Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088
Summary of events in West Papua for
April (–9 May) 2016
News update. Benny
Wenda- Breaking the Silence tour of Australia this Month.
Details of Sydney events
in update.
Crack down on
peaceful rallies
The security forces in West Papua cracked down on numerous
peaceful rallies throughout the past month culminating in mass arrests on the 2
May. Up to 1700 people were arrested
including KNPB members, student activists and pro independence supporters. Jubi
reported (3 May) that activists were detained in Jayapura, Sentani, Merauke,
Manokwari, Timika and Sorong. The rallies were called to show support for the bid by the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP)
for full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and to support
the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP)
who were meeting at the Houses of Parliament in London to discuss the
issue. Although the majority of activists were eventually
released, during the arrests in Jayapura a large number of activists were taken
to the Mobile brigade (BRIMOB) headquarters and made to remove their
shirts and put in a field in the extremely hot midday sun. Seven activists
were also tortured. Jubi reported
(article 6 May) that the
torture against the seven activists took place in a special detention room
named Karel Satsuitubun in the police headquarters.
Activists from the West Papuan National Committee said they were tortured and
beaten up by police during their detention in Brigade Mobile Headquarters –
Jubi
One activist told jubi
that “The seven of us were treated inhumanly. They treated us like animals,” He
said during the interrogation, officers stepped on the activists’ chests or backs,
some repeatedly beat them on the head with riffle butts. “An officer came and
hit me on my ear. For a minute I loss my consciousness. I regained
consciousness when I felt something warm out of my ear. I grabbed it and it was
blood,” he said. When other officers came, they kicked him on the chest and
back. He said he felt the pain after he woke up the next morning. Jubi report
at http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/knpb-activists-claim-torture-by-police/As first reports of arrests came in
AWPA call on the Australian Foreign
Minister to condemn the arrests of the peaceful demonstrators
http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/05/02/awpa-calls-on-australian-foreign-minister-to-condemn-papua-arrests/ West Papua Media also created a #liveupdatesPapua twitter feed reporting updates on
the arrests. NGO organisations around the world urged their governments
to raise the arrests with their government. AWPA letter to Julie Bishop at
Other rallies.
The KNPP have been a
particular target of the security forces.
On the 5 April a number of activists were
arrested including the chair of the KNPB Steven Itlay. in Timika. It was reported they were beaten and kicked
during the arrests. The Timika branch of the KNPB were simply holding a prayer
meeting (“Prayers for the Papuan People’s recovery”) with local people
from the area and also in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). The
Jakarta Globe on the 6 April
reported that at least 12 activists from
group the KNPB, were detained after a rally turned violent in Kampung
Bhintuka-SP13 field in Mimika, Timika district, Papua on Tuesday (05/04). Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yustanto said the
protest was forcefully dispersed after rally coordinator Steven Itlay gave
a speech about Papua independence. A West Papua Media report on the incident at https://westpapuamedia.info/2016/04/05/timika-knpb-arrests-show-space-for-free-expression-ever-more-squeezed-in-papua/
On the 13 April rallies
were again held in a number of districts of West Papua. A RNZI report (14
April) said that the demonstrations in West Papua have been described as a sign
of widespread support for integration with the wider Melanesian community. The
peaceful demonstrations in the main cities of Indonesia's Papua region were
attended by thousands of West Papuans under the banner of the United Liberation
Movement for West Papua. The demonstrations, voiced support for the Liberation
Movement and its bid to gain full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group,
resulted
in dozens of arrests. One of the key Papuan political groups in the
Movement, the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, was centrally involved in
organising the demonstrations. The KNPB chairman Victor Yeimo addressed the
demonstration in the Papuan provincial capital, Jayapura.
In RNZI report .West Papuans demonstrating support for the Liberation Movement had the Papuan Morning Star flag emdy and garb. Photo: Tabloid Jubi
Franciscans International also
released an U/A on the incident
On the 29
April, surapapua.com reported on the arrest of more KNPB activists in Jayapura.
The activists were arrested simply
because they were handing out leaflets informing people of a rally to be held
on the 2nd May. The purpose of the rally was to commemorate
and protest the tragic betrayal of West Papua by the international
community when West Papua was handed over by United
Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) to Indonesian
administration on the 1st of May 1963, 53 years ago. The KNPB also called on
people to show support for the meeting of the International Parliamentarians
for West Papua in London. AWPA release at
Meeting in Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Free West
Papua Committee organized a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Parallel MSG Forum
In Port Vila to take place leading up to the official MSG Meeting in Vila. And
supported by PIANGO. Although the MSG meeting was postponed the CSO Forum took
place. It started on the 29 April with an inspiring march through Vila leading
up to the MSG Secretariat. The Vanuatu people turned out in force and were
joined by representatives from solidarity groups from the region.
