Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Summary of events in West Papua for March -10 April 2018
Clashes near Freeport
On Sunday the 1st April a solider and one
TPN member were killed in a clash between security forces and the TPN in Banti village, Mimika. The clash resulted in a security
sweep of the area by members of the Indonesian Military's (TNI)
Cendrawasih Military Command XVII . The military said that before the
clash the armed group had set fire to a hospital in Utikini and an
elementary and junior high school building near resident’s houses that were
also burned.
Hendrik Wanmang, commander of the TPN group
admitted that rebels had earlier burned down a hospital and a school in
the area. He said the hospital was owned by Freeport but did not help Papuans
while the school was used by Indonesia to indoctrinate young Papuans.
"We have never and will not burn
villagers' houses," he said. "We also strongly deny the TNI’s
statement saying that they have managed to free the villages previously
held hostage by us. It is not true, since those villages were our villages, our
own homeland.” Hendrik said indigenous Papuan villagers, mostly women and
children, fled into the jungle after Indonesian soldiers set fire to their
homes. "Their condition is now safe in the jungle with us although they
only eat whatever they find in the forest," he said. http://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article207776884.html
Jubi reported (6 April) that
The Coordinator of Justice and Peace of KINGMI
Church for Puncak Jaya Region, the Rev. Deserius Adii S.Th, said one of its
congregation was shot dead while three others were injured in Sinai Opitawak,
Kampung Banti, Tembagapura sub-district. He said the incident happened when the
Indonesian Military and Police joint force pursued the members of the Papua
Liberation Army in Banti village, Tembagapura on Wednesday (4/4/2018). He
further explained that at the time, the congregations of Sinai Church in
Opitawak have gathered in the yard. They raised the red-and-white flags and
their hands to indicate that they were not part of the insurgents, but the
troop acted brutally. “They raised
their hands but the joint force came and tortured the people, and Timotius got
shot,” he said. He further
said the body of the victim, who was a civil servant of Tembagapura
sub-district, was buried at 12 p.m. The villagers have moved to the forest to
avoid the joint force that takes a control over the village. In regards to this incident, Adiie urged
the Indonesian security force and the Papua Liberation Army to find a war zone.
Do not open the fire in the people’s settlement, moreover in the church area.
“We hope they do not enter the civilian area, our congregations’ area.
Civilians cannot be the scapegoat,” he said.
However, the
Indonesian Military stated the victim Omabak was a member of the separatist
group. As quoted by Antara News Agency, the Indonesian Military estimated three
insurgents died during a firefight, two was dead during on Sunday evening,
whiled, one died in a firefight occurred on Wednesday morning at around 10:15
pm, in the area around Opitawak Village. The name of the last victim was
Timothy Omabak. “During the
first gunfire, we knew about the victims from the picture taken from the drone,
and we found the body of an insurgent who identified as Timothy Omabak in the
location,” said the Head of Information of the Military Command XVII /
Cenderawasih, Colonel Inf. Muhammad Aidi in Timika. (*)
And from
the The
Jakarta Post April 5) ,
The recent clash between Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and a
local armed group at the Sinai Opitawak Church in Tembagapura, Papua, has
forced hundreds of villagers into hiding in nearby forests. One person was
killed while three parishioners were injured in the violence.
Sinai Opitawak Church reverend Deserius
Adii said Timotius, along with other parishioners, had been standing on the
church's front porch when the shooting happened.
Arrests in Jayapura
On Wednesday the 4th April at
least 44 people were taken into custody at the University of Cenderawasih
campus in Jayapura during a raid, which the National Committee for West Papua
(KNPB) described as an attempt to distract attention from fatal clashes elsewhere
in the region.
Dozens of students and activists have been
detained by Indonesian security forces at a West Papua university. It
comes amid fatal shootouts in the region and the release of a high-profile
activist from prison. More than 40 people were taken into custody at the
University of Cenderawasih campus in Jayapura on Wednesday morning, according
to the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB), and were still being
questioned on Wednesday afternoon. The university is considered one of West
Papua’s top institutions and has a history of student activism and violent
clashes with Indonesian authorities.
Gustaf Kawer, who is part of the Association of Human Rights Lawyers for Papua, told Guardian Australia three women and 41 men had been detained and taken to mobile police (Brimob) facilities where his team was able to meet with them, and then transferred to police headquarters in Jayapura. “No formal charges have yet been issued. Usually in cases like this they use the ‘makar’ provision of the law for rebellion – a broad allegation the state can make,” Kawar said through a translator………..
The Guardian reported (7th
April) that on Friday the 6th April, Indonesian authorities said 42 people had been
released. “Three are still under
examination,” the spokesman for the Indonesian embassy in Australia, Sade
Bimantara, said.
