2) Misgovernance could be a factor of the Special Autonomy inefficiency
3 ) Awaiting final fate of Papua, West Papua’s special autonomy funds
4) Papuan community leaders support extension of special autonomy status
5) Why I stand for my tribe’s forest: It gives us food, culture, and life (commentary
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1) Amnesty International considers military in Tambrauw had violated Convention Against Torture
Admin1 August 9, 2020 10:56 pm
Manokwari, Jubi – Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia Usman Hamid was concerned about violence occurring to four Kosyefo residents by Indonesian soldiers in Kwoor Sub-district, Tambrauw Regency. He thought this act of violence had violated the Convention Against Torture.
“We regret that violence against civilians by the military in Papua is still happening. This kind of action would not only cause physical injuries to victims but is also inhumane and degrades their dignity as human beings. Such acts of violence had violated the Convention Against Torture. It should not be accepted if the state apparatus whose tasks are to protect citizens and abide by law conducted such repressive violence towards civilians. This case reveals the unprofessionalism of military officers,” Hamid as cited in the official release on Tuesday, (4/8/2020).
In this year, according to Hamid, there are many cases of torture and extrajudicial killing against civilians in Papua that involved military and police officers. Recently the extrajudicial killing involving police officers took place in Nduga and Asiki, while a police officer allegedly killed a banana farmer Marius Bertera.
Regarding these series of violent acts, Hamid said the State should be responsible for the human rights violations that continue to happen in Papua and Papua Barat provinces. Therefore, the Amnesty International urges the Indonesian Government to conduct an independent and transparent investigation in which the alleged perpetrators should commit punishment because apologies and internal sanctions are not enough.
“We urge the State to ensure there is no longer impunity against the law. We suspect that there is a direct relation between law impunity and any failure and delay of authorities in investigating the human rights violations in Papua and Papua Barat provinces. The law impunity is a serious threat to human rights,” Hamid said in the release received by Jubi.
In the meantime, Tambrauw Regent Gabriel Asem has not given any responses to confirm the violence acts by the military until this article was published.
Earlier, a video showing four men in military uniform committed verbal violence against six indigenous Papuans. In the 3 minutes 37-second video uploaded on YouTube TV West Papua on 2 August 2020, those soldiers were shouting to those six locals, which three of them were not wearing clothes, while the incident identified to occur in Kwoor Sub-District, Tambrauw Regency, Papua Barat.
The local sources of the Amnesty International from the Legal Aid Research and Development (LP3BH) Manokwari and the Coalition for Law and Human Rights Enforcement Papua have reported that the incident in the video occurred on 28 July 2020.
At that moment, soldiers from the Army Strategic Command (Kostrad) Kwoor base came to the location where the meeting to settle the dispute among Kosyefo residents took place at 1 pm local time. The soldiers forced the four men—Neles Yenjau (35 yo), Karlos Yeror (35 yo), Harun Yewen (30 yo) and Piter Yengres (27 yo)—to take off their clothes.
According to LP3BH, the soldiers then shouted on those young men and kicked their chest and stomach three times before leaving the scene. The Coalition for Law and Human Rights Enforcement Papua reported that three of four men have recovered and returned to their home in rural Kosyefo while another one is still under treatment by his family.
However, a local media reported that the Spokesperson of Regional Military Command Kasuari denied the violent acts by its members. He clarified that the incident captured in the video was a military method to discipline local young men based on the request by the local community. They often committed vandalism and threatened people when they were drunk.
The violent act, continued Hamid, is a form of torture prohibited in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). The convention has been ratified by Law No.5/1998 which firmly declares that each State Participant must take legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.
Therefore, such violent acts by the military can be categorised to violate this article. The human rights perpetrators must take before the criminal justice system instead of the internal discipline handling system. Although the disciplinary sanction could occur upon the ongoing legal process, it could not replace the trial on the court.
The UN Committee of Human Rights as the authoritative interpreter of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) declares that the State must conduct a thorough and effective investigation on alleged human rights violations immediately. It should establish independent and impartial institutions for investigation and must guarantee the appliance of trials against those who are responsible and to provide the right of reparations for the victims.
“In the national law framework, the rights to not being torture has also been guaranteed in the Constitution, namely in Article 281 and Article 4 of the Law No.39 of 1999 on Human Rights. The law states that every person should be free of any acts of violence and tortures. These rights are absolute and cannot be reduced under any circumstances,” said Hamid. (*)
Reporter: Hans Kapisa
Editor: Pipit Maizier
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2) Misgovernance could be a factor of the Special Autonomy inefficiency
Admin1 August 9, 2020 10:51 pm
Makassar, Jubi – Regional Secretary of Jayapura Municipal Government Frans Pekey said misgovernance could be a factor to cause the inadequate implementation of the Special Autonomy policy in Papua.
According to him, the government must apply good governance in bureaucracy to manage the Special Autonomy Fund that includes the policy by regional heads in appointing officials in the structure of government.
