Sunday, July 31, 2011

AWPA update. July 2011

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

AWPA update. July 2011
A snapshot of events for July

Puncak Jaya

The people of the Puncak Jaya region have suffered another military operation with reports of up to 600 Indonesian military involved in sweeps through the region. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/tni-launch-military-operation-in-west-papua-highlands/452390 In one incident four civilians , one women and 3 children were wounded when Indonesian troops from the Infantry Battalion 753 , who are based in Nabire fired into huts in the village of Kalome while searching for members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). The incident occurred on the 12 July. AWPA wrote to the Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the military operation and the letter and the reply from DFAT at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/


In May the military began a “socialising programme “ in Puncak Jaya involving up to 300 Army, Air Force and Navy personnel . The programme is proposed to run for four months and is to include the renovating of homes, churches and markets. However, local people believe it is simply a shield and a cover-up of the violation of human rights abuses that have occurred in the region. It is all reminiscent of the US programme to win the “hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people.
http://www.freewestpapua.org/index.php/news/1583-west-papuarmys-socialising-programme-is-being-used-to-crush-tpnopm-led-by-goliat-tabuni-in-puncak
AWPA also received a reply from the PM’s department to its letter concerning the Pacific Islands Forum to be held in Auckland in September http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2011/07/reply-to-awpa-letter-from-pms-dept.html
A conference held by the Papua Peace Network (JDP) at the Cendrawasih University and coordinated by Pastor Neles Tebay stated that dialogue should be the top priority in seeking solutions to misperceptions between Papua and the central government. “We have made a pledge to seek solutions to the various conflicts through dialogues between Papuans and the Indonesian government, mediated by a neutral third party,” Neles said.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/07/09/experts-push-dialogue-with-central-government.html The AHRC also forwarded on the declaration from a group of Papuan organisations, indigenous and political Papuan stakeholders issued at the conference which was held between 5-7 July 2011. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/forwarded-news/AHRC-FST-041-2011
The Asian Human Rights Commission ( AHRC) issued an urgent action concerning the assault on Yani Meage on 31 May, 2011 in the Kurima district, Yahukimo. After a quarrel between the victim and the TNI members, the soldiers threatened and attacked the victim by beating and kicking him which resulted in several injuries. The victim reported this incident with the support of a local NGO. While the deputy post commander (wadanpos) of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion accepted responsibility for the violence in a statement letter, no further action has been taken against the perpetrators to-date. Impunity for military violence is widespread in West Papua.
http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-121-2011
Organizations based in more than a dozen countries today issued a statement of support for West Papuan organizations appealing for justice and human rights. The Papuan organizations have "decried the failure of the Indonesian government to ensure justice for or protect Papuans who have been the victims of security force brutality, including extra-judicial killing, torture, abduction and imprisonment," the statement said. The international organizations expressed their "support for these courageous appeals" by the Papuan organizations and pledged "to pressure our individual governments and international organizations to press the Indonesian government to act positively and immediately on these demands for justice and the protection of human rights defenders." They said that the "continuing violation of human rights starkly demonstrates the limits of 'democratization' in Indonesia." The statement was endorsed by 54 international, regional, national and local organizations, based in more than a dozen countries. It was initiated by Tapol , West Papua Advocacy Team and East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) http://tapol.gn.apc.org/press/files/pr110714.html

ETAN wrote to the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to condition U.S. security assistance to Indonesia on real improvements in human rights by Indonesia government and genuine accountability for violations of human rights http://etan.org/news/2011/07clinton.htm

Two articles by Alex Rayfield in the New Matilda online reveal show how A leaked letter from an Army General reveals Indonesia's attempts to disband a West Papuan church with threats of "assertive action" http://newmatilda.com/2011/07/07/leaked-letter-reveals-indo-army-scare-tactics
and how The chief of the Indonesian Army in West Papua has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a public apology to the Kingmi Papua Church over a leaked letter first published in New Matilda http://newmatilda.com/2011/07/25/indon-army-backs-down-threat-letter

Up coming event.
STRANGE BIRDS IN PARADISE A West Papuan Soundtrack.
ALBUM LAUNCH. NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB SUNDAY 14 AUGUST 2011
While the Indonesian army continues to dominate the indigenous inhabitants of West Papua, the making of this album saw five West Papuan musicians and singers gather in Melbourne to record the outlawed folk songs of West Papuan freedom fighter and musician Arnold Ap with Australian musician and film composer David Bridie.
In Strange Birds in Paradise, David Bridie interweaves his original score with the songs of Ap, carried by the remarkable voices of West Papuan performers Hein Arumisore, Jacob Rumbiak and Gillius Kogoya, and features musical collaborations with Airi Ingram and Phil Wales. These artists will also come together for the launch, joined onstage by West Papuan musicians Ronny Kareni, Frederick Yawandare, Adrianus Birif, Anselmus Pisakai and led by West Papuan leader Jacob Rumbiak.
Tickets $18 Presale / $22 on Door / (Concession available at door only – $15)
In brief
Workers at Freeport-McMoran’s gold and copper mine called a strike which lasted eight days. Approximately 8-thousand workers had been demanding higher wages and were protesting against the dismissal of six union leaders. RNMZI report at http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=61818
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega was the recipient of the 2011 John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award. In honoring Faleomavaega, the West Papua Advocacy Team said Congress member Faleomavaega has been an articulate and effective advocate for the defense of human rights in West Papua, and has long worked for a peaceful resolution of the serious problems confronting Papuans.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/as00_faleomavaega/enireceiveshumanitarianaward.html
A question on West Papua was asked in the House of Lords
Asked By Lord Harries of Pentregarth . To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the government of Indonesia to enter into dialogue with representative leaders of the West Papuan opposition. http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/07/30/house-of-lords-question-on-west-papua/

