Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Reply from DFAT to AWPA letter re 1st Dec.

Reply from DFAT to AWPA letter re 1st Dec.

Australian Government
Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dear Mr Collins

Thank you for your letter dated 28 November 2011 about the 50th anniversary of the Morning Star flag. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs , Mr Rudd.

The Australian Government follows closely developments in the Papuan provinces and Prime Minister Gillard discussed Papua with Indonesian President Yudhoyono during their most recent meeting in Bali on 20 November 2011. President Yudhoyono has made clear his determination to act firmly on human rights abuses by Indonesia's armed forces.

Our Ambassador in Jakarta has raised Australia's concerns with violence in the Papuan provinces with the Indonesian Government and has highlighted the need to investigate all abuses by the Indonesian security forces. On 1st December 2011 , our Ambassodor spoke with Indonesioan authorities and underlined the need for restraint. We understand that President Yudhoyono reiterated to security force commanders on 30 November his strong expectation that security forces would handle incidents in Papua on 1st December appropriately. We note that demonstrations on 1st December were relatively calm compared to previous years.

The Australian Government has discussed with Indonesia the issue of flag -raising in the Papuan provinces and the importance of safeguarding freedon of expression for all individuals. The Indonesian Government takles a firm stance against separatist activity , not least the display of what it perceives to be separatist symbols . Accordingly, a significant number of Papuan activists are currently imprisoned in Indonesia for raising the Morning Star flag.

You raised the specific case of Mr Filep Karma, a prominent Papuan activist gaoled under charges of subversion for his role in such a Morning Star flag raising .In May 2010 , Embassy staff in Jakarta made representations to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , urging them to provide Mr Karma with access to additional medical care and legal representation , which he received a short time later. We have raised his case in the broader human rights context on subseqwuent occasions.

The Australian Government supports a vigorous and free press as a key feature of modern Indonesian democracy and will continue to highlight the importance of vibrancy and diversity within its media. Australia continues to underline the value to Indonesia of being seen to be open to international media.


Yours sincerely
G Ralp
Director
Indonesian Political and Strategic Section
Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

AWPA update. November - beginning December 2011

AWPA update. November - beginning December 2011

It is with sad news that we hear Clemens Rumawery passed away in Port Moresby on the 6 December. Condolences to his family and friends.

Human rights organisations continued to condemn the brutal crackdown on the 3rd Papuan Peoples’ Congress in October. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) reported on Thursday that it had found that 96 out of 387 participants at the third Papuan Peoples Congress had been assaulted by police officers. The commission’s investigation found that police officers had seized millions of rupiah from participants, four cars and several pieces of electronic equipment. According to the investigation, police officers also destroyed seven motorbikes. The commission reported that participants had also lost 50 cellular phones. Julles said that the commission had urged the Papua Police to return any property belonging to the participants. Komnas HAM also recorded several deaths. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/03/96-assaulted-papuan-congress-says-komnas-ham.html Amnesty International also called on the Indonesian government to act on Komnas HAM’s findings that human rights violations were committed by Indonesian security forces at the Congress. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/034/2011/en/51a0893e-f8b1-46e0-9223-abeefc6a735a/asa210342011en.html

Amnesty also criticized an internal police disciplinary hearing in Jayapura, which found the former Jayapura Police Chief Iman Setiawan guilty of violating the Disciplinary Code for “his inability to co-ordinate police officers under his command”. 

 Amnesty in its statement said “The fact that eight Indonesian police officers involved in a violent crackdown on a peaceful gathering that left three dead have only been given written warnings, is a failure of human rights accountability” http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/indonesia-‘slap-wrist’-police-violence-papua-accountability-failure-2011-11-23

Ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Bali, members of Congress called upon him to make West Papua one of his top priorities during his talks with Indonesian President http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/18/to-indonesia-step-and-end-systematic-abuses-west-papua.html


On the 14 November thousands of people marched in Jayapura demanding their right to self-determination and calling for a referendum. On ABC VIDEO: West Papuans march on Jayapura to demand referendum http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-17/west-papuans-march-on-jayapura-to-demand-referendum/3676772

Photos at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2011/11/photos-thousands-people-of-west-papua.html

A number of military operations continued in the highlands and a google translate of an article in Jubi concerning an operation in Paniai can be found below. (Beware google translate can be erratic). http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2011/11/security-operation-in-paniai-continues.html


Operations continued into the beginning of December with security forces hunting rebels after two police were killed in an attack. http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/12/05/villagers-flee-to-papuas-forests-fearing-further-police-attacks/ West Papua Media also reported that entire villages were forcibly evacuated by Brimob forces . http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/12/06/entire-paniai-villages-forcibly-evacuated-by-brimob-gegana/

Tension was high in West Papua leading up to West Papuan national flag day on the 1st December with extra troops being brought into West Papua for security operations. Many organisations wrote to their governments calling on them to contact the Indonesian Government urging it to control its military in West Papua. AWPA letter to Kevin Rudd at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2011/11/media-release-increasing-tension-in.html

The majority of rallies marking the 50th anniversary of the first raising of the Morning Star flag in 1961 went off verily peacefully, however in Timika the security forces opened fire on the unarmed crowd injuring a number of people critically. Five people who were involved in the flag-raising incident are to go on trial.