Unfortunately, it does not apply in Papua. Many officials hold the position that does not match with their competency and educational background, Frans Pekey said in an online forum to discuss the Special Autonomy and the Future of Peace Building in Papua Land”. The discussion was organised by the Papua Peace Network on Monday (3/8/2020) with Victor Mambor as moderator.
“The assignment of officials was often based on political factors instead of their competence. This affects their performance,” said Pekey.
Furthermore, human resources have not well distributed in Papua. Also, some government officials are rarely in their post that in turns affecting the public services.
“The current problems are the competence of the bureaucrats and how they manage the governance,” he said.
He also admitted that in terms of amount, the Special Autonomy Fund in Papua is quite big every year while the cost disparities and geographical condition should consider causing high cost in Papua.
“But in terms of financial management, it has not been optimum. Therefore, it is time for everyone to look forward to a prosperous and peaceful future for Papua,” he said.
During the discussion, the Coordinator of Papua Peace Network Adriana Elizabeth said some parties thought that the Special Autonomy policy should bring justice and solve any problems in Papua.
They offered a sectoral dialogue which is an approach that needs support from any policies or programs, including the evaluation on the Special Autonomy policy.
“When the option for revision emerged, it should extend to a thorough evaluation, including how to stop violence to occur in Papua. These voices are often silenced. Besides, there should be a program of trauma recovery in Papua. This trauma can present fear, trigger militancy of resistance,” said Adriana Elizabeth. (*)
Reporter: Arjuna Pademme
Editor: Pipit Maizier
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3) Awaiting final fate of Papua, West Papua’s special autonomy funds
14 hours ago
The Papuan people are currently consolidating to show their supports for a necessity to evaluate and continue the provision of granted special autonomy funds for Papua and West Papua Provinces that will end in 2021.
Several Papuan community and religious leaders have appealed to the central government to extend the provision of the granted special autonomy funds to maintain sustainable development and improve the people's welfare in these two Indonesian provinces.
One of the influential Papuan figures showing his support for the extension of the granted special autonomy funds is the Yalimo community leader, Soleman Eselo.
Eselo argued that owing to the special autonomy funds, many of the native Papuan people could have been assisted. "Without the funds, our buildings remain ugly and get damaged."
Related news: Papuan community leaders support extension of special autonomy status
The special autonomy funds that the government has granted to Papua and West Papua Provinces for many years are so helpful for Papuans living in remote mountains to achieve their successes in various fields.
"I have been participating in educating Papuans coming from mountainous and hilly regions since 1981. Many of them have been promoted to be bureaucrats owing to availability of the special autonomy funds that has made us get assisted," Eselo said.
Christian priest Merry Lauren Wompere, a member of the Solagratia Indonesian Christian Church (GKI Solagratia) of Arso II in Keerom District, also shared Eselo's views saying that Papua Province's development was much better during the special autonomy era.
"Representing the GKI Solagratia Jaifuri congregation, I appeal (to the government) to continue the special autonomy for the sake of development and progress in Papua," Wompere said.
Those rejecting the special autonomy funds did not represent the voice of Papuan people's conscience. "Instead, they are the enemies of the Papuan people," Wompere said.
Meanwhile, Tiombro Wenda, deputy community leader of the Pegunungan Tengah mountain range in Keerom District, also appealed to the central government to keep granting the special autonomy funds to ensure sustainable development in Papua and West Papua.
"Those who disagree with the extension of the special autonomy do not represent the Papuan people's voice of conscience," Wenda said.
Evaluating the implementation of the special autonomy funds is indispensable but, according to Yanto Eluay, a local community leader in Jayapura, all communities in Papua must see the granting of the funds from the perspective of the people's welfare.
To this end, all traditional communities in Papua are urged to support for what the government will do and decide for the sake of the people's welfare, he said.
Currently, the Tabi and Saireri community members are consolidating to support for evaluating and continuing the provision of these granted special autonomy funds, Eluay said.
Related news: MPR speaker backs extension of autonomy funds for Papua, West Papua
Regarding this special autonomy fund-related issue, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has called on the government and House of Representatives (DPR) to extend the special autonomy funds for Papua and West Papua.
"With the government and House's political decision, I hope that the provision of the granted special autonomy funds can be extended," he told journalists on the sidelines of his visit to Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, in early March.
However, Soesatyo recalled that the uses of the autonomy funds, which have been granted to Papua Province over for the past 18 years and to West Papua Province for 13 years, should be more effectively directed to improve the welfare of the people.
He highlighted the importance of more effective uses of the funds for improving social prosperity, education, and health of the general public in the two provinces.
The total amount of special autonomy funds that the central government has provided to Papua and West Papua since 2012 has reached Rp126.99 trillion. Therefore, their uses need to be optimized for the sake of the public, he said.
Evaluating the uses of these funds is needed, but it is not for the purpose of looking for mistakes. Instead, the evaluation is aimed at how to make their uses more effective in bringing prosperity to the residents of Papua and West Papua.
