Asia Pacific Report newsdesk
West Papua indigenous independence leaders today launched “Green State Vision” at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, pledging to take decisive action to address the climate emergency and the impact of natural resource extraction in an independent West Papua.
The Green State Vision was drafted with the assistance of international lawyers, including UK-based barrister Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers, reports the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
It sets out commitments from West Papua’s “government-in-waiting”, including:
- Making ecocide a serious criminal offence;
- Restoring guardianship of natural resources to indigenous authorities, combining Western democratic norms with local Papuan systems; and
- ‘Serving notice’ on all extraction companies, including oil, gas, mining, logging and palm oil, requiring them to adhere to international environmental standards or cease operations.
In June 2021, a panel of international legal experts, co-chaired by Professor Philippe Sands QC, drafted a definition of ecocide intended for adoption by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
West Papua is half of the island of New Guinea, home to the world’s third largest rainforest after the Amazon and the Congo. West Papua is rich in natural resources, including one of the world’s largest gold and copper mines — the Freeport Indonesia mine at Grasberg — and extensive sources of natural gas, minerals, timber and palm oil.
West Papua was a Dutch colony until 1961. The Indonesian military seized control in 1963.
The people indigenous to the provinces are Melanesian, ethnically distinct from the people of Indonesia. West Papua continues to be unlawfully occupied by Indonesia. Indonesia is currently the world’s largest exporter of palm oil.
West Papuans have contested Indonesia’s occupation for more than half a century, with Indonesian forces repeatedly accused of human rights violations and violent suppression of the independence movement.
According to recent reports, thousands of Indonesian soldiers have been deployed to West Papua in a crackdown, with civilians forced to flee and journalists and activists targeted.
In 2020, the ULMWP announced the formation of its Temporary Constitution and Provisional Government, with exiled leader Benny Wenda as interim president.
He will be a keynote speaker at the COP26 Coalition’s Global Day for Climate Justice rally tomorrow.
A “March Against Climate Colonialism” will be held on Sunday, November 7, starting at 1:30pm at 83 Argyle Street, Glasgow.
Benny Wenda, interim president of the ULMWP and provisional government, said: ‘We are fighting for stewardship of one of the planet’s largest rainforests, a lung of the world.
“The international climate movement and all governments serious about stopping climate change must help end Indonesia’s genocide of the first defenders in West Papua. If you want to save the world, you must save West Papua.”
Joe Corré, founder of Agent Provocateur, said: “This is a critical step towards protecting one of the world’s largest rainforests from catastrophic destruction caused by the illegal Indonesian occupation.
“The Indonesian government and military, supported by BP, are using violence, intimidation and murder to silence the indigenous inhabitants.”
Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers said: “The unlawful occupation of West Papua by Indonesia is facilitating the destruction of one of the world’s most important rainforests.
“Ensuring West Papua’s right to self-determination will also ensure the protection of the environment and the climate by allowing the Indigenous custodians of the land to take back control, protection and management of their resources.’
West Papua independence leaders launched their ‘Green State Vision’ today (Nov. 4) at COP26 in Glasgow, pledging to take decisive action to address the climate emergency and impact of natural resource extraction in an independent West Papua.
The Green State Vision was drafted with the assistance of international lawyers including UK-based barrister Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers. It sets out commitments from West Papua’s ‘government-in-waiting’[1], including:
- Making ecocide a serious criminal offence
- Restoring guardianship of natural resources to indigenous authorities, combining Western democratic norms with local Papuan systems
- ‘Serving notice’ on all extraction companies, including oil, gas, mining, logging and palm oil, requiring them to adhere to international environmental standards or cease operations.
The Green State Vision document is available here.
In June 2021, a panel of international legal experts co-chaired by Prof. Philippe Sands QC drafted a definition of ecocide intended for adoption by the International Criminal Court (ICC).[2]
West Papua is half of the island of New Guinea, home to the world’s third largest rainforest after the Amazon and the Congo. West Papua is rich in natural resources, including one of the world’s largest gold and copper mine (the Grasberg mine) and extensive sources of natural gas, minerals, timber and palm oil.
West Papua was a Dutch colony until 1961. The Indonesian military seized control in 1963. The people indigenous to the provinces are Melanesian, ethnically distinct from the people of Indonesia. West Papua continues to be unlawfully occupied by Indonesia. Indonesia is currently the world’s largest exporter of palm oil.[3]
West Papuans have contested Indonesia’s occupation for more than half a century, with Indonesian forces repeatedly accused of human rights violations and violent suppression of the independence movement. According to recent reports, hundreds of Indonesian soldiers have been deployed to West Papua in a crackdown, with civilians forced to flee and journalists and activists targeted.[4]
In 2020, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) announced the formation of its Temporary Constitution and Provisional Government, with exiled leader Benny Wenda[5] as Interim President.
