1) Indonesia Accused of
Papuan Genocide
2) Papua report highlights continuing pattern of violence, says expert
3) 14 Arrested in Biak on
Commemorated the Anniversary of the Federal Republic of West Papua
4) Youth Pledge Day commemoration in
Papua Rated Illegal
5) West Papuans live in
terror, Mr Abbott
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/indonesia-accused-of-papua-genocide/
1) Indonesia Accused of Papuan Genocide
Indonesia is responsible for a genocidal military operation carried out in Papua between 1977-1978, which killed more than 4,000 indigenous Papuans, including women and children, the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission and Human Rights and Peace for Papua said in a statement released Thursday.
In the report, which took researchers three years to complete, it is reported that infants and children were among the victims of aerial bombings and strafing by American-supplied OV-10 Bronco attack planes.
The report also highlighted brutality and inhumane behavior by the Indonesian military.
AHRC interviewed a survivor, Reverend Matius Wenda (not his real name) who said he witnessed Indonesian military officers forcing elderly Papuans to consume excrement.
Another witness told interviewers he saw highlands Papuans detained by the military before being shot in a field, the witness saying he only survived by pretending to be dead.
The report also mentioned sexual violence against Papuan women, which it says was common during the military operation around the Central Highlands, as described by one of the interviewed female survivors. “Breasts of some women were cut and they died. We were raped, abused and killed… Some women were only raped but others were raped and murdered,” the report says.
An AHRC director, Basil Fernando, said “the publication of the report is aimed at raising awareness amongst the general public, particularly in Indonesia, on the history of violence in Papua.”
The AHRC said atrocities perpetrated by the state in Papua could be classified as genocide based on the definition provided by the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
AHRC claims that the horrendous human rights violations documented in the report are attributable to high ranking officials of the Indonesian military at that time, including former President Suharto.
“The long period of authoritarianism under Suharto has effectively silenced Indonesians from discussing its dark history related to Papua,” Fernando said.
He pointed out that available sources examining the abuses in the Central Highlands during 1977–1978 were very limited. The report recommended the establishment of a local truth and reconciliation commission in Papua as called by the Special Autonomy Law enacted in 2001.
It also calls for the government to comply with its international human rights obligations by lifting unreasonable and disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression in the country to encourage open discourse on the history of violence in Papua, and by ensuring the safety of any individual speaking up on the issue.
The national government hopes increased autonomy in Papua will help reduce violence in the region. But the governor of Papua province has said it will take more than autonomy to fix the region’s serious problems.
While most Papuans live in abject poverty, the resource-rich island is host to one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines, operated by US company Freeport and co-financed by British-Australian miner Rio Tinto.
The central government has poured trillions of rupiah into the region since establishing the first autonomy program in 2001, but poverty rates remain at 31 percent and the rate of HIV transmission is the highest in the country outside of Jakarta.
Haris Azhar, chairman of the Jakarta-based Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said that while it was true there has been continuous state violence in Papua since the 1960s, there have been insufficient studies to determine whether it qualifies as genocide.
“There has been a lot of violence in Papua, there has never been genocide, but there have been crimes against humanity,” Haris said Thursday.
Haris said a crime could only be classified as genocide after a comprehensive study. Genocide, he said, must constitute government policy to qualify.
“There a lot of brutality and torture in Papua but there has been no strong evidence about genocide against a particular ethnicity,” he said.
“The government can follow up by asking the National Commission of Human Rights to investigate whether or not it is true,” he said.
Presidential spokesman, Teuku Faizasyah, said the use of the term genocide was controversial and could potentially be dangerous.
“I have not read the report, but the term genocide is very tendentious, do they have the proper methodology to measure if the word can be used?
“Did they actually investigate the case in Papua or did they hear the story from a third party? We don’t know,” Teuku said to the Jakarta Globe on Thursday.
Teuku said the term genocide could only be used for a very serious crime and should not be used casually for the situation that has happened in Indonesia.
“It is very dangerous if any group can easily use the word genocide and claim a country is responsible for it,” he said.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Papua report highlights continuing pattern of violence, says expert
Updated 24 October 2013, 14:44 AEST
Updated 24 October 2013, 14:44 AEST
The commission based its findings on field visits, interviews with witnesses and historical records.
