Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Summary of events in West Papua (16 December 2018- 15 Jan 2019)
During the Indonesian security force operation taking place in the Nduga region, an article in “The Saturday Paper” (December 22) reported that the Indonesian military had employed airstrikes in West Papua during the operation and may have used the banned chemical weapon white phosphorus. White phosphorus is banned by the Geneva Convention for use against civilians. Reports of its use including images of burn victims have appeared on social media.
Indonesian authorities have denied the allegations of using white phosphorus on villagers in West Papua claiming, “Indonesia possesses no chemical weapons.”
In a RNZI report (24 Dec.) The New Zealand's government says it's seeking information on reports that the Indonesian military dropped chemical weapons in Highlands villages.
West Papuan support groups around the world have written to their governments concerning the military operation in Ndunga. AWPA wrote to the Foreign Minister Marise Payne on the 18 December,
and a follow up letter on the 2 January 2019 urging the foreign minister
“In light of the escalation of ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua,
AWPA is calling on the Foreign Minister urging her to join with other democratic voices calling on Jakarta to withdraw its troops from the Nduga regency.
To raise the ongoing intimidation of KNPB activists with Jakarta.
We also urge the Australian Government to rethink its policy of aid and training to the Indonesian security forces.”
Local media (Jubi} also reported that hundreds of people fled to the forest to escape the military operation. "Thousands of residents of Mbua, Yall and Yigi sub-districts reportedly sought refuge in the forest following the raid conducted by the joint police and military forces towards the West Papua Liberation Army that claimed to be responsible for the shooting incidents of the workers of PT. Istaka Karya on 2 December 2018. The residents are mostly the congregation of the Kingmi Papua Church. “We received reports from Yigi and Yall informed that about five presbyteries have taken refuge to the forest since the evacuation of shooting victims conducted,” the Rev. Dr Benny Giay told Jubi on Sunday (9/12/2018)".
https://tabloidjubi.com/eng/thousands-of-people-take-refuge-to-the-forest-says-the-church-authority/
Christians build aid post to help Papuan refugees
Women and children rest after fleeing their homes following the deployment of police and military personnel to Nduga district in Indonesia's Papua province, to hunt members of the military wing of the Free Papua Movement that claimed responsibility for killing 20 workers on Dec. 2, 2018. (Photo is supplied)
Christian youths in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua have built an aid post to help more than a thousand Papuan villagers hiding in local forests after fleeing fighting between soldiers and separatists who killed a group of workers in December.At least 780 families or 1,500 people have fled their homes, according to Reverend Benny Giay of the Synod of Christian Churches in Papua. Fearing for their safety, they left after police and military personnel were sent to Nduga district to hunt members of the military wing of the Free Papua Movement, which claimed responsibility for………
In the letter of the 2 January AWPA also raised concerns about the ongoing intimidation of KNPB activists. On the 31 December the Timika police raided the KNPB office, ransacking the office and arresting six members of the group including the KNPB Timika chapter’s Deputy Chairman Yanto Awerkion. The KNPB members had gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of their office in Timika. CNN Indonesia reported that the Papua Regional Police had said that the KNPB office is closed and would be used as a Police or TNI post.
Indonesian police officer vandalising the KNPB’s sign with a sledgehammer
TNI, police seize Free West Papua HQ
News Desk The Jakarta Post
Jakarta Wed, January 2, 2019
The Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police have taken over the West Papua National Committee headquarters in Timika, Mimika Baru district, Papua to use it as a joint military-police post. "The headquarters is not allowed to operate anymore and was taken over as a TNI and police post from now on,” Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agung Marlianto said in a statement on Tuesday. He said 80 TNI personnel and police officers went to monitor an anniversary and new year celebration at the headquarters on Monday morning.
Agung said the officers ordered the Free West Papua activists in the headquarters to remove all of the movement’s insignia and to not to shout any freedom slogans. "They refused at first, but finally we could remove all the insignia," he said, adding that officers had painted a wall red and white and knocked down another wall that bore the committee’s symbol.