In a show of solidarity with the West Papuan people, Leichhardt and Marrickville Councils raised the West Papuan national flag on their town halls in Sydney AWPA supporters and West Papuan representatives Rex Rumakiek and Octo Mote were in attendance.

AWPA also wrote to AusAid asking that it assist with food aid for the people in the Intan Jaya district of West Papua (letter below). Media reports indicate that thousands of Papuans are suffering from a lack of food for the past four months. The report said that 19 villages in Homeo, Intan Jaya district, Papua, have been suffering from a lack of food and the people have been forced to eat tubers from the forest to survive. Australia is one of the best-resourced countries in the region and we urge the Government to offer assistance to the Papuan Governor for those affected by the food shortages. West Papua is one of our nearest neighbors.

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2011/11/media-release-awpa-calls-on-government.html

The Strike at the Freeport is continuing with workers saying that their industrial action will extend until at least 15 December.

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Violence against Papuan Women High

Thursday, 10 November, 2011 TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:

Violence against women in Papua has remained high over the past two years. There were 80 cases between 2010 and 2011, higher than the period between 1963 and 2009 (261 cases).


Sylvana Apituley, the Papua taskforce chief at the National Commission for Women, said the cases were dominated by sexual, physical and psychological violence. “This was not only committed by civilians but also security personnel,” she said in Jakarta yesterday.


There were four cases in Jayapura, 37 cases in Merauke and 39 cases in Wamena.


The violence, she added, was encouraged by the political, social, economic and security situation in the area.


Between 1963 and 2009, there were 81 cases committed by state security personnel and 98 cases of domestic violence. In the same period, there were 25 violence cases involving the state and households.


According to Sylvana, the commission has reported the date to the government, the House of Representatives (DPR) and the police but there has not been a response. Sylvana said it was hard to reduce the number of cases with a heavy security approach in Papua.


Jeirry Sumampouw, from the Indonesian Church Representative’s Women and Children Department, said the only solution was to reduce the number of security personnel.


He said the personnel’s attack after the third Papuan Congress on October 19 killed three people. At that time, said Jeirry, the personnel did not differentiate between men, women and children. “The congress results will legalize security personnel committing acts of violence,” he said.


Chief of the National Commission for Women, Yuniati Chuzaifah, said the government did not have good intentions in terms of resolving human rights abuses in Papua.


“The government must hear and respond to human rights issues in Papua,” she said.


I WAYAN AGUS PURNOMO | DEDDY S


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Govt to screen media for separatist, radical content

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 11/10/2011

The Communication and Information Technology Ministry has announced plans to begin screening media following an earlier finding that media reporting was prone to misinformation, as well as separatist and radical propaganda. “We want to be proactive in reminding the media so they don't drift off course,” ministry spokesman Gatot S Dewabroto said Thursday as quoted by kompas.com. Gatot added that the Religious Affairs Ministry and National Education and Culture Ministry would assist in efforts to monitor media, but said any judgement would be made by his own ministry. “We won't ban either the media or its content, but we are doing this so that people don’t say the government lets the media do whatever it wants,” he said.

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Appeal for food aid

RNZI on 24 November,

The Australian West Papua Association has written to the Australian government aid agency, AusAID, asking that it provide food aid to the people in the Intan Jaya district of Papua in Indonesia. It says thousands of people in the region have been suffering from a lack of food for the past four months. The association says 19 villages in Intan Jaya district are short of food and people are relying on tubers found in the forest to survive. It says Australia is one of the best resourced countries in the region and it’s urging Canberra to offer assistance to the Papua Governor.

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Interpol criticised over attempt to arrest Asian separatist leader

Oxford-based Benny Wenda fears return to Indonesia, where he is wanted for promoting West Papua independence

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/25/interpol-attempt-arrest-asian-separatist?newsfeed=true

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Army officer, employee shot at Freeport mine

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 11/23/2011

An army officer and an employee of PT Freeport Indonesia were shot on Tuesday at the Freeport mining area in Mimika, Papua. Army officer chief private Mardi Tekad and Freeport employee Abu Bakar Sidik were driving a Freeport security car when they came under fire at Mile 51 at 12:30 p.m., according to the National Police, as quoted by tribunnews.com on Wednesday. The car, carrying 13 security personnel, was en route from Mile 50 to Mile 64. Praka suffered wounds to his left hand, while Abu was wounded on his left cheek. The Mimika Police and Freeport security task force are currently investigating the incident.

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Police to let KPK probe funds received from Freeport

The Jakarta Post 11/06/2011

The National Police said Sunday it will allow the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to scrutinize police officers regarding funds they may have received from mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia to guard the company area in Papua. National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo said he supported any actions to help police uphold their public accountability and the truth in the Freeport fund case, tribunnews.com reported. National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar recently said police received US$14 million from Freeport to guard the firm area in Papua. Among the beneficiaries are 365 police officers who each received Rp 1.25 million (US$130) per month from Freeport. The agreement was made between Freeport and the Papua Police in 2004.

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Fresh Freeport Attack in Papua; Police Officer Shot in Face

Banjir Ambarita | November 07, 2011

Papua. An unidentified group of assailants opened fire on a police patrol vehicle near the Freeport-operated Grasberg mine on Monday, leaving one police officer with gunshot wounds to the face.

