 53 : Amnesty Int. protests Torture of imprisoned Papuan Political dissident.
Amnesty International kwam op 25 September met een officieel verzoek aan de Indonesische regering, onderzoek te verrichten naar het afranselen, martelen van de gevangen Papoea dissident Ferdinand Pakage.
Pakage kreeg 15 jaar gevangenis straf opgelegd voor wat Amnesty Int. beschrijft al een unfair proces voor zijn vermeende betrokkenheid bij de gewelddadigheden in Abepura op 15 en 16 maart 2006. Amnesty Int. meldt, dat Pakage en andere werden gemarteld tijdens ondervragingen om op deze manier bekentenissen af te dwingen, dat men schuldig was aan het ten laste gelegde.
Lees het volgende rapport in het Engels:
A portion of that statement (AI Index No: ASA 22/019/2008 25 September) 2008 follows:
The Indonesian authorities must take immediate action to investigate the
torture of Papuan prisoner Ferdinand Pakage, who is detained at Abepura
Prison, Papua.
Prison officers beat Ferdinand Pakage on 22 September causing serious
injuries to his hands and legs. According to media reports, his left eye
was also bleeding profusely when he was removed from solitary confinement
and taken to the hospital for medical attention. The beatings were
witnessed by other prisoners.
The organization calls for those responsible for the torture to be held
accountable for their actions.
This incident clearly illustrates the failure to reform the Criminal Code,
which does not provide sufficient legal deterrent to prevent state agents
from committing acts of torture, which has directly contributed to the
widespread use of torture during arrest, interrogation and detention.
(Note: Following the AI statement, Pakage was released to family members
pending his recovery from the beating.)
See the full statement at http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/17815/
Is Imprisonment in West Papua Potentially A Death Sentence?
Eindigt gevangenis straf in West Papua uiteindelijk in dood straf?
Het vreedzaam hijsen van de Papoea Morning Star vlag in het Mimika district op 23 september heeft geleid tot harde charges tegen 2 Papoea’s. De 2 behoorden bij een groep van 18 Papoea’s, die werden gearresteerd. De 16 andere zitten vast voor nader verhoor.
De buitensporige harde acties tegen vreedzame, politieke acties worden steeds erger en is gemeengoed geworden in West Papua.
Elke veroordeelde, die volgens Indonesische autoriteiten, niet in het gareel loopt of zelfs maar separatistische symbolen bezit, loopt kans op levenslange gevangenisstraf of wacht in sommige gevallen een nog erger lot.
Manfred Nowak, een speciale rapporteur op dit gebied, meldt dat betreffende methodes in sommige gevangenissen algemeen zijn. Men stompt, gebruikt stokken, kabels, ijzeren staven, hamers, electrische schokken, plaatst zware voorwerpen op voeten en zelfs wordt op korte afstand in de benen geschoten.
Lees verder in het Engels:
For its part Amnesty International in its Indonesia: Briefing to the UN Committee Against Torture ( http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGASA210032008&lang=e) described the violent world of Indonesian detention as follows:
Suspects have been forced to sign confessions under threat of violence; or otherwise subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. All of these acts are in violation of the existing legal provisions and yet they occur, often without any adequate response from the authorities.
This failure in both law and practice has encouraged a culture of violence leading to torture and other ill-treatment of detainees Amnesty International has received many reports of individuals who have been tortured or otherwise ill-treated, sometimes resulting in death.
Human Rights Groups Refute US State Department Report to Congress Regarding Human Rights Conditions in Indonesia, TNI Reform Progress and Rights Repression in West Papua
In the FY2008 “State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Act”, Congress required the State Department to report on progress made by the government of Indonesia in several areas of concern, including general human rights accountability and responses to East Timor’s truth commission. The State Department report also addressed issues of military business and corruption, as well as the murder of human rights activist Munir.
WPAT, ETAN and Human Rights First responded to the report, concluding in part that while the State Department acknowledged no “sustained” progress in critical areas of accountability in the armed forces, the State Department report nonetheless included overly positive assessments based on examples that were outdated, incomplete, or not germane to the question. [The full report and response can be found at http://www.etan.org/news/2008/09state.htm.]
With regard specifically to developments in West Papua, the NGO response noted:
The report’s claim that “the Government of Indonesia is implementing plans to effectively allow public access to Papua and West Papua provinces,” is suspect as there have been few specific procedural changes in recent years.
In November 2007, Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, visited West Papua accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia. Rep. Faleomavaega subsequently sent a public letter to President Yudhoyono in which he described persistent interference with his visit by Indonesian security forces who attempted to prevent meetings with senior Papuan officials and civic leaders, as well as ordinary Papuans, and who arbitrarily truncated his visit. ( http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/1207faleoletter.htm)
In June 2007, Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, visited West Papua. Following her departure, Papuans with whom she had met faced threats and intimidation. Ms. Jilani expressed concern about this retaliation in her report and in separate messages to the Indonesian government during her visit. Her report also cited restrictions on travel to and movement within West Papua, including restrictions on the National Human Rights Commission investigations of human rights violations there. ( http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/103/40/PDF/G0810340.pdf)
Notwithstanding State Department claims, restrictions on travel to and movement within West Papua also extend to Papuans. In recent years, Indonesian security forces, including Kopassus special forces, have conducted military operations, notably in the central highlands, which regularly displace Papuan civilians. Indonesian security forces, as a matter of course, impede and at times prevent attempts by Papuan churches and humanitarian organizations to bring critical supplies to these displaced villagers, who face life threatening denial of food, medical care and shelter in the forests.
In 2005, Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) wrote a letter to the President of Indonesia, signed by 33 colleagues, calling for lifting of restrictions on international access to West Papua. “The travel permit (surat jalan) system, requiring travellers to report their own movements to local intelligence agencies, is contrary to the freedom of movement that is essential to a functional democracy. In all areas of West Papua outside of major urban centers, foreigners are required to carry surat jalan travel permits…We call on you to abolish the travel permit system,” they wrote. The surat jalan travel permit system remains firmly in place.
The congressional letter also urged abolition of visa policies “that restrict access of international journalists, researchers, and NGO workers to West Papua.” These visa restrictions have not been abolished. It is currently possible for members of the international community to visit West Papua on a 30-day tourist visa. However, human rights workers, journalists, and researchers have been imprisoned and deported while visiting West Papua with these visas. Applications for longer visas are rarely approved and routinely subject to long and sometimes limitless ”procedural delays”.
The State Department report states: “We are aware of no cases where foreign diplomats, NGO officials or journalists were permanently denied permission to visit Papua or West Papua.” Yet, in at least one specific case, which has been brought to the attention of U.S. Embassy personnel in Jakarta, volunteers with a major international human rights organization were denied visas to enter West Papua in early 2008.
Indonesian Government Confusion over “Threat” Posed by Papuan Flag-Raising
Indonesische regering verdeelt over “gevaar” door Papoea vlag hijsing.
Na president Wahid (Gus Dur) is er geen president meer geweest die zich mild wil opstellen
ten aanzien van Papoea issues. Lees onderstaand rapport in het Engels:
As noted above, on September 23 Indonesian police authorities named Papuans Paulus Kiwing and Matius Magai of Kwamki Baru as the latest official “suspects” for their role in the peaceful act of raising the “Morning Star” flag. The flag is a powerful cultural and political symbol for Papuans. Both men have been formally charged with involvement in a flag raising ceremony, which authorities claim is a “violation of the emergency law and show of rebellion against the government.” Kiwing allegedly dug the hole for the flag pole, while Magai purportedly offered a prayer as the flag was hoisted. If convicted the two could face life in prison.
Recently, visiting Indonesian parliamentarians told a few of their U.S. Congress counterparts that such flag raisings constituted a manifestation of Papuan “separatism.” A similar charge was made in an Aide Memoire from the Indonesian Embassy in Washington to 40 US Congress members who earlier protested mistreatment of Papuan prisoners of conscience involved in similar peaceful flag raising protests (see West Papua Report no. 52 August).
Not so says the Indonesian Minister of Defence Juwono Sudarsono. Speaking to media during a visit to Australia, the Minister said that raising of the Morning Star flag should be considered an attempt to seek attention rather than as an act of separatism. He added that it was impossible to conclude that Papuans sought separation just because they hoisted a flag. Rather than punishing Papuans involved in such peaceful actions Jakarta should seek to address the roots of Papuan discontent. Sudarsono’s view is similar to that of former Indonesian President Abdurrhman Wahid (Gus Dur). He allowed raising of the Morning Star flag, so long as it was hoisted in conjunction with the Indonesian national flag. Under his rule peaceful actions involving the Morning Star flag were not systematically prosecuted.
Wahid also encouraged political/economic development within West Papua and sought expanded dialogue with Papuan civil society and Papuan political leaders. Since Wahid was forced from office, security forces and prosecutors have used force and pursued stiff sentences against peaceful flag raisers. Wahid’s successors, Presidents Megawati Sukarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also have shown little interest in dialogue with Papuans.
Question the Candidates in Election 2008 – http://etan.org/action/2006/08election.htm
5.11.2008: from WPAT report 54:
Summary:
* International Parliamentarian Group (IPWP) Concerned about West Papua Convenes in London
* Peaceful Papuans Beaten, Detained for Welcoming Launch of IPWP; Indonesian Parliamentarians Protest Launch
* Papuan Religious Leaders Call for Dialogue between Papuans and Jakarta over Fraudulent 1969 “Act of Free Choice”
* Greenpeace Calls for Moratorium on Logging in West Papua*
* The Failure of TNI “Reform”
* U.S. Academic Testimony to US Congress Regarding Impact of Freeport Operations on The Papuan People
1)Op 15 Oktober werd de International Parlementarians voor de West Papua Organisatie officieel geopend door de voorzitter, Andrew Smith MP.
