1)
Protest New York Agreement, the consortium Degree Peace Action uproar in
Parliament Office
2)
Police Intimidation of Journalists Tabloidjubi.com in Jayapura
3)
Disband Police Action uproar in Jayapura, 11 People Arrested
6)
Letter to Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A google translate of article in majalahselangkah.com. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahasa link at
1) Protest New York Agreement, the consortium Degree Peace Action uproar in Parliament Office
Author: Gabriel P. Hegemur | Friday, August 15, 2014 19:16 Viewed: 192 Comments: 1
Share:
One of the posters during the action. Photo: Gabriel P. Hegemur
The consortium, MAGAZINE STEP - Student Movement, Youth and People of Papua (GemparR) Fak-Fak, West Papua Province held a peaceful demonstration in front of the office of the Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) the consortium, on Friday (15.08.14).
Peaceful demonstration was held in order to commemorate the 52 year denounced and agreement New York, August 15 August 15 2014 1962- GemparR New York judge agreement is the beginning of a series of violence and human rights violations in Papua are still going on to this day.
Monitoring majalahselangkah.com contributors, the main action of bringing banners and a few other posters. In one of the posters saying "If Jakarta Nobody Wants Volatile Papua, Papua Give Respect Human Rights Democracy for Papua Determining Space Political Rights".
Another poster bertuliskaskan, "Indonesian Illegal for West Papua".
Future action by the chairman of the parliament accepted the consortium and read the statement. Furthermore, uproar submit statement to Parliament and disband tertip premises at about At 10:00 local time. (Gabriel P. Hegemur / MS)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A google translate of article in majalahselangkah.com. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahasa link at
2) Police Intimidation of Journalists Tabloidjubi.com in Jayapura
Author: Hendrikus Yeimo and Yermias Degei | Friday, August 15, 2014 19:09 Viewed: 181 Comments: 0
Share:
Police arrest student activists in uproar. Photo: suarapapua.com
Jayapura, STEP MAGAZINE - City Police (Police) Jayapura, Papua intimidate a journalist tabloidjubi.com, Aprilia wiring that was covering a peaceful demonstration Student Movement, Youth and People of Papua (uproar) in the University Campus courtyard of Paradise, Jayapura, Papua, on Friday (08/15/14) afternoon.
Intimidation occurs when the police want to dismiss the action in an uproar. At that time, Aprila was covering the action with reporters suarapapua.com uproar, Oktovianus Pogau, reporters and journalists majalahselangkah.com Hendrikus Yeimo Solar Metro Online.
Majalahselangkah.com observation, while the dissolution action by police and other journalists photographing Aprila dissolution atmosphere. Suddenly a policeman coming towards Aprila being photographed and asked Aprila not photographing. When that happens the bargain and deliver it Aprila job as a journalist.
When this happens bargain offers, another policeman came and wanted to seize gadgets (device). Then, at the same time the police came megerumuni 5 members Aprila. One of the members holding Aprila neck and was pulling toward Dalmas.
"I stood up and was about to take a picture next to the action of an uproar. Cops came and raw bargaining with him, I said I'm a journalist covering the action. Then, there was a cop pull me from the back of the neck towards the car Dalmas. Cops say There should not be, "Aprila clear.
Aprila further explained, "I wear a helmet so no papa. I was angry and cursed them.'s No way they do not know me.'s Been the last few years I served in Abepura and covering a variety of activities including student demonstrations. Kapolres know I was right. "
This is not the first time we were intimidated, but it very often, it shows that the police are not professionals and do not understand the assignment reporter ..
To that end, Aprila asked Papua Police to provide specific training on the Press Law to his men. "I want to give the police chief training Basic Press Law to his men. If they can not, I give beredia training," please wiring.
At the same time, police also banned journalists suarapapua.com, Oktovianus Pogau to take pictures. In fact, ask him to delete all images that have been taken.
"I'm catching the action photographs. Cops came forbid I take a picture. Police also asked the press card. Upon my press card to show them off," said Oktovianus Pogau when majalahselangkah.com confirmed via cell phone this evening.
