Australia
West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction,
NSW 2088
Summary
of events in West Papua October –14 November
2016).
The Region
Jakarta
is becoming increasingly concerned at the internationalization of the issue of
West Papua particularly in the pacific region. During her visit to Indonesian
Australia’s Foreign minister Julie Bishop was asked by the Indonesian defence Minister
Ryamizard Ryacudu to pass a message to the Solomon Islands asking that it
should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Indonesia, including
the issue of West Papua. The Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was one of the
seven Pacific leaders who raised the issue of West Papua at the 71st Session of the United Nations
General Assembly in New York. Because Australia contributes aid to the Solomon’s.
Ryacudu seems to believe it has influence over the Solomon Islands Government.
AWPA
Media Release “Australia must not respond to Jakarta’s request” at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/media-release-australia-must-not.html
RNZI
also reported (1 Nov) that Ryamizard told media that he had implored Canberra to speak to
Honiara on the matter because Australia contributes a big aid package in the
Solomons. Detik News
reports the Minister saying Australia has accepted the request. Ryamizard said friendly
countries do not disturb each other by interfering in domestic issues. He warned that Indonesia
will not stay silent when its sovereignty is compromised. He described
Indonesia as a tiger that can attack if disturbed. The Minister urged
Australia to pass on the message to Solomon Islands and other Pacific states
that they should not invite West Papua to join the MSG.
During
her visit Julie Bishop praised relations between Indonesia and Australia,
saying she considers the relationship to be in good shape.
The
support of the Pacific Island governments should never be taken for granted as
Indonesia continues to lobby, offer aid and increase cooperation with Pacific
Countries.
The Solomon Islands Parliamentary
Opposition Group urged the Prime Minister and his Government to reassess its
approach on the issue of West Papua with Indonesia. In a statement the Opposition Group
says the stern warning by the Indonesian Foreign Minister conveyed to his
Australian counterpart must not be taken lightly by the Government. “We
all have concerns for human right issues in West Papua. But there are other
means of dealing with this issue rather than the confrontational approach taken
by the current Prime Minister. This is not only interfering with Indonesia’s
sovereignty but also with that country’s domestic affairs,” it said. The
Opposition Group recommended that the Prime Minister embrace the relationship
established by the previous government and work through the Solomon Islands
Ambassador in Jakarta. “The continuous disrespect to Indonesia
as demonstrated by the Prime Minister will not help the course of West Papua at
the international level, not to mention the damage this will cause to Solomon
Islands relationship with Indonesia,” it said. (Solomon Times 10 November).
And
PNG
At a Joint Sub-Committee on Security Matters (meeting on the 9th
November) officials from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea discussed a number
of issues with regard to security. Issues discussed included he case
of the Papua fishermen who went missing from Merauke in 2014 and the case of
the lowering of the Indonesian flag in Nyakyu. The Indonesian delegation has
also proposed an exchange of visits by military officials at the regional
military command levels of the two countries to improve relations between
security officials assigned at the Indonesia-PNG border, and joint sports
activities.
FIJI
Fiji looks to grow defence links with Indonesia
Fiji is developing its defence links with Indonesia. Fiji's
Defence Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has invited his Indonesian counterpart
General Ryamizard Ryacudu to an official visit to Fiji. This follows a meeting
between the two in Jakarta on Saturday when their two governments reaffirmed
development ties and discussed defence co-operation. The Fiji Times reports that areas
of strategic interest, including peacekeeping and counter terrorism, were
discussed. Ratu Inoke indicated that Fiji is keen to pursue technical
assistance and capacity-building opportunities in these areas coupled with
joint training exercises.
Earlier, Indonesia's Antara news agency reported
that General Ryacudu signalled intelligence sharing initiatives with Fiji, and
offered an Indonesian-made weaponry system as well. The system includes arms
and ships. Ratu Inoke said the two sides were committed to improve defense
cooperation, and planned to sign a memorandum of understanding related to
defense cooperation in the first quarter of 2017. The FBC reported that Ratu Inoke was
in Jakarta last week for the 7th Indonesia Defence Expo. There, he acknowledged
Indonesia's assistance towards the establishment of the Regional Police Academy
and other forms of assistance. He also noted that Fiji and Indonesia have
enjoyed over 40 years of bilateral relations that were further strengthened by
the Fiji-Indonesia Police Cooperation MOU signed in 2011. (RNZI 7 Nov).
