Australia West Papua
Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW
2088
Summary of events in West Papua for
January (-8 Feb). 2016
News from the PIF
Statement by the Pacific Islands Forum
Chair, Hon. Peter O'Neill: Update on the Implementation of Regional Priorities.
Section on West Papua
West Papua
As agreed by Forum Leaders, I have
written to H.E Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia
conveying the PIF Leaders views on the human rights allegations and
expressed the desire of the PIF to consult on a fact finding mission
to discuss the situation in Papua with the parties involved. This was conveyed
early this year and I am awaiting a response from Jakarta.
Attack
on the Sinak Police station
On Sunday the 27 December an armed group attacked the Sinak Police station
in the Puncak Regency killing three personnel. The group also took a number of firearms and ammunition from the police
station. Police claim they have identified two suspected members
of the group. In the Jakarta Globe (2/Jan) Gen. Badrodin Haiti, the National Police
chief, named the suspects as Kalenak Murib and Iris Murib Badrodin. He told the Jakarta Globe that a joint team
of police and military personnel had raided the two men’s homes in Sinak
subdistrict and seized a large stash of ammunition, some of it stolen from the
Sinak police station. The houses’ occupants had fled prior to the raids.
An article in Jubi (9 Jan) reported that about 150
police personnel were deployed to hunt for the perpetrators of the attack. The sweeping operation took place in three villages, Nigilome, Pamebut and Weni at Sinak
Sub-district.
Houses
Burned
One villager said that due to the Police operation, some
residents’ houses were burned and a man was shot dead. “The security personnel
who conducted the operation shot down a man suspected to be a member of Free
Papua Movement on 3 January. The victim was Gombane Telenggen’s brother,” said
a resident who declined to be named due to security reasons. Gombane Telenggen
is one of 25 persons suspected attackers on Sinak Police Headquarters. He added
the Police also burned a kunume (man’s house) and some honai (houses). “Four
honai were burned in Agenggen Village, while in the village of Pamebut, the
entire residents’ honai were burned down, except for a church,” he said to jubi
on Wednesday, 6 January. Jubi reported that the Papua Police Spokesperson
admitted he received information about a citizen shot for been a suspected
member of Free Papua Movement, but after checking, it was not true. According
to him, searching the victim, the Police and people were not found the body. He
also denied the accusation said the Police burned houses during the raid. Paniai
Customary Council, John Gobai, regretted the Police’s operation that caused the
loss of people’s houses in Sinak. He said the security personnel are often not
professional in doing operation that resulting victims among civilians. “It has
repeatedly happened all the time. In 2013, the similar thing was also happened
in Paniai.
Papuans
hide in the woods after the death of TNI officer
The Jakarta Post (7 Jan) reported that hundreds of villagers in
Mamberamo Raya in Papua have fled into the woods to live as they fear the
Indonesian Military (TNI) will blame them for the death of an officer killed in
November last year. A member of the Papuan House of Representatives (DPRP) Tan
Wei Long said that at least 120 families from three villages -- Namunaweja,
Anggreso and Kasonaweja all in Mamberamo Raya regency -- had fled into the
forest in early December. The villagers were afraid of being arrested after the
murder of Maj. John De Fretes by a group of people suspected of being part of
an armed group in Namunaweja village in Mamberamo Tengah subdistrict on Nov.
30, 2015. "They are afraid of being arrested for involvement in the
criminal act. It [the murder] was carried out by rogue individuals, but they
are scared of being dragged into the case so they ran away into the
woods," he said in Jayapura on Thursday. During the DPRP's recess, Tan
visited Memberamo Raya to meet with local officials, religious and community
leaders as well as local security officers to discuss ways to persuade the 120
families to return to their village. "All parties have agreed to use the
persuasive approach with the people hiding in the forest," he said.
