(1). Statement to the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and (2). Statement to the Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) in Lautoka City/Fiji.

FYI From Rex Rumakiek.
(1). Statement to the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and (2). Statement to the Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) in Lautoka City/Fiji. Statement to the Leaders Meeting in Honiara was delivered by Octo Mote verbally.

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STATEMENT BY UNITED LIBERATION MOVEMENT FOR WEST PAPUA ONBEHALF OF WEST PAPUA (INDONESIAN NEW GUINEA) PRESENTED BY REX RUMAKIEK AT SOM MEETING OF MSG HELD IN THE CITY OF LAUTOKA, REPUBLIC OF FIJI ISLANDS, ON 15TH JUNE 2016.

Mr. Chairman and through you to the members of MSG, please accept my deep gratitude for granting ULMWP the opportunity to speak. I acknowledge your wise counsel for guiding and facilitating this meeting to success.  

I acknowledge the Chairman of MSG, Rt. Hon. Manase Sogovare. Our people honor your commitment and leadership in trying to find a peaceful, honorable and lasting solution to our issue.

I acknowledge the Host, Ratu Inoke, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 

I acknowledge past and present Chiefs and leaders of your beautiful Islands of Fiji.  It was through your guidance and wise leadership that your people recovered so quickly from recent natural disaster.

I acknowledge distinguished leaders and representatives from member countries. West Papuan people are indebted to your serious effort to bring an end this 54 years’ old conflict that caused so much suffering and trauma to our people.

Excellency’s Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Firstly, my apology for the Secretary General Mr. Octo Mote and Spokesperson Mr. Benny Wenda who could not attend due to technical reasons. Both gentlemen represented us in the last Summit in Honiara. Myself and Mr. Amatus Dow here are representing not only ULMWP but also the people of West Papua. I am reading our statement with full realization that our people back at home and Melanesia are watching with hope while those in jail are still waiting for justice (added verbally).

We are not a nation state as yet but like FLNKS we too wanted to become full member of this sub reginal institution. This is because we strongly believe in the Melanesia value of inclusiveness as a family.  Secondly, because the Kanaky and West Papuan issues were the very reasons for the creation of this sub-regional institution. Our specific reasons are given as direct response to the appropriate criteria as set out in the application form.

(1). The first question in the application deals with identification of who we are and our geographical location in Melanesia. Our country that we love to call West Papua is the Western half of the island of New Guinea. For clarity for this exercise I shall call it Indonesian New Guinea. The other half of the island is the independent State of Papua New Guinea.  This is the surest identification of who we are as a people and our place in Melanesia.

(2). The second criteria, is dealing with responsibility. As I stated earlier, we are a nation in the full meaning of the word, but not a state as yet. We fully understand the responsibilities of being a member. But, as an organization our capacity to deliver is constraint by the lack of state infrastructure. This however, should not be hindrance for our participation in the affairs of the Melanesian family. The understanding of our role and responsibilities in the Society are fully illustrated in UNDP report of 1994. The report stated that real security of a nation state involved all aspect of life in the society which include, social, economic, political, spiritual even environment. Therefore, security is the responsibility of the whole society instead of just one agency of the government (Security forces).

(3).  The third criteria, is dealing with Commitment which is the translation of our Integrity to commit our actions fully for the wellbeing of the Melanesian community. Excellences, the depth of our commitment for Melanesia has always been consistent and has stood the test of time.

(4). The 4^th criteria, is dealing with ability to implement or abide by decisions of MSG. We can participate fully in the implementation of and guard decisions of MSG because our future depends on them.

(5). The idea of seeking approval by the administering power of our application cannot be entertained because the nature of our long standing resistance to the regime will surely cause rejection because it will be against their interest.

Sisters and brothers of MSG, the ULMWP looks forward to a constructive engagement on the many issues that we face together as a people in our pursuit for a future that we can determine for ourselves. We welcome the opportunity to deal with the issue of common interest in meaningful manner and through constructive dialogue.

