Australia
West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088
Summary of events in West Papua for August -13 September 2016
Support for West Papua continues to grow throughout the
Pacific region.
Much of it around the
lobbying of the two regional organisations the MSG and the PIF by West Papuan
leaders, Civil
Society Organisations (CSO) and churches. Recently a new “Pacific Coalition on West
Papua” was formed. The
initial membership comprises the Solomon Islands Government, Vanuatu
Government, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) and the
United Liberation Movement of West Papua and the Pacific Islands Alliance of
Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO). Two new members are the governments of
Tuvalu and the Republic of Nauru.. The other two parties who indicated support
for the initiative when it was introduced in Honiara at the margin of the 4th
Pacific Islands Development Summit are the Kingdom of Tonga and
the Republic of Marshall Islands. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=197360130357cd01103ae4d63a6626
The 47th
Pacific Islands Forum Meeting was held in the Federated States of
Micronesia between the 8 - 10 September. CSO’s presented a position paper concerning Human Rights violations in West Papua urging the PIF
Leaders to:
a) Actively engage with the Indonesian Government to halt
the deteriorating human rights violations and
b) Discuss with the UN Secretary-General at their annual
meeting (Forum Update in New York on the margins of UNGA) to appoint a special
envoy to conduct human rights assessment in West Papua.
c) Sponsor the re-instatement of West Papua on the United
Nations Committee for Decolonisation and enquire into past actions for its
removal.
Although West Papua was mentioned in the official
Communique
it is hoped that at the Post Forum Dialogue which Indonesian
attends that the PIF Leaders continued to raise the issue of a fact-finding
mission with Indonesian representatives.
AWPA release
From communiqué in relation to West Papua
18. Leaders recognised the political sensitivities of the
issue of West Papua (Papua) and agreed the issue of alleged human rights
violations in West Papua (Papua) should remain on their agenda. Leaders also
agreed on the importance of an open and constructive dialogue with Indonesia on
the issue. Full Communique
Geo-politics at play
over Leader’s lack of expressed commitment on West Papua
Pacific leaders’ lack of expressed commitment to action the
case of West Papua at their meeting in Federated States of Micronesia may be
due to geo politics says Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO) executive
director, Emele Duituturaga. “Generally, the result of the 47th Pacific
Islands Forum Leaders meeting as articulated in their communiqué was a mixed
one for civil society,” Duituturaga said. “We are happy that some of the
issues we pushed for like the Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with
Disability, Climate Change and disaster risk management, and coastal fisheries
were endorsed by the leaders and reflected in the communiqué.” “For West
Papua – while the human rights violations were mentioned, the push by CSOs to
have West Papua raised at the United Nations is not reflected,” she said. http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=126936984557d77a24c733731839b1
Executive director, Emele Duituturaga
Leading up to
the Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the PIF said that West Papua
is a sensitive issue for some Pacific governments, but one that needs to be
debated. It’s an issue that needs to be pursued and
it’s not going to go away,” she said. “Our bigger countries in the region like
Australia and New Zealand realise that this issue is just not going to go to
sleep – and it shouldn’t go to sleep, because it is very important for our
region.”
Pacific
civil society organisation representatives have put in a strong bid for Pacific
leaders to support the involvement of the United Nations in the case of the
people of West Papua. This was one of the key points CSO reps submitted during
their scheduled breakfast meeting in Pohnpei today with members of the Pacific
Islands Forum troika, comprising the past, current and future chair of the
16-member island group. Outgoing chair and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea,
Peter O’Neil was absent from today’s breakfast as he is not due to arrive into
the FSM until later today. His Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato stood in for
him.“What was encouraging in the dialogue was the consideration and the
recognition that the United Nations process is available,” head of the Pacific
Islands NGO Association, Emele Duituturaga told journalists at the end of the
breakfast meeting.“We detected an acceptance that this possibly could be one of
the pathways. I think the difference is that up until now, we always thought
this is a Melanesian issue. In our recommendations, we tried to assist our
leaders recognise some of the bilateral arrangements, bilateral assistance that
somehow might be hindering the options we need to look at.” Speaking to
journalists at the end of the breakfast meeting, Samoa’s Prime Minister
Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed that the CSO
reps raised the issue of West Papua, but declined to be drawn into what the
Forum leaders would decide.
http://www.emtv.com.pg/news/2016/09/pacific-ngo-lobbies-hard-for-west-papua/
SI Given leading role
to advocate on West Papua issues
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reported (18
Aug.) that the Solomon Islands has been
given the leadership role in advocating on the issues of human rights violation
and allegations in West Papua. The leadership role was bestowed upon the country following
last week’s Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers meeting in Suva, Fiji. This
will see Solomon Islands play a leading role in ensuring issues of West Papua
remains active amongst Forum leaders.