Separately,
Papua's Indonesian Christian Church’s (GKI) Rev. Albert Yoku urged the local
government and security officers to find a solution soon considering that the
villagers had been living in rough conditions in the forest for more than a
month. "The forest in Mamberamo Raya is not suitable for humans to live
in. There are many leeches and not much food in the forest. They could
starve," he said. Yoku also urged that a persuasive approach be used to
convince the villagers to return to their homes. He said that if the government
did not take immediate action, it would cause other problems such as health
issues and the children skipping school. He suggested that the authorities
search the forest carefully as the villagers were spread out in several
locations in the forest. (Jakarta Post 7 Jan)
Oktovianus
Pogau, West Papuan journalist’s dies.
Okto was a Journalist and Editor in Chief
of Suarapapua.com, Okto reportedly died at
the Dian Harapan Hospital (RSDH), Waena, on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at around
09 pm local time. It is understood Okto died of a lung disease. AWPA offers its
condolences to the family and friends of Okto POGAU who died on the 31 January.
May he Rest In Peace.
News
in brief
Punks
for West Papua released their film on West Papua in
mid January. A simple way people can help West Papua is to download the video.
The funds raised are being generously donated by the Punks to the West Papuan
cause. The film can be downloaded at punks4westpapua.com
The documentary is taking the issue of
West Papua to a new audience worldwide.
http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2016/01/29/documentary-transforms-sydney-charity-gig-into-global-event/ Photos of film launch in Sydney at
A “new” valuable news website
particularly for those interested in Pacific issues and West Papua
AUT Pacific Media Centre launches news website
Pacific Media Centre and Evening Report
editor Selwyn Manning have teamed up to launch Asia Pacific Report, a news website that
will provide a fresh ‘Pacific’ voice to bolster Asia Pacific news and analysis
in New Zealand. PMC director Professor David Robie says the collaboration is a
result of a gap in the media market for an independent Asia-Pacific voice that
addressed issues of equity and justice. “AsiaPacificReport.nz
will feature in-depth current affairs news stories focused on telling the
‘untold stories’. It will be a public space for no-froth journalism examining
real pressing issues,” he says.
West
Papua Warriors
The West Papua Warriors made history on Friday
the 5th February, when they played a Nines game against the
Philippines Admirals in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta. The team wore a kit
emblazoned the symbol of West Papuan freedom. Funds were raised for the trip to Australia thanks to a Go
Fund campaign. The players come from Papua New Guinea with many
having roots in West Papua. The team has been sanctioned by the RLIF and the
NSWRL, and this will be the first time anywhere in the world that a West Papua
team has competed internationally. The team was supported locally by groups and
individuals who helped raise funds for their accommodation and insurance.
Members of the FWPC Sydney were on hand to cheer them to victory.
Indonesia’s
secret dossier to suppress Papuan independence movement
Jakarta: Indonesian authorities
compiled a secret dossier of prominent Papuans that details their
"weaknesses" - such as women and alcohol - and outlines a strategy to
"suppress" the independence movement.
The secret documents - the original
and a translated version of which were leaked to Fairfax Media -
target religious leaders, political activists and even Papuan university
students who live outside the troubled province
FinFisher spyware: Indonesian government
‘using Sydney server for surveillance program' The ABC also reported that “the
notorious spyware FinFisher, used to infect mobile phones and computers to
place targets under surveillance, has been found in a Sydney data centre.”
A proxy server inside the Global Switch
data center in Ultimo, Sydney is being used to obscure the real user of the
spyware, in this case an Indonesian government agency, according to a group of
technology researchers.
A proxy server acts as an intermediary
which protects the identity of its real user.
