West Papua National Coalition For Liberation

Tuesday, 29 April 2008, 1:01 pm Press Release: West Papua National Coalition for Liberation

 

 

West Papua National Coalition For Liberation

Port Moresby, 29 April 2008 — The leaders representing 29 West Papuan political and civil society organisations have formalized the establishment of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation [WPNCL]. This coalition represents the 1.5 million West Papuan people from over 600 tribal communities on the western half of the island of New Guinea. (The landmass of West Papua is an area of 430,000 square kilometers, which is about the same size as France.)

At a meeting held in Port Vila, Vanuatu during April 2008, the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation elected Richard Yoweni of the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPN PB) as Chairman, Dr. John Otto Ondawame as Vice Chairman and Mr. Rex Rumakiek as the Secretary General.

The Secretariat for the WPNCL will be established at the West Papuan Peoples Representative Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

“The establishment of this WPNCL shows the determination of the people of West Papua to take control of the agenda and progress their struggle for self determination and independence in the international arena. This organisation seeks to reclaim and protect the resources, culture and lives of the West Papuan people in the face of Indonesian colonization of our land”, said Clemens Runawery spokesperson for the WPNCL.

“Indonesian Government control over West Papua for the past 45 years and the implementation of its so-called ‘Special Autonomy’ package in the past 5 years has grossly failed the West Papuan people.”

Mr Runawery went on to say, “Under Special Autonomy there has been very poor administration leading to the rapid deterioration of health and education of Papuan people, an ever increasing wave of the HIV/AIDS disease and huge profiteering from the exploitation of West Papuan natural resources and rainforests.”

“There is now a disastrous situation where West Papua people are on the brink of becoming a minority in their own land.”

“International support for Special Autonomy has been a success for international investors, lincluding BP at the Tangguh gas project & RTZ at the Freeport copper mine. These investments have effectively underwritten the occupation of West Papua by the Indonesian security forces.”

“Indonesian is in a phase of business expansion in West Papua and that means the abuse of human rights of indigenous West Papuans, the restriction of political freedom and tightening military control. The expansion of Indonesian Government backed businesses and economic interests is at the expense of the people of West Papua.”

“WPNCL is now seeking Observer Status with the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Islands Forum as a platform for the people of West Papua within the United Nations and other international forums.”

“The WPNCL will seek to reverse the so-called Act of Free Choice of 1969 and re-inscribe West Papua on UN Decolonization Committee in so that the people of West Papua are given the due process of ’self-determination’.”

“The WPNCL will continue to seek internationally mediated negotiation with the Republic of Indonesia as the best way of resolving the ongoing armed conflict promoted by the Indonesian security forces and reversing the disastrous human rights and spiraling health situation of the West Papuan people.”

The Chairman of the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation, Richard Yoweni, said today, “On behalf of people of West Papua, the WPNCL Secretariat would like to convey publicly our heartfelt thanks to the Government, Political Parties, Chiefs, Churches, NGOs and the people of Vanuatu for their continued support for our struggle for self determination.”