Stand
on West Papua, NC unchanged: PM Salwai
Vanuatu Daily Post By
Godwin Ligo October 13
Vanuatu Prime Minister has reiterated
the government and the country’s stand for the independence of West Papua and
New Caledonia, as unchanged. Prime Minister Salwai, made the statement Tuesday
afternoon when he officiated at the opening of a Kanaky-West Papua Exhibition
at the National Cultural Centre in Port Vila. He said despite Vanuatu being
supportive of the New Caledonia Government, and that of French Polynesia for
them to become members of the Pacific Islands Forum, this does not change the
stand of Vanuatu and the people of Vanuatu which remains strong and unchanged
for West Papua and New Caledonia and French Polynesia towards self-governing. The
Vanuatu Prime Minister went further to stressed that the exhibition is a
self-evidence of the desire for the Melanesian people of Kanaky, West Papua to
run their life and freedom
He said emphasized that Vanuatu continues to support their
struggle for freedom of the two Melanesian neighbours at regional and
international level. Prime Minister Salwai pointed out that the recent call by
Vanuatu in support for their freedom was at the United Nations Meeting in New
York. He assured the people of West Papua who organized the exhibition that
Vanuatu’s position in support of West Papua becoming member of the Melanesian
Spearhead Group (MSG) remain unchanged. Prime Minister Salwai, said the MSG
Meeting that was supposed to have taken place in Port Vila week before last,
will now take place in December of this year, to address the application of
West Papua to become member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, MSG.
Pacific peoples lead
push for Papuan decolonisation
Deforestation is rife across New Guinea. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
In a RNZI report (18 October) An academic
specialising in West Papua says Pacific Islands peoples are taking the lead on
issues of decolonisation within the region. Dr Cammi Webb-Gannon is a research
fellow at Western Sydney University's School of Humanities and Communication
Arts.
She says the unprecedented level of discussion about
West Papuan self determination and human rights at the recent UN General
Assembly reflects a new momentum towards decolonisation in the Pacific.
West Papua resources fray
discussed alongside climate
RNZI 3 November 2016
A conference getting underway in Sydney today looks to address
two major areas of concern to people in the Pacific region in the same sitting.
‘At the Intersection: Pacific Climate Change and Resource
Exploitation in West Papua' runs for two days, hosted by Western Sydney
University and the University of Sydney's West Papua Project.
The keynote speaker is Vanuatu's Minister of Lands and Natural
Resources, Ralph Regenvanu. Others attending include climate change scientists
and West Papuan analysts. The conference has been organised by Dr Cammi
Webb-Gannon from Western Sydney University who said climate change and
pernicious resource extraction in West Papua had a deep connection. She said
there was a need to find common strands of the two problems, and how it might
it be useful to address them together.
"The Indonesian colonisation of West Papua is what has led
to this gross resource exploitation, and the flow-on effects of human rights
violations and environmental destruction in West Papua. So the two are very
related," she explained. "They've never been discussed in tandem, but
that's the point of this conference, to do so." Dr Webb-Gannon said there
were various critical issues that required attention. She noted how the impacts
of climate change throughout the Pacific Islands region highlight the
importance of preserving West Papua's rainforests from rampant
logging and forest clearance. "We
want to question in this conference whether if we can halt or even stop some of
the resource exploitation - whether that's mining at Freeeport, gas mining
along the coast of West Papua or even looking at reducing the land clearing in
Merauke - then maybe this can help slow down Pacific climate change which is
also quite alarming." The
conference will utilise Open Space Technology to elicit
creative strategies and policy advice from expert participants.
