Thursday, November 30, 2017

3 Morning Star flag raisings in Sydney today 1 Dec.

Hi all
3 Flag raisings in Sydneytomorrow 1 dec

Indonesian consulate at at 7am

Inner West Council will raise the flag on Leichhardt and petersham town halls. Details below .
If people can get to any of the events that would be a great show of support for the West Papuan people.
Also in particular at Leichhardt as we have to ask them each year and they will continue to do so if some supporters show up. A great photo opportunity with flag.
If you know anybody who might be sble to attend please. Pass on.

-----
 Extran from council release 
You are invited to the raising of the pro-independence West Papua flag tomorrowFriday 1 December at 9.45am for 10am at Leichhardt Town Hall.

The Morning Star flag was first flown on December 1 1961. The flag represented the territory of West New Guinea from 1 December 1961 until 1 October 1962 when the territory came under administration of the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority
(UNTEA).

Indonesia took control over Papua with United Nations recognition in 1969.

Inner West Council will fly the Morning Star flag from two town halls (Petersham and Leichhardt) as a symbol of support for the West Papuan people

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Mining mire spreads in Indonesia

Mining mire spreads in Indonesia

While US mining giant Freeport McMoran's contract dispute has hogged headlines, smaller foreign miners are next in the government's nationalistic sights

------------------

ULMWP Unity


ULMWP Unity


ULMWP Unity

  •  
  •  

“In order to maintain this level of engagement I ask that the United Liberation Movement of West Papua ensure there is a strong coordination of all the international activities.
“I call for unity of resolve and action. Governments in the region are increasingly trying to pull together their political efforts to rally for justice in West Papua.
“NGOs and Churches are also working hard together to ensure our actions are coordinated. Therefore the ULMWP as an organisation must do likewise. It must work in unison. There should be no place for infighting between us Government and NGOs.”


Friday, November 24, 2017

1) Dance speaks loudly for an oppressed people


2) PAPUA CIVIL SOCIETY: MEDIA IS FRAMING THE HOSTAGE TAKING ISSUE
3) PAPUA SENATOR ACCUSED TNI/POLICE OF DOING PUBLIC DECEPTION
4) STUDENTS ASKED FREEPORT TO BE CLOSED

5) AII urged the investigation of the disappearance of Martinus Beanal in Tembagapura

-----------------------------------------


1) Dance speaks loudly for an oppressed people
STEPHEN FITZPATRICK The Australian 8:24PM November 24, 2017

Sam Roem, left, Airileke Ingram and Yosua Roem in Sydney ahead of the Homeground festival of First Nations culture at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: John Feder

Yosua Roem was just 12 in January 2006 when, with 42 other West Papuan asylum-seekers, he washed up on the shores of Cape York after four precarious days and nights at sea.
It triggered an uproar. Indonesia withdrew its ambassador, there was a bitter war of cartoonists, including The Australian’s Bill Leak drawing president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a dog mounting a hapless Papuan and saying “don’t take this the wrong way”. Jakarta demanded answers as visas were granted.
Roem and his older brother Sam knew nothing of these ructions; they did, however, know how to dance. So dance they did, including eventually studying with acclaimed ex-Bangarra performer and choreographer Albert David.
“You can imagine, we had no English but we’ve always gone for music and dance. That’s how we express ourselves,” Roem said. “Now we are connected with the original (people) here, the owners of the land, and our traditional dance and music are similar; it’s been our journey of understanding how we’re all connected.”
So connected, in fact, that this weekend they will perform at the Sydney Opera House in a performance titled Sorong Samarai, with David, ARIA-nominated Papua New Guinean producer Airileke Ingram, West Papuan activist Ronny Kareni and others.
The show takes its name from the two population extremities of the island where a disputed border separates a Melanesian people seeking to be united.
Ingram, who grew up with both Australian and Papuan culture, admits that until the arrival of the 43 shone a spotlight on Indonesian oppression in its half of the island — an estimated 10,000 West Papuan refugees live uncertain lives in Papua New Guinea — he had little idea of the problem.
He credits that moment, however, with bringing about his “awakening” and from there it was a short step away from the largely “cultural” music he had always performed to a more overt political stance. Ingram cites the 1984 murder of West Papuan musician Arnold Ap by Indonesian special forces Kopassus soldiers as an example why.
So connected, in fact, that this weekend they will perform at the Sydney Opera House in a performance titled Sorong Samarai, with David, ARIA-nominated Papua New Guinean producer Airileke Ingram, West Papuan activist Ronny Kareni and others.
The show takes its name from the two population extremities of the island where a disputed border separates a Melanesian people seeking to be united.
Ingram, who grew up with both Australian and Papuan culture, admits that until the arrival of the 43 shone a spotlight on Indonesian oppression in its half of the island — an estimated 10,000 West Papuan refugees live uncertain lives in Papua New Guinea — he had little idea of the problem.
He credits that moment, however, with bringing about his “awakening” and from there it was a short step away from the largely “cultural” music he had always performed to a more overt political stance. Ingram cites the 1984 murder of West Papuan musician Arnold Ap by Indonesian special forces Kopassus soldiers as an example why.