De start vond plaats in het Britse Parlement en werd door verschillende parlementariërs bezocht. Ook Benny Wenda, verzetsstrijder wonend in Engeland was aanwezig alsmede Papoea afgevaardigden uit Nederland, studenten en mensenrechten en milieu activisten. Tevens kwamen er boodschappen met steunbetuigingen vanuit Australië, N. Zeeland, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea en Guyana. Ook V.S. Senator Patrick Kennedy stuurde een boodschap.
Men bekritiseerde de Indonesische politiek voor steun aan optreden leger: het vervolgen van activisten die demonstraties plannen en de onderdrukking over het algemeen.
2) Peaceful Papuans Beaten, detained for Welcoming Launch of IPWP: Indonesian Parlementarians Protest Launch
Verschillende demonstraties, bijeenkomsten vonden er plaats in Papoea plaatsen, zoals Sorong, Manokwari. In Jayapura demonstreerden duizenden Papoea’s. Papoea studenten demonstreerden in Makassar, Manado, Jogjakarta, Jakarta, Surabaya en Bali. Papoea’s demonstreerden ook bij de Indonesische embassade in Canberra. Lees verder in het Engels:
In Jayapura, Buchtar Tabuni, chairperson of the Committee for International Parliamentarians for West Papua, was among many Papuans subjected to police scrutiny. He and 17 other Papuans were taken into custody for questioning by Jayapura city police. Lawyer Latifah Anum Siregar told the Jakarta Post that those detained were “beaten in public and then forced at gunpoint to enter police cars.”
One of the key organizers of the rally in Jayapura was brutally murdered on or about October 17. An autopsy conducted by the Jayapura District Public Hospital DOK II on the body of Yosias Syet of Sentani concluded he had died of torture. Another Papuan demonstrator, Martinus Grewas, was killed in Sorong, reportedly by security forces.
Tabuni has been interrogated on “suspicion of subversion” for his participation in the demonstration. The interrogation was based on Articles 106, 107 and 110 of the Criminal Code regarding subversion, as well as Article 212 of the Criminal Code related to “obstructing state officials in the performance of their duties.”
Two other prominent Papuans, chairman of Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Forkorus Yoboisembut and DAP secretary general Leonard Imbiri also responded to summons for interrogation by the police regarding the October 16 demonstration. Imbiri also faced questioning as a witness to the October 16 demonstration and as a witness in connection with the event in Wamena on August 9, 2008, during which the Morning Star was unfurled. Opinus Tabuni reportedly was shot by security forces for no apparent reason at that event (see October 2008 West Papua Report).
The Jawa Pos reports that the local deputy police chief in Jayapura prohibited journalists from reporting about investigations into the subversion case related to the October 16 demonstration. The police officer warned that if journalists pursue the case, they could be the victims of an accident on their way home (“bisa mengalami kecelakaan saat pulang”). The warning came while TV journalists were in the office of the director of criminal investigation of the Papua police. The journalists wanted to follow the questioning of several persons as witnesses in the case of DAP head Forkorus Yoboisembut, the DAP general secretary, Leonard Imbiri, and Buchtar Tabuni. “Don’t investigate this question in the area of Polda (local police force). Your motorcycle could end up having a crash,” said Borent, the deputy director. The head of public relations of the police, Agus Rianto expressed his apologies in advance “if anything untoward happens” to any journalists.
Reacting to the developments in London, a member of the Indonesian Parliament announced his intention to protest the formation of the IPWP to the British government, claiming the UK parliamentarians were supporting “separatism.” Theo L. Sambuaga, chairman of the House’s Commission I overseeing defence, information, foreign and political affairs, said the protest would be sent to the British Embassy in Jakarta. Sambuaga added: “We can’t accept any efforts to support such a separatist movement, because it indicates foreign intervention in our country’s affairs,” he said. The House will also bring the case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which has stated it will not tolerate any separatist movement.”
3) Papuan Religious Leaders Call for Dialogue between Papuans and Jakarta over Fraudulent 1969 “Act of Free Choice” / Oproep tot dialoog over het frauduleuze Referendum van 1969.
The Jakarta Post reported on October 20 that Papuan church leaders are calling for peaceful talks to consider the 1969 annexation of West Papua, conducted through the “Act of Free Choice,” which is widely viewed as a fraudulent exercise. The leaders noted that police had rejected a proposal to hold a massive rally on Oct. 20. The aim of the planned demonstration was to make Papuan views known to the Papuan legislative council. The leaders criticized the police, backed by the military, for detaining the activists who planned the mass demonstration.
4) Greenpeace wil einde aan illegale boskap in West Papua. Voor details zie onderstaande tekst:
The international environmental organization Greenpeace has called on the Indonesian government to declare a moratorium on logging in West Papua. Greenpeace argued that only a moratorium could save what is left of the Papuan rainforest. Underscoring the urgency of the current situation, Greenpeace spokesperson Bustar Maitar reported that Greenpeace, which is currently monitoring the situation in West Papua, has observed accelerating illegal deforestation. Greenpeace also noted that West Papua’s forests are under threats posed by illegal logging and the expansion of palm oil plantations. (see http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/en/news/greenpeace-ship-esperanza-in-j
5) TNI “Reform” lees het rapport over het falen van leger hervormingen. De TNI, het Indonesische leger met ca. 35000 man aanwezig in Papua is de hoofddader van onderdrukking, onrust etc.
The unreformed Indonesian military (TNI) for decades has been the principal agent for violence against the Papuan people and others throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Despite reformist rhetoric, the TNI remains a largely unreconstructed, rogue institution, unaccountable and beyond the control of Indonesia’s democratizing civilian government.
That reality is elaborated in an analysis prepared by Kontras, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, one of Indonesia’s most effective and respected human rights organizations. Kontras was founded and led by Munir Said Thalib who was assassinated in 2004. The organizers of his killing, widely believed to be from the ranks of senior retired TNI, have not yet been successfully prosecuted.
Key judgments of that analysis follow:
The success of eliminating the TNI’s political role should not be measured by the revocation of the TNI’s seats in the parliament (DPR). Although the TNI’s presence in the parliament ceased in 2004, the stipulations in certain legal instruments such as the Law on the TNI and Law on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee show the strong influence the armed forces continue to wield.
In the Law on the TNI, for example, several of the TNI’s old positions, such as the presence of territorial command (koter) and the “functionality” function, are still justified. The Law on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which was expected to be a medium to resolve past human right violations within the framework of TNI’s institutional reform, was found to be an example of a problematic political product and revoked by the Constitutional Court.
The TNI still maintains the Army’s territorial command structure, such as Kodam (military regional command), Korem (military regiment command), Kodim (the military district command) and Babinsa (village guidance), whereas the 1998 reform demands the retraction of the military “dual function” and the removal of territorial command structure. The Armed Forces Faction in the parliament was abolished in 2004 but the territorial command remained.
The state has neglected to take action against ongoing business practices, and even failed to stop the transfer of the TNI’s assets to private parties. There appears to be a large amount of the state’s assets used by the TNI that have been misused for illegal objectives.
The delay in amending the Law on the Military Tribunal has caused the low public accountability of the TNI before the law. TNI members and the former officers of the military still have access to special treatment when they are brought before the court. This culture of impunity is hard to eliminate, and one of the causes is that the Law on Military Tribunal has never been revised. The process of promotion to strategic positions in the TNI does not give enough consideration to a person’s human rights record. Thus impunity and military violence endure, which demonstrates the strong influence of the TNI on the national political stage.
Soldiers’ welfare only serves as a political commodity to ask for an increase in the defence budget, even to legitimize illegal practices. The welfare of the soldiers has never been achieved because, since the beginning, there has never been any serious effort exerted on behalf of the government to achieve it. The argument that TNI businesses would increase the capacity and welfare of the soldiers is a bifurcation of truth, because the profit has always been enjoyed by a few elites in the TNI.
6) Academische verklaring naar Congres betreffend de impact van de Freeport mijn op het leven van Papoea’s
Abi Abrash Walton — assistant to the President of Antioch University of New England for sustainability and social justice and associate core faculty in the Environmental Advocacy and Organizing Program — provided testimony which was read into the record of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law for its September 24, 2008, hearing on “Extracting Natural Resources: Corporate Responsibility and the Rule of Law.” Her research about the human rights and environmental impacts of mining in West Papua and the need for greater corporate accountability formed the basis for her testimony.
Read the full text of testimony.
http://www.antiochne.edu/news/news_detail.cfm?News_ID=524
Read ETAN and WPAT’s joint submission to the committee at http://etan.org/news/2008/09freeport.htm.
A webcast of the full hearing is available on the Senate’s website.
an Human Rights Advocates”
1) Grote aardbeving treft omgeving Manokwari:
Op 4.1.2009 was er een aardbeving met een kracht van 7.6 en werden 2 hotels en andere gebouwen verwoest. Ook het vliegveld werd beschadigd.
Er vielen enkele doden en vele gewonden. Door de na schokken ontstond er veel paniek en ontstond er een tekort aan medicijnen en medische hulp.
2) Politie/TNI beschoot en sloeg Papoea’s in kerken twist
De AWPA(Sydney) rapporteerde dat begin December leden van GKIP Kerk in Nabire door politie/Brimob werden aangevallen. In totaal werden 12 leden geslagen, 5 studenten beschoten en verwond.
In 2006 was de GKIP(Papua Kingmi Church) afgescheiden van de GKII(Indonesia Kingmi Church). Leden van de GKII accepteerden de autonomie van de Papua Kingmi Kerk echter niet. Bij een officiële ceremonie wilde de GKIP de naam van de Kerk aan de voorkant veranderen. Papoea Kerken staan onder verdacht steun te verlenen aan onafhankelijkheids streven. GKII leden deden een beroep op de Indonesische politie.
In plaats van het probleem op te lossen viel de politie/TNI de Papoea kerkgemeenschap aan, waarbij schoten vielen en leden met rotan stokken werden geslagen.
3)Weer een Papoea activist achter de tralies.