MSG
Chair calls for Forum mission to Papua
The chairperson of the Melanesian
Spearhead Group Manasseh Sogavare is calling on Indonesia to commission a fact-finding
mission to discuss the situation in West Papua with members of the Pacific
Islands Forum. The Solomon Islands prime minister made the call as he welcomed
what he described as Indonesia's change of strategy on West Papua and its
approach towards West Papuan separatists. Alluding to last year’s release of
high-profile Papuan freedom fighter Filep Karma, the Solomon Islands prime
minister says the decision to release Mr Karma is encouraging and speaks well
of the Indonesian president Joko Widodo's policies to bring peace to Papua. Mr
Sogavare however says Jokowi's three-pronged approach of welfare, security and
dialogue must be consultative to avoid simply paying lip service to the
indigenous people of West Papua. He says the MSG remains committed to a spirit
of positive and constructive dialogue to promote welfare and bring peace and
security to West Papua. (RNZI 11 January)
Tekwie
laments PNG border weakness
A community leader in West Sepik province says Papua New Guinea
needs help from Australia and New Zealand to bolster its border security
capacity.
John Tekwie, who is a former West Sepik governor, is urging a
regional effort to help PNG build up its defence force and border management
agencies.
Mr Tekwie says due to its lack of intelligence-gathering
capabilities as well as its proximity to Indonesia's Papua region, PNG is
vulnerable to potential terrorist threats. He says it's become easy for illegal
elements to cross into PNG from Indonesia. "We have had cases of some people coming across the border in PNG
with no visas. For example, last year we had about a hundred people working in
Bewani Oil Palm project. That project has been developed by the member for
Vanimo Green, Belden Namah. And here is a project that the MP is promoting and
under his own nose, these things are happening."
(RNZI 25 January
AHRC.
Urgent action-Three indigenous Papuans arbitrarily arrested, tortured and
currently waiting for an uncertain justice
An urgent action (8 Jan) was released
from the ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION concerning three indigenous Papuans
who were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and who are currently waiting for an
uncertain justice.
The Asian
Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from a local network in
Papua regarding the arbitrary arrest and torture of three indigenous Papuans,
namely ElieserAwom (26), Yafeth Awom (18) dan Soleman Yom (24). They were
arrested by four police officers in plain clothes at 11 pm in Deplat, Base-G
Jayapura. The police officers drove the three men in a silver car in the
direction of West Sentani. On the way they were tortured, intimidated and
forced to admit that they had stolen a motorcycle.
RSF URGES
INDONESIA TO LIFT BAN ON FRENCH REPORTER CYRIL PAYEN
(Comment. If President Joko Widodo says West Papua is open to journalists the message
has yet to reach his officials responsible for issuing visas). Indonesia is ranked 138th out of 180
countries in the 2015
Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
RSF
URGES INDONESIA TO LIFT BAN ON FRENCH REPORTER CYRIL PAYEN
PUBLISHED ON MONDAY 11 JANUARY 2016.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns
the Indonesian government’s refusal to let French journalist Cyril Payen visit
Indonesia following the documentary he made about West Papua, that France 24
broadcasted last October. RSF points out that Indonesian President Joko Widodo
promised to allow foreign reporters to visit West Papua. A Bangkok-based
reporter specializing in Southeast Asia, Payen was able to visit West Papua in
mid-2015 after obtaining all the necessary authorizations before setting off. But
the French ambassador in Jakarta was summoned to the Indonesian foreign
ministry after Payen’s documentary, entitled “Forgotten war of the Papuas,” was
broadcast on 18 October. Indonesian officials in Bangkok then told Payen in
November that he was now persona non grata in Indonesia. And finally, he was
notified last week that his request for a visa to make another documentary had
been turned down. “We firmly condemn this flagrant violation of media
freedom and this discrimination against an independent journalist who has
committed no crime,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific
desk.
Report by West Papua Media
Investigation
report: December 1 Nabire beatings and arrests of Papuans by army and police
On December 1, 2015 the indigenous
Papuan community in Nabire intended to hold worship to commemorate
the December 1 Day of Papuan Independence at the community park of Oyehe, Nabire.
