1) Letter to McCully Minister of Foreign Affairs
2) Pillay concerned about persistent violence and abuses in Papua (Indonesia)
3) Papua police investigate Aimas shooting incident
4) Armed group attacks security officers in Papua
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From Maire Leadbeater
This letter was signed by the attendees at the meeting with Octo Mote this evening. Signatories include signatories signing as representatives of Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, Pax Christi and the Coalition for Democracy in Fiji so it was a multi-NGO letter.
1) Letter to McCully Minister of Foreign Affairs
West Papua Action Auckland
Box 68-419,
2 May 2013.
Hon Mr Murray McCully,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Parliament Buildings,
Dear Mr McCully,
We appeal to you to advocate to the Indonesia authorities concerning the grave human rights abuses taking place in West Papua , particularly the outrageous violent crackdown on peaceful dissent which took place just yesterday. We understand that two demonstrators were killed by security forces, others were injured and many were arrested, as the security forces forcibly dispersed protestors using live fire, tear gas and water cannons.
May 1 2013 was marked throughout West Papua as a day of mourning and protest because it was the fiftieth anniversary of the date when West Papua was handed over to Indonesian control by UNTEA (United Nations Temporary Executive Authority). We understand that fifteen people were arrested in Timika alone simply for taking part in a flag-raising event. The New Zealand Government should call for the immediate release of all those detained for exercising a fundamental democratic right and for an independent investigation into all consequent injuries and deaths.
We would also like to focus on the issue of all political prisoners, as the latest independent documentation indicates that there are as many as 40 political prisoners in jails in West Papua . To our knowledge no other Pacific territory has even a single long-term political prisoner.
There is a new civil society initiative ‘Papuans Behind Bars’ a collaboration between human rights NGOs in West Papua, Jakarta and internationally. This new coalition has completed a comprehensive report : ‘No Political Prisoners? The suppression of political protest in West Papua ’. (http://tapol.org/news/new-tapol-report-exposes-myth-%E2%80%98no-political-prisoners%E2%80%99 )
The individual case accounts are very tragic and many concern humble farmers, students and housewives who were effectively in the wrong place at the wrong time. For example three farmers were arrested as they set out to attend a funeral carrying a West Papuan Morning Star flag as a gesture of respect to the political beliefs of the deceased. All three are now serving eight year prison sentences. They are unable to afford lawyers to appeal these draconian sentences and all have reported experiencing torture.
A little better known is the case of the six people were arrested in October 2011 following the Third Papuan People’s Congress. In March 2012 five of them were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for treason for their participation in the Congress, which was a completely peaceful event until the military and police intervened to break up the event with violence including live weapon fire The five who remain in jail, Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Waromi, August Sananay Kraar, Dominikus Surabut and Selpius Bobii were prominent activists before their arrest, and have not allowed prison to silence them. In December 2012, Mr Surabut was awarded the Hellman/Hammett award, administered by Human Rights Watch, for ‘commitment to free expression and the courage [shown] when facing political persecution.’
At a minimum we believe the New Zealand Government must:
1. Call on the Indonesian authorities to allow the UN Special Rapporteur
on Freedom of Expression to visit Indonesia
2. Call on the Indonesian authorities to invite the International Committee of the Red Cross to re-establish a presence in West Papua and provide humanitarian support to prisoners and their families.
3. Call on the Indonesian President to order the unconditional release of West Papuan political prisoners as part of a comprehensive policy to end of the punishment of free expression.
4. Call on the Indonesian President to initiate a process of peaceful dialogue with Papuan leaders to work for a resolution of the conflict in West Papua .
Yours sincerely,
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2) Pillay concerned about persistent violence and abuses in Papua (Indonesia)
GENEVA (2 May 2013) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Thursday expressed serious concerns over the crackdown on mass demonstrations across Papua since 30 April, with police reportedly using excessive force and arresting people for raising pro-independence flags.
“These latest incidents are unfortunate examples of the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression and excessive use of force in Papua,” Pillay said. “I urge the Government of Indonesia to allow peaceful protest and hold accountable those involved in abuses.”
Reports indicate that on 30 April police shot and killed two protesters in the city of Sorong who were preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of Papua becoming a part of Indonesia. At least 20 protesters were arrested in the cities of Biak and Timika on 1 May.