Asia
Human Rights Commission statement on Paniai case
(28 October)
INDONESIA:
Investigation into the Paniai case in Papua goes nowhere
Ever since the National
Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) established the Ad Hoc investigation
team for the Paniai case, under the decision 1 March 2016 letter of the Chair
of the Komnas HAM (Number 009 / Komnas HAM / III / 2016), there is no progress
in this case (see case details at AHRC-UAC-089-2015 and a related joint statement here). The case reflects the failure of Indonesian government in upholding
human rights in order to protect civilians, as mandated by the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a state
party. The Covenant obligates the government to protect the right to life as
fundamental and non-derogable rights of its citizens. In line, the government
is also mandated under Paragraph 28A of the Indonesian Constitution (UUD 1945)
on the protection of the right to life. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-164-2016
Indonesian
military officer shot in shootout with separatists in Papua
Minggu, 23 Oktober 2016.
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News)- An Indonesian
military officer was shot in an exchange of gunfire with separatists in Philia,
Gurage, Puncak Jaya District, Papua Province, on Saturday. "Thats right,
one military officer was shot in an exchange of gunfire with armed group
members," Major General Hinsa Siburian, commander of the Cenderawasih XVII
Military District, said here, Sunday. The shootout occurred in Philia, Gurage,
when several military officers were on patrol. First Private Yani was shot at
his right hand and left leg, Siburian said. The injured officer was rushed to
Mulia Hospital.
West Papua to get regional military
command soon
Selasa,
8 November 2016
Commander of Regional Military Command (Kodam) XIII/Cassowary in West Papua, Major General TNI Joppye Wayangkau Onesimus. He was born in Serui, Yapen Islands Regency, Papua, and alumni of the Military Academy in 1987, as the first Regional Commander XIII/ Cassowary formed in November 2016. (kodam17cenderawasih.mil.id)
Timika,
Papua (ANTARA News) - Chief of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command XVII,
Major General Hinsa Siburian, has expressed support for the creation of a
Kasuari Regional Military Command XVIII in West Papua province.
General
Mulyono, Army Chief of Staff, is set to officiate the new regional military
command in Manokwari, capital of West Papua province, later this month,
coinciding with the inauguration of Major General Joppye Onesimus Wayangkau as
its commander, he said here on Tuesday.
"Of course, that is a pride for the people of Papua. He
(Joppye Onesimus Wayangkau) has made history by being the first chief of the
Kasuari Regional Military Command XVIII. What is more, he is a native of
Papua," he said.
The personnel of the new regional military command will include
all army soldiers assigned in West Papua, some personnel of the Cendrawasih
Regional Military Command XVII, and the rest from units of the army
headquarters in Jakarta. The new regional military command was built on
the former site of companies C and D station of the district military command
1703 at Arfai village, South Manokwari sub-district, West Papua.
The regional military command will oversee Biak and Sorong
military resort commands. National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief General
Gatot Nurmantyo said the creation of the new regional military command was
aimed at serving defense interests. "There are no political interests
and purposes in the creation of the new regional military command in Papua. The
TNI only wants the aspect of defense fulfilled in the region. Thus, the
operation control can be conducted properly, should undesirable situations
occur,” he said. (Reported by Evarianus
Supar/Uu.S012/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Papuan
rebel leader reiterates call for referendum
Marguerite
Afra Sapiie
Jakarta
Post | Wed, October 26, 2016
Papuan
pro-independence leader Filep Karma has called on the government to hold a
referendum on independence for the country’s easternmost region.
Filep,
a former political prisoner of 11 years, claimed the long-demanded referendum
was a win-win solution for both the government and the Papuan people, who still
suffered from mistreatment and abuses despite the region being granted special
autonomy status. The referendum would provide a fair mechanism for Papuans to
decide for themselves whether they wanted to remain as part of the unitary
state of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) or wanted independence, Filep said.