RNZI 11 July, 2011
There’s been another call by West Papuans for dialogue with Indonesia’s government towards making the Papua region peaceful. The call came from the more than 500 participants at the Papua Land of Peace Conference at Jayapura’s Cenderawasih University. They included religious and customary groups, women, youth, academics, students and resistance groups from throughout Papua region.
Among those speaking at the conference were Indonesia’s Minister-Coordinator for Politics and Law, the Governor of Papua province, Papua’s Chief of Police and the local military commander. One of the five Papuans nominated to a negotiating team for the dialogue is Rex Rumakiek. “But still we have to wait for Jakarta to respond and whether they accept this proposal from the conference to go ahead. If this is the path that they want to take, then we can proceed from there. But peaceful negotiation is the only way to go. I think we have been generous to offer Indonesia a win-win solution. This is the clearest message. That they were willing to attend the conference, that is the only positive thing that ever happened.” Rex Rumakiek
More soldiers shot in Puncak Jaya
The Jakarta Post 07/14/2011
JAYAPURA: Five soldiers were wounded in a gunfight with a group of armed people in Puncak Jaya, Papua, on Tuesday. The five, who were evacuated to Jayapura, were identified as Jefry Satria, Nahor Awate, Heiberd Rivo Sipir, Sitorus and Manuel. Most of them were shot on the arms. They were reportedly raiding a group of Free Papua Movement (OPM) members under Goliat Tubuni in Monia village, Tingginambut district, when they met with opposition. “Gunfire later took place, and five soldiers were wounded,” a source who requested anonymity told The Jakarta Post. Cendrawasih Military Command denied that the soldiers had been wounded in an exchange of fire with armed civilians. “They attacked the soldiers who were carrying out social work. It’s unacceptable,” intelligence officer Imam Santoso said in a text message to the Post. The incident came two days after three soldiers were shot while patrolling the area Sunday. The military has been carrying out non-combat social work since May and has been attacked by armed civilians 10 times. On May 25, a soldier had his rifle stolen and he was shot in the head at close range.
Low-Ranking Soldiers Indicted Over Torture, Killing in Papua’s Puncak Jaya
RNZI 25 July, 2011
A military tribunal in Papua has indicted three low-ranking Indonesian soldiers for the killing of a civilian in Puncak Jaya district last year.
The Jakarta Globe reports that the soldiers serve in the Army’s Nabire Infantry Battalion, the same unit as four soldiers sentenced in November for torturing two Papuan civillians.
The torture incident, footage of which was widely accessible on the internet and caused international condemnation, occurred in the same district as the killing, two weeks later.
A military prosecutor has charged the three defendants in this latest case with torture.
They are accused of beating and shooting to death a civilian, identified as Kinderman Gire near a military checkpoint.
Soldier Killed in Another Ambush in Papua
Banjir Ambarita | July 21, 2011
An Indonesian soldier was killed in an ambush at Puncak Jaya district in Papua on Thursday. The incident took place when a group of armed men ambushed a military security squad patrolling Angin village at 9.30 a.m. One of the soldiers, First Private Lukas Yahya Kafiar, was shot in the head and died instantly. A military spokesman in Papua, Lt. Col. Inf. Ali Bogra, said the identity of the attackers was still unconfirmed. “We are still doing the investigation and we are chasing the perpetrators, believed to be members of a separatist group,” he said, referring to the Free Papua Movement (OPM). First Private Yahya's body was flown to the military headquarters in Jayapura. A military ceremony will take place before the body is handed over to the family for burial. It was the second attack against military personnel in Papua this month. On July 6, three soldiers were shot during a clash with unknown attackers in Kalome village, Tingginambut district. The ambush occurred as a group of Indonesian Military (TNI) officers patrolled the village.

Kontras urges govt to rethink strategy in Papua

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta 07/20/2011
The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says the government needs to evaluate its military operations in Papua, as more soldiers and civilians are injured by gunfire. “We know there are threats from separatists. However, if we use a military approach to solve the separatism problem, we also have to evaluate the approach’s impact on civilians, especially children,” Kontras Coordinator Haris Azhar said on Wednesday. He said that the government might evaluate the military operation, but it still had to solve the security problem. “We need a guide for conducting military operations that reduces the number of victims, especially civilian victims. Evaluations will also contribute to handling the security problem in Papua,” he said. Haris said that the dialogue approach, which was accepted by all Papua citizens, would help handle the security problems in Papua, especially those caused by separatists. A series of armed conflicts ignited in Papua recently. On June 25, five people allegedly from the Free Papua Movement (OPM) attacked First Brig. M. Sumar Yazin in Mulia Airport, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua. On July 5, people from the OPM attacked soldiers patrolling Kalome village, Puncak Jaya regency. Another fight between the military and the OPM in Kampung Kalome on July 12 injured a mother and three children. A gunfight a day later in Monia village, Tingginambut district, left five soldiers wounded.

PT Rajawali to establish sugar factory in Merauke
JUBI, 16 July 2011
PT Rajawali is planning to establish a sugar factory in two areas in Merauke, Malind district, in Kampung Kaligi and Kampung Domde. The government has already agreed to hand over 37,500 hectares for this purpose. The company is waiting for an agreement on the release of forestry land which is expected to be issued by the Director of Panology (?).This is likely to happen in August this year. The project manager of PT Rajawali, Abdul Wahab, told JUBI that they were waiting for the AMDAL license. Speaking for the company, Abdul said they had carried out tests on 200 hectares and this will be followed by the hand over of 1,000 hectares. Abdul said that laboratory tests have not yet been conducted because the sugar cane must have grown for at least one year, but he said that, considering the results of the seedling tests, the prospects are very good indeed. Tests in the nursery have indicated that from one hectare of seedlings, the sugar cane can cover an area of seven hectares. Asked about the work force, Abdul said that their priority would be to employ indigenous people. He said that for the initial tests, local people had been employed for planting the seeds and other jobs. He said that they were urging the company to commence its operations as soon as possible. (from tapol)
Alstom to equip West Papua mining railway
Railway Gazette 28 July 2011
INDONESIA: Mining company PT Freeport Indonesia has awarded Alstom a contract worth around €90m to supply railway systems and train control equipment for a mining railway in West Papua. Alstom said on July 28 that it would supply track, catenary, electrical substations, signalling and telecoms equipment for the internal railway at PTFI’s Grasberg gold and iron ore mine. An initial 19 km single-track line is envisaged, of which 15 km would be underground. Situated at an altitude of 4 000 m in a mountain range, Grasberg is already one of the world’s largest opencast mines, extracting 240 000 tonnes per day. Staff and materials are currently transported around the site by lorry, conveyor or cable car, but PTFI plans to expand by exploiting nearby underground seams. The proposed railway would be used to move workers, mining equipment, explosives and rubble between three railheads beneath the mountain range and a logistics base on the surface. Alstom has been contracted to ensure the railway operates 24 h/day, seven days a week, with availability of 99% or better. Maximum line speed would be 40 km/h. Alstom’s Atlas communications-based train control equipment will provide interlocking, train location and train protection functions. ‘This is a first for Alstom Transport’, commented Dominique Pouliquen, Executive Director for Asia-Pacific at Alstom Transport. ‘We have never worked for a mine before in this region. We hope this project could become a standard-setter in Indonesia.’ The first trains are scheduled to run in July 2013.
Reports/press releases/opinion pieces etc.
Also available in Bahasa Indonesia
Report on the practice of torture in Indonesia for the International Day of Support for Victims of Torture from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) in Indonesia forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission INDONESIA: Torture: A heinous act which is not seriously addressedDownload the full report at http://www.humanrights.asia/countries/indonesia/reports/ngo/KontraSTortureReport2011.pdf
Comprehensive Report of Human Rights Violations in Papua since 1969
Bintang Papua, 23 July 2011
Jayapura: With the help of an NGO in the USA and the European Union, ELSHAM-Papua has drawn up a comprehensive report of cases of human rights violations that have occurred in West Papua during the period since it became part of the Republic of Indonesia. ELSHAM co-ordinator in Papua, Ferdinand Marisan S.Sos told Bintang Papua that they had already completed their collection of data. 'We have collected data about human rights violations in Papua from the year 1969 up to 2010,' he said. He said that they had been doing the work since February this year and had completed it in April. They are now going through the process of putting all the data together in a book. 'We plan to produce the data in a book which we hope to publish in October this year.' He said that the compilation had been done together with the ICTJ, the International Center of Transitional Justice, a body that has the support of the European Union. (from tapol)


INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP - NEW BRIEFING
Indonesia: Debate Over a New Intelligence Bill, the latest briefing from the International Crisis Group, looks at the debate that the draft law has produced over the role of the intelligence services in a democracy, many of whose citizens are still sceptical that once repressive institutions have actually changed. It also examines the process that led to the bill’s moving to the top of Indonesia’s legislative priorities.