“After my official visit to Indonesia last November, I am disappointed to see violence and abuses continuing in Papua,” Pillay said. She added that there was a need for coherent policies and actions to address the underlying concerns and grievances of the local population in Papua.
Since May 2012, we have received 26 reports concerning alleged human rights violations, including 45 killings and cases of torture involving 27 people. While many incidents relate to communal violence, serious allegations of human rights abuses by law enforcement officials persist.
“International human rights law requires the Government of Indonesia to conduct thorough, prompt and impartial investigations into the incidents of killings and torture and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said the High Commissioner.
“There has not been sufficient transparency in addressing serious human rights violations in Papua,” she said. “I urge Indonesia to allow international journalists into Papua and to facilitate visits by the Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council.”
As of March 2013, at least 20 political prisoners remain in detention in Papua, including prominent activist Filep Karma. In May 2005, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for treason after leading a ceremony to raise the West Papuan Flag. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Mr. Karma’s detention was arbitrary and requested that the Government take all necessary steps to release and compensate him in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Indonesia is party. So far, the Government has not complied with the request.
“During my mission to Indonesia last November, I expressed concern over Papuan activists being imprisoned for the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression,” Pillay said, reiterating that dissent is not a crime. “It is disappointing to see more people arrested for peacefully expressing their views and I call upon the Government to release all prisoners in custody for crimes that relate to their freedom of expression.”
The National Human Rights Commission, Komnas Ham, and the National Commission on Violence against Women, Komnas Perempuan, have consistently raised concerns regarding violence and freedom of expression in Papua and made concrete recommendations to the Government of Indonesia.
“I encourage the Government to implement the recommendations made by Komnas Ham and Komnas Perempuan,” the High Commissioner said, emphasizing the vital role these national institutions play in the protection of human rights in Indonesia. Pillay encouraged the Government to continue supporting them as independent bodies and to strengthen their financial support.
ENDS
For more information or media enquiries please contact Rupert Colville (+ 41 22 917 9767 or rcolville@ohchr.org) or Cécile Pouilly (+41 22 917 93 10 /cpouilly@ohchr.org
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3) Papua police investigate Aimas shooting incident
Thu, May 2 2013 22:43 | 117 Views
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The Papua Regional Police Command has deployed a team to investigate the shooting incident in Aimas in the Sorong District, West Papua Province on Wednesday at 02.30 am.
The team is led by the Deputy Chief of the Papua Police Command, Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw, with Chief of the Military Police at the Papua Regional Police Command, Senior Commissioner Usman HP and Deputy Director of Special Crime Investigation Adjunct Senior Commissioner Parlindungan Silitonga as members.
After arriving in Sorong the team immediately proceeded to Aimas.
Brigadier General Waterpauw said Chief of the Papua Regional Police Command, Inspector General Tito Karnavian, had instructed the team to assist Aimas police to unveil the cause of the shooting incident.
"Inspector General Karnavian has instructed us to go to Sorong to assist our members to reveal the background and cause of the incident that has injured one Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel," Waterpauw said.
Waterpauw added he could not as yet tell about victims from the armed group that had conducted an attack including those who suffered injuries and who had died.
"We cannot as yet tell about the victims, as the police are still gathering data and evidence," Waterpauw said adding that they will investigate the cause of shooting incident.
Three people had been injured while two others had died in the incident, according to ANTARA News`s source.
The case started after joint security officers patrolled the Aimas area following information that Isak Kalaibin would lead several people in the area to hoist the "Bintang Kejora" flag of the banned Free Papua Movement on May 1, 2013.
The joint security officers have asked the group to dismiss, but the armed group ignored the suggestion and attacked TNI and Police officers injuring TNI personnel, Second Sub-Lieutenant Sultony.
The source said the police and TNI officers had been forced to conduct shootings for protection after the group tried to attack the team, injuring several people and killing two persons.
The two victims who died in the shooting incident were Abner Makagawak and Thomas Blesia, while those who suffered injuries were Salomina Klaifin, Herman Lokden and Andreas Kapisa.
(Uu.B019/H-YH)
The team is led by the Deputy Chief of the Papua Police Command, Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw, with Chief of the Military Police at the Papua Regional Police Command, Senior Commissioner Usman HP and Deputy Director of Special Crime Investigation Adjunct Senior Commissioner Parlindungan Silitonga as members.
After arriving in Sorong the team immediately proceeded to Aimas.