The KNPB chairman, Victor Yeimo, said
his organisation was not responsible for the unsourced “propaganda” about a
proposed event. He suggested the raid – which he claimed
involved Indonesian police, Brimob, military and intelligence agencies – was to
shift attention from armed clashes near Timika in which at least two people
died.
The Central Leadership of the West Papua
National Committee (KNPB), also denied having circulated leaflets inviting the
people of Papua to be involved in the preparation of a Declaration Committee
for the creation of a West Papuan state. This outright denial was made by Ones
Suhuniap, Secretary of the KNPB. “The appeals or leaflets that were spread on
social media and further distributed in the communities did not officially come
from the Central Leadership of KNPB”, Suhuniap told a number of journalists, at
the Waena Expos Complex in Jayapura, on Tuesday (3/4/2018). Suhuniap said his
organization was not involved in the formation of any such a “declaration
committee”. He also stated that the group calling itself the “Preparatory
Committee for the State of the West Papuan Republic” which will hold its
declaration on 5 April 2018, was not part of the organization he leads.“I
reiterate that no single component of the Papuan independence struggle has set
up such a preparatory committee for a West Papuan state,” Suhuniap said. (Jubi
4th April).
From Jubi 6th April
Jubi reported (6th
April) that 400 personnel of the Papua Police, Mobile Brigade and Jayapura Military
Command 1701 were mobilised to raid rent flats in Perumnas III, Waena, Jayapura
Municipality, Papua on Wednesday (4/ 4/2018).
Jayapura Municipality Police Chief the
Adjunct Senior Police Commissionaire Gustav Urbinas said their primary goal was
in response to leaflets disseminated by the KNPB committee for the preparation
of independence of the West Papua Republic, which was planned to be held at
Camp Wolker area on Thursday (5/4/2018), as well as to develop some cases of
vehicles theft in Jayapura,” said Urbinas in his office on Wednesday (4/4) /
2018).
The joint force raided the four units of
rent flats and managed to secure 35 motorcycles, 130 laptops either in a
complete or dismantled condition that were allegedly stolen goods. In addition,
Urninas said the joint force found two active ammunitions for long barrel gun
and two empty bullets. They also found that a room in a rented flat has been
occupied as a secretariat of a group against the Unitary State of the Republic
of Indonesia. Then the police seized a morning star flag and organisation flag,
banners and other attributes in this room.
The KNPB Chairman Victor Yeimo told Jubi
that the security forces did not only arrest a number of people, including
their activists but also destroyed the door of the KNBP secretariats and a
number of items. The police also took some computers to their offices. Several
rooms in the secretariat were also raided.
Melanesian Spearhead Group
Wale
slams politicians
Solomon Star 12
March 2018
Member of
Parliament (MP) for Aoke-Langalanga Mathew Wale has lashed out at the country’s
Parliamentarians who have bowed down to Fiji’s economic interests when the issue
of West Papua was brought up at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meetings.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Wale said Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela was
wrong to have apologised in the recent MSG leaders meeting in Port Moresby last
month because this only shows that Solomon Islands is weak and will therefore
continue to allow Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to always ride over Solomon
Islands at the regional meeting. Wale, who sits at
the Independence Bench in Parliament, said the Solomon Islands must stand firm
on its position on West Papua and not to apologise at the regional level
because this only shows the country is weak. He was speaking on the session
where the question on the apology by the Prime Minister Houenipwela in the
recent MSG meeting was raised……
Letting
Indonesia join MSG was a mistake - academic
RNZI 16 March 2018
A Solomon Islands
academic says the leaders of Melanesian Spearhead Group member states made a
mistake in granting Indonesia associate member status in the group. The five
full members of the MSG are Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
and the FLNKS Kanaks Movement of New Caledonia. Tarcisius
Kabutaulaka's comments come as another rift surfaces within the sub-regional
group this time between the leaders of Fiji and Solomon Islands over the
Indonesia issue. The latest spat began with comments from Solomon Islands
deputy prime minister Manasseh Sogavare saying Fiji should not have forced other
countries to accept Indonesia……………..
Indonesia
not in MSG to undermine West Papua freedom push
RNZI 21 March 2018
A war of words between Fiji and Solomon
Islands has broken out over Indonesia's admission, as an associate member, to
the sub-regional group in 2015. The Solomon Islands deputy prime minister
Manasseh Sogavare accused Fiji of forcing other MSG countries to accept
Indonesia.
But Fiji's defence minister Ratu Inoke
Kubuabola has said this is not true.