Papua Police Spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono identified the victim as First Brig. Marselinus, from Kelapa Dua in Depok.

Marselinus, on patrol with a with other officers, was shot in the left side of his face, he said.

The patrol, still being fired on, managed to escape and drive to the nearest security post.

Wachyono said the unidentified attackers were still being hunted.

The condition of Marselinus was not available.

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Residents Afraid to Leave Homes After Papua Shooting Incident

Friday, 18 November, 2011 TEMPO Interactive, Jayapura, Papua:

The residents of Tagapige, the Nomouwodide village in Paniai Regency, Papua, are still afraid to leave their houses following a fatal shooting incident. “The people are afraid of being accused as members of the OPM [Free Papua Organization],” said Elias Petege, the Chairman of the Papua People’s Solidarity for Anti-Militarism, on Thursday.

Elias claimed that the shooting, which occurred on Sunday and claimed the life of Matias Tenouye, 32, was allegedly committed by officials. Elias also disputed the information received from the Papua National Commission for Human Rights which stated that eight people were killed.

Elias said the shooting began when Matias, who was with seven other residents of the Tagapige Village, was suspected of being a member of the West Papua National Liberation Army.

JERRY OMONA

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Neles Tebay welcomes the readiness of the government to enter into dialogue with Papua Bintang Papua, 9 November 2011

Jayapura: Pastor Neles Tebay, co-ordinator of the Papua Peace Network has stated today that he has received information that the central government is willing to have a dialogue with the Papuan people. He said that the offer from the goverenment, by the Minister-Coordinator for Politics and Law to enter into construction communications with the Papua people was welcome. 'We Papuan people should welcome the constructive communications being offered by the government, as the way to resolve all the crucial problems in Papua. Even though it is not entirely clear, the willingness to communicate with the Papuan people is a sign of good will and means that the government is very concerned about Papua.' However, he said that the government must explain to the Papuan people what it means by constructive communications, and what form the government intends this to take. Are there phases through which this will pass This needs to be clarified.We have only been hearing recently about Constructive Communications without it being made clear what this means. This needs to be brought within the context with the perception of the Papuan people for entering into dialogue between Jakarta and Papua. He said that a meeting should be held with the Papuan people who want dialogue. In such a meeting, it should be possible to clarify the substance of a Jakarta-Papua Dialogue and Constructive Communications. This meeting should discuss the format of dialogue and the format of constructive communication that would be acceptable to both sides.He expressed his optimism that there will be a resolution to the problem for the Papua people.

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Melanesian spearhead group to let west papua apply for observer status

RNZI Posted 11 November, 2011

West Papua will be given the opportunity to apply for observer status within the Melanesian Spearhead Group. The Director General of the MSG secretariat in Port Vila, Peter Forau, has told Radio Vanuatu that this was agreed upon at last week’s MSG Foreign ministers meeting. However, Mr Forau says the observer status of the West Papuans has to be established as part of the group representing Indonesia.

At the last MSG summit in Fiji in March, Indonesia was granted observer status . One of the MSG members are the Kanaks of New Caledonia’s FLNKS Movement.

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Freeport tailings have affected the depth of the water along the south coast of West Papua JUBI, 21 November 2011 (from Tapol)

The disposal by Freeport-Indonesia of its tailings along the south coast of West Papua stretching several metres from the coastline has resulted in the sea water becoming much shallower than it was before. The secretary of Kampung Kaokanao, Frans Kawai said: 'Formerly, the coastline was very different from what it is now. This used to be covered by the sea.We here are feeling the consequences of the impact of the tailings from Freeport being dumped here.' Frans Kawai, who runs a popular Kaokanao music group, said that this has damaged the ecosystem and the natural habitat in the vicinity. 'Because of the impact of the tailings, the fish in the sea now taste very different. This is the result of contamination by chemicals which are contained in the tailings. He said that global warming has also affected the depth of the sea. 'This has had an impact as well on the houses in the area and their surrounding land. We need to watch this development closely in the coming weeks ad years,' he said.

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Another report in JUBI also talks about the sedimentation in the estuaries of the Aijkwa and Otomana rivers caused by the tailings from the Freeport mine which has resulted in the district of Kaokamao becoming flooded. 'Along here,' he told JUBI, 'there used to be sea water. The ebb and flow of the water is not at all the same as what it used to be and the water now flows into some of our kampungs.

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Gunmen kill Freeport guard, wound 2 men near mine

Associated Press, Timika | Fri, 11/18/2011

Police say gunmen killed a mining company guard and wounded two policemen in a patrol car near the large Freeport-McMoRan gold mine in eastern Indonesia. Papua province police spokesman Col. Wachyono said unidentified gunmen attacked a patrol car carrying the victims Friday from the mining town of Tembagapura to Kuala Kencana. The guard killed was driving the car. The passengers included another officer and another guard. The mine in remote Papua is un by a subsidiary of the Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Most of the mine's 12,000 workers have been striking since Sept. 15 to demand higher salaries. Last month, two workers were shot by police trying to control a crowd and three were killed by unidentified gunmen

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Call for Brimob persnnel to be withdrawn from Paniai

