AWPA Sydney : December 2021

Friday, December 31, 2021

1) TAPOL releases video on torture and prosecution of displaced minor from Maybrat

2) Six to stand trial for attacking West Papua military post

3) Year-ender: Bringing killers of four soldiers to justice

https://humanrightspapua.org/news/2021/tapol-releases-video-on-torture-and-prosecution-of-displaced-minor-from-maybrat/?fbclid=IwAR28NLhOUXIt9QoQQpnIzWCEupTiZZhn56cybUro-rKzWCQFHW0yiT8lJug

1) TAPOL releases video on torture and prosecution of displaced minor from Maybrat

"LK and Systematic State Violence in Papua" 30.12.2021 in 2021

TAPOL and Kaki Abu Legal Aid Institute (LBH Kaki Abu) released a video entitled “LK dan Pusaran Kerasan di Papua (LK and Systemic State Violence in Papua)” on 29 December 2021. The campaign video calls for the release of 14-year-old LK, a child accused of having broken the law (ABH) in Maybrat, #WestPapua. LK was subjected to torture and forced to undergo an unfair trial. TAPOL encourages viewers and human rights observers to call on the court to free LK unconditionally and call on the Indonesian Government to provide justice for all victims of violence in West Papua.

Watch Video

LK himself testified he was staying in the village of Susumuk as the attack against the Kisor military post occurred. LK, YA and MS deny any wrong doing or involvement in the attack. The three minors were arrested in the Kokas Village along with three (2 adults, 1 minors) other internally displaced Papuans on 28 September 2021. The lawyers argue that the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of LK also resulted from many criminal procedure breaches during the law enforcement process. Police officers reportedly tortured the arrestees. Their hands were tied, and their eyes blindfolded with tape. Police officers beat and electrocuted the detainees, stapled their ears and forced them to lick their blood from the floor.

On 3 December 2021, judges of the Sorong district court found LK, guilty of murder and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment. The lawyers have appealed against the verdict. Two other minors, YA and MS, will still have to stand trial in relation to the attack against the Kisor military post, where four soldiers were killed. Lawyers representing the defendants in court called upon the Indonesian Judicial Commission and Child Protection Commission to monitor the trials and ensure that all state actors follow criminal procedure and juvenile justice provisions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3iDbnElSGs

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/207249/six-to-stand-trial-for-attacking-west-papua-military-post

2) Six to stand trial for attacking West Papua military post

8 hours ago

Sorong, W Papua (ANTARA) - Six men accused of launching an attack on a military post in Maybrat district, West Papua, on September 2, 2021, which claimed the lives of four soldiers, will be tried at the Makassar District Court.

Head of the Sorong Prosecutors Office's Intelligence Section, I Putu Sastra Adi Wicaksana, conveyed this information on Friday.

The suspects were flown from Sorong city to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, on Friday, he said.

While they wait for their criminal charges to be heard at the court, the suspects will remain in South Sulawesi police's custody, he said, adding that the trial is being conducted in Makassar for security reasons.

While Wicaksana did not provide the names of the suspects, he said they have been charged for violating Articles 170, 338, 340, and 353 juncto Article 55 (1) of the Criminal Code.

Related news: Army doctors, students serve residents near Indonesia-PNG border

As reported earlier, early in the morning on September 2, members of a Papuan separatist terrorist group ambushed several soldiers while they were asleep at the Kisor military post, located in Kisor village, South Aifat sub-district, Maybrat district.

Four soldiers -- 2nd Sergeant Amrosius, Chief Private Dirham, First Private Zul Ansari, and First Lieutenant Dirman -- died in the attack, while two others sustained serious injuries.

The bodies of three soldiers were found at the post, while the body of another soldier was discovered in the bushes not far from the post.

Related news: TNI distributes staple foods to residents in Papua's Paniai district

Owing to the incident, several local residents had fled their homes fearing for their safety.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)-Papua Office, which probed the terror attack, conducted a crime scene investigation and met with witnesses, two suspects, and survivors of the attack.

As disclosed by the commission's head, Frits B. Ramandey, in September, the preliminary findings of the investigation indicated that the suspects had carried out a well-planned and organized assault.