A Solomon Islands' academic Tarcisius
Kabutaulaka said letting Indonesia in was a mistake because it's openly trying
to undermine the United Liberation Movement for West Papua which applied to
join the MSG as a full member. But an Indonesia's embassy spokesman in
Australia Sade Bimantara said this is not why Indonesia joined the MSG……………………………
In a RNZI report (23 March 2018 ), Fiji's Opposition
Social Democratic Liberal Party said it is deeply disturbed about allegations
that the Fiji First Government acted forcibly to have Indonesia admitted as an
associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. In a statement
today, the shadow minister of foreign affairs and defence Mosese Bulitavu has
urged other Melanesian countries to stay true to the decolonisation vision of
the MSG..........
Does Indonesia belong in the Melanesian
Spearhead Group?
Indonesia's
place in the Melanesian Spearhead Group has come under scrutiny from regional
leaders and experts after allegations were made by Solomon Islands' deputy
prime minister Manasseh Sogavare earlier this month that Fiji pressured other
countries to accept Jakarta's bid to join the sub-regional group. The
leaders of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and the FLNKS
indigenous New Caledonian pro-independence group granted Indonesia its
associate member status in 2015. But as Koroi Hawkins reports while Indonesia
has secured itself a seat at the table it does not mean it is being welcomed
across Melanesia.
In a RNZI
report (28 March 2018), Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister
said rumblings over
Indonesia being part of the MSG will cool down
PNG's Rimbink Pato
said as the current MSG chair holder, his country will work to maintain
Melanesian unity. Speaking in New Zealand, Mr Pato said it is typical of
Melanesian peoples to have their differences. "But there's a time to party
together and get together and shake hands and move forward," he said. "So
I think those rumblings will come to an end.”
ULMWP raises West
Papua’s right to self-determination in Dutch Parliament
April 5, 2018 – The
Hague
On 5th April 2018, The
United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) EU Mission organized a
conference on West Papua’s right to self-determination. It was an historic day.
The public hearing
held in the Dutch parliament
Prior to the
conference, the Dutch Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs officially
welcomed the ULMWP to discuss West Papua’s right to self-determination in a
public hearing. It was a significant milestone. ULMWP Chairman, Mr. Benny Wenda
proposed a follow up on Prof. Drooglever’s research on the conduct of “Act of
Free Choice” and invited the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs to
visit West Papua. ULMWP’s proposal and invitation was welcomed and will be
considered. It was a fruitful meeting….
The Indonesian president visited
Sydney for, The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit from the 17-18 March. Local civil society
organisations raised concerns about the human rights abuses being committed in
a number of the ASEAN countries including Burma and Cambodia. A final communiqué from the summit noted a resolve to protect
the human rights of our peoples, but failed to condemn, in particular Myanmar's
treatment of the Muslim-minority Rohingya.
AWPA releases at
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/media-release-pm-turnbull-should-raise.html and http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/media-release-no-real-condemnation-of.html
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/media-release-pm-turnbull-should-raise.html and http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/media-release-no-real-condemnation-of.html
Jowiki continued on to New Zealand to be greeted by protestors calling for
West Papuan independence when he arrived at New Zealand's parliament.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/352869/small-west-papua-protest-during-jokowi-visit-to-nz-parliament
https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/352869/small-west-papua-protest-during-jokowi-visit-to-nz-parliament
West
Papua Action Auckland wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urging
her to raise human rights and the “suffering of the people” of Indonesian-ruled
West Papua when she met with President Widodo
Palm Sunday Rally
The theme of the Palm Sunday rally was
again for refugees.
There was a large show of solidarity at the Sydney Rally including West Papuan supporters
wearing many hats. The rally started at Belmore Park and marched along Broadway
to Victoria park. Photos at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/photos-palm-sunday-rally-sydney.html
Freeport
has cost $13 billion losses in environmental damage, says BPK
Jakarta Post | Tue,
March 20, 2018
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) has said that ecological damage
resulting from PT Freeport Indonesia's (PTFI) mining operations in Papua had caused
Rp 185 trillion (US$12.95 billion) in state losses. “Based on the calculations
of experts at IPB [the Bogor Institute of Agriculture], the environmental
damage caused by Freeport’s mining waste reached Rp 185 trillion,” BPK
commissioner Rizal Djalil said in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com. He
added that the mining company dumped its waste into forests, rivers and
estuaries. Rizal said the BPK had received data on the
scale of the damage from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space
(Lapan). He added that Freeport Indonesia also utilized 4,536 hectares of
protected forest for their operations in direct violation of Law No.
