2) Construction Worker Killed in Wamena, Papua
3) Jayawijaya Police hunts down perpetrators of fatal stabbing in Wouma
4) City leads petition to free West Papua
5) West Papua - Australia's shame
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1) Urgent international intervention in the Regency of Nduga, Papua Province, Indonesia : Open Letter
Published 22 hours ago on 12 October 2019
By pr9c6tr3_juben
Five bodies found by residents of Nduga near Iniye Village, Mbua, Nduga on Thursday (10/10/2019) – IST
OPEN LETTER TO :
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand
James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
Ueli Maurer, President of the Swiss Confederation
Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden
Antti Rinne, Prime Minister of Finland
Requesting!
URGENT INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION IN THE REGENCY OF NDUGA IN THE INDONESIAN PROVINCE OF PAPUA
Indonesian security forces are killing civilians in Nduga, a remote regency (kabupaten) in the province of Papua.
The bodies of four women and a boy who disappeared on September 20, 2019, were found yesterday, the most recent victims of army violence in Nduga. They had been buried secretly to hide the crime committed by the army.
In early 2019, large numbers of additional Indonesian troops were sent to Nduga after an altercation involving the OPM, a Papuan group opposed to Indonesian sovereignty of Papua. By including the civilian population in this conflict, killing them indiscriminately with modern weapons, Indonesian security forces (army and police) not only are breaking international law but are making the conflict worse.
Papuan inhabitants of Nduga (2,168 sq klm) are a distinct ethnic group numbering about 100,000 people. The violence by the Indonesian army which escalated in 2019 has resulted in more than 40% of the population now being internally displaced persons. This means twelve administrative districts of Nduga have been emptied of their population, many schools left deserted, buildings and agricultural land vacant. This year, with 190 people in Nduga killed, Indonesian army policy is nothing less than ethnic cleansing and must be stopped immediately.
The Indonesian government in Jakarta is responsible for the actions of the Indonesian army but clearly the army is operating beyond all law, killing for no reason other than killing innocent people because they are the inhabitants of Nduga. Why the army wants to occupy this region, empty of its original inhabitants, has not been revealed.
Many thousands of people in Nduga have already fled because of the threat of being killed – but these four women and a young boy were ones who did not flee – and they were killed by the army. This is their home, this is where they live – it is the army which needs to leave, not the people who live here.
Indonesian President Jokowi is aware of problems caused by continuing army violence in Nduga. Together with the heads of many governmental departments, the governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, publicly requested the excess army troops be withdrawn, but the request has had no effect. I myself met with his top minister, ex-army general Wiranto, in charge of co-ordinating political, legal and security affairs, and with ACM Hadi Tjahjanto, commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces. Despite repeated requests, nothing has changed.
Only one day after Jokowi himself announced that all foreign journalists would be given access to Papua, not just a few carefully-selected media representatives, the regional army commander himself in Papua contradicted the president. Beyond the control of Jakarta, the violent methods used by the army, whether described as crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing or worse, must be stopped immediately.
With Indonesian sovereignty of Papua, there is a ‘responsibility to protect’ the Nduga population from the extreme human rights violations occurring there. According to the R2P global political commitment adopted by the United Nations and endorsed by Indonesia, action is urgently needed to address Jakarta’s inaction, reluctance or incapability of providing a safe place for civilians, including Papuan women and children in Nduga. Because Jakarta cannot stop the killing, I am asking for international assistance to protect the lives of people in Nduga. These four woman and the boy killed by the army were part of my family, and I am asking for international protection for all Papuan people who still live in Nduga – those who have not already fled in fear.
If we cannot live in Nduga without fear of being killed by the army, where can we go? In the past, refugees have fled from Papua Province across the border to Papua New Guinea but starting a new life in PNG is not the answer to the problem. It is the Indonesian army which is the problem.
What is needed is International intervention to stop the killing in Papua, to remove those sections of the army currently involved in the killing of innocent people in Nduga. Of course, Jakarta will disagree, as shown by repeated requests for President Jokowi to intervene. The tragedy here is well past the stage where mere promises or blatant denial by Jakarta will stop the killing. It must stop now. International intervention is required to stop the killing.
Yours faithfully,
Samuel Tabuni
Director at Papua Language Institute (PLI)
Phone: +6281285519592
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2) Construction Worker Killed in Wamena, Papua
12 October 2019 20:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A resident was killed in Wamena, Papua, on Saturday, October 12. He was stabbed in the abdomen.
"That's right, one person passed away," said information head of military Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih Lit. Col. CPL Eko Daryanto through a text message today, October 12.
Based on the circulating report, the victim named Deri Datu Padang (30) who was known to be from Toraja, South Sulawesi. He sustained a stab wound in his right abdomen.