Friday, July 29, 2011

reply from DFAT to AWPA letter re Puncak Jaya

reply from DFAT to AWPA letter re Puncak Jaya

-----------------------------------------------------------
Australian Government
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

25 July 2011

Dear Mr Collins

Thank you for your letter dated 19 July 2011 about troubles in the Papuan district of Puncak Jaya. 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, including the recent conflict in the highlands to which you refer. The report of civilian injuries following the most recent clashes between Indonesian troops and the OPM is indeed disturbing. Such violence -regardless of the protagonists-does nothing to improve the safety and prosperity of the Papuan people.


The Australian Government welcomes all efforts to build a better future for the Papuan people and to address peacefully their legitimate concerns. To that end, it is pleasing that the senior military commander responsible for the Papua provinces, Major General Erfi Triassunu, was this month preparing to engage in a dialogue with the OPM, mediated by the respected Komnas HAM , to address the Puncak Jaya violence. Peaceful talks there are the best way to resolve differences and stop the violence that has claimed the lives of four civilians , 11 military personal and an unknown number of OPM members since May.

The Australian Government has long supported Indonesia's territorial integrity , including its sovereignty over the Papua provinces. Under President Yudhoyono, Indonesia's human rights situation has improved markedly. Nevertheless, Australia has a strong track record of raising with the Indonesian Government our concerns about allegations of human rights abuses when they occur. We will continue to register with the Indonesian Government the importance of ensuring the rights of all Indonesians are respected.

Thank you for bringing your views to the attention of the Minister.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Letter to foreign minister re Puncak Jaya

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

19 July 2011

Dear Mr Rudd
I am writing to you concerning the Indonesian military operation that is occurring in the Puncak Jaya regency of West Papua. Media reports have indicated that up to 600 TNI personal are involved in “sweeping “ operations in the region. In the latest incident four civilians , one women and 3 children were wounded when Indonesian troops from the Infantry Battalion 753 , who are based in Nabire fired into huts in the villiage of Kalome while searching for members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). The incident occurred on the 12 July.


These aggressive military operations in pursuit of the OPM leave the local people traumatised and in fear for their lives. Many reports have pointed out the the security forces have great difficulty distinguishing between what the term separatists and the general public. During these military operations villages are destroyed as well as gardens and livestock. While the OPM are committed to peaceful dialogue, the retain the right to self defence and protecting the local people if attacked. Although the security forces try to blame all incidents in the area on the OPM, many attacks on the TNI are by unknown attackers .


Tensions are always high in the Puncak Jaya regency because of the regular military operations that occur in the area. Suspecion between the local people and the TNI remain high with the security forces accusing locals of supporting the OPM while the local people accuse the Indonesian military of human rights abuses.

In May the military began a “socialising programme “ in Puncak Jaya involving up to 300 Army, Air Force and Navy personnel . The programe is proposed to run for four months and is to include the renovating of homes, churches and markets. However, local people believe it is simply a shield and a cover-up of the violation of human rights abuses that have occurred in the region. It is all reminiscent of the US programme to win the “hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people.

The problems in West Papua won't be solved by Jakarta deploying more troops to the region or conducting more military operations. In September last year the House of Representatives (DPR) Law Commission deputy chairman Tjatur Sapto Edy commenting on a report by Komnas HAM on past military operations in the PUNCAK Jaya Rregion said “there should be no more military operations and such approaches are no longer suitable in a democracy”.
We urge you to use your good offices with the Indonesian Government to
call on the Indonesian President to halt all military operations in West Papua and return all military personal to their barrack as a way of easing tension and saving lives.
Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)
CC. The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Defence
Various human rights organisations

Thursday, July 14, 2011

INDONESIA: AHRC -Torture: A heinous act which is not seriously addressed

Asian Human Rights Commission
Hong Kong

-------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-FST-042-2011
July 14, 2011

Report on the practice of torture in Indonesia for the International Day of Support for Victims of Torture from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) in Indonesia forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

INDONESIA: Torture: A heinous act which is not seriously addressed


Download the full report at
http://www.humanrights.asia/countries/indonesia/reports/ngo/KontraSTortureReport2011.pdf

I. Introduction

One of the serious issue of human rights violations—which is one of the nonderogable rights —that recently arised public attention is torture. First, in early October 2010 shortly before his plane left for the Netherlands, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono decided to cancel his state visit in the country. The cancellation was due to the filing of the lawsuit to the local court in the Netherlands by the activists of South Moluccas Republic (RMS/Republik Maluku Selatan) who live there. The lawsuit for one reason was based on charges of torture committed by police officers against those accused of being RMS activists. They were charged with treason when they displayed RMS flag as they performed cakalele dance in front of the president and some foreign guests during his visit to the Moluccas in June 2007. Following the cakalele incident the security forces, including special anti-terrorism unit Detachment 88 immediately arrested and detained hundreds of suspected RMS activists and some of them were allegedly become victims of torture.

Second, only a few weeks later in October 2010 a 10-minute visual documentation—circulating through ‘Youtube’—on torture of two Papuans recorded with mobile phone video tool. In the video, the extremely brutal and inhuman action was obviously conducted by people in military uniforms in order to conduct interrogations. With the rapid spread of that torture video, various Indonesian authorities—including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono— promptly responded to it and affirmed the practice of torture by military personnel in Tingginambut, Puncak Jaya, Papua. Many actually considered this video as an explicit example of the allegedly patterned practice of torture in Papua. The appeals of concern about the practice of torture also expressed by both foreign governments and international organizations.

This paper tries to examine the extent to which states implement human rights standards in the relevant international instruments of torture as an obligation of Indonesia post ICCPR and CAT ratification within the past year (July 2010 to June 2011). The implementative obligation is to do prevention efforts (through improvement of legislation, judicial system, and administration of state), ensuring the perpetrators brought to justice and provide redress to victims or their families. The contextual torture issues and problems in Indonesia can be seen from various post-priority agenda of meetings and discussions conducted by Indonesia government with relevant international human rights agencies.

So far Indonesia has made two reports to the Committee Against Torture under the Convention Against Torture, the first (initial report) was in July 2001 and the second (periodic report) in 2005. Unfortunately, Indonesia has not made the first report to the Human Rights Committee, the regulatory body for the ICCPR. In addition to reporting under the treaty body mechanism, there are also the follow-up results on torture based on the report
under the charter body mechanism. Under the mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council there are two follow-up agendas: first, the official country visit follow-up of Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, conducted on 10-23 November 2007; second, the special meeting to discuss the results of Indonesia Universal Periodic Review/UPR in 9 April 2008 during the Fourth Session of the UN Human Rights Council. As follow-up results from various human rights mechanisms mentioned before, there are several similar recommendation agendas expected to be implemented by Indonesia related to the issue of torture, such as:

  • Torture should be made crime and its definition should be in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention against Torture;
  • The lack of this legal rule would lead to the practice of impunity;
  • There shold be an effort to revise the detention system, whether the duration of detention and the effort to test the validity of such detention;
  • In the context of law enforcement, any evidence or testimony that was made due to a practice of torture;
  • Ensure that victims of torture receive redress (reparation).

