Friday, December 8, 2023

1) Jayapura City govt urged for comprehensive data on Indigenous Papuans

2) Police investigates into Fatal stabbing incident in Dekai 
3) Marking December 1, Papuan activists in Jakarta protest hunger and poverty

4) Papua students demand independence referendum at December 1 rally in Yogya
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1) Jayapura City govt urged for comprehensive data on Indigenous Papuans 
News Desk - Indigenous Papuans
 9 December 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – Mukry M Hamadi, Chairman of Commission A of the Jayapura City Council, emphasized the necessity for the Jayapura City Administration to have detailed information regarding the number and status of Indigenous Papuans.

“The government must compile data on Indigenous Papuans,” he stated in Jayapura City on Thursday (7/12/2023).

Hamadi stressed the importance of this, saying that having this data would enable the Jayapura City Administration to understand their circumstances more effectively.

“The data, owned by the Jayapura City Administration, will shed light on the conditions of Papuans in this city. It will detail what the Papuans are eating, the condition of their homes, their education, access to healthcare, and their economic situation,” he elaborated.

Hamadi recalled that in 2022, an allocation of Rp 3.5 billion was set aside for the census of Indigenous Papuans. However, he noted that the census program could not be executed by the Jayapura City Office of Statistics Indonesia (BPS).

“The program and budget were in place. The issue is simple—how to utilize the funds and who should be responsible. We argued about this, but the BPS could not manage it in the end. There was a dispute at that time,” he explained.

According to Hamadi, the data on Indigenous Papuans is crucial to ensure that the Special Autonomy Program remains on target. In addition, the local government is obligated to establish a database of students, including Indigenous Papuan students, therefore the availability of such data will serve as the foundation for providing quality educational services in Jayapura City.

“To keep the special autonomy program on track, we need that data that we currently do not have,” he emphasized. (*)


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2) Police investigates into Fatal stabbing incident in Dekai 
News Desk - Yahukimo
 9 December 2023 

Jayapura, Jubi – In Yahukimo Regency’s Dekai, Mountainous Papua Province, a resident was found dead from stab wounds on Tuesday (5/12/2023) around 1:30 p.m. Papua time.

Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, the spokesperson of the Papua Police, confirmed the incident on Wednesday (6/12/2023), saying the Yahukimo Police Criminal Investigation Unit is currently handling the case.

“The deceased victim is identified as Natan (40), and the incident occurred on Halabok Street, Dekai, Yahukimo Regency,” Benny stated.

According to an eyewitness who found the victim, the victim was discovered with wounds on the back of the neck. Subsequently, he transported the victim to the Dekai Regional General Hospital.

“Upon receiving the report from the community, officers from the Yahukimo Police, led by Chief of Criminal Investigation Second Insp. Tantu Usman, immediately responded by checking on the victim at the Dekai Regional General Hospital,” he mentioned.

Besides gathering information from witnesses, Benny noted that several pieces of evidence, such as clothing and a sweater, were secured by the Criminal Investigation Unit for further investigation.

“We’ve secured several pieces of evidence. Furthermore, several witnesses have provided information about individuals seen around the incident location,” he added.

Benny highlighted that the Criminal Investigation Unit, along with the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force 2023, is sweeping  around the crime scene to trace the perpetrator.

“The team has also detained two individuals found near the crime scene for further questioning. This incident is under intensive investigation to uncover the motives and the individuals behind this tragic murder,” Benny concluded. (*)


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3) Marking December 1, Papuan activists in Jakarta protest hunger and poverty
CNN Indonesia – December 1, 2023

Jakarta – Scores of Papuan activists held an action in Central Jakarta on Friday December 1 at the Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat intersection. During the action they criticised a number of issues including the recent hunger crisis in Papua.

Calling themselves the Papuan Indigenous People (OAP), they criticised the government's policies towards the people of eastern Indonesia, even though there are quite a lot of natural resources there.

They said that after 62 years of Papua being part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), there is still violence and poverty in the region.

"Over these 62 years we can honestly and openly convey that we have never been happy. We are always faced with censorship, deprivation and murder", said December 1 commemoration coordinator Pilamo in a speech at the Horse Statue.

According to Pilamo, the Indonesian government only wants the benefits of the exploitation of Papua's natural resources, but does not bring prosperity to the Papuan people.