ENDS

FREE WEST PAPUA (UK) message to the BP TIAP Meeting, London, 22 April 2008

FREE WEST PAPUA (UK) message to the BP TIAP Meeting, London, 22 April 2008

BP WEST PAPUA (Tangguh) FREE WEST PAPUA (UK) message to the BP TIAP Meeting, London, 22 April 2008 Richard Samuelson, Co-Director, Free West Papua (UK) gave this message to the members of the Tangguh Independent Advisory Board (TIAP*) and to senior representatives of BP Indonesia at the annual BP-TIAP meeting at the South Bank Centre in London today.“THANK YOU for this vital opportunity to bring a message from inside West Papua to this important meeting in London today. Thank you also to BP for helping to make it possible for us to hold a peaceful protest on private land outside this meeting. Thank God we are FREE here in England to speak out and protest. We could not be doing this in Indonesian-occupied West Papua. Thank God I can say this and wear my Morning Star badge and walk away as a free man. If I did this in West Papua, Indonesian intelligence agents and police would be waiting at the door to arrest me. I am here with a mixture of deep sadness and anger. Deep sadness because we are here today surrounded by bones – the bones of the thousands of our Papuan Brothers and Sisters who have been killed during 45 years of the Indonesian occupation, the grim anniversary of which falls soon on 1 May. I always think that any meeting like this should begin with silence to remember all those who have died and the countless others who have been tortured and raped by Indonesian soldiers and police. And I feel anger, because, just as in the Rio Tinto meeting we were at last week, there’s an “elephant in the room” which no-one is talking about – the Indonesian military occupation of West Papua. Why to Papuans raise the Morning Star flag, why do they go on the streets demanding a referendum? Because the overwhelming majority of West Papuans DO NOT WANT TO BE PART OF INDONESIA! And the only way the Indonesian sate can stop the democratic will of the people of West Papua becoming a reality, is to use violence, threats and intimidation. You wouldn’t know any of this from reading the latest TIAP report and BP’s response. TIAP and BP claim that human rights abuses in West Papua occurred “in the past”, or “in other parts of Papua” (such as the Central Highlands). Well I have brought with me today a photograph (holds up poster-size photo) of one of our Brothers who was smashed in the face with rifle butts by Indonesian intelligence and police last month. For those of you who are here today from the Indonesian Embassy – it was YOUR soldiers who did this to our Brother! He is not involved in violence. He just wants to campaign peacefully for his people’s freedom. And for that, this is what Indonesia did to him! I wish so much that he could be with us today to tell you this himself, but he’s now in hiding. But we’ll tell him that he was in a way able to get his message to us here now in London. BP – this is where you’re operating. In a country where this happens every day! Oppression like this is happening every day NOW in Indonesian-occupied West Papua (not just “in the past”) and it’s not just in the Central Highlands. You must know about the arrests last month for raising the Morning Star flag in Manokwari. They may get 10, 15 or 20 years in prison, just for saying they want to be Free! BP, you simply cannot say that’s nothing to do with the part of West Papua you’re operating in. And we had reports that when Prince Andrew visited the BP project itself in March, Indonesian soldiers threatened to “shoot on the spot” any Papuan who put up a protest banner such as “Welcome Prince Andrew to the Land of Papua – the Land of Genocide”. I will finish by raising the Morning Star flag, the Bintang Kejora, (holds up Morning Star flag) in solidarity with all our West Papuan brothers and sisters who are now in prison for doing exactly this in Abepura, Timika and Manokwari. Here in London we can raise this flag without fear. We can tell the world that West Papua wants to be Free! * The members of the Tangguh Independent Advisory Board (TIAP) are: Senator George Mitchell (USA), Ambassador Sabam Siagian (Indonesia), Revd Herman Saud (West Papua) & Lord Hannay (UK) ========================================

[ Back

Photo News West Papua:The Real Oxford Union address

Photo News West Papua:The Real Oxford Union address

Benny Wenda Message to The Real Oxford Union address member in Oxford. Today is my first time i give talk The Real Oxford Union address today in the world end of the slavery but in West Papua Indonesia Military slave my people.

West Papua: Seven Students are released by Police in Jayapura

Tuesday, April 22 2008 @ 10:49 PM PDT Contributed by: Admin Views: 103 The seven students who were detained by the Police in Jayapura have been released this morning. The group are now with their lawyer, Mr Alo Renwarin and are said to be very happy about now being released. 23 April 2008 West Papua Alert: Seven Students are released by Police in Jayapura The seven students who were detained by the Police in Jayapura have been released this morning. The group are now with their lawyer, Mr Alo Renwarin and are said to be very happy about now being released. They thanked the people who had contacted the Police Headquarters in Jayapura and said this action had ensured their release. The Head of Police had told Mr Renwarin that there will be no further action against the group on this case. The group of West Papuan students was Yosias Yeimo, Benyamin Sabu, Nebon Pahabol, Marthen Goo, Santon Tekege, Emilianus Keiya and Gunawan Inggeruhi. They were detained by Police while unfurling banners about democracy and self determination at the beginning of a demonstration in Abepura, in the city of Jayapura yesterday.