In conducting an audit over the issue of torture in Indonesia during the past year (July 2010-June 2011), KontraS took up cases of alleged torture which were directly dealt with. Information on alleged cases of torture would be considered a secondary source that could help clarify the picture of torture practices more broadly. In addition the audit report also discusses several policies, including plans for the creation or legislation revisions, which emerged within the past year.

To read the following sections, please download the full report
here:

II. The Lack of Normative Provisions Against Torture
III. The Pattern of Torture Cases
IV. Development of New Legislation Draft Related with Torture Issue
V. Conclusions and Recommendations



# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.



Visit our new website with more features at www.humanrights.asia.

You can make a difference. Please support our work and make a donation here.

-----------------------------

Asian Human Rights Commission
#701A Westley Square,
48 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon,
Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) 2698-6339
Fax: +(852) 2698-6367
Web: humanrights.asia
twitter/youtube/facebook: humanrightsasia

Please consider the environment before printing this email.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Reply to AWPA letter from PM's Dept.

Australian Government
Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet




1 July 2011



Dear Mr Collins

Thank you for your letter of 7 June 2011 to the Prime Minister regarding West Papua. I have been asked to reply on the Prime Minister's behalf.

The Australian Government has long recognised the territorial integrity of Indonesia , including by signing and ratifying the Lombok Treaty between our two countries. The best chance for a secure and prosperous future for the people of Papua and West Papua lies within an integrated Indonesian state.

Australia has a strong track record of representations urging the Indonesian Government to ensure the human rights of all Indonesians are respected and believes this is the most appropriate avenue for such dialogue. In November last year, the Prime Minister discussed the issue of human rights in Papua with President Yudhoyono during her visit to Jakarta. In December 2010, the Minister for Foreign Affairs , Mr Rudd, raised concerns about video footage depicting the torture of two Papuan men with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr Natalegawa. The Australian Embassy in Jakarta also discussed Papua with Dr Natalegawa in October and raised the issue with senior officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2010.

Indonesia has made progress in relation to human rights over the past 11 years, with fewer reports of abuse and more evidence of restraint by the military. The Australian Defence Force provides ongoing training to the Indonesian military that emphasises human rights awareness , accountability and respect for the rule of law. We believe that our support for increased professionalism within Indonesia's security forces will continue to result in improvements to their human rights record.

The Yudhoyono Government's policy of Special Autonomy for the Papua provinces has economic development and improved governance as its top priorities . Indeed , the Papuan provinces receives a greater allocation of central government funding per capita than other regions in Indonesia. We strongly support endeavours to improve the welfare of the Papuan people.

We also continue to raise with Indonesia the importance of accessto the Papuan provinces for credible observers , including foreign media. Staff from the Embassy regularly visit the Papuan provinces (most recently in May 2011) and discuss issues of concern with a range of stakeholders , including NGO representatives and local government officials.

Thank you for bringing your views to the attention of the Government

Two reports from the ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Two reports from the ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

1) Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-121-2011

2) A Statement from a group of Papuan organisations, indigenous and political Papuan stakeholders forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-121-2011

12 July 2011

---------------------------------------------------------------------
INDONESIA: The military ignores agreed settlement with an assault victim

ISSUES: Military; indigenous peoples; impunity; threats and intimidation
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear friends,

Two members of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion of the Indonesian National Military (TNI) in West Papua assaulted and threatened Yani Meage on 31 May, 2011 in the Kurima district, Yahukimo. After a quarrel between the victim and the TNI members, the soldiers threatened and attacked the victim by beating and kicking him which resulted in several injuries. The victim reported this incident with the support of a local NGO. While the deputy post commander (wadanpos) of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion accepted responsibility for the violence in a statement letter, no further action has been taken against the perpetrators to-date. Impunity for military violence is widespread in West Papua.

CASE NARRATIVE:

At 2:15pm on 31 May, 2011, at the Kali Yeni area, Kurima district, Yahukimo regency in the Papuan highlands, Ms. Kallek Meage was travelling with her children. She asked her brother, Yani Meage (18) to take them home privately to the Kurima district since she could not afford the local motorbike transport service for them that afternoon. A member of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion, who was on duty at the Kurima Military Post and who was also using his motorcycle as a commercial transportation business in the Kurima area, saw this and assumed that Yani Meage was also running a motorcycle transport business and would take his potential customer.

The Indonesian National Military (TNI) member went to the victim on his motorcycle and started to argue with Yani Meage. The TNI member then threatened him and started slapping his face.

The TNI member reported the situation to his squad leader, who was nearby. Then both soldiers attacked Mr. Meage. The squad leader punched the victim's stomach and struck him on the ears and sides of the body. The victim was unable to escape the assault as the TNI member held him. The squad leader continued to kick and punch the victim which resulted in several injuries.

On the following day, Yani Meage reported his incident to JAPH & HAM a local human rights organisation. One of the staff, Mr. Theo Hesegem was advocating this case and the commander of the 756th Battalion (danyon 756) pressured the human rights worker and intimidated him not to take any action regarding this case.

On 12 June 2011, Parloi Pardede, the deputy post commander of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion, and Mr. Meage met for a dialogue at the Okhumiarek Asso hall at the 1702/Jayawijaya military district staff headquarters. Following the discussion the parties came to an agreement and commander Parloi Pardede together with the victim signed an agreement, which stated 3 following actions:

1. The members of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion must be replaced.
2. The members of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion cannot use their motorcycles as a commercial transportation service.
3. The members of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion who conducted the violence must be punished in accordance with law.

The victim also agreed that he would never ask for compensation if the military executed the agreement. After the dialogue, the NGO representative asked to the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion commander to inform all parties, including the elders at the Kurima district about the replacement of the members of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion. However, to-date there has been no action regarding the execution of this agreement. The local military also did not give a clear explanation when local NGOs questioned them regarding this case. There is serious concern that the local military will cover up the event without effective remedies being given to the victim.

BACKGROUND INDORMATION:

While the AHRC welcomes the agreement with the military commander, concerns about an effective execution of the agreement remain. The absence of effective justice mechanisms for victims of military violence often leave them with no other choice but to come into non-judicial agreements with the perpetrators. Since Papua took control of Indonesia the Indonesian government largely uses a military approach by reason of upholding state sovereignty and crushing the separatists. The military approach also affects civil society groups and communities who peacefully refuse the Indonesian control of Papua. The military often generalises by labeling Papuans as rebels in order to justify the violence they perpetrate on them. The AHRC notes that patterns of repression are often used by TNI members in Papua which results in a high level of violence.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below asking them to intervene in the case immediately to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to a justice process in accordance with international human rights norms and receive adequate punishment.