JUBI, 16 November, 2011

The shooting which is believed to have resulting in the deaths of eight local residents in Bayabiru who were illegally panning for gold in Degeuwo in the district of Bogobaida, Paniai, took place three days after Brimob troops arrived in Enarotali from Timika. Full details of the incident along with a chronology and the reasons for the shooting are not yet known. 'If this is true, no one can accept what happened. We herewith demand that the Brimob troops be withdrawn from Paniai,' said Yakobus Dumupa, a member of the MRP, the Majelis Rakyat Papua. The chairman of the Paniai district Customary Council (Dewan Adat Daerah Pania)i, John NR Gobai, asked in a press release what was the reason for sending 120 Brimob troops to Paniai where the security situation can be described as conducive. 'We are seeking an explanation about this from the local Brimob chief as well as the chief of police in the district.' He said that the Brimob troops that had been deployed to Enarotali had for the first three days caused a great deal of anxiety and trauma among the local people.'There needs to be some campaigning and advocacy from the NGOs and we need to set up a fact-finding committee to prove that this is true,' he said. (from tapol)

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8 traditional miners shot dead in Paniai, Papua

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta 11/16/2011

Eight civilians were reportedly shot dead at a traditional gold mining site on the Degeuwo River in Paniai regency, Papua. The shooting allegedly took place at about 10 a.m. on Sunday, Matius Murid, the deputy chief of the Papua office of the National Commission on Human Rights, said Wednesday in Jakarta. “We’re still investigating what caused the shooting and what actually happened. Some people have given some information, but it’s still not clear yet,” Matius said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com. “We still don’t know what motivated the shooting or exactly how [the victims] died,” he said. The eight dead victims were allegedly shot while panning for gold on the river, Matius said.

The victims were Matias Tenouye (30), Simon Adii (35), Yoel Ogetay (30), Petrus Gobay (40), Benyamin Gobay (25), Marius Maday (35), Matias Anoka (40) and Yus Pigome (50). Matius added that dozens of people near the scene of the incident had fled after being traumatized by the shooting. Meanwhile, Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said his office had not received any reports on the shooting.

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Press releases/reports/opinion pieces etc.

New Report Human Rights in Papua 2010/2011

http://tapol.gn.apc.org/press/files/Human-Rights-in-Papua_Report-2010-2011.pdf

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Papua-Indonesia peaceful dialogue needs a neutral mediator

Socratez Sofyan Yoman

We have followed the latest developments in Papua through various media reports as well as direct observation, in which violence and crimes against humanity were committed by the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), Free Papua Organization (OPM) rebels and their fostered groups, as well as unidentified gunmen.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/03/papua-indonesia-peaceful-dialogue-needs-a-neutral-mediator.html

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Senator Richard Di Natale West Papua - Question and Motion to the Senate

A question and motion that Senator Richard Di Natale, Greens spokesperson for West Papua, put to the Australian Senate this week, on Tuesday 1 November.

You can watch and share a video of Senator Di Natale’s Senate question and motion here: http://youtu.be/OEvswm5J9oE

You can also follow Richard’s work as Greens spokesperson for West Papua here: http://richard-di-natale.greensmps.org.au/portfolios/west-papua

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEvswm5J9oE&feature=youtu.be

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Police Back Down At Freeport Picket Line

4 Nov 2011 By Setyo Budi

Indonesian police cancelled a plan to forcibly break up a blockade at Freeport's Grasberg mine - but workers have been issued with a new deadline to resolve the long-running dispute, writes Setyo Budi

HTTP://NEWMATILDA.COM/2011/11/04/POLICE-BACK-DOWN-FREEPORT-PICKET-LINE

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The Human Rights Situation in West Papua -Podcast

TIN has spoken to Mr Joe Collins, Secretary of the Sydney Australia West Papua Association, about the current human rights situation in West Papua and the way forward. The podcast is now online and you can listen to it here.

www.theinonline.net

www.theinonline.net/tiki-index.php?page=Podcasts

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Papua Miners' Strike: Everyone's a Loser

John McBeth - Straits Times Indonesia | November 22, 2011

A three month-long strike has paralyzed Freeport Indonesia's giant copper and gold mine in the Central Highlands of Papua. It has so far cost the company and the Indonesian government an estimated US$1.3 billion (S$1.7 billion) in lost revenues.

But there may be a lot more at stake than that. The Freeport Trade Union of Chemical, Energy and Mine workers, a branch of the nationwide All-Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI), initially demanded eye-popping base pay of between US$17.50 and US$43 an hour for non-staff, up from US$2.10 to US$3.50.


http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/papua-miners-strike-everyones-a-loser/480053

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Troop withdrawal necessary to start peace talks: Komnas HAM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 11/05/2011 9:32 AM

The government must first withdraw its military and police personnel from Papua if it really wants peace talks to start, says the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/05/troop-withdrawal-necessary-start-peace-talks-komnas-ham.html

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Media release -Two councils in Sydney will raise the West Papuan flag on their town Halls for 1st December

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 30 November 2011

Two councils in Sydney will raise the West Papuan flag on their town Halls for 1st December

In a show of solidarity with the West Papuan people, Leichhardt and Marrickville councils will raise the West Papuan national flag, The Morning Star on their town halls in Sydney on the 1st December. AWPA supporters and West Papuan representatives will also be in attendance.

Joe Collins of AWPA said "its now 50 years since the Morning Star was first flown and the West Papuan people are still struggling for their self determination. The outlawing of the raising of a flag is in direct contravention of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (which Indonesia signed in 2006)". Article 19.2 states

2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.