For us in West Papua, we look towards you our sisters and brothers in Melanesia for your solidarity and support. We thank you for calling for international attention to the human rights of our people in our land. We remain hopeful that such atrocities will end. We pray for the perpetrators and victims.

I take this opportunity to thank you most kindly for your time and wish you all the success in the deliberation of the leaders tomorrow as well as in Honiara in July. We are resolute in our pursuit to sit as equals around the Melanesia table and as members of the MSG.

Vinaka vaka levu, tankiu tumas, merci beaucoup, terimakasih banian

Photo

Delegates at the Melanesian Spearhead Group Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji, 16 June 2016. The new MSG director-general Amena Yauvoli is in centre position. Photo: Melanesian Spearhead Group secretariat

 From left: Indonesian rep., Kanaky rep, Solomon Islands rep, MSG Secretariat rep, Fijian rep, PNG rep, West Papuan rep.

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Congratulations to the people of Vanuatu on their 36 years of Independence

Vanuatu Independence Day- 30 July 1980

Congratulations to the people of Vanuatu on their 36 years of Independence and on their continuous and courageous support for the people of West Papua in their self-determination struggle.

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http://dailypost.vu/news/citizens-urged-to-celebrate-the-true-meaning-of-independence/article_fcd711cb-7f46-597f-aeec-3f57fd9354e7.html

Citizens urged to celebrate the true meaning of independence

Posted: Thursday, July 28, 2016 8:00 am

By Anita Roberts | 0 comments

Yesterday's victory march through Port Vila town 

All citizens of Vanuatu are urged to celebrate this year with the true meaning of Independence, instead of making “fundraising” out of it.

The chairman of the Independence committee, Mayor Ulrich Sumptoh, said the above when he was addressing a massive audience at the Independence Park after yesterday’s victory march through town to launch this year’s celebrations.

Mayor Sumptoh conveyed that it is the intention of the committee which he lead to stop community events in the near future.

He stressed that citizens must learn to celebrate independence in a meaningful way and that is observing the day when Vanuatu was freed from colonial powers, being able to govern itself and breathing the sweet air of liberty.

Having a one day celebration is also an effective cost measure for the Port Vila Municipal Council, he added. Having said that, he applauded the government for its allocation towards making this year’s event a great one.

Port Vila, which is the host to the largest independence celebration, has been organizing victory parades since 1980.

The first victory parade was held in 1980 prior to July 30 from Fung Kuei to the old government building.

At that time it was led by the famous Tokelau String Band highlighting Port Vila street with the song ‘Forward we are marching on’.

Yesterday’s parade was led by the Vanuatu VMF/Police Force followed by Prime Minister (PM) Charlot Salwai, Minister of Justice and Community Services, Ronald Warsal, Mayor of Port Vila City Sumptoh, councilors, MPs, Senior government officers, men, women and youth.

Minister Warsal on the authorization of the minister responsible of independence celebration, Alfred Moah from Internal Affairs, made the official declaration of this year’s nation wide 36th independence anniversary.

While recalling the famous saying from late Father Walter Lini which states: ‘’Vanuatu is not truly independent until all Melanesia is free,” Minister Warsal’s message to everyone was to take the day to reflect on the struggle of the Melanesian sisters and brothers from New Caledonia (kanaky) and West Papua.

He advised everyone to celebrate in the christian way.

Yesterday’s guard of honor was performed by Prime Minister Salwai.

A minute silence was requested to think about the late leaders who fought hard for the country’s freedom.

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Front pages of Vanuatu Daily Post showing support for West Papua . Bottom left 2006 . Right 2014

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1) Governor tells Papuans to avoid politics

2) Jayapura hosts evacuees after Timika clash

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/07/30/governor-tells-papuans-avoid-politics.html

1) Governor tells Papuans to avoid politics

Bambang Muryanto The Jakarta Post

Yogyakarta | Sat, July 30 2016 | 08:06 am

A mediation session between Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono and Papuan students in Yogyakarta on Friday failed to bridge their differences. The provincial leader insisted on banning the students from engaging in political activities.