“I can do what I do in a free country; inside West Papua, you’ll be killed (for it),” he said.
Sorong Samarai features the rebel Morning Star flag, banned in West Papua, and draws in hip-hop, log drumming from Manus Island and urban West Papuan dance.
It’s part of the annual Homeground festival of First Nations culture, which will also host a regrouped Yothu Yindi, the Yolngu band whose international hit Treaty will reset the gaze on the Referendum Council’s recent report on indigenous constitutional recognition and Malcolm Turnbull’s dismissal of it.
“I believe having a treaty in this country would be for Australia to treat us differently ... because they would respect an indigenous perspective, not just a coloniser’s perspective,” Ingram said yesterday.
----------------------------------------
Homeground  25 - 26 NOV 
FREE ALL WEEKEND    SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FORECOURT
This November, Homeground returns bigger and better than ever featuring the very best First Nations artists from Australia and around the world. Join us to celebrate the power of contemporary artists and ancient customs in this free two-day festival packed with live music, dance, workshops, markets and more. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------


2) PAPUA CIVIL SOCIETY: MEDIA IS FRAMING THE HOSTAGE TAKING ISSUE
AdminNov 24, 2017



From left to right, Latifah Anum Siregar, Yuliana Langowuyo and Wirya Supriadi – Jubi/Roy Ratumakin

Jayapura, Jubi – In October 2017 there has been a series of shootings in Banti, Kimbeli and Utikini villages located around PT Freeport Indonesia area.
The series of shootings to the evacuation of communities in the three villages, according to Civil Society Coalition for Papua’s law enforcement and human rights, consisting of 25 Civil Society Organizations, is happening through scenarios played by the powerful.
Latifah Anum Siregar, Director of the Democratic Alliance for Papua (AIDP) said many people asked the real reasons behind evacuation of people from three villages while the area is their ancestral land.
“The issue of hostage-taking was carried out by the mass media after receiving information from the police, while there was actually no such thing as hostage-taking. The issue of hostage-taking had actually led the indigenous people who have customary rights in the area to come out with the drama of evacuation,” she said in on Wednesday during a press conference (November 22) at AlDP Office, Jayapura.
Anum added, the constellation in Tembagapura became the main topic in the coverage of several mass media both local and national. News about what happened around the mining area Pt. Freeport Indonesia is massive. Unfortunately, it was not accompanied by compliance with Law 40 regarding the press and journalist code of ethics.
“Who said there was a hostage? The use of a hostage phrase by the mass media has unwittingly caused a negative impact to Papuan indigenous students studying in several cities of study in Indonesia. The students were bullied by the local people for news with the hostage phrase” she said.
In the same occasion, Director of Secretariat of Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation (SKPKC) of Franciscan Papuan, Yuliana Langowuyo added that if there was any hostage it would always be followed by a demand.
For example, the case of Woyla aircraft hostage taking place in 1981 in Thailand demanded that fellow detainees held in custody post Cicendo events in Bandung, West Java, to be released.
“Well the case in Tembagapura what is the demand from the hostage taker reported by the mass media? The media should have verified any data obtained in the field, whether it was from the police, TNI, arms groups or community, to make it balanced and accountable,” he said.
It was proofed by the people in Banti who had been interviewed by one of the international media that said they are not in a hostage situation. They are free to move as usual, but if they intend to leave the village, their security cannot be guaranteed by the group accused of being a hostage taker.
“Police also disagree, such as Mimika Resort Police who rejected to use ‘hostage taking’ phrase in calling the situations in Banti and Kimbeli villages and prefer to use ‘isolated’ phrases, while top-level police continue to use hostage phrases and continue to dominate the news on the conflict in Timika. Who is controlled the media? ” she said.
To that end, Wirya Supriyadi of the Papuan People’s Network (Jerat) hopes that the mass media or national press should not become an institution that is only a tool to justify the statement of certain parties but rather to fulfill the people’s right to get true information, to uphold the basic values ​​of democracy, and to promote the supremacy of the law.
“Their roles are to conduct monitoring, critic, correction and suggestions on the matters relating to public interest and fighting for justice and truth. We also urge the security forces in this case the TNI and POLRI to stop disseminating information without clear evidence and facts related to violent and armed conflict that occurred in Tembagapura,” he said.
Wirya added, in addition he also hopes journalists, mass media and the national press to run the principle of independence of the press responsibly, especially to verify any information received.
“PT Freeport Indonesia must also immediately explain what has really happened in the villages of Banti, Kimbeli, Utikini, and surrounding areas because the villages are located in the mining area of ​​PT Freeport of which is located in the concession area of ​​the company and required a special identity to get into that location. How come the illegal immigrant community makes their livelihood in the areas? Who gives permission? This is a big question that should be explained by the company, ” he said. (tabloidjubi.com/Zely)