The Fiji Times also reported (19 Aug.) that Foreign
Ministers from the Pacific Islands have reiterated the importance of upholding
human rights across the region and also the need for continued engagement with
Indonesia in relation to the ongoing genocide in West Papua. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=367540
Melanesians’ support
for West Papua strong - Natuman
RNZI 12
September 2016
Vanuatu's
deputy prime minister says the strong support for West Papuans among the people
of Melanesia should eventually translate to a co-ordinated regional response. Joe
Nathan admits there are differences of approach on Papua among member
governments of the Melanesian Spearhead Group about the bid for full membership
by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua
Deputy Prime
Minster Joe Natuman. Photo: RNZI / Kim Baker-Wilson
Mr Natuman said
there's been a lot of lobbying of members by Indonesia's government, with
announcements of assistance to regional governments.
But he said
people in Melanesia are firmly in support for helping Papua. "The
population in Melanesia, so far they have been very vocal. Before it was only
Vanuatu, but now Solomons, PNG and Fiji. The Churches are involved, the chiefs
are involved, the general populace are involved. And I sure that eventually
they'll force their attitude regarding human rights, and self-determination and
independence in West Papua." Mr Natuman conceded that the MSG has been a
bit compromised due to is budgetary shortfalls, forcing it seek more funding
for its operations but he doesn't think Indonesia's promises of help are
genuine.
In New Zealand hundreds of Māori
students marched to New Zealand's parliament calling for freedom for West
Papua. The march was met at the steps of parliament by MPs from various
political parties, who spoke of their concern about Indonesian state oppression
in the Papua region. The students gathered in the capital for the annual
conference Te Huinga Tauira o Te Mana Ākonga, this year hosted by Ngāi Tauira,
the Māori Students' Association at Victoria University of Wellington. A
co-president of Ngāi Tauira, Raimona Tapiata, said the hundreds gathered felt
strongly about the plight of West Papuans, from which they drew many parallels
with how Māori experienced colonialism. (RNZI 27 Aug.) RNZI also reported (6
Sept.) that a petition has been tabled in New Zealand's parliament calling on
the government to make a number of representations on the plight of West
Papuans. It
calls on the parliament to urge the New Zealand Government to address the
ongoing human rights situation in West Papua by taking a series of actions.
These include publicly advocating for the Indonesian government to uphold the
rights of the indigenous people of Papua region, or West Papua, to freedom of
assembly and freedom of speech.
The public petition, which garnered 1367 signatures, was
handed over to a group of Labour and Greens MPs today before being tabled in
the chamber.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/311832/maori-students-in-nz-march-for-west-papua
NZ Green MP Marama Davidson Photo: RNZ
Bishops
in Pacific region declare support for West Papua
Support:
Port Moresby Archbishop John Ribat, Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long, Toowoomba
Bishop Robert McGuckin, Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan, Noumea
Archbishop Michel Calvet and Port Vila Bishop John Bosco.
CATHOLIC
bishops from across the Pacific region also declared support for West Papua to
have a greater international voice. Dignity
for West Papuans was a focus issue for the executive committee of the
Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania in Australia, New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands meeting in Port Moresby. Toowoomba Bishop Robert
McGuckin and Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long represented Australia. “They
(West Papuans) seek what every family and culture seeks: respect of personal
and communal dignity, free expression of one’s aspirations, and good
neighbourly relations,” the Catholic bishops said in a statement. “Political boundaries can never contain or control
ethnic relationships and so we urge governments to support the West Papuan
people’s desire to participate fully in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.”
Pacific women call for investigation of women's rights in West Papua
West Papuan human rights activist Rode Wanimbo address the 7th Pacific Women's Network Against Violence Against Women, while Bernadetha Mahuse looks on. Photo: Pacific Women's Network Against Violence Against Women (In RNZI report)
Pacific
women are also calling for an independent mission to investigate violence
against women in Indonesia's Papua region. The
call comes from the Pacific Women's Network Against Violence Against Women
which represents policy makers and front line workers from 13 Pacific
countries. Representatives of women from West Papua attended the networks 7th
meeting in Fiji last week and raised some critical issues and gaps in service
delivery for victims of gender violence in West Papua.
West
Papuan leader rallies support ahead of summit
A
West Papua leader says he is the most optimistic he has been in years about
gaining support from this week's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in the
Federated States of Micronesia.
The
secretary general of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octo Mote,
said support for West Papua human rights and self-determination had been
building throughout the island region over the past year.