However organisers were unaware their worship service in the park had been
prohibited by Indonesian Police as an illegal gathering A joint Army and
Police force dispersed the gathering with force, severely beating civilians,
and then took arrested civilians to the Police Headquarters in Nabire……. Full report at http://westpapuamedia.info
The US Ambassador Robert Blake
visited West Papua in January to view the progress of US supported
development projects and to meet with government officials and activists. A
number of reports on his visit below.
US
ambassador concerned about West Papua abuses
Fresh from a trip to West Papua, the United States Ambassador to
Indonesia reportedly expressed concern about human rights abuses in the
country's remote, eastern region. As part of his trip, Robert Blake visited
Manokwari in West Papua province where he met with the Executive Director of
the Institute for Research, Investigation and the Development of Legal Aid, Yan
Christian Warinussy. Mr Warinussy says the ambassador asked him about recent
developments and the human rights situation in West Papua and Papua provinces. He
says he told Mr Blake that the situation continued to be highly unsatisfactory
in view of many cases of human rights violations which had not been dealt with
in a court of law. Ambassador Blake was reportedly very concerned about such
incidents and said that his government would push for those who had been
responsible for these violations to be excluded from any US-linked local
programmes related to education and human rights. RNZI 20 Jan 2016)
US
concerned about keeping Papuan forests intact
More details have emerged about the
visit to West Papua by the US Ambassador to Indonesia, including American
concern about destruction of rainforest in the region. Papuan activists met with
Ambassador Robert Blake in Jayapura on Tuesday to discuss issues such as human
rights. Mr Blake also discussed ongoing, rampant clearance of forest and
peatlands in Papua which has some of the world's last remaining substantial
tracts of rainforest. One of the people Mr Blake met with was Father Neles
Tebay of Papua's Catholic Justice and Peace Secretariat. He says the ambassador
was looking at how to help protect Papua's forests, in light of commitments
made at last month's UN Climate Change summit in Paris. "In my
understanding, knowing the destruction of forests in Papua and its
implications, he might raise the issue in his conversations with central
government of Indonesia in Jakarta." (RNZI 21 Jan)
Papua Activists Discuss Freeport With
US Ambassador
Jayapura. Papuan activists met with
US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake in the provincial capital on Tuesday to
discuss human rights, politics and US-owned Freeport Indonesia. “The US
ambassador said that Papua was important to the US, and he felt it was
necessary to pay a visit to Papua. He wanted to know about Papua's human
rights and political condition,” Yuliano Languwuyo, coordinator of local organization
Justice, Peace and Unity Secretariat (SKPKC), said after the meeting on Tuesday
night. Yuliano said the organization was told in mid-2014 that the
restive easternmost province of Indonesia would have civilian leaders and
see a steady downgrade of military presence in the area.
"If they disappeared, so would the
violence. But it never happened," he said.
Tight military monitoring of Freeport
Indonesia sites on the island have a largely negative impact on locals,
including reports of violence from officers, Yuliano said. "We asked
the ambassador if Freeport had any control over security, and if they
[security personnel] have any training in human rights while performing their
duties. They have to be trained by the National Commission on Human Rights [Komnas
HAM] so they will be less violent when protecting the areas," he said.
Blake reportedly questioned the necessity of human rights training and refused
to comment on Freeport's security, Yuliano said. Blake also refused
to take questions from reporters after the meeting. The meeting was held at a
restaurant in Jayapura's East Sentani district and was attended by Yuliano,
chairman of the Papuan NGO Cooperation Forum Septer Manufandu, Papua Komnas HAM
chairman Frits Ramandey and Papuan Peace Network activist Neles Tebay.