"The situation in Papua doesn't make sense. Isn't logical. How can we have land with huge SDA (natural resources), the biggest mine [in Indonesia], but the ordinary people are hungry. This is a system that has been created", said Pilamo.

"We know that the poorest province [in Indonesia] is Papua. Yet the biggest contributor is Papua. The Indonesian government does not prioritise Papuan welfare, rather Indonesia is only concerned with exploiting SDA", they added.

The scores of Papuan protesters had earlier gathered in front of the United States Embassy in Central Jakarta at 9 am. They formed a line holding posters containing criticisms and demands.

At around 10.30 am the demonstrators held a long-march to the nearby Horse Statue where they gave speeches that were greeted with cries of "Freedom!".

The initiation of West Papua's independence, which was also recognised by the royal Dutch government at that time, was marked on December 1, 1961.

The people celebrated by gathering at Hoofd van Plaatselijk (HPB) or regional government offices to raise the Morning Star flag for the first time alongside the Dutch flag.

The Indonesian government, known as the Old Order, responded quickly to these events. The president at that time, Sukarno, immediately issued the Triple Commands of the People (Trikora) declaration on December 19, 1961, and tasked Major General Suharto to command the attack on the Dutch and the West Papuan independence fighters.

The West Papua independence effort was then sidelined by the New York Agreement on August 15, 1962.

Pilamo said that the protesters are demanding that the Papuan people be able to determine their own future because they believe that the decision for Papua to unite with Indonesia at the time was forced on them. (yla/kid)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aktivis Papua Demo di Jakarta, Protes Kelaparan di Tanah Kaya".]

Source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20231201150751-20-1031619/aktivis-papua-demo-di-jakarta-protes-kelaparan-di-tanah-kaya


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4) Papua students demand independence referendum at December 1 rally in Yogya
Kumparan – December 1, 2023

Around one hundred protesters from the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) held a demonstration at the zero kilometre point in front of the central post office in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Friday December 1.

The action was held to commemorate December 1, which is beloved to mark the anniversary of West Papua's declaration of independence.

Yogyakarta December 1 action coordinator Denis Irawan said that the aim of the action was to demand a referendum so that the West Papuan people can determine their own future.

"We fully support the West Papuan people determining their own future through a referendum", said Irawan on Friday.

Irawan said that the West Papuan people want to be given an opportunity to determine their own future, whether or not to remain part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) or to become their own sovereign nation.

In 1969 the West Papuan people were actually given an opportunity to determine their own future in a UN sponsored plebiscite known as the Determination of the People's Opinion (Pepera). The plebiscite however only involved 0.2 percent of the West Papua population.

"The Pepera process was also conducted under military coercion and intimidation so the Papuan people agreed to integrate with Indonesia", he continued.

Irawan emphasised that Papuan independence as a sovereign nation had already been declared on December 1, 1961. West Papua also had its own flag, state symbol and national anthem.

It is based on this they are demanding the Indonesian government give the West Papuan people the opportunity to hold a referendum and determine their own future.

"The West Papuan nation is a nation that is already independent, therefore we demand that the West Papuan people must be given an opportunity to determine their own future", said Irawan.

Notes

Although it is widely held that West Papua declared independence from Indonesia on December 1, 1961, this actually marks the date when the Morning Star flag was first raised alongside the Dutch flag in an officially sanctioned ceremony in Jayapura, then called Hollandia. The first declaration of independence actually took place on July 1, 1971 when the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) unilaterally proclaimed West Papua as an independent democratic republic.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Marking December 1, Papua students in Yogya demand referendum".]

Source: https://kumparan.com/pandangan-jogja/mahasiswa-papua-demo-di-jogja-tuntut-referendum-papua-barat-nkri-atau-merdeka-21gYDQsFQSJ

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Thursday, December 7, 2023

1) Indigenous groups rebuke court OK for palm oil company to raze Papua forests



2) Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs rally over unfulfilled work promises in Mountainous Papua 

3) Military members carry out air raid in response to TPNPB attack on mining site in Yahukimo – 12 civilians reportedly killed

4) Australia signs security agreement with Papua New Guinea


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1) Indigenous groups rebuke court OK for palm oil company to raze Papua forests
by Hans Nicholas Jong on 7 December 2023

  • Indigenous Awyu tribal members in Papua lambasted a court decision that effectively greenlights palm oil company PT Indo Asiana Lestari’s plans to raze 26,326 hectares (65,000 acres) of primary forest that sit on ancestral lands.
  • If developed in full, the project would replace 280,000 hectares (692,000 acres) of the third-largest stretch of rainforest on the planet with several contiguous oil palm estates run by various companies.
  • The impending deforestation would subsequently release at least 23 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is 5% of Indonesia’s estimated annual carbon emissions.