Time to right the great Melanesian wrong

Time to right the great Melanesian wrong

Monday, 14 April 2008

FINALLY, hope for the forgotten Melanesians. And a chance for Prime Minister Derek Sikua and this country to try to help right one of the great wrongs of Melanesia. It comes with Vanuatu’s move to push the cause of the Indonesian-ruled West Papuans at next month’s Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting. This is being held in the Vanuatu capital, Port Vila. Vanuatu Foreign Minister George Wells promised support after the West Papua National Coalition of Liberation met in Port Vila the other day. Vanuatu wants the West Papuans to be given observer status within the Melanesian Spearhead Group. It would link them with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Kanaks of New Caledonia. Dr Sikua should support this Vanuatu move despite all the behind-the-scenes pressures he will now come under not to. For the Indonesians have no more right to occupy West Papua than they did East Timor. Indonesia’s mistreatment of the Papuans and exploitation of West Papua’s rich resources are well documented. Just the other day, for instance, TV viewers in Honiara saw a graphic Australia Network documentary telling of the spreading of HIV/AIDS amongst the Papuan population. There were suggestions this is part of a strategy to weaken the Papuans and strengthen the position of Asian Indonesians being moved into Papua. So let’s never forget the following despite all the huff and puff from Jakarta. Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua has no credibility. It was only allowed to happen because it suited American Government interests during the Cold War. More recently Australian and Papua New Guinean governments have largely kept West Papua off the Pacific Islands Forum agenda. They have thwarted efforts to get the Forum to address the issue of West Papuan self determination. Canberra does this because it worries about maintaining Australia’s own relationships with its massive and sensitive neighbour to its north. To appease Jakarta, Canberra pragmatically turns a blind eye to the rights of the West Papuans. This has been especially important to Canberra since the fallout with Jakarta over East Timor. In Port Moresby, there is personal sympathy for their fellow Melanesians across the border in the west. But Papua New Guinea governments also fear provoking any confrontation with the Indonesians. They are especially wary of the powerful Indonesian military who hold such sway in West Papua and benefit so much from the occupation there. There are also some in Papua New Guinea who see benefits, perhaps personal, in snuggling up to the Indonesians. Vanuatu alone has long supported the West Papuan cause. It has been prepared to stand up to all the pressure over this. Not just from the Indonesians but also from Canberra and Port Moresby. The West Papua National Coalition of Liberation is said to bring together 28 pro-independence groups. Its vice chairman, Dr John Ondawame, told Radio Australia after they met in Port Vila that there are now signs of support from Fiji and Solomon Islands too. Let’s hope this finally translates into a true Melanesian effort to right one of the great wrongs of this part of the world. And Solomon Islands joins Vanuatu in leading this effort. Granting the West Papuans observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group is an important first step.

< Prev

Next >

Charged West Papuans Get Ill-Ireatment In Prison

Charged West Papuans Get Ill-Ireatment In Prison
Monday, 14 April 2008, 10:24 am
Press Release: Manukoreri

West Papuans Charged With Rebellion Subject To Ill-treatment In Prison
West Papua, Friday April 11 1530 2008 — As Indonesian security forces intensify a West Papua wide crackdown and round up of up to 100 peaceful demonstrators, serious concerns are held for the safety of all West Papuan peace activists and flag raisers currently being held in inhuman conditions by the Indonesian police, particularly those in POLRES Manokwari, held on charges of Rebellion and Subversion.
Eleven West Papuans involved in peaceful demonstrations are still being held in under the Custody of Brigadier Yakobus Marjuki. They have been Charged with Rebellion and Mutiny according to KUH Pidana (Indonesian Criminal Code) article 106, 110, para 55.56. Contrary to Indonesian law and past practice, the detainees are being treated as common criminals and not as political prisoners (Tapols), and have been housed with remanded and convicted prisoners on murder and violence charges. The activists in Manokwari are:

Sources close to the detained activists speaking on condition of anonymity have expressed well founded fears of mistreatment, given that the past history of detention and abuse of political prisoners by the Indonesian security forces, which comes amid confirmed reports of high level concerns of the extreme potential for this within the Indonesian government.

Photographs have been smuggled out of the prison showing the detainees, and are available at http://manukoreri.net/../..detainees/
Currently the legal team of LP3BH has gained access to the detainees, and have established that they are in good spirits. However, all allegations of torture and ill treatment still have not been satisfactorily ruled out. This can be allayed by allowing international media access.