Beginning on Monday, he said, Papuans were not allowed to use any Free West Papua insignia or anything with the morning star symbol. The committee spokesperson Ones Suhuniap said the takeover was immoral and unethical. He said the committee had informed the police they were holding an event on Dec. 31. “Unless the land and buildings belonged to them and they retook it from us," Suhuniap said in a statement on Tuesday, explaining why the seizure of the property was improper. "It was built by the Papuans on their own land. They had given this to us.” (ggq)
West Papua National Committee sends legal notice to Mimika Police
News Desk The Jakarta Post Jakarta, January 4, 2019
National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) activists and supporters stage a rally and a public speech in Lingkaran Abepura, Jayapura in Papua. (The Jakarta Post/Nethy Dharma Somba)
National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) head Agus Kosay sent a legal notice to the Mimika Police precinct chief, requesting that the latter withdraw security forces from the yard of the KNPB headquarters in Mimika, Papua, arguing that the police had violated the law, the Constitution and legal procedures when dispersing a congregation holding a service at the site recently, the notice reads. Veronica Koman, a lawyer who represents the KNPB, claimed that the police and the National Military (TNI) had prevented the congregation from holding its service on Monday morning, “forcefully” dispersing the group without a warrant.
“They vandalized the building, arrested and detained Yanto Awerkion, Ruben Kogoya, Yohana Kobogau, Elius Wenda, Eman Dogopia, and Vincent Gobay for more than 24 hours — thus violating the Criminal Law Procedures Code, and forced them to sign a statement, stating “Forever the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)!”, to affirm that they would no longer be affiliated with the KNPB,” the notice reads.
KNPB Timika chapter head, Yanto Awerkion, accused the security personnel of violating his and a few others’ rights by using violence during the process, while they were just holding a service. “They forbade us from holding the service. The service did not pose any threat to the country,” Yanto said as quoted by KBR. The legal notice quoted Antara, saying that Papua Police spokesman Comr. Ahmad Kamal had instructed that the KNPB headquarters be shut down and turned into a post for security forces. “This is a peaceful organization that is guaranteed the freedom of assembly. It is precisely the police’s actions today that are illegal. The KNPB’s freedom of assembly is a constitutional right,” Veronica said. Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Cmr. Agung Marlianto said in a statement on Tuesday that 80 members of a joint security force went to the headquarters to monitor what they perceived as an anniversary and New Year’s celebrations. The security personnel later ordered pro-independence activists to remove all the movement’s insignia and not to shout any pro-independence slogans. The legal notice also demanded that the Mimika Police issue an apology to the KNPB and affected residents within three days, otherwise the KNPB legal representatives would resort to taking formal legal action against them. (spl/swd)
West Papua group's office shutdown sparks fears
RNZI 7 January 2019
Fears are growing among the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, as the group faces a crackdown on its offices by Indonesian authorities. The KNPB said its headquarters in Jayapura and Asmat were shuttered by military and police in December. On Thursday, commitee members in the Southern city of Timika were forced out of their offices by at least 80 officers. It will now be used as a joint military-police post. Edo Dogopia, a member of the group based in Timika, said he's afraid other locations in Papua could be targeted as well. "I am feeling worried because this is our place. "We are indigenous people but they say you don't stay here, you go to your place. We will not go to anywhere because this is our place." Mr Dogopia said around 30 KNPB members were camping on the road outside the Timika office and would not leave, despite the takeover. "We are stay in front of our office but we have intimidation and Indonesian police come and angry to us, but we never come back from our commitment," he said.