German Diplomat Visits the LP3BH
The Political Counsellor at the German
Embassy in Jakarta, Dr.Jens Schuring, LL.M paid a vist to the LP3BH in
Manokwari on Monday, 1st February. Dr Schuring met the Executive
Director of the LP3BH, Yan Christian Warinussy, SH who was accompanied by
members of the staff of the LP3BH, lawyers Semuel Harun Yansenem and Simon
Banundi. The meeting lasted about one hour. At the meeting, the German Political
Counsellor asked a number of questions about the situation of the rule of
law and protection and respect for basic human rights
in Manokwari and throughout the
provinces of Papua and West Papua. He also asked a number of questions about
impunity which is still a serious issue in Papua and West Papua where many
officers of the Security Forces from the Indonesian army and Polri, the Police
Force are based. He said that he was concerned about reports that members
of the security forces were believed to have used force in violation
of basic human rights against civilians but such cases had not been dealt with
in accordance with the law. From a report by Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive
Director of LP3BH, and translated by Carmel Budiardjo. (Monday, 1st February,
2016).
JAKARTA
CLUELESS ABOUT PAPUA PROBLEMS, SAYS PAPUAN LEGISLATOR
Victor Mambor Feb 04, 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan legislator Laurenzus Kadepa
accused the Indonesian Government of lacking ideas to solve problems in Papua.
As a
result, authorities resorted to stigmatizing the resistance of civilians,
including the Papua Free Movement, by branding them Security Disturbing
Movements, separatists, armed groups and recently terrorists. His statement was
in response Security Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan’s statement in an online
media who said the armed groups in Aceh and Papua were also included as
terrorist network category in the draft of Terrorism bill established by the
government. “I see a new stigma because they loss their sense and idea to
resolve the Papua problems. Now it comes the stigma of terrorist to follow the
handling of the Law on Terrorism. Special Detachment 88 will certainly take
action. Could it resolve the Papua problems?” Kadepa told Jubi via text message
on Wednesday (3/2/2016).
According to him, which group they accused as the
armed group? It must be explained in detail. In Papua, there are many armed
groups with different motives. “There are some groups that actually fighting
for Papuan independence, but there are also formed to counter the Free Papua,
and some are fighting for another reasons. All have weapons. So which group in
Papua they are putting in that category,” he said. He is concerned about other
way to be applied to criminalize the resistance of Papuans in demanding
justice, the settlement of human rights violation in the past and present and
some other things. Quoted from online media, the Minister of Political, Legal
and Defense Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said the indicator of terrorist
group is not applicable and marginalizing the Muslim group. According to him,
as quoted from RMOL, the armed groups in Papua and Aceh are also included in
the terrorist network category by the government in the draft of Terrorism
Bill.
“Do not
think it would only applicable for Islam group, do not think it would only
applicable for ISIS, but if in Papua or Aceh or in my hometown Batak land,
there are groups who commit a danger for the country, they might be accused
under the law,” Panjaitan said on Monday (1/2/2016). According to him, the
revision of draft Law No. 15/2003 on Combating Terrorism included the
definition and criteria about terrorism. “We are not alone in drafting the
Terrorism Bill. We involved the constitutional law experts and criminal law
experts on the formulation of draft. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
Indonesia’s
biggest sago mill kicks off operations -
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened
the largest sago mill in Indonesia on Friday. The mill, operated by state-owned
forestry firm Perum Perhutani, is expected to boost sago production for both
domestic needs and export.
The mill, located in Kais, West Papua,
officially started operations on Jan. 1, Antara news agency reported on Friday.
Perum Perhutani president director Mustoha Iskandar said that Papua had considerable
potential for natural sago production. A good quality Papuan sago raja can
produce 900 kilograms of sago from one branch, he said. Built at a construction
cost of Rp 150 billion, the mill will employ 40 local workers to work in the
factory and around 600 people to supply sago logs. The company expects the
venture to accrue an income of Rp 100 billion per year. It is also hoped that
the mill will boost the local economy. The factory will produce 25
percent of its full capacity during the first year of operation, 50 percent
during its second year and is expected to produce to full capacity during its
third year. The processed sago from the mill will be distributed by Perhutani
to Papua, Jakarta, Cirebon, Semarang, Surabaya and Medan. Meanwhile, Mustoha
said that the firm also aimed to export sago products to Japan, Korea, Thailand
and China. Jokowi expressed hope that the plant would benefit the surrounding
area and improve the local economy. The firm will pay Rp 9,000 per log to
locals who supply to the sago mill. In this way, Kais locals will no longer
have to send their products to the Sorong market in Sorong, West Papua. The
journey to Sorong often takes up to a week on a traditional boat. The island of
Papua has the largest sago palm forests in the world, reaching 2.5 million ha. Perhutani
also said it currently had a license for 15,000 ha of sago palm forest in Papua
and it would partner with local farmers to add to production quantity, he said.
