PO Box 28, Spit Junction,
NSW 2088
Summary
of events in West Papua for May 2017
If the month began with the arrest of up to 200 people by the Indonesian
police on the 1st May in Sentani, it ended with the arrest of 77 members
of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Merauke on the 31 May. The
police arrived at the KNPB secretariat in a truck and four patrol cars and
arrested those present. Although in a new twist on language the police said the
KNPB activists were not arrested but were “gathered and directed”. According to a KNPB spokesperson the police
came to investigate the ongoing activists at the secretariat, as the KNPB was
not a registered organisation. The activists were eventually released but
personal belongings and items with the Morning Star symbol were confiscated.
Photo in Jubi 31 May 2017
In relation to the arrests on the 1 May, Senator Scott
Ludlam (The Greens) raised the incident
and the human rights situation in West Papua at the FADT Committee hearings.
Utube footage at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQXcHq3E6GE&feature=youtu.be&t=83
AWPA's release concerning the arrest on the 1 May at
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/media-release-54-years-after-indonesian.htm
AWPA's release concerning the arrest on the 1 May at
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/media-release-54-years-after-indonesian.htm
Benny Wenda toured New Zealand from
the 8 May to raise awareness on the
issue of West Papua and to meet with MPs, Foreign Affairs officials and trade
unionists. A number of RNZI reports on his visit below
Cross-party support in NZ for West Papua vote
RNZI 11 May
New Zealand MPs pose with the West Papua
Freedom Movement's Benny Wenda after signing the International Parliamentarians
for West Papua Declaration. Photo: RNZI/Koroi Hawkins
MPs from four New Zealand
political parties have signed a declaration by the International
Parliamentarians for West Papua.
This follows an address at parliament by the West Papuan
independence leader Benny Wenda who is in New Zealand raising awareness about
his Indonesian-ruled homeland. Eleven members signed the International
Parliamentarians' declaration, calling for a self-determination vote in Papua.
Mr Wenda said the cross-party support is a sign of growing global
solidarity.
"It's not one particular party but Labour, Greens, National
(and Maori Party), they're all signing the declaration. So this is, they show
that around the world this fight is about a humanitarian issue. People believe
in justice and freedom. That's why these MPs are signing the declaration for
West Papua internationally-supervised vote." Benny Wenda also participated
in a march today to the Indonesian embassy in Wellington where demonstrators
protested against Indonesian rule in Papua.
Wenda NZ visit exposes sensitivity over
Papua
Johnny Blades 12 May 2017
This week's visit to New Zealand by a West
Papuan independence leader has thrown the polarisation around his cause into
stark relief. Benny Wenda visited New Zealand to meet MPs, Foreign Affairs
officials, trade unionists and the general public to raise awareness about his
homeland. The international spokesman for the United Liberation Movement for West
Papua, Benny Wenda fled the Indonesian-administered region of Papua,
or West Papua, in 2003.
Indonesian official Firdauzie Dwiandika
(hand on chin, wearing cap) listens to a protest the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington before having verbal altercations with protestors about West Papua.
May 2017 Photo: RNZI/ Koroi Hawkins
Full report
A
series of violent incidences have been occurring In West Papua. A Jubi report
below on situation below
MURDER AND VIOLENCE, DOES
INSECURITY IN JAYAPURA IS BY DESIGNED?
Jayapura, Jubi –
Since March 30, 2017, a number of violence occurred in Jayapura City. Five
people died from these acts of violence. Since police have not been able to
stop this series of violent acts, it then raises a variety of rumors across
community in Jayapura City.
On April 30, 2017, a man named Andre Marweri was found dead in a
miserable condition at Buper Waena Square, Heram District. The victim suffered
a stab wound in the back to the neck.
Thursday, May 11, 2017 in the morning, a lecturer at the Faculty
of Economics, University of Cenderawasih named Dr. Suwandi was intercepted by
two strangers when he was about to return home to Buper Waena Street. The
perpetrator attacked the victim with a machete to death.
Full Jubi report a http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/murder-violence-insecurity-jayapura-designed/
Massacre
of 5 people in 24 hours – Under Indonesia, West Papua is becoming another East
Timor
24 May 2017
A statement has been written by ULMWP
Spokesperson Benny Wenda following the killings of West Papuan people in Port
Numbay/Jayapura this week.
Today the people of West Papua woke
up after a day of bloodshed and tears. In 24 hours at least 5 West Papuan
people were killed and others remain in critical condition, all
after having been attacked by Indonesian migrants backed by the Indonesian
authorities. Bodies of West Papuan people were found lying in the streets and
the sewers of Port Numbay/Jayapura after being hacked to death with machetes.