JAKARTA — Indigenous people in Indonesia’s easternmost South Papua province have lambasted a court’s decision to reject their lawsuit that seeks to overturn an environmental permit for a palm oil company to raze their ancestral forest.

By rejecting the lawsuit, the court is essentially greenlighting the company, PT Indo Asiana Lestari (IAL), to clear 26,326 hectares (65,000 acres) of primary forest, an area one-fifth the size of London, which sits on the company’s concession, environmentalists say.

The lawsuit revolves around an ongoing conflict between members of the Awyu tribe, sometimes spelled Auyu, and IAL, whose 39,190-hectare (96,840-acre) concession forms one chunk of the larger Tanah Merah project that competing investors have fought over during the past decade.

If developed in full, the Tanah Merah project would replace 280,000 hectares (692,000 acres) of the third-largest stretch of rainforest on the planet with several contiguous oil palm estates run by various companies — some of which are owned by unknown investors hiding behind anonymously held firms in the Middle East.


Besides problems with corporate secrecy, the Tanah Merah project has also been plagued with irregularities in its licensing process.

Some of the permits for the project were signed by a politician who was serving out a prison sentence for corruption. Others were allegedly falsified, with a high-ranking official’s signature said to have been forged on key documents.

One of the latest permits obtained by IAL, a part of Malaysia’s Whole Asia Group, is a decree by the head of the Papua investment agency (DPMPTSP) that gives approval to the company’s environmental impact analysis, known as Amdal.

The decree essentially serves as an environmental feasibility permit to IAL.

The Awyu tribe argued that they weren’t involved in the permit issuance process even though they’re going to be affected by the company’s operation, a violation of the 2021 law on Papua’s special autonomy, which obligates the government to involve Indigenous people in the permit issuance process.

The tribe said it wasn’t until August 2022 that they were aware of the existence of the letter, even though the letter was issued on Nov. 2, 2021.

They also said their objection to the project wasn’t being considered at all in the permit issuance process.

Therefore, the tribe decided to file a lawsuit to challenge the letter at the state administrative court in Jayapura on March 13, 2023.

During seven months of trial, the judges were presented with 102 pieces of documentary evidence, six factual witnesses and three expert witnesses, all of which demonstrated irregularities in the issuance of IAL’s permits, according to Greenpeace.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the court rejected the lawsuit on Nov. 2, 2023.

“I am extremely sad and disappointed because our legal struggle appears to have been in vain. But I’ll never back down, I will carry on. I’m ready to die for the land that my ancestors bequeathed us,” said Hendrikus Woro, a member of the Awyu tribe from the Woro clan who filed the lawsuit. “If the judges didn’t believe us, they should have gone out to our traditional lands to see for themselves.”


Sekar Banjaran Aji, a Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner who’s a member of the Awyu tribe’s legal team, said the judges’ decision also ignored the potential impacts IAL had on the climate.

This is because the establishment of plantations in IAL’s concession would entail the deforestation of 26,326 hectares of primary forest, which would subsequently release at least 23 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is 5% of Indonesia’s estimated annual carbon emissions for 2030.

“We are disappointed with the judges’ decision and will continue the fight until we win, to uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples and to save Papua’s forests from massive destruction and the worsening climate crisis,” Sekar said. “This is an odd decision in that the judges not only did not side with Indigenous landowners and the environment, but also seemed to ignore many of the facts brought to court.”

In their decision, the panel of three judges declined to looked at the Amdal process, which the Awyu tribe said had been flawed due to lack of participation by Indigenous peoples who will be affected. The judges said the Amdal wasn’t the object being contested by the tribe at the court, and thus the only object under consideration was the decree that approves the Amdal.

Sekar said the judges failed to see that the Amdal is the basis for the issuance of the environmental feasibility permit.