Please be informed that the AHRC is also sending letters on this case to the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear _____,

INDONESIA: Military did tot take action regarding the settlement of military's assault

Name of the victim: Yani Meage (18)
Alleged perpetrators: The two members of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion who conducted the violence against Yani Meage
Date of incident: 31 May 2011
Place of incident: Kali Yeni area, Kurima district, Yahukimo regency, West Papua

I am writing to express my serious concern regarding the execution of the statement letter agreed upon by Parloi Pardede, the deputy post commander of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion regarding the settlement of the assault against Yani Meage by members of the TNI.

According to the information that I have received from Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), at 2:15 pm on 31 May, 2011, at the Kali Yeni area, Kurima district, Yahukimo regency in the Papuan highlands, Ms. Kallek Meage was travelling with her children. She asked her brother, Yani Meage (18) to take them home privately to the Kurima district since she could not afford the local motorbike transport service for them that afternoon. A member of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion, who was on duty at the Kurima Military Post and who was also using his motorcycle as a commercial transportation business in the Kurima area, saw this and assumed that Yani Meage was also running a motorcycle transport business and would take his potential customer

I am also informed that the Indonesian National Military (TNI) member went to the victim on his motorcycle and started to argue with Yani Meage. The TNI member then threatened him and started slapping his face.

I know that the TNI member reported the situation to his squad leader, who was nearby. Then both soldiers attacked Mr. Meage. The squad leader punched the victim's stomach and struck him on the ears and sides of the body. The victim was unable to escape the assault as the TNI member held him. The squad leader continued to kick and punch the victim which resulted in several injuries.

I also wish to point out that the 756th battalion commander (danyon 756) attempted to pressurise Mr. Theo Hesegem, a staff member of the JAPH & HAM, the local human rights organisation who was advocating this case. The 756th battalion commander later called Mr. Hesegem and intimidated him not to take any action regarding this case.

I have also heard that on 12 June 2011 Parloi Pardede, the deputy post commander (wadanpos) of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion, and Mr. Meage met for a dialogue at the Okhumiarek Asso hall at the 1702/Jayawijaya military district staff headquarters. Following the discussion the parties came to an agreement. The deputy post commander together with the victim signed an agreement, which stated 3 following actions:

1. The members of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion must be replaced.
2. The members of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion cannot use their motorcycles as a commercial transportation service.
3. The members of the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion who conducted the violence must be punished in accordance with law.

The agreement is available at http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/pdf/AHRC-UAC-121-2011-01.pdf.

I also realized that the victim also agreed that he would never ask for compensation if the military executed the agreement. After the dialogue, the NGO representative asked to the 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion commander to inform all parties, including the elders at the Kurima district about the replacement of the members of 756th Wimaneseli infantry battalion. However, to-date there has been no action regarding the execution of this agreement. The local military also did not give a clear explanation when local NGOs questioned them regarding this case. There is serious concern that the local military will cover up the event without effective remedies being given to the victim.

So far, I am not aware of any action conducted regarding the execution of agreement stated in the letter. I urge you to seriously look into the victim's allegations and take appropriate action against those found responsible. Appropriate action must also be taken against the authorities who--as far as I am aware--have continued to fail in taking intervention for the victim's plight. We also urge you to give protection and security to Mr. Hesegem, one of the human rights defenders who is advocating this case.

Yours sincerely,

---------------------
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
The President of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3863777, 3503088
Fax: +62 21 3442223

2. Adm. Agus Suhartono
Headquarter
Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI)
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 8459-1244, 8459-1243
Fax: +62 21 845-6805

3. Mr. Kemal Azis Stamboel
The Chairman of the First Commission of House of Representative of Indonesia
Gedung DPR RI Nusantara II, Lantai 1
Jl. Jenderal Gatot Subroto
Jakarta 10270
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5715518
Fax: +62 21 5715523

4. Ms. Harkristuti Harkrisnowo
General Director of Human Rights
Department of Law and Human Rights Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav.6-7 Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889, 526 4280
Fax: +62 21 525 3095

5. Head of National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia
Jalan Latuharhary No.4-B,
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id

6. Mr. Erfi Triassunu
Commander of Regional Military Command XVII Cendrawasih
(Kemiliteran Daerah Papua / Kodam Papua)
Jl. Polimak atas Jayapura Provinsi Papua
INDONESIA
Fax: +62 967 533763


Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)




Visit our new website with more features at www.humanrights.asia.

You can make a difference. Please support our work and make a donation here.

-----------------------------

Asian Human Rights Commission
#701A Westley Square,
48 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon,
Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) 2698-6339
Fax: +(852) 2698-6367
Web: humanrights.asia
twitter/youtube/facebook: humanrightsasia

Please consider the environment before printing this email.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) A Statement from a group of Papuan organisations, indigenous and political Papuan stakeholders forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission




Dear friends,

We wish to share with you the following declaration from a group of Papuan organisations, indigenous and political Papuan stakeholders issued at the conference for peace in Papua which was held between 5-7 July 2011 in the UNCEN auditorium, Abepura Papua, Indonesia. The conference was organised by the Network of Peace in Papua (JDP).

Asian Human Rights Commission
Hong Kong

-------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-FST-041-2011
July 12, 2011

A Statement from a group of Papuan organisations, indigenous and political Papuan stakeholders forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

INDONESIA: Papuan Peace Declaration

Bahasa Indonesia

With thanks to Almighty God

We, the signatories represent the more than 500 participants at the Papua Peace Conference, consisting of representatives of religious groups, customary groups, women, youth, academics, student organisations and resistance groups from Papua who took an active part in the Papua Peace Conference. The conference was held in the auditorium of the Cenderawasih University, on 5-7 July, 2011

At the conference which had the theme: "Let us together make Papua a Land of Peace'', we shared experiences and strengthened each other. We were also enriched by material that was presented by the following speakers:

Djoko Sujanto, Minister-Coordinator for Politics and Law of the Republic of Indonesia
Barnabas Suebu, Governor of the Province of Papua
Bekto Suprapto, Chief of Police of Papua
Erfi Triasunu, Commander of the Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih
Leo Laba Ladjar, Bishop of the Diocese of Jayapura
Tony Wanggai, Chairman of the Papuan Provincial Branch of NU and representative of the Papua Muslim Council
Sokrates Sofyan Yoman, Chairman of the Synod of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in Papua
Forkorus Yaboisembut, Chairman of the Papuan Customary Council

We reflected on the situation in Papua by deepening our understanding of its concepts and indicators. We also identified problems which have to be resolved in order to achieve our objective.