Full statement at https://www.freewestpapua.org/2017/05/24/3897/
News in brief
Police
officer shot in Lanny Jaya, Papua
2nd
May 2017
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Chief
Police Brigadier Awaluddin Elwakhan was shot by an armed civilian in Tiom,
Lanny Jaya District, Papua, on Monday.
The police officer was in a kiosk located in Tiom Market when an armed man shot him twice in the back of his head, Senior Commissioner Ahmad Kamal, spokesman of the Papua Provincial Police, noted here, Tuesday. The unidentified gunman fled towards Yiginoa after shooting the officer, he remarked. Elwakhan was injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
The police officer was in a kiosk located in Tiom Market when an armed man shot him twice in the back of his head, Senior Commissioner Ahmad Kamal, spokesman of the Papua Provincial Police, noted here, Tuesday. The unidentified gunman fled towards Yiginoa after shooting the officer, he remarked. Elwakhan was injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Jokowi
visits West Papua
The Indonesian President visited West Papua on the 9
May, the fifth time since he was elected President. He inspected various
development projects such as Mama-mama
Market in Jayapura City, the 47-km-long Wamena-Habema road project, the Integrated State Boundary Post in
Skouwand the construction of the 50-Megawatt (MW) feed gas-fired plant (PLTM G).
PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH PALM OIL COMPANIES IN
MUTING
Jubi May 31, 2017
Merauke, Jubi – People in Muting Village, Muting District,
Merauke Regency-Papua expressed their disappointment because of land clearing
for oil palm plantation, which is not consulted with local people as the owners
of communal land rights.This was revealed by the Head of Muting Village,
Roberthus Mahuze to Jubi, Monday (May 29). It said, when their first entry the
company promised to hire customary owners once it is operating. But in reality
only a few people are employed. “Frankly, we are very disappointed with
companies that promise to hire indigenous people. We can count by our fingers
of how many people work there, “said Mahuze without mentioning the name of the
company. According to him, the company
should not deny the agreement that has been made when the company plans to open
the land for the development of oil palm.
Asked for payment of compensation, Mahuze admitted there was no real compensation, only what it’s called “a concern” payment. It is in accordance to the company’s agreement with customary rights owners. It is expected that in the future the company will not ‘turn a blind eye’ to indigenous Papuans in Muting. Since they are the owners of customary rights and are obliged to be given the opportunity to work. Another resident, Yulius Gebze said similar thing. “Yes, there is lack of good attention from the company to the owners of customary rights. So there is a sense of dissatisfaction,” he said. “It is true that since the company entered for the first time, there has been an agreement for the customary rights owner to be involved. But during their operation
Vanuatu's
Sope speaks out in support of West Papua
RNZI 2 June
A former
Vanuatu prime minister, Barak Sope, says he is confident West Papua will become
independent from Indonesia. Mr Sope, who had been a long time supporter for
independence in East Timor, was speaking after being awarded the "Order of
Timor Leste" in the capital Dili, for his contribution to that country's
successful struggle for freedom. It is the
highest honour East Timor can bestow. Mr Sope has long been an advocate for West Papua and West Papuan
self determination. At the end of last year he was pushing for Vanuatu to
become a member of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation to
counter Indonesia's influence. Mr Sope said at the time Indonesia is only on
the committee to ensure the subject of self determination in West Papua is not
discussed
Indonesia rejects claims about ACP
meeting
RNZI 15 May 2017
Indonesia has disputed reports that this
month's African, Caribbean and Pacific meeting featured discussion about West
Papua.
The ACP Council of Ministers in Brussels reportedly
heard a joint statement on Papua from seven Pacific countries -
Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
Vanuatu government representatives Johnny
Koanapo (left) and Ralph Regenvanu (right) with Octo Mote, the
secretary-general of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, in the
middle, in Brussels, May 2017. Photo: Supplied
The statement condemned Indonesian human
rights violations in Papua and called for a resolution supporting the right of
West Papuan political self-determination. However, Indonesia's embassy in New
Zealand says the ACP agreed in April that the group would not cover the issue
of Papua in future meetings. It has rejected reported claims from a Vanuatu
minister that African and Caribbean countries support their push for a new
Papuan self-determination process. It said that in its response to Indonesia's
embassy in Brussels, the ACP Secretariat rejected reportage of the Pacific
statement, indicating the issue of Papua "did not feature" during the
meeting.