AWPA is concerned that the Indonesian security forces will crack down on rallies planned in West Papua for this special day in West Papuan history.

There are reports that the authorities are increasing security in Papua amid rumors of unrest ahead of events scheduled for the 50th anniversary of the raising of the flag in 1961.

Residents have also reported receiving fear-mongering text messages warning of possible unrest or violence on the 1st. Extra troops have been brought in to help with security.

Extract from an Antara news report

"The national police plan to send a company of Mobile Brigade personnel from North Sulawesi to help ensure security in the region. "We are ready to send a company of Mobile Brigade personnel from North Sulawesi to help security maintenance in Jayapura," National Police spokesman Inspector General Saud Usman Nasution said after attending the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the police and the BPKP (government auditing agency). He said some 800 personnel were now still on duty in Papua. The number did not include security personnel stationed at PT Freeport Indonesia numbering 888. "Besides them there are still 300 plus 200 additional personnel to help organic units there," he said."

In the Jakarta Post

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Saud Usman Nasution said 1,688 officers had been dispatched to key locations in Papua and would be supported by an additional 400 Mobile Brigade special operations unit officers temporarily assigned to the province.

AWPA has written to Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd concerning West Papua national Flag Day. AWPA has asked the Foreign Minister to use his good offices with the Indonesian Government asking that it controls its security forces in West Papua, urging that the security forces should be kept in their barracks during any West Papuan celebrations on the 1st December as a way of avoiding possible bloodshed. AWPA also urged the foreign minister to ask the Indonesian Government to allow full and free access of journalists to Papua and to send Australian embassy staff to monitor and observe events on December 1".

Two of the representatives elected by the Papua Peace Conference held from 5-7 July 2011 will be accompanying the Mayor of Leichhardt in the raising of the Morning Star Flag to mark its 50th anniversary. Three of the 5 negotiators were in Australia to have meeting with Academics and Civil Society groups on the current situation in West Papua.


Monday, November 28, 2011

Media release - Increasing tension in West Papua, focused on the 1st December

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 28 November 2011


Increasing tension in West Papua, focused on the 1st December

AWPA has written to the Kevin Rudd concerning West Papua national flag day (letter below) . Joe Collins of AWPA said "because of the dangerously deteriorating situation in West Papua we are asking the Foreign Minister to use his good offices with the Indonesian Government asking that it controls its security forces in West Papua, urging that the security forces should be kept in their barracks during any West Papuan celebrations on the 1st December as a way of avoiding possible bloodshed. We are also urging the foreign minister to ask the Indonesian Government to allow full and free access of journalists to Papua and to send Australian embassy staff to monitor and observe events on December 1".


Info Joe Collins
Mob 04077 857 97

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, Sydney, Australia 2088

The Hon Kevin Rudd MP

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Parliament House

Canberra

ACT 2600

28 November 2011

Dear Mr Rudd,

I am writing to you concerning increasing tension in West Papua[1], presently focused on the 1st December which is West Papuan national flag day. Fifty years ago on the 1st of December 1961, in the then Dutch colony of West New Guinea, The West Papuan flag, called the Morning Star was flown for the first time officially beside the Dutch Tricolour. The Dutch were finally about to give the West Papuan people their freedom. However, it is one of the great tragedies that at their moment of freedom it was cruelly crushed and West Papua was basically handed over to Indonesia in 1963.

The West Papuan people raise their flag as an act of celebration but also of protest against the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule. We believe that the West Papuan people will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first flying of their flag with peaceful rallies in various parts of the territory on the 1st December. We are concerned that the security forces will use any rallies as an excuse to crackdown on the West Papuan people.

One of the most famous West Papuan political prisoners is Filep Karma who was arrested on the 1st December 2004 for being part of a rally where the Morning Star flag was raised. In May 2005, a court sentenced Filep Karma to 15 years jail on charges of treason against the state. Amnesty International considers Filep Karma to be a prisoner of conscience who has been detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

Because of the dangerously deteriorating situation in West Papua we urge you to use your good offices with the Indonesian Government asking that it controls its security forces in West Papua, urging that the security forces should be kept in their barracks during any West Papuan celebrations on the 1st December as a way of avoiding possible bloodshed.

We also urge you to ask the Indonesian Government to allow full and free access of journalists to Papua and to send Australian embassy staff to monitor and observe events on December 1.

Yours sincerely

Joe Collins

Secretary

AWPA (Sydney)



[1] AWPA (Sydney) uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Security operation in Paniai continues

A google translate of article in Jubi. Beware google translate can be erratic.

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http://tabloidjubi.com/daily-news/seputar-tanah-papua/14917-sweeping-warga-sipil-di-paniai-masih-berlanjut.html

Sweeping Civilians In Paniai Still Continues

SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2011 12:13 ALMER Pits HITS: 22












ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE SECURITY AREA PEAK JAYA (IST)

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Jubi --- Until now, Saturday (26/11) afternoon, civilians Paniai District and surrounding areas are still traumatized and scared of combing and sweeping from house to house by the combined military forces of the TNI, Police and the Mobile Brigade.