Presenter:Sen Lam
Speaker: Dr Richard Chauvel, Papua specialist, Victoria University in Melbourne
CHAUVEL: I think the military operations that happened in 1977, probably by the standards of the entire history of military operations in Papua were probably of a larger scale, but in many ways what the report describes is of a fairly familiar pattern with Papuan resistance being met with overwhelming and mostly indiscriminate military responses.
LAM: Well according to the report this seems to be a specific timeframe. Could you put it into some kind of context for us, what could have provoked that violence?
CHAUVEL: I think the broader context is that Indonesia had been in control of West Papua for 14 or 15 years by that stage. I think its effective control over much of the central highlands was much more fragile than that. Much of the central highlands had only had very minimal Dutch administrative contact for perhaps four or five years before the Indonesian takeover. So I think by 1977 the Indonesians were still trying to impose some control over the central highlands, and I think in many of the more remote parts of the central highlands, Indonesia's administrative and military presence was pretty minimal. And clearly the OPM and other resistance groups had some bases of support in the central highlands, and I think following the elections earlier in 1977 I think that there were tensions with both communities in the central highlands, and that Papuan resistance was met in July on onwards, several months onwards by a much larger scale, pretty indiscriminate military responses of which the Papuan witnesses interviewed by the commission give pretty gruesome detail of some of the indiscriminate military behaviour.
LAM: And Richard Chauvel apart from this latest AHRC report, was the alleged violence during that period in the late 1970s, was that well documented by other organisations as well?
CHAUVEL: Not really, I think access to Papua as a whole, and particularly the central highlands in the 1970s was pretty limited. If we look back on Robin Osborne's book about the OPM and the forgotten struggle, as he labelled it, much of Robin Osborne's evidence was garnered from members of an RAF survey team that happened to be in the central highlands in Wamena at that time. Robin Osborne also used the witness evidence of people flying in working as pilots at a then fairly recent, or just beginning Freeport mine operations some distance from the central highlands. So he had those foreign witness reports from the time, which have been part of the public record for a long while.
LAM: And Richard you mentioned the RAF, Australian supplied military helicopters are said to have been used in those attacks that were specified by the AHRC. What's known about the extent of Australian involvement in Papua at that time?
CHAUVEL: The Australian involvement that I'm familiar with was of an RAAF survey team which were by Robin Osborne's account in the central highlands for a period of about six weeks in mid-1977. So overlapping with some of the military operations. I think their presence was more a matter of coincidence rather than in any way part of the military operations. That cooperation on aerial mapping and surveying was probably an extension of the cooperation which had developed pretty well immediately after Indonesia took over Papua.
LAM: The report also alleges some of those Indonesian military personnel involved in the killings are still in positions of power. Should the Australian government be taking this up with Jakarta, given Australia's military relationship with the TNI?
CHAUVEL: Yes as you know I think the issue of Australian cooperation with the Indonesian military, provision of equipment, provision of training has been controversial from the 1970s until the present day. I think what this report also highlights when you train members of another country's military, when you provide equipment to another country's military, what happens with that training and the provision of equipment is very difficult to control.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) 14 Arrested in Biak on Commemorated the Anniversary of the Federal Republic of West Papua
I just got reported from Daud Korwa in Biak. Daud Korwa is Vice Governor of the Second Regions Saireri of 7 Regions. This region consist of Biak and Serui. Daud reported that more than 14 Papuan peope arrested on 2nd anneversary of Unilaterally Declared indepedence of the Federal Republic of West Papua. 14 of them names bellow:
+6281344564159
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A google translate of article in Suara Papua. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa at
4) Youth Pledge Day commemoration in Papua Rated Illegal
Published On Thursday , October 24 , 2013 By Arnold Belau . Under: NATIONAL , PAPUA . Tags : KNPB , LMA , GOVERNMENT
Referendum or the right of self-determination for the people of Papua should be given ( Photo : Ist )
PAPUAN , Jayapura - " In the history of Indonesia , Papua people never struggled with the Malays to fighting for the independence of Indonesia . None of Papuans took part in the official forums in the history of the struggle Indonesiaseperti youth congress on October 28, 1928 , and the official forums in the struggle for Indonesian independence movement .