It is unconfirmed when the trial will be held, but the detainees have reported that from May 13, they will be taken from POLRES to the Department of Justice, where a trial date will be set if enough evidence can be found. There are serious concerns about the transparency of any trial process of Dutch colonial era charges of Rebellion and spreading hatred against the state. For Indonesia’s entire modern history, past trials on charges of Rebellion have been politically motivated, and far from transparent or accountable. Detainees have urgently appealed for international monitors visit them, and to be present at their trial.

The police under Brigadier Marjuki have placed all the detainees together with the high security convicted criminals and gangsters, and are doing so as the Police have accused the peaceful demonstrators of being “Criminals against the security of the State”. All day and night, these non-violent political prisoners have had to contend with drunk and violent cell mates, and are facing regular assaults. According to Jack Wanggai, “While we are in prison, we must think about our safety from violence both inside prison and after we get out”

The detainees have reported dire conditions inside the prison, and have detailed a litany of problems. Knowing full well the risk of further physical punishment, they have decided to speak out. According to Wanggai, “we need check up on our health and conditions because: we have not enough to eat, we are unable to have any circulation of fresh air, our cells are unhygienic and we have to sleep on the floor”. The detainees have also reported they are also subject to intimidation and terror of the police, TNI, and intelligence every time they are interrogated, and that they are constantly hunting the family and friends of the detainees.

As more international organisations take up the issue of the brutal treatment of West Papuan people, it is critical to keep the pressure up. To date, The World Council of Churches, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have all taken up the case of West Papua and the treatment of political dissent, and more organisations are getting involved daily across the world. The Indonesian government in Jakarta have shown that they are vulnerable to international perceptions of security forces out of control, and allegations of institutionalised brutality, which is clearly on display across West Papua.

Reports have also been received that intelligence and police have been rounding up many dissidents and conducting forceful interrogations across West Papua, in Serui and in several centres in the Highlands. Access has been difficult to ascertain exactly how many people have been rounded up. More information as it comes to hand

*/MEDIA CONSIDERATIONS. The situation is being monitored closely, and updates will be available from people on the ground. Photographs will be provided as soon as we have them. Please visit /**/www.manukoreri.net/* */ to access photographs and all background documents. All West Papua material on this site is Copyleft./*

ENDS

Soal Cabut, Kembalikan ke Masyarakat Adat

12 April 2008 05:17:48

Soal Cabut, Kembalikan ke Masyarakat Adat

Atas 3 Papan Nama Kantor PPS yang Ditancapkan di Merauke

MERAUKE- Kendati Sekretaris Daerah Merauke Umar Ary Karim, telah memerintahkan Asisten III Setda Merauke untuk mencabut atau menutup tulisan 3 papan nama yakni Kantor Gubernur Provinsi Papua Selatan, Kantor DPR dan KPU Provinsi Papua Selatan yang ditancapkan pada 3 tempat berbeda pada Sabtu (5/4) lalu, namun hingga Jumat kemarin, ketiga papan nama tersebut belum dicabut atau ditutup.

Asisten III Setda Merauke Agustina Basik-Basik, S.Sos, MM, yang ditemui terkait dengan pencabutan atau penutupan 3 papan nama tersebut mengaku tidak berani untuk mencabut 3 papan nama tersebut karena yang melakukan penancapan adalah masyarakat adat.

‘’Yang bisa mencabut adalah masyarakat adat. Karena menancapan itu dilakukan oleh masyarakat adat yang tidak asal ditancap tapi dilakukan secara adat. Karena di 3 papan nama itu saya lihat dipasangi janur kuning (kelapa mudah) yang biasa digunakan sebagai simbol-simbol adat di sini dan itu memiliki makna mendalam,’’ kata Mantan Kepala Dinas Kebudayaan Kabupaten Merauke ini.

Lagi pula, jika sudah dilakukan secara adat, lanjutnya, pencabutan 3 papan nama yang telah ditancap tersebut tidak dapat dilakukan secara sembarang sebelum maksud dari penancapan itu tercapai. ‘’Itulah adat yang harus dihormati pula, karena memiliki makna mendalam,’’ jelasnya.