He
said a year ago that just the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Tonga supported
them, but this year there was backing from Micronesian, Polynesian and
Melanesian countries. The key to his optimism was the strong advocacy of the
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who last year appointed the
first government envoy for West Papua and provided government funding for his
work. Dr Mote said the Marshall Islands President, Hilda Heine, had made it
clear her country was backing the West Papua cause. He said for the Marshalls
human rights was the main issue.
Dr
Mote said West Papua's case for self-determination would finally get back to
the United Nations Decolonization Committee for review. The ULMWP asked the
Forum to support a call to the UN to review the case of West Papua.
New York Agreement
Rallies
took place around the world to commemorate the New York Agreement. On the 15 August 1962 an agreement
was signed between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
concerning West New Guinea. The signing of the New York Agreement lead to
the betrayal of the West Papuan people. In West Papua over 50 KNPB activists
were arrested leading up to the commemoration of the New York
Agreement. The activists were arrested
simply because they were handing out leaflets informing people of peaceful
rallies to be held on the 15th to commemorate this tragic
event. AWPA condemned the arrests. RNZI report at
In Jayapura hundreds attended a rally organized by the KNPB.
A report in the Jakarta post said about 100 KNPB supporters were rounded up in
a police truck but later released although subjected to some violence while in
the truck. During the rally a number of food stalls and tyres were burned and
although the security forces blamed the KNPB the KNPB denied their involvement.
In a RNZI report (16 Aug.) a West Papuan lawyer and Catholic lay activist said the KNPB were
wrongly blamed for the unrest. "People
know that already it is not done by the KNPB members”.
Photos
of Sydney supporters for a Free West Papua -15 August
Officer Shoots Dead Boy in Sugapa, Residents Torch Police Station
Jayapura, Jubi – A teenager died after being shot
allegedly by a Mobile Brigade officer in Sugapa. Angry residents set fire to
the Sugaba Police Station in response to the news. A local resident contacted by
Jubi said the shooting occurred on Saturday (27/8/2016) at around 10:25 Papua
time and followed a previous shooting on Thursday (25/8/2016). “On Thursday,
Nope Sani and Nole Sondegau offered the firewood but rejected by the Company
Tigi Jaya that paved the Papua Trans road. Don’t know why the company then
called the Mobile Brigade whose officer came and shot the two boys three times
but missed,” said Sugapa resident on Saturday evening.
Angry residents set fire to the Sugaba Police Station – Jubi
Jubi report at
A report by the International Coalition for Papua on the
incident at
New Report-Burning
Paradise: Palm Oil in the Land of the Tree Kangaroo
The report details the activities of the Palm oil
company Korindo which is a
Korean Indonesian company, its name made up from the words Korea and Indonesia,
is the largest palm oil company in Papua. The report found that over 50,000 hectares of tropical
lowland forests –– have been devastated by the group. they are also responsible
for illegal forest fires. The burning of native forests is illegal under Indonesian law. The report also points out that the company does everything it can
to keep journalists and environmental out. They block the roads, lie
to the press, and blame the Papuan people for the fires the majority. of whom
never consented to their land been taking in the first place and probably one off the
reasons that the Env. groups used drones to gain video footage of much of
the destruction.
Report
at
Drone footage
The devastating deforestation of Papua for the palm
oil industry, from above
Papuan plea to Widodo to save forests
RNZI
31 August 2016
A
priest in Indonesia's Papua region has appealed to President Joko Widodo to
halt the destruction of pristine forests by a palm oil developer.
The
Catholic UCA news service reports Father Anselmus Amo saying the forest in
Papua’s Muting area, about 200 kilometres from Merauke, is being snatched from
tribal people who depend on it for their survival.
The south eastern region of Papua province has seen significant forest clearance and fires from destroyed forest and peatlands in the past year. Photo: NASA (in RNZI report)
The
southeastern region of Papua province has seen significant forest clearance and
fires from destroyed forest and peatlands in the past year. Photo: NASA
Tribal
leaders say they are being intimidated by the military to hand their land over
to the palm company - PT Agroprima Cipta Persada.
The
priest who heads the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission said he had
petitioned the president because he was the last hope for the people.
He
said petitions sent to the local government, military, and police have been
ignored.
Father
Amo told the website that the issue has caused widespread anxiety and tension
between people, the company, local government and law enforcers. He said he has
also approached the National Commission on Human Rights.
Opinion pieces/press
releases/reports etc.
Australia
continues to be shamefully silent on Indonesia’s human rights abuses
Freeport
Suspected of Mining Gold in Lorentz National Park underground
Plantations
get military, police backup
The good,
the bad, and the ugly in palm oil (commentary)
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