2) Media release from WPNCL re PM of Vanuatu
raising WP issue
3) It's time
for some straight talking about human rights in Papua
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http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/09/30/indonesia-investigate-deadly-shooting-papua
1) Indonesia: Investigate Deadly Shooting in Papua
Lethal Force Used Against Stone-Throwing Protesters
“The Indonesian government needs to explain why police officers found it necessary to fire directly into a crowd of protesters throwing rocks. Lethal force may only be used as a last resort to protect lives.”
(New York) – The Indonesian government should impartially investigate the possible use by police officers of unnecessary lethal force against rock-throwing protesters in Papua on September 23, 2013, Human Rights Watch said today. There should also be an inquiry into harassment of victims, medical personnel, and witnesses at a local hospital.
During a weapons search that resulted in a confrontation, one bystander, Alpius Mote, a 17-year-old high school student, died from gunshot wounds and at least three others were wounded.
“The Indonesian government needs to explain why police officers found it necessary to fire directly into a crowd of protesters throwing rocks,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Lethal force may only be used as a last resort to protect lives.”
Several witnesses told Human Rights Watch that two police Brigade Mobile (Brimob) officers began a search for weapons in the central market of the town of Waghete on the morning of September 23. The weapons search was part of a security response to recent unrest following the inauguration of a new regency chief on August 18.
The two Brimob police began randomly stopping and searching pedestrians in the crowded market for concealed weapons, witnesses said. A large crowd gathered and began criticizing the police when they stopped and searched elderly men wearing traditional koteka (penis gourds). A group of crowd members then began throwing stones at the two officers, which prompted one or both of the officers to fire directly into the crowd. It is not clear if they first issued a warning. Police spokesman Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono declined to comment on the details of the incident, saying an investigation is underway. Within minutes of the shooting, an estimated 35 other Brimob officers arrived in the market from their nearby barracks to disperse the crowd.
After the shooting, local residents brandishing bows and arrows and clubs converged on the scene and pelted the police with stones. Crowd members also beat an army officer present. Papuan police have not reported any injuries related to this confrontation.
Witnesses said that Alpius Mote was not part of the demonstration, but had been leaving the school grounds when he was shot. The other gunshot wound victims included two students, Aprida Dogopia and Alex Mote, as well as Frans Dogopia, a local government employee. All were taken to Uwibutu Madi hospital for treatment.
Harassment of medical personnel and witnesses at a local hospitalWitnesses told Human Rights Watch that Brimob officers arrived at the hospital shortly after the arrival of the wounded and forbade doctors and nurses from taking photographs of the victims. The police posted guards who required visitors to leave their mobile phones at the entrance. Police reportedly confiscated the mobile phone of a nurse who had used her phone to take photos of the victims.The Brimob actions at the hospital seemed more designed to limit evidence gathering about injuries suffered than to secure the facilities.
There were also unconfirmed reports that police beat and arbitrarily detained Yance Pekey, a teacher at the Tigi High School attended by Alpius Mote, after Pekey went to the market to confront police in protest of Mote’s death. Police have accused Pekey of provoking unrest and he remains in detention.
The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which set out international law on the use of force in law enforcement situations, provide that security forces shall as far as possible apply nonviolent means before resorting to the use of force. Whenever the lawful use of force is unavoidable the authorities should use restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense. Lethal force may only be used when strictly unavoidable to protect life. Governments shall ensure that arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is punished as a criminal offense.
Human rights abuses remain rife in Papua, in the extreme east of the Indonesian archipelago. Over the last 15 years, Human Rights Watch has documented hundreds of cases in which police, military, intelligence officers, and prison guards have used unnecessary or excessive force when dealing with Papuans taking part in protests. While a handful of military tribunals have been held in Papua against security force personnel implicated in abuses, the charges have been inadequate and soldiers that committed abuses continue to serve in the military.
The Indonesian government has deployed military forces in Papua since 1963 to counter a long-simmering independence movement and restricts access to international media, diplomats, and civil society groups by requiring them to obtain special access permits, which are rarely granted. Tensions heightened in Papua following the February 21, 2013 attack on Indonesian military forces by suspected elements of the armed separatist Free Papua Movement. The attack resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers, the most in the area since President Suharto stepped down from power in 1998.
“Indonesia’s security forces have history of using excessive force against civilians with impunity in Papua,” Kine said. “A transparent and impartial investigation into the Waghete shootings is necessary to prevent even greater distrust of the security forces.”
During a weapons search that resulted in a confrontation, one bystander, Alpius Mote, a 17-year-old high school student, died from gunshot wounds and at least three others were wounded.
“The Indonesian government needs to explain why police officers found it necessary to fire directly into a crowd of protesters throwing rocks,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Lethal force may only be used as a last resort to protect lives.”