Namun demikian, sambungnya, guna mencapai win-win solution, pihaknya akan meminta agar 3 papan nama tersebut bisa ditutup sampai tulisan yang ada di papan nama itu tidak terlihat atau terbaca lagi. ‘’Agar dari adatnya tidak salah dan dari sisi aturan tidak melanggar maka itu kita minta untuk ditutup. Dan nanti kita minta dari unsure pemuda untuk menutupnya,’’ jelasnya.

Agustina mengungkapkan lebih jauh, di era demokrasi perbedaan pendapat yang muncul harus dihormati dan aspirasi yang datang dari rakyat harus di dengar. Karena menurutnya, suara rakyat merupakan suara Tuhan. ‘’Itulah sebabnya ada lembaga DPRD dan DPRP sebagai wakil rakyat yang diberi amanat untuk memperjuangkan apa yang menjadi kehendak rakyat,’’ terangnya.

Agustina Basik-Basik menambahkan, adanya suara-suara dari luar jika apa yang tengah diperjuangkan saat ini hanya kepentingan segelintir elit politik di Selatan Papua merupakan bahasa klise yang selalu dilontarkan sejak dahulu. ‘’Dari rambut saya hitam hingga sekarang mulai memutih, bahasa klise itu selalu menjadi tameng. Padahal, mereka tidak pernah turun ke lapangan melihat kita bagaimana sebenarnya,’’ tambahnya. (ulo)

Articles: BP Liquefied Natural Gas & West Papua

Wednesday, 9 April 2008, 11:45 am Press Release: Free West Papua Campaign

 

 

BP West Papua: 3 Articles

1. Upstream: 1 April 2008: Groups warn of Tangguh political fallout
2. Upstream: 4 April 2008: BP faces a Tangguh backlash
3. South China Morning Post: 7 April 2008: Fears gas project will fuel tensions in Papua

 

Groups warn of Tangguh political fallout

http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article151503.ece

1 April 2008

By Upstream staff

Human rights groups have warned UK-based supermajor BP that the $6 billion Tangguh liquefied natural gas project in West Papua, risks becoming embroiled in the province’s volatile politics

More than 30 groups have signed a letter to BP supreme Tony Hayward calling for an independent watchdog body to monitor BP’s activities in the province amid a reported crackdown on pro-independence protestors in the Indonesian province.

The letter warned of reports of increased activity by the Indonesian military in the vicinity of the project, saying this could lead to conflict with the local Papuan communities.

The western half of the island of New Guinea was annexed by Indonesia in 1969 to become the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua. The annexation is opposed by many indigenous Papuans. A number of Papuans were reportedly arrested last month for protesting a ban on symbols of Papuan autonomy, including the Morning Star flag.

The organisations claimed in the letter that many Papuans saw BP as collaborating with the Indonesia authorities to exploit West Papua’s natural resources.

The letter criticised BP for not extending the mandate of the Tangguh Independent Advisory Panel, which consulted with local communities over the project and was chaired by former US senator George Michael. However it also said the panel was not independent as it had been set up by BP.

The letter also reportedly listed a number of other concerns related to the social and environmental impact of the project.

BP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

***

 

BP faces a Tangguh backlash

Upstream, 4 April 2008

A GROUP of human rights organisations has written to UK supermajor BP, warning that its $6 billion Tangguh liquefied natural gas project is a potential source of instability in an already troubled region of Indonesia, writes Amanda Battersby.

The groups and some con­cerned individuals said in an open letter to BP chief executive Tony Hayward there is a “pressing need” for an inde­pendent inspection of the project because of reports of increased activity by the Indonesian military, the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), in the vicinity.

However, the signatories conceded that BP is aware that “truly independent” monitoring is currently impossible because of the restrictions on journalists and international human rights groups operating in West Papua province.

In their letter, organisations including Tapol — the Indone­sia Human Rights Campaign — point out that Tangguh, which aims to export its first cargo early next year, is regarded by some Papuans as an obstacle to the realisation of their wider political aspirations. “BP is seen by them as a collaborator with Jakarta’s exploitation of West Papua’s natural resources,” the letter claimed.

A tribal leader recently wrote to BP complaining about military harassment because of his political activities and work to protect the local environment.

“The TNI’s past record suggests that it is likely to adopt a highly intimidatory approach, giving rise to possible conflicts with the local and wider Papuan community,” Tapol said.