The incident started when six construction workers were on their way home. Deri was stabbed by two unknown people in front of the Woma bridge.
Deri was rushed to Wamena hospital for a treatment but not long after, he died.
Andita Rahma
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3) Jayawijaya Police hunts down perpetrators of fatal stabbing in Wouma
9 hours ago
Wamena, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua Police has hunted down perpetrators in fatal stabbing of a construction worker in Wouma, Jayawijaya District of Papua on Saturday.
Jayawijaya Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Tonny Ananda Swadaya said here on Sunday, the police has intensified security in the region following the riots in Wamena, the capital city of Jayawijaya District, on September 23 that claimed 33 lives.
"But we failed to anticipate this incident. Certainly we will hunt down the perpetrators," Swadaya said.
During the bloody riot on September 23, dozens of people were killed in Wouma.
"Traders in Wouma market have yet to return to their kiosks which were set ablaze during the riot. We do not know yet the motive behind the stabbing, but we are trying to reveal this case," he continued.
Following the incident, local residents have intensified patrolling in their neighborhood and armed themselves with sharp weapons.
The police has called residents to avoid provocation. "This is a criminal act, and the police will investigate the case thoroughly," Swadaya said.
Earlier in the day, Jayawijaya Deputy Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Leonard Yoga said, the situation in Wamena has returned to normal following the incident.
"The situation in Wamena is conducive now," Yoga said in a short message to ANTARA.
The incident occurred in Wouma Bridge in Wamena, Jayawijaya at 3.20 p.m. local time on Saturday (Oct 12).
Six construction workers rode motorcycles to return to Wamena when two motorcyclists stabbed one of the workers identified as Deri Daru Padang, 30.
Padang fell from the motorcycle but he could arise and make report to the nearest police station in Wouma market. Padang was then rushed to Wamena Hospital before he died due to serious wound on his stomach.
Related news: AJI : journalist`s stabbing in Papua not ordinary crime
Jayawijaya Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Tonny Ananda Swadaya said here on Sunday, the police has intensified security in the region following the riots in Wamena, the capital city of Jayawijaya District, on September 23 that claimed 33 lives.
"But we failed to anticipate this incident. Certainly we will hunt down the perpetrators," Swadaya said.
During the bloody riot on September 23, dozens of people were killed in Wouma.
"Traders in Wouma market have yet to return to their kiosks which were set ablaze during the riot. We do not know yet the motive behind the stabbing, but we are trying to reveal this case," he continued.
Following the incident, local residents have intensified patrolling in their neighborhood and armed themselves with sharp weapons.
The police has called residents to avoid provocation. "This is a criminal act, and the police will investigate the case thoroughly," Swadaya said.
Earlier in the day, Jayawijaya Deputy Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Leonard Yoga said, the situation in Wamena has returned to normal following the incident.
"The situation in Wamena is conducive now," Yoga said in a short message to ANTARA.
The incident occurred in Wouma Bridge in Wamena, Jayawijaya at 3.20 p.m. local time on Saturday (Oct 12).
Six construction workers rode motorcycles to return to Wamena when two motorcyclists stabbed one of the workers identified as Deri Daru Padang, 30.
Padang fell from the motorcycle but he could arise and make report to the nearest police station in Wouma market. Padang was then rushed to Wamena Hospital before he died due to serious wound on his stomach.
Related news: AJI : journalist`s stabbing in Papua not ordinary crime
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4) City leads petition to free West Papua
October 11, 2019 The National
NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop is leading non-government organisations, the PNG Council of Churches, students, disciplined forces and others in the city to petition the United Nations at the Sir John Guise Stadium today.
Speaking during a media conference on Wednesday, Parkop called on everyone to declare today a “stop work” day and show their solidarity to their fellow Melanesians in Indonesia.
He made announcement flanked by of People’s Power movement head Noel Anjo, Free West Papua movement chairman Jeffrey Bomanak, NCDC youth desk representative Rex Buka and NCD governor’s regional office representative James Yalya.
Parkop called on business houses and the departmental heads to allow their staff to be part of the rally.
He said many MPs supported the movement against the human rights abuse in the region but had not spoken out publically against it due to the Government’s foreign policy on West Papua.
Parkop said fellow governors of Northern, Eastern Highlands and East Sepik were absent yesterday at the conference due to the Parliament session, adding that he was assured that they would join him today.
He said the petition would demand the UN, through, its country office, to immediately implement the recent pacific island forum’s resolution on West Papua for Indonesia to invite the United Nation’s commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet and her team to visit West Papua and investigate the allegations of human rights abuse and hold those responsible accountable.
Parkop said more than 5,000 signatures for the petition had been collected already.
He also called on Indonesian President Joko Widodo to understand that if he continued to suppress and oppress the people of West Papua, his country would lose respect of neighbour PNG and other nations in the Pacific.