The judges also argued that IAL had properly informed and involved Indigenous peoples, as shown by the existence of a letter from an Indigenous organization called LMA in Boven Digoel, the district where the project will take place.

In the letter, dated Aug, 29, 2018, the organization voiced its support to IAL.

Tigor Hutapea from environmental NGO Yayasan Pusaka, who’s also a member of the Awyu people’s legal team, said the judges were wrong in giving weight to the support letter.

“The LMA’s formal legal status and its position under traditional Indigenous law is unclear; furthermore, it does not represent the Awyu Indigenous people and the Woro clan,” he said. “It does not have the right to approve the release of forests belonging to Indigenous communities. This ignores the internationally mandated principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) by directly affected communities.”

The head of the Papua’s investment agency, Solaiyen Murib Tabuni, denied the allegation that the Amdal process was flawed.

He said there were some community members who rejected IAL, but there were also some who agreed, which was enough for the agency to issue the decree.

“Amdal has been carried out using the right procedure. There’s been approval by the people, and that’s why the decree was issued,” Solaiyen said, as quoted by BBC News Indonesia.

While there’s a support letter by the LMA, it’s clear that IAL still hadn’t properly consulted the Awyu tribe, particularly the Woro clan. This was shown by the company maps failing to acknowledge the existence of the Woro clan, Sekar said.

Furthermore, the Amdal document also didn’t include details of the environmental landscape of the concession, even though the forest houses a variety of endemic plant species, she said.

Sekar said the Woro clan might have been deliberately removed from the maps because they had protested againt IAL.

The Awyu tribe said they had opposed the palm oil project since IAL informed some of the communities on its plan to establish plantations.

The tribe feared that the establishment of large-scale oil palm plantations would displace them.

IAL has yet to start clearing land, but it has been gearing up to do so since early 2021 by deploying heavy equipment, which has alarmed local communities.

“We will lose our [ancestral] lands. Our livelihoods depend on [our] lands and forests, which will disappear,” said Kasimilius Awe, the chief of the Awyu’s Awe clan. “All of our lives depend on nature.”

 

Banner image: Indigenous Papuan man of Awyu tribe Hendrikus Franky Woro hunting on his tribe forest in Boven Digoel, South Papua. Image courtesy of © Jurnasyanto Sukarno / Greenpeace.

Related audio from our podcast: This episode of Mongabay Explores-New Guinea shares what was learned from almost two years of award-winning investigative reporting by Mongabay, Malaysiakini, Tempo, Earthsight and The Gecko Project, plus what we now know about the Tanah Merah project — and still don’t know — including who owns this company that’s currently converting a giant swath of rainforest to oil palm plantations. Listen here: 

FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post. If you want to post a public comment, you can do that at the bottom of the page.


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2) Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs rally over unfulfilled work promises in Mountainous Papua 
News Desk - Mountainous Papua Province
 8 December 2023

Wamena, Jubi – Tens of Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs and contractors in the Mountainous Papua Province protested at the Governor’s office seeking assurances regarding job opportunities for Indigenous Papuans.

Jhon Matuan, the coordinator, expressed their collective frustration over the lack of clarity regarding promised work projects that had been auctioned four months ago but hadn’t materialized yet.

Matuan elaborated on their recent meeting with the Governor of Mountainous Papuawhere assurances were made about a budget allocation of Rp19 billion from the provincial Public Works and Housing Office earmarked for Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs. However, despite these commitments, the anticipated work projects have not materialized as promised.

Matuan emphasized their disappointment in the delay, citing instances where projects were awarded to non-Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs, including those affiliated with official entities within the provincial government.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Papuan Entrepreneurs Customary Chamber (KAPP) Musa Haluk called upon all heads of government agencies and officials with companies (CV and PT) to refrain from participating in job auctions, urging them instead to prioritize Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs in Mountainous Papua. Haluk stressed the urgent need for the Provincial Government to take swift action in fulfilling these promises.

