2) Three points not open to negotiation with Freeport, official says
3) DPR PAPUA NOTIFY DUTCH AMBASSADOR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN PAPUA
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1) DAINIUS PURAS TO INDONESIA GOVT: AMBITIOUS GOALS CAN BE REACHED ONLY IF CHALLENGES ARE ADDRESSED
Apr 06, 2017
A statement by Dainius Pūras, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, on his visit to Indonesia
Jakarta, Jubi – Indonesia is on the right track to develop an equitable and sustainable healthcare system based on universal health coverage, said the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Dainius Pūras, at the end of his first official visit to the country, Tuesday (4/4/2017).
But he felt concerned on HIV/AIDS prevalence among ethnic Papuans.
Indonesia has a relatively low prevalence of HIV/AIDS but new infections are in the rise amongst certain key affected populations who still face stigma and discrimination, including in healthcare settings.
“I am concerned about the health status of ethnic Papuans, who are two times more likely to have HIV/AIDS than the rest of the population, and new infections are in the rise,” he noted calling for special attention and efforts from all stakeholders to build trust amongst service providers and users, and enhance access to treatment and services in a culturally-sensitive manner.
He also warned, “Ambitious goals can be reached only if challenges are addressed.”
“Despite commendable efforts, availability, access to and quality of health services remains a challenge in a country where population is spread throughout thousands of islands and remote areas,” he said urging the Indonesian authorities to address such challenges “with the highest level of political commitment so that health system guarantees all core elements of the right to health.”
“There are real opportunities and genuine commitment to achieve the progressive realization of right to health in Indonesia, but public authorities need to step up efforts to address structural and systemic issues, both in law and practice, to make sure that they are not tempted by the ‘lower hanging fruit’ and none is left behind,” the expert said.
Mr. Pūras stressed that “from poor and near-poor to middle-class and wealthy users of services, public and private providers, and civil society, health professionals, and all levels of public authorities, they all need to gain and generate trust in the universal health insurance system, which is based on the principle of solidarity.”
The UN Special Rapporteur, who visited Indonesia from 22 March to 3 April 2017, called on the Government to increase national budget allocations for health. “However,” he said, “increased investments in healthcare only make sense if the system is efficient, transparent, accountable, and responsive to those who use it.”
The expert pointed out that important barriers persist, in law and practice, for the realization of sexual and reproductive health rights, consequently women and other key populations are exposed to different forms of violence and discrimination.
“I was discouraged to hear that planning and delivery of these services and sexuality education is being influenced by certain groups who continue to oppose policies, instruments and mechanisms for the promotion and protection of sexual and reproductive health rights,” he said.
“Cultural and religious norms need to be taken into account in all contexts,” Mr. Pūras said. “However, when their interpretation is such that it generates discrimination on different grounds and reinforces harmful practices, such as early marriage and female genital mutilation, it seriously undermines the effective realization of the right to health and it is not acceptable.”
Mr. Pūras also noted that the approach to drug policy remains excessively punitive undermining the right to health of people who use drugs and public health efforts. “Criminalization of drug use only fuels discrimination, violence and exclusion driving people away from the health services they need and seriously undermining public health efforts,” he underscored.
“Mental health is an emerging issue but it needs additional commitment and resources to develop a system that promotes the mental health of everyone and effectively treats and prevents common mental health conditions at the community level and respects the rights of persons with psycho-social and intellectual disabilities, the expert explained.
The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report on his visit to Indonesia to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2018.(*)
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2) Three points not open to negotiation with Freeport, official says
Jakarta | Thu, April 6, 2017 | 12:15 pm
Indonesia will never give in to copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia over three specific points during negotiations with the firm, namely conversion of the contract of work (CoW) to a special mining license (IUPK), smelter construction and 51 percent divestment, an official has said.
“What can be negotiated is how to implement them,” said Hadi M. Djuraid, a special staff member of the energy and mineral resources minister, in a statement on Thursday.
He responded to criticism about the government agreement to provide Freeport with an eight-month concentrate export license, although the negotiations were still taking place.
He said during a press conference on Feb. 10 that Freeport CEO McMoran Richard Adkerson had rejected the conversion of the CoW into an IUPK, paying export tariffs on concentrate and divesting 51 percent of its shares to Indonesian entities, but Adkerson agreed to negotiate it in 120 days.
Hadi stressed that the negotiations began with the conversion of the CoW into an IUPK because it made social and economic impacts on the people in Papua, following the end of the mining operation in the province.
“During the negotiations, Freeport agreed to accept an IUPK, but demanded the extension of the negotiations from six to eight months [since February],” said Hadi.
The remaining six months would be used to negotiate over investment stability as demanded by Freeport, Freeport operational continuity and the divestment, he said, adding that the smelter construction will be evaluated within six months and if the progress was insignificant the export recommendation would be revoked. (bbn)
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3) DPR PAPUA NOTIFY DUTCH AMBASSADOR ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN PAPUA
Apr 06, 2017
Jayapura, Jubi – Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Rot Swartbol visited Papua Parliament Building and has a close meeting with parliament members on Monday April 3rd 2017.
He is welcomed in the parliament by Deputy Chair II, Ferinando A.Y. Tinal with several legislators, among others, Laurenzus Kadepa, Elvis Tabuni, Mathea Mamoyaow, Orwan Tolli Wone, Deerd Tabuni, Syamsunar Rasyid, Emus Gwijangge, Tan Wie Long, Sinut Busup, Ignasius W Mimin, Natan Pahabol and Yakoba Lokbere.
After the meeting, Ferinando Tinal said the arrival of Swartbol in Papua is a routine visit. The goal is to monitor support program by the Dutch government in economic development, strengthening the rights of women, water and agriculture.
“Members of parliament also conveyed aspirations. Among these are violations of human rights issues, freedom of expression and a few other things,” said Ferindando Tinal.
He said, Swartbol are listening carefully and make notes.
“He listened to a variety of inputs. But he could not give a decision. The council members also requested that in the future, the board notified when there is assistance to Papua so they can be monitored,” he said.
Based on antaranews report on Tuesday (4/4/2017) Swartbol also discuss important issues related to politics and development in Papua. “The visit to Papua this time is the first of its kind, and we want to discuss issues related to democracy and the simultaneous regional elections,” Swartbol remarked.
The Dutch ambassador to Indonesia said he was keen to know the extent of cooperation between the Dutch government and Papua Police related to the establishment of the Community Police in the Land of Cenderawasih.
“Our cooperation aims to bring the community closer to the police, especially in Papua,” he affirmed.
Swartbol explained that in principle, the Dutch government has always given attention to Indonesia, including Papua.
However, this visit is welcomed skeptically by Natan Pahabol, another Papua parliamentary member.
“There should be a follow-up. Not only a visit. Support programs are for NGOs and churches, they have to be involved, not only the government. The government is only to administer. Not to mention that the Papuans had historical problems with the Netherlands. There is an element of distrust in it because of the long history of Papua,” Pahabol.(*)
Reporter : Arjuna
Editor : Zely Ariane
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