Sebby Sambon, een Papoea mensenrechten activist werd op 17 December in Sentani gearresteerd gedurende een bijeenkomst bij het graf van de in 2001 vermoorde Papoea leider Theys Eluay. Sambon hield een persconferentie, waarbij zij pleitte voor de vrijlating van Buchtar Tabuni. (lees: http://etan.org/news/2008/12papua.htm) (Brief aan Yudhoyono, waarbij ook wordt gerefereerd aan de moord op de vermoorde activist Yosias Syet)
Beide zijn nu gearresteerd. Sambon is lid van IPWP(International Parliamentarians for West Papua) en Tabuni is voorzitter van betreffende organisatie. Onlangs was er een grote conferentie in Londen, waarbij verschillende parlementariërs uit meerdere landen aanwezig waren.
4) Militaire bezetting op West Papua duurt voort
In Tempo Magazine stond een rapport over de OPM(Papoea verzetsleger). De OPM zou aan kracht inboeten en er zou geen goede leiding zijn. Vooral na de val van Soeharto zou de OPM gebrek hebben aan ammunitie en moeten vertrouwen op pijl en boog. Sommige leiders zouden Papua hebben verlaten.
De laatste afgelopen 10 jaar hebben mensenrechten organisaties en leiders zich afgewend van geweld, maar dit leidde toch tot groeiende internationale bezorgdheid en steun.
Niettegenstaande de beperkte capaciteit van de OPM is de Indonesische militaire bezetting van Papua compleet. Ruw geschat zouden er ca. 30000 militairen/politie op Papua zijn.
Het wemelt er van de militairen en onder het mom de OPM te vervolgen zijn er verschillende “sweepings”, men vernielt dorpen en maakt zich schuldig aan mensenrechten schennis.
Gewone Papoea’s en mensenrechten activisten zijn momenteel de dupe!
Lees de voorvallen!
5)One Star or fourteen?
For many years Papuans have drawn on the Morning Star flag as a symbol and an inspiration in their struggle for cultural and political rights. The one-star flag was first flown by Papuans on December 1, 1961 at the beginning of the brief interlude between Dutch control and Indonesian annexation. With the exception of the period of rule by President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Jakarta has banned use of the flag, even as a cultural symbol, imprisoning for many years Papuans who peacefully display the banner.
A December report by Tempo notes that there are a number of organizations in West Papua that now acknowledge the Morning Star as the symbol of independence. These include the Papuan Traditional Council, the Papuan Presidium Council, and some student groups.
The Papuan Traditional Council and the Papuan Presidium Council grew out of the Papuan People’s Congress which convened from May 29 through June 4, 2000 under the leadership of the prominent Papuan Theys Eluay. He was murdered in 2001 by the military (four Kopassus or “special forces were convicted and received light sentences after being described as “heroes” by the TNI commander).
After Theys’s murder one of the movement’s figures, Tom Beanal, a prominent human ‘rights campaigner from the Amungme tribe who has long challenged Freeport’s assault on local peoples’ rights was chosen leader. He assumed the role of Chairperson of the Papuan Traditional Council serving concurrently as the Chairperson of the Papuan Presidium Council from 2002 to 2007.
The current chairperson of the Papuan Traditional Council, Forkorus Yoboisembut, told Tempo that Council is represented in seven customary regions, among which are the bordering area with Papua New Guinea, Saireri, Animba and Jayawijaya.
Less well known is a fourteen star flag which some Papuans have employed as their symbol for civil, cultural and political rights. A December 23-30 Tempo report describes the “14 Stars group” as celebrating Papuan independence day as December 14, 1988. The 14 stars group was led by Thomas Wainggai who died in 1996 in Cipinang Prison, Jakarta, under unexplained circumstances. Tempo notes that the successors of 14 Stars movement are, among others, Jacob Rumbiak and Herman Wainggai, who was later granted asylum in Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Tempo describes the 14 stars movement of seeking independence for Papuan people and their unification with the Melanesian race which is spread throughout the southwest Pacific.
A derivative of 14 Stars movement founded by Jacob Rumbiak, is the West Papua National Authority which is preparing a congress of West Papua National Authority, in 2009. “We want to unite various elements of organizations aspiring independence for West Papua,” said President of Congress Authority, Rev. Teriyoku. There is also a West Papua National Coalition for Liberation that is oriented toward 14 Stars. This organization was founded on December 20, 2005 by Richard Yoweni.
6) ETAN beklaagt zich over enige vorm van medewerking bij TNI schendingen van de mensenrechten.
7) NGO’s Meet with Congressional Offices and State Department Regarding West Papua
Afgevaardigden van Amnesty Int., Etan en WPAT hadden begin December een 3 daagse vergadering met V.N. Congres leden.
Betreffende organisaties informeerden het Congres over de laatste ontwikkelingen in West Papua, alsook over de benarde toestand van gevangene Yusuf Kalla en Filep Karma, de ontbossing, mensenrechten schennis en het falen van de speciale autonomie.
Men verzocht de V.S. een andere formule te zoeken om de nood van de Papoea’s te lenigen, de mensenrechten situatie te verbeteren, in hun behoeften te voorzien en hun natuurlijke rijkdommen in West Papua te beschermen.
8) Comment: Failure to Convict A Senior Retired Military Figure in Munir Killing Has Implications for All Human Rights Advocates
Berechting van gepensioneerde Maj.Gen.Muchdi voor zijn rol in de moord op Mensenrechten advocaat Munir in 2004, loopt op niets uit.
Muchdi was indertijd chef van de BIN inlichtingendienst.
Het uitblijven van vervolging en berechting van Muchdi staat haaks op de belofte van president Yudhoyono om de vervolging van dergelijke misdaden tot speerpunt van zijn regeringsperiode te maken.
Het geldt als een waarschuwing voor huidige mensenrechten advocaten die in het uitoefenen van hun werkzaamheden onderhevig zijn aan grotere risico’s.
Als zelfs een prominent mensenrechten advocaat als Munir straffeloos kan worden vermoord,
Dan zijn minder bekende figuren, zeker in West Papua met zijn reisbeperkingen en vijandige intimidatie al helemaal kwetsbaar.
25.2.2009: from WPAT report 57:
Onbevestigde berichten geven aan dat Indonesische veiligheidstroepen weer acties opstarten in het centrale bergland, Puncak Jaya gebied, dit naar aanleiding van de diefstal van 4 wapens uit een politie depot.
Amnesty International meldt dat steeds meer vreedzame Papoea activisten achter de tralies verdwijnen en heeft aangedrongen op vrijlating en te stoppen met intimidatie van betreffende activisten.
Het Jayapura gerechtshof heeft een mensenrechten advocaat na 15 maanden detentie vrijgelaten.
President Yudhoyono bezocht onder zware bewaking Manokwari, maar had geen contact met gewone Papoea’s.
De Indonesische regering heeft opleiding van Papoea’s sterk verwaarloosd, de nationale wetgeving en de eisen met betrekking tot de speciale autonomie geweld aangedaan.
De gebrekkige hulp voor Papoea’s beïnvloedt de kansen voor Papoea’s om te concurreren met de beter opgeleide migranten.
Freeport veiligheids personeel werkt nauw samen met de beruchte Brimob politie om traditionele
mjnwerkers te verdrijven. Bij gewelddadigheden bij Timika werd 1 man gedood en vervolgens raakten bij ontstane rellen 4 mensen gewond.
De Franciscanen publiceerden een “Factsheet” waarbij lopende trends en ontwikkelingen werden vastgelegd.
Er komen steeds meer rapporten over verhoogde repressie en ongeregeldheden in West Papua, waarbij door leger gesteunde milities de hand hebben.
Het WPAT deed een beroep op Hillary Clinton om iets te doen aan de mensenrechten schendingen en de Amerikaanse militaire hulp aan het niet hervormde, onverantwoordelijke en niet onder burger controle staande Indonesisch leger te stoppen.
In het hierna volgende rapport WPAT nr. 58 kunt U echter lezen dat Hillary Clinton mensenrechten schendingen issues negeert en weigert met
Papoea’s te spreken.
1.3.2009:
West Papua Report
March 2009
This is the 58th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) Back issues are posted online at http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com.
Summary
The US State Department’s just-published Annual Human Rights Report for Indonesia candidly describes repression of Papuan rights including security force murder, beatings and torture of peaceful dissenters and security force collusion in people trafficking and theft of Papuans’ traditional lands. Notwithstanding her Department’s strong report, Secretary of State Clinton failed to discuss human rights or not meet with Papuans. Her failure to publicly raise human rights concerns prompts concern that the Obama administration may proceed with Bush Administration plans to pursue ties with Indonesian Special Forces and intelligence agencies notwithstanding their egregious human rights records. An ETAN spokesperson urged the Obama administration to utilize its leverage to spur reform of the Indonesian military. Buchtar Tabuni faces charges of subversion because of his peaceful dissent. An Indonesian Human Rights Commission official has accused the Yudhoyono government of failure to prosecute Indonesian military officers for “widespread abuses in Papua.” A Jakarta human rights official has criticized Jakarta’s “Special Autonomy” as failing to make a difference in the lives of Papuans. A Papuan, also commenting on “Special Autonomy” observed that funds intended to be made available to assist Papuans have been used to “build the military” and spur migrant displacement of Papuans.
End summary
Contents
* US State Department Reports Repression of Papuan Rights in Annual Human Rights
Report
* Secretary Clinton in Jakarta Generally Ignores Human Rights Issues, Fails to Meet with
Papuans
* Human Rights Group Urges US to Use Its Leverage to Spur Reform of Indonesian Military
* Buchtar Tabuni Charged Under Repressive Criminal Code Statues
* Indonesian Government Human Rights Commission Accuses Government of Failing to
Prosecute Human Rights Crimes in West Papua and Elsewhere
* Boiling Rocks in West Papua
* Papuan Official Rejects “Special Autonomy”
State Department Human Rights Report Describes Brutal Human Rights Environment in West Papua
The US Department of State’s Human Rights Report for Indonesia in 2008 (released 2/26) depicts the stark reality of repression and discrimination in West Papua. The report notes that “at least 30” Papuans, including one 16 year old boy, are incarcerated for peaceful dissent, specifically, for raising the morning star flag. The report notes repeated incidents in which Papuans suffered beatings and even murder at the hands of Indonesian military and police in retaliation for peaceful protest. The report cites the UN conclusion that torture is systematic in Indonesian prisons. It also details the killing of some of these Papuans by security forces who act with impunity.