Nabas Tabuni, representing the Indigenous Papua entrepreneurs from Lanny Jaya, echoed the sentiment, urging the Mountainous Papua Provincial Government to exclude non-Indigenous Papuan entrepreneurs from future auctions. He highlighted the presence of numerous qualified local companies and regional subsidiaries, emphasizing that it was time for the government to prioritize the involvement of Indigenous Papuans in these opportunities for the upcoming year. (*)

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3) Military members carry out air raid in response to TPNPB attack on mining site in Yahukimo – 12 civilians reportedly killed

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 7 December 2023 
Security force members reportedly attacked an illegal gold mining site at the Yi River in the Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 6 November 2023. The attack, using ground forces and three helicopters, occurred in response to an initial attack by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on the mining site. According to information received, eleven persons were killed during the TPNPB assault; several others were injured.
Following the TPNPB attack, about 60 persons working at the mining site fled to neighbouring villages and informed the Yahukimo District police via SSB radio about the incident. Thereupon, joint security forces, consisting of members of the Damai Cartenz special police and the 1715 military command, launched an attack on the mining location involving three helicopters and ground personnel.   
Informants allege that security forces indiscriminately opened fire and dropped mortar grenades from the helicopters on the mining site. A Papuan student named Mr Nopenus Murib was reportedly killed during the attack. He had worked in the mine, earning money to pay his tuition. Another mine worker, Mr Ayunga Telenggen, was injured during the attack and needed medical treatment.
Local or national media have not yet taken notice of the attack, as the mining site is very remote, and security forces have shut down the internet network in the area. Moreover, the connecting road between Yahukimo’s biggest town, Dekai, and the Pegunungan Bintang Regency has been closed by security forces for more than a month. Informants say the displaced gold panners have difficulty returning to Dekai by road.
The Yahukimo Regency has become a hotspot of armed violence over the past years. The mutilation of two indigenous women and the killing of five civilians at the Braza River are the most recent cases of violence in the regency. On 16 October 2023, the TPNPB had already attacked an illegal mining site in Yahukimo and killed at least seven gold panners, mostly non-Papuans. The police were able to evacuate eleven persons from the illicit mining site. The TPNPB has called upon all non-Papuans to leave conflict hotspots, in particular the regencies Yahukimo, Nduga, Intan Jaya, Puncak, Pegunungan Bintang, and Maybrat.

Photos of a smoke and mortar grenade used in the attack on the illegal mining site in Yahukimo, 6 November 2023


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4) Australia signs security agreement with Papua New Guinea

 5:34 pm on 7 December 2023   
Australia and Papua New Guinea signed a bilateral security agreement today that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and counterpart James Marape said showed the closeness of the two nations.
The deal is designed to bolster PNG's internal security through more assistance in policing, defence and the judiciary as the Pacific Islands' largest nation seeks to develop its economy.
Amid strategic competition between China and the United States in the region, PNG signed a defence deal with the United States in May to upgrade its military bases, and is boosting trade ties with China.
Marape told reporters on Thursday the security agreement with Australia showed they were "brother and sister nations", but added PNG would not pick sides and had a foreign policy of "friends to all".
"This is a comprehensive and historic agreement. It will make it easier for Australia to help PNG address its internal security needs," Albanese told a news conference in Canberra.

He paid tribute to the support PNG's population gave to Australian service members during World War II, and said it was a defence relationship forged through sacrifice.
"For our interests going forward, we have no closer friends than Papua New Guinea," Albanese said.
PNG's judiciary, public service and borders were established by Australia before PNG became an independent nation 48 years ago, Marape said.
"You have always given support to us. What happens up north of your borders has deep, deep shared effect, benefit, consequences, on our region," he added.
The text of the agreement says that enhancing PNG's capabilities contributes to "Pacific-led regional security and stability", and that the two nations will prioritise consultations with each other on PNG's need for security-related equipment, infrastructure and training.
As China has sought to boost its security presence in the Pacific Islands, signing deals to equip and train police in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, where it is a large infrastructure lender, Australia has said security should be provided by Pacific countries.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday that a meeting of South Pacific defence ministers, including PNG, had agreed at a meeting in the French territory of New Caledonia to consider forming a Pacific Response Group to provide assistance in emergencies.
The security deal between Australia and PNG says the two nations will consult if there is a threat to peace in the Pacific, or an external armed attack on either party.
It also covers classified information sharing, critical infrastructure, cyber, maritime and aviation security and health.
- Reuters

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

1) Papuan students in Makassar mark December 1 with call to support Palestine


2) Police disperse Papuans commemorating political rights in Sorong City, use tear gas 

3) KNPB across Papua commemorates 62 years of Papua’s struggle for independence 

    4) December 1 rally in Sorong ends in chaos, protesters pelt police with rocks

5) Nationalist thugs attack Papua student rally in Kupang marking December 1

6) Trial against KNPB leaders launched in Jayapura
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1) Papuan students in Makassar mark December 1 with call to support Palestine

Liputan6 – December 1, 2023

Makassar – Scores of university and Papuan students held a demonstration in front of the Papua student dormitory on Jalan Lanto Daeng Pasewang in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar on the morning of Friday December 1.