Thus , the Youth Pledge Day commemoration by the Institute of Indigenous Peoples ( LMA ) under the leadership of Lenis Kogoya ranks along with the Barisan Merah Putih ( BMP ) brought Ramses Ohee leadership and staff which will be commemorated in Wutung , RI border - PNG judged illegal " .
This was revealed in a press relase West Papua National Committee ( KNPB ) National Media West Papuans received suarapapua.com on Thursday ( 24/10/2013 ) in Jayapura , Papua .
As written in Relasenya , KNPB stated that the Youth Pledge Day commemoration will be commemorated by the LMA and BMP in Wutung was illegitimate . Because , Indonesia who dideklarasiakan Youth Pledge on October 28, 1928 does not exist Papuan youth representatives who participated at that time .
West Papuan youth then we promise to continue to strive to realize the noble ideals of the people of West Papua for independence from colonial power of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia .
In this case KNPB Stating attitude , as stated in the Press Relase that , first, we ask the government Indonesiadan Papua provincial government to immediately stop the activities of the celebration of the Youth Pledge in West Papua because of the public deception . Because there is never a West Papuan people involved in the Youth Pledge on October 28, 1928 .
Secondly , we are all the people of West Papua from Sorong to acknowledge Samaraitidakpernah LMA LMA province of Papua for the existence of an artificial colonial to colonial interests in West Papua . Therefore stop and stop immediately ! behalf of indigenous peoples' organizations .
Third , the Youth Pledge Day celebration activities will be held in Wutung , RI border - PNG on October 28 Menn came adaalah illegal because public deception and full engineering .
Fourth , we appeal to the people of West Papua from Sorong to Samaraiuntuk not involve themselves in the activities of the Youth Pledge which will be held on October 28, 2013 .
Fifth , history records that are present perwakilah on October 28, 1928 in the framework of the Youth Pledge consist only of : Jong Java , Jong Sumatra , Jong Celebes , Sulawesi and Jong Jong Amboina . And please note there is no carry Jong Papua in Indonesia's history .
Sixth , immediately do a general mobilization to demand the right of nasihb own ( Self Determiantion ) for the people of West Papua , according to the agreement New York Agreement on August 15, 1962 article 18 ever signed by the governments of Indonesia and the Dutch empire in the article Diama ensure each adults the right to choose freely one person, one vote ( one man one vote ) .
ARNOLD Belau
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) West Papuans live in terror, Mr Abbott
Tony Abbott has never experienced the brutal oppression that West Papuans are forced to live under - and his misguided comments will endanger lives, writes the imprisoned Papuan leader
“People seeking to grandstand against Indonesia, please, don't look to do it in Australia, you are not welcome ... The situation in West Papua is getting better, not worse.” These are the words of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on 7 October.
Tony Abbott is wrong, and his words are extremely hurtful to the people of Papua. The situation for the Indigenous population of Papua is getting progressively worse, not better. Even Lukas Enembe, the governor of Papua, has stated that the province is experiencing a decline in key areas such as health, education and the economy.
Enembe also acknoweldges the well known fact that Papuans are an increasing minority in their own land.
Space for even some minimal semblance of democracy in Papua has been absolutely closed and the state of Indonesia continues to commit atrocities against the Indigenous people. For instance, Alpius Mote, aged 17 years, was shot dead by the Indonesian Special Police Unit BRIMOB on 23 September in Waghete, West Papua, after a number of locals voiced their objections to the arbitrary arrest and targeting of males with long beards and hair.
Then there are the brutal military operations that have been continuing relentlessly for months in Puncak Jaya and also in Paniai to pursue those suspected of being part of the TPN/OPM. These operations have only led to the deaths of innocent civilians, such as 12-year-old Arlince Tabuni, who was shot dead on 1 July in the village of Popumo, Lani Jaya.
