Friday, September 4, 2015

1) BP, security and human rights in West Papua

2) West Papua is Inseparable from the Pacific

3) Papuan Students Urge Jokowi to Withdraw the Military from Papua
4) Papuan students call on  Jokowi to withdraw military 
5) It is Necessary to Issue Restriction Number of Military Policy in Papua
6) Soldiers Told Not to Carry Weapons in City
7) PNG Foreign Minister intervenes in passport saga, Pacific journalists to have their passports returned

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http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/09/04/bp-security-and-human-rights-in-west-papua/

1) BP, security and human rights in West Papua

BY 
KYLIE MCKENNA, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
 – 4 SEPTEMBER 2015POSTED IN: INDONESIA, INDONESIAN POLITICS


Image by AK Rockefeller http://akrockefeller.com/

BP is trialing new approaches to security at a major gas site in the Indonesian province. It provides an important opportunity for human rights protection at a potential conflict site. But will it work and can multinational companies be trusted to protect locals?
Indonesia’s handling of human rights has led it to be considered ‘one of three countries (along with Colombia and Nigeria) in which human rights in the corporate sphere are most obviously endangered’ (see Chris Ballard’s, Human rights and the mining sector in Indonesia).
This is especially true in West Papua where there is ongoing allegations of torture, forced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and the application of treason and blasphemy laws to limit freedom of expression.
Human rights violations have been of particular concern in areas surrounding Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg mining complex. With a financial interest in maintaining a presence at Grasberg, the Indonesian military has been accused of orchestrating numerous shooting incidents in the area, and then blaming the attacks on Papuan separatists.
Those who link the shootings to the military claim they are an attempt to demonstrate the military’s importance to Freeport in order to secure on-going security payments. These shootings, along with other violent incidents, have raised concerns as to whether it is possible for multinational corporations (MNCs) to invest in West Papua, while maintaining a commitment to human rights.
One such company is BP, which entered West Papua in 2005 as the operator of the Tangguh Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project. While geographically distant from the Grasberg mining complex, BP acknowledged that security would be the most difficult and sensitive issue it would face in its Tangguh operations.
As with Freeport, BP is required to subsidise public security expenses mandated by the government. Payments made by BP in direct support of Tangguh security in 2012 amounted to more than US $69,000.
But as an alternative to exclusively relying upon the Indonesian security forces, the company has implemented its own Integrated Community Based Security(ICBS) strategy.
ICBS came in response to recommendations by international human rights consultants that BP should limit the deployment of security personnel in the vicinity of the Tangguh project.
The strategy is based on a model of community policing that had never been used for security at a major extractive site.
BP has made three specific commitments as part of its ICBS strategy. First, the use of an unarmed ‘inner ring’ of Papuans, many from the local area, for everyday security of the project. Second, a commitment to only call the police, not the military, and only if a security problem escalates.
And third, the provision of human rights training (including the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, or VPs, and UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force) for ICBS, police and military personnel who would be called in if a security incident were to intensify.
BP has received both praise and suspicion for its security approach in West Papua.
Internationally, it is cited as an example of ‘innovation’ in conflict sensitive business practice. ICBS has also attracted recommendation within Indonesia, with claims by one report that ‘security officials are encouraging other companies to adopt similar security models’.
On the other hand, the same report suggests ‘there is little familiarity’ with the ICBS system at the national level, but ‘there is relief that it seems to be working effectively and that no security or human rights issues have developed at Tangguh’.
While the report goes on to note that ‘no political violence, separatist inspired or otherwise’ has occurred at Tangguh, BP has faced similar problems to Freeport. One of the biggest risks the company has faced in its implementation of ICBS is that Indonesian security forces might orchestrate attacks similar to the shooting incidents around Freeport.
Indonesian military agents were suspected of provoking violence even prior to the construction of Tangguh in ‘an unconventional bid for a lucrative “protection” contract’ (Kirksey, 2009: 150-1).
Kirksey and Grimston (2003) also claim that while BP has sought to cut the military out of a security deal, ‘the company is using officers from the country’s feared Mobile Police Brigade (Brimob) — which has also been accused of numerous human rights abuses’.
Further, even though ICBS has been well received by some Papuan NGO workers and religious leaders, not all Papuans are convinced about community security.
As one Papuan religious leader told me in an interview:
I am still so pessimistic about this because they are contractors for the government. There must be government responsibility inside to protect – there must be army or policemen inside even if not in uniform.
Overall, BP’s ICBS strategy in West Papua suggests that international business and human rights initiatives might open valuable opportunities for MNCs to contribute to security sector reform in their areas of operation.
Before promoting ICBS as a ‘model program’ however, it is crucial that more research be conducted into how successful this strategy actually is; how it works; how it relates to non-security related human rights concerns (eg discrimination); and how BP’s ability to implement ICBS might reflect on broader changes within the political economies of West Papua and Indonesia.
Of particular concern is that much of the available information on ICBS has been written by BP’s Tangguh Independent Advisory Panel (TIAP) whose independence and inclusivity has been questioned (Hickman and Barber, 2011, p 15).
If, in fact, BP is deemed to have successfully avoided human rights violations after 10 years of operations in West Papua, ICBS might offer important lessons on human rights protection at other extractive sites, both within Indonesia and internationally.
Dr Kylie McKenna is a research fellow at the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia program in the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. She recently authored a major study on corporate social responsibility and natural resource conflict.
References
Hickman , A. & Barber , P. 2011. Tangguh, BP & international standards: An analysis
Kirksey, E. 2009. “Don’t Use Your Data as a Pillow”. In A. Waterston & M.D Vesperi (eds). Anthropology Off the Shelf: Anthropologists on Writing. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 150-1.
Kirksey, E. & Grimston, J. 20/7/2003. ‘Indonesian Troops for BP Gas Project’.