Aside from calling for Papuan independence, the students studying in Makassar also called for support for Palestine.

"The Palestinian people have the right to struggle and resist the colonialists", read a poster brought by one of the Papuan students.

In addition to this, the Papua students also asked the Indonesian government to cut all unofficial diplomatic and political ties with Israel.

"Indonesia [must] cut all unofficial diplomatic, economic and political ties with Zionist Israel as well as Zionist bodies", read another poster.

Not only articulating support for Palestine, the demonstration, which was held to commemorate Papua's independence day that falls on December 1, also called for independence for the land of Papua.

"Provide the broadest possible access for journalists and access to information in Papua. Withdraw all organic and non-organic military from the land of Papua. Papua is not the red-and-white [Indonesia's national colours] but the Morning Star", said one of the students in a speech.

Notes

Although it is widely held that West Papua declared independence from Indonesia on December 1, 1961, this actually marks the date when the Morning Star flag was first raised alongside the Dutch flag in an officially sanctioned ceremony in Jayapura, then called Hollandia. The first declaration of independence actually took place on July 1, 1971 when the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) unilaterally proclaimed West Papua as an independent democratic republic.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Demo Mahasiswa Papua di Makassar Suarakan Dukungan Untuk Palestina".]

Source: https://www.liputan6.com/regional/read/5469448/demo-mahasiswa-papua-di-makassar-suarakan-dukungan-untuk-palestina


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2) Police disperse Papuans commemorating political rights in Sorong City, use tear gas   
News Desk - Commemorating December 1 
5 December 2023

Wamena, Jubi – Members of the Papuan People’s Alliance in Sorong City, Southwest Papua, organized a rally on December 1, 2023, commemorating the Papuan people’s political rights declaration on December 1, 1961. The event took place at Klademak III B or Achmad Yani Street, near Ramayana Mall Sorong City.

According to the chronology provided by the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), the rally started peacefully at 10 a.m. Papua time with security forces present. However, at 11:15 a.m., the Sorong City Police attempted negotiations, requesting protesters to voice their opinions until 1 p.m. only, citing an upcoming Santa Claus carnival organized by the Sorong City Government.

Unfortunately, negotiations broke down as the people continued their actions, leading to police dispersing the crowd forcefully with tear gas at 1:10 p.m. Francisco Raymond Mofu from the Sorong Office of LBH Papua confirmed that following the tear gas deployment, there was retaliation from the people who threw objects at the police.

The tear gas affected nearby residents, including children, toddlers, and the elderly in residential areas. By 2 p.m., negotiations ensued between the police, the mass, and affected residents, ultimately resulting in the dispersal of all parties from the rally site.

The LBH Papua expressed its disappointment over the police’s handling of the situation, labeling it an abuse of the right to peaceful expression. Emanuel Gobay, Director of the Papua Legal Aid Institute, criticized the use of tear gas in dispersing a peaceful rally. He highlighted the misuse of protocols resulting in injuries to people and the improper use of firearms, which is prohibited under Emergency Law No. 12/1951.

In response to these incidents, LBH Papua urged the National Police to investigate and prosecute those responsible for misusing tear gas guns and violating the rights of peaceful protesters.

Meanwhile, spokesperson of the West Papua Police Sr. Comr. Pol Adam Erwindi clarified that the clash erupted when protesters refused to disperse despite warnings, blocking the road. He stated that security personnel attempted to disperse the crowd, but objects were thrown at them, prompting the use of tear gas at 1:20 p.m. The entire demonstration concluded by 2:20 p.m.

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3) KNPB across Papua commemorates 62 years of Papua’s struggle for independence   
News Desk - Commemorating December 1 

5 December 2023

Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in various regions marked the 62nd anniversary of Papua’s struggle for independence that was started on December 1, 1961. Distinct events echoing the historical significance of the West Papuan nation’s inception and its ongoing struggle for independence.