———————————————

3) PAPUA SENATOR ACCUSED TNI/POLICE OF DOING PUBLIC DECEPTION

Makassar, Jubi – A member of Papua Regional Representative Council (DPD-RI) from Papua, Yanes Murib, accused TNI and Police of making public deceived of the situation in Tembagapura, Timika to all Indonesian people.
“Media propaganda is overdoing it, as if the people in Banti and surrounding areas are in a critical or emergency situation,” said Yanes Murib to Jubi, Monday (November 20).
He asserted that the alleged hostage taking by TPN-OPM in Kampung Banti and surrounding areas is not true. He called the information as a propaganda that brings into conflict.
“It should be informed to the public that conditions on the ground are not as reported by the national media and the local media are all propaganda,” Yanes added.
Yanes also challenged accusation that said the TPN-OPM take hostage, raped, and killed. According to him it was impossible, while there are wives of them among the community, or son, family and relatives tribe. He questioned the purpose and interests of the country to make false news to the people of Indonesia.
He considered the TPN-OPM is clearly against only TNI/POLRI and not ordinary. “Their demands clearly define their own political rights,” said Yanes.
As a member of DPD RI he asked the state to stop doing public deception and propaganda of local and national media, and do not harm Papuan community.
Meanwhile, Legislator Papua, Laurenzus Kadepa said he wanted evidence of hostage taking against residents in Kampung Banti and Kimbeli, Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency, Papua.
“We want evidence, such as videotapes showing residents in Banti and Kimbeli actually being held hostage, and what the demands of those who declare themselves as TPN and OPM on this issue,” Kadepa said.(tabloidjubi.com/Zely)
———————————————————

4) STUDENTS ASKED FREEPORT TO BE CLOSED
 
                                                 Students from People United Front (FPR) – IST

Jayapura, Jubi– People’s Union Front (FPR) requested for PT Freeport in Tembagapura, Timika to be closed. The request is to restore the rights and sovereignty of the people of Papua and prevent prolonged humanitarian conflict in the land of Papua.
“We consider the Government of Indonesia had failed to guarantee the wellbeing of Papuan people,” said Coordinator of the People’s Union Front (FPR), Samuel Womsiwor, Wednesday (November 21).
The uncertainty of livelihood and the future of Indonesian people is in questioned, thus it impacts the mobilization of Indonesian migrants to the land of Papua that is uncontrolled. “This is a problem that creates conflict in Papua,” add Samuel.
Samuel also mentioned the exodus of 344 non-Papuans who live in Banti and Kimbeli Villages in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency who turn out to be illegal immigrants in the region Tembagapura. It is caused, he said by the mistake of Indonesia’s state to grant power to own natural resources to PT Freeport up to 50 years.
“The profits had no significant impact for the people of Papua as the owner of Amungsa earth,” Samuel explained. It had produces waste, destruction of forest into mining land and has damage the social fabric of society.
The President of Cendrawasih University Executive Council, Paskalis Boma, requested that the country provide access to international journalists and media, for the sake of conflict objectivity in Tembagapura. “We ask the TNI and Polri to respect the journalistic code of ethics,” Paskalis said.
It aims for the sake of the balanced information developed in Tembagapura Freeport – Timika to be visible to the world without any cover-up.(tabloidjubi.com/Zely)
------------------------------------------
A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at


5) AII urged the investigation of the disappearance of Martinus Beanal in Tembagapura
Jumat, 24 November 2017 — 17:32

Papua No. 1 News Portal | Jubi



Residents who were evacuated by security forces to Mimika City due to armed conflict in Utikini, Kimbele and Banti - Jubi / Benny


Jayapura, Jubi - Amnesty International Indonesia (AII), urged the Indonesian National Police to investigate the loss of Martinus Beanal, a worker of PT Pangan Sari Utama (PSU), a partner company of PT Freeport since November 7, 2017.