More arrests of West Papuans demonstrating
RNZI 21 December 2018
There have been more arrests of West Papuans in Indonesian cities for demonstrating on an historical date.Yesterday's demonstrations were to mark the day in 1961 when Indonesia launched a military campaign to take over the former Dutch New Guinea.A human rights lawyer representing Papuans, Veronica Koman, said the demos were partly organised by the pro-independence West Papua National Committee, or KNPB.Nearly 50 people were arrested at various points in Papua's provincial capital Jayapura. In Timika, in Papua's south, one hundred and thirty people were blocked from demonstrating and unable to leave the KNPB's secretariat.The KNPB's demo in Merauke was also blocked, with four people arrested.There were also arrests of dozens more demonstrators, including Papuan students, in the Indonesian city of Malang, while dozens were foricbly dispersed in Bali Meanwhile, Ms Koman reports that in Ternate Indonesian military detained seven demonstrators who were assaulted and made to sing the Indonesian national anthem. "It's just to stifle their freedom of speech, to shut them up," she said. Today's events follow arrests of 500 people at the beginning of the month after Papuan demonstrations to mark the anniversary of 1961's Papuan declaration of independence. Ms Koman said the police response to these latest demos was different to the 1st of December demos. "We did see a decrease from 1st of december, I mean the number of arrests, but police were so mch more repressive than 1st December. "There were lots of beatings in Jayapura, lots of bleedings, and at one student dorm in Jayapura hundreds of police came and... not exactly raided, but you know, that's pretty intimidating.”
There have been more arrests of West Papuans in Indonesian cities for demonstrating on an historical date.Yesterday's demonstrations were to mark the day in 1961 when Indonesia launched a military campaign to take over the former Dutch New Guinea.A human rights lawyer representing Papuans, Veronica Koman, said the demos were partly organised by the pro-independence West Papua National Committee, or KNPB.Nearly 50 people were arrested at various points in Papua's provincial capital Jayapura. In Timika, in Papua's south, one hundred and thirty people were blocked from demonstrating and unable to leave the KNPB's secretariat.The KNPB's demo in Merauke was also blocked, with four people arrested.There were also arrests of dozens more demonstrators, including Papuan students, in the Indonesian city of Malang, while dozens were foricbly dispersed in Bali Meanwhile, Ms Koman reports that in Ternate Indonesian military detained seven demonstrators who were assaulted and made to sing the Indonesian national anthem. "It's just to stifle their freedom of speech, to shut them up," she said. Today's events follow arrests of 500 people at the beginning of the month after Papuan demonstrations to mark the anniversary of 1961's Papuan declaration of independence. Ms Koman said the police response to these latest demos was different to the 1st of December demos. "We did see a decrease from 1st of december, I mean the number of arrests, but police were so mch more repressive than 1st December. "There were lots of beatings in Jayapura, lots of bleedings, and at one student dorm in Jayapura hundreds of police came and... not exactly raided, but you know, that's pretty intimidating.”
Armed rebels remain serious threat in 2019: Papua police chief
Reporter: Antara 3 Jan 2019
Jayapura, Papua, (ANTARA News) - Armed Papuan rebels would likely remain a serious security threat in certain areas of the central mountain range of the Indonesian province of Papua, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Martuani Sormin stated. The police have attempted to approach the armed groups to end the circle of violence but the effort has yet to yield success, he remarked while responding to local journalists` questions on this year`s security situation in Papua Province.
However, owing to the presence of army and police personnel in the areas of the central mountain range that might potentially be threatened by what the police call "armed criminal groups," or "KKB," the frequency of security disturbances can be reduced. Sormin said those responsible for administering the areas are the governor and heads of districts, and the armed forces and police personnel could not conduct their duties without their support. Hence, in dealing with these security threats, he proposed that the "Regional Leadership Communication Forum," or "Forkopimda," be activated, so that necessary solutions can be sought together to all problems occurring in the regions.