In Yalimo Regency, the KNPB Yalimo observed the occasion with a worship service at its secretariat. This gathering, attended by activists from various movements, including the New Guinea Raad Yalimu and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Yaligem Kodam, featured Elder L Wandik leading the service and citing Deuteronomy 19:14 regarding inherited rights.

The ceremony involved KNPB activists lighting candles and jointly cutting a birthday cake. Theo Loho from KNPB Yalimo highlighted the symbolic significance, emphasizing that the lit candles and the united act of cake-cutting represented the continuous spirit of struggle until Papuan independence was achieved.

Similarly, the KNPB Sentani in Jayapura Regency held a discussion to commemorate the historic day. Sadracks Lagowan, the spokesperson of the Sentani Regional Executive Board, disclosed that the discussion centered on the West Papuan nation’s historical struggle between 1951 and 1971, underscoring the critical role of understanding this history as a cornerstone for the Papuan nation’s journey towards independence.


Lagowan stressed the importance of using historical awareness as a guide for the current generation’s efforts to achieve democratic independence. The discussion, facilitated by the KNPB Sentani Diplomacy Commissariat, concluded after two hours, culminating in prayers, coffee, and group photos. (*)

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    4) December 1 rally in Sorong ends in chaos, protesters pelt police with rocks

Detik News – December 1, 2023

Juhra Nasir, Jakarta – An action on Friday December 1 commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the declaration of West Papua independence in Sorong city, South-West Papua province, has ended in chaos with protesters throwing rocks at police who responded by firing teargas.

As reported by Detik Sulsel (South Sulawesi) on Friday, the demonstrators began gathering on Jalan Ahmad Yani at 10 am. Initially, the action proceeded in an orderly and conducive manner.

Police officers then arrived to secure the action but the demonstrators immediately attacked the police by throwing rocks. Because the action was becoming increasingly chaotic, police then fired teargas.

The teargas resulted in the demonstrators fleeing into residential neighbourhoods, although they continued attacking police with rocks and glass bottles as they ran.

"So, up until this moment we have still be able to control the situation. A bit earlier there was some pushing and shoving because indeed this afternoon coincides with a Santa parade. So for our friends that were holding an action, we forced them a bit by making an appeal", Sorong city municipal police chief Senior Commissioner Happy P Yudianto told journalists on Friday.

"We warned them to immediately disperse. But they, there was some resistance, so we forced them. This action was commemorating December 1. So we have been appealing to them since the other day not to hold the action, but they didn't heed us. We gave two warnings. We gave a time limit, that was enough. We dispersed them in a measured fashion", said Yudianto. (lir/idh)

Notes

Although it is widely held that West Papua declared independence from Indonesia on December 1, 1961, this actually marks the date when the Morning Star flag was first raised alongside the Dutch flag in an officially sanctioned ceremony in Jayapura, then called Hollandia. The first declaration of independence actually took place on July 1, 1971 when the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) unilaterally proclaimed West Papua as an independent democratic republic.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aksi 1 Desember di Sorong Ricuh, Massa Lempar Botol-Batu ke Polisi".]

Source: https://news.detik.com/berita/d-7066782/aksi-1-desember-di-sorong-ricuh-massa-lempar-botol-batu-ke-polisi


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5) Nationalist thugs attack Papua student rally in Kupang marking December 1

Detik News – December 1, 2023

Yufengki Bria, Kupang – A protest action by scores Papuan students in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, has ended in chaos. The students were attacked and assaulted by an ormas(social or mass organisation) then arrested by police.

The demonstration took place on Jalan Piet A Tallo on Friday December 1. The students held the action to commemorate the anniversary of Papua's declaration of independence.

In the middle of the protest action, the students were approached my members of the ormasGarda Flobamora and Garuda and were ordered to stop giving speeches. Chaos brought out until the Papuan demonstrators were arrested and taken to the municipal police (Polresta) headquarters.

"We're at Polresta for the moment. We were forcibly disbursed and assaulted by the ormasGaruda", said action coordinator Yerri Wali.

Wali explained that the arrests began when two people suspected of being intelligence officers arrived in a white vehicle at around 9.07 am to observe the demonstration.