The governor said he would not allow the Papuan students to voice their political beliefs, particularly on the campaign for Papuan self-determination.

He conveyed the message during a meeting with representatives of the Papuan students alongside councilors from the Papuan legislative council.

“With regard to politics, the sultan kept restricting us. Nonetheless, we will continue speaking about it. We will not stay silent,” Papuan Students Association chairman Aris Yeimo said after the hearing.

The mediation session was held following a mid-July crackdown against Papuan students to prevent them from conducting a rally in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s (ULMWP) campaign for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

During the mediation session, Aris said he told the sultan that following the incident, Papuan students did not feel safe as they were often the target of racist comments from unidentified passersby in front of their dormitory on Jl. Kusumanegara. 

A student was even hit by an unidentified motorist in Maguwo, causing him to suffer a broken leg.

Aries said that during the meeting the sultan had expressed his willingness to offer security assurances to Papuan students but refused to apologize for labeling them separatists and for banning them from being in Yogyakarta.

“He just said that if Papuan students engaged in introspection, the statements would be withdrawn,” Aris said.

Aris added that the Sultan had also promised to censure mass organizations yelling racist words against Papuans and to ask the Yogyakarta Police to refrain from surrounding their dormitory.

“We expect the sultan to issue an instruction that will be heard by the people to clean up the negative stigma around us. We want to develop Yogyakarta together,” he said.

Laurenzus Kadepa, a Papuan provincial councilor who joined the meeting, also asked the sultan to take care of Papuan students and people living in Yogyakarta, saying that they were valuable assets.

“That is what we do to people coming to Papua. We take good care of them,” he said.

With regard to the restriction on Papuan students from engaging in politics, Laurenzus said it was their right and should not be restricted. As long as the acts were conducted without violence, then no regulation was violated. Repressive acts, he said, would only create a bad image.

Previously, Natalius Pigai from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) also said that freedom of speech was guaranteed by the Constitution and that the Convention on Civil and Political Rights had already been ratified by Indonesia.

After the mediation session, the Sultan was not available for comment. The Yogyakarta administration’s acting secretary Rani Sjamsinarsi, who joined in the hearing, also declined to comment.

Yogyakarta Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Anny Pudjiastuti has repeatedly denied accusations that the Yogyakarta Police committed repressive actions and violated human rights when dealing with the Papuan students’ rally.

“All was conducted according to standard operating procedures,” she said.

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/07/30/jayapura-hosts-evacuees-after-timika-clash.html

2) Jayapura hosts evacuees after Timika clash

Nether Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post

Jayapura | Sat, July 30 2016 | 08:07 am

The Jayapura administration has begun collecting data on 353 evacuees from Timika currently being accommodated at the Toli dormitory in the GIDI Church compound in Polomo, Sentani, Papua.

“We are collecting data on their needs and we will report it to the provincial administration for further measures,” head of the Jayapura Nation Unity Agency, Yanto Dago, said on the sidelines of a visit to the evacuation center on Friday.

Based on the data, eight additional evacuees arrived at the site on Friday on board Garuda Indonesia and Sriwijaya Air flights.

“There are many others who want to come here but they cannot get flight tickets,” said Joni Wonda, who is in charge of evacuees in Polomo.

He said evacuees began fleeing to Jayapura following a clash between people of different ethnic groups in Timika on Sunday.

Nundison Kogoya, a third grader of SMA Kuala Kencana senior high school in Timika, who was among the evacuees in Jayapura, said that when his village Jile Jale SP III Timika was attacked on Monday, he was at home, preparing to go to school.

“All of a sudden they came to our village and attacked us. An arrow hit me on my leg and I ran away into the forest,” Nudison said, showing his wounded leg.