“We
used to fight for separation, but now a referendum is better to find out the
true aspirations of Papuans. If they want to still be a part of Indonesia, why
should [Papuan rebels] continue to struggle for independence?” Filep told the
journalists on Tuesday. Should the referendum result in Papuans wanting to
remain Indonesian citizens, the rebels would stop demanding for separation,
Filep said, however, the government should also promise Papuans a peaceful
transfer of independence if the referendum showed otherwise. Filep went on that
in 2008, when he was still imprisoned, he had sent a letter to then president
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, demanding a referendum. Papuans also had long-awaited
dialogue with the government over the referendum plan, even though President
Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had given the green light, Filep said. (bbn)
UN requests Indonesia response to allegations of violent
discrimination
Fiji
Times RUBY TAYLOR Saturday, October 15, 2016
Update: 1:14PM THE request made by the
UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to Indonesia to
formally respond to allegations of racial violence and discrimination against
Papuans by November is a sign that the attitude of the UN to West Papua's case
is beginning to change, a PACIFIC Islands Association of NGO's (PIANGO) press
release has stated.
In the statement, Pacific Islands Association of NGOs executive
director, Emele Duituturaga expressed these sentiments following UN CERD chair,
Anastasia Crickley's notification to Indonesia's UN Permanent Representative,
Triyono Wibowo that the committee's recent session had considered allegations
of killings and violence of indigenous Papuans in West Papua.
"I write to inform you that in the course of its 90th
session, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has
considered, under its early warning and urgent action procedure, allegations of
excessive use of force, arrests, killings and torture of persons belonging to
the Papuan indigenous people in West Papua, Indonesia, and allegations of
discrimination against this people, that have been brought to its attention by
a non-governmental organization," Ms Crickley stated in the October 3rd
dated correspondence. Duituturaga said the committee's specific requests for
information indicated how seriously it was treating the allegations made by
civil societies to the UN about the treatment of indigenous West Papuans by the
Indonesian government.
"The ball is in
their court now and Pacific civil societies are eagerly awaiting November 14
alongside UN CERD to read their response," Duituturaga was quoted as
saying.
Peter Tatchell dedicates Gandhi Peace Award to West Papua
OCTOBER
31, 2016
Koteka Wenda and Peter Tatchell with other members of the Wenda family and the Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award
Today at the House of Lords in the British Parliament, the
renowned Human Rights activist Peter Tatchell was awarded the Gandhi Foundation
International Peace Award which he dedicated to the people of West Papua and
their struggle for freedom. The dedicated award was accepted by Koteka
Wenda, the daughter of West Papuan Independence Leader Benny Wenda.
As a lifetime campaigner for human rights and a consistent
supporter of West Papua’s freedom, Peter Tatchell has a close connection to the
West Papuan struggle and the Campaign is truly honoured that he chose to
dedicate the award to West Papua. Upon receiving the award, he spoke of his
life’s work and why he was dedicating the award to West Papua.
Freeport
workers return to work
Senin, 10 Oktober 2016
Timika, Papua (ANTARA News) - Thousands of
mine workers of the Grasberg mine of PT Freeport Indonesia Tembagapura, Mimika
District, Papua, began to return to work after more than a week in strike
starting 28 September 2016.
A legal advisor to the local union leader,
Tri Puspita, said the workers began to work on Saturday after an agreement was
reached with the management of PT Freeport Indonesia.
"Starting Saturday they began to work
again," Tri Puspita said here on Sunday.
She said the union leaders accepted offer
from the company management of additional bonus of 15-17 percent effective as
from Oct 5, 2016.
As for the workers demand for evaluation of
the performance of a number of staff of the Grasberg Operation, will be made in
the next three months, she added. PT Freeport Indoensia, a subsidiary of
the US McMoRan Cooper and Gold has large gold and cooper mines in Papua.(*)
Calls
Mount for Jokowi to Implement ‘Papua Roadmap’
Jakarta Globe
President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo during a visit to Wamena, Papua, in December 2015. Calls are mounting for him to start implementing a proposed roadmap for reconciliation in the restive province. (Antara Photo/Prasetyo Utomo)
By : Alin Almanar |
on 10:36 PM October 13, 2016
Jakarta. Calls
are mounting for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to start implementing
a proposed roadmap for reconciliation in Papua, with human rights activists
claiming that he has failed to calm tensions in the restive province in the two
years since he took office. The Jokowi administration has been focusing on
infrastructure development projects to boost the economy in Papua, where a
decades-old insurgency has led to several cases of alleged human rights abuses.