Related news: TNI Commander supervises mass vaccination in Manokwari

According to Ramandey, based on the preliminary findings, the soldiers who survived the attack only fired warning shots instead of directing gunfire at their attackers.

The rights commission lauded the soldiers' response despite being in a critical situation.

Related news: Minister flags off domestic-made goods wagon export to New Zealand

Related news: Alarming saga of violence against women and children

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

1) OIL PALM COMPANY HELD HUMAN RIGHTS WORKSHOP WITH INDIGENOUS PAPUAN

2) Indonesia Covid-19 Update; West Papua Reports Highest Number of Cases

3) TNI COMMANDER VISITS WEST PAPUA, URGED TO WITHDRAW TROOPS INSTEAD OF DEPLOYING MORE

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https://en.jubi.co.id/oil-palm-company-held-human-rights-workshop-with-indigenous-papuan/

1) OIL PALM COMPANY HELD HUMAN RIGHTS WORKSHOP WITH INDIGENOUS PAPUAN

News Desk December 29, 2021 2:56 pm

Boven Digoel, Jubi – Oil palm plantation company Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group in collaboration with the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Papua Representative held human rights workshop and training for indigenous communities owner of customary land in Asiki, Boven Digoel, from December 15 to 17, 2021.

The workshop was led by head of Komnas HAM Papua Frits B. Ramandey, and was attended by representatives of all TSE Group business units and each clan leader in the company area.

Ramandey explained that this activity was intended so that the participants, especially indigenous peoples, can advocate for themselves by conveying information based on field data in the form of accountable reports.

TSE Group General Manager Jemmy Senduk said that this training was a follow-up to the recommendations of the Komnas HAM Papua.

“The goal is for Indigenous peoples to understand what their rights are to the company and how to apply it in their lives,” he said.

During the workshop, the participants received material on the rights of indigenous peoples to a healthy environment, forms of human rights violations in business, as well as techniques for writing and filing reports on human rights violations.

Jemmy hoped that through these materials, Indigenous Papuans would have a broader and more comprehensive knowledge on human rights, whereas the company could better respect and realize the fulfilment of the Indigenous peoples’ rights.

Frits Ramandey appreciated TSE Group’s willingness to implement Komnas HAM recommendations. “I fully appreciate the efforts of TSE, which has opened itself to realize our recommendations to hold a human rights workshop and training for Indigenous peoples,” he said in a press release received by Jubi on Monday, December 27.

Meanwhile, one of the Indigenous peoples owners of customary rights, Paskalis Kinun Wohing, welcomed the training held by the TSE Group and Komnas HAM Papua. “The training is very good and useful for us. Hopefully, the Komnas HAM Papua can be a bridge between the TSE Group and Indigenous peoples to ensure the granting of the people’s rights,” he said.

The TSE Group’s commitment to fulfilling the human rights of the indigenous Papuan people living around the company does not stop here. The group plans to pass an assessment on business standards and human rights policy applied within the company in 2022. The assessment will be carried out by the Komnas HAM Papua. (*)

Editor: Jean Bisay

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https://en.tempo.co/read/1544605/indonesia-covid-19-update-west-papua-reports-highest-number-of-cases

2) Indonesia Covid-19 Update; West Papua Reports Highest Number of Cases

Translator: Dewi Elvia Muthiariny Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana

29 December 2021 13:49 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Covid-19 task force on Wednesday, December 29, confirmed 194 additional cases. It adds the total national tally to 4,262,351 cases. This was confirmed following the testing of 231,780 specimens.

There are currently 4,528 active cases across the country, which is an 86 case drop.

The main contributor to the case growth came from West Papua with 45 cases, followed by West Java at 36 cases, Jakarta 27 cases, Riau Islands at 25 case, and East Java with 16 cases.

Other Indonesian provinces logged less than 10 cases. In fact, there were 11 provinces that did not report any cases at all.

There were 10 cases of Covid-19-related death recorded today, which brings the total death toll to 144,081 cases. Meanwhile, there were 270 recoveries today, accumulating the national recovery cases to 4,113,742.