"Sweeping by the military is still done. They went from house to house. This is what we feared, because the average citizen could not speak Indonesian. One-one to speak Indonesian, residents can beaten, tortured or killed and so forth, "said Andy Gobay, one of the civilians in Eduda, Paniai district, Saturday (26/11).

This operation is a continuation of previous operations. On 21 November, the combined forces sweep a sharp instrument's civilians. "Do not know, why they (security forces-ed) to do the sweeping up of the Villages Ipakiye Uwibutu in Madi village?" Asked Gobay.Sweeping also been made to the civil servants housing Madi, Paniai. "Items seized from the location of housing is a civil servant such as machetes, axes divide the usual pake wood, a shovel and a knife in the kitchen. We were surprised what is it? But the police said we were sweeping the sake of duty, "said a civil servant to tabloidjubi.com, Saturday (26/11).

Other sources mention, in Paniai since 10 November, the troop increase has occurred in excessive amounts. Once there are more troops, sweeping is also done in Kampung Kogekotu, Aikai, Iyaibutu, Madii and Kampung Uwidapa, Paniai district. Sweeping toward citizens and civilian homes also performed in Komopa, Thursday (24/11) ago.Then, Jumad (25/11) yesterday afternoon, residents found a number of other military officers headed Obano (West Paniai-red), using 3 units Speedboat. Other village residents are concerned about, Kampung Dagouto and Kopabutu. "Armed forces to open a new military post there, and once planted red and white flag pole in the vicinity. But we thought, this action only provoke civilians, "said the resident who was contacted on Saturday (26/11) morning.

Sweeping this time could be said of military operations without a clear purpose and reason. Because, other than sharps, some security officers apparently doing a disservice civilians from the business and economics. "No man who is actually arrested, but the Indonesian military has captured cattle, confiscating computers, certificates, clothing such as koteka and Noken Indigenous Peoples," said a resident of Deyatei, Paniai.Some homeowners, military officials reported being hit, especially the boys. In a report by civilians, said the operation was conducted in nine districts / subdistricts in the area. (Jubi / ALMER Pits)

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ILUSTRASI APARAT KEAMANAN DI WILAYAH PUNCAK JAYA (IST)

Sweeping Warga Sipil Di Paniai Masih Berlanjut
SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2011 12:13 ALMER PITS HITS: 229
ILUSTRASI APARAT KEAMANAN DI WILAYAH PUNCAK JAYA (IST)
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JUBI --- Hingga kini, Sabtu (26/11) siang, warga sipil Kabupaten Paniai dan sekitarnya masih trauma dan takut terhadap penyisiran dan sweeping dari rumah ke rumah yang dilakukan oleh aparat militer gabungan TNI, POLRI dan Brimob.

“Sweeping oleh aparat militer masih dilakukan. Mereka masuk dari rumah ke rumah. Ini yang kami takutkan, karena warga rata-rata tidak bisa berbahasa Indonesia. Salah-salah bicara bahasa indonesia, warga bisa dipukul, disiksa atau dibunuh dan lain-lain sebagainya,” ungkap Andy Gobay, salah satu warga sipil di Eduda, Kabupaten Paniai, Sabtu (26/11).

Operasi ini merupakan lanjutan dari operasi sebelumnya. Pada tanggal 21 November lalu, aparat gabungan melakukan sweeping alat tajam milik warga sipil. “Tidak tahu, kenapa mereka (Aparat keamanan-red) lakukan sweeping dari Kampung Ipakiye sampai Kampung Uwibutu di Madi?” tanya Gobay. Sweeping juga telah dilakukan terhadap perumahan pegawai negeri sipil Madi, Paniai. “Barang yang disita dari lokasi perumahan PNS adalah seperti parang, kapak yang biasa pake belah kayu, sekop dan pisau di dapur. Kami kaget ada apa? Tapi polisi bilang kami sweeping demi tugas,” ungkap seorang PNS kepada tabloidjubi.com, Sabtu (26/11).

Sumber lain menyebutkan, di Paniai sejak 10 November lalu telah terjadi penambahan pasukan dalam jumlah berlebihan. Setelah ada penambahan pasukan, sweeping juga dilakukan di Kampung Kogekotu, Aikai, Iyaibutu, Madii dan Kampung Uwidapa, Kabupaten Paniai. Sweeping terhadap warga dan rumah sipil juga dilakukan di Komopa, Kamis (24/11) lalu. Kemudian, Jumad (25/11) kemarin sore, warga mendapati sejumlah aparat militer lainnya menuju Obano (Paniai Barat-red), menggunakan 3 unit Speedboat. Kampung lain yang dicemaskan warga adalah, Kampung Dagouto dan Kopabutu. “Aparat bersenjata membuka Pos militer baru di sana dan sekaligus menanamkan tiang bendera merah putih di sekitarnya. Tapi kami pikir, tindakan ini hanya memancing warga sipil,” ucap warga yang dihubungi, Sabtu (26/11) pagi.