Lately there has also been an escalation in the level of intimidation and terrorisation of Indigenous people, and even more so of Papuan activists.
The bodies of seven more civilians were recently found — including a four-year-old and 11-year-old child — after their vehicle left Sarmi for the city of Sentani near Jayapura but never arrived. All seven bodies were found in their upturned vehicle. It is believed they had been abducted and it was reported that they were killed by what has become a common term now in Papua, "unknown assailants".
In order to hide the tyranny in Papua, the Republic of Indonesia has denied access to both international journalists and international human rights workers. Ever since Indonesia annexed Papua on 1 May 1963, it has been isolated and closed to these international groups. Indigenous Papuans, forced to live in this state of terror, are also isolated from the reach of the outside world. The violence and upheaval in their lives makes life in Indonesia for Papuans a living hell.
The Australian Prime Minister has never experienced the brutal oppression that Indigenous Papuans are forced to live under; nor has he seen first hand the real-life conditions that Indigenous Papuans suffer.
There have been constant reports of brutality and severe oppression for 50 years from Papua — would it not be right for Australia, the current Chair of the United Nations Security Council, together with its other members, to organise for a UN Special Representative to carry out an investigation into the alleged human rights violations and the political status of West Papua?
The Prime Minister of Vanuatu formally requested a UN investigation as part of his historic speech at the recent 68th session of the annual debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on 28 September.
The people of Papua can only assume that Tony Abbott’s words, “The situation in West Papua is getting better, not worse”, are the result of the influence of propaganda and provocation by the Indonesian government during his visit to Jakarta on 30 September and to Bali for attend the APEC summit in early October.
Of late, Indonesia has lifted its level of propaganda towards the international community and in particular key leaders around the world — of which the Australian Prime Minister is one — in their efforts to undermine any possibility of sympathy towards the problems of Papua. To achieve that end Indonesia has employed no small amount of resources and staff.
Of course Papuans totally appreciate the importance of the relationship between the governments of Australia and Indonesia. Furthermore, Papuans truly understand that Tony Abbott's attitude towards Papua must be one of caution, in order to protect bilateral relations.
However, as a member of the UN, and chair of the Security Council, Australia has both a legal and moral obligation to uphold and respect human rights around the world and particularly in those regions of serious concern, such as Papua. Australia cannot avoid its responsibilities to protect and respect the dignity of humanity where freedoms and the very right to life are threatened. Indigenous Papuans are heading towards the annihilation of their race due to a slow genocide.
The Australian government has been on the frontline recently in regards to the matter of Papua. On 24 September, seven Indigenous Papuans who landed as refugees at Boigu Island in the Torres Strait (including one woman who was pregnant and a 10 year-old-child) were transferred to Horn Island. After being interviewed by authorities they were given no choice of staying in Australia and were forced to choose between being sent back to Indonesia or going to PNG. They very swiftly deported to PNG.
Then, on 5 October, three young Papuan men scaled the wall of the Australian Consulate in Bali and entered the compound so as to seek Australia’s help. They then also sought refuge for themselves, despite the risk they would face from Indonesia if they were denied. In the early hours of that same morning before 7am, the three had already been told to leave the compound with the threat that the police would be called.
In being forced to leave the compound after pleading for help for Papua, of course they were terrified for their safety! Their actions could have led to torture or to a "disappearance" at the hands of the Indonesian armed forces. The Australian Senator Richard Di Natale immediately called on the Australian Government to request they be given protection but received no response. The nation of Papua finds the actions of the Australian Consulate in Bali absolutely unacceptable.
Abbott subsequently stated that the Australian government will suppress any activism in Australia that opposes Indonesia in support of West Papua. He was immediately criticised by Vanuatu’s first and former prime minister, Ati George Sokomanu, who demanded he explain his statement to the leaders of the Pacific. Sokomanu stressed that while immigration issues could be dealt with by the courts, Australia must be prepared to discuss questions of human rights.
The Australian and international communities who are concerned about the suffering of Indigenous Papuans are closely following the political direction of Abbott's cabinet.
Will Australia continue to permit Indonesia's armed forces to commit heinous acts against the Indigenous people of Papua?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.