Activists say the president's developmental approach could barely address the
root causes of the tensions, with the insurgency apparently having shown no
signs of abating. They have repeatedly urged the
government to start dialog in an attempt to resolve the situation, beside
forging ahead with social and economic development. The move
includes implementation of the "Papua Roadmap" published by the
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in early 2009, with a series of
inclusive dialogs in the province. These dialogs should involve native
Papuans, Indonesians from other regions, government officials and insurgents. "The
process can hopefully end with reconciliation," Papua Peaceful Network
coordinator Neles Tebay told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday (13/10). "We
hope the dialogs can dig deeper into the root causes of the conflict in the
province."
LIPI based the roadmap on research
conducted over four years, starting in 2004, during which researchers
identified several main causes of conflict in the province. These include
failed development in education, health and the economy, discrimination and
marginalization of native Papuans, state violence resulting in human rights
abuses, as well as various different interpretations of the integration of the
province into Indonesia in 1969. "We should keep pushing for dialog if the
aim is to achieve peace," Setara Institute deputy head Bonar Tigor
Naipospos said. "It doesn't matter if the process fails. Failure doesn't
mean that we should stop trying." The Free Papua Organization (OPM) has
frequently called for international support from the Melanesian community in
the Pacific. Rallies in support of the province's independence in parts of
Indonesia have seen dozens of Papuans repressed by authorities in recent
months. "The chain of violence can only be broken through dialog,"
human rights advocate Benny Soesetyo said. "We still believe the president
is a humanitarian who has the willingness to listen to the people through
dialog."
A
google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
original
bahasa link at
Manokwari worst incidents of post 1999,
the National Human Rights Commission expressly requested LP3BH
The people of Manokwari carrying the bodies of Onesimus Rumayom - Doc. LP3BH
Jubi
| News Portal Papua No. 1,
Jayapura,
Jubi - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) condemned the
incident of stabbing, shooting and persecution in Manokwari, West Papua, which
occurred on October 26, 2016.
The
tragedy that claimed seven Papuans. Two of them died and the remaining injuries
were critical and twists.
"Son of Papua named Vigal Pauspaus origin Fak-Fak stabbed, then officials issued a fire that resulted in the death of a community named Onesimus Rumayom (40) and several other civilians were seriously wounded and was being treated in hospital Lift Sea Fasharkan Manokwari," said Natalius Pigai, Komsioner Commission, through information received Jubi, Thursday (27/10/2016). Komnas HAM request immediate legal proceedings against the perpetrators, "must be transparent and objective," said Pigai. Inside the release Pigai again stressed that one of the main factors of human rights violations continue to occur in Papua because until now the President Jokowi never mentioned a word about human rights conditions in Papua. According to him, Jokowi respond to all cases of human rights violations ranging from past human rights violations, agrarian conflicts, to freedom of expression, but not human rights issues in Papua.
"Son of Papua named Vigal Pauspaus origin Fak-Fak stabbed, then officials issued a fire that resulted in the death of a community named Onesimus Rumayom (40) and several other civilians were seriously wounded and was being treated in hospital Lift Sea Fasharkan Manokwari," said Natalius Pigai, Komsioner Commission, through information received Jubi, Thursday (27/10/2016). Komnas HAM request immediate legal proceedings against the perpetrators, "must be transparent and objective," said Pigai. Inside the release Pigai again stressed that one of the main factors of human rights violations continue to occur in Papua because until now the President Jokowi never mentioned a word about human rights conditions in Papua. According to him, Jokowi respond to all cases of human rights violations ranging from past human rights violations, agrarian conflicts, to freedom of expression, but not human rights issues in Papua.
