1) West Papua massacre: University of
Sydney citizen's tribunal calls for Indonesia to investigate Biak slaughter
2) SUSPECTED FOREIGN PARTIES " PLAY
" IN SHOOTING IN THE AREA FREEPORT
3) Canadian activist visits Papuan political prisoners
4) Spying row: Tony Abbott urges Indonesia to forgive and forget
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-16/citizen-tribunal-calls-for-investigation-into-biak-massacre/5160134
1) West Papua massacre: University of Sydney citizen's tribunal calls for Indonesia to investigate Biak slaughter
Updated
Indonesia is facing calls to investigate the killing, raping, and torture of more than 150 civilians on the West Papuan island of Biak 15 years ago.
A Sydney University citizen's tribunal presided over by former NSW attorney-general John Dowd, now the president of the International Commission of Jurists, today found that "large numbers" of West Papuans had been tortured and mutilated.
The tribunal urged Indonesia to bring those responsible for the "crimes against humanity" to justice.
It is estimated more than 150 people were killed and their bodies dumped at sea after a West Papuan protest which raised the banned West Papuan Morning Star in Biak in June, 1998.
Indonesia has never admitted the massacre, claiming only one person was killed, and blaming the bodies washed ashore on a subsequent tsunami.
The action was strongly supported by the then-head of Indonesia's military, General Wiranto.
'I saw many killed by the military' says young refugee
Yudha Korwa, who was 17 at the time of the massacre, was at the protest with a friend.
He has since been granted political asylum after escaping to Australia on a wooden boat six years ago.
"I saw so many people getting killed by the military. I saw little boy killed, old people, pregnant women and the little girl," he said.
"One of the army hit me with a gun and my face filled with blood and I was really sacred so I pretend to die. [I heard] people yelling 'Help me, help me'."
His skull cracked and stabbed, Mr Korwa was one of the few to escape. He limped away and hid for two days in a road culvert.
UNSW anthropologist Dr Eben Kirksey was a young American undergraduate then passing through Biak.
"As everyone was singing the troops started shooting into the crowds and in those initial moments people were mowed down, started falling - others started running," he said.
"The people who survived were herded onto the harbour and as they were put on ships they could see the dead and dying from initial assault were being loaded onto trucks."
Woman raped, mutilated after seeing friend beheaded
Earlier this year at the University of Sydney, a citizen's tribunal took evidence of what happened at Biak 15 years ago.
Testifying for the first time, Tineke Rumakabu said she saw her friend beheaded. She herself was tortured horribly.
Former NSW crown prosecutor Nicholas Cowdery was Counsel Assisting at the tribunal.
"She was burnt, she was mutilated - genitally mutilated - raped, treated in the most brutal and degrading fashion by Indonesian police," he said of Ms Rumakabu.
Mr Cowdery said a special prosecutor should conduct investigations in Indonesia.
"There is the opportunity for Indonesians to provide compensation to people."
Tribunal calls for action and says Australia should demand answers
A few months later Indonesia launched a military crackdown in East Timor - one that ultimately failed, despite similar proven atrocities against unarmed civilians.
But while world attention focused on East Timor, the Biak attack was never investigated.
The tribunal has now called on Indonesia to do just that.
"The specific mutilations of the females was a specific terror policy. It's hard to believe human beings can behave like these soldiers," Mr Dowd said.
"We want those that are responsible to be brought to justice.
"We want an investigation, we want criminal prosecutions, and we want people to pay a penalty for what they did to these wonderful people.
"There are investigations that can be conducted by an independent judicial body in Indonesia.
Indonesia has refused to comment on the citizen's tribunal, which has also called on Australia take action.
"The Australian Government has a duty to the people who died and their families to expose what happened to stop it happening again," Mr Dowd said.
Topics: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, murder-and-manslaughter, crime, papua, the-university-of-sydney-2006, asia,indonesia
First posted
A google translate of article in Jubi . Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link above article.
2) SUSPECTED FOREIGN PARTIES " PLAY " IN SHOOTING IN THE AREA FREEPORT
Author : Arjuna Pademme on December 16 , 2013 at 18:48:08 WP
Editor : Victor Mambor
tabloidjubi.com believe that the readers of this site are people who are intelligent and educated . Let's use polite words in commenting on this site
Vice Chairman of Commission A Parliament of Papua , Yanni . ( Jubi / Arjuna )
Jayapura , 16/12 ( Jubi ) - A series of shootings that occurred in the area of PT . Freeport Indonesia ( PT FI ) a couple of days ago continues to be a concern of various parties . Both the security forces , the government and the Parliament of Papua .
Vice Chairman of the House Committee A charge Papua Government, Law and Human Rights , Yanni said , shooting at the PT . Freeport has often been the case, but until now only a few cases could be revealed . It would be a question mark and did not rule out that others are playing there .
" I think we need to be vigilant . Possible it was not the act of a local party , but there may be foreigners who want to master the potential of our nature . As if there OTK or OPM . There is very tight right is not easy to smuggle weapons . I suspect there are outside playing , " said Yanni , Monday ( 16/12 ) .
According to him , no disclosure of the offender led to various accusations and even officials also suspected of playing there . For that we need vigilance and officials need to do hourly checks and senpi .
" Moreover, Army Chief of Staff have ordered shoot on sight for the actors during the shooting of this . If anyone should shoot on sight orders disepon very disturbing because the community , " he said .
It is said , if the conditions are not safe , of community activities will be disrupted . Also of course all the parties does not want any more casualties from any party .
" The police conducted a raid that Sajam , senpi and limit the circulation of alcohol MAGs before Christmas and Pileg and 2014 Presidential Election . This is to avoid the things that are not desirable . Religious leaders , community and all agencies that there needs to be helped maintain security and order , " he said .
Yanni said , very risky occur if the friction between the tribes continue to be a victim of one of the parties . This is to be anticipated . Do not let the incident occurred in Poso and Ambon Papua .
" It's the responsibility of us all not just military / police but all the components in Papua to create a peaceful Papua . With the SAF and large funds to Papua , Papua New developments are so rapid and various tribes in Papua , so be wary lest there is friction ethnicity, race and religion , " he said .
Previously , Army Chief of Staff Gen. Budiman consider security in Papua vandals still exist . During this time he ordered the Military Command XVII of Paradise and his staff do a persuasive approach .
" But shooting is directed to the group commander of Korem 174/Anim Ti Weninggap or ATW is simboll action against the state . As long as we consider them brothers . If they use the weapons I command also faced with a weapon . Although the police handled the investigation , I also ordered the TNI participated prosecute the perpetrators are disturbing people . The shooting of the TNI also be faced by members of the military , " said Gen. Budiman . ( Jubi / Arjuna )
Jeremy Bally, 26, an environmental activist from Canada, visited Abepura Penitentiary in Jayapura, on Monday, to meet Papuan political prisoners and detainees.
Bally’s visit was aimed at distributing 40 postcards from activists in seven countries to show their support of their struggle.
Among those he met were Dominikus Serabut, Forkorus Yoboisembut, Philep Karma, Selpius Bobii and Viktor Yeimo.
“They are healthy and have no problems. I’m sure that officers in the prison have treated them well,” Bally told journalists in Jayapura after the visit.
Bally said he collected the postcards from Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, and the US — and his home country, Canada.
Bally said shortly after he arrived in Papua that the situation was different to what many people had expected: An unsafe and terrifying place.
“I’m glad that I can convey the postcards. Papua’s condition is in fact different to what I’ve heard,” said Bally, who returns to Canada on Tuesday. (ebf)
Monday 16 December 2013 10.15 EST
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