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2) West Papua is Inseparable from the Pacific
POSTED BY: ADMIN SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
Yogyakarta, Jubi – West Papua National Committee (KNPB) said that West Papua is an integral part of the Pacific community.
Before West Papua ( Netherlands New Guinea) was annexed by Indonesia in 1962, it had already been a member of the South Pacific Commission (SPC). Therefore, KNPB urged the PIF to talk about self-determination for West Papua.
“Since then the colonial power Indonesia has excluded West Papua from regional meetings, and made it as a killing field including exploiting natural resources (SDA). While, the political struggle for West Papuan self-determination continues,” General Secretary of KNPB, Ones Suhuniap wrote in the electronic mail received by Jubi on this week.
Chairman of the KNPB, Victor Yeimo said the West Papuans’ struggle for self-determination is part of the efforts to complete the decolonization process in the Pacific islands.
“We hope the leaders of the Pacific countries to urge the United Nations to provide” advisory opinion “(legal advice) about the legal and political status of West Papua and urge West Papua to be registered into the UN Special Committee on decolonization,” he said.
Indonesian colonialism and global capitalism have led to the destruction of Papua’s forests. This is a terrible threat to the future of the Pacific islands from the global warming.
“There is no other way, besides freeing West Papua from Indonesian colonialism and global capitalism in order to maintain forests as a source of our life,” he added.
Indonesian colonialism and foreign corporations are the root of the crimes against humanity that continue to occur in West Papua. Genocide is continuing against ethnic Papuan either openly or systematically. While Indonesia created its strategy to isolate West Papua from international monitoring.
“We urge the leaders of the Pacific countries to send a fact-finding team in order to directly investigate crimes against humanity in West Papua. We strongly support that the Pacific Islands Forum (Pacific Island Forum / PIF) can accept West Papua through the United Lilberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as an observer so that we can take an active role in discussing and solving the problems in the region together,” he hoped. (Arnold Belau/ Tina)


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HTTP://EN.TEMPO.CO/READ/NEWS/2015/09/04/055697858/PAPUAN-STUDENTS-URGE-JOKOWI-TO-WITHDRAW-THE-MILITARY-FROM-PAPUA
FRIDAY, 04 SEPTEMBER, 2015 | 18:40 WIB
3) Papuan Students Urge Jokowi to Withdraw the Military from Papua