Pogau regret this ban because it is forbidden to take pictures that tell the police chief of Jayapura. "I asked the police chief, why could not take a picture. Chief of Police said, the action of an uproar that no permit," said Pogau.
Dikatahui, peaceful demonstration to denounce the Treaty GempR carried New York August 15, 1962 were judged to have sacrificed the political rights of the people of West Papua. Aks is colored arrest: read here. (Hendrikus Yeimo / Yermias Degei / MS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A google translate of article in majalahselangkah.com. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original bahasa link at
3) Disband Police Action uproar in Jayapura, 11 People Arrested
Author: Hendrikus Yeimo | Friday, August 15, 2014 19:05 Viewed: 221 Comments: 0
Share:
Atmosphere arrest. Photo: suarapapua.com
Jayapura, MAGAZINE STEP - Student Movement, Youth and People of Papua (GemparR) held a peaceful demonstration at the campus of the University of Paradise (Uncen) Jayapura, Papua, on Friday (15.08.14).
The demonstration was held to denounce the New York agreement issued by the United States, the Netherlands and Indonesia on August 15, 1962 last. Uproar assess this agreement have sacrificed political rights of the Papuan people and initiate a series of human rights violations in Papua today.
Told reporters this morning, former Chairman of the BEM Fisip Uncen, Jason Ngelia say, the political rights of the Papuan people have clearly suppressed by the international community and Indonesia. Therefore, he did protest, and hold accountable the international world through peaceful demonstrations.
Peaceful demonstration did not last long. Around 10:00 pm, City Police (Police) under the leadership of Jayapura Jayapura Police Chief, Chief. Alfred Papare, action forcibly held in the Campus Ucen this page.
Police unwarranted uproar illegal organization and not under UnCen campus and do not get permission to stage a peaceful demonstration. In addition, local police also restrict demonstrations ahead of the Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, August 17, 2014 this.
Regarding consent, Jason Ngelia in keterannya said it has submitted a letter of notification to the peaceful demonstration to the local police from the date of August 1, 2014 last.
This marked the dissolution of the arrest of 11 people. They consisted of students and activists.
Information received majalahselangkah.com this afternoon, 4 of 11 people are activists West Papua National Committee (KNPB), but they were released at 15:00 local time after questioning secukupnkya.
Meanwhile, 7 students including Jason Ngelia, Beni Hisage, Claus Pepuho, Gerson Rumbrapu, Bram Deimeitou, Mark Dumupa, and Benn Gobay reportedly still detained in the Jayapura Police.
Vice Rector III Uncen, Fredik Sokoy said, the agency does not prohibit students held rallies.
Information uproarious action plan has been delivered but the college asks to delay because the timing is not right. In addition to coincide with the anniversary of Indonesia is also currently doing UnCen new admissions.
Jayapura Police Chief, Chief. Alfred Papare not answer the related confirmation majalahselangkah.com 7 student who is still being held. (Hendrikus Yeimo / MS)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2014/08/west-papuan-political-exiles-fear-extinction-of-their-people/
4) West Papuan political exiles fear ‘extinction’ of their people
Paula Makabory, a West Papuan political activist living in exile in Melbourne, fears becoming an “outsider” in her own land. Image: Del Abcede/PMC
“It’s not about special laws, it’s not about being part of Indonesia or being independent, but it’s about the truth,” says West Papuan editor Victor Mambor.Asia-Pacific Journalism reports on a hidden struggle.
Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Craig Hoyle
Report – By Craig Hoyle
Political activists are using this month’s “Pacific shame” seminar in New Zealand to highlight the plight of indigenous West Papuans, and some say they fear the extinction of their people.
The two-day event, hosted by Auckland University’s Law Faculty, focused on media freedom in West Papua, Indonesian oppression, and New Zealand’s responsibilities in the region.
Paula Makabory, a West Papuan political activist living in exile in Melbourne, fears that unless action is taken, her people will become outsiders in their own land.
“If you look through the census data, you can see that the West Papuan population growth rate is increasing five percent a year, and in the world it’s only one percent, so how come in West Papua it’s so high?
“The [indigenous] West Papuan population is very low, and the increase is all Indonesian migrants. So that is why I say, ‘who is now standing up in my land?’”
