Will Australia’s Foreign and Defense Ministers raise West Papua on their visit to Jakarta?

Australian West Papua Association (Sydney)

 

Statement 9 September 2021

 

Will Australia’s Foreign and Defense Ministers raise West Papua on their visit to  Jakarta?

 

Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton are attending the seventh Indonesia-Australia Foreign and Defense Ministers 2+2 dialog in Jakarta starting  Thursday  (before continuing on to visit New Delhi, Seoul, Washington and New York).

 

 

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “we can expect all the usual statements about  regional stability, peace, , economic prosperity,  terrorism and defence cooperation but highly unlikely anything about human rights unless its criticism of China’s record ”.

 

In reply to letters from AWPA to  DFAT.  DFAT  has  mention that because of Australia’s close relationship with Indonesia it has allowed (DFAT) to discuss a range of issues including sensitive ones like the situation in Papua.

 

Joe Collins said , “hopefully at this bilateral meeting the human rights situation in West Papua will be raised with Jakarta  including, 

 

 

-The Arrest of  West Papuan activist Victor Yeimo who faces a number of charges including violating the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), namely Article 106 on treason and Article 110 of the KUHP on treason with conspiracy. There is concern for Victor's  health,   (both mental and physical) which is deteriorating .

 

 

-The security force operation taking place in the Maybrat Regency (after the attack on the military post in Kisor Village) which is causing residents from five districts to flee their villages in fear of the Indonesian military

 

 

-Kristian Yandun who died after been beating in a police cell in Merauke. The Merauke police chief Untung Sangaji undertook anti-people smuggling training and studied  surveillance techniques at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC), courses  taught by Australian Federal Police officers alongside trainers from the US and UK. 

 

 

We call on  the Ministers to urge Jakarta to release Victor Yeimo and all political prisoners and to raise the human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian security forces with the Indonesian Government. 

 

 

Joe Collins

AWPA

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