TEMPO.CO, Malang - Dozens of students from Papua united under the Papuan Students Alliance launched a protest at the Malang City Hall on Friday, September 4, 2015, demanding President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to investigate civilian shootings by military personnel.
"This is a nation of laws. The shooter must be probed and brought to trial," protest coordinator Nhoten Suhuniap said on Friday, September 4, 2015.
Last week on August 28, 2015, two civilians in Timika, Papua, were shot dead and two others were injured by the Indonesian Military. The students demanded that the incident must be prevented from recurring. In addition, they demanded the president to withdraw military personnel from Papua.
The students claimed that the number of Papuans killed since May 1, 1963 has reached 500,000 people. Data from the Central Statistics Agency revealed that Papua is currently occupied by 1.7 million Melanesians and 2.3 million non-Papuan people.
The students also urged the government to open the access for international journalists to cover issues occurring in Papua.
"The law provides a guarantee for us to express our opinions in public," Nhoten said.
The students also claimed that they were supported by about a thousand of West Papuan pro-independence students. Dozens of police personnel were deployed to secure the protest.
"The protest was peaceful and non-violent," said Malang City Precinct Police deputy chief Comr. Dewa Putu Darmawan.
EKO WIDIANTO


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4) Papuan students call on  Jokowi to withdraw military 
Dozens of Papuan students demonstrated on Friday in Malang, East Java, calling on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to bring an end to violence in the eastern-most Indonesian province of Papua by, among other things, withdrawing the military from the province.
Two Papuans were killed – Imanuel Mailmaur and Yulianus Okoware, both aged 23 – and two others injured – Marthinus Apokapo (24) and Marthinus Imapula (25) – when two soldiers opened fire on Aug. 28 in Timika, Papua.
The protesters also demanded that the President ensure that the Indonesian Military (TNI) carry out a proper investigation into the shootings so that the culprits could be prosecuted.
“We know that Indonesia is a country governed by the law, so, investigate and prosecute those who shot the Papuans,” said Nhoten Suhuniap, a spokesperson for the action held at Malang City Hall as quoted by tempo.co.
According to the protesters, the withdrawal of the military will end the violence in Papua.
During the demonstration, they also revealed the alleged kidnapping and torture of civilians on Aug. 27 this year. “It was a serious human rights abuse,” said Suhuniap, adding that more than 500,000 Papuan people had been killed since 1963.
They also demanded that President Jokowi fulfill his promise to give greater access to foreign journalists coming to Papua.
The demonstrators carried various posters and banners, their messages including: “Self-determination is the solution”, “Democracy for the Papuan people” and “Stop exploiting Papua’s wealth”.
Dozens of police officers guarded the demonstration, allowing the protesters to safely voice their views. “The most important thing is that the demonstration is held peacefully. Police officers are only keeping an eye out,” said Malang Deputy chief Comr. Dewa Putu Darmawan. (bbn)(++++)
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5) It is Necessary to Issue Restriction Number of Military Policy in Papua
POSTED BY: ADMIN SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Board of Regional Leadership Student Association Central Mountains of Papua Indonesia (DPW-AMPTPI) East Indonesia, Nathan Naftali Tebai revealed that the military’s heavy presence is hampering development programs in Papua.
Tebai urged the Government of Papua Province to evaluate the performance of the military.
“I talked to the governor, DPRP and MRP to immediately evaluate the performance of the military in Papua because the presence of the military, police and other military in Papua would interfere the development process in all aspects, “said Natan Naftali Tebai in Jayapura on this week.
Nathan said, the Provincial Government of Papua to immediately issue provincial regulation on military restrictions in Papua. ” Based on our observation, current organic and non organic military in Papua are never recorded by the governor, DPRP and MRP,” Tebai said.
As a result it continued violence in Papua. “Stop violence, murders and shootings to children, students and youth in Papua. All the generations of the Papuan people are haunted in the woods like cuscus, “he said.
He also urged Regional Commander XVII / Cenderawasih to undertake legal proceedings to the perpetrators of the shooting in Timika.
“We (AMPTPI) urges all parties and NGOs to oversee Timika, Paniai, Dogiyai and Yakuhimo cases and the seriousness of the new military commander to standing for justice,” he said hopefully.
Chairman of the Working Group of Indigenous Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP), James Dumupa declared, human beings are created by God.
“If it is believed that God created man, the question is why is people who feel entitled to kill people ?,” said Dumupa in Abepura, Jayapura on Monday (08/31/2015). (Abeth You)
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6) Soldiers Told Not to Carry Weapons in City
POSTED BY: ADMIN SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
Timika, Jubi- District Military Commander 1710 / Mimika Lt. Col. Andi Kusworo, said that the shooting incident in Timika had tarnished the military as an institution and ordered officers to control their subordinates.
“This incident should be a reminder for the military to increase monitoring to each member one by one,” Andi said during a gathering with members of the Kodim 1710 / Mimika in the area of St.Fransiskus church.
“If you know “A” behaves like this, do not be silent only. As one person can make a big problem. Please talk to the members and officers,” the commander said, in Timika, this week.
He further said Kamoro tribal people have issued a lot of statements that they are part of Indonesia and even the families of the military itself.
After this incident, the commander said there would be a regulation issued by Korem 174 / ATW, Brigadier General TNI Supartodi regarding restriction to not carry weapons when members are in town.
He also said there is no longer a member of Kodim 1710 / Mimika who do security in the culverts region, because in fact the area is under the authority Amole police members.
Regarding Liquor (Miras), he asked his officers to follow up, especially in Poumako. (Eveerth)
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7) PNG Foreign Minister intervenes in passport saga, Pacific journalists to have their passports returned
By Online Editor
01:01 am GMT+12, 04/09/2015, Fiji
By Samisoni Pareti
 
Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato of Papua New Guinea has intervened in the passport saga involving Pacific Island journalists who are in the country to cover the annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit.

“I will make sure those passports are returned,” Honourable Pato told journalists attending a Forum media workshop in the capital Port Moresby today. Among the 30 or so journalists attending the workshop are the seven journalists from Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu whose passports were confiscated upon their arrival in PNG over the last 48 hours.

The group included the manager of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and a veteran of covering previous Pacific Island Forum meetings Makereta Komai and IB magazine’s editor in chief, Samisoni Pareti. They were detained for 3 hours on arrival at Jackson International Airport on Wednesday and were denied access to a telephone or be allowed to buy meals or drinks.

Immigration authorities say the journalists should have applied for the journalist visa and pay 1000 Kina (US$356) in fees before travelling to PNG. Foreign affairs officials and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat were not aware of the special visa and fees until right on the eve of the visiting journalists’ arrival this week.

Asked by local journalists when he opened the Forum Secretariat and the PINA organised two-day workshop at the Gateway Hotel not far from Jackson Airport today, Minister Pato said he has just returned from an overseas trip and has not been briefed about the passport and visa incident.

“I have to take a briefing on that but as understand the position of the past is that there has to be a special arrangement for all of our visitors visiting PNG in connection with the Pacific Islands Forum meeting and whatever needs to be done to remedy this matter, I will instruct the immigration division which is my responsibility to ensure those issues of concerns are addressed for the media because the media clearly has an important role to play and I have already emphasised the role of the media in my (opening) statement this morning.”

President of the PNG Media Council Alex Rini commended Minister Pato for his personal intervention in the matter. Rini is also Editor in Chief of the Post Courier newspaper.

Pacific leaders and their delegations are to start arriving into Port Moresby from tomorrow (Saturday) in time for the Small Island States Summit on Monday next week, to be followed by members of the Pacific ACP group of countries meeting on Tuesday.

The main Forum plenary is scheduled on Wednesday to be followed by the Leaders’ traditional retreat on Thursday with the Forum wrapping up with the Post Forum Dialogue with development partners on Friday next week.

SOURCE: ISLANDS BUSINESS/PACNEWS
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