Read: Jokowi Lauds West Papuans' Enthusiasm toward COVID-19 Vaccination

EGI ADYATAMA

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https://en.jubi.co.id/tni-commander-visits-west-papua-urged-to-withdraw-troops-instead-of-deploying-more/

3) TNI COMMANDER VISITS WEST PAPUA, URGED TO WITHDRAW TROOPS INSTEAD OF DEPLOYING MORE

News Desk December 28, 2021 6:07 pm

Jubi TV – Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Andika Perkasa visited West Papua recently. He first visited Manokwari then continued to Sorong. Apart from monitoring the COVID-19 vaccination in Manokwari’s Borasi Square, the commander also held a meeting with his staff at the XVIII Kasuari Military Area Command Headquarters and inspected several facilities at the command.

“What we have done at the end of November is making sure [military] units in Papua and West Papua carry out their normal duties as outside Papua and West Papua,” Andika told reporters at Borasi Square on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

Andika stated that security problems caused by several people in the community who had illegal firearms also happened in other areas. According to him, efforts to overcome this problem often result in casualties. “It’s unavoidable,” he said.

However, West Papua human rights activist Yohanes Mambrasar argued that the visit of the TNI Commander should be an opportunity for the TNI to evaluate security policies in Papua and stop using a security approach based on military operations.“The TNI commander must evaluate the performance of TNI leaders from the Military Area Command to the Military Rayon Command levels, both organic and non-organic troops. He must also encourage all TNI personnel to carry out their duties in a professional and humane manner,” he said.

If the TNI commander was truly committed to resolving the Papua conflict and wanted to build peace in Papua, Mambrasar said, he must withdraw many of his troops from Papua and stop building new military units at all levels.

Mambrasar in his written statement said that the TNI was one of the parties involved in the violence against civilians in Papua. He mentioned the case of Maybrat displaced people that his party had been assisting. Mambrasar said that TNI reportedly carried out violence against Maybrat civilians the most, in various forms such as persecution, wrongful arrests, and terror.

The people of Tambrauw experienced the same situation. Mambrasar said the Tambrauw people experienced a lot of violence after the construction of TNI posts, the West Papua Trans Road project, and the construction of the Military District Command in Tambrauw, as well as several new Military Rayon Command in various districts.

According to him, the military approach to various conflicts and non-conflict operations, such as securing government assets and other territorial operations, had been very ineffective in creating peace in Papua. “Military operations” and the unabating military posts construction only gave birth to military violence against civilians.

In contrast to Mambrasar’s finding, commander of the XVIII Kasuari Military Area Command Maj. Gen. I Nyoman Cantiasa said that threats and incidents of violence in Maybrat came from a group of people whose ideology “opposed society”.

“I ask our brothers and sisters who are still threatening our community, please stop and let the people return home to celebrate Christmas,” Cantiasa said on Wednesday. (*)

Reporter : Adlu Raharusun
Editor : Victor Mambo

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Tuesday, December 28, 2021

1) West Papua: An Island in Peril

2) Update on situation of IDPs from Suru-Suru, Yahukimo Regency – Human rights defenders say 4,695 indigenous Papuans displaced, seven dead

3) Movie review: Papuan children, the President, and a bike

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https://www.independent.com/2021/12/24/west-papua-an-island-in-peril/

1) West Papua: An Island in Peril

The Struggle Continues as the Government Uses COVID to Isolate the Island

By Craig Harris
Fri Dec 24, 2021 | 3:12pm

West Papua occupies the Indonesian half of New Guinea, the second largest island in the world after Greenland.

Indonesia unilaterally annexed the former Dutch colony in 1969 with the United Nations referendum “Act of Free Choice.” What should have been a one-person one-vote consultation of the Papuans about the future status of their nation became an Indonesian-controlled mockery of the UN policy on decolonization and self-determination.

The indigenous people declared their jungle-clad province to be an independent state. Armed with arrows and spears as well as a few guns — the obsolete booty of the Dutch — they founded the Organisi Papua Merdeka (OPM), or Free Papua Movement.