Then at 9.15 am, around 50 people from the Garuda ormas arrived and an angry debate ensured that ended in an enraged assault on the protesters resulting in several demonstrators having their clothing torn.

In addition to this, one of the demonstrators named Ririn fell unconscious after being hit. Another protester, Jek, was also hit in the mouth resulting in a split lip. They were then taken to the Kupang municipal police headquarters.

"It was then that we were all injured and suffered bruises to the head, face and mouths", said Wali.

Kupang municipal police public relations chief Second Deputy Police Inspector Florensi Ibrahim Lapuisaly has confirmed the arrests, although he suggested contacting the Kupang municipal police headquarters directly.

"There was indeed information (about arrests) but I don’t' know how many were arrested. Because me and the Pak [head of] Kapolresta were still at a Friday Curhat activity in Oepura village", said Lapuisaly.

According to Detik Bali's observations at the Kupang municipal police headquarters, the protesters have not been released yet. Meanwhile the people from the Garuda Kupang ormas disbanded at 10.40 am. There has yet to be an official statement from Garuda on the incident.

Notes

Although it is widely held that West Papua declared independence from Indonesia on December 1, 1961, this actually marks the date when the Morning Star flag was first raised alongside the Dutch flag in an officially sanctioned ceremony in Jayapura, then called Hollandia. The first declaration of independence actually took place on July 1, 1971 when the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) unilaterally proclaimed West Papua as an independent democratic republic.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Demo Mahasiswa Papua di Kupang Ricuh, Dipukul Ormas-Ditangkap Polisi".]

Source: https://www.detik.com/bali/nusra/d-7066169/demo-mahasiswa-papua-di-kupang-ricuh-dipukul-ormas-ditangkap-polisi

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6) Trial against KNPB leaders launched in Jayapura

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 30 November 2023 
On 23 November 2023, the trials against Mr Agus Kosay, chairman of the central West Papua National Committee (KNPB) with trial number 449/Pid.B/2023/PN Jap, and Mr Benius Murib with trial number 450/Pid.B/2023/PN Jap, secretary general of the KNPB Numbay were launched at the Jayapura District Court, Papua Province, with the announcement of the indictment.
Mr Kosay is accused of violating Article 160 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) on incitement and Article 170 KUHP on violence against persons or objects. Article 170 KUHP carries a maximum penalty of five years and six months, and Article 160 KUHP has a maximum sentence of 6 years imprisonment.  Mr Murib was charged with Article 351 (1) & (2) KUHP on assault. Article 351 ((2) carries a maximum penalty of five years.
Human rights activists have raised concerns about criminalisation in this case as both defendants are key figures in the non-violent civil resistance movement in West Papua. The KNPB has been organising West Papua-wide mass protests for self-determination through a political referendum for more than ten years. Their members have committed to non-violent protest by organising peaceful demonstrations and political discussions.
A second court session was held on 30 November 2023 (see photo on top and below, source: KNPB). Lawyers of the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), representing both defendants in court, read the defense plea. According to local observers, the trial was open to the public but was closely monitored by plain cloth police officers. KNPB activists, other activists, and human rights defenders attended the court session.
The next court session will be held on 5 December 2023.

Background

More than seventy police officers detained Mr Agus Kossay, Chairman of the West Papua National Coalition (KNPB), Mr Benny Murib, KNPB Secretary in Jayapura, Mr Ruben Wakla, member of the KNPB in the Yahukimo Regency, and Mr Ferry Yelipele on 2 September 2023.  According to LBH Papua Director, Mr Emanuel Gobay, the arrest did not follow Article 19 of Law Number 1981 on Criminal Procedure (KUHAP). Mr Wakla and Mr Yelipele were released on 3 September 2023 at 8:45 pm without charges.
Huan rights organisations are concerned that the arrest and prosecution of the two KNPB leaders is another act of criminalisation against Papuan political activists. In the past decade, the Indonesian police have targeted the KNPB as a subversive pro-independence organisation. KNPB members and supporters are criminalised and have become victims of police violence.
The criminalisation of activists should be viewed with vigilance. It indicates growing restrictions on the freedom of expression, a key element of human rights and democracy. Ultimately, the legal process must adhere to international human rights standards and principles of justice. The arrest of the KNPB activists raises significant concerns from a human rights perspective.
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