1) Papua priest puts life on the line to fight injustice

2) 21st MSG Leaders’ Summit set to go in PNG  

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https://international.la-croix.com/news/papua-priest-puts-life-on-the-line-to-fight-injustice/6923

1) Papua priest puts life on the line to fight injustice

Death threats don't deter Father Djonga from defending the poor or acting as a broker between the army and insurgents

Ryan Dagur, Jakarta Indonesia

February 12, 2018

Father John Djonga, a 59-year-old priest of Jayapura Diocese in Papua, is known for his bravery in speaking out on behalf of the underprivileged. (Photo by Ryan Dagur/ucanews.com)

Death threats, difficult terrain and police interrogations for suspected treason last year have not dented the spirit of Father John Djonga to render service in Indonesia's restive province of Papua. 

The 59-year-priest of Jayapura Diocese has more than 30 years of service in the region's remote areas, which are not only difficult to reach but also greatly impoverished despite the area being rich in natural resources.

Djonga arrived as a catechist in 1988 from his home on Flores, east of Komodo Island. Inspired by a shortage of priests in the area, he attended a seminary in Jayapura Diocese in 1990 and was ordained a priest in 2001.

Risky business

Performing religious duty in Papua is a risky business. The Christian-majority region has emerged as a conflict hot spot since it was annexed by Indonesia over 50 years ago.

A pro-independence group has stepped up its insurgent attacks in 

recent years, leaving a trail of casualties in its wake despite police reporting numerous arrests.

One report by the International Coalition for Papua found that arrests had quadrupled from 1,083 in 2015 to 5,361 in 2016, mostly during peaceful protests in support of the group.

Recent reports suggest the government's claims that human rights are improving in Papua are not accurate.

Djonga, who now serves as a parish priest at the Christ the King Church in Wamena, said he often runs into people who claim they have been persecuted by local security forces. Some report being tortured — and the priest is not afraid to demand soldiers be disciplined when they step out of line.

"I chose to be a priest not only for [believers] but also for pro-independence groups, most of whom hide in the forests," he told ucanews.com.

Few priests choose to fraternize with the insurgents, he said.

"They are also my flock and are in need of service regardless of their political affiliations," he said.

"I am close to them. I'm also close to the soldiers and to the police," he added. 

He said he hopes to help scale down the attacks by playing something of an intermediary role.

"Though military personnel or some pro-independence group are Muslims, when I talk about humanity there are no barriers between us," he said.

However, he admitted he receives death threats and other forms of intimidation on a regular, sometimes daily basis.

After complaining to the Papua governor in 2007 about how the military was using tactics to intimidate local people, he said he received a terrifying phone call from an unidentified military man.

"[He] told me I would be buried alive 700 meters deep," Father Djonga said.

"But I'm not scared as I know this is the risk attached to my ministry."

In 2016 he was questioned by the police for leading a prayer service attended by members of an alleged Papuan separatist group. He was later released without charge.

"I told the police that whether they are pro-Indonesian or if they want to be independent, I must serve them. That is my duty," he said.

Beyond the violence

Diet-related health risks and low levels of education are among other issues that plague the region, Father Djonga said.

Over 72 children in Asmat district, a remote area in the country's easternmost province, have died in recent months due to malnutrition while about 650 have contracted measles, said local district chief Elisa Kambu.

Medical and military teams were sent to the district in response and a state of emergency was declared on Jan. 15, according to media reports.

For Father Djonga, such stories of tragic deaths are nothing new.

Last year he was involved in an investigation with a group of volunteers to document the mass deaths of nearly 100 people in Yahukimo district. The deaths occurred over a period of months.

"Tragic deaths like this are an oft-repeated story here and yet we are not seeing any truly monumental effort to stop it," he said.

Infuriated by what he sees as the state's lackluster efforts, he went on a national TV station last month and criticized the government.

His comments on MetroTV sparked a fierce debate with a government minister who appeared on the same show.

"I told him my remarks are based on real experience. There are clinics in Papua but no nurses and medicines. How can the government promise it will improve the situation if it doesn't even consider basic problems like this?" he said.

He said children are being robbed of a decent standard of education by similar shortfalls that result in shortages of staff and resources.

"School buildings exist but there are no teachers, let alone books," he said.

"I have worked here for 30 years but there has been no significant change," he lamented.

