1) UNCEN students call for an end to stigmatisation
2) Four injured, 11 arrested after police fire on protesters in Manokwari
3) Papuans in Manado rally in support of IPWP meeting, independence
4) Investor complain the lack of electricity supply in West Papua
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1) UNCEN students call for an end to stigmatisation
JUBI, 24 October, 2012
A number of students from Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) took part in a rally outside the office of the DPRP, the Legislative Assembly of Papua, calling for an end to the stigma of makar (treason), separatism and terrorism against indigenous Papuans. One speaker, Yason Ngelia said he was very concerned about the crackdown on the demonstration held on the previous day in Manokwari.
'Is this how you treat a demonstration in this country, using firearms as a result of which some people have been injured? We demand justice for our friends who became victims of terror and intimidation during the rally in Manokwari,' he said
The chairman of BEM (?) at the Faculty of Law at UNCEN said that the military command post at Waena should be closed down because there is already a security group in the university. 'Troops frequently maltreat people who are found drunk. This is in violation of the law although the soldiers say that they are here to protect the community, said Musa Sama.
'We call for the release of the eleven student activists. some of whom were shot.'
The army post is not inside the university campus but in a public place, near shops along Jalan Kampwolker.
Another speaker said that there is no democratic space for students to give expression to their aspirations. 'The military should not be searching our dormitories on the pretext that the they are searching for people who are on the wanted list.' He said that all their belongings such as the eleven laptops that were seized should be handed back
Another UNCEN activist said that the demo was intended as an action against corruption and to commemorate the Third Papuan Congress in 2011, yet these actions were banned by the security forces. According to Law 9/1998 about freedom of expression, the police do not have the right to issue permits but only to regulate the traffic.
'The stigmas of separatism, treason and terrorism were used by the police to refuse to grant a permit for the rally, but this is against the law. We are being denied any space for democracy by the security forces. This can only lead to an accumulation of disappoinments which could explode into the open during the forthcoming elections. 'The lack of democratic space will become a boomerang for the government,' said Benyamin Gurik.
In response to the calls being made by the students, a member of the DPRP, John Rustam said that he would raise these issues at the next meeting of Commission A which handles these matters.
He said that the demands of the students were for an end to the abuse of human rights and for their right to express their aspirations publicly which until now has been silenced. The army is continually intervening as a result of which there is no security on campus while many students are being hunted down
Another official said that the students had now been released but they were being interrogated.
[Translated by TAPOL]
A number of students from Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) took part in a rally outside the office of the DPRP, the Legislative Assembly of Papua, calling for an end to the stigma of makar (treason), separatism and terrorism against indigenous Papuans. One speaker, Yason Ngelia said he was very concerned about the crackdown on the demonstration held on the previous day in Manokwari.
'Is this how you treat a demonstration in this country, using firearms as a result of which some people have been injured? We demand justice for our friends who became victims of terror and intimidation during the rally in Manokwari,' he said
The chairman of BEM (?) at the Faculty of Law at UNCEN said that the military command post at Waena should be closed down because there is already a security group in the university. 'Troops frequently maltreat people who are found drunk. This is in violation of the law although the soldiers say that they are here to protect the community, said Musa Sama.
'We call for the release of the eleven student activists. some of whom were shot.'
The army post is not inside the university campus but in a public place, near shops along Jalan Kampwolker.
Another speaker said that there is no democratic space for students to give expression to their aspirations. 'The military should not be searching our dormitories on the pretext that the they are searching for people who are on the wanted list.' He said that all their belongings such as the eleven laptops that were seized should be handed back
Another UNCEN activist said that the demo was intended as an action against corruption and to commemorate the Third Papuan Congress in 2011, yet these actions were banned by the security forces. According to Law 9/1998 about freedom of expression, the police do not have the right to issue permits but only to regulate the traffic.
'The stigmas of separatism, treason and terrorism were used by the police to refuse to grant a permit for the rally, but this is against the law. We are being denied any space for democracy by the security forces. This can only lead to an accumulation of disappoinments which could explode into the open during the forthcoming elections. 'The lack of democratic space will become a boomerang for the government,' said Benyamin Gurik.
In response to the calls being made by the students, a member of the DPRP, John Rustam said that he would raise these issues at the next meeting of Commission A which handles these matters.