Sweeping kali ini bisa dikatakan operasi militer tanpa tujuan dan alasan yang jelas. Sebab, selain benda tajam, beberapa oknum aparat keamanan rupanya melakukan tindakan yang merugikan warga sipil dari sisi bisnis dan ekonomi. “Bukan manusia yang ditangkap sebenarnya, tapi militer Indonesia telah menangkap ternak, menyita Komputer, Ijazah, pakaian Adat seperti koteka dan Noken Adat,” ungkap seorang warga dari Deyatei, Paniai. Beberapa pemilik rumah, dilaporkan dipukul aparat militer, terutama anak laki-laki. Dalam sebuah laporan oleh warga sipil, menyebutkan, operasi ini dilakukan di sembilan distrik/kecamatan di wilayah itu. (JUBI/ALMER PITS)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Media release-AWPA calls on the Government to help with food shortage in West Papua

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 24 November 2011

AWPA calls on the Government to help with food shortage in West Papua


AWPA has written to AusAid asking that it assist with food aid for the people in the

Intan Jaya district of West Papua (letter below) . Media reports indicate that thousands of Papuans are suffering from a lack of food for the past four months . The report said that

19 villages in Homeo, Intan Jaya district, Papua, have been suffering from a lack of food and the people have been forced to eat tubers from the forest to survive. Australia is one of the best resourced countries in the region and we urge the Government to offer assistance to the Papuan Governor for those affected by the food shortages. West Papua is one of our nearest neighbours.

Info Joe Collins
04077 857 97

Jakart Globe report Food Crisis in Resource-Rich Papua District: Legislator

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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, Sydney, Australia 2088


Director General Peter Baxter

AusAid, GPO Box 887

Canberra , ACT 2601


24 November 2011

Dear Director General,

I am writing to you concerning the reports of a food crisis in the Intan Jaya district of West Papua[1]. Media reports indicate that thousands of Papuans are suffering from a lack of food for the past four months and have been forced to eat tubers from the forest to survive. A member of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRP) in a media report on Monday said that crop failure had occurred in the area because of “bad weather including heavy rains and strong winds” which has destroyed crops. Villagers are surviving only on tubers. Although at this stage there have been no reports of deaths, this possibility is not ruled out given that communication with the area is difficult. 

 The area can only be reached by plane and according to the report the local government did not appear to be providing any help to alleviate the suffering. 



We understand that AusAid only responds to requests for aid from governments. However , many people have died in the past in droughts and famine in West Papua and we urge you to offer aid to the Indonesian Government for the villages in the Intan Jaya district. Media reports have stated that up to 19 villages in the district have been effected by the crop failures. The Australia Government has in the past supported drought relief in the highlands of West Papua.

We note that Prime Minister Julia Gillard has offered to support Indonesia in disaster relief and will give four C-130 Hercules - worth an estimated $30 million - to Indonesia for disaster relief and humanitarian work in an agreement struck in Bali between the Prime Minister and the Indonesian President. As Australia is one of the best resourced countries in the region we urge you to offer assistance to the Papuan Governor for those affected by the food shortages.

AWPA (Sydney)



[1] AWPA (Sydney) uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A google translate of Indonesian article to go with photos below. Beware google translate can be a bit erratic.

photos and original Bahasa language posting at KNPB web page
http://knpbsentanidotorg.wordpress.com/
10 000 The action KNPB Prosecute referendum for the people of West Papua
POSTED BY KNPB Sentani ⋅ November 15, 2011 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT
The action finally KNPB Demand Referendum 10,000 thousand masses of a number of elements that dikoordini KNPB, the court held a rally in Jayapura Imbi Park Monday (14/11), and brought the aspirations of refusing dialogue and ask for a referendum. "Dialogue NO, Referendum Yes," the writing pamphlets that brought the masses. Struggle 'nation of West Papua' is not demanding special autonomy, welfare, constructive dialogue or communication via the Accelerated Development Unit of the Papua and West Papua (UP4B) are now increasingly heralded digembar shape or form any political bid in the corridors of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).However, the final solution as a problem solving nation of West Papua is to carry out a referendum to give freedom of choice back to the people of West Papua to remain with the Republic of Indonesia or independence.

"The struggle of the people of West Papua is a true nation demanding full independence from Indonesia," the Statement of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Center Field Coordinator who read Sracky Yalli Asso when staged a peaceful demonstration in Imbi Park, Jayapura, Monday (14/11) which followed thousands of elements at once brings the people of West Papua Morning Star flag and the attributes of the people of West Papua other nations.
Statement of the Committee on this KNPB each signed by the Chairman UmumKNPB / Responsible Action Buchtar Tabuni, General Coordinator and Field Coordinator Victor Kogoya Sracky Yalli Asso.