For the Indonesians it seemed to matter little that the people of Papua belong to a different culture of the South Seas, that they have animist beliefs, praying to the Gods of the water and sun, an economy based on pigs rather than money, and hardly anything in common with the Asian, predominantly Muslim culture that abhors pork.

The year was 1988, my third visit to West Papua. Three porters, Tepi, Nadius, Lyndie, and I were on our way to the village of Waniyok, a five-day trek from Wamena, the major outpost of the central highlands. On our fourth day we were approaching Mt Elit, twisting and turning on a path no wider than my foot. The heavy rains had continued throughout the night and into the morning. Papua averages 300 inches of rain annually. We tarped all our gear we were carrying on our backs to keep it dry.

The thick jungle canopy echoed the sound of birds that took refuge from the rain. Waterfalls started to appear on the steep mountain slopes. It was difficult to keep my footing in the thick mud. At times I found myself on all fours sliding down a trail that at times seemed more like a river. The challenge was to stay upright on both feet until we reached higher ground. By late afternoon I was exhausted as we reached the village of Pileam.

Much of West Papua still remains unmapped and, as a result, untouched tribes hold a part of its mystique, living as they do in an area of rain forest, swamps, and cloud-snagged mountains reaching to heights of 16,000 feet, the highest elevation between the Himalayas and the Andes.

I have built lifelong friendships with many of the indigenous people and have learned much about my inner self through their wisdom. They have taught me the importance of humility and patience, two concepts which are so vital to a fulfilling life.

Why would Indonesia even be interested in this area 3,000 miles from the capital Jakarta? Simple, natural resources — the world’s largest gold and copper mine, vast amounts of timber and oil. Geologists call Papua “elephant country,” a term used for a region with an abundance of natural resources.

What first brought me to this far away land was an article I had read in National Geographic. The Indonesian government, in trying to so-called modernize this ancient culture, had an idea. With a population of roughly two million indigenous people wearing traditional attire consisting of penis gourds and grass skirts, the government decided to drop thousands of jogging shorts via small Cessna planes onto villagers in hopes they would replace their novel attire. When the same planes flew back a few weeks later the pilots saw the villagers were wearing the shorts on top of their heads to protect themselves from the rain. Within months of reading the article I was on my way to Papua and have continued to return over the last thirty years.

For awhile I was leading treks for a company out of Virginia. Taking small groups of people who wanted a glimpse into this remote culture, I worked my way from the highlands to the coastal swamp lands exploring regions few outsiders have ever seen. Looking back, those were amazing times. I was fortunate to learn about a people firsthand, about a culture that grabbed my heart and continues to do so to this day.

The Indonesian government forces its policy of no foreign journalists or UN members allowed in the area. Sealed off from the outside world news and events remain hidden from the outside world.

In 1971 Papuans comprised over 96 percent of the population. Now Papuans make up less than half of the population due to the inward migration of non-Papuan settlers. Many indigenous believe they are facing a slow-motion genocide as they are progressively marginalized and their lands are forcibly expropriated for military-backed logging, oil palm, and mining operations.

The president of Indonesia, Jokowi, believes economic development will trump Papuan nationalism. The UN has turned a blind eye.

The COVID pandemic has hit Papua hard. Access to the area is closed to all outsiders. Villagers are not allowing anyone within their compounds. The few medical facilities that exist are overwhelmed with patients. Most Papuans are being treated within their village.

The moderator of the Papuan council of churches, Reverend Benny Giay, said many West Papuans were resisting the vaccine rollout chiefly because of the role of Indonesian security forces, which he said indigenous Papuans mistrust. In most districts it is the military and police who accompany medical teams to promote the vaccines. But villagers turn them away. Given the on-going violent conflict between Indonesian security forces and West Papuans, as well as decades of human rights abuses and racism against Papuans, Reverend Giay said the resistance was understandable.

Reports in Papua indicate 27,000 cases of COVID with totals rising. However these numbers may only be a fraction of the truth. Only seven respiratory doctors and 73 ventilators are available for 45 hospitals and clinics.

