2) GUEST BLOG: Maire Leadbeater – Indonesia rails against Pacific support for West Papua
3) Memo NZ: ‘Get on the right side of history’ over West Papua
4) ICBE opened in Manokwari to introduce Papua development
————————————————————
Maori TV
1) West Papua human rights advocate calls for solidarity
footage
A West Papua human rights advocate is calling for solidarity from the New Zealand Government on issues affecting indigenous West Papuans.
Wensislaus Fatubun says, "West Papuans have been killed, arrested and tortured by the Indonesian authorities especially military and police. Now we're facing difficulties with the population of indigenous Papuans. Now we are a minority."
He’s advocated the mistreatment of his people to the United Nations and is reaching out to the global community for support.
"The UN has made many recommendations to the Indonesian Government to protect indigenous Papuans right in West Papua but the problem is the Indonesian Government doesn’t implement the recommendations."
He says New Zealand is contributing to deforestation and displacement of indigenous West Papuans through the palm oil industry and is calling on the government to take action.
"When palm oil takes the land, west Papuans not only lose their land, they lose their identity, and they lose the place where their ancestors lived. For us as Papuans, we need solidarity from different communities like New Zealand."
Today’s meeting with Ngāti Whātua starts a nationwide tour bringing awareness to West Papuan human rights issues over the next two weeks.
-------------------------------------------
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/10/08/guest-blog-maire-leadbeater-indonesia-rails-against-pacific-support-for-west-papua/
2) GUEST BLOG: Maire Leadbeater – Indonesia rails against Pacific support for West Papua
Indonesia is becoming increasingly frantic about the Pacific Island states who speak up for West Papua. Triggered by Vanuatu’s prime Minister, Charlot Salwai’s address at the UN General Assembly this month, Indonesia went on a no-holds-barred attack.
Indonesia is becoming increasingly frantic about the Pacific Island states who speak up for West Papua. Triggered by Vanuatu’s prime Minister, Charlot Salwai’s address at the UN General Assembly this month, Indonesia went on a no-holds-barred attack. PM Salwai requested that the UN Human Rights Council investigate the well-documented human rights abuses in the territory and made reference to allowing the people ‘to freely express their choice’. Indonesia’s Vice President Jusuf Kalla railed against Vanuatu’s support for ‘separatist movements’ which he described as an act of ‘hostility’ in ‘violation of UN principles’. Gesticulating with a clenched fist, he emphasised that Indonesia would firmly defend its territorial integrity.
Vanuatu’s right of reply was unapologetic, calling simply for Indonesia to permit a visit from the incoming Human Rights Commissioner for an objective appraisal and pointing out that Vanuatu was not alone in raising these concerns. Beginning in 2015 seven Pacific nations have taken up the West Papuan cause in the UN Human Rights Council and on the floor of the UN General Assembly.
It is astonishing that Indonesia, South East Asian powerhouse, should is in a tizz about the statements made by small nations like Vanuatu or the Marshall Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu. Hopefully, other nations will be encouraged to look beyond Indonesia’s bullying and listen instead to Vanuatu’s calm and consistent advocacy for their Melanesian kin.
However, there is another level of Indonesian activity that may be of greater concern: Indonesia’s Pacific charm offensive. Indonesia has been working hard to gain influence with individual states and with the regional body, the Pacific Islands Forum. Over recent years, Indonesia has bestowed gifts of aid, including in the case of Fiji, military aid. Now Security Minister Wiranto is hoping that a well-funded diplomacy project will sway the Pacific leaders. He has proposed the equivalent of NZ $6 million to improve Indonesia’s international image and to counteract ‘misinformation’ that the Indonesian Government has neglected West Papua. Wiranto, a retired General, was indicted by a UN sponsored court for crimes against humanity in 2003. He was the commander of Indonesia’s armed forces in 1999 when the army and military-backed militias conducted a murderous campaign of terror against the East Timorese who had dared to vote for independence.
How will Wiranto explain the HIV/Aids epidemic in West Papua where the incidence rate is 15 times that of rest of Indonesia. West Papua also has the lowest life expectancy in the archipelago as well as the highest infant and maternal mortality rates. In the rural areas many schools are sparsely staffed and in some cases don’t open at all.
Wiranto might boast of new economic development and infrastructure projects in West Papua, but too many of these projects only open up more ancestral land for exploitation for palm oil production and other agri-businesses. Pacific Island leaders know from their own experiences what it means to lose pristine forests and to give free reign to multinational companies.
If Wiranto invites heads of state on a promotional tour of West Papua he probably won’t take his guests to the southern ASMAT region which recently experienced a deadly outbreak of measles. Malnutrition was a major contributing factor. He will ask the security forces to ensure that there his guests are shielded from any signs of dissent. But he can’t do much to stop anyone from knowing about the ongoing repression which seems to be becoming more Orwellian by the day. West Papuan peaceful pro-independence demonstrators take to the streets every time their issue is raised at the Pacific Islands Forum or at the UN General Assembly. In September a total of 221 West Papuans were arbitrarily arrested, there were reports that five people had been tortured and one man was killed in police custody. Agustinus Yolemal was detained for posting a video on Facebook in which he and his son voiced independence slogans. He now faces charges of ‘disseminating hostility against the state ideology’ and could face a penalty of up to six years’ imprisonment.