The report also describes extensive illegal activity by security forces in West Papua: “military and police were often complicit in trafficking (of persons) and in protecting brothels.” The report also notes that NGOs and human rights advocates suffered monitoring of their activities as well as threats and intimidation.
The report is unflinching in its description of the repressive environment in West Papua: “During the year indigenous people, most notably in Papua, remained subject to widespread discrimination and there was little improvement in respect for their traditional land rights. The Government failed to prevent domestic and multinational companies, often in collusion with the local military and police, from encroaching on indigenous people’s land.”
Secretary Clinton in Jakarta Generally Ignores Human Rights Issues, Fails to Meet with Papuans
Secretary Clinton failed to meet with any Papuans during her visit to Indonesia. As in her visit to China, the Secretary largely ignored human rights issues or the long-standing violations and record of impunity of the rogue Indonesian military. These omissions raised concern among human rights organizations that the Obama administration was prepared to set aside human rights as an impediment to bilateral cooperation on economic, financial and security issues.
While a member of the Secretary’s staff did meet with a Papuan in the course of a large public event, the Secretary herself, except for one important meeting with the widow of slain human rights advocate Munir, avoided contact with human rights advocates or victims and did not reference concern about these issues in her public remarks despite at least one appeal from a prominent member of the US Congress that she do so.
“Secretary Clinton’s willingness to largely ignore both human rights concerns and the failure of the Indonesian military to reform suggests that Obama policy vis-a-vis Indonesia is on auto pilot form the Bush era” said Ed McWilliams of the West Papua Advocacy Team. He added specifically, “we need to be concerned that the Obama administration will now move forward with Bush administration plans to begin cooperation with the criminal Indonesian Special Forces (KOPASSUS) and Intelligence agencies, crossing a red line that extends back over a decade.”
Human Rights Group Urges US to Use Its Leverage to Spur TNI Reform
On the eve of Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to Indonesia John M. Miller, National Coordinator of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, publicly called on the Secretary to “break with the Bush administration’s failed policy of engagement with the TNI.” He urged that US “once again use military assistance as leverage to promote reform and human rights.”
Miller observed that the Bush Administrations decision to resume military-to-military cooperation with the TNI “did not end the entrenched impunity of Indonesia’s security forces for crimes against humanity and other serious violations committed in East Timor, West Papua and elsewhere.” He observed that the TNI “continues to resist civilian control and emphasize internal security” and that “it resists attempts to dismantle its “territorial command” system which enables its continued involvement in business and politics.” “The implementation of a law meant to end military involvement in business” he noted “has degenerated into farce, and its units are accused of involvement in a variety of illegal enterprises, including logging and narcotics trade.”
Miller also warned against US collaboration with the security elements with the worst records of human rights abuse:
“In its last years, the Bush administration sought to train members of Kopassus, Indonesia’s Special Forces, which was responsible for some of the worst human rights violations throughout the archipelago. U.S. assistance to Kopassus is currently on hold, and the new administration will have to decide whether or not to cooperate with the notorious unit. The U.S. should also avoid Indonesia’s main military and civilian intelligence agencies (BAIS and BIN) which have long records of repressing human rights activists and other critics. Retired senior military officials working in Indonesia’s State Intelligence Agency (BIN) are suspected of planning and ordering the 2004 assassination of Munir Said Thalib, Indonesia’s leading human-rights advocate.”
Miller cited several Indonesian human rights advocates as well as East Timor’s official Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation as calling on the US to employ military cooperation and assistance as “leverage” to spur real reforms in the Indonesian security structure. Miller concluded by urging Secretary Clinton to “open a new chapter in U.S. relations by making clear that future support for the Indonesian military is contingent upon real reform and genuine accountability for human rights crimes.”
Buchtar Tabuni Charged Under Repressive Criminal Code Statutes
The trial of Buchtar Tabuni for subversion got underway February 18 with Suharto-era trappings represented by hundreds of heavily armed military-police (BRIMOB). Approximately 300 Tabuni supporters demonstrated outside the Jayapura courtroom. Buchtar was accompanied at the hearing by 25 of the 53 lawyers listed as his legal advisers.
The prosecutor accused Tabuni, 29 and deputy secretary of the Central Mountain Papua Indonesia Students Alliance (AMPTPI), of coordinating formation of the London-based “International Parliamentarians for West Papua” (IPWP). The IPWP is an international assemblage of parliamentarians launched in London in October 2008. The prosecutor also alleged that Tabuni had twice coordinated mass demonstrations at the University of Cenderawasih and had delivered political speeches that were deemed to be a threat to Indonesian sovereignty. The prosecutor also referred to banners displayed at the rallies which was written slogans such as ‘Referendum Yes, Otonomi Khusus (Special Autonomy) No’, ‘West Papua Problem is not Indonesia Problem’, ‘We want to International dialog.’
On the basis of these alleged activities Tabuni was charged under Articles 106, 160 and 212 of the Criminal Code for state subversion and for resisting personnel of the state (the armed policemen and military). This law dates back to the Dutch colonial era and was utilized extensively during the Suharto dictatorship. It has been widely condemned by human rights advocates inside and outside Indonesia as in contravention of Indonesia’s international obligations to protect the free exercise of peaceful political speech. If found guilty, Tabuni, who is also accused of instigation and resisting arrest, could face 20 years in prison.
Government Human Right Commission Accuses Indonesian Government of Failure to Prosecute Human Rights Crimes in West Papua and Elsewhere
The Jakarta Globe, February 19, highlighted an accusation by the Indonesian Commission for Human Rights (Komnas Ham) that the Attorney General had failed in his duties to prosecute human rights violations. The Commission also accused President Yudhoyono of helping to shelter senior Indonesian military officers from prosecution. Saharuddin Daming, a Komnas Ham commissioner, among other things, noted that the Indonesian government had failed to successfully prosecute officials guilty of “widespread TNI abuses in Papua.” Komnas HAM, he said, uncovered human rights violations by the military in Papua between 1963 and 2002.
According to the 2000 Law on Human Rights Courts, Komnas-HAM, the AGO, and the ad hoc Human Rights Court were to share responsibility for handling human rights cases, he said, with Komnas HAM conducting investigations, the AGO handling prosecutions and the court trying and deciding cases.
“Most people blame [Komnas HAM] for the unresolved cases,” he said. “They should ask the attorney general to clear up these issues, as all the BAP [investigation reports] have been handed to them.”
Ultimately, however, the problems with finding justice for human rights victims lay not only with the AGO, but with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Saharuddin said, suggesting that the former general had helped shelter TNI officials accused of human rights violations.
AGO spokesman Jasman Pandjaitan called some of Komnas HAM’s reports, “incomplete,” offering only that additional investigations were needed to look into the unresolved cases. He declined to comment, however, on which cases remained incomplete and any plans the AGO might have to reinvigorate investigations into some of the nation’s darker periods.
“Boiling Rocks” In West Papua
The Indonesian daily, Kompas, February 14, carried a report that underscores the failed implementation of “special autonomy” in West Papua. Citing Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial)’s Poengky Indarti, the report noted the rights’ advocate as stating that “between 2005 and 2009 Papua’s human development index has been in 33rd position out of the 33 provinces in Indonesia, notwithstanding the fact that every year funds are poured into Papua in amounts reaching the trillions of rupiah.”
The article noted that data gathered by Franciscan International demonstrated that as many as 80 percent of the indigenous Papuan population was living in poverty. In addition to this, as many as 36.1 percent of the population have no access to healthcare facilities.
The article pointed out, “the massive exploitation of Papua’s natural resources has not had any significant impact on the progress or prosperity of the Papuan people. Moreover, it added, “human rights violations against the Papuan people that are yet to be resolved.” Quoting from a statement by a Papuan figure, Indarti said, ‘Waiting for justice to come from the central government is like boiling a rock.”
Papuan Official Rejects “Special Autonomy” as Aimed at Increasing the Migrant Population/Building the Military/Appropriating Papuan Land
The Secretary of the Papua Customary Council in Sorong, Yoab Syatfle, issued a February statement from Sorong broadly rejecting Jakarta’s “Special Autonomy” policy as a failure. He said in part: “after eight years the government has completely failed to properly implement the law (Special Autonomy Law No. 21/2001) and address the issues of concern to Papua’s indigenous people. In fact, they have used (the law) to tighten their grip on West Papua by misusing ‘special autonomy’ funds to increase the migrant population, build up the military, and push a development model that is based on appropriating land from indigenous West Papuans for economic exploitation by the migrant community.”
In his statement he accused the central government of attempting to divide West Papua into up to four separate provinces “to tighten their grip on West Papua’s natural resources.”
Back issues of West Papua Report
Rapport 58 bevestigt nog maar eens dat er weinig verandert en men alles in het werk stelt de greep op Papoea’s natuurlijke rijkdommen te versterken.
De speciale autonomie wet wordt misbruikt, de invoering bewust vertraagd en ondertussen stromen veel Indonesiërs het land binnen en wordt de militaire bezetting opgevoerd.
Nog steeds is er sprake van een doofpot affaire en kan Indonesië ongestoord doorgaan met al die zaken die men al 40 jaar ongestraft en schijnbaar
onopgemerkt doorvoert.
Papoea-voorman Nicolaas Jouwe naar Indonesië en Papua
De in Nederland wonende Papua-voorman Nicolaas Jouwe (85) vertrekt dinsdag
17 maart naar Indonesië. Hij zal er een ontmoeting hebben met president Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono en een bezoek brengen aan zijn geboorteland Papua,
voormalig Nederlands Nieuw-Guinea. Het is de eerste keer dat Jouwe terugkeert
naar zijn geboorteland, sinds de overdracht aan Indonesië in 1963.