The ethnic contours of West Papua have changed rapidly since Indonesia assumed control of the region in 1962.
In 1971, indigenous Papuans accounted for 96 percent of the West Papuan population. That figure has now dropped to 48.7 percent, and if current trends continue it will likely fall to 15 percent by 2030.
Colonialism ‘in action’
Human rights activist Maire Leadbeater says this is colonialism in action.
Human rights activist Maire Leadbeater says this is colonialism in action.
“There were a lot of things that were supposed to happen at the end of World War Two, and one of them was the ending of the colonial system,” she says. “And the end of colonialism didn’t happen to everybody.”
When Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands in 1949, the region then known as Dutch New Guinea was not included in the newly-formed republic. The Netherlands prepared it for independence, and a West Papuan state was declared on the December 1, 1961.
“At this ceremony they raised their own flag, they formed their own anthem, and that’s when they decided the name of the country should be West Papua,” says Leadbeater. “So they were well on the path to self-government at that point.”
However, the Indonesian government had other plans and annexed West Papua in 1962. The move was supported by the US-led Western bloc, which saw Indonesia as an ally against communism.
A vote was held in 1969 on West Papuan independence – the “Act of Free Choice” – but only 1025 men were allowed to vote, and all were pressured to support Indonesian integration.
West Papuan journalist Victor Mambor says since then, the Indonesian government has pursued a brutal policy of oppression.
‘Many Papuans killed’
“Many West Papuans have been killed, and many harassments and violations against West Papuan people have happened,” he says.
“Many West Papuans have been killed, and many harassments and violations against West Papuan people have happened,” he says.
Journalists in West Papua are frequently threatened, and a colleague of Mambor’s was strangled and dumped in the river. The police refused to investigate his death, declaring it was “suicide”.
Mambor says the world needs to know about what is happening.
“It’s not about special laws, it’s not about being part of Indonesia or being independent, but it’s about the truth,” he says.
It’s a truth that has been largely ignored in New Zealand. When West Papuan activist Benny Wenda visited last year he was refused permission to address Parliament, over fears it could upset the Indonesian government.
But Green MP Catherine Delahunty believes the rights of the West Papuans should come before diplomacy. On July 30, she tabled a motion in the House calling for the President of Indonesia to commit to press freedom in West Papua.
Treason laws
“We need to acknowledge that what is happening in West Papua is very reminiscent of what New Zealand did in 1860, right down to the treason laws, so we actually have a big responsibility to do something to challenge the role of Indonesia,” she says.
“We need to acknowledge that what is happening in West Papua is very reminiscent of what New Zealand did in 1860, right down to the treason laws, so we actually have a big responsibility to do something to challenge the role of Indonesia,” she says.
Delahunty says she is deeply concerned by the Indonesian government’s refusal to acknowledge the indigenous West Papuans, and challenged the Indonesian ambassador at a recent Green Party conference.
“I said, ‘we cannot accept your government’s position, we will never accept it’, and that’s what the Green Party will continue to do until we see real progress,” she says.
“I told the Indonesian consul there is a word in Māori, hoa riri, or angry friend – we are not the enemy of Indonesia, but we are the angry friend, until there are human rights, independence, and self-determination.”
The plight of the West Papuans has also caught the attention of many within the Māori and Pacific communities. A collaborative called Oceania Interrupted was launched last year, and founder Leilani Salesa says the group is committed to fighting for their West Papuan brothers and sisters.
“People in the Pacific are being tortured, raped, and there is a campaign of genocide,” says Salesa. “As the colonised and the coloniser, the dominant and periphery cultures, however you want to look at it, I think we should all care.”
Flag activism
Oceania Interrupted has held several actions over the past year, beginning with a show of support for an activist who was jailed for raising the West Papuan flag.“We raised the flag 15 times at intersections up and down Queen St, 15 being symbolic because that is the number of years Felip Karma is currently serving in jail,” says Salesa.
Oceania Interrupted has held several actions over the past year, beginning with a show of support for an activist who was jailed for raising the West Papuan flag.“We raised the flag 15 times at intersections up and down Queen St, 15 being symbolic because that is the number of years Felip Karma is currently serving in jail,” says Salesa.