More Photos of march at
More Photos of march at
Photos Vera Green AWPA Adelaide
A new report “We will lose everything” was also launched
at the forum in Vanuatu. The full report, on a Human Rights Fact Finding
Mission to West Papua conducted by the Catholic Justice and Peace
Commission of the Archdiocese Brisbane at
https://cjpcbrisbane.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/we-will-lose-everything-may-2016.pdfAt a historic meeting of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua in the Houses of Parliament on the 3 May a new declaration was signed calling for an internationally supervised vote on the independence of West Papua. Delegates came from around the world to attend this historic meeting on West Papua’s future. The meeting was briefed by parliamentarians, lawyers and academics, all of whom discussed and affirmed the West Papuan people’s fundamental right to self-determination.
The declaration reads as
follows:
We the undersigned Members of Parliament, being members of the
International Parliamentarians for West Papua: I. Declare that continued human
rights violations in West Papua are unacceptable. II. Warn that without
international action the West Papuan people risk extinction. III. Reiterate the
right of the people of West Papua to genuine self-determination. IV. Declare
the 1969 ‘Act of Free Choice’ to be a gross violation of this principle. V.
Call for an internationally supervised vote on self- determination in
accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions 1514 and 1541 (XV).
Palace of Westminster,
London, the 3rd of May 2016
https://www.freewestpapua.org/2016/05/03/westminster-meeting-makes-new-declaration-for-the-future-of-west-papua/
Jeremy Corbyn,
Labour leader drew attention to the plight of West Papuans, saying the
recognition of human rights and justice should be the “cornerstone” of the UK
Labour party’s foreign policy. The Labour leader made the
comments in an address to a meeting of international parliamentarians,
supporters and activists in London on Tuesday. The group, which included
Pacific region ministers and leaders, among them the West Papuan independence
leader Benny Wenda, called for a
UN-supervised independence vote in the Indonesian territory.
Pacific Archbishops also
make a surprise ‘fact-finding’ visit to West Papua
A delegation of 20 bishops from the Bishops Conference of
Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands were also told of Papuan desires for
independence from Indonesia, during a visit to the Papuan provincial capital,
Jayapura. Local rights activists were given only short notice about the visit
as the bishops arrived in a vehicle convoy across the PNG and Indonesian border
under military escort. In a letter presented to the bishops, Catholic Women of
West Papua wrote of the significance of the visit: “Few foreigners and even
fewer esteemed guests like yourselves are able to get permission to come, or
are willing to risk visiting our country,” the statement said.
“We want you to know that we are not free.
“We are confined in a situation that is full of
violence.
“Because of the Indonesian police and military we do not
feel safe in our own land.
“We desire to determine our own future, freely and
fairly.
“We want you to know that the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua represents us. They have our full support.”
Pacific Islands Forum
submissions
The Framework for
Pacific Regionalism calls for an inclusive public policy process to identify
issues of importance across the region. Each year, as part of this process, the
Forum Secretariat provides an opportunity for people, groups, organisations,
international agencies, and governments, to submit a policy initiative that
requires the attention of Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. A number of
submissions on West Papua were received and can be seen on link below.
From PIF Secretariat
website
Secretary General
Pleased with the Public Response to Call for Pacific Region Policy Initiatives
A total of 47 regional
policy initiatives were received by the closing date for the 2016 public call
for submissions under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism. “I would like to
thank everyone who made a submission this year, as your efforts show that there
is a strong appreciation and appetite for Pacific Regionalism. They also show
an understanding of the benefits that can come when Forum countries cooperate
and collaborate to address the big issues and interests that we face and can
share together,” said Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat
and Chair of the Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism, Dame Meg Taylor. The
submissions cover a diverse range of policy areas including energy, education, labour mobility,
ocean, tourism, and health, with the highest volume of
submissions centred on issues relating to climate change and West
Papua.
“It is pleasing to see
new initiatives and issues emerge from across the region. It is also encouraging
to see that some of the submissions this year build on regional policy
priorities that emerged through this same public policy process last year. Not
only is there ongoing interest and discussion around regional responses to
climate change and West Papua, but there are proposals that acknowledge and
seek to strengthen the work currently being done in the areas of ICT and
fisheries,” said Dame Meg. Submissions were received from individuals, civil
society, the private sector, multi-country consortiums, multi-lateral agencies,
and academia from countries across the region - including Australia, Cook
Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
In speaking about the
next steps of the process, the Secretary General said that, “Pacific Leaders
have committed to listening to the Pacific people, and this consultative public
process has identified a strong selection of policy ideas for us to consider.
The Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism and the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat will be assessing and analysing each of the submissions
over the next six weeks. They will be looked at against the criteria for
regionalism outlined in the Framework for Pacific Regionalism, and would also
be consulting with technical expertise appropriate to each submission. This
will ensure that any policy initiatives that are recommended to Pacific Leaders
warrant their oversight and commitment.”