The organisations’ missive was prompted by BP’s decision not to extend the mandate of the Tangguh Independent Advisory Panel beyond 2009. The letter was sent in the wake of arrests in March of Papuans peacefully protesting against bans on symbols such as the Papuan Morning Star flag.

If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to 20 years, according to Tapol.

The open letter also expressed concern about the potential social and environmental impacts of the liquefaction project. The major environmental issues are the increase shipping in the area and the handling of carbon dioxide emissions.

“About 12.5% of the Tangguh gas reservoir consists of CO2, which will be released into the atmosphere unless it can be captured. To our knowledge, no decision has yet been made on the appropriate disposal mechanism,” it said.

BP had earlier said it was considering facilities for carbon dioxide reinjection as part of the Tangguh project.

***

 

South China Morning Post

Monday, April 7, 2008

Fears gas project will fuel tensions in Papua

Fabio Scarpello in Jakarta

A coalition of 30 international human rights organisations has warned that a new US$6 billion gas project could worsen the security situation in Papua, the troubled Indonesian region that has recently experienced a rise in tensions.

The Tangguh liquefied natural gas project in Bintuni Bay is spearheaded by BP, which owns more than 37 per cent of the operations and claims to have secured contracts with China, South Korea and the US. The fields contain 407 billion cubic metres of gas and should be operational later this year.

In a letter to BP chief executive Tony Hayward, the coalition said that the operation was likely to lead to an increase in the militarisation of the region and abuses against the local population. “The Indonesian military’s past record suggests that it is likely to adopt a highly intimidatory approach, giving rise to possible conflicts with the local and wider Papuan community,” the coalition said.

Although there is no firm, independent evidence of an increased military presence, local sources have said that there has been a bigger presence of the Kopassus special forces group – troops notorious for a string of charges over gross human rights violations, Brimob police special operations personnel (also known for violations and killings), intelligence agents and other non-uniformed security forces personnel.

In November 2006, LP3BH, an NGO based in Manokwari that provides human rights training for BP, pointed out that the administrative changes in Bintuni Bay that followed the Tangguh project, would result in a new military command.

The coalition’s letter also pointed out that the project is regarded by some Papuans as an obstacle to their political aspirations, and that BP is seen as a collaborator in Jakarta’s exploitation of Papua’s natural resources. Papua is among Indonesia’s richest soils, but the standard of living of the local population remains among the lowest in the archipelago.

The coalition initiative was prompted by BP’s decision not to extend the mandate of the Tangguh Independent Advisory Panel, a body set up by BP, chaired by former US senator George Mitchell, and formerly made adviser on non-commercial aspects of the project.

According to the coalition, “the external scrutiny of Tangguh’s political, economic, social and environmental impact is essential throughout the duration of the project”.

BP former communications officer Victor Tjahjadi said that “he was no longer in the capacity to answer as he has been moved to another department”, and the current officer, Desi Unijaya, failed to answer the phone for two days.

The letter comes at a time when Papua has witnessed a rise in tensions, with a string of pro-independence demonstrations taking place.

Jack Wanggai, spokesman for the West Papua National Authority, which represents the pro-independence movement and claims to be a shadow government, said that protests would continue and were “aimed at pushing for a new referendum to decide on the region’s future”.

Papua People’s Assembly chairman Agus Alua argued that while a referendum was an option, the immediate concern was the full implementation of the special autonomy the region was granted in 2001.

“Our demand is simple: we want Jakarta to show goodwill in implementing the special autonomy .”

***

Richard Samuelson
Free West Papua Campaign
Oxford, UK.
www.freewestpapua.org

ENDS

Amnesty Int’l UK Passes West Papua Resolution

Wednesday, 9 April 2008, 9:31 am Press Release: Free West Papua Campaign

 

 

Amnesty International UK Annual General Meeting passes West Papua Resolution

On Saturday 5 April 2008, the Amnesty International UK AGM passed overwhelmingly (with only one vote against) a Resolution on West Papua, calling on AI’s International Secretariat to:

“explore increasing the campaigning resources available for work on [West Papua]“

& take “a more vigorous campaigning approach towards the Indonesian government”

Amnesty International UK Indonesian Country Co-ordinator, Mark Robbins, who proposed the Resolution, delivered a powerful speech on the latest Human Rights situation in West Papua to five hundred Amnesty International UK delegates attending the AGM at Nottingham University (speech copied below).