Nicolaas Jouwe onderneemt deze bijzondere reis op uitnodiging van de Indonesische
regering. Met dit bezoek hoopt Nicolaas Jouwe de dialoog tussen Jakarta en de
Papua’s te verbeteren. Jouwe wordt onder andere vergezeld door twee van zijn
kinderen: Nancy en Nico Jouwe. In Jakarta hoopt Nicolaas Jouwe een constructief
gesprek te voeren met president Yudhoyono, teneinde de dialoog tussen Papua(-
leiders) en de regering in Jakarta een impuls te geven. Jouwe is en blijft voorstander
van onafhankelijkheid, maar is bereid om in het licht van de grote problemen van de
bevolking bij te dragen aan een open dialoog. De economische en sociale situatie
waarin de Papua’s verkeren, is verre van rooskleurig. De in 2001 ingestelde
autonomiewet, die de positie van de Papoea’s in Papua zou moeten verbeteren, heeft
weinig effect gehad. Om die situatie te verbeteren klinkt al jaren de roep om een
constructieve dialoog tussen Papualeiders en Jakarta.
“Indonesië blijft hoe dan ook onze grote buurman”, aldus Jouwe vlak voor zijn
vertrek. “We moeten onze problemen open met elkaar bespreken.” Hij ziet het feit dat
hij is uitgenodigd voor een gesprek als een teken dat de Indonesische regering de
situatie serieus neemt en bereid is te luisteren. Een betere toekomst voor de Papua’s
kan volgens Jouwe het best bereikt worden langs de weg van een vreedzame dialoog,
op basis van wederzijds respect. De Papoealeider ziet deze ontmoeting als een eerste
verkenning en een belangrijke, symbolische stap. Hij zal in zijn gesprekken een
aantal punten naar voren die het richtsnoer zullen vormen voor de verdere dialoog.
Belangrijk voor Jouwe is dat de dialoog leidt tot een voorspoedige en duurzame
ontwikkeling van de Papoea’s.
Behalve gesprekken met president Yudhoyono en leden van diens kabinet zal Jouwe
ook gesprekken voeren met Papoealeiders in Papua zelf.
5.4.2009: West Papua Report 59
Summary:
A legendary Papuan nationalist visits Indonesia and West Papua, stirring controversy by reminding the international community of West Papua’s forced annexation by Indonesia. A military/police build-up is underway in West Papua. A Papuan Parliamentarian has appealed for a non-security approach in West Papua. The BBC has presented a rare documentary focused on those pressing for West Papua’s separation from Indonesia. The Governor of West Papua has criticized the expulsion of Dutch journalists from West Papua. Thousands of Papuans have demonstrated in support of a referendum on Papuan independence. Senior Indonesian Defence officials have postured disingenuously, feigning concern about Papuans freedom of speech. India has announced a plan to assist in meeting vast educational deficits among Papuans. Environmentalists protesting illegal logging and land clearing in West Papua and West Kalimantan were beaten at the targeted corporation’s headquarters.
End summary.
Contents:
* Papuan Nationalist Founder Returns Home after over Four Decades in Exile
* A Military/Police Build-up Underway in West Papua
* A Papuan Political Leader Appeals for The Government to End Use of Force in West Papua
* BBC Presents Rare Documentary Coverage of Papuan Independence Seekers
* Papuan Governor Critical of Expulsion of Dutch Journalists
* Thousands of Papuans Demonstrate Peacefully for Independence Referendum
* Senior Defence Officials Posture About The Importance of Freedom of Speech in West Papua
*The Government of India Acts to Address Educational Needs in West Papua
*Environmentalists Beaten as They Protest Illegal Corporate Forest Destruction
Nicolaas Jouwe, now 85, returned to Papua for the first time since the Papuan Nationalist Founder Returns Home after over Four Decades in Exile
What was apparently intended as a show of support for Papuan integration into Indonesia backfired as one of the first generation of Papuan nationalists told reporters that he still considered Papua to be a separate country from Indonesia.
beginning of Indonesian rule in 1963. He also travelled to Jakarta at the invitation of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The return of Jouwe after so long was as if Thomas Jefferson had stepped off a plane. It focused the spotlight on the history of Papua’s still-disputed integration into Indonesia.
Jouwe was elected in 1961 as a member of the first New Guinea Council, an embryonic parliament for what was then still a Dutch colony, and immediately become one of the key leaders in the Papuan independence movement. He designed the Morning Star flag that is still the emblem of Papuan independence aspirations, and was active internationally in a non-violent, globally-focused campaign for recognition of Papuan self-determination. This campaign built up considerable support in the Pacific islands and among African countries, and won a majority of support at the UN General Assembly, but the Kennedy administration decided for reasons of cold war strategy to back the Indonesian claim. The result was a U.S.-brokered agreement in 1963 to hand the territory to Indonesian rule, which left the basis of the conflict intact. The perceived denial of self-determination for Papuans lies at the root of continued conflict, with Papuans feeling robbed of their right to self-determination and still keenly aware of the U.S. government role in stage-managing an agreement reached with no Papuan participation. A continued Papuan call is for a dialogue that will, among other things, set straight the historical record. This is one element missing form the special autonomy granted to Papua, and its omission is one reason that there continues to be rejection from many Papuans of the autonomy package.
Non-violence and international diplomacy and dialogue were among the key themes of the Papuan independence leaders of Jouwe’s generation. They remained on display as Jouwe visited his homeland. Invited by the Indonesian president, Jouwe said the time had come for dialogue, since “Indonesia remains our big neighbour.” Alongside dialogue was the call for a non-violent approach: “Even if we have to talk a thousand times, it is better than violence.” To date Papuans have been denied the same sort of dialogue that led to a peace settlement in Aceh, perhaps because the Indonesian army sees Papuan nationalists as less of a military threat.
It is not clear whether the “encounter of heart and mind” (in the Indonesian president’s words) with Jouwe signals any willingness for expanded dialogue. Signs are that the visit was designed to show a prominent historical figure endorsing integration, with the Jakarta Post speculating that Jouwe would seek Indonesian citizenship and call for an end to independence demands. Instead the visit was dominated by what Jouwe’s son called on his twitter report “the pincident.” Jouwe arrived wearing a Papuan flag lapel pin. At a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands Yunus Habibie pressed Jouwe to pin an Indonesian flag to his lapel. Jouwe declined, repeating the need for dialogue between “neighbours.” Reports on this incident and the trip led to the detention of four Dutch journalists, two of whom were slated for deportation (see below).
Jouwe’s visit was in some ways reminiscent of the November 2007 trip by Congressman Eni Faleomaveaga. Invited by the Indonesian president to back the Special Autonomy Law, Faleomavaega saw his trip slashed from three days to two hours and was not permitted to meet Papuan nationalist leaders or even to travel to Jayapura. In that case, it was support for autonomy (as opposed to independence) that the Indonesian government seemed to be seeking. The “pincident” indicated the same possible goal for Jouwe’s trip.
Papoea voorman komt na 40 jaar ballingschap weer thuis
Wat blijkbaar bedoeld was als een show voor steun aan de Papoea integratie bij Indonesië, pakte dit totaal anders uit, toen de Papoea leider, Nicolaas
Jouwe, journalisten vertelde, dat hij Papua beschouwde als een apart land van Indonesië.
Jouwe, nu 85, keerde voor de eerste keer sinds het begin van de Indonesische overheersing in 1963 terug naar Papua.
Op verzoek van de Indonesische president Yudhoyono reisde hij van Nederland naar Jakarta.
De terugkeer na zo’n lange tijd voelde alsof Thomas Jefferson uit een vliegtuig stapte.
Het bracht de historie van de nog steeds bekritiseerde integratie bij Indonesië weer in de schijnwerpers.
In 1961 werd Jouwe gekozen als lid van de Nieuw Guinea Raad, een parlement in wording in de toenmalige Nederlandse kolonie en hij werd onmiddellijk een van de sleutelfiguren van de Papoease onafhankelijkheidsbeweging.
Hij ontwierp de Morning Star vlag, die nog steeds symbool staat voor onafhankelijkheid.
Hij was internationaal actief in een geweldloze, wereldomvattende campagne voor herziening van het referendum in 1969, the Act of Free Choice.
Betreffende campagne genoot veel steun vanuit de Pacific eilanden en Afrikaanse landen en de V.N.
Om redenen van de koude oorlog strategie besloot het Kennedy bestuur de Indonesische claim te honoreren.
Dit resulteerde in het gewraakte V.N. gesteunde akkoord om het land in 1963 over te dragen aan Indonesië en de basis van het conflict bleef hiermede intact.
De waargenomen ontkenning van vrije keuze voor Papoea’s is de grondslag van het voortdurende conflict, omdat Papoea’s zich beroofd voelen van hun recht op vrije keuze en zich scherp bewust zijn van de V.N. rol in het ensceneren van het bereikte akkoord met een geheel ander volk, zonder inspraak van Papoea’s.
Het niet nakomen van de toegezegde speciale autonomie is voor Papoea’s ook een doorn in het oog en is de reden dat men zich afwijzend blijft opstellen.
Geweldloze politiek en internationale diplomatie en de dialoog waren de kernpunten van Papoea’s onafhankelijkheidsleiders van Jouwe’s generatie.
Bij zijn bezoek werd dit weer ter sprake gebracht en werd een link gelegd naar Aceh, waar wel een vredesovereenkomst werd bereikt.
Papua wordt echter niet gezien als een militaire bedreiging.
Het is niet duidelijk of het bezoek enige goodwill oplevert voor een uitgebreide dialoog.
Het ziet ernaar uit dat het bezoek bedoeld was als een show om een prominent historisch figuur de integratie te laten bekrachtigen.