Perhutani would invest Rp 112 billion (US$9.3 million) in the factory, with 30
percent coming from bank loans, while the remaining 70 percent is said to be
sourced from internal cash. (Extract from Jakarta Post 2 Jan).
Sago
Forest in Papua Needs Preservation
Tempo.Co 31 JANUARY, 2016
TEMPO.CO, Sorong, West
Papua - Sago forest in Papua needs to be preserved in a sustainable
manner because it is a food reserve for the local community, according to West
Papua environmentalist Benny Yesnat."Sago is the staple food of the
indigenous people of Papua since time immemorial. Even without rice, the Papuan
people can consume sago for survival," said Benny Yesnat in Sorong on
Sunday. Therefore, he called on the people of Papua to preserve sago forest,
and do not destroy it for agriculture and other development
interests."Sago forests should not be burned to clear land for
plantations, especially oil palm plantations which can only damage the humus,
the substance made from dead leaves and plants for soil fertility," Yesnat
noted. According to him, sago plants not only serve as food reserve, but also
protect the water source for the life of Papuan community in general. Therefore,
he added that the indigenous people of Papua and West Papua must maintain this
local wisdom for generations in the future. He affirmed that sago many benefits
to peoples lives. Besides serving as food reserve, sago leaves can be used as
the roof of traditional houses. Further, he expressed hope that the indigenous
people of Papua can unite to reject irresponsible parties who want to turn sago
forests into oil palm plantation.
ANTARA
Govt
to take ‘soft approach’ in Papua
Ina
Parlina, The Jakarta Post, January 05 2016
The
government said on Monday that it would prioritize a soft approach in
addressing separatism, including by engaging in negotiation and dialogue, as
well as the possibility of granting clemency and unconditional release to
political prisoners. However, it added that it may still take a hard approach
if met with resistance. The instruction to use a soft approach was issued by
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during a plenary Cabinet meeting on Monday. “A
soft approach will always be the priority of the government, since we believe
that a soft approach is better than other means,” Cabinet Secretary Pramono
Anung said after the meeting at the State Palace. Pramono added the government
would implement a similar mechanism to that used in handling the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM), including the chance of granting amnesty and unconditional
release, as stated in a 2005 presidential decree. “The pattern used for
resolving [issues related to] GAM, in line with Presidential Decree No. 22/2005
[on amnesty and unconditional release for GAM members], will be implemented in
various regions,” Pramono said. “However, if it is not possible because there
are differences in terms of [political] views, including an intention to
separate from the country, then the government will keep using a hard
approach,” Pramono added. National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said the
President had indeed made the call to adopt the soft approach used in handling
the GAM issue to settle separatism in other areas, including Papua, adding that
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan
had been tasked with assessing whether granting amnesty was possible. “Such a
pattern was able to solve violence in Aceh,” Badrodin said. “However, if it is
used to no avail and [a person] still carries out violence, stern action will
be needed.”
In
May, during his second visit to Papua, Jokowi said the release of political
prisoners incarcerated in Jayapura was only the beginning. At the time, Jokowi
granted clemency to five prisoners as part of efforts to foster peace in the
restive province.