In his speech, Mr Robbins gave a grim warning that “a bad situation [in Papua] is turning progressively worse” and “We are now looking at a possible human rights catastrophe”.

Richard Samuelson
Free West Papua Campaign
Oxford, UK.
www.freewestpapua.org

***

WEST PAPUA Resolution passed by Amnesty International UK AGM, 5th April 2008

Bearing in mind the repressive treatment to which the people of Papua Province are subjected by the state actors of Indonesia.

Noting that AI supports the values enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, in particular that, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression’ and the freedom to ‘impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers’ (Article 19) and that, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association’ (Article 20).

Noting that these freedoms are routinely denied to the people of Papua Province in the peaceful expression of their political views, or their concerns about human rights abuses.

Noting that access of journalists and human rights workers to Papua Province is severely restricted by the Indonesian authorities, and that human rights workers and journalists are routinely harassed and subjected to death threats.

This AGM calls upon the AIUK Board to raise the issue of Papua Province with the International Secretariat to explore increasing the campaigning resources available for work on this state, and to request that the International Secretariat takes a more vigorous campaigning approach towards the Indonesian government as part of the movement’s continuing work on Indonesia.

***

PROPOSER’S BACKGROUND NOTES:

‘Freedom of opinion and expression’:
In February 2007 Human Rights Watch issued a report “Protest and Punishment – Political Prisoners in Papua” http://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/papua0207/ detailing 18 recent cases of political prisoners jailed for peaceful expression of their views.

Amnesty International has recognised two West Papuan independence campaigners Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage, as prisoners of conscience. Arrested on 1 Dec 2004 after peacefully raising the West Papuan independence flag in Abepura, West Papua, they were later sentenced to 15 and 10 years in prison for ‘rebellion against the state’. http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=204

ABC Radio Australia – 02/12/2007, 09:28:58:

‘More than 20 people were reportedly arrested in Indonesia’s Papua as they raised the outlawed “Morning Star” separatist flag.’

Cendrawasih Post, of the 7 July 2007:

Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian who is commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command, Korem 172, is reported stating ‘that it is the duty of the TNI [the Indonesian military] to crush any struggle or activity undertaken by any group in the community which tends towards separatism” and ”What is absolutely certain is that anyone who tends towards separatism will be crushed by TNI.’ http://sydney.indymedia.org.au/node/51325

(In 2003 Colonel Siagian was indicted by UN investigators for murder and torture when he was based in East Timor in the run-up to the 1999 independence referendum. Jakarta refused to extradite him – instead he was promoted and sent to Papua.)

‘Harassment of journalists and human rights workers’:

Human Rights Watch News Release (Jakarta, July 5, 2007): Indonesia: Police Abuse Endemic in Closed Area of Papua states:

‘The Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua are closed to outside human rights observers. Journalists have extremely limited access.’ http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/07/05/indone16272.htm

Extract from Amnesty International’s 2007 Report into the state of the world’s human rights, referring to West Papua:

‘There were reports of extrajudicial executions, torture and ill-treatment, excessive use of force during demonstrations and harassment of human rights defenders.’ http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/Regions/Asia-Pacific/Indonesia

In June 2007, a special representative to the United Nations Secretary General, Hina Jilani, visited West Papua and issued a strongly worded report about abuses committed against human rights defenders, including the following reference:

….’The Special Representative is deeply concerned by the testimonies that she has heard indicating the continuing activities of the police, the military and other security and intelligence agencies that are aimed at harassment and intimidation of defenders or to restrict their access to victims and to sites of human rights violations.’ http://www.un.or.id/press.asp?Act=1&FileID=20070612-1&lang=en

PROPOSER: Mark Robbins, (Amnesty International UK Indonesian Country Co-ordinator)
SECONDER: Reading University Amnesty International Group

Passed overwhelmingly by the Amnesty International UK AGM, Saturday 5th April 2008 (just one vote against)

***

 