The Indonesian government has used the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to crack down on West Papuan street protests and impose on-line censorship according to Human Rights Watch.

The doctor in charge of the capital Jayapura’s Covid 19 response team stated, “I know this might sound harsh; if you don’t want to die, don’t come to Papua.”

While Papua remains in the grips of COVID, statements like this only support the government’s policy: “Stay out of Papua. It’s our secret war to be determined by our policies.”

Only time will tell if Papua will survive these tumultuous times. Their future is in serious jeopardy as they cry out for help hoping someone will listen.

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https://humanrightspapua.org/news/2021/update-on-situation-of-idps-from-suru-suru-yahukimo-regency-human-rights-defenders-say-4695-indigenous-papuans-displaced-seven-dead/

2) Update on situation of IDPs from Suru-Suru, Yahukimo Regency – Human rights defenders say 4,695 indigenous Papuans displaced, seven dead

27.12.2021 in 2021 Reading Time: 3 mins read

Human rights defenders have collected first-hand information on the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Yahukimo regency. They fled their villages after members of the West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPNPB) killed one military member and injured another one during an attack on the military post in the Suru-Suru district on 20 November 2021. According to information received, 4,695 indigenous Papuans from 13 villages in the Yahukimo regency have fled their homes. The IDPs have sought shelter in 15 temporary camps in the forest where they have no access to sufficient food, healthcare and education services (see photos below). Seven IDPs have reportedly died since being displaced (see table on bottom), while sixteen women have given birth without medical attention.

Many healthcare and education facilities in the Suru-Suru district closed since the attack on the military post. Observers declared that two primary schools, two secondary schools and two health centres in Suru-Suru have been abandoned. The health workers and teachers have left the district.

Most of the IDPs are members of the Papuan Tabernacle Church (Kingmi Papua). Kingmi Papua called upon the central and local Government to provide relief goods, healthcare services to the IDPs and open access for humanitarian organisations and United Nations Human Rights observers to the conflict-affected regencies Yahukimo, Maybrat, Pegunungan Bintang, Nduga, Intan Jaya and Puncak.

More than 60,000 indigenous Papuans have reportedly been internally displaced over the past three years, most of which have not returned to their homes due to the ongoing heavy security force presence in the conflict areas. The central Government continues to deploy security forces to West Papua whilst turning a blind eye on the civilians affected by the security force operations. Human rights organisations have repeatedly called upon President Jokowi to enter into dialogue with the independence movement to seek a peaceful solution to the long-standing conflict in West Papua.

Photos of IDPs in multiple camps in the forest, taken by human rights defenders in the Yahukimo Regency

Table with IDPs who died during displacement in the Yahukimo regency since 20 November 2021

No	Name	Age	Sex
1	Sepria Bayage	5 years	female
2	Ekelana Heluka	35 years	female
3	Marten Heluka	26 years	male
4	Isak Bonge	36 years	male
5	Yosua Bonge	24 years	male
6	Dogohuru Weak	50 years	male
7	Bare Mone	24 years	male

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/206601/movie-review-papuan-children-the-president-and-a-bike

3) Movie review: Papuan children, the President, and a bike

5 hours ago

A poster of Sepeda Presiden. (ANTARA/HO-Sepeda Presiden Film/KT)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Despite their bright potential in the global film market, not many film-makers in the country have shown an interest in making movies about Papuan children.

Movies that tell stories about humanity, such as about children living in Indonesia's easternmost island, Papua, are few, and most of them refer to viral or popular episodes, highlighting the need for movies that truly capture Papuan people's lives.

Among the long-awaited movies to recently hit the theaters is Sepeda Presiden or The President's Bike. The movie, which premiered in cinemas across Indonesia on December 23, 2021, is a remarkable year-end release from the Indonesian film industry.

Drawing on the genre of comedy, Sepeda Presiden showcases the lives of Papuan children in the backdrop of the region's spectacular nature and alluring music. The movie aims to invite all Indonesian children, families, and society to go back to cinemas to watch movies together again, while not forgetting the health protocols, its makers said.