Ironically, he asserted, the Indonesian government continues to claim that the fluctuations that often occur in Papua due to lack of economic welfare, addressing the government's statement, the Indonesian government has been really dumb, blind and deaf.
Act of Free Choice (Choice) in 1969 was held irrelevant to the agreement of The New York Agreement and the Rome Agreement which states one man one vote (one person one vote) but in actual ruler of Indonesia using a system of representative government.
He asserted, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States was inconsistent and violate the New York Agreement and the Rome Agreement of one person one vote, otherwise Choice is based on democratic deliberation and consensus-style government of Indonesia.
"Act of Free Choice and disability after total failure of international law, like or not like it, not happy happy people of West Papua have to do because that is the mechanism of the International Referendum settlement of Papua's political status.
Situation of political turmoil, violence, terror, intimidation, torture and deaths of civilians peoples of West Papua must be completed late this end the government of Indonesia (SBY-Boediono), and the whole range of state apparatus should not necessarily answer the question of West Papuan nation with the referendum issue.
The series of bloody events that occurred lately is the accumulation of the political history of engineering problems Pepera unfinished. History of Choice is the root problem of the whole series of bloody events that occurred in Papua since tahun1960's to now, the struggle of the people of West Papua is the true demand full independence from Indonesia.
KNPB as national media declared attitude of West Papua.
First, curse and threaten the practice of the practice of militarism in the form of violence, intimidation, torture, killings and arbitrary detention committed penangapan gabunganTNI forces / police throughout the country with the West Papuan separatist proposition, treason and Security Pengacau Movement (GPK) struggle for the nation of Papua West is right to uphold human rights of political sovereignty.
Second, do away with the stigma of separatist law, treason and GPK that during this distigmakan by the central government to silence the aspirations of the Papuan struggle for independence.
Third, the total cap for PT Freeport gold companies belonging to the United States is the mastermind behind the crime of human rights and environmental sources as well as drag and judgmental James Moffett and his cronies crony to the International Court
Fourth, the Commission on Human Rights (Human Rights) UN immediately do an emergency meeting to discuss the current situation of human rights in West Papua, West Papua because the conditions in the Emergency Zone.
Fifth, the Government of Indonesia (SBY-Boediono) immediately open space covering an area of ​​freedom possible for Independent Journalists and the International Human Rights Workers in West Papua for the purpose of investigation and information.


10.000 masa aksi demo menuntut Referendum Ulang bagi Bangsa Papua Barat

By KNPB Sentani


10 000 The action KNPB Prosecute referendum for the people of West Papua
POSTED BY KNPB Sentani ⋅ November 15, 2011 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT
The action finally KNPB Demand Referendum 10,000 thousand masses of a number of elements that dikoordini KNPB, the court held a rally in Jayapura Imbi Park Monday (14/11), and brought the aspirations of refusing dialogue and ask for a referendum. "Dialogue NO, Referendum Yes," the writing pamphlets that brought the masses. Struggle 'nation of West Papua' is not demanding special autonomy, welfare, constructive dialogue or communication via the Accelerated Development Unit of the Papua and West Papua (UP4B) are now increasingly heralded digembar shape or form any political bid in the corridors of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).However, the final solution as a problem solving nation of West Papua is to carry out a referendum to give freedom of choice back to the people of West Papua to remain with the Republic of Indonesia or independence.

"The struggle of the people of West Papua is a true nation demanding full independence from Indonesia," the Statement of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Center Field Coordinator who read Sracky Yalli Asso when staged a peaceful demonstration in Imbi Park, Jayapura, Monday (14/11) which followed thousands of elements at once brings the people of West Papua Morning Star flag and the attributes of the people of West Papua other nations.
Statement of the Committee on this KNPB each signed by the Chairman UmumKNPB / Responsible Action Buchtar Tabuni, General Coordinator and Field Coordinator Victor Kogoya Sracky Yalli Asso.

Ironically, he asserted, the Indonesian government continues to claim that the fluctuations that often occur in Papua due to lack of economic welfare, addressing the government's statement, the Indonesian government has been really dumb, blind and deaf.
Act of Free Choice (Choice) in 1969 was held irrelevant to the agreement of The New York Agreement and the Rome Agreement which states one man one vote (one person one vote) but in actual ruler of Indonesia using a system of representative government.
He asserted, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States was inconsistent and violate the New York Agreement and the Rome Agreement of one person one vote, otherwise Choice is based on democratic deliberation and consensus-style government of Indonesia.
"Act of Free Choice and disability after total failure of international law, like or not like it, not happy happy people of West Papua have to do because that is the mechanism of the International Referendum settlement of Papua's political status.
Situation of political turmoil, violence, terror, intimidation, torture and deaths of civilians peoples of West Papua must be completed late this end the government of Indonesia (SBY-Boediono), and the whole range of state apparatus should not necessarily answer the question of West Papuan nation with the referendum issue.
The series of bloody events that occurred lately is the accumulation of the political history of engineering problems Pepera unfinished. History of Choice is the root problem of the whole series of bloody events that occurred in Papua since tahun1960's to now, the struggle of the people of West Papua is the true demand full independence from Indonesia.
KNPB as national media declared attitude of West Papua.
First, curse and threaten the practice of the practice of militarism in the form of violence, intimidation, torture, killings and arbitrary detention committed penangapan gabunganTNI forces / police throughout the country with the West Papuan separatist proposition, treason and Security Pengacau Movement (GPK) struggle for the nation of Papua West is right to uphold human rights of political sovereignty.
Second, do away with the stigma of separatist law, treason and GPK that during this distigmakan by the central government to silence the aspirations of the Papuan struggle for independence.
Third, the total cap for PT Freeport gold companies belonging to the United States is the mastermind behind the crime of human rights and environmental sources as well as drag and judgmental James Moffett and his cronies crony to the International Court
Fourth, the Commission on Human Rights (Human Rights) UN immediately do an emergency meeting to discuss the current situation of human rights in West Papua, West Papua because the conditions in the Emergency Zone.
Fifth, the Government of Indonesia (SBY-Boediono) immediately open space covering an area of ​​freedom possible for Independent Journalists and the International Human Rights Workers in West Papua for the purpose of investigation and information.
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