"Amnesty International Indonesia is concerned about the possibility of Martinus Beanal being a victim of enforced disappearance, and asking the authorities to seek immediate presence," Amman International Executive Director Usman Hamid told Jubi on Friday (24/11/2017).

According to Usman, Martinus Beanal disappeared as the escalation of security problems in the Tembagapura, Mimika, Papua region escalated and there was a maze of information related to the loss of Martinus Beana, as well as the security situation in the region.

"The authorities should not issue conflicting information before the conclusion of an in-depth investigation, we urge the police to look for the presence of Martinus Beanal," he said.

Usman added that the problematic security situation in the area of ​​Mimika Regency, has swallowed a number of victims in recent months.

"This armed conflict is certainly not free from the interests of the parties to the conflict, but feared this conflict extends to civilians," he added.

Police earlier said Martinus Beanal was kidnapped by the Armed Kriminal Group (KKB) in Tembagapura. Then, in the news media, police said Martinus Baenal was found dead and his body was buried family.

However, the information was denied by the victim's family. The victim's family claimed to have found no traces of Martinus until this story was written.

"Until today, we have not seen our sister's body," said Kristina Beanal, the younger brother of Martinus who accompanied Deborah Wanmang, wife of Martinus, on Monday (13/11/2017) via telephone to Jubi.

Kristina and Debora along with several mothers from Banti have gone to the Mimika Resort Police to question the whereabouts of Martinus Beanal. But both have not been clarified about the condition of Martinus.

Just to note, AII noted there was one person Brimob Brigadier Berry Pratama died and seven people injured since the shooting of August 2017 in Tembagapura region, Mimika. (*)
---------------------------

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Chronology of violence by Brimob officers working in PT Permata Putera Mandiri’s concession towards indigenous customary landowners in South Sorong

https://awasmifee.potager.org/?p=1577


Chronology of violence by Brimob officers working in PT Permata Putera Mandiri’s concession towards indigenous customary landowners in South Sorong

Information has emerged that the conflict between indigenous people in Puragi village, South Sorong, and PT Permata Putera Mandiri, a subsidiary of the Austindo Nusantara Jaya Group, has resulted in a string of aggressions from police mobile brigade (Brimob) officers working  for the company in recent months, since it recommenced deforestation on the disputed land. In the most serious incident, on 23rd October,  a man was savagely beaten by three Brimob guards for trying to defend his land. Yayasan Pusaka and the Iwaro Student Network (IPPMI) recently went to the area to investigate  – here’s the report they compiled.
Starting in September and continuing until now, seven clans who hold customary rights to land in Puragi village, Metamani sub-district, South Sorong Regency, Papua Barat province, have staged a “customary law blockade” to stop work and establish limits to the areas oil palm plantation company PT Permata Putera Mandiri (PT PPM) can clear, around places known as Ureko and Nyono. The seven clans are: (1) Gue, (2) Atoare, (3) Mengge, (4) Bumere, (5) Kawaine, (6) Oropae 1, (7) Oropae 2.
The reason for the blockade was that since the initial land clearance and planting, up to and including the more recent ongoing clearance of land which started in September 2017, the company has not carried out its obligation to hold a decision-making meeting with the community to reach an agreement about the status of the land, and compensation for any ways they have been disadvantaged or lost sources of livelihood, including forest products and food sources. The company has also not openly discussed with them empowerment programmes concerned with economic, social and cultural rights.
The company has ignored customary laws and community demands and continues to clear and destroy the forest. Sometimes a contractor says they will take up the issue or meet the community’s demands, but this has yet to occur. 
This has led to an increasing level of tension between the community and the company, which makes use of police mobile brigade to guard its concession. These Brimob guards have been involved in acts of violence and intimidation and have made threats of beatings, arrests and other forms of aggression.
The following is a chronology of the aggressions suffered by members of clans from Puragi village, who have faced threats and violence in the course of their blockade actions:

Violence towards Nataniel Oropae

In early October 2017, Nataniel Oropae (the Puragi Village Head), who owns land and sago groves in the area PT PPM is cultivating, went to the office of the contractor (RPU) at its camp in Kapiremi grove, at the three kilometer post, accompanied by seven other customary landowners from Puragi, Sorong and Teminabuan (South Sorong).
Their intention was to demand that the company pay for the loss of land and forest products that it had destroyed, cleared or damaged, whether in the past, or during the current clearance work.
As they arrived in RPU’s camp it was raining, and so Nataniel took shelter beside the security outpost. Nataniel started talking to a Brimob officer who came outside to look for something. “What are you looking for?”, Nataniel asked.
The officer turned around and approached Nataniel, angry and threatening without reason, and then, wanting to punch him, placed his fist against Nataniel’s forehead. “Don’t hit me”, Nataniel pleaded.
In the end the officer didn’t strike him and asked Nataniel “are you drunk?”, for no clear reason. This incident made Nataniel feel afraid and degraded.
In the community’s dialogue with the company (at which officers guarding the company were present), the company said that lost or damaged forest products would not be paid for. In accordance with Papua Barat Gubernatorial Regulation number 5 (?), only timber of diameter 30 cm and up would be paid for, while rattan, sago, resin and so on would not be compensated. Disappointed, the community continued the blockade.

Violence towards Arnold Bumere and Edison Oropae

Arnold Bumere owns land around the Kapiremi grove, which has been cleared by PT PPM without first holding a decision-making meeting involving the wider community and customary landowners. Arnold protested and erected a bar to mark a customary law prohibition on clearing forest and sago groves on his clan’s land.
In early October 2017, he suffered violence and intimidation at the Jamarema log compound.
Edison Oropae, a customary landowner of the Ureko grove, who has also used customary law to deny the company access to his land and sago groves, had a similar experience. Brimob guards stationed at the company’s camp were verbally aggressive towards Edison, intimidating him and threatening him with acts of violence.

Violence towards Yan Ever Mengge, also known as Bowake.

On 23rd October 2017, Yan Ever Mengge, also known as Bowake, met a company worker who was clearing land and forest around the Kapiremi grove. Bowake asked him about whether the community’s demands to be paid compensation for the land and forest products they had lost would be met. The company had promised that this would take place on the 22nd October 2017. However, Bowake and other clans had received no response to their demands by that date.
Bowake therefore put in place a customary law blockade around Kapiremi grove and asked the worker to stop clearing the area. Bowake removed the keys of the worker’s motorbike and the excavator, and departed, leaving the worker behind.
Brimob officers came to the area of the blockade and asked who had done it. Then they went to look for Bowake in their vehicle. Driving at top speed, the car pursued Bowake, trying to run him down, but he was able to jump to the side of the road to avoid it. The officers opened the left-hand door of the car violently, slamming it into Bowake’s body.
Three Brimob officers ganged up on Bowake, striking him and torturing him until he fell to the ground. They used their rifle butts to strike him around his neck, back, waist and knees, Wearing jackboots, they kicked him in his stomach, sides and chest.
“Brimob said, ‘We’re going to kill you here, today’. They were kicking me like I was a football” Yan Ever Mengge said. The Brimob guards also threatened that they would bury him alive.
Some local passersby witnessed the incident from a distance, but were not able to help. They just shouted out, asking for mercy, and for Brimob to halt their ferocious attack.
Bowake was soaked in blood, his whole body covered with bruises and he was unable to walk. He was lifted up and put in the vehicle that the Brimob officers were driving. When they got out of the car in the camp, the Brimob officers continued to kick him until he collapsed. He was brought to the company’s camp and looked after there for several days. He was still in pain and didn’t heal, his backbone and back were hurting, he had difficulty sleeping and often vomited blood.

Bowake’s medical condition and a settlement for the violence.