Avesina Soebli, the producer of the movie, said he has an interest in Indonesian children's world, music, and culture, so he decided to focus the theme of Sepeda Presiden on Papuan culture.

Related news: Navy helps Papuan children instil reading habit through mobile library

An offering from production house Radepa Studio, Sepeda Presiden captures the rich and fascinating stories of Papuan children, he added.

According to Soebli, the lives of Papuan children are different from metropolitan children who live in the cities. Their stories are filled with treasures and specters that cannot be found in other parts of the archipelago, he said. Papuan children's stories are their own, and can only be explained through their region's natural wealth, he remarked.

Garin Nugroho, the movie's director, shares similar sentiments. He said that although he has visited Papua several times, his wonder at the beauty of Papua and the talents that its children have has never faded.

Hence, Nugroho said he and Hestu Saputra were inspired to work on the film.

Papua is a source of spirits, home to dancing, acting, and singing talents, and joy, he added.

Nugroho said Papua sparked his creativity again. He said it helped him recover from the exhaustion of his recent theater offering Planet, A Lament, a musical on the nature of Melanesia, Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Related news: W Sumatran teachers donate school supplies for Papuan children

Three's company

Sepeda Presiden traces the story of three Papuan children who wish to meet the President of Indonesia through a YouTuber's help who has run away from her boring life in Jakarta.

The meeting is interspersed with much hilarity, colored with adventures in beautiful Papua, and glamorized through children's songs that are both joyful and entertaining.

Sepeda Presiden seems like a representation of the dreams and hopes of Indonesian children in general. The film manages to convey that most Indonesian children have the same wishes and goals of happiness, but some face obstacles to reaching their goals because they do not have the same facilities, information, and conveniences as urban children.

According to Soebli, the production team selected the metaphor of the President's bike because they were inspired by visuals of the President and his bike.

The "President's bike" is an interesting cultural and social event that triggers public participation, he explained.

It refers to programs where Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) meets many children and gifts them free bikes, which have often led to humorous incidents that have gone viral, he informed.

Related news: Salvaging Papuan children's future from threats of alcohol addiction

For instance, on December 21, 2021, Widodo gifted a bike to people in Tarakan for successfully answering his questions about the number of islands in Indonesia and the health protocols.

These viral incidents have become modern folk stories that have somehow inspired the film, Soebli said.

The natural beauty of Papua island presents a soothing backdrop for the film, which unfolds in Sorong and Raja Ampat. Shooting for the film was conducted in October 2021.

The film's cast includes Ariel Tatum, Sita Nursanti, Joanita Chatari, Ian William, and the smart and talented Papuan children, known as ‘The Papua Kids’: Arnol Aner Asmuruf, Dede Ramandei, and Elias F. Padwa.

Related news: West Papuan children urged to emulate Habibie's excellence

Beautiful soundtrack

The production team of Sepeda Presiden took on Swastika Nohara as the scenario writer along with Nugroho.

In the end, the film intends to be a family movie choice with its charming, exciting, and beautiful songs, as well as a warm dose of humanity.

Four soundtracks of Sepeda Presiden, Sepeda Presiden, Yospan, Papua, and Sajojo, have been performed by Papuan talents.

There are three more songs in the movie: Risau (Worry), which premiered on October 29, 2021, Kunang-Kunang (Fireflies), and Bunga Anggrek (Orchids) by Ariel Tatum.

All the soundtracks were directed by Royal Prima Musikindo (RPM) and produced by Octav Panggabean. The Sepeda Presiden song was sung by 'The Papua Kids', the three main characters in the movie.

The song, which released on December 4, 2021, portrays Papuan children's ambition to live each day and strive to realize their dreams.

Related news: Jokowi urges Papuan children to stay away from drugs

Meanwhile, Yospan and Sajojo are traditional songs sung by Bona Pascal, JB Macho, and other Papuan children.

The total number of songs in the movie is 17 and they were all recorded in a period of one month.

The movie is expected to close the year with excitement, instill hope to achieve dreams, and optimism to manifest ideal situations.

Related news: TNI, health centre provide health service for Papua children

Related news: President plays football with Papuan children at PON opening ceremony

AWPA Sydney