He said that the demands of the students were for an end to the abuse of human rights and for their right to express their aspirations publicly which until now has been silenced. The army is continually intervening as a result of which there is no security on campus while many students are being hunted down
Another official said that the students had now been released but they were being interrogated.
[Translated by TAPOL]
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2) Four injured, 11 arrested after police fire on protesters in Manokwari
Berita Satu - October 23, 2012
Dukung Rapat Papua di London, 11 Demonstran Ditangkap di Manokwari - Beritasatu.com. Selasa, 23 Oktober 2012 <http://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/79212-dukung-rapat-papua-di-london-11-demonstran-ditangkap-di-manokwari.html>
Antara/Ratna Nuraini -- A demonstration by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) that took place in Manokwari this morning ended in chaos. As a result of the incident, 11 people were taken away by the Manokwari district police.
The action by members of the KNPB, which was held to support a meeting of the International Parliament of West Papua (IPWP) in London, took place in the vicinity of Jl. Gunung Salju in front of the University of Papua in Amban, Manokwari. The action had been taking place since around 9am.
After giving speeches, the protesters who numbered around 100 planned to hold a long-march to the Borasi Square. But the plan was thwarted when they were blocked and forcibly disbursed by police.
As a result, the protesters became enraged and pelted security personnel with stones. In response, police fired warning shots resulting in four people being injured. In addition to the four who were inured, two police officers were injured after being hit by rocks.
When contacted by Berita Satu, Papuan regional police public relations chief Assistant Superintendent Gede Sumerta admitted that as many as 11 people are currently being detained by district police. They are FN, AW, OA, DA, ET, DM, KJ, PP, OM and AN.
In addition to questioning the 11, the police also confiscated four KNPB and United Nations flags as well as banners and pamphlets brought by the demonstrators. Sumerta said that they did not come across any Morning Star flags, either brought by the demonstrators or flown openly.
When asked about the four people hit by gunshots, Sumerta stated that they are yet to receive a report from the Manokwari district police. According to Sumerta, based on information received from an Indonesian Embassy staff member in London, Aris Nugroho, it turns out that there was no meeting that discussed Papua in the British parliament.
"So news that there were discussions about Papua are untrue", said Sumerta adding that according to Jayapura municipal police, no demonstrations supporting the IPWP in London took place in Jayapura.
Nevertheless, Jayapura police could be seen on guard in a number of places and had deployed Barracuda armoured vehicles in and around the Imbi area in Jayapura.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
INDOLEFT News service
Berita Satu - October 23, 2012
Dukung Rapat Papua di London, 11 Demonstran Ditangkap di Manokwari - Beritasatu.com. Selasa, 23 Oktober 2012 <http://www.beritasatu.com/nasional/79212-dukung-rapat-papua-di-london-11-demonstran-ditangkap-di-manokwari.html>
Antara/Ratna Nuraini -- A demonstration by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) that took place in Manokwari this morning ended in chaos. As a result of the incident, 11 people were taken away by the Manokwari district police.
The action by members of the KNPB, which was held to support a meeting of the International Parliament of West Papua (IPWP) in London, took place in the vicinity of Jl. Gunung Salju in front of the University of Papua in Amban, Manokwari. The action had been taking place since around 9am.
After giving speeches, the protesters who numbered around 100 planned to hold a long-march to the Borasi Square. But the plan was thwarted when they were blocked and forcibly disbursed by police.
As a result, the protesters became enraged and pelted security personnel with stones. In response, police fired warning shots resulting in four people being injured. In addition to the four who were inured, two police officers were injured after being hit by rocks.
When contacted by Berita Satu, Papuan regional police public relations chief Assistant Superintendent Gede Sumerta admitted that as many as 11 people are currently being detained by district police. They are FN, AW, OA, DA, ET, DM, KJ, PP, OM and AN.
In addition to questioning the 11, the police also confiscated four KNPB and United Nations flags as well as banners and pamphlets brought by the demonstrators. Sumerta said that they did not come across any Morning Star flags, either brought by the demonstrators or flown openly.
When asked about the four people hit by gunshots, Sumerta stated that they are yet to receive a report from the Manokwari district police. According to Sumerta, based on information received from an Indonesian Embassy staff member in London, Aris Nugroho, it turns out that there was no meeting that discussed Papua in the British parliament.