19/2004 on Forestry. “It has been 333 days since we issued the report, but it
has not been followed up,” said Rizal, adding that the BPK had recommended
sanctions for the company to the Environment and Forestry Ministry and the
Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. Meanwhile, Freeport Indonesia spokesman
Riza Pratama said the company had followed up on two BPK reports on
violating the license on the use of protected forests and its
environmental impact. Riza said the ministry had imposed administrative
sanctions on Freeport in October 2017 for violating the terms
of the environment permit. (bbn)
Freeport faces threat from armed gangs of
criminal: Police
Reporter: SYSTEM 27th
March 2018
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Papua Police Chief Ins.Gen. Boy Rafli
said there are still armed gangs of criminals seeking to create trouble for US
mining company PT Freeport Indonesia. Freeport, which has large copper and gold
mine in Tembagapura, Papua, is still facing threat to security in mining operation,
Boy said here on Monday. He said the existence of the armed criminals is also a
threat to the security officers including police and the military personnel in
Papua. The armed groups, police called armed gangs of criminals, are believed
to be separatists hiding in the mountain jungle of Papua sporadically launching
attacks on patrolling security officers. Boy said the criminals had caused also
trouble for the people such as when they attacked and set fire on a hospital in
the village of Banti recently. Boy said despite the growing intensity of
attacks, he did not think Papua needs additional police personnel to help
improve security in the region.
However, he did not rule out additional personnel if the situation is worse, saying,"We still study the situation, and it is not impossible that we would need additional personnel if the situation is worse. He said the the Banti hospital has ceased operation after the attacked around five months earlier as all paramedics have not returned from evacuation. Only native people dare to stay in the village of Banti, away from police station, he said. He said police have difficulty to reach that village as the unpaved road was badly damaged. The armed criminals apparently dug big holes in the road to hamper mobility of both the villagers and patrolling police, he said. "If police tried to use the road they would be an easy target like a sitting duck for snipers hiding behind the jungle trees," he said. The nearest police station to Banti is at Utikini Lama around one kilometer away, he said. (AS/a014) (T.SYS/B/H-ASG/A014) Editor: Heru Purwanto
However, he did not rule out additional personnel if the situation is worse, saying,"We still study the situation, and it is not impossible that we would need additional personnel if the situation is worse. He said the the Banti hospital has ceased operation after the attacked around five months earlier as all paramedics have not returned from evacuation. Only native people dare to stay in the village of Banti, away from police station, he said. He said police have difficulty to reach that village as the unpaved road was badly damaged. The armed criminals apparently dug big holes in the road to hamper mobility of both the villagers and patrolling police, he said. "If police tried to use the road they would be an easy target like a sitting duck for snipers hiding behind the jungle trees," he said. The nearest police station to Banti is at Utikini Lama around one kilometer away, he said. (AS/a014) (T.SYS/B/H-ASG/A014) Editor: Heru Purwanto
Demo at Freeport
office in Jakarta calls for self-determination for West Papua
Papuan protesters
outside the offices of PT Freeport Indonesia in South Jakarta last Thursday.
Image: Tirto.id
By Tony Firman in Jakarta
Calls for West Papuan self-determination
were prominent during a demonstration in front of the offices of PT Freeport
Indonesia in the Kuningan area of South Jakarta at the start of Easter.
The action was held by about 70 protesters
from the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and the Indonesian People’s Front for
West Papua (FRI-WP) who held the demonstration last Thursday to demand the
closure of the Freeport copper and gold mine in Papua. FRI-WP spokesperson Surya Anta said that
the international community must take a position on the forced incorporation of
West Papua into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). “Since May 1, 1963, until now, West Papua
was removed from the Dutch decolonisation list without the West Papuan people’s
knowledge,” said Anta. Surya also accused Freeport of being an
entry point for the colonisation of West Papua on the grounds that the first
work contract between Freeport and Indonesia was signed in 1967. Meanwhile, the Act of Free Choice (Pepera)
which resulted in the incorporation of West Papua into the Indonesia was held
in 1969. Anta said that the Pepera was manipulated
and undemocratic.
No prosperity or peace
Dorlince Iyowau, a resident of the mining town of Timika who took
part in the action, added that Freeport’s presence in Papua had not brought
prosperity or peace to the West Papuan people.
“Violence against the people and damage to
the environment by waste tailings discarded into the Ajkwa River is a concrete
form of Freeport’s colonial presence”, said Iyowau. In a media release received by Tirto, the
FRI-WP and the AMP made nine demands, three of which were:
the closure of PT Freeport, the withdrawal of the TNI (Indonesian
military) and Polri (National
Police) from Papua, and self-determination for the people of Papua The media release also stated that based on
a report by the Papuan Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (Elsham)
in 2002, numerous cases of violence had been committed by security forces in
Papua.The report noted that thousands of people
had died, scores had disappeared and hundreds more had been arrested and
tortured.