“Our second intervention was called All We Want For Christmas Is A Free West Papua, and the social space we interrupted was the Otara Market.
“We’re brown women in silence, dressed in black, which is the colour of mourning. When you see people behaving in that way, it evokes a response, and that’s the powerful thing.”
Victor Mambor says it is important for New Zealanders to stand in support of the West Papuans.
“New Zealand is a Pacific country, and also West Papua, so under solidarity New Zealand people need to hear the true stories.”
It’s a message echoed by Oceania Interrupted.
“We stand in solidary with them as humans, with them as Pacific people, and with them as indigenous people,” says Salesa.
“They know struggle in a way that we don’t, and I think that we just have aroha for them.”
Craig Hoyle is an Inclusive Journalism Initiative (IJI) honours programme student journalist from AUT University on the Asia-Pacific Journalism course.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) 10 years – and popular kwila will be no more, says campaigner
A New Zealand protest over buying kwila hardwood from West Papua. Image: Indymedia
The endangered hardwood kwila, also known as merbau, is running out of time in the West Papuan rainforests. In spite of several campaigns and environmental reports, the wood is still a popular buy in New Zealand, reports Marcus Bank for Asia-Pacific Journalism.
Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Marcus Bank
Report – By Marcus Bank
Within a decade, kwila hardwood forests will no longer exist, says environmental advocate Bustar Maitar, global head of Greenpeace’s Indonesian forest campaign.
He has recently returned from Indonesian-ruled West Papua, from where New Zealand imports most of its kwila.
“The pressure on kwila has increased over the last years. It is very concerning,” he says. “The market is growing and the forests can’t stand the pressure.”
Since the 1990s, the 50m trees have provided the favourite wood for decking and outdoor furniture among New Zealanders. But the problems with the timber have had no public attention for a few years.
Maitar thinks the issue needs to be back on the agenda. There is an urgent need for New Zealand’s parliament and government to react over the situation facing the survival of kwila, he says.
From his recent visit to West Papua, he witnessed how local communities have trouble with getting money from the logging.
Losing income
Most of the wood is now being shipped out of West Papua to other Indonesian islands for processing, making the local Papuan community lose income, he says.
Most of the wood is now being shipped out of West Papua to other Indonesian islands for processing, making the local Papuan community lose income, he says.
“The compensation to the community is very low. Sometimes they just get a circa compensation, and when they ask about the low price they often end up face-to-face with the police or military,” he says.
“The government in New Zealand should ask and investigate how much an impact the logging has had on the community as well as the forests.”
Steffan Browning, a Green Party list MP and spokesperson for forestry, agrees with the seriousness of the issue. He thinks it is time to pass legislation to combat unsustainable logging and trade.
“We need to ban imports of kwila. There are alternatives, including new heat-treated pine products that have similar properties,” he says.
However, the Ministry for Primary Industries will not do anything more, according to a spokesperson in a statement to Pacific Scoop.
Since the kwila sold in New Zealand has been required to have a certification, there is no need for further regulation, the statement said.
Bans ‘not needed’
“Given that importers and retailers are changing their behavior in line with government policy, there is little need to introduce regulations or bans on the import of kwila,” said the spokesperson.
“Given that importers and retailers are changing their behavior in line with government policy, there is little need to introduce regulations or bans on the import of kwila,” said the spokesperson.
There are no statistics that indicate exactly how much kwila is imported into New Zealand but more than 10 of the largest retailers advertise the wood which can be bought all over the country.
A 2013 report by the Ministry for Primary Industries showed that 81 percent of kwila imported to New Zealand came from Indonesia which actually means it is imported from West Papua.
“Almost all of the kwila forests in Indonesia are situated in West Papua,” says Maitar.
The problems with kwila logging emerged in 2007 when Greenpeace published a report claiming most of the kwila import from West Papua came from illegal logging.
Human right activist groups, such as the Rainforest Action Group and the Indonesian Human Rights Committee (now the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Coalition) raised the issue with Parliament and retailers.