West Papuans are behind Vanuatu’s leaders and the proposal to take a resolution to next year’s UN General Assembly calling for West Papua to be re-inscribed on the UN list of countries to be decolonised. Before Indonesia took over control of West Papua in 1963 the territory was under Dutch administration but on a clear path to self-determination. Indigenous leaders, members of the West New Guinea Council met with their counterparts from other Pacific nations at the South Pacific Commission (forerunner to the Pacific Islands Forum). Pacific nations have not forgotten this history and they know that the so called ‘Act of Free Choice’ held in 1969 was a fraudulent act of self-determination involving the forced participation of only 1022 people, who were in no doubt that they had to vote for Indonesia or risk their lives.
New Zealand’s political leaders cannot pretend this did not happen. As I have documented in my recent book, See No Evil: New Zealand’s betrayal of the people of West Papua’(Otago University Press 2018) it is all there in our national archives, including a frank commentary from New Zealand Ambassador who observed two of the ‘Act of Free Choice assemblies. He noted that what he saw ‘merely confirmed the truth of charges of the questionable morality of the entire process. It was apparent that the Consultative Assemblies had been heavily coerced into agreement.’
Vanuatu and other Pacific nations have an unassailable case: the West Papuan people were denied their right to self-determination, a right protected in UN customary law and resolutions such as the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. So asking the UN to re-engage with the issue is a just and necessary step. New Zealand should take note and join this important initiative.
Maire Leadbeater is a human rights activist and Author of ‘See No Evil: New Zealand’s Betrayal of the People of West Papua’ 2018 Otago University Press.
—————————————————
3) Memo NZ: ‘Get on the right side of history’ over West Papua
Vanuatu says New Zealand should get on the right side of history and support West Papuan self-determination. However, reports James Halpin of Asia Pacific Journalism, Indonesian diplomacy with its Pacific allies Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea are defiantly undermining Pacific “solidarity” on the issue.
Vanuatu’s Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu has called on New Zealand to get on the right side of history when it comes to West Papua.
Reaffirming President Salwai’s remarks at the UN General Assembly late last month, Regenvanu told Asia Pacific Report that the “people of West Papua have never had the opportunity to exercise their right of self-determination, which is an unalienable right under international law, and they must be given that opportunity”.
Vanuatu was one of three countries – four less than in 2016 – whose leaders gave UN strong messages in support of West Papuan self-determination.
Independence for Vanuatu was achieved from the co-colonisers France and the United Kingdom in 1980.
West Papua had been a colony of the Dutch New Guinea but was annexed by Indonesia after a paratrooper “invasion” in 1962 followed by a UN-supervised vote in 1969 described by critics as fraudulent.
Asked why Vanuatu has taken the lead in advocating for West Papua, Regenvanu says:
“We take this position because of our historical solidarity with the people of West Papua – we were once together and the struggles as colonies trying to become independent; we achieved ours and we will not forget our brothers-and-sisters-in-arms who have not got theirs.”
Forum failure
For President Salwai and Regenvanu, the recent Pacific Islands Forum was a failure at gaining Pacific support for West Papuan self-determination.
For President Salwai and Regenvanu, the recent Pacific Islands Forum was a failure at gaining Pacific support for West Papuan self-determination.
“We are disappointed at the position of Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Australia to vocally oppose self-determination for West Papua. We are pleased that most other countries support self-determination, however.”
Regenvanu also criticises New Zealand for not following the advice that it gives to Pacific Island countries.
New Zealand should, “actively support with actions on this issue the ‘international rules-based order’ it is always promoting to PICs”.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which shares an ethnicity with the people of West Papua, has also failed at achieving solidarity over the issue.
“PNG and Fiji have strong ties to Indonesia and work actively to ensure the MSG does not address the issue.”
End colonialism callPresident Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas introduced the issue of West Papua to the UN General Assembly this year.
President Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas addressing the UN General Assembly about West Papua. Video: UN
“For half a century now, the international community has been witnessing a gamut of torture, murder, exploitation, sexual violence, arbitrary detention inflicted on the nationals of West Papua perpetrated by Indonesia.”
“We also call on our counterparts throughout the world to support the legal right of West Papua to self-determination.”
For President Salwai, it is an issue of justice and equality for the people of West Papua,
“I would like to get back to the principles in the charter of the United Nations to reaffirm that we believe in the fundamental rights of human beings in dignity and worth of the human person and in equality of rights between men and women and nations large and small.”
President Salwai has been the flag bearer of West Papuan self-determination. His aim is for West Papua to be placed back onto the decolonisation list under the UN charter.