In addition to this, it also noted places
of worship that had been burnt down, villages and other locations that had been
destroyed, many of which have yet to be properly documented.
The demonstrators began leaving the
Freeport offices at around 3.15 pm. Similar actions are planned to take place
simultaneously next Saturday in several different cities, including Yogyakarta
and Semarang (Central Java), Bandung (West Java), Surabaya and Malang (East
Java), Makassar (South Sulawesi), Palu (Central Sulawesi), Ternate
(North
Maluku) and Papua itself.
Tony Firman is a reporter for Tirto news website in Indonesia. Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News
Service. The original title of the article was “Demo di Kantor
Freeport Juga Serukan Penentuan Nasib West Papua“.
Papuan political prisoner freed
A member of the pro-independence West
Papua National Committee has been freed from prison having completed his jail
term. Yanto Awerkion was given a ten-month sentence for treason by an
Indonesian court. Mr Awerkion was arrested in May 2017 in Timika because of his
involvement with a petition calling for West Papuan independence from
Indonesia. After 17 court appearances,
trial delays and over nine months in jail, the political prisoner was sentenced
mid last month. With time already served, Mr Awerkion was due to be released by
the end of the month. Mr Awerkion had been facing a potential 15-year sentence,
the maximum in Indonesia for treason. (RNZI 4 April 2018)
EDITORIAL:
Defuse Sentani tension
The Jakarta Post Thu, March 22, 2018
The Christian-majority township showed
signs of religious tension last week after the Jayapura Churches Association
gave the regency administration until the end of the month to have the minaret
of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is under construction, shortened to the average height
of churches in the area. In a petition filed with the local government on March
15, they threatened to take their own action unless the authorities met their
demands.
Apparently, the mosque project is only a
symptom of simmering conflict between mostly Christian indigenous people and
generally better off and more skilled Muslim migrants. In their letter, church
leaders also conveyed the complaint that the Muslim community had built the
mosque without prior consultation with their neighbors — a mandatory procedure
under a joint ministerial decree on construction of places of worship. They
also expressed disappointment that their long-standing objections to the
blaring call to prayer, the adzan, from mosque loudspeakers have gone unheeded.
Any sign of sectarian conflict in restive Papua, especially, should be handled
swiftly yet carefully because of its extremely high sensitivity. The minaret
row is only the latest in a string of conflicts fueled by complex social,
economic and political problems in the resource-rich territory long beset by
secessionist issues.
The influx of migrants that started in 1974
under the state-sponsored transmigration program, and which continues as
individual migration, has helped the local economy. But their rising numbers
coupled with heavy military presence have caused fear among indigenous people
that they are being “colonized”, outnumbered and their culture is being
threatened.
That is why in Papua any religiously or
ethnically charged conflict has immense incendiary potential. The present
ripples recall the ramifications of the 2015 Muslim-Christian clash in
Tolikara, southern Papua in which an indigenous resident was allegedly shot
dead by police. It triggered retaliatory attacks on churches in Java and
exacerbated Papuans’ distrust of the police, whom they suspected of pandering
to the migrants. Christian and Muslim leaders in both Jakarta and Papua should
refrain from issuing provocative statements that will only inflame the already
tense situation. Influential religious organizations like the Indonesian Ulema
Council, Nahdlatul Ulama, the Indonesian Communion of Churches and the
government should work hand-inhand in finding a peaceful settlement. We hope
that the government and religious leaders will soon be able to resolve the
brewing conflict amicably. If not, the tension could escalate and provide
grounds for militants from both religious groups to take the law into their own
hands. The police, notoriously trigger-happy when handling rowdy crowds in
Papua, should be particularly careful so as not repeat the mistakes of
Tolikara.
The Mysterious Death of a Papuan Child
HRW. Andreas Harsono
Indonesia Researcher March 27, 2018
Indonesian Authorities Should Investigate
Conflicting Accounts
There are multiple
accounts of how Rico Ayomi, a 17-year-old student, died in
Sorong, in Indonesia’s West Papua province, after 24 hours in police detention.
Police initially said Ayomi was found
unconscious near an empty bottle of 70-percent alcohol when they detained him
at midnight on March 11, indicating that his death 27 hours later was due to “alcohol
poisoning.” But Simon Soren, a relative of Ayomi’s,
told Human Rights Watch that when police returned Ayomi to his family 24 hours
after they detained him, he was unconscious and had injuries including “bruises
on his left cheek, left shoulder, a bleeding nose and a broken jaw.” Ayomi
never regained consciousness and died three hours later. Soren said
eyewitnesses told him that a mob had assaulted Ayomi on the evening of March
11, accusing him of theft.