Conference Speech by Mark Robbins, Amnesty International UK Indonesian Country Co-ordinator,
to propose the West Papua Resolution

My name is Mark Robbins, the Amnesty International UK (AIUK) Indonesian Country Co-ordinator. Both I and many of the local groups working on the Indonesian territory of West Papua feel very strongly that the human rights situation there is reaching a critical point. As the locals there have practically no defence against the escalating abuse they are suffering, it is up to us in the international human rights community to come to their aid – and we must do so now and we must do so vigorously before the whole situation runs completely out of control. This Resolution therefore calls upon the AIUK Board to raise the issue of West Papua with the International Secretariat to explore increasing the campaigning resources available for work on this state, and to request that the International Secretariat takes a more vigorous campaigning approach towards the Indonesian government as part of the movement’s continuing work on Indonesia.

1. History

Since West Papua was taken over by Indonesia in 1962, the area has suffered a history of massive abuse. An ex-Governor of the province has estimated that in order to consolidate its rule, the Indonesian army bombed and napalmed 30,000 people to death in the first six years of its operations. Repressive operations continued throughout the ’70s, including the notorious Operation Clean Sweep where up to a further 13,000 were killed.

2. Current Situation

The popular view is that since the fall of Soeharto in 1998, reform has made things better for the people of Papua. This is just not so. There were initial concessions, yes, but then the military re-grouped at the beginning of the decade and returned to a position of influence in government.

Since then the concessions have been withdrawn or remain unfulfilled and the military and local militias have grown at an alarming rate. The army has been turning the country into a no-go area for outsiders and even for the Indonesian government itself, as it uses the province to capture further power within the Indonesian state.

With such a blockade, it’s hard to estimate how the human rights situation has changed, but the limited evidence gathered by the UN, Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch and ourselves all point conclusively in one direction – a bad situation is turning progressively worse, with abuses of all kinds escalating. And recent reports suggest that the situation is deteriorating ever more rapidly.

3. The Possible Outcome

We are now looking at a possible human rights catastrophe. The Papuans are becoming more desperate and the military are escalating their activities in defence of what they consider their vital interests. In stand-offs like this in the past, such as when the military took power in the ’60s or when they were forced out of East Timor, they initiated a vast campaign of destruction and violence. This is the danger we are now facing.

4. The Vulnerability of the Papuans –

In this awful scenario, the Papuans can’t look to their own country for defence. As we have seen, the Indonesian government, even when moved by the best of motives, can’t or won’t intervene in the province. The legal reforms initiated in the last few years have barely touched on military impunity, so the law is also closed as an avenue of defence. In this situation, it is only we, the international human rights community that can come to the aid of the people of Papua.

5. What We Propose

To bring about a change to this situation, we principally need a restitution of the freedom of expression – only then can the people of Papua and the human rights defenders within the country bring to light what is going on. We also need, as a matter of extreme urgency, for outside independent observers to be allowed back into the country and for them also to be able to report freely what they find. The dialogue made possible by freedom of expression can also make possible a reduction in the fearsome tensions being generated in the province. We need to apply pressure for these changes with all due vigour, as in matters of the military and West Papua, the Indonesian government is all too ready to fudge and stall.

All this would not only benefit the Papuans. Indonesia is struggling towards reform and it is entrenched abuse and the powers behind it that presents the greatest stumbling block to them getting there. Therefore, for the sake of the people of Papua and for the fate of human rights throughout Indonesia, I ask the conference to pass this resolution to allow the Board to push for more resources and more vigour in our campaigning on this vital issue.

ENDS

Indonesian independence groups push for diplomatic recognition

April 11, 2008 – 6:24PM
Source: ABC

A new coalition of pro-independence groups from Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua says it is seeking diplomatic recognition from Melanesian countries in the Pacific.

The group, the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation, is made up of 28 pro-independence groups.

Vice-chairman Dr John Ondawame says the group is seeking observer status with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), which is made up of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and the Indigenous FLNKS political party in New Caledonia, as a first step towards wider diplomatic recognition.

“There is some sign of support coming from Fiji and Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, but we will see what the Vanuatu-Papua New Guinea position is on this matter,” he said.

If it is successful with the MSG, the coalition says it will seek recognition from other nations in the Asia Pacific region.