"It
is unfortunate that not a single word about the human rights situation in Papua
is delivered. It shows the president deliberately allowed human rights
violations in Papua and can be categorized as an omission (by ommision),
"he said. In the records of Komnas HAM, Pigai
remind some state violence that also killed many civilians such as the shooting
and killing of the activists.
In
Yahukimo allegedly committed by Brimob shootings on March 20, 2015; shooting
incident also occurred in the District Dogiyai on June 25, 2015; while in
Tolikara on July 17, one person was killed and 11 people injured 015. Then
Timika shooting case in the District on August 28, 2015 killed two people
and wounded six; and previously as many as 18 people died in Jayanti, Timika.
"We
also witnessed in April and May two Papuans were arrested; likewise not in July
and August 2016 more than 2,000 people were arrested and detained, "said
Natalius. Separately,
the Executive Director of the Manokwari LP3BH, Yan Christian Warinussy
asserted, reports of violence in recent Manokwari will be delivered through a
network of international human rights advocacy.
"We
continue to network in Geneva, Switzerland, London, United Kingdom, complete
with chronology data and photo of the person alleged to have suffered gunshot
wounds from weapons belonging to the security forces Polda Papua Barat, Police
Manokwari and the Police Mobile Brigade West Papua" he said in a release
received Jubi Thursday (27/10). "We also urge the Commission to
request information directly from Manokwari police chief, Adjunct Senior Men's
Christian Roni visible along West Papua Police Mobile Brigade, Pol. Desman
Tarin and West Papua provincial police chief, Brig. Drs. Royke Lumowa allegedly
responsible for these violent events, "said Warinussy. LP3BH noted, Manokwari event
has become the worst record of human rights violations in Manokwari since 1999.
"After the events of Manokwari bloody September 1999 that killed John
Wamafma and have not been resolved by law until now," said Yan Christian
Warinussy. (*)
Benny Wenda’s office release at
Upcoming event. West Papuan National Flag
Day.
The 1st of December is West Papuan National Day or National flag
day . The West Papuan people continue to raise their flag as an act of
celebration but also of protest against the injustices they suffer under
Indonesian rule. They can face up to 15 years jail for doing so.
On Sunday the 4th of December 2016, we will be marching again
for #WestPapua to commemorate the Dec 1 True Independence Day of the oppressed
nation.
Join us at the Opera House Sydney and walk with us to Town Hall
to stand with a defiant and brave people who have been fighting for freedom and
independence for more than 50 years.
We will be walking in protest of all of the things that the
people are fighting for but most importantly to continue to:
-Press for human rights monitoring -Press for open access
to foreign journos
-To protest against our government funding and training the
Indonesian military and police to commit genocide in West Papua.
-To raise and address this issue in Sydney and beyond
Every year we raise the flag of West Papua (Morning Star) on Dec
1 to remind the world that We are standing in solidarity with the West Papuan
people.
This is a cultural event and everyone is invited to attend in
cultural attire.
Individuals can also contribute to raising awareness about West
Papua on the 1st December by wearing a West Papuan t-shirt or badge or writing
articles/opinion pieces for your church/trade union newsletter. All these
simple actions will help raise the issue of West Papuan in the minds of the
Australian public.
Opinion pieces/press releases/articles/etc.
Jokowi`s emotional relationships
with Papua
The $100bn gold
mine and the West Papuans who say they are counting the cost
ULMWP and the insurgent Papua by Dr Budi Hernawan
Complaint against a palm oil
company in Papua held in limbo by RSPO
West Papua: Widow’s Infrastructure
Projects Won’t Fix Human Rights Issues, Activists Say
France
and the Forum
Countdown on for
Indonesia’s response
Continuing Restrictions
on Free Expression in West Papua
GUEST
BLOG: Maire Leadbeater – Pacific Nations diplomacy for West Papua puts New
Zealand to shame.
Goodhope Asia Accused Of Land Grabbing In West Papua For Palm Oil
Jakarta diplomacy odd and
backwards, ULMWP
Complaint against a palm oil
company in Papua held in limbo by RSPO
Photos Commemorating Peace Heroes at historic local
anti-conscription site
Last AWPA update
--------------------------------
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