On March 21, Sorong’s deputy police chief,
Chandra Ismawanto, told Human Rights Watch that the police assessment of
“alcohol poisoning” as the cause of Ayomi’s death was “controversial” and that
police now suspected Ayomi died from a combination of excessive alcohol
consumption and a mob beating. He
declined to say whether police were investigating. Ismawanto said the results
of an autopsy would be available last week, but neither we nor the family have
been able to get the results.
Questions about police conduct in Ayomi’s
case don’t end there. Ismawanto confirmed that police waited 23 hours after
they detained Ayomi to take him to a hospital, attributing the delay to slow
official approval. He said police noted Ayomi’s failure to regain consciousness
while in detention as “strange,” but that a doctor at the hospital certified
that he was “healthy.”
The circumstances of Ayomi’s death demand a
prompt, thorough and impartial investigation. But that is unlikely to happen. Indonesian
authorities rarely
investigate security forces implicated in the deaths of
Papuans. In cases in which investigations do occur, police found culpable in
unlawful killings invariably face administrative
wrist-slaps rather than criminal prosecution.
Until there is political will in Jakarta to
meaningfully investigate and prosecute the killings of Papuans by security
forces or unidentified attackers, the lives of Papuans such as Rico Ayomi will
remain at risk.
Bloody
Paniai” settlement is a key to public trust
Jubi. admin26 March 2018
Jayapura,
Jubi – Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, should think of a settlement of
“Bloody Paniai” case, which happened in 2014 as a key to win a public trust if
he wants to run in the next election. The families of victims are still waiting
for Jokowi’s promise to solve this case. “If Joko Widodo wants to run in the
presidential election 2019, he must settle the case of bloody Paniai as he
promised,” said Yohan You, a brother of the death Alpius Yau, recently. He voiced the same opinion to Amnesty
International team who recorded the database of the families of the death,
survivors, community and customary leaders as well as religious leaders in
Paniai last week. “If not, we will boycott him. It’s our commitment and his
capacity as the head of state in doubt.” The Campaign Manager of the Amnesty
International in Indonesia, Puri Kencana Putri said the bloody Paniai case is
the only entrance of other violence happened in Paniai. “This data is collected
and compiled for being launched in 150 countries. In Papua, we choose three
regions.” (*) Reporter: Abeth You Editor: Pipit Maizier
Infrastructures to
improve Asmat`s quality of life
Antara News
Reporter: Bayu Prasetyo 22nd
March 2018
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The
willingness of Indonesian government to develop a number of border, outermost
and remote areas in the country is implemented through building basic
infrastructure needs to improve the quality of life of the local people. Current
issues of development challenges that should be tackled immediately by the
government in Papua are malnutrition and measles that have affected children of
Asmat tribe. It is not about the viral issues, nor building image of the
Indonesian government. The most important issue is the development of humanity
and equity to the people in Papua.The adequate infrastructures are considered to be one of the key development in rural areas to upgrade the locals` living quality. The Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, said during his visit to Asmat District of Papua on March 15, 2018 that the availability of accessible clean water is an essential requirement to improve the environment quality of Asmat District.
The Ministry has the matrix data of the development activities in Asmat District for short to middle terms, such as clean water channel, sanitation, bridges, access road improvement, and houses repairmen, as well as new developed residential complex. "Most of the region is swamp area. We need to treat the water to make it drinkable. We already have a water reservoir of 1.000 m3. We still need more water, thus we will construct 9 more reservoirs with bigger capacities. Besides, we will also build artesian wells," said Minister.
The people in Asmat District has utilized an artesian well. The ministry will build five more wells with 150-200 meters of depths measured at Rp6 billions of budget. The drilling equipment has been assembled and ready to be shipped in a whole package. The visit of Hadimuljono to Asmat District was held by the order of President Joko Widodo, who has asked for the update of the problems in the remote area. The President is scheduled to visit Asmat when the project was started. Additionally, the Asmat Head District, Elisa Kambu, explained the extraordinary incidents of measles and malnutrition in Asmat have been resolved. He expressed his gratitude towards the President for his attention, particularly in the sustainable development of basic needs infrastructure such as clean water, sanitation, waste management, transportation, and houses. "By better infrastructure availability, I hope no more extraordinary incidents occurred in Asmat," he said.
When visiting the Asmat community, Hadimuljono asked the people to pay more attention to the waste management by not throwing gargabes under the stage houses and put them in the particular place to avoid polluting beaches. The waste can be managed by implementing 3R system which are consist of "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" to make more healthy environment. In order to support the cleaner living management, the drinking water piping system will be also developed by the government and Non-Governmental Organization. The City of Agats in Asmat district already has a Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) with 10 liters/Sec capacity to provide 230 houses which would be optimized in 2018. Other SPAMs will also be built in Atsy and Sawaerma Sub-districts, which have the capacities of 5 liters/Sec with the operating expense budget around Rp2 billion and Agats city`s SPAM for 10 liters/Sec with Rp5 billion of budget.