A company worker called Crist took Bowake to the hospital in Teminabuan. According to Bowake, when they were in the longboat traveling from Puragi village to Teminabuan, company staff sent a message to Crist that Bowake shouldn’t report this violent incident to his family in Teminabuan.
The Mengee family in Teminabuan city did subsequently find out about the problems that Bowake had experienced, however, as Bowake spoke out about the violence and pain which he had suffered to members of his extended family.
The family and three village heads, from Puragi, Tawanggire and Bedare, met and decided to demand a settlement for the violence towards Bowake, plus the cost of his medical treatment, and a resolution of the issue of indigenous people’s land rights in the area. 
On 5th November 2017, the Mengee family from Teminabuan and Puragi went to the company’s camp and asked them to come to Puragi village to discuss a settlement, but the company were opposed to this, they wanted to reach the settlement in the company offices. Discussions continued until midnight. Bowake’s family demanded the payment of a penalty under customary law for the beatings and tortures carried out by the three police officers, which would come to 150 million Rupiah. The calculation of the penalty was based on 50 million Rupiah for each of the three perpetrators, but the company bargained the sum down to 50 million Rupiah.
The company produced an official note that it would pay the costs of treatment and a 50 million Rupiah penalty for the beating, and that the matter would then be considered settled. The penalty money would be sent to the family in Teminabuan within the next week. However, this has still not taken place and Bowake has no medicine. He has only been using traditional medicine until now.
The family intends to reject the contents of this note because it was signed in a rush in the middle of the night by family representatives Max Mengge and Cristina Mengge Tesia (represented by Dorce Mengge), and Ashari, on behalf of the company. They feel that the family is disadvantaged by the agreement, for example because it means that the case is considered closed and also because the company didn’t stick to the agreed time limit to pay the family.
Sources:
Victims Yan Ever Mengge and Nataniel Oropae (Head of Puragi village)
Victim’s family members: Christina Mengge, Dorce Mengge, Christina Mengge, Bram. 
Compiled by Franky Samperante and Simon Soren
Sorong, 19 November 2017

This entry was posted in Around West Papua and tagged  . Bookmark the permalink. Comments are closed, but you can leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

-------------------------

1) West Papua Summit

2) EDITORIAL: Not so happy 'Otsus’ Day

3) Understanding the root problem in Papua and its solution
---------------------------------------------------


http://dailypost.vu/news/west-papua-summit/article_4a8c79db-2567-5588-85f6-332b48a15a00.html


1) West Papua Summit
  •  

                   Left to right: John Tekwie, Benny Wenda and Rex Rumakiek
                                       By Len Garae

An expected total of 50 West Papuan Leaders from West Papua and beyond and supporters of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, are going to take part in a walk from Saralana Park to the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs Nakamal this morning, to launch the first West Papua Leaders’ Summit after the first Committee was elected in 2014.
The West Papua United Liberation Movement was formed three years ago in the Chiefs Nakamal.
Following the launch, the Leaders’ Summit is expected to go for a week ending with a flag raising ceremony on December 1.
Asked if coming to Port Vila to attend the Summit is safe, London-based Global Campaigner Benny Wenda replies, “It is not safe but it is the price towards our West Papua struggle for freedom”.
On what it feels like inside knowing that the imminent gathering is preparing to pioneer the way forward to tomorrow, he replies, “For me Port Vila is becoming our home — our shelter because the Government and people are always welcoming us here. We can travel round the world but we are always welcome here in Vanuatu as well as in the Solomon Islands”.
Wenda is confident that the parade today is plotting new history for West Papua’s destiny and sending a message to the world that Vanuatu and its people are committed all the way to make sure that West Papua gains its independence.
Rex Rumakiek, now over 80 years old, still remembers the small beginnings with the initial message delivered by Father Walter Lini (deceased) in his address to the people of East Ambae at Longana People’s Centre on what was then called Aoba in 1983.
“Father Lini reminded the people of the young country that despite the country’s lack of resources but that at the end of the day, everybody had to pray for God’s divine guidance to sustain the people of West Papua to be able to achieve self-determination from Indonesia,” he recalls.
John Tekwie is the former governor of Sandaun Province in Papua New Guinea on the northern border with West Papua.
He is the representative of West Papua in the Pacific.
“I want to thank the Vanuatu Government and its people for being the front runner for West Papua.
“Let me say that the politics of West Papua in PNG is all confused politics.
“The leaders do not really know what to do.
“Do they give their support to our brothers and sisters in West Papua first or do they entertain Indonesia’s political interests?” he says with dilemma.
But he confirms the people of PNG are very supportive of the struggle of the people of West Papua.
There is no problem at all.
“I am talking of politics and let’s leave that to the politicians and let’s move on, to this new part of the final process,” he explains.
“I say the final process because this meeting is critical to finalise the election of the new executives involving a final structure of new political status of the organisation, bringing it to the next level.
“For me I want to see a structure where we now have a government in exile. We cannot be forever campaigning and being advocates of independence forever.
“We have to make a statement, take a definitive and resolute position and move to the next level.
“You see. I’ve been a governor for Sandaun Province on the border for ten years. I understand politics. I am the border man on the corridor between Papua New Guinea and West Papua and am a Vanimo man right on the border.”
He feels the gesture made by the Vanuatu Government and its people to the people of West Papua is a very important thing.
“It is a historic event and we have seen the document and we are waiting for the Prime Minister to announce it when he is ready,” he concludes.
The Public Relations Officer of the Office of the Prime Minister cannot be reached for comment.