Volgens Jakarta Post wenste Jouwe het Indonesisch staatsburgerschap en dat hij de onafhankelijkheids eis hiervoor zou opgeven.
Het bezoek werd gedomineerd door het door zijn zoon genoemde twitter rapport “The pincident”.
Jouwe droeg een Papoea vlag op zijn revers en de Indonesische ambassadeur van Nederland, Yunus Habibie, verzocht hem dit te vervangen voor de Indonesische vlag.
Jouwe weigerde en herhaalde het verzoek om dialog tussen de twee “buurlanden”.
Berichten over dit voorval leidde tot gevangenschap van 4 Nederlandse journalisten, Twee van hen werden verbannen.
Het bezoek van Jouwe vertoonde sterke overeenkomsten met de trip van Congreslid Eni Faleomaveaga in November 2007, uitgenodigd door de Indonesische president om de speciale autonomie te bespreken.
Het Congreslid zag zijn bezoek bekort van 3 dagen naar 2 uur en hem werd geweigerd Papoea leiders te ontmoeten of zelfs door Jayapura te reizen.
In dat geval werd steun aan autonomie gezien als steun voor onafhankelijkheid.
Het “pincident”geeft dezelfde zienswijze, stellingname weer en het geeft nog maar eens aan hoe gevoelig het Papoea issue bij de Indonesische machthebbers ligt.
6.5.2009: West Papua rapport 60:
Contents:
* West Papua Advocacy Tam member Octo Mote spoke before the U.S. Congressional human rights commission regarding threats to the environment and human rights in West Papua
* ETAN and WPAT fault as insufficient Secretary Clinton’s call for “a degree of autonomy” for West Papua*
* Repression and violence in West Papua escalates dramatically in April
* U.S.-based human rights groups call for an investigation of the violence and for dialogue
* Papuan clergy and civil society leaders also call for investigation of the violence
* Indonesian government expels the International Committee of the Red Cross from West Papua
The Indonesian government on April 23 expelled the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from West Papua. The Indonesian action followed a visit by ICRC officials to Papuan political prisoners. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed, however, that the closure of the office was not because of the prisoner visit but rather was because the ICRC was operating illegally because it did not have permission to be in West Papua. Citing the ICRC’s 1977 and 1987 agreements with the government, the spokesperson contended that the ICRC was only allowed to use its Jakarta office as a “regional headquarters” for its work in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that there was no longer any need for human rights abuse monitoring in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government in the past has worked closely with the ICRC in West Papua. The Indonesian military used the ICRC as a go-between in an attempt to secure release of hostages taken by the armed Papuan resistance in 1996. When the nearly successful effort foundered over a dispute among senior Indonesian military and political figures as to who would get credit for a release which the ICRC had brokered, the Indonesian military, under the leadership of then General Prabowo, sabotaged the deal. Several Papuans villages were killed in a botched military raid aimed at freeing the hostages. The hostages subsequently escaped, except for one who was killed.
The ICRC office in Aceh will also close.
http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/0905wpap.htm West Papua Advocacy Team member spoke before the U.S. Congressional human rights commission
WPAT’s Octo Mote spoke before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (formerly the Congressional Human Rights Caucus) on April 28. In his remarks he emphasized the threats to the environment and to human rights in West Papua posed by Indonesian Government policies and by military-backed exploitation of Papuan resources by major corporations. He noted that logging, mining and fishing operations were particularly injurious and singled out U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoran as among the most damaging. Mote explained that Indonesian Government polices, particularly Jakarta’s “transmigration” policy had marginalized the Papuan population, bringing over 500,000 people into West Papua until the program’s termination in 1999. Recently, Jakarta announced the re-establishment of the program. Under Jakarta’s “Special Autonomy” approach, the government has created 24 new Districts, an approach which has generated “spontaneous migration” of non Papuans into West Papua to assume newly created bureaucratic positions and to take advantage of new “development” funding. The creation of the new districts also has increased the militarization of West Papua as military units are established in each new district.
Mote emphasized that Papuans have no means to defend themselves against government-backed encroachment on their lands and rights. He noted that two West Papuan Governors, Admiral (ret.) Numberi and current Governor Suebu both sought to limit environmental destruction by commercial “developers” only to be over-ruled by the Jakarta government. He also explained that the Jakarta government has largely ignored the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) which it has sought to stigmatize as “separatist.” The body, which was authorized in 2001 “Special Autonomy” legislation, was established after a delay of four years and immediately ran afoul of the Jakarta government after it refused to endorse the division of West Papua into several provinces.
Asked by panel chair Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) to comment on Freeport, Mote elaborated that firm’s long record of abuse and close ties to the Indonesian military. Mote urged investigation of the recently resumed payments by the firm to the military as well as the 2002 murder of two U.S. and one Indonesian citizen on property controlled by the firm and the military. Due to obstruction by then TNI territorial commander (now President) Susilo Yudhoyono, the killings were never fully investigated with initial police reports of military involvement ignored in subsequent FBI investigations and in court proceedings which led to the jailing, Mote noted, of several innocent Papuans.
Mote urged U.S. support for an internationally facilitated dialogue between Jakarta and Papuans and for opening West Papua to access by international humanitarian and human rights officials, journalists, researchers and others. He explained that West Papua is the only region In Indonesia which lacks respect for the right of freedom of expression and noted that more than 20 Papuans are currently incarcerated for the attempt to exercise this right.
Joint Statement by West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) and East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) on U.S. Policy and West Papua
In an appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Clinton spoke about the human rights crisis in West Papua, acknowledging the “many human rights abuses” there. She emphasized that West Papua was part of a “sovereign Indonesia,” and said West Papua needed support “in its efforts to have a degree of autonomy within Indonesia.”
In an April 26 joint statement ETAN and WPAT noted that the Indonesian Government has failed to implement the long-promised “special autonomy” for West Papua and that as a consequence Papuans have overwhelmingly rejected the concept. Instead, the statement noted, Papuans have demanded an internationally-facilitated dialogue with the central government to address key issues, including demilitarization of West Papua, an end to security-force intimidation, the release of political prisoners, and the right to self-determination.
The statement called on the U.S. government to apply meaningful pressure on the Indonesian government and its security forces to press for an internationally-facilitated, senior level dialogue between the Indonesian Government and Papuans, including Papuan civil society. They also called for the U.S. to seek an end to restrictions that prevent the international community from monitoring human rights developments and the welfare of Papuans in West Papua. Finally the statement urged the U.S. government to seek fundamental reform of the Indonesian security forces by conditioning assistance to the Indonesian military, Brimob, Indonesia’s intelligence agencies on real reform, human rights accountability and demonstrated respect for people of West Papua. (see http://etan.org/news/2009/04papua2.htm for full text of statement)
Pre-Election Violence in West Papua
In the period immediately preceding April 13 national Parliamentary elections there was an explosion of violence in West Papua. Facts associated with a number of the incidents remain obscure. There is evidence that some of the violence was provoked by elements with ties to the security forces. There follows a rough chronology of the major incidents:
(Pre-April context for violence: On 4 December 2008, police used disproportionate and excessive force against Papuan Kingmi church protestors. On 29 January 2009, police violently dispersed a demonstration calling for local elections to be held without delay in Nabire. In both cases, police kicked and beat the demonstrators with rattan sticks and rifle butts. Rubber bullets were also used, injuring at least four in the first case and five in the second. Amnesty International is not aware of any investigation into these incidents.)
April 3 Thousands of Papuans stage a peaceful demonstrations in Jayapura and Nabire calling for a referendum on Papuans’ political future; celebrating the formation of the International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) group and also demanding the release of Papuan political prisoners. The demonstrations are organized in part by the National Committee for West Papua which on march 30 established a tent base camp near Nabire for the purpose of organizing the demonstrations there.
April 3 Brimob raid the Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) office in Jayapura. During the raid Police destroy a computer and other equipment and seize a number of documents. The police claim to have confiscated two firearms from the office. Police hold 15 people overnight. Some are released the next day and told to report regularly to police. Facing charges are: Mako Tabuni (also known as Musa Tabuni), Serafin Diaz, and Yance Motte. The three men will face charges of makar (subversion), under Article 106 of the Penal Code, for which the maximum penalty is 20 years imprisonment, and under Article 160 for incitement. They are accused of pursing the aim of separating part of the territory of Indonesia. Police chief Bagus Ekodanto claims the men were arrested for their involvement in a demonstration at several locations in Abepura and outside the provincial assembly building (DPRP) in Jayapura on 10 March 2009. The men had reportedly called for a referendum in West Papua and urged Papuans not to vote in the April 9 Parliamentary elections.
April 3 Police arrest two political activists from Jayapura.
April 6 TNI and Brimob raid and destroy a tent base camp of the National Committee for West Papua at a site just outside Nabire. In the assault, one Papuan was shot and killed; six Papuans were arrested.
April 6 Brimob open fire on a protest demonstration by hundreds in Nabire injuring at least seven people. According to local sources, four of the wounded are taken to the hospital in critical condition, including a 10 year-old student who was shot as he was returning from school. A police officer is also injured by an arrow. The approximately 200 demonstrators had called for the boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections and investigations into past human rights violations in Papua. They also celebrated the launch of the International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) in Guyana in early April 2009.
Amnesty International’s Isabelle Arradon noted this is not the first incident in the town and there should be an independent investigation. “It is the third demonstration since September 2008 where some demonstrators in Nabire have been shot by police,” she said. “According to the eyewitnesses those six people are the militias … from Indonesia’s security forces who have used the situation to trigger conflicts between demonstrators and the police,” she said. But the footage clearly shows uniformed officers working with other men dressed in civilian clothes. (ASA 21/012/2009, 7 April 2009 “Indonesia: Police Head must investigate excessive use of force by Nabire Police”) AI notes “This is the third reported incident of such abuses by the Nabire police force since December 2008.” WPAT notes there is eye-witness reporting that the violence was orchestrated by provocateurs employed by the Indonesian military.