Besides, an additional 24 units of SPAM with 1 liter/Sec capacity will be built with an estimated operating budget around Rp39, 7 billion through the Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Based on Community activity or "Pamsimas". The Non-Government Organization, National Amil Zakat Board or "Baznas", shared their attention along with the government by constructing the drinking water installation development for Asmat people. The installation of the drinking water sterilization of Baznas has been built in An-Nur Mosque in Agats Sub-District of Asmat District and was officially operated. The Distribution Director of Baznas, Mohd Nasir Tajang, said the installation system was funded by the institution and donors.
As an initial stage, a water installation will also be constructed in Asmat Regional Hospital for the community with a cheaper payment system and "barter" program that exhange the waste of drinking water plastic bottles.
Editor: Heru Purwanto The agency hopes Agats Sub-district can be more
beautiful, clean and healthier. The lack of access to clean water has caused
many diseases like diarrhea, as well as skin iritating as problems. The issues
also triggered the recent extraordinary incidents of measles and malnutrition
in Asmat District. In all this time, people of Asmat have to buy bottled
mineral water for their daily need of clean water for cooking in a higher
price. After visiting Kaye Village, Basuki crossed the river to view the
construction site of 114 units of special houses that have been built since
2016 at a cost of Rp19.9 billion located in villages of Amanamkai and Syuru, of
Agats Sub-district.
The government in 2018 plans to build 100 units of houses in four villages such as 34 units in Priend Village of Fayid Sub-district, 33 units in Ass Village and Atat Village of Pulau Tiga Sub-District, and 33 units in Warkai Village of Betsbamu Sub-district. The government will also repair houses that are not suitable for habitation by a program of 1,000 self-help houses.
To support the daily activity of Asmat people, the government will also build four suspension bridges with a budget of Rp46 billion located in Baru Syuru Village of Agats Sub-district (72 meters of length), Yerfum Village of Der Koumor Sub-district (84 meters of length), Hainam Village of Kasuari Beach Sub-district (120 meters of length), and Sawaerma Village (150 meters of length). The construction of infrastructures such as water sterilization, waste management system, adequate houses and bridges is hoped to improve the life quality of people and eliminate the malnutrition cases in Asmat. (T.B019/B/KR-BSR/B012) Editor: Heru Purwanto
The government in 2018 plans to build 100 units of houses in four villages such as 34 units in Priend Village of Fayid Sub-district, 33 units in Ass Village and Atat Village of Pulau Tiga Sub-District, and 33 units in Warkai Village of Betsbamu Sub-district. The government will also repair houses that are not suitable for habitation by a program of 1,000 self-help houses.
To support the daily activity of Asmat people, the government will also build four suspension bridges with a budget of Rp46 billion located in Baru Syuru Village of Agats Sub-district (72 meters of length), Yerfum Village of Der Koumor Sub-district (84 meters of length), Hainam Village of Kasuari Beach Sub-district (120 meters of length), and Sawaerma Village (150 meters of length). The construction of infrastructures such as water sterilization, waste management system, adequate houses and bridges is hoped to improve the life quality of people and eliminate the malnutrition cases in Asmat. (T.B019/B/KR-BSR/B012) Editor: Heru Purwanto
Eight
months sentences for military culprit the fishermen shooter: It’s not fair,
Father John Jonga said
Jubi admin 26 March 2018
In addition, Jonga said, this verdict
signified that the Military Tribunal is very unfair. His self-defense reason
when firing a gun cannot be an excuse. “If he said he did it for self-defense,
what for?”
A human right attorney Gustaf Kawer, in the
press release received by Jubi on Wednesday (21/3/2018), said considering the
legal process to the verdict, it assumed that law enforcement officers who
involved in this trial already had a ‘design’ to protect the defendant. Firstly,
from the process of investigation to the trial, all were handed over to the
court for about six months. It is considered to violate the principle of a fast
and low-cost trial. “Secondly, this case was not conducted at the scene or in
Timika. It should be conducted in the location nearby to the victims’ families
in order to guarantee a sense of justice as well as to facilitate the presence
of victims to witness in the court. So the trial is supposed to be done in
Timika,” said Kawer. (*)
Reporter: Arjuna Pademme Editor: Pipit Maizier
Reporter: Arjuna Pademme Editor: Pipit Maizier
Papuans detained over PNG quake victim
relief collection
RNZI 9
April 2018
Indonesian
police have denied claims that they arrested a group of people in Papua
province for a public action to collect funds for victims of Papua New Guinea's
recent earthquake
Jayapura
municipal police chief Gustav Robby Urbinas said that five Papuans were secured
and taken to the police station after being found to have not gained a permit
for their public collection. Suara Papua reports that the group were detained
by police last Thursday after collecting relief donations at a main street
junction in Abepura for victims of February's 7.5 magnitude quake in PNG.