More importantly, peace needs to be preserved and prevented from being disrupted by notorious armed Papuan criminals who have frequently threatened the safety and security of the people in the two provinces.
Referring to Indonesia's 2019 human development index, the scores of Papua and West Papua were recorded at 64.7 and 60.84 respectively.
Owing to this factual reality, improving the quality of human resources must be prioritized by the Papuan and West Papuan provincial administrations with or without the extended prevision of special autonomy funds amid a fierce competition among Indonesians and among nations in the digital era.
Related news: Jokowi confirms total evaluation of Papua's special autonomy status
In dealing with these security issues, Bambang Soesatyo suggested that armed Papuan criminals be approached, not only law enforcement, but also through intensive discussions by involving all parties, including local officials and religious figures.
Besides the security issues, human resources development is another important matter that also needs to be evaluated thoroughy because the scores of Papua and West Papua's human development index remains lower than those of other provinces.
Several Papuan community and religious leaders have appealed to the central government to extend the provision of the granted special autonomy funds to maintain sustainable development and improve the people's welfare in these two Indonesian provinces.
One of the influential Papuan figures showing his support for the extension of the granted special autonomy funds is the Yalimo community leader, Soleman Eselo.
Eselo argued that owing to the special autonomy funds, many of the native Papuan people could have been assisted. "Without the funds, our buildings remain ugly and get damaged."
Related news: Papuan community leaders support extension of special autonomy status
The special autonomy funds that the government has granted to Papua and West Papua Provinces for many years are so helpful for Papuans living in remote mountains to achieve their successes in various fields.
"I have been participating in educating Papuans coming from mountainous and hilly regions since 1981. Many of them have been promoted to be bureaucrats owing to availability of the special autonomy funds that has made us get assisted," Eselo said.
Christian priest Merry Lauren Wompere, a member of the Solagratia Indonesian Christian Church (GKI Solagratia) of Arso II in Keerom District, also shared Eselo's views saying that Papua Province's development was much better during the special autonomy era.
"Representing the GKI Solagratia Jaifuri congregation, I appeal (to the government) to continue the special autonomy for the sake of development and progress in Papua," Wompere said.
Those rejecting the special autonomy funds did not represent the voice of Papuan people's conscience. "Instead, they are the enemies of the Papuan people," Wompere said.
Meanwhile, Tiombro Wenda, deputy community leader of the Pegunungan Tengah mountain range in Keerom District, also appealed to the central government to keep granting the special autonomy funds to ensure sustainable development in Papua and West Papua.
"Those who disagree with the extension of the special autonomy do not represent the Papuan people's voice of conscience," Wenda said.
Evaluating the implementation of the special autonomy funds is indispensable but, according to Yanto Eluay, a local community leader in Jayapura, all communities in Papua must see the granting of the funds from the perspective of the people's welfare.
To this end, all traditional communities in Papua are urged to support for what the government will do and decide for the sake of the people's welfare, he said.
Currently, the Tabi and Saireri community members are consolidating to support for evaluating and continuing the provision of these granted special autonomy funds, Eluay said.
Related news: MPR speaker backs extension of autonomy funds for Papua, West Papua
Regarding this special autonomy fund-related issue, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has called on the government and House of Representatives (DPR) to extend the special autonomy funds for Papua and West Papua.
"With the government and House's political decision, I hope that the provision of the granted special autonomy funds can be extended," he told journalists on the sidelines of his visit to Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, in early March.
However, Soesatyo recalled that the uses of the autonomy funds, which have been granted to Papua Province over for the past 18 years and to West Papua Province for 13 years, should be more effectively directed to improve the welfare of the people.
He highlighted the importance of more effective uses of the funds for improving social prosperity, education, and health of the general public in the two provinces.
The total amount of special autonomy funds that the central government has provided to Papua and West Papua since 2012 has reached Rp126.99 trillion. Therefore, their uses need to be optimized for the sake of the public, he said.
Evaluating the uses of these funds is needed, but it is not for the purpose of looking for mistakes. Instead, the evaluation is aimed at how to make their uses more effective in bringing prosperity to the residents of Papua and West Papua.
More importantly, peace needs to be preserved and prevented from being disrupted by notorious armed Papuan criminals who have frequently threatened the safety and security of the people in the two provinces.
Referring to Indonesia's 2019 human development index, the scores of Papua and West Papua were recorded at 64.7 and 60.84 respectively.
Owing to this factual reality, improving the quality of human resources must be prioritized by the Papuan and West Papuan provincial administrations with or without the extended prevision of special autonomy funds amid a fierce competition among Indonesians and among nations in the digital era.
Related news: Jokowi confirms total evaluation of Papua's special autonomy status
Besides the security issues, human resources development is another important matter that also needs to be evaluated thoroughy because the scores of Papua and West Papua's human development index remains lower than those of other provinces.
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