----------------------------------------------

http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2017/11/24/editorial-not-so-happy-otsus-day.html

2) EDITORIAL: Not so happy 'Otsus' Day


EDITORIAL The Jakarta Post
Jakarta | Fri, November 24, 2017 | 08:10 am

Celebrations are moments of joy to commemorate milestones in a person’s life, or a nation. Today, Papuans have a new commemoration: “Otsus Day,” or Papua Special Autonomy Day, as declared this week by Governor Lukas Enembe.
Some residents grumbled for not being notified that Nov. 21 was an official holiday. But others may be forgiven for wondering what there was to celebrate. Maybe the blessing in disguise is that the commemoration of the 16-year-old law brings to mind the pile of work that is progressing too slowly to catch up with numerous shouts of unaddressed grievances.
The 2001 Special Autonomy Law brought much hope to the nation and to the people of what is now Papua and West Papua; hope that they could be trusted to run their own government with the Papuan People’s Council representing customary groups, diverse faiths and women. The central government under then-president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid had hoped that a special autonomy, following the symbolic name change from Irian Jaya of the Soeharto era to Papua, would help tone down cries for independence following unresolved human rights violations and continued poverty despite Papua’s rich natural resources, including the world’s largest gold mine.
Since the granting of its special autonomy, Papua has received Otsus funds reaching almost Rp 60 trillion (US$ 4.4 billion) — yet natural-resources rich Papua and West Papua remain provinces with the lowest Human Development Index.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has stood out among his predecessors for showing more attention to Papuans. He pardoned political prisoners and is accelerating infrastructure development in the province. But efforts at winning over the hearts and minds of Papuans remain paltry to what is being ignored.
Among others, a special team set up last year to address major human rights violations has yet to announce any progress. Among the reasons law enforcers cite as hurdles in investigations are the refusal of families to exhume the bodies of victims for autopsies, such as those killed in the December 2014 shooting of civilians, including teenagers.
Papuan civilians have come to perceive that as Indonesia’s minority of non-Muslim Melanesians, they are valid targets as suspected supporters of the independence movement, while losing out to migrants economically.
Though Papua does not host a battlefield as in the war between the government and Aceh rebels in the past, Papuans are often subject to an insecure life with lowlevel eruptions of violence with unclear actors — the worst involving the recently reported hostage taking of 1,300 people in Mimika regency near PT Freeport Indonesia’s mine. That a separatist group claimed responsibility has not helped bring clarity over the incident as independent verification by media is restricted.
Papuans are not the only ones complaining about corruption and suspected rigging in local elections.
But addressing the wide corruption loopholes and repeated flaws in Papua’s local elections — including a glaring discrepancy between registered voters and population data, as cited again in the latest report of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict — are just a few of many urgent corrections, if indeed Papuans are considered equal to other citizens.



------------------------------------

3) Understanding the root problem in Papua and its solution
November 22, 2017 9.50pm AEDT
 
In early November, police reported 1,300 people were “being held as hostages” by a “group of armed criminals” in the villages near Tembagapura, Papua, a district that holds one of the largest gold and copper mines in the world, owned by Freeport Mc-Moran, the US mining company.
The media followed with reports that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) had rescued around 300 non-Papuans. However, the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB), a local political group which supports Papuans’ right to self-determination, said the news about the hostage was not true
The news prompted public speculation on the alleged hostage perpetrators, their motives, and the conflict of interest taking place in the event. Speculations abound about the source of the heightened tension starting from ideological reasons of attacks against nationalism, political reasons related to the pro-independence movement, to pragmatic reasons related to security business for the companies there, which implicates many actors.
The reaction from the public is partly due to Papua’s history. Since the 1970s, in Papua, there has been a pro-independence movement which requested for another referendum. The result of Act of Free Choice (Pepera) referendum in 1969 which was attended by 1,022 government-chosen Papuan delegations, authorised Papua as part of Indonesia. However, there are many Papua’s pro-independence who feel that Pepera was conducted under the military pressure.