April 7 Authorities arrest Markus Haluk, secretary-general of the Leadership Council of the Association of Students from the Central Highlands, on charges of spreading information and provocation for calling for a boycott of the election in Papua.
April 8 at 11pm, rumors circulate that a member of the police force had been stabbed by an unidentified person near Youfeta Market, Abepura. In response, the police conduct sweeps along the main roads.
April 8 Bombs explode near a bridge between PNG and West Papua. Subsequent police statements claimed that this bomb and one found near the Abepura police station (see below) were both composed of TNT and, the police contended, therefore indicated a common perpetrator group.
April 8 An explosion and fire at a Biak Refinery kills one person. There is speculation the incident may have been an accident.
April 8 Three migrant ojek drivers are stabbed to death in Wamena.
April 8-9 Unidentified people numbering possibly up to 100 assault the Abepura police station. Police shot one of the attackers dead and injured four. Attackers, according to police, used bows and arrows and “bombs”
April 9 at 2.30am, the Rector’s Building at Cendrawasih University suffers an arson attack by unidentified people. Police conducted sweeps which result in the arrest of eight students at the Minmin Students Mess, one of whom sustains gunshot wounds. Damage in the fire is limited to one floor.
April 10 An Avia Star cargo plane carrying election materials crashes in West Papua killing six government officials.
April 11-12 Fighting erupts at PNG-West Papua border involving TNI and Papuan resistance fighters. Unconfirmed reports contended that six TNI personnel and five Papuan fighters are killed. The fighting is centered at the border town of Wutung (PNG town) and at Batas, the actual border crossing point. One report contends that Papuan fighters may have shot down a military aircraft, apparently a helicopter. Other reports claim that Papuans destroyed a bridge. The TNI torches many houses in the area, leaving hundreds homeless. The border is reportedly closed as is the Batas market.
April 12 Police claim to find “bombs” near Abepura police station.
April 12 Another migrant ojek driver in Wamena is stabbed to death.
April 14 Media report 38 prisoners escape from a Wamena detention facility, five are immediately recaptured.
April 14 At 10 PM a fire is reported at Provincial Election Committee Headquarters in Jayapura. The fire may have been caused by an electoral fault, though arson is not ruled out. Possibly due to the fire, Jayapura suffers electrical blackout for two hours. The following day, the police announce that 200 additional police personnel were being brought into West Papua.
April 15 A police convoy in Tingginambut in the Pucak Jaya is attacked. One policeman is killed and six are wounded. Police blame the attack on the OPM. Police announce that 80 Brimob personnel will be deployed to the area from outside of West Papua.
April 16 A fire at the State Junior College in Wamena destroys a lab, a warehouse and three classrooms.
U.S. Groups Call For U.S. Government Action in Context of Escalating Repression and Violence in West Papua
On April 9, in the wake of escalating repression of human rights and violence in West Papua, several U.S. groups called on the U.S. Government to act. Land Is Life, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) and the West Papua Advocacy Team wrote to leaders of the House and Senate Foreign Affairs Committees expressing their deep concern. The groups noted in part that Indonesian government forces had targeted peaceful protesters and that the repression followed a series of arrests of dissenters under charges of “subversion” and “incitement,” colonial era laws that had been widely criticized by human rights organizations. The organizations called for investigations of the repression and the increased violence, urged the U.S. government to press Indonesian officials to protect human rights and called on the U.S. government to press for an internationally facilitated dialogue between senior Indonesian officials and Papuans, including Papuan civil society leaders. (see http://etan.org/news/2009/04papua.htm for text of the statement)
Papuan Church Leaders Call for Investigation of Pre-election Violence
Papuan Church land civil society leaders have called for investigations regarding the identity of perpetrators of a spate of pre-election violence in West Papua. Their call echoes concerns raised by Papuan and international observers who cite first-hand accounts of provocateurs with ties to the security forces as instigating some of the violence, such as in Nabire on April 6.
Similarly, observers were dubious of national police claims that nine bombs found at three locations were likely the work of Papuan resistance fighters. The police claimed that all the bombs were composed of TNT and ammonium nitrate but lacked detonators. It is doubtful that any of the OPM would have access to these materials in sufficient volume or be able to coordinate placement in all the locations where the bombs were reportedly discovered. The police contention that all lacked detonators similarly rang untrue to observers. Other possible explanations for the bombs include an attempt to manufacture a security crisis without causing severe death and destruction, an attempt to frame the OPM, or a combination of these motives.
The Indonesian Government Expels the International Committee of the Red Cross from West Papua.
De Indonesische regering verwijdert de Internationale Commissie van het Rode Kruis
uit West Papua.
In April waren er weer veel ongeregeldheden en raids en het niet toelaten van de Rode Kruis hulp organisatie is een teken aan de wand.
Zoals U kunt lezen is het onduidelijk hoe een en ander zich heeft afgespeeld en wel of niet is geënsceneerd.
Duidelijk is dat de speciale autonomie in de ijskast is gezet en met opzet wordt vertraagd.
De gebeurtenissen in April geven aan dat Papoea’s hun leven niet zeker zijn en dat
democratie nog ver is te zoeken.
Er wordt met harde hand ingegrepen en het geheel doet mij denken aan Tibet.
In 1962 werden in India nog vrijwilligers geronseld om de Tibetanen in het grensgebied te hulp te schieten. Tibet werd onder de voet gelopen en zucht nu onder een strak Chinees regime, waarin weinig wordt getolereerd. Een goed voorbeeld is Xinjiang, waar een Oeigoerse minderheid hetzelfde overkomt.
Hier zijn echter nog journalisten!
In West Papua is dit niet het geval en gebeuren er zaken die het daglicht niet kunnen verdragen.
Nu 46 jaar later is er nog geen dialoog en het woord “genocide” begint toch een lugubere
betekenis te krijgen.
Wanneer men zich echter in betreffende tragedie verdiept en volgt wat er zoal gebeurt en is gebeurd, moet men toch toegeven dat de rechten van een complete inheems volk zijn verkwanseld.
Lees de rapporten van mensenrechten organisaties over “impunity”, corruptie en begane wandaden, de vele mensenrechten schendingen.
In rapport 52 wordt beschreven hoe wordt omgegaan met rechten van de locale Papoea’s.
Rijke visgronden worden verkwanseld aan mijn companies en grote groepen Papoea’s worden beroofd van hun primaire levensbehoeften.
Het gebied rondom Radja Ampat zou een groot natuurreservaat moeten worden!
Zie in dit verband hoofdstuk 4 : Radja Ampat omvat de rijkste riffen ter wereld.
Op deze website zijn genoeg zaken uitvoerig aan de orde gesteld, maar zelfs Nederlandse politici kijken dan maar wat graag de andere kant uit.
Onze minister president Balkenende weigert zelfs de Dai Lama te ontvangen.
In wat voor land leven wij eigenlijk?
De vroegere waarden en normen zijn blijkbaar helemaal verdwenen! Het was toch een Nederlandse kolonie en het complete Papoea volk werd uitgeleverd aan Indonesië en kreeg niet de kans een eerlijk referendum te houden.
Gezien de gebeurtenissen na 1962 kan men spreken van een wel heel hypocriete politieke houding!
Een officieel excuus aan de Papoea’s zou hier toch zeker op zijn plaats zijn!!
Misschien wacht men men nog een aantal jaren, want ook oud Indië gangers worden nu met de onlangs ingestelde Veteranendag met meer respect behandeld.
2.6.2009: WPAT West Papua report 61:
Contents
* Amnesty International Reports Human Rights Abuse in West Papua
* Various Papuan Groups Reach Consensus on Manifesto
* The Jakarta Post Details Indonesian Government’s Failure to Build Infrastructure in West Papua
* The Indonesian Government Has Failed to Control Illegal Fishing in Papuan Waters
* Hundreds of Papuans Protest Police Fatal ShootingThe British Government Comments on Expulsion of ICRC and Human Rights
End summary
Amnesty International Annual Report Notes Problems in West Papua
Amnesty International in the Indonesia portion of its annual report on human rights observance extended special focus to the plight of Papuans. Excerpts from the report follow:
The situations in Papua and Maluku continued to deteriorate, including continued attacks on freedom of expression. The number of prisoners of conscience rose sharply to 117. Attacks against minority religious groups and their leaders increased across the archipelago. Torture, excessive use of force and unlawful killings by police and security forces continued. No progress was made in bringing the perpetrators of past gross human rights violations in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD), Papua and Timor-Leste to justice. Indonesia resumed executions in June, executing 10 people in total. Maternal deaths remained the highest recorded in South East Asia.
The government continued to severely restrict freedom of expression. The number of people arrested and detained for peacefully expressing their views (ed. note this is a nationwide figure) rose to at least 32. An additional 85 people imprisoned in previous years remained in jail.
It remained a criminal offence to raise the “Morning Star” flag in Papua.
Low-level conflict between the security forces and pro-independence insurgents in Papua continued. Local community leaders were intimidated and threatened by the military and police. There were reports of torture and other ill-treatment, excessive use of force and extrajudicial executions by security forces.
In August, at a rally celebrating World Indigenous Day, police opened fire into a crowd of people after some of them had raised the banned “Morning Star” flag. One peaceful demonstrator, Opinus Tabuni, was found dead following the event. Filep Karma, sentenced to 15 years, and Yusak Pakage, sentenced to ten years, remained in jail. The two men were convicted in 2005 for raising the “Morning Star” flag.
The full Amnesty International report is available at: http://thereport.amnesty.org/en/regions/asia-pacific/indonesia
Senior Papuans Seek “Consensus” Regarding Papua’s Future through “Manifesto”
A group of senior Papuan civil society figures convened in West Papua April 30 to May 14 to compose a Papuan “consensus” meant to address issues related to Papua’s current crisis and future. The document is excerpted/summarized below. The full document can be found here http://etan.org/etanpdf/2009/Papuan Consensus.pdf :
We affirm the Papuan National Consensus as a basis and source of guidance and direction for all Papuans. The National Consensus pertains to the political history, human rights development the failure to implement autonomy laws and the agenda for Papuan struggle.