However, President Salwai was supported by two other Pacific leaders, Marshall Islands’ President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands, and Enele Sopoaga of Tuvalu.
Sopoaga said: “The United Nations must also engage with the people of West Papua to find lasting solutions to their struggles.”
Constructive engagementPresident Heine staid that Pacific Island countries supported constructive engagement on the issue.
At the 2016 UN General Assembly, seven countries stated their supported for West Papuan self-determination. These were: Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Palau.
Decolonisation has become an important part of foreign relations in the Pacific with the New Caledonian independence vote on November 4.
After hundreds of years of European colonisation, the UN has provided a platform for and facilitated the self-determination of indigenous peoples across the world.
The Indonesian delegation denounced Vanuatu at the UN General Assembly just days ago. The Indonesia delegation used the entirety of their second right of reply in the general debate to deplore Vanuatu’s support for West Papuan self-determination.
“Although being disguised with flowery human rights concern, Vanuatu’s sole intention and action are directly challenging the internationally agreed principles of friendly relations between state, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” UN General Assembly Vice-President Muhammad Kalla said on behalf of his country.
UN General Assembly Vice-President Muhammad Kalla giving his speech. Video: UN
He said: “Like any other country, Indonesia will firmly defend its territorial integrity.”
The Indonesian representative, Aloysius Taborat, said: “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cardinal rule in the relation among nations and in the United Nations”.
However, critics say Indonesia’s handling of West Papua’s vote in the 1969Act of Free Choice “was rigged” so that West Papua would vote to join Indonesia. Therefore, many see hypocrisy in Indonesia’s words, including in their reputation over press freedom.
Human rights abuses are a common occurrence in West Papua, according to human rights organisations. Simply raising the West Papuan flag can result in 15-years imprisonment.
James Halpin is a student journalist on the Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies course at AUT. He is filing articles in the Asia-Pacific Journalism Studies paper.
—————————————————————
4) ICBE opened in Manokwari to introduce Papua development
Reporter: Antara 3 hours ago
Manokwari, W. Papua, (ANTARA News)- An International Conference on Biodiversity Ecotourism and Creative Economy was opened in the West Papua city of Manokwari on Sunday.
The conference is an attempt of the regional administrations of Papua and West Papua to present sustainable development program in the two regions.
Committee Chairman Charlie Heatubun said the conference on biodiversity, ecotourism and Creative Economy, constitutes a celebration of achievement of program launched by Papua and West Papua.
Charlie said Papua and West Papua Provinces are committed to carrying out sustainable development utilizing the natural resources and cultures of the two regions.
In three days to come there are many things to be discussed mainly sustainable development of the people of Papua and program to to protect the potentials of the regions, he said.
"There are also cultural festival and local culinary contest," Charlie said.
Through the activities all communities including international communities are invited to see the potentials and local wisdom of the people of Papua and to protect the potentials.
The natural wealth of Papua and West Papua would contribute not only to the welfare of the local people but also to the global communities.
"We want that speaking about Papua would no longer conjure up the vision of backwardness, and primitive society. We want that in the future Papua and West Papua are known more for their natural beauty, biodiversity," he said.
More than 1,070 guests including foreign environmentalists attended the three-day activities starting Sunday.
Foreign Ambassadors of friendly countries, including those of Norway, United Kingdom, and Australia attended the conference. The result of the conference will be presented at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to take place in Nusa Dua, Bali from Oct. 8 to 14 this year.
Reporting by Toyiban
Editing by Albert Saragih, Rahmad Nasution
The conference is an attempt of the regional administrations of Papua and West Papua to present sustainable development program in the two regions.
Committee Chairman Charlie Heatubun said the conference on biodiversity, ecotourism and Creative Economy, constitutes a celebration of achievement of program launched by Papua and West Papua.
Charlie said Papua and West Papua Provinces are committed to carrying out sustainable development utilizing the natural resources and cultures of the two regions.
In three days to come there are many things to be discussed mainly sustainable development of the people of Papua and program to to protect the potentials of the regions, he said.
"There are also cultural festival and local culinary contest," Charlie said.
Through the activities all communities including international communities are invited to see the potentials and local wisdom of the people of Papua and to protect the potentials.
The natural wealth of Papua and West Papua would contribute not only to the welfare of the local people but also to the global communities.
"We want that speaking about Papua would no longer conjure up the vision of backwardness, and primitive society. We want that in the future Papua and West Papua are known more for their natural beauty, biodiversity," he said.
More than 1,070 guests including foreign environmentalists attended the three-day activities starting Sunday.
Foreign Ambassadors of friendly countries, including those of Norway, United Kingdom, and Australia attended the conference. The result of the conference will be presented at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to take place in Nusa Dua, Bali from Oct. 8 to 14 this year.
Reporting by Toyiban
Editing by Albert Saragih, Rahmad Nasution
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.