An 'ideal shepherd'

Father Djonga said involving himself in social issues is part of answering God's calling.

"As a pastor I serve my flock with the sacraments. But that is a standard task. I also feel obliged to be directly involved with the everyday issues and problems they face," he said.

He urged greater church involvement in Papua given the huge challenges the people there now face.

"This is a field that needs liberation missions," he said.

He believes Jesus would have encouraged those of faith, and who are able, to get involved and help out in the troubled province, now deeply mired in social and political problems.

In recognition of his struggle, Father Djonga received the Yap Thiam Hien Award in 2009. He shared Indonesia's most prestigious human rights award that year with a Chinese lawyer who was a renowned activist.

His best friend, Rev. Benny Giay of the Synod of Christian Churches in Papua, said one of Father Djonga's strengths is his ability to mingle with people across the whole social spectrum.

"He is an ideal shepherd," Rev. Giay said. "He is a pastor who wants to drown in the swamps of people's suffering."

"He can also instruct people. He tells people: 'Let's get out of this situation,'" he said.

Theo Hesegem, chief of the Advocacy Network for Law Enforcement and Human Rights, said Father Djonga is not afraid to put his life at risk as he fights to improve people's lives.

"We work together a lot and his commitment is clear," he said.

"He is a great example of a pastor who wants to stand on the front line to fight for justice.”

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http://news.pngfacts.com/2018/02/21st-msg-leaders-summit-set-to-go-in-png.html

2) 21st MSG Leaders’ Summit set to go in PNG  

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor in Port Moresby,PNG 

Preparations are in earnest in Port Moresby to welcome Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders for their 21st biennial summit on Wednesday (14 February).

Senior officials from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS in New Caledonia met over the weekend ahead of the Leaders’ Summit to finalise issues to go before MSG Leaders for their decision.

The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on Saturday and Sunday will kick-start a series of meeting in the lead up to the 21st biennial session, which has the theme, “Strengthening Trade and Sustainable Development for an Inclusive Melanesia.”

Speaking to PACNEWS, MSG Secretariat Director General, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli said Senior Officials meeting discussed policies, work programme and budget for the coming two years.

“These policy issues will require the endorsement of Foreign Ministers as well as Leaders. On Sunday senior officials will discuss the 2018 Work Programme and Budget.

Today, Foreign Ministers will convene to endorse reports that will form the agenda of the Leaders meeting on Wednesday.

“We will be reporting to Leaders on the reform status of the Secretariat as mandated by the Governing Council in December 2016. Also a number of reports will be presented to the Leaders. These include the report on PNG’s 2017 National Elections, report on Arms Trade Treaty, report on the MSG inshore fisheries and an update on membership guidelines, said Ambassador Yauvoli.

He said the criteria for Observers and Associate Members and New Membership Guidelines will be tabled directly to the Leaders on Wednesday for their consideration.

“The decision for new membership is solely the prerogative of Leaders and will be discussed on Wednesday, said the MSG Director General.

A key event will be the traditional hand-over of the MSG chairmanship to the host country Papua New Guinea from Solomon Islands.

“A traditional handing over ceremony will be held on Tuesday evening at the Sir John Guise Stadium to mark the official hand-over of the MSG leadership between the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Rick Houenipwela to his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Peter O’Neill.

Ambassador Yauvoli is confident of a strong leadership from Papua New Guinea as it takes over the helm of the sub-regional organisation in the coming two years.

“The revamped Secretariat will need durable and innovative leadership and we are confident that Papua New Guinea will provide that as the Secretariat attempts to serve the needs of members in a most efficient and effective manner. We look forward to working with PNG in the next two years.

“We hope there will be growth in the organisation’s strength to deal with sensitive issues in the region, said Ambassador Yauvoli.

The MSG director general also acknowledged the strong leadership of the group by Solomon Islands and the former Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

“Hon Manasseh Sogavare’s strong and dedicated leadership took the MSG out of the difficult situation it was in to where it is now, said Ambassador Yauvoli.

The Port Moresby Leaders’ Summit will be the first for Solomon Islands Prime Minister, who came to power in November last year.

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai and his foreign affairs minister, Ralph Regenvanu will be in Port Moresby for the MSG Leaders’ Summit, while the FLNKS delegation will be led by Victor Tutugoro.

Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama will be represented by the country’s Defence and National Security Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.


SOURCE: PACNEWS

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