For those posing security threats and disturbances, the police will enforce the law against them, he noted, adding that the perpetrators would eventually be caught. On December 2, 2018, a group of armed Papuan rebels had brutally killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya, who were engaged in construction and building the Trans Papua project in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-District, Nduga District, Papua Province. Among the victims were Jepry Simaremare and Alpianus M, both employees of PT Istaka Karya, as well as Agustinus T, Carly Zatrino, Muh. Agus, Fais Syahputra, Yousafat, Aris Usi, and Yusran, all workers of PT Istaka Karya. The armed rebels, who launched the brutal killings, also killed a soldier named Handoko and injured two other security personnel, Sugeng and Wahyu. Reporting by Evarukdijati Editing by Rahmad Nasution Editor: Suharto
PNG Welcomes 195 New Citizens
December 28, 2018 BY LEIAO GEREGA
115 West Papuans, mainly from the northern part of the country, have been made Papua New Guinean citizens. They were among 195 people who were welcomed last week, also including 64 dual citizens and 16 naturalised citizens, according to the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority. Minister for responsible for immigration and border security, Petrus Thomas said the applications received showed the authority’s processes and timely manner was a testimony of the hard work put in place. “This number shows the confidence our clients and the public have in the integrity and transparency of our process,” Mr Petrus said. “I am proud that this process has commenced successfully and the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority is now receiving more applications for citizenship than ever before.”
Mr Petrus said that globally, recognition of migration was an important process for economic and social development “if managed well in the interest of the country”, adding that the process welcomes “social cohesion and growth in all sectors” contributed by the new citizens. “The process of dual citizenship is one such important initiative. We have to get our citizens who are now outside to reconnect to the home country without losing the citizenship of the country they reside in and enable those who wish to remain become PNG citizens,” he said.
“Papua New Guinea is no longer an island on its own. We are multi-ethnic and multi-racial…and this process recognises that diversity that we already have.”
A citizenship ceremony held last week, which saw 41 awarded was the third for dual citizenship and the fourth for naturalized in which four ceremonies were performed for West Papuans in Lae, Madang, Vanimo and Wewak. During the ceremony, Mr Petrus reminded the recipients that as Papua New Guineans they had an obligation to the country. “You must respect the laws of this country and be loyal. This country has given us a lot and it is time to give to the fullest,” he says adding that they were already Papua New Guineans by heart and “this is just a process to formalise that.”
Support grows in PNG for an independence vote in West Papua
There's been renewed unrest and violence West Papua in recent months, and it's gaining attention across the border in Papua New Guinea.
People in PNG feel a strong connection to those on the other side of the island and there has been some renewed support for a referendum in the Indonesian territory. The calls are also coming from within the government, with a coalition member advocating for a fresh vote and saying he will be pushing for a change in PNG's policy on West Papua.
Duration: 5min 4sec
Broadcast: Mon 7 Jan 2019, 8:25am More Information
Featured: Papua New Guinea residents. Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District Rimbink Pato, PNG Foreign Minister
Military: Rebel killed in gunbattle with Indonesian troops
By Associated Press January 9 at 4:21 AM
JAYAPURA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s military said a Papuan rebel was killed and a soldier injured in a gunbattle Wednesday, the latest spasm of violence to hit the country’s troubled easternmost region. Papua province military spokesman Col. Muhammad Aidi said separatist fighters ambushed soldiers on a logistics mission to Sinak Airport in the mountainous Puncak Jaya district. He said the rebels fled into the jungle after being repulsed and one was found dead with the Morning Star flag that’s a symbol of the Papuan independence struggle by soldiers combing the area. A soldier who suffered gunshot wounds to a leg was evacuated to the mining town of Timika. The dead man, who carried no identification, was handed over to a village chief for burial, Aidi said. Separatist fighters in early December killed 19 people working on the trans-Papua highway that’s a key part of President Joko Widodo’s efforts to develop the region.
The West Papua National Liberation Army has said that Dec. 2, which was the date of the attack on construction workers, was the start of a war against “colonial” Indonesia that won’t cease until there is international intervention and recognition of independence. Separately on Wednesday, Indonesia’s foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, said in her annual speech on foreign policy that the country “will not retreat even an inch” in defending its sovereignty.