“There
will be a follow-up by granting clemency or amnesty to other [political
prisoners] in other regions,” the President said, referring to around 90
political prisoners incarcerated nationwide. Jokowi has also called on security
personnel to promote dialogue with Papuan people in order to build mutual
trust, saying he wanted to change the repressive security approach of the past
to a development and welfare approach. The move sparked mixed responses from
activists, with some expressing doubt over how Jokowi’s administration would
follow up. Budi Hernawan, a research fellow at the Institute for Policy
Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), criticized the government for using a
security-oriented approach in Papua instead of a social approach. According to
Budi, building mutual trust was indeed the key to addressing the Papua issue. “Mutual
trust is essential. Papuan people want to have dialogue with the central
government. However, the two sides interpret dialogue differently,” he said on
Sunday, adding that Papuans wanted a way to freely voice their aspirations,
including political aspirations, where they could also discuss past human
rights abuse cases in Papua. According to Budi, assigning the coordinating
political, legal and security affairs minister to handle issues in Papua
instead of the coordinating human development and culture minister or
coordinating economic minister showed the government was still taking a
security-oriented approach.
Jakarta- PAPUA DIALOGUE IS A DIGNIFIED WAY TO
SOLVE CONFLICT IN PAPUA
Victor Mambor Jan 27,
2016
Jayapura, Jubi – Papuans want dialogue
between with Jakarta and this has been constantly echoed in recent years, but
there has been no response from Jakarta.
The Executive Secretary of the People’s
Network , Septer Manufandu, head of representative office Komnas HAM Papua,
Frits Remanded, coordinator of the Papua Peace Network (JDP) Seles Tebay
and Coordinator of the Secretariat of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation
(SKPKC) Papua Yuliana Languwuyo also discussed the issue during a meeting with
the ambassador of the United States to Indonesia, Robert Blake. “He (US
ambassador) also mentioned dialogue, and then we said that dialogue is a
dignified way to negotiate the problems in Papua,” Manufandu said. “Everything
must be placed in a dignified manner to look for a solution together and make a
political commitment to live together in the future, ” he told reporters on
last week.
Then US ambassador responded that
dialogue is a good way, but there must be equation perception or view of the
concept of dialogue both from government and public. Earlier, coordinator of
the Papua Peace Network (JDP) Neles Tebay said, there should be an internal
dialogue in Papua first before dialogue between Jakarta and Papua is held. According
to him, internal dialogue is important for it is such a need, a longing for
Papuans. He also found that among the Papuans themselves, there is no common
understanding of the Jakarta-Papua dialogue especially about the purpose and
agenda. There is a party that thinks that the Jakarta-Papua dialogue will be
endangering the territorial integrity of Indonesia. There is also a view that
the Jakarta-Papua dialogue is dangerous because it can destroy the ideology of
Papuan independence. While some people understand that the Jakarta-Papua
dialogue is a solution to the conflict in Papua. Jakarta-Papua dialogue is not
the goal but it is a means to identify problems and look for the best solution
by involving all parties. “Internal dialogue will be attended by all Papuans to
discuss the concept and goal of Papua – Jakarta dialogue,” Neles Tebay
said. (Roy Ratumakin/Tina)
FORMATION
OF PAPUA BARAT DAYA PROVINCE IS STILL PENDING
Victor Mambor Jan 25, 2016
Sorong, Jubi – The Formation Of Papua
Barat Daya Province Under New Autonomous Regions (Dob) Is Awaiting A Government
Regulation In Accordance To Law No. 23/2014 On Regional Administration. Papua
Barat legislator from Maybrat Regency, Jhon Asmuruf, said on Monday (25/1/2016)
in Sorong that the new proposed province along with Maybrat Sau Regency have
been discussed and approved by the Indonesian House Representatives and the
Regional Representative Council.