He said he only returned to his house in the afternoon for medical help. He arrived in Jayapura on Thursday together with family members. He said they bought flight tickets by themselves.

Mira Kogoya, 25, another evacuee, said the latest clash was brutal and went beyond customary rules.

Mira said people attacked the village in the morning, killing anything they found on the street, such as pigs and dogs. They also burned houses, attacked women and children and reportedly raped and killed people.

“I was very terrified seeing all of that. We evacuated to the GIDI Church in SP III Timika and then flew here to Jayapura,” Mira said.

The coordinator of the evacuees from Timika, Danison Wenda, said people had lost their homes and possessions as the attackers had burned and looted their houses.

“It’s a brutal war. The customary regulations in war ban people from attacking women and children, but this time they even killed school children,” Danison said.

He said the evacuees had been left homeless as they were too traumatized to return to their village. “They will only return when there is a guarantee from the government that no more war will prevail there.”

During their stay at the evacuation center in Timika, the evacuees depended on residents for food as their own local administration had not provided anything. A similar situation can be seen at their current evacuation center in Sentani.

“Local people here cook at their own houses and then bring food here for us to eat together,” Danison said.

The clash in Timika erupted on Sunday, with three people killed and dozens injured, along with 25 houses burned down and dozens of others damaged. Scores of vehicles were also set alight. Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw is in Timika to help create peace between the two warring groups and has approached community figures on both sides.

“If peace is difficult to achieve, the security apparatus will take stern action,” he told reporters in Timika.

Members of both the military and the police have been put on guard in Kwamki Narama village to prevent the conflict continuing.

Chairman of the Paniai customary institution, John Gobay, asked the police to arrest the commanders on each side of the clash, arguing that they took control of the conflict.

“After that, reconcile them by involving all the regents in the mountain range regions and PT Freeport,” John told The Jakarta Post in Jayapura on Wednesday, while suggesting that during the reconciliation period, parties should have heart-to-heart talks to uncover the root causes of the ongoing conflict.

He added that many of the people in the mountainous regions were actually related and that everything could be solved through dialogue.

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Photos-Sydney rally- justice for the children in Don Dale and all prisons

Town Hall Sydney Saturday  30 July

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SBS News article

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/07/30/un-human-rights-body-warns-aust-abuse

30 JUL 2016 - 1:50PM

UN human rights body warns Aust on abuse

The United Nations human rights commission is calling for compensation for victims of abuse at the Don Dale youth detention centre. 

Source: 

AAP 

30 JUL 2016 - 1:50 PM  UPDATED 1 HOUR AG

The United Nations Human Rights Commission has warned Australia could be in violation of two child rights conventions over the abuse of teen boys in Northern Territory detention.

The UN high commissioner for human rights has also called for compensation for Don Dale centre victims and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched a royal commission into youth detention in the NT after the ABC aired brutal footage of boys being stripped naked, tear-gassed and held in solitary confinement.

One boy was shackled to a "mechanical device" chair before being left alone for two hours while another was tackled, lifted and hurled across a room.

"We are shocked by the video footage that has emerged from Don Dale youth detention centre," a spokesman for the high commissioner said in a statement.

The commissioner labelled the conditions "inhumane" and the treatment "cruel".

"Most of the children who were held at the detention facility are deeply traumatised," the spokesman said.

The UN commission warned Australia it could be in breach of the convention of the rights of the child and the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment - to which Australia is a party.

The inquiry launched as a result of the footage was an important step, the spokesman said, however the commission believes it should be extended to all other jurisdictions in the country.

The opposition has said there could be scope to broaden the royal commission, but Mr Turnbull believes a focused inquiry would be more successful.

The commission called for Australia to establish a system of regular visits to detention centres.

"We call on the authorities to identify those who committed abuses against the children and to hold them responsible for such acts," the statement said.

The royal commission is due to report by March 31.

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