Vanuatu's government envoy Johnny Koanapo
was reported to have delivered the joint statement to the Council, warning that
"apartheid-like colonial rule" was wiping out West Papuans as a
people. Mr Koanapo has said that the discussion set up the likelihood of a
resolution on the full range of West Papua issues at the next ACP ministerial
council meeting, scheduled for November.
However the Indonesian embassy has
dismissed his statement. "The argument made by a Vanuatu politician that
African countries support self-determination in Papua is false," said the
embassy in a statement. "As close partners sharing common history and
future, Indonesia and Africa have long expressed solidarity and full support
towards each other's sovereignty."
According to the embassy, Indonesia enjoyed
excellent relations with Pacific countries.
"The overwhelming majority of Pacific
countries have no agenda to push for the separation of sovereign territories of
Indonesia," it said. "Calls to redraw the borders of Indonesia by a
few politicians in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and elsewhere, are simply crazy and
irrational talk. These absurdities are talks of desperate and vulnerable
political leaders clinging to stay in power." The embassy said significant
progress had been made by Indonesia in recent years in the areas of human
rights and development in the provinces of Papua.
It said this was witnessed directly by
several Pacific Islands' foreign ministers during their visit to
Indonesia in 2014.
(Note.Indonesia hosted this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 1-4 May).
INDONESIA DEPORTS JAPANESE TV CREW FOR ALLEGED IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS
Japan Times KYODO
JAKARTA – A six-member television crew from Japan was deported from
the easternmost Indonesian province of Papua on Thursday for immigration
violations, a local immigration official said.
Yopie Watimena, chief of the
immigration office in the provincial capital of Jayapura, said that one of the
six Japanese nationals entered Indonesia via Jakarta’s Sukarno-Hatta
international airport on May 1, while the rest entered the country on May 2. According
to Watimena, the six came to Papua to make a documentary film on the life of
native tribes in the province, but failed to obtain proper documents, including
journalist visas. “They had already made footage of the Mamuna and Korowai
tribes in a remote area in the southeastern part of Papua and were on the way
to the town of Wamena (in the mountainous regency of Jayawijaya) when we
arrested them,” the official said, adding that two Papuan tourist guides who
accompanied them were also detained before finally being released. Watimena
said that based on the information gained by the Papua Strategic Intelligence
Agency, the six Japanese nationals work for the Nagano Production House in
Japan. “They were deported to Japan today (Thursday) after having been
interrogated since Wednesday,” he said. There were no further details about the
six Japanese citizens.
Papua
remains restricted under Widodo; 72 cases of violence against journalists
19 May 2017
This statement was originally published
on aji.or.id on
3 May 2017.
Antara Foto/Wahyu Putro A/via REUTERS
Indonesian soldiers watch as workers and contractors from the PT Freeport mining company travel in a convoy
during a rally commemorating May Day in Timika, Papua province, 1 May 2017
Two cases of violence against
journalists in Papua in the past week highlight the empty promise of Press Law
protections in Indonesia's easternmost province, as well as the false hopes of
President Joko Widodo, who more than two years ago promised to open foreign
press access to the area. Censorship remains the norm in the province, where
many foreign journalists are still forbidden from entering. On May 1,
2017, police in Jayapura, Papua, assaulted Yance Wenda, a local journalist who
works for Jubi daily and tabloidjubi.com, while he was covering
the arrest of activists of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
Police arrested the KNPB activists, often labeled as a separatist group, during a May 1 rally (annually held to reject the integration of Papua into Indonesia which happened on May 1, 1963). Police beat Mr. Wenda with a rattan stick on the scene, then took his bag and forcibly detained him. Mr. Wenda suffered injuries to his eyes, head and back. Three days before that, on April 28, three television journalists from Metro TV, Jaya TVand TVRI experienced intimidation while covering a trial in Wamena District Court. An unknown group of visitors surrounded them, questioning them and forcing them to delete their footage of the trial. Police witnessed the entire incident but didn't intervene. Violence and intimidation against journalists remain facts of life in Papua. Government censors block news sites that are critical of the government, and foreign journalists are banned from traveling freely throughout the region.
Police arrested the KNPB activists, often labeled as a separatist group, during a May 1 rally (annually held to reject the integration of Papua into Indonesia which happened on May 1, 1963). Police beat Mr. Wenda with a rattan stick on the scene, then took his bag and forcibly detained him. Mr. Wenda suffered injuries to his eyes, head and back. Three days before that, on April 28, three television journalists from Metro TV, Jaya TVand TVRI experienced intimidation while covering a trial in Wamena District Court. An unknown group of visitors surrounded them, questioning them and forcing them to delete their footage of the trial. Police witnessed the entire incident but didn't intervene. Violence and intimidation against journalists remain facts of life in Papua. Government censors block news sites that are critical of the government, and foreign journalists are banned from traveling freely throughout the region.