Benny Wenda, Interim President of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua and Provisional Government, said: ‘We are fighting for stewardship of one of the planet’s largest rainforests, a lung of the world. The international climate movement and all governments serious about stopping climate change must help end Indonesia’s genocide of the first defenders in West Papua. If you want to save the world, you must save West Papua.’ See his full statement here.
Joe Corré, founder of Agent Provocateur, said: ‘This is a critical step towards protecting one of the world’s largest rainforests from catastrophic destruction caused by the illegal Indonesian occupation. The Indonesian government and military, supported by BP, are using violence, intimidation and murder to silence the indigenous inhabitants.’
Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers said: ‘The unlawful occupation of West Papua by Indonesia is facilitating the destruction of one of the world’s most important rainforests. Ensuring West Papua’s right to self-determination will also ensure the protection of the environment and the climate by allowing the Indigenous custodians of the land to take back control, protection and management of their resources.’
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
press@ulmwp.org
Spokespeople available for interview.
Notes:
[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-54798452
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/11/we-are-living-in-a-war-zone-violence-flares-in-west-papua-as-villagers-forced-to-flee; https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/one-child-killed-one-wounded-clash-indonesias-papua-hundreds-flee-2021-10-29
[5] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/papuan-independence-battle-fought-from-oxford-village-3vkl0lw7n
3) Indonesia's Widodo 'failing to protect Papuan civilians'
Rights activist takes aim after children shot and thousands displaced in recent armed clashes in region
Katharina Reny LestariKatharina R. Lestari, Jakarta
Published: November 04, 2021 09:04 AM GMT
A human rights defender in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua has called for greater protection for civilians, especially children, in conflict zones,
The call came in an open letter to President Joko Widodo issued by Theo Hasegem, executive director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, on Nov. 3.
It follows the death of a two-year-old boy and the wounding of a six-year-old child in a clash between suspected separatist rebels and soldiers late last month in the province’s Intan Jaya district.
Mr. President, I feel very sad to see children, who do not know anything about the political situation with regard to the independence movement in Papua, fall victim to such violence,” Hasegem wrote.
He said the president had a moral duty to protect all civilians in such conditions.
Despite Widodo having visited the region several times and talked about bringing peace to Papua, violence was showing no signs of abating, he added.
“All civilians in the Papua region are Indonesian citizens, so are entitled to protection”
Widodo’s last visit to Papua and West Papua provinces was in early October to kick off a national sporting event and launch several infrastructure projects.
“As a human rights defender, I am very concerned about the slow pace in dealing with armed conflict in the Papua region which has seen civilians, who do not have weapons, increasingly become victims,” he said.
He pointed to thousands of civilians fleeing their homes as a result of the clash that killed the two-year-old boy
Nearly 6,000 people have reportedly sought shelter at local churches in Intan Jaya district following the clash.
According to the police, at least 18 civilians and police officers have been killed in clashes this year.
“All civilians in the Papua region are Indonesian citizens, so are entitled to protection,” Hasegem told UCA News as he urged Widodo to form an independent team to help all those who have been displaced by the violence.
Emanuel Gobay, director of the Legal Aid Foundation in Papua, earlier called on the National Commission on Human Rights to immediately conduct an investigation into the incident involving the young boys.
Amali arrived at Jayapura's Sentani Airport on Thursday morning and made a stop at his hotel before visiting the Lukas Enembe Stadium and other sports venues to inspect their readiness for hosting Peparnas XVI matches.
A grand opening ceremony has been prepared for Peparnas, which will include a show involving 500 drones, the minister confirmed adding, singers Anggun and Nowela are expected to perform at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Peparnas XVI organizing committee deputy head II Hans Hamadi said the preparations have reached 100 percent completion.
"This means the largest sporting event for Indonesia's athletes with disabilities is ready to take place on November 2-15, 2021. Technical and administrative preparation for the games has been completed and we currently are waiting for the event to begin," Hamadi said.
The deputy head affirmed that strict health protocols will be enforced throughout the Peparnas XVI event like during the recently-concluded PON XX National Games.
Related news: XVI Papua Peparnas torch reaches Jayapura Mayor Office
The organizing committee has also prepared accessible facilities for participating athletes, Hamadi said.
"All facilities would be accessible for athletes with disabilities and their officials, in line with the National Paralympic Committee's recommendation," the deputy head informed.
Besides facilities at sporting venues and accommodation, vehicles used for transporting the athletes have been modified to allow easier access, he added.
Hamadi pointed out that airport operator Angkasa Pura has prepared special ramps at Sentani Airport for wheelchair users and the organizing committee has ensured the same facilities are available at all sports venues and hotels.
A total of 1,935 athletes are expected to take part at the Peparnas XVI Games, which will feature 12 sports competitions. The games will be hosted in Jayapura city and district, Papua.
Related news: Government guarantees welfare of athletes with disabilities
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