We assert that the Nation of West Papua is absolutely not part of the territory of the unitary Republic of Indonesia. [The document reviews the history through which Indonesia annexed West Papua notwithstanding Papuans’ claims to a separate historical identity. This portion of the document also reviews in detail the role of the United States, Indonesia and others in a process that culminated in the “Act of Free Choice,” a mock referendum widely acknowledged to have been fraudulent and forced.]
We the Papuan people demand our own territory, equal to other sovereign territories, and alongside other nations. We the Papuan people wish to live in tranquility and to join with others in promoting peace.
With this manifesto we invite all inhabitants who love the land of Papua and our nation to accept this manifesto and defend it as the basis of our Papuan nation. [The document lists conditions plaguing Papuans in the areas of “human rights,” “development,” and the “failure to implement special autonomy:”]
Human Rights
… hundreds of thousands of Papuans have suffered from human rights abuses as a result of the Indonesian government’s practices of mass murder, execution, slaughter, kidnapping, terrorism, internment and many other forms of repression.
Development
We argue that the policies and programs for development that have been implemented by the Indonesian government in Papua from 1963 to the present day have failed to improve the standard of living of Papuans and raise the quality of life in Papua.
Over 400,000 “transmigrants” have been moved into Papua.
Failure to Implement Special Autonomy
In our evaluation, the implementation of the Special Autonomy law from 2001 to the present day has not resulted in any significant changes in the lives of Papuans. (The document notes among other examples of the law’s failure, the murder of the first President of the Papuan Presidium Council Theyes Eluay by TNI Special Forces (Kopassus) personnel.)
All Papuans:
To prevent the extinction of Melanesian Papuans, to put an end to internal disagreements, and to create togetherness and Papuan national unity based on similar understandings and points of view, as well as to prevent internal conflict among leaders of the Papuan struggle, every Papuan and component (organization) of our national struggle has a responsibility to:
* promote awareness that all people of our nation are not Indonesian people;
* promote mutual coordination and respect among all Papuans;
* consider all components, organizations and factions of our struggle to be assets in our endeavor to create the Papuan Nation.
Regarding Indonesia:
Pressure Indonesia in union with Papuan representatives
* to find a peaceful solution through dialogue facilitated by a neutral third party; to enable access by monitors, researchers, human rights workers and journalists to Papua;
* to end political manipulation and other forms of oppression such as murder, terrorism and intimidation of Papuans;
* to liberate all Papuan political prisoners and detainees.
Regarding the International Community:
* [Seek] a review of the 1969 [fraudulent] “Act of Free Choice;”
* Withhold financial assistance for Special Autonomy until Jakarta agrees to free and open dialogue mediated by the U.N.;
* Encourage the U.N. to create an opportunity for Papuans to determine our fate in accordance with international human rights standings; international legal principles and U.N. conventions;
* Protect Papuan forests;
* Investigate human rights abuses since 1963.
Let this consensus unite our perspectives, agendas and the direction of our united struggle. This consensus unites and binds each component and faction of our struggle to take responsibility for implementing its principles for the sake of creating justice, peace and freedom in Papua.
(Signed)
Dewan Papua Presidium
Tom Beanal (Chairperson)
Herman Awom (Moderator)
Taha Moph. Alhamid (Secretary General)
West Papua National Authority
Edison Waromi (Executive President)
Terianus Joku (Congressional President)
Former Political Prisoners
Eliaser Awom (Chairperson)
see also Report To The United States On The Papuan Consensus
Jakarta Post Details Central Government’s Failure to Build Infrastructure in West Papua
A May 25 article in the Jakarta Post provided a detailed account of the failure of the Indonesian Government to develop essential infrastructure in five new districts (“Regencies”) in West Papua. The Regencies comprise those of Paniai, Mappi, Puncak, Asmat and Mimika. The article notes that lack of well-developed roads between the Regency capital and subdistricts in Paniai, Mappi and Puncak. Puncak regency is the worst of the five. The lack of usable roads has affected the flow of vital foodstuffs from the outside to Mappi. In Asmat, particularly in the regency capital Agats, there is a grave shortage of elevated buildings and roads in the area which is prone to flooding and “swamping.”
The five regencies also lack essential services with severe shortages of teachers, healthcare personnel and facilities. The Post report noted in particular with regard to healthcare: “The limited number of doctors and paramedics has become an obstacle for regency administrations to build public hospitals, while existing public health centers (Puskesmas) in remote and mountain areas are lacking proper facilities to examine and treat people contracting HIV/AIDS, or those suffering malaria.”
Government officials blamed the inadequate provision of infrastructure on paperwork and other bureaucratic problems.
The great irony remains that West Papua has for decades generated enormous wealth for Jakarta through the sometimes devastating “development” of its resources. After over four decades of Indonesian rule, Papuans still lack services essential to health, security and justice.
Illegal Fishing Rampant in West Papua
An May 22 Op-Ed by Bogor Institute of Agriculture post graduate student Rahman Pramulya appearing in the Jakarta Post describes the failure of the Indonesian government to effectively control illegal fishing in Papuan waters. He noted that the Arafura Sea has only 15 fishery and sea regional office investigators. He describes this number as “too low given the size of the surrounding Papuan seas” adding that this under-resourcing “allows for many problems.” He notes that in several Papuan regencies, there are no investigators at all.
Citing a lack of funding for monitoring, Pramulya observes that only 0.5 percent of the overall fishery and sea development done in West Papua is monitored in any way.
Illegal fishing, like illegal logging in West Papua is often carried out with the connivance of the Indonesian military. The impact of unmonitored fishing, often by foreign factory ships, on Papuan resources and on Papuans attempting to make a living from the sea is devastating. earn a living from fishing.
Hundreds of Papuans Protest Police Shooting
On May 6, according to international media reports, approximately 1,000 Papuans demonstrated peacefully in protest of the police killing of man in a town near the main West Papua airport at Sentani. The demonstrators blocked the main entrance to the airport for five hours. The victim of the shooting was Agus Ohee, a relative of a key tribal chief, reportedly was inebriated. his conduct had prompted complaints from some villagers.
British Government Reacts to Questions about Human Rights and Expulsion of ICRC from West Papua
In mid-May the British Government’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Bill Rammell formally responded to Parliamentary questions regarding human rights violations in West Papua and the Indonesian Government’s expulsion of the International Committee of the Red Cross from West Papua. His comments are below:
On recent discussions he has had with the Indonesian authorities on allegations of human rights abuses in West Papua:
I raised UK concerns with the situation in Papua and West Papua provinces in discussions with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirajuda, on 10 February 2009. I stressed that greater transparency was an important element to building trust and ensuring greater peace and prosperity for the region. Embassy officials continue to monitor the situation closely and to discuss the human rights situation with Indonesian government officials -most recently on 6 May 2009 – as well as civil society and community representatives from the Papuan provinces.
On Indonesian government’s recent decision to expel the International Committee of the Red Cross from West Papua:
We have sought clarification of the reports regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and their presence in West Papua from the government of Indonesia. Our embassy have been told that the ICRC field office in Papua has been closed and that the status agreements governing the ICRC’s activities in Indonesia need to be renegotiated. We hope that this can be concluded speedily. The government of Indonesia told us that ICRC officials may still visit Papua. Our embassy are also in touch with ICRC officials in Indonesia and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We are meeting with the Indonesian ambassador in London to register our concerns. I discussed access to Papua and West Papua provinces with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirajuda, most recently on 10 February 2009 in Jakarta.
Back issues of West Papua Report
4.7.2009: WPAT West Papua rapport 62:
De John Rumbiak Mensenrechten Award is toegekend aan ETAN en John M. Miller.
ETAN is een belangrijke V.N. NGO organisatie die mensenrechten schennis in Oost Timor en Indonesië bestrijdt.
ETAN heeft het vizier gericht op West Papua en adequaat gereageerd op de verslechterde omstandigheden van de
mensenrechten situatie.
John M. Miller was ook een fervent tegenstander van de hervatting van de V.N. hulp aan het Indonesische militaire apparaat, de TNI, BRIMOP en KOPASSUS.
John Rumbiak is de grote Papoea voorvechter van de mensenrechten en stichtte de WPAT (West Papua Advocacy Team)
Als eerbetoon aan John Rumbiak werd door de WPAT in 2008 het besluit genomen ieder jaar een speciale prijs (John Rumbiak Award) toe te kennen aan diegene of instelling die het meest heeft bijgedragen aan de bescherming van de mensenrechten situatie in West Papua.
John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award for 2009 Awarded to ETAN and John M. Miller
The 2009 John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award for 2009 award is presented to the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network and its National Coordinator John M. Miller. ETAN is a leading U.S. NGO working on behalf of human rights in East Timor and Indonesia. In recent years, reacting to the significant deterioration in the human rights environment in West Papua ETAN has been especially active in opposing the U.S. Government’s open-ended assistance to the Indonesian military, the TNI, and to the militarized police, BRIMOB, which are the leading human rights abusers in West Papua and the rest of the Indonesian archipelago.
ETAN also opposes any restoration of U.S. assistance to the Indonesian Special Forces (KOPASSUS). John M. Miller, has been a key leader in these efforts.
The West Papua Advocacy Team created the John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award in 2008. The award is given annually to the individual or institution that has contributed most substantially to protection of human rights in West Papua. The award honors John Rumbiak, a Papuan who, until suffering a debilitating stroke in 2005, was a leading voice in the defense of Papuan human rights. He founded the West Papua Advocacy Team. His courageous devotion to the cause of human rights defense, the non-violent assertion of political rights and demands for justice, including accountability for human rights violators, has inspired not only Papuans but individuals and organizations widely in the international community. The award includes a $500 stipend and a plaque which honors the winner. The 2008 awardee was Tapol’s Carmel Budiardjo.