Brigadier General Waterpauw said Chief of the Papua Regional Police Command, Inspector General Tito Karnavian, had instructed the team to assist Aimas police to unveil the cause of the shooting incident.
"Inspector General Karnavian has instructed us to go to Sorong to assist our members to reveal the background and cause of the incident that has injured one Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel," Waterpauw said.
Waterpauw added he could not as yet tell about victims from the armed group that had conducted an attack including those who suffered injuries and who had died.
"We cannot as yet tell about the victims, as the police are still gathering data and evidence," Waterpauw said adding that they will investigate the cause of shooting incident.
Three people had been injured while two others had died in the incident, according to ANTARA News`s source.
The case started after joint security officers patrolled the Aimas area following information that Isak Kalaibin would lead several people in the area to hoist the "Bintang Kejora" flag of the banned Free Papua Movement on May 1, 2013.
The joint security officers have asked the group to dismiss, but the armed group ignored the suggestion and attacked TNI and Police officers injuring TNI personnel, Second Sub-Lieutenant Sultony.
The source said the police and TNI officers had been forced to conduct shootings for protection after the group tried to attack the team, injuring several people and killing two persons.
The two victims who died in the shooting incident were Abner Makagawak and Thomas Blesia, while those who suffered injuries were Salomina Klaifin, Herman Lokden and Andreas Kapisa.
(Uu.B019/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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4) Armed group attacks security officers in Papua
Sorong, W Papua (ANTARA News) - Joint security officers of Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police, who were patrolling Aimasa area in Soring District, West Papua, were attacked by an armed group at 2 am on Wednesday.
One of TNI personnel, identified as Second Sub-Lieutenant Sultony was injured in the ambush.
The joint security officers monitored the area after they got information that Isak Kalaibin would lead several people in the area to hoist the "Bintang Kejora" flag of the banned Free Papua Movement.
The armed group ambushed vehicles of security personnel by using sharp weapons when the troupe approaching the area.
The assault also caused car window of Deputy Chief of Aimas Resort Police Commissioner Pinem`s vehicle shattered.
The ambush forced several personnel to conduct protection shoots and quickly left the scene.
Public Relation Chief of Papuan Police Senior Commissioner Gede Sumerta said the forced shoot of the join security officers caused one armed person, initialed SK, experienced wounds in left thigh, stomach and left arm.
"However we cannot ensure does the victim`s wounds were caused by military personnel`s shooting or not," Sumerta said.
Police secured several evidences related to the ambush, include a unit of arrows and arc, two slingshots and a bayonet as well as cleaver.(*)
One of TNI personnel, identified as Second Sub-Lieutenant Sultony was injured in the ambush.
The joint security officers monitored the area after they got information that Isak Kalaibin would lead several people in the area to hoist the "Bintang Kejora" flag of the banned Free Papua Movement.
The armed group ambushed vehicles of security personnel by using sharp weapons when the troupe approaching the area.
The assault also caused car window of Deputy Chief of Aimas Resort Police Commissioner Pinem`s vehicle shattered.
The ambush forced several personnel to conduct protection shoots and quickly left the scene.
Public Relation Chief of Papuan Police Senior Commissioner Gede Sumerta said the forced shoot of the join security officers caused one armed person, initialed SK, experienced wounds in left thigh, stomach and left arm.
"However we cannot ensure does the victim`s wounds were caused by military personnel`s shooting or not," Sumerta said.
Police secured several evidences related to the ambush, include a unit of arrows and arc, two slingshots and a bayonet as well as cleaver.(*)
Editor: Heru
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Posted at 19:20 on 02 May, 2013 UTC
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed serious concerns over the crackdown on mass demonstrations across Indonesia’s Papua region.
Reports indicate that on 30 April police shot and killed two protesters in the city of Sorong who were preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of Papua becoming a part of Indonesia.
At least 20 protesters were arrested in the cities of Biak and Timika on 1 May.
Navi Pillay says the latest incidents are unfortunate examples of the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression and excessive use of force in Papua.
She says she urges the Government of Indonesia to allow peaceful protest and to hold those involved in abuses accountable.
Ms Pillay says there is a a need for coherent policies and actions to address the underlying concerns and grievances of the local population in Papua.
The UN says since May last year, it has received 26 reports concerning alleged human rights violations, including 45 killings and cases of torture involving 27 people.
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