The Specialist
Sub-Committee on Regionalism will meet to discuss the submissions in June
before making their recommendations to Pacific Leaders who meet
in Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia, between
the 7th and 11th September 2016. The Specialist
Sub-Committee will endeavour to ensure that the recommendations to
Leaders consist of a handful of strategic, high level regional priorities. In
doing this, the sub-committee will take stock of the current priorities and
make recommendations on whether they should remain on the Leaders agenda in
2016.
Submissions can be
viewed on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s website.
Support for West Papua grows in the region.
As support for West
Papua grows in the region, Jakarta has tried to counter it by offering aid and
visiting the Pacific countries on lobbying missions.
From a RNZI
report 7 April
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says Papua
remains an issue for the wider Melanesian region despite Indonesia's efforts to
internalise it.
Since the Liberation Movement was granted observer status in
the Melanesian Spearhead Group last year, Indonesia has increased its
diplomatic engagement with MSG member states. Jakarta, which has MSG associate
member status, is lobbying to fend off support for West Papuan
self-determination and said it had the support of Fiji and Papua New Guinea to
become a full member.
This follows last week's Indonesian ministerial visit to PNG
and Fiji where Jakarta handed over five million US dollars in cyclone relief
assistance.
One of the Liberation Movement's interior executives, Markus
Haluk, said the lobbying was to be expected. "Indonesia lobby money and
economy for Fiji and Papua New Guinea. But no problem, we are optimists,
because West Papua problem is same Melanesia problem." Markus Haluk said
that in Papua itself, grassroots support for the Liberation Movement was huge.
From Antara News report
Indonesia strengthens
ties with South Pacific nations
Pewarta: Fardah Kamis, 7 April 2016
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for Political,
Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and his delegations recent
trip to Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) demonstrates Indonesias commitment to
forging strong bilateral relations with South Pacific countries. The Indonesian
delegation arrived in Suva, Fiji, on March 30 for a visit aimed at boosting
bilateral relations between Indonesia and Fiji. Minister Pandjaitan paid a
courtesy call on Prime Minister J.V. Bainimarama, held a bilateral meeting with
Fijis Minister for Agricultural, Rural, Maritime Affairs and National Disaster
Management Ina Seriaritu, and a luncheon with Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke
Kubuabola.
The minister extended financial assistance worth US$5
million to help the victims of the Winston typhoon that hit Fiji in February
and delivered a letter from President Joko Widodo to Prime Minister
Bainimarama. In addition to the financial aid, Indonesia also sent US$3 million
worth of goods for the victims of the typhoon. The minister remarked that
Indonesia will deploy engineer troops to help reconstruct Queen Victoria School
in Lawaki. "In early May, the TNIs (Indonesian Defense Forces) engineer
troops will arrive. We will also send 100 units of hand tractors to help
develop agriculture here," Pandjaitan noted. "I have conveyed to
Prime Minister Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Kubuabola that we will be
consistently present in the region," the minister pointed out. Minister Seriaritu
hailed the aid and cooperation offered by Indonesia. He said Indonesia was a
key player in the Asian and Pacific region, and the countrys success in
disaster management and mitigation had received international recognition. http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/104056/indonesia-strengthens-ties-with-south-pacific-nations
Indonesia Objects to
$1.7 Bln Freeport Asked for Stake: Energy Official
Jakarta. Indonesia has objected to the $1.7 billion
Freeport McMoRan asked for a stake in its local unit, an energy ministry
official said, because the price tag was too high and the government is
considering alternative options.
“We told them that for now there was no agreement on the
price,” Coal and Minerals Director General Bambang Gatot told reporters on
Monday, referring to a letter sent to Freeport regarding its offer. Gatot
declined to give details on what price the government thought would be fair for
the 10.64 percent stake in Freeport Indonesia that the U.S.-based parent
company must divest. Reuters
Upcoming events
Benny Wenda- breaking the Silence tour of Australia this
Month (see flyers)
Benny will also be
speaking at ‘PUNKS FOR WEST PAPUA’ – THE
DOCUMENTARY TOUR TUESDAY 24TH MAY – SYDNEY UNIVERSITY.
We encourage people to
come and pass on information re event to your organisations, groups and
friends.
Opinion pieces/reports/ press releases etc.
Why today’s global warming has roots in Indonesia’s genocidal
past www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/03/genocide-indonesia-human-rights-abuse-climate-change-palm-oil
Marap Indigenous Group
claim back three oil palm plantation divisions in Arso. https://awasmifee.potager.org/?p=1390
West
Papua – ‘a nation in waiting’: Behind this week’s uprising
Silencing West
Papuan independence supporters overseas
'Sea-level rise
has claimed five whole islands in the Pacific: first scientific evidence'
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