Separatist violence against civilians must be punished but the conflict wouldn’t dampen the Indonesian government’s commitment to improving the welfare of Papuans, she said.An independence movement and low level insurgency has simmered in the Papua region since the early 1960s when Indonesia took control of the former Dutch territory. Indonesian control was formalized in 1969 with a referendum known as the “Act of Free Choice” held in an atmosphere of heavy intimidation in which only 1,026 Papuans were allowed to vote. Nowadays, indigenous Papuans, largely shut out of their region’s economy, are poorer, sicker and more likely to die young than people elsewhere in Indonesia.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Polish Man Accused of Treason in Indonesia’s Papua Refuses to Appear in Court
Benar News Victor Mambor Jayapura, Indonesia 2019-01-08
Defendants Jakub Fabian Skrzypski (right) and Simon Magal at Wamena District Court, in Papua, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2018. Courtesy of Latifah Anum Siregar
The trial of a Polish man charged with treason over his alleged involvement with separatist rebels in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua province was adjourned for the second time Tuesday after the defendant refused to attend, his lawyers said.
Jakub Fabian Skrzypski, 39, and another defendant, alleged Papuan separatist Simon Magal, 30, were due to hear their indictment Tuesday at the Wamena District Court in remote Jayawijaya Regency.
But Skrzypski insisted that hearings be held in the provincial capital, Jayapura, according to his defense attorney, Welis Doga. The hearing was postponed until January 14. “I was called by the prosecutor who said Jakub refused to come to the trial," Welis told BenarNews. Welis said he then visited Skrzypski at the Jayawijaya police station, where he had been detained since December, to persuade him to come to court, but he refused. The trial opened on Dec. 16 but was adjourned because there was no translator for the defendant. In early December, a Papuan separatist group claimed responsibility for an attack that left 19 construction workers dead. The victims had been building roads and bridges in remote Nduga Regency.
Refusing Food
Skrzypski, who was arrested in August in Wamena, and Magal are both accused of involvement in arms trading.
Police allege that Magal had asked Skrzypski to help him buy weapons for a Papuan separatist group. Skrzypski agreed, according to the police.
The Pole has denied the charges, saying that he was not an arms dealer and did not even own a weapon. Another of his lawyers, Latifah Anum Siregar, said her client had complained of poor conditions in detention in Wamena, including a lack of clean water. “He’s been depressed, partly because of poor conditions in detention . He’s refused to eat food provided by the detention center,” she told BenarNews. Skrzypski’s demand has been discussed with the panel of judges, Welis said . "But the judges have no authority to decide on the matter," he said.
David Maturbongs, Magal's defense attorney, said he had lobbied for the trial to be moved to Jayapura, but the request was rejected. Maturbongs expressed concern about uncertainty faced by Magal because of Skrzypski’s refusal to attend hearings. "I can understand Jakub's attitude, but on the other hand, this is is detrimental to my client," David said. Papua is one of Indonesia’s poorest regions. despite its rich natural resources. It has been the scene of a low-level armed separatist conflict since the 1960s. Human rights groups have accused security forces of committing rights abuses during counter-insurgency operations. Ahmad Syamsudin in Jakarta contributed to this report.
West Papua: Mining, massacres & the fight for freedom
Hosted by Solidarity
Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Brown St Hall, 8-10 Brown St Newtown (above Newtown library)
State-Wide Protest Rally at Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, ACT
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 10:30 AM – 3 PM The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canberra 8 DARWIN AVENUE, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600
https://www.facebook.com/events/2241166095933665/?active_tab=about
Opinion pieces/media releases/reports etc.
Benny Wenda: The Indonesian president must immediately withdraw the Indonesian military from West Papua
Massacre in Nduga: Indonesia’s Papuan Insurgency
Indonesian infrastructure isn’t quelling desire for independence in Papua
GUEST BLOG: Maire Leadbeater – December Violence in West Papua should be a wake-up call https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/12/26/guest-blog-maire-leadbeater-december-violence-in-west-papua-should-be-a-wake-up-call/
Peaceful resolution to Papua’s war for liberation
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