Full statement at
Papua's massive Grasberg mine is hit by further strike action
RNZI 29 May
2017
Production has been hit at the massive Grasberg mine in
Indonesia's Papua province as more than 9,000 workers stage an extended strike. The mine's owner, Freeport McMoRan, also says a "large
number" of the absentee workers are deemed to have resigned. Meanwhile, the striking miners, angry at the American company's
decision to lay off thousands of workers, have agreed to extend their
industrial action for a second month. Freeport deems the strike illegal, and had followed through on a
threat to take disciplinary action against absenteeism, considering staff who
are absent for more than five days to have resigned. A Freeport spokesperson told Reuters it was trying to mitigate
the strike's effect on mining and milling rates, which it did not quantify, by
re-allocating resources and training additional workers. The strike was a further disruption for Freeport, which had lost
hundreds of millions of dollars in a protracted dispute with the Indonesian
government over new mining laws.
Copper concentrate exports had only resumed late last month,
when the strike began.
Strike impacts Freeport’s
Grasberg mine, workers 'resigned'
Reuters May 25, 2017 By Susan Taylor | TORONTO
Freeport McMoRan Inc said
on Thursday that mining and milling rates at its Grasberg copper mine in Papua,
Indonesia have been affected as some 9,000 workers stage an extended strike,
and a "large number" of approximately 4,000 absentee workers were
deemed to have resigned.
An estimated 9,000
workers have extended their strike for a second month at Grasberg, the world's
second-largest copper mine, in an ongoing dispute over employment terms and
layoffs, the union said on May 20.
Freeport is trying to
mitigate the impact on mining and milling rates, which were not quantified, by
re-allocating resources, training additional workers and supplementing its mill
throughput with available stockpiles, Kinneberg said. Freeport resumed copper
concentrate export shipments from Grasberg late last month after a 15-week
outage related to its dispute with the government and had planned to ramp up
production, which was cut by around two-thirds during the outage.
Filep Karma supports the Global Petition and Swim for West Papua
MAY 13, 2017
West Papua’s most famous ex-political prisoner, Filep Karma who was sentenced to 15 years in jail just for raising the West Papuan flag, has visited the Netherlands where alongside Free West Papua Campaign – Netherlands he has been raising awareness and support for West Papua’s freedom and self-determination. He also showed his support for the Global Petition for West Papua that will be taken to the United Nations by the “Swim for West Papua” team across Lake Geneva this August. Filep Karma was very excited to hear about Swim for West Papua, saying “We should join the Swim for West Papua. Why not? It’s our struggle.”
Filep Karma is the latest famous figure to personally support the Swim for West Papua and the Global Petition for an Interntionally Supervised Vote in West Papua. Other notable supporters include: Benny Wenda, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Benjamin Zepahniah, Nili Latu, Marcus Watts and Rev. Steve Chalke.
Have YOU Signed & Shared the Global Petition for West Papua? Sign & Share here
Have YOU Signed & Shared the Global Petition for West Papua? Sign & Share here
Opinion
pieces/press releases/reports etc.
Eating
Bacon and Eggs in Secret with the Leader of Free West Papua
Korindo should lose FSC
certification over deforestation, says NGO
BP UNDER PRESSURE OVER LNG INVESTMENT IN INDONESIAN ‘COLONY’ OF WEST
PAPUA
The
May 2017 issue of New Internationalist focused on West Papua. One of the manty
excellent articles
West Papuan voices from the ground
Photos -An Inner West Denim Fest To Free
West Papua at Marrickville Bowling Club.
Palm oil firm pledges to stop deforesting after RSPO freezes its
operations in Papua
When village development fails
INDONESIAN PRESS COUNCIL FAILS
TO CLASSIFIED PRESS FREEDOM IN WEST PAPUA AS A ‘DOMESTIC AFFAIR’
A Study Conference on West Papua Self Determination
was held in the Philippines (March
26-27, 2017,) Mergrande Ocean Resort,
Davao City)
1. Keynote
Address of Antonio Tujan Jr. http://iboninternational.org/article/2017/04/keynote-address-conference-self-determination-and-liberation-west-papua
2. Written
and video Message of Jose Maria Sision http://www.ilps.info/en/2017/03/26/the-people-of-irian-barat-must-be-free
3. Discussion
of Joanna Patricia K. Cariño on the Right to Self-Determination and
Liberation http://www.cpaphils.org/article21.html
AWPA’s last update
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