The next process, he said, has been
submitted to the Ministry of Domestic Affairs to form a regulation because the
split of region or DOB formation should be referred to the existing regulation,
that is the Law No. 23/2014 on Regional Administrative. He said the process of
DOB formation has undergone the preparation phase for three years that
determined by Government Regulation. If it declared eligible, the proposal of
new region submitted to Indonesian House Representative and Regional
Representative Council to set into an autonomous region in accordance to the
law. “Sorong Raya residents living in Sorong Municipality, Sorong Regency,
Sorong Selatan Regency, Maybrat Regency and Raja Ampat Regency are expecting
Papua Barat Daya Province could be realized soon, therefore the development of
infrastructure, economic growth and community welfare could be materialized
immediately,” he said. Further the politician from Hanura Party asked to all
society components in Sorong Raya region to support the formation of Papua
Barat Daya Province that is still on going process. “There should be no
disagreement that even leading to conflict among community therefore the
formation process of DOP Papua Barat Daya Province could run smoothly and could
be realized soon,” he said. The formation of Papua Barat Daya Province, he
further said, is the people’s aspiration to shorten the distance of
government’s services to the people because the area is
widespread. (*/rom)
GOLD MINERS CREATES CONFLICT IN DEGEUWO
Victor Mambor Jan 27, 2016
Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman
of the Customary Council of Wolani, Mee and Moni tribes (LMA SWAMEMO) has
accused gold miners of stealing Degeuowo gold and creating conflicts at the
site. “The illegal
businessmen are creating a conflict to achieve their goals there,” said Bagubau
to Jubi in Sentani, Papua on last week.
He
said conflicts are created through entertainment facilities such as karaoke,
bar and sexual business. Communities are then to compete using existing
entertainment facilities. “Order a women means one package with liquor. This
can cause people to fight till they die,” he pointed out the murder of a mobile
brigade conducted by a miner in the Blue Baya location at the end of December
2015. He said, the stabbing occurred when the two men competed for a commercial
worker at that location and when they were arguing the police came.
“The
perpetrator took his machete out and stabbed the chest of victim. After that he
fled into the woods. I got this report from Yohanes Kobepa, my secretary, ” he
said. He continued, at the same time, there was combustion event of heavy
equipment owned by the company, PT. Quarta Air at 81 site.
He
said the burning was very detrimental to the company but also the local
community, including the institution he leads. We never teach communities to
resolve the existing problems in the region by force despite the company harm
indigenous peoples. “If you are furious, let’s take it into the court. We, as
the institution are working to find out why it was happened. I think the
company and people who live in the surrounding areas do not want the customary
council institution to control Degeuowo area, “he added. Yohanes Kobepa
confirmed it and said that this conflict was full interests motives that want
to dominate Degeuwo area. “The area is a region full of gold. People want to
get rid of the control of indigenous peoples in the name of security
management. That’s all they want by sacrificing others, “he said through a
short message. (Mawel Benny/Tina)
Calls for PNG govt to determine West
Papuan refugee claims
A West Papuan who has lived in Papua New
Guinea for almost three decades has urged PNG's Foreign Minister to help give
him and others living in limbo some certainty on refugee status. Last week, the
minister, Rimbink Pato, announced that the Citizen Advisory Committee would
meet to consider refugee claims of 1000 West Papuans registered in Western
Province after fleeing Indonesia.
As an advocate of West Papuan
independence, Fred Mambrasar fled from Indonesian military aggression in PNG's
neighbouring territory in the mid-1980s. He is among around 1500 West Papuans
now living in Port Moresby without citizenship, who he says successive PNG
governments have ignored the plight of. Mr Mambrasar said there were an
estimated 10,000 West Papuans in PNG whose refugee claims should all be
determined.
"Rimbink
Pato speak but must action. Not just speak but em must action. Because sometime
the government tok yes we granted citizenship but only for some people. but
like me and other West Papua, not yet."
(RNZ
4 Feb)
Opinion pieces/reports/books/press releases etc.
View point: Civilian supremacy, or civilian inferiority?
No
‘magic bullet’
The Pacific’s state of independence
World
Report 2016: ‘Politics of Fear’ Threatens Rights
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