In accordance with the cultural traditions of Papua regarding ways to resolve conflicts by peaceful means:
We declare that dialogue is the best way to finding the solution to the conflict between the Papuan people and the Indonesian Government
We determine to find the solution to political, security, legal, human rights, economic, environmental and social-cultural issues in Papua by means of dialogue between the Papuan people and the Indonesian Government, mediated by a neutral third party
We welcome the initiative of the central government in support of the preparatory processes for a Jakarta-Papua dialogue

Through the Papua Peace Conference we decided on the criteria for Papuan representatives who should take part in the dialogue with the Indonesian government:

Fluency in English
Have no links of any kind with the system of Indonesia
Have the ability and experience to engage in diplomacy and negotiation (certified)
Imbued with the innermost belief and ideology of Papua Merdeka
Understand the history of the Papuan struggle
Have good ethics and morals
Not be temperamental
Negotiators who have a mandate from the leadership
One of the political resistance organisations of the people of West Papua and/or are recommended by one of the resistance organisations of the people of West Papua
Are acceptable to the majority of the political resistance organisations and the people of West Papua
Have the spirit of Papuan nationalism
Physically and mentally fit
Understand the Papuan problem and think creatively to seek a solution to the Papuan problem
Have integrity and loyalty towards efforts for the reconciliation and consolidation of the West Papuan revolution, including the commitment to accept all the consequences
Are capable of and willing to WORK TOGETHER as members of the West Papua Negotiation Team
KNOWLEDGE or EXPERTISE in one or more of the following is necessary: politics, law, economy, security, human rights, social-cultural affairs and the history of the national struggle of West Papua
The negotiation team shall be composed of a balanced proportion of men and women

Referring to the above criteria we propose that the following persons shall be members of the West Papuan negotiation team:

Rex Rumakiek
John Otto Ondawame
Benny Wenda
Octovianus Mote
Leoni Tanggahma

Herewith we submit the Papuan Peace Declaration to all the People of Papua, the Indonesian Government and all people who are concerned with achieving peace in Papua;

Jayapura, 7 July 2011

Signatures:

Forkorus Yaboisembut, Chairman of the Papuan Customary Council
Em. Herman Awom, Moderator Papuan Presidium Council
Ev. Edison Waromi, Executive President of the West Papua National Authority
Septinus Paiki, Executive Council Committee of Independence and Sovereignty of West Melanesia
Eliazer Awom, Reconciliation Forum of Ex Prisoners / political prisoners of Papua
Albert Kaliele, Reconciliation Forum of Ex Prisoners / political prisoners of West Papua
Onesimus Banundi, Vice Chairman of Tabi's Customary Council
Mb. Yan Pieter Yarangga, Chairman of Saireri's Customary Council
Barnabas Mandacan, Chairman of Bomberay's Customary Council
Sir-Zet Gwasgwas, Chairman of Domberay's Customary Council
Stanislaus Gebze, Chairman of Anim Ha's Customary Council
Dominikus Surabut, Secretary of La Pago's Customary Council
Benny Ruben Edoway, Chairman of Me Pago's Customary Council
Abina Wasanggai, General Srcretary of the Solidarity of Papuan Wowen
Benyamin Gurik, The Head of Student Executive Body of UNCEN
Selpius Bobii, Chairman of the United Front of West Papuan People's Struggle
H. Sarmadan Sabuku, Chairman of the Papuan Muslim Council

# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.



Visit our new website with more features at www.humanrights.asia.

You can make a difference. Please support our work and make a donation here.

-----------------------------

Asian Human Rights Commission
#701A Westley Square,
48 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon,
Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) 2698-6339
Fax: +(852) 2698-6367
Web: humanrights.asia
twitter/youtube/facebook: humanrightsasia

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

AWPA update. June 2011

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

AWPA update. June 2011
A snapshot of events for June,- beginning of July
A number of urgent appeals from various NGO organizations were released this month including from the Asian Human Rights Commission on the stabbing of Derek Adii by soldiers on the 14 May 2011 while he was boarding a ship. It is reported that the soldiers attacked and stabbed Mr. Adii to death after he had complained about the rough conduct by some TNI soldiers against women and children passengers. After the stabbing, Mr. Adii's body was thrown into the sea. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-115-2011
Amnesty International also raised concern for Yones Douw , a human rights activist who was beaten by military officers on 15 June and has been denied medical treatment . He fears for his health and safety , as he has previously been detained and assaulted as a result of his human rights activities. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/014/2011/en/83b04516-cb19-4e38-b302-2ec940afa539/asa210142011en.html
Amnesty also called for the immediate and unconditional release of seven prisoners of conscience, arrested and charged merely for their involvement in a peaceful political protest and flag-raising. Their case highlights the continued failure of the Indonesian government to distinguish between armed groups and peaceful political activists. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/012/2011/en/2979b263-5924-46f8-b3eb-397f77583170/asa210122011en.html

AWPA wrote to all the Pacific Islands Forum leaders asking that the human rights situation be raised at the Forum meeting in September in Auckland

Human Rights Watch has called on the Indonesian Government to use its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council to implement reforms on the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and religion,

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/06/08/indonesia-act-human-rights-commitments

In an article in the Jakarta Post “Military omnipresence brings gloom to Papua” (11/6), the rights group Imparsial concluded that the provinces of Papua and West Papua had seen very little improvement in terms of security after the region became integrated as a part of Indonesia under the Act of Free Choice (Pepera) in 1969. “One important question remains over why the country’s political move toward a more democratic system has not correlated with security conditions in Papua,” Imparsial executive director Poengky Indarti said . http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/11/military-omnipresence-brings-gloom-papua.html

An article in the weekend edition of the SMH 2-3 July by investigative journalist Tom Allard exposes the threat to a Coral sea paradise. A researcher on West Papuan issues has sent the below actions for people to respond
Threat to Raja Ampat, the amazon of the oceans?
Do you know about Raja Ampat, the amazon of the oceans? It is a place of unparalleled beauty in West Papua. Perhaps you have seen this? The Beauty of Raja Ampat” SMH slide slow > http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/world/the-beauty-of-raja-ampat-20110701-1gust.html?selectedImage=0
But it is also threatened. These two articles show how Clive Palmer one of Australia’s richest men is tearing the place apart: Coral Sea Paradise Faces Ruin From Mining” > http://www.smh.com.au/environment/coral-sea-paradise-faces-ruin-from-mining-20110701-1gv6w.html
Please, if you love beauty do these four simple things now. Do it for the folks who live in Raja Ampat and the fragile and the amazing ecosystem that is there:
1. Contact your local member (for those in Australia) and send them an email. Say something like Clive Palmer would not be allowed to mine the Great Barrier Reef. Why should he get away with it next door in West Papua? Tell your member about the issue and ask what they are going to do about it. Ask them to get back to you as well. To find your local member visit> http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/.
2. Send an email to Queensland Nickel click here and tell them what you think of their business practices
3. Contact Hubert Gijzen from UNESCO in Jakarta to ask why Raja Ampat is not a World Heritage Area and what UNESCO is doing about it?
4. Forward this email and the links to the articles and pix to ten people who you know love places of beauty.