Several witnesses told Human Rights Watch that two police Brigade Mobile (Brimob) officers began a search for weapons in the central market of the town of Waghete on the morning of September 23. The weapons search was part of a security response to recent unrest following the inauguration of a new regency chief on August 18.
The two Brimob police began randomly stopping and searching pedestrians in the crowded market for concealed weapons, witnesses said. A large crowd gathered and began criticizing the police when they stopped and searched elderly men wearing traditional koteka (penis gourds). A group of crowd members then began throwing stones at the two officers, which prompted one or both of the officers to fire directly into the crowd. It is not clear if they first issued a warning. Police spokesman Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono declined to comment on the details of the incident, saying an investigation is underway. Within minutes of the shooting, an estimated 35 other Brimob officers arrived in the market from their nearby barracks to disperse the crowd.
After the shooting, local residents brandishing bows and arrows and clubs converged on the scene and pelted the police with stones. Crowd members also beat an army officer present. Papuan police have not reported any injuries related to this confrontation.
Witnesses said that Alpius Mote was not part of the demonstration, but had been leaving the school grounds when he was shot. The other gunshot wound victims included two students, Aprida Dogopia and Alex Mote, as well as Frans Dogopia, a local government employee. All were taken to Uwibutu Madi hospital for treatment.
Harassment of medical personnel and witnesses at a local hospitalWitnesses told Human Rights Watch that Brimob officers arrived at the hospital shortly after the arrival of the wounded and forbade doctors and nurses from taking photographs of the victims. The police posted guards who required visitors to leave their mobile phones at the entrance. Police reportedly confiscated the mobile phone of a nurse who had used her phone to take photos of the victims.The Brimob actions at the hospital seemed more designed to limit evidence gathering about injuries suffered than to secure the facilities.
There were also unconfirmed reports that police beat and arbitrarily detained Yance Pekey, a teacher at the Tigi High School attended by Alpius Mote, after Pekey went to the market to confront police in protest of Mote’s death. Police have accused Pekey of provoking unrest and he remains in detention.
The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which set out international law on the use of force in law enforcement situations, provide that security forces shall as far as possible apply nonviolent means before resorting to the use of force. Whenever the lawful use of force is unavoidable the authorities should use restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense. Lethal force may only be used when strictly unavoidable to protect life. Governments shall ensure that arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is punished as a criminal offense.
Human rights abuses remain rife in Papua, in the extreme east of the Indonesian archipelago. Over the last 15 years, Human Rights Watch has documented hundreds of cases in which police, military, intelligence officers, and prison guards have used unnecessary or excessive force when dealing with Papuans taking part in protests. While a handful of military tribunals have been held in Papua against security force personnel implicated in abuses, the charges have been inadequate and soldiers that committed abuses continue to serve in the military.
The Indonesian government has deployed military forces in Papua since 1963 to counter a long-simmering independence movement and restricts access to international media, diplomats, and civil society groups by requiring them to obtain special access permits, which are rarely granted. Tensions heightened in Papua following the February 21, 2013 attack on Indonesian military forces by suspected elements of the armed separatist Free Papua Movement. The attack resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers, the most in the area since President Suharto stepped down from power in 1998.
“Indonesia’s security forces have history of using excessive force against civilians with impunity in Papua,” Kine said. “A transparent and impartial investigation into the Waghete shootings is necessary to prevent even greater distrust of the security forces.”
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2) Media release from WPNCL re PM of Vanuatu raising WP issue
WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COALITION FOR LIBERATION
Secretariat: WPPRO, P.O. Box 1571, Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu, +678 7740808 or +61414149001. E-mail: ayamiseba@yahoo.com.au awulkeweng53@yahoo.com; rrumakiek@gmail.com“When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty”
For immediate release
PRIME MINISTER OF VANUATU ADDRESSED THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON
THE WEST PAPUAN ISSUE
In this special release West Papua National Coalition for Liberation wishes to thank Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Moana Kalosil Carcasses on behalf of the people of West Papua for his address that was timely as the current UNGA meeting marks 50 years of UN silence on the West Papuan issue.
The address by Rt. Hon. Carcasses was devoted entirely on the issue of West Papua. He reminded the Assembly that human rights violations have taken place continuously for the past 50 years. Even in May UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay voiced concern over a crackdown on mass demonstrations in the Papuan provinces where 2 people were shot dead and 20 others arrested. They demonstrated to mark the day 50 years ago when Indonesia annexed West Papua. “There has not been sufficient transparency in addressing serious human rights violations in Papua,” Ms Pillay said. On that note Hon. Carcasses posed a question, “How can we ignore hundreds of thousands of West Papuans who have been brutally beaten and murdered?”