Police
Superintendent Urbinas said the men were not arrested, and suggested they were
intoxicated and posed a threat to public disorder.
However,
on Saturday, eleven more people were arrested and held briefly for public
collecting of funds for the PNG relief cause. The group, West Papua Solidarity
for Earthquake Disaster, told RNZ Pacific it had already submitted to both municipal
and regional police written notification they would be collecting in March and
April. According to the group's chief, Kris Dogopia, the collection was purely
aimed at assisting quake victims in a neighbouring country with fellow
Melanesian people. He said the collection had no link with politics, and nor
did it pose a security threat as police suggested. "They thought that we
had disturbed the security in Indonesia, they talked like that to us," Mr
Dogopia said.
"And
we said we not disturb your security in Indonesia, but we do a solidarity for
our brothers and sisters in PNG." He explained that some of the group's
cash collection had been confiscated and not returned. "They take our
money... the policemen take it. Today I and my friend, we will go to the
policemen's office to ask them our money, where they take it." Kris
Dogopia said the amount of collection money which was confiscated was small,
but added that his group wanted to help PNG people in a time of need.
Government to continue building road along
PNG border in Papua
Reporter: SYSTEM 18th March
2018
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government will
continue building a road along the border between the country and Papua New
Guinea in Papua, a cabinet minister has said. Until the end of 2017, around 891
kilometers of the total length of 1,098 kilometers were already completed,
Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono. "In 2019, all border
roads between Merauke in the south and Jayapura in the north would be
connected," Basuki said in a news release received here on Saturday. Basuki
issued the statement on his way to inspect the condition of a 424 kilometer
part of road between Merauke and Boven Digul. The condition of road, which
largely unpaved, is relatively good although there are around 58 kilometers
need repairs. The Minister said he would send a special team from Jakarta to
speed up work for the road repair.
He said the border road had given concrete results for the border people.
"Normally in the past, it took weeks to cover the distance, but now it needs only 8 hours and when the condition is better it would take only 6 hours," he said.
District Head of Boven Digul Benediktus Tambonot, who accompanied the minister in the inspection said the condition of the road between Merauke and Bouven Digul had improved gradually. "I thank the government for the serious attention that in three to four months the repairs would be finished," Benediktus said. He said the road has greatly facilitated transport of goods and people and the impact is a decline in the prices of goods needed by the people in interior areas. Previously when the roads were badly damaged and were not yet connected the prices were high , but now the prices of essential goods, building materials are much cheaper, he said. The repair of the road between Merauke-Boven Digul were difficult because of the swamp area and soft soil. It needs much of land filling. (AS) (T.SYS/B/H-ASG/F001) Editor: Heru Purwanto
He said the border road had given concrete results for the border people.
"Normally in the past, it took weeks to cover the distance, but now it needs only 8 hours and when the condition is better it would take only 6 hours," he said.
District Head of Boven Digul Benediktus Tambonot, who accompanied the minister in the inspection said the condition of the road between Merauke and Bouven Digul had improved gradually. "I thank the government for the serious attention that in three to four months the repairs would be finished," Benediktus said. He said the road has greatly facilitated transport of goods and people and the impact is a decline in the prices of goods needed by the people in interior areas. Previously when the roads were badly damaged and were not yet connected the prices were high , but now the prices of essential goods, building materials are much cheaper, he said. The repair of the road between Merauke-Boven Digul were difficult because of the swamp area and soft soil. It needs much of land filling. (AS) (T.SYS/B/H-ASG/F001) Editor: Heru Purwanto
Opinion pieces/press releases/reports etc.
Korindo still
clearing forests in timber concession after being outed for fires in Indonesian
palm oil plantations
http://www.eco-business.com/news/korindo-still-clearing-forests-in-timber-concession-after-being-outed-for-fires-in-indonesian-palm-oil-plantations/
Indonesia land swap, meant to protect peatlands, risks wider deforestation, NGOs say
Democracy takes a step back in Indonesia
“It’s forest that we can live from, not
oil palm”
West
Papua’s enduring struggle for independence
The
United States is losing the Pacific
West Papuans
cry out for freedom
South Korean company under
fire for alleged deforestation in Papua oil palm concession
Previous AWPA update
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/awpa-update-for-february-12-march-2018.html
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