A number of rallies also took place this month including on 1st of July to commemorate a declaration of West Papuan independence by the OPM in 1971. There was a heavy police and military presence and it was reported that up to 8 people were taken to a local police station to be interviewed including the coordinator of the rallies Marthebn Goo.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1107/S00019/west-papua-statement-on-independence-day-july-1.htm and in Manokwari On June 10, over 5000 people gathered peacefully , watched by about 200 security forces to call for the release of political prisoners and detainees in Papua http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/06/10/

---------------------------------------

Dogiyai villagers still in shock after Moanemani incident
JUBI, 28 June 2011
Following the shooting of four civilians by members of the security forces in Dogiyai, Paniai, the people there are still in a state of shock. A local man, Eli Petege said that all the inhabitants of four kampungs have fled their homes after being traumatised by the incident which led to the death of two inhabitants of Dogiyai. 'Three kampungs evacuated but have now returned home, but they are still in a state of shock.' He said that the four kampungs that had been affected by the incident were Ikebo, Kimupugi, Muniyopa and Ekemani. During the tragedy in Moanemani which happened because a group of people were gambling, there were four casualties. The two men who died were Dominikus Auwa, 24 years, and Aloysius Waine, 24, while three others were seriously injured, Otniel Yobee, 26, Agus Pigai, 24, and Wilibrodus Iyai. The material losses included three pigs, the destruction of six homes along with the furniture and two motorbikes. (from tapol)
--------------------------------------------------
Pramono to be appointed as new army chief
The Jakarta Post | Wed, 06/29/2011
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appointed Lt. Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo as the new Army Chief of Staff, replacing Gen. George Toisutta, State Secretary Sudi Silalahi says. The President is planning to install Pramono on Thursday, Sudi said on Wednesday in Jakarta. Pramono Edhi, who is currently the commander of the army strategic reserves command (Kostrad), has long been viewed as a potential candidate for the post, since he was regarded as successful in carrying out his duties in several different posts. Pramono, for example, had been in charge of the army’s special forces (Kopassus). After completing his task at Kopassus, Pramono was later appointed as the new West Java military commander. Aside from the fact that Pramono is Yudhoyono’s brother in law, those who have criticized Pramono say he may not be able to carry his duties as the new army chief because of a severe liver condition.
------------------------------

Strong earthquake rocks Indonesia's Papua province

The Associated Press 06/26/2011
A strong earthquake has rocked parts of Indonesia's Papua province, causing panic among residents but no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said Sunday the magnitude 6.5 earthquake was centered about 53 kilometers northeast of Waren, a town on the northern coast of Papua island. The quake, with a depth of 132 kilometers , caused residents in Serui to pour into the streets in panic, said Daud Yusuf of the agency's local office.
He said the tremor was also felt in nearby Biak island, and Enarotali town on the main island. The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 6.4 at a depth of 36.1 kilometers.

--------------------------------------------

Green Senator given special responsibility for West Papua and PNG

Responsibility for West Papua and Papua New Guinea is the responsibility of incoming Victorian Richard Di Natale Meanwhile, as the Australian Greens prepare to take control of the Senate, Senator Brown has announced detailed portfolio responsibilities for the four incoming senators. In an added twist, Senator Brown has split the foreign affairs portfolio, creating mini, country-focused responsibilities. The portfolio of Burma, to be handled by Scott Ludlam, is among them. Responsibility for West Papua and Papua New Guinea is the responsibility of incoming Victorian Richard Di Natale, while Sarah Hanson-Young has been handed Tibet. Senator Brown declared the Greens the "most stable" party in the parliament."We are a happy and cohesive party," Senator Brown said in a statement. (- ABC/AAP)

----------------

On-duty officer shot at Papua airport
The Jakarta Post 06/25/2011
JAYAPURA: First Brigadier M. Yazin was shot by a group of unidentified people while on duty at Mulia Airport in Puncak Jaya, Papua, on Friday morning. “Someone suddenly grabbed his gun and shot him in the head,” Papua Police public relations division head Sr. Comr. Wachyono said Friday. The victim is reportedly in critical condition.
Wachyono said the perpetrators, estimated at five in number, then mingled with people boarding a plane to Jayapura. “It was very quick. The victim did not even have the chance to turn around to see the person who grabbed his gun,” Wachyono said. Friday’s shooting of a policeman was not the first in the region. First Sergeant Kaman Nurjaman of the military’s Special Troop Command (Kopassus) was shot by an unidentified person in a crowd at Pasar Ilu, Puncak Jaya, last month. — JP

--------------

Statement of deep concern by Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Papua

Bintang Papua, 17 June 2011
Human rights defenders in Papua very worried
Acts of violence and terror that have been perpetrated against human rights defenders as well as against journalists have led to a sense of deep concern among human rights NGOs and religious organisations which are members of the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in the Land of Papua The following NGOs held a press conference in Jayapura on Friday 17 June, to convey their problems: KomnasHAM- Papua, the Synod of the Kingmi Church in Papua, the Synod of the Baptist Church in Papua, Foker NGO (NGO Working Group) Papua, Kontras Papua, LBH - Legal Aid Institute in Papua, and BUK, United for Truth.
Foremost among the agencies criticised was the TNI, the Indonesian army whose members were involved in a number of acts of violence. They drew attention in particulate to five incidents that had occurred during the past five months in which members of the TNI were involved: 'Up to June this year, there have been at least five incidents which reflect the arrogance and random actions perpetrated by members of the TNI,' said Olga Hamadi, the co-ordinator of Kontras Papua. Others present at the press conference included the Rev. Benny Giay, chairman of the Synod of the Kingmi Church in the Land of Papua, Mathius Murib, representative of Komnas HAM-Papua, Eliezer M, LBH-Papua, Julian Howay of the ALDP, and a number of human rights activists.
They said that the much-vaunted reforms within the TNI were rarely reflected in the activities of members of the TNI on the ground. 'Is this what the commander of the TNI was praising so profusely during his recent visit to Papua,' wondered Rev Giay.
Mathius Murib said that the incident that occurred in Puncak Jaya a few months ago had drawn a great deal of public attention, nationally as well as internationally. [This refers to the acts of torture against Papuans that were circulated by video.]
'All their talk about Love and Peace is far from been applied by members of the security forces on the ground. Isn't it time for them to change their tune?'
They said that the continued occurrence of acts of violence and intimidation by members of the TNI is a clear indication that no actions have been taken against members of the TNI who have violated the law. 'We are concerned about the impact this is having on the reputation of the Indonesian state and wonder what is being done to protect the rights of human rights defenders,' said Olga Hamadi. She said that in cases where members of the TNI had been involved in acts of violence, all that had happened was that they had been moved sideways. 'Or, in those instances where they had been taken to court, they had appeared before a military tribunal and the verdicts were often unclear or had had little if any effect.,' said Peneas Lokbere, co-ordinator of BUK.
The Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in the Land of Papua therefore issued the following statement:
1. Protection is needed for human rights defenders in Papua in carrying out their humanitarian activities throughout the Land of Papua. Such protection can be provided by the introduction of a special law, while at the same time setting up an independent commission at state level for the purpose of monitoring and advocacy as well as taking sanctions against those individuals who commit violence against human rights defenders.
2. As a short-term measure, we regard it as important to set up a special bureau within Komnas HAM to focus on the protection of human rights defenders.
3. In view the many acts of intimidation and violence perpetrated by members of the armed forces, we urge the military commander of Cenderawasih XVII military command to take firm measures in the law courts and administration against all violations perpetrated by members of the TNI on the ground.
4. To provide moral guidance to all officers of the armed forces as well as disseminate an understanding of human rights so as to ensure that acts of violence perpetrated by members of the armed forces are not committed against civil society or against human rights defenders in the Land of Papua. [Translated by TAPOL]