On the 28th of September 2013 – Vanuatu called on the United Nations to appoint a Special Representative to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the Papuan provinces of Indonesia and their political status, with its Prime minister declaring that the West Papuans have been consistently denied any sort of recognition by the world body.
Rt. Hon. Moana Kalosil Carcases concluded by stating, “It is clear from many historical records that the Melanesian people of West Papua were the scapegoat of Cold war politics and were sacrificed to gratify the appetite for the natural resources which this country possess,” Mr. Kalosil said. “Today they are still the victims of ignorance of the UN.”
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While the Vanuatu delegation was on the way to New York demonstrations were held in several towns and cities in West Papua (West New Guinea) stressing their support for Vanuatu’s stand on West Papua. Earlier, in June the sub regional body the Melanesian Spearhead Group decided for the first time to recognize the inalienable right of self-determination to the people of West Papua. It is also historic because for the first time too West Papua National Coalition for Liberation was invited to address the MSG Summit on behalf of West Papua. Any further questions contact, The Secretary General of WPNCL, Rex Rumakiek on M/Ph. +61-414149001 or E-mail: rrumakiek@gmail.com |
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http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/its-time-for-some-straight-talking-about-human-rights-in-papua-20130928-2ul8k.html
3) It's time for some straight talking about human rights in Papua
The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, should use his visit to Indonesia on Monday to cast aside the wilful blindness previous Australian governments have had about the human rights violations occurring just a stone's throw away in Indonesia's Papua provinces.
The arrival and then hasty removal of seven West Papuan asylum seekers this week highlights the need to ensure our relationship with Indonesia is mature enough to handle two-way exchanges of fair criticisms when it comes to human rights.
Obviously, any human rights advocacy on Australia's behalf risks being diminished when we are perceived to be turning our back on our own obligations or passing the buck, as is the case with the government's asylum seeker policies. Despite this, there are simple steps Australia could take to provide leadership in this area in our region.
Benny Wenda of the Free West Papua advocacy group with human rights advocate/lawyer Jennifer Robbinson. Photo: James Alcock
Australia just assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council and was appointed to the council on the promise that it would be a ''principled advocate of human rights for all''. If Australia is to live up to this pledge, Abbott should not be shy in raising concerns about the serious human rights violations committed by Indonesian authorities.
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The Prime Minister has said that he and his Coalition colleagues are the ''custodians of free speech''. If this is the case, they cannot be comfortable with the severe and harshly enforced restrictions on free speech and political expression that occurs routinely in West Papua.
Despite the progress of the democratic reforms in Indonesia after the fall of General Suharto in 1998, many of these reforms have simply not made their way to Indonesia's eastern-most provinces. Reports of political assassinations, torture and the violent repression of peaceful political gatherings are all too common. This month saw Papuan community leaders arrested for simply raising the banned ''Morning Star'' flag after a prayer meeting and, according to one Catholic brother, three Papuan men were shot for refusing to have their hair cut.
After World War II, many within the Australian community supported the Indonesians' struggle for independence. For example, a boycott led by the Australian Waterside Workers Federation and supported by 30 other Australian trade unions, immobilised 559 ships that were meant to supply the Dutch effort to retain their former colony.A proactive stance in support of democratic rights and freedoms would be in keeping with long-standing support among the Australian public for democracy within Indonesia.
The Freedom Flotilla to West Papua that sailed earlier this year. A crowd of 120 including local Indigenous peoples, West Papuans and Maritime Union of Australia members gathered for the send off.
Indonesia's then foreign minister, Dr Subandrio, would later describe Australia as the "midwife" of the Indonesian republic, after such popular support for the Indonesian cause translated into belated political support and the Chifley government took up the matter at the UN.
Prime Minister Abbott has a prime opportunity to rekindle this shared goodwill. His promise of a more Jakarta-centric approach to foreign policy should be matched with an appetite for frank and forthright dialogue between friends.
Indonesia has rightly and respectfully raised its concerns about Australia's asylum seeker policies. And, as should be possible in a mature relationship, Australia should also be putting issues of concern, such as strengthening democracy in our region, on the agenda.
First, the PM should urge Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to lift the effective ban on international journalists reporting from West Papua so the world can get a clearer picture of the human rights crisis that is occurring.
Second, he should highlight Indonesia's commitment to uphold the rights of all persons to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Indonesia ratified in 2006.
And third, the PM should announce a complete review of Australia's relationship with Indonesia's military and security forces to ensure we are in no way aiding or abetting human rights abuses, directly or indirectly, through our support of Indonesia's elite counter-terrorism unit, Detachment 88.
Both Indonesia and Australia stand to benefit from some straight talking about human rights concerns. This week's visit is the PM's chance to highlight his support for fundamental human rights such as the rights of all persons to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
Tom Clarke is the director of Communications at the Human Rights Law Centre. Twitter: @TomHRLC
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