"So news that there were discussions about Papua are untrue", said Sumerta adding that according to Jayapura municipal police, no demonstrations supporting the IPWP in London took place in Jayapura.
Nevertheless, Jayapura police could be seen on guard in a number of places and had deployed Barracuda armoured vehicles in and around the Imbi area in Jayapura.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
INDOLEFT News service
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3) Papuans in Manado rally in support of IPWP meeting, independence
Kompas.com - October 23, 2012
Warga Papua di Manado Tuntut Papua Merdeka - Kompas.com. Selasa, 23 Oktober 2012 <http://regional.kompas.com/read/2012/10/23/14504946/Warga.Papua.di.Manado.Tuntut.Papua.Merdeka>
Contributor Manado, Ronny Adolof Buol -- As reported earlier, Papuans living in North Sulawesi, specifically those in Manado city held a protest action demanding justice for the Land of Papua on Tuesday October 23.
Although they were not joined by the thousands of people expected earlier, the demonstration by several hundred people managed to attract the attention of Manado residents because it passed through the main streets of the city.
The demonstrators began the action on the grounds of the Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) rectorate office then held a long-march towards the South Sulawesi Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building. Throughout the march, the protesters called out their demands. "We demand justice for the Land of Papua. We want independence", shouted the demonstrators accompanied by their own unique singing.
In addition to demanding independence for Papua, the demonstrators who came from the North Sumatra Papuan Students, Youth and People's Solidarity (SPMPMP) also declared their support for the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) meeting in London.
"The IPWP [meeting] that is currently taking place in London, England, which is being attended by senior Papuan leaders, is endeavoring to urge the UN to acknowledge the Papuan nation's struggle", explained action coordinator Nenaluck.
The demonstrators also said that Papua needs a referendum in order that the Papuan people can determine the fate of their own nation. "The nation and motherland of Papua has been a sacrificial offering for the economic, political and dominating interests of Holland, America and Indonesia", shouted one of the protesters during a speech in front of the DPRD.
The demonstrators also conveyed their wishes on the grounds of the DPRD. "We hope that the South Sulawesi DPRD can accommodate our hopes and wishes. We have long experienced injustice. Regional autonomy has not provided an answer. We want independence", said Nenaluck.
A written statement and list of demands signed by various different student groups at the demonstration was handed over to the DPRD. DPRD Deputy Speaker Arthur Kotambunan who made time to receive the demonstrators explained that they accepted the protesters wishes.
"We accept the wishes of our sisters and brothers from Papua, and will try to convey these wishes to the national House of Representatives", Kotambunan told the protesters. The demonstration, which was closely watched over by police, proceeded in an orderly and peaceful manner, although it did create traffic congestion on several of the city's streets.
[Translated by James Balowski.]
INDOLEFT News service
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http://papuadaily.com/?p=622
4) Investor complain the lack of electricity supply in West Papua
Jayapura (23/10)-The lack of electricity supply in Papua had been complained by investors. Investors are having trouble to invest.
An investor, Ihsan Widjaja recognizes the limited power supply is a constraint to invest in Papua.
“We are burdened with the cost of electricity, if we do not cooperate with the local power company. In Papua electricity is very difficult. But we can’t to do anything. If we want Papua being better, so the infrastructure must be enhanced, ” Ihsan said to tabloidjubi.com on Tuesday (23/10).
“We are burdened with the cost of electricity, if we do not cooperate with the local power company. In Papua electricity is very difficult. But we can’t to do anything. If we want Papua being better, so the infrastructure must be enhanced, ” Ihsan said to tabloidjubi.com on Tuesday (23/10).
According to him, the government should think, how to work with employers and other partners in order to bring the cities in Papua be equal with the another city in Indonesia. But if there is no support of electricity, development in Papua is very difficult to develop. “Due to extremely high cost, until now, investors in Papua still use diesel power for its business, ” Ihsan added.
Local power company have claimed that PLN (National Electric Company) has load reached 53 Kwh in Jayapura city, while the capabilities only of 54.55 Kwh. PLN has promised the electricity supply for investors can be realized next year after the power plant at Holtekamp ready to be operated.(VM)
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