The roots of Papua conflict
Deciding on the best strategy to overcome security problems in Papua by ending violent acts from anyone by any motives is a difficult task.
The Papua Road Map book published by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences in 2009 has elaborated on the roots of Papua conflict:
marginalisation, discrimination, including the lack of recognition of Papua’s contribution and service to Indonesia,
the lack of social infrastructure development in Papua, especially education, health, economic empowerment, and the low level access to participation for native Papuans,
unfinished process in political economic, and socio-cultural integration, 
the widespread political violence that has never been addressed, 
unresolved human rights violation, especially the Wasior, Wamena, and Paniai cases.

Don’t rush into military operation
Events in Tembagapura may point to a relationship between the business and security sector in Papua, which involves various actors who tend to use each other. A company like Freeport often spends special funds to make sure that their operations are safe, sometimes by asking protection from TNI and Polri.
The Tembagapura (Banti and Kimbeli) “hostage” case is still unclear, but it is possible that it was not only driven by economic motives such as competition between local miners, but also political motives involving the Free Papua Movement (OPM). 

The police has reported that the “hostage” is related to competition or tailing areas between migrants and native Papuans. If this is true, then the police should deal with this using law enforcement approach. 
However, if the soldiers of the Free Papua Movement were responsible for the hostage taking as claimed by the military, then it is the domain of the Indonesian military
The strategy to ensure security in Papua should be carefully thought out due to this mix between political and economic interests in Papua. 
Using a state perspective, Tembagapura case should be thoroughly managed to restore stability and security. However, if the government goes overboard in restoring security via a military operation, Indonesia will be deemed inconsistent in its commitment to Papua’s development, especially if the security is ensured at the expense of human rights principles. 
The dynamics in Papua is closely related to political interests. The conflicting interests between the government and people of Papua have created a deep sense of distrust between the two. 
This distrust between the government and people of Papua intensifies one-sided claim either by Indonesian nationalists or pro-independence activists. It manifests in, for example, pro-independence activists claim that Papua is “a colony of Indonesia” and reversely the stigmatisation of Papuans as separatists by nationalists. 
Human rights activists and some Papuans often paint government efforts to improve the conditions in Papua as a way to marginalise local people. The government and investors have been criticised for grabbing customary land of Papuans
On the other side, Indonesian nationalist that oppose to Papuan self determination rights often see native Papuans’ genuine discontent as an indication of resistance towards the government, and proof that they wish to separate. 
Nonmilitary approach to Papua’s security

What should the government do to ensure security and stability in Papua? 
First, there’s no need to overreact. The Tembagapura case is likely to be driven by pragmatic interests of the parties involved. 

Second, the government should balance their state security approach with human security. The safety and well-being of the people that are not directly involved in the conflict must be a priority irrespective of ethnicity and race between migrants or indigenous people. 

Third, the government should build paths for dialogue and negotiation towards reconciliation in the long term. Gradually or simultaneously there should be a space for dialogue to prevent growing distrust between migrants and indigenous Papuans and between authorities and the public. 

On August 15th, 2017, President Joko Widodo, religious and tribe leaders as well as Papuan human rights activists met at the presidential palaceJakarta. After the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Politics, Legal, and Security, the president’s chief of staff and the coordinator of Papua Peace Network were appointed as the persons in charge to prepare dialogues on human rights and security issues in Papua. 
Fourth, the local governments, must be proactive and work together with the police to restore security in the region. 
Fifth, the three pillars of Papua (the local governments, Papua legislative bodies, and the Papuan People Council should work together to improve prosperity and welfare of all Papuans. 
Dialogue is still relevant and urgent
Even though there is no “new” approach to create peace in Papua and that there are differing views over the urgency of dialogue, it does not mean that dialogue is no longer relevant for Papua. 
The most important thing to ensure the success of the dialogue process is to start with a common ground to create a more democratic and prosperous Papua. This is not only to retain Indonesia’s territorial integrity, but moreover to appreciate and respect Papuan dignity within the diversity of Indonesian people.
 
This article was originally published in Indonesian
-------------------------------