-----------------------------------------------------


Security men slain in latest mine violence
In an article by John McBeth, in The Straits Times (Singapore) June 23, 2011, it reported that authorities are investigating at least two soldiers in connection with the brutal slaying of two Freeport Indonesia security men in a mysterious dusk ambush two months ago. Sources familiar with the April 7 incident, which was initially blamed on Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels, say Mr Hari Siregar and Mr Daniel Mansawan were run off the road by another vehicle, shot at point-blank range, and then burned beyond recognition. Detachment 88 anti-terrorism police, who maintain a semi-permanent presence at Freeport's Grasberg copper and gold mine, are understood to have traced a soldier through one of the victim's mobile phones, which had dropped off the network at the time of the murder but was detected after being reactivated earlier this month. The soldier's calls were then monitored, and at least one other soldier is under suspicion for a crime that appears to stem from an internal dispute but may well have wider implications. While the police took over security for the mine in 2004, military units still play a role in guarding its outer perimeter. Both benefit from a US$100 million (S$124 million) a year illegal gold-mining operation that has grown up around the mine waste.

----------------------------------


HIV/AID spreading to the kampungs

JUBI, 10 June 2011
A member of the Commission to Combat AIDS (KPA) for the district of Merauke has warned that HIV/AIDS has now spread to the kampungs, which is evident from the number of sufferers now being recorded. He said that the disease had now become dominant among housewives and people living in the countryside. Stef Labwoer, deputy chair of the commission, said that it was essential to provide guidance to people in the kampungs to exercise restraint, that is to say, to avoid entering into intimate relationships with anyone. This can only lead to the spread of the disease to the person's next partner.
He also said that the commission is distributing condoms monthly to anyone who needs them. Over the past three months, he said that some thirty thousand condoms had been distributed in the district of Merauke. Sometimes as many as twelve thousand condoms were distributed within a single month. 'We dont hand them round to individuals. We have certain places where we deposit the condoms and it is for those at these places to further handle the matter. While we dont get involved at that level, it is clear that anyone who wants a condom will be able to get one.' (from tapol)

----------------------------

Merauke estate ‘may threaten’ local stocks, livelihoods
Elly Burhaini Faizal, The Jakarta Post, 06/13/2011
The food estate policy that has encouraged foreign investment in agriculture may not prevent potential food crises, activists say. Mohamad Teguh Surya, head of the international affairs and climate justice department at the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) said the government’s idea to establish the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) under the policy would not end food crises because it disregarded rights of indigenous people on their land and resources needed to cope with their livelihoods. “We can achieve food security by allocating more resources for small local food producers instead of giving generous approvals on food production to private entities,” Teguh told journalists during a Walhi discussion on food security. Food estate policy has been the government’s key program in securing local food stocks amid the growing uncertainty over global supply.
The idea of the MIFEE program was started when Merauke Regent John Gluba Gebze initiated the establishment of the Merauke Integrated Rice Estate (MIRE) in 2007 after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited and made an appeal to make Merauke a national rice barn. The program allows up to 49 percent foreign investment in local plantations but has no requirement of securing a certain amount of crops for local needs.
Teguh said that instead of empowering small local food producers, the MIFEE project initiated by the government has ignored the rights of local people and their own local food patterns. “Thousands of hectares of forests rich in sago and other staple foods have been chopped down for the project and replaced by industrial plants, such as oil palm, or foods such as rice and corn for commercial purposes,” said Teguh. As of February, the Merauke regency Regional Investment Coordinating Board (BKPMD) recorded that 46 companies already have licenses needed to develop agricultural businesses in the MIFEE project, such as oil palm, sugarcane, corn and other staple foods, as well as fisheries. Yohannes Petrus Kamarka, a member of Malind tribe in Merauke, said that few approaches had been made by the government to introduce its plans concerning the Merauke food estate to local people. “We have had only several short meetings with officials from the district office telling us that the project is important for the sake of our prosperity,” Kamarka told The Jakarta Post.
Kamarka said for local communities in Merauke, it seems that little prosperity will soon emerge with the existence of a food estate in their areas because it will occupy thousands of hectares of forestland.
“We really depend upon on resources in forests and wetlands for our livelihoods, but they will soon diminish as the project begins operations,” he said, adding that vast exploitation of forests areas might also destroy a wide range of biodiversity in Merauke.
The MIFEE program is projected to be located on about 2.5 million hectares of area, comprising 1.9 million hectares of wetlands and 0.6 million hectares of dry land.
----------------------------------------------------

For the sake of unity Papuans want only one Assembly

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura |06/18/2011
Papuan people want only one People’s Assembly (MRP) for the entirety of native Papuan land because they fear that separate MRPs will lead to disparity in policy and decision making with regard to the protection of the basic rights of indigenous Papuans, a local community figure said. Speaking in response to the installation of West Papua MRP chairman, MRP member Yoram Wambrauw, who represents the MRP’s customary faction, said Friday that the Assembly had the task of making sure that the indigenous Papuans remained in existence and would not become extinct in the region. West Papua Governor Abraham O. Atururi swore in new board members of the province’s MRP on Wednesday amid criticism that it violated a consensus that there should be only one MRP in Papua. The swearing-in ceremony, which was held a week after the election of board members in Manokwari, was attended by 11 of the 33 MRP members elected from West Papua province. The 33 West Papua MRP members were inaugurated by Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi in April together with 40 members elected from the province of Papua.
“That has been our philosophy regarding why Papuans want only one MRP, even though new provinces will be established in the region in the future,” said Yoram, who is still also acting speaker of the MRP as elected Assembly board members have yet to be been sworn in. He said that if each of the provinces in Papua had its own MRP and each MRP had different policies regarding the protection of indigenous Papuans’ rights, it would lead to neglect of development focused on Papuans. “If this is the case (the establishment of another MRP) violates the spirit of Papuan special autonomy, as it does not generate social benefits, which means that the autonomy cannot solve issues and will instead create new social problems,” Yoram said. Yoram went on to say that the issue is also related to the “One for Two and Two but One” philosophy mentioned by Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu on Feb. 20, 2007 during a meeting with the West Papua governor on Mansinam Island, Manokwari, West Papua. “This means that culturally, naturally and customarily the greater Papuan tribe is one, but administratively is two: Papua and West Papua provinces,” he said quoting Barnabas’s statement regarding the motto. Papua councilor Julius Miagoni expressed concern that the establishment a West Papua MRP could lead to horizontal conflict between Papuans, especially because of the reported consensus that there should be only one MRP in Papua. “The Home Affairs Minister has to stop the MRP activities in West Papua because he acknowledges that the consensus is there,” Julius told reporters in Jayapura, on Friday.
Institute for Civil Strengthening (ICS) Papua director Budi Setyanto saw interests in Jakarta intending to split the unity of Papuans by establishing a MRP in West Papua.