“We cannot allow fear to dictate our policies both on political and human rights issues,” he said.
“It is better that we make a stand on the political and human rights issues now to solve this problem.
“No matter what Indonesians do or say, it is not about development or services, but it is about the dignity of our people and their freedom.
“They have never been treated equally.”
Speaking during a media conference on Wednesday, Parkop called on everyone to declare today a “stop work” day and show their solidarity to their fellow Melanesians in Indonesia.
He made announcement flanked by of People’s Power movement head Noel Anjo, Free West Papua movement chairman Jeffrey Bomanak, NCDC youth desk representative Rex Buka and NCD governor’s regional office representative James Yalya.
Parkop called on business houses and the departmental heads to allow their staff to be part of the rally.
He said many MPs supported the movement against the human rights abuse in the region but had not spoken out publically against it due to the Government’s foreign policy on West Papua.
Parkop said fellow governors of Northern, Eastern Highlands and East Sepik were absent yesterday at the conference due to the Parliament session, adding that he was assured that they would join him today.
He said the petition would demand the UN, through, its country office, to immediately implement the recent pacific island forum’s resolution on West Papua for Indonesia to invite the United Nation’s commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet and her team to visit West Papua and investigate the allegations of human rights abuse and hold those responsible accountable.
Parkop said more than 5,000 signatures for the petition had been collected already.
He also called on Indonesian President Joko Widodo to understand that if he continued to suppress and oppress the people of West Papua, his country would lose respect of neighbour PNG and other nations in the Pacific.
“We cannot allow fear to dictate our policies both on political and human rights issues,” he said.
“It is better that we make a stand on the political and human rights issues now to solve this problem.
“No matter what Indonesians do or say, it is not about development or services, but it is about the dignity of our people and their freedom.
“They have never been treated equally.”
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5) West Papua - Australia's shame
Issue
The recent uprising in West Papua was sparked by racist attacks on Papuan students in the Indonesian city of Surabaya. However, the West Papuan people have been struggling for more than 60 years against Indonesian occupation, human rights violations and for the right to self determination.
Indonesian occupation has led to human rights abuses, disappearances, kidnappings, extrajudicial killings, forced displacement and the death of an estimated 500,000 Papuans.
The Australian government is complicit in Indonesia’s repression of Papuan demands for self-determination and has a long history of opposing West Papuan self determination, right back to the end of Dutch colonisation in 1949.
Australia has supplied military helicopters used to carry out attacks, including napalm bombings and (along with Britain and the United States) trains Indonesian troops.
In 2006, the Australian government signed the Lombok Treaty with Indonesia, a security agreement that recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua and precludes Australia's involvement in West Papuan matters.
In 2013, during a visit to the Indonesian island of Bali, then-prime minister Tony Abbott said “the people of West Papua are much better off as part of a strong, dynamic and increasingly prosperous Indonesia”.
In September, while protests were being violently repressed by Indonesian troops, the Australian government publicly reiterated its recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua.
The Australian Labor Party’s position is no better. While Labor’s Penny Wong recently expressed “distress” and “concern” about the recent violence and affirmed Labor’s support for the right to "peacefully express political views" in West Papua, she also made reference to Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua under the Lombok Treaty.
Since August, untold numbers of protesters (many of them students) have been killed, arrested or disappeared. The internet is still shut down and journalists not allowed in.
In the Papuan city of Wamena, more than 41 people were killed on September 23, after Indonesian forces opened fire on an anti-racism rally organised by high school students.
Human rights activist Surya Anta, spokesperson for the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua was arrested on August 31. Human rights lawyers have been interrogated and activists charged with sedition.
Australian-based human rights lawyer Veronica Koman is now wanted by the Indonesian government for her work in exposing the arrests, killings and repression in West Papua.
Koman told SBS News on October 3 that she has received daily death and rape threats: "They're trying to kill the messenger. They cannot refute my data, all the footage they cannot refute that so they're trying to destroy my credibility."
According to an October 9 report in the Jakarta Post, a coordinated, well-funded social media campaign has been waged in Indonesia, to discredit the West Papuan movement and its advocates, including Koman.
The Socialist Alliance National Council met on October 5–6 and adopted the following resolution on West Papua:
The Socialist Alliance demands the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Surya Anta and the withdrawal of all military forces from West Papua.
We call on the Australian government to: 1. End its military training of repressive Indonesian forces;2. Demand that Indonesia cease its violent repression of the West Papuans, restore the internet and allow journalists inside West Papua; 3. Respect the right to self-determination of the Papuan people by calling for an internationally monitored referendum on independence; and 4. Grant human rights lawyer Veronica Koman protection and not hand her over to Indonesia.
[For more information, visit: socialist-alliance.org.]
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