Media release-AWPA is calling on the Australian Governments to add its voice urging an investigate into the Killings in West Papua

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 16 December 2014

AWPA is calling on the Australian Governments to add its voice, urging  an impartial investigate into the Killings

AWPA has written to the Australian Foreign Minister urging her to raise concerns about the recent killings in West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said,  

"Solidarity groups and NGOs around the world including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are calling for an independent and impartial investigation into the killings.  The UN Human Rights Office has also expressed concern at the killings.  AWPA is calling on the Australian Governments to add its voice, urging the Indonesian President to conduct an impartial investigate into the Killings. How President Joko Widodo responds to this incident will indicate how seriously he is trying to solve the issues of concern the West Papuan people have."

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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

The Hon Julie Bishop MP

Foreign Minister

House of Representatives


Parliament House


Canberra ACT 2600

16 December 2014

Dear Foreign Minister,

I am writing to you concerning the killing of four young people in Enarotali in the Panai regency of West Papua on Monday 8th December by the Indonesian security forces. Two more victims are reported to have died later in hospital from their injuries.

The incident started the previous evening when members of a special team attached to Army battalion 753 assaulted a 12-year- old after a group of children and young people told the occupants of a car (driven by security force members) to turn on its headlights as it passed the group. The children were decorating a Christmas tree/cottage in Enarotali, as is the tradition at this time of year.  The car returned with Indonesian soldiers who chased the group and assaulted one of the children, Yulianus Yeimo beating him with rifle butts.

The next morning hundreds of local people gathered on Enarotali’s Karel Bonay football field in front of the local police station demanding an explanation. The security forces ordered the protesters to disperse and then struck them with batons when they refused. The incident escalated resulting in the security forces firing into the crowd which included women and children. Solidarity groups and NGOs around the world including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are calling for an independent and impartial investigation into the killings.  The UN Human Rights Office has also expressed concern at the killings stating it has “been concerned about regular reports of violence in Papua in the last few years” and urged authorities to “facilitate an independent and thorough investigation” into the incidents.

We are writing to urge you to also raise concerns at these latest killings by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua, calling on the Indonesian President to fully investigate the incident.

Yours sincerely

Joe Collins

AWPA (Sydney)