Human rights activist Maire Leadbeater was the organisation’s spokesperson at that time.
“We went personally from retailer to retailer and protested outside the stores,” she says.
‘Made impact’
“It made an impact. We got several retailers to stop the selling of kwila.”
“It made an impact. We got several retailers to stop the selling of kwila.”
In 2011, the New Zealand Imported Tropical Timber Group (NZITTG) – a group of major tropical timber importers – agreed not to import kwila from Indonesia without a legality check. This later meant that 80 percent of all kwila in New Zealand was verified as a legal import.
Despite certifications of legality, Grant Rosoman, forest solutions team Leader at Greenpeace says there is still a big problem with the logging of kwila.
“The industry has improved, but legal logging is only one-third of the way,” he says.
“There are still a lot of problems concerning indigenous rights, protecting the biodiversity and sustainability of the forests.
“But it seems like the industry think it has found out that the legality is enough to make market access” and continues – “so we still recommend not to buy kwila.”
Michael Pescott, programme manager at the Forest Trust (TFT) – an organisation that advices companies how to produce more responsible products – also sees some major issues concerning the logging of kwila.
Sustainable harvest
“The major issue is sustainable harvest, and making sure that the local people are treated fairly. The social and environmental aspects are still a big problem,” he says.
“The major issue is sustainable harvest, and making sure that the local people are treated fairly. The social and environmental aspects are still a big problem,” he says.
Last year the Indonesian government applied a new law called the timber legality verification system (SVLK), which includes requirements that will help sustainability, such as the need to conduct an inventory of standing wood volume.
This is a step in the right direction, Pescott says, although he is still concerned with the future of kwila.
“The industry needs to take more leadership on this. It is a pretty simple business and the supply chains can be managed but no one is demanding change, and that is the problem,” he says.
“We need to get it back on the agenda and into people’s minds.”
Markus Bank is an Inclusive Journalism Initiative (IJI) programme student journalist from Denmark on exchange at AUT University and on the Asia-Pacific Journalism course.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) Letter to Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
West Papua Action Auckland
Box 68-419
14 August 2014
Hon Murray McCully,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Parliament Buildings,
Fax: 04 499 0704
Dear Mr McCully,
We are concerned about recent evidence of a renewed security crackdown in West Papua . As you know in the lead up to the presidential election on the 9 July, many civil society groups promoted a peaceful boycott of the election. This led to many arrests for acts involving nothing more than distributing literature calling for a boycott.
The KNPB (West Papua National Committee) has now called for a boycott of any celebrations of Indonesian Independence Day (17 August) and we are concerned that there may be more cases of arrests and torture of peaceful activists.
We are particularly concerned about the recent arrest and reported ill-treatment of Robert Yelemaken and Oni Wea. These two students were arrested and beaten on the 8 August following their involvement in painting slogans.
Amnesty International has declared the two young men prisoners of conscience and has issued an appeal on their behalf.
The reports state that at the time of arrest Robert Yelemaken was allegedly hit on the head and face with a rifle butt. Both were reportedly forced to roll in a drain filled with dirty water and were drenched in paint. They were then taken to the Manokwari District Police Station where the beatings allegedly continued.
Robert Yelemaken and Oni Wea are currently detained in a prison cell at the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Manokwari District Police Station. It has been reported that their faces are now swollen, lips are bleeding and that both have pains in their chest.
Robert Yelemaken and Oni Wea are currently detained in a prison cell at the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Manokwari District Police Station. It has been reported that their faces are now swollen, lips are bleeding and that both have pains in their chest.
In line with the Amnesty appeal we urge you to speak out to the Indonesian authorities to ensure that Robert Yelemaken and Oni Wea are not tortured or otherwise ill-treated and that the pair have access to their families, lawyers of their choice and any medical treatment that they require. Robert Yelemaken must be treated according to the international standards on juvenile justice, on account of his age - 16.
Local lawyers have not been able to find out what crimes if any the two men have been charged with.
By taking a stand now for the rights of these two young people, New Zealand
.
Yours sincerely,
Maire Leadbeater and Marni Gilbert
(for West Papua Action Auckland
--------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.