1) WPCC urges UN Human Rights to visit Papua, investigate human rights situation as Indonesia keeps denying facts

2) Rights body outlines efforts to resolve Papua armed conflict  

3) Show the West Papuans the same compassion as the Ukrainians 

4) Former Timor militia protest at Amnesty's Jakarta office over its stand on Papua

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https://en.jubi.co.id/wpcc-urges-un-human-rights-to-visit-papua-investigate-human-rights-situation-as-indonesia-keeps-denying-facts/

1) WPCC urges UN Human Rights to visit Papua, investigate human rights situation as Indonesia keeps denying facts

News Desk March 23, 2022 11:24 am 

The leaders of the Papuan Church Council, the President of the Papuan Baptist Church, Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman (far left), Rev. Benny Giay (center), and the President of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI), Rev. Dorman Wandikbo (far right) delivering the call for the Papuan Church Council in Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency, Monday (21/3/2022). - Jubi/Yance Wenda

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papuan Council of Churches (WPCC) appreciates the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for sending a letter to the Indonesian government requesting clarification on the human rights situation in Papua. The WPCC asks the Indonesian government to stop denying various human rights violations in Papua, internationally known as West Papua.

“We appreciate the letter requesting clarification to the Indonesian government submitted by the UN Special Rapporteurs on Enforced Disappearances, Torture, and Refugees, as well as the UN Human Rights Council’s statement in February regarding the torture of seven children in Puncak Regency,” said head of the Papua Baptist Church Sinode Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman at a press conference in Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency, on Monday, March 21, 2022.

Yoman said the WPCC hoped that the UN Human Rights Council would follow up the clarification efforts by visiting Papua. “We urge the UN 

Human Rights Council to visit Papua and conduct a direct and thorough investigation on the human rights situation here,” said Yoman.

The WPCC condemned the Indonesian government’s continued denial of various cases of human rights violations in Papua, which only exacerbates Papua’s dire human rights situation.

“For 59 years, we have expressed our disappointment, sadness, and anger at the Indonesian government’s dishonesty in responding to questions from the UN Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights regarding the situation in Papua. We condemn the Foreign Affairs Ministry for continuing to deny the facts of the killings, torture, displacement, and disappearances carried out by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police against Papuan people,” said Yoman.

The WPCC expressed deepest condolences to the families of seven children victims of torture in Puncak’s Sinak District. On February 22, the security forces allegedly tortured seven Papuan children, resulting in one child, Makilon Tabuni, died. The council also expressed condolences for the families of two protesters who died during a protest against the expansion of Papua Province in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency, on March 15, namely Yakob Meklok and Esron Weipsa.

The WPCC also expressed condolences to the families of eight workers of PT Palapa Timur Telematika who were shot dead by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Beoga District on March 2.

Regarding the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) plan to hold a dialogue in Papua, the WPCC assessed that prior to the dialogue, there must be withdrawal of additional TNI and police troops in Papua, as well as the reinstatement of tens of thousands of civilians who were displaced due to the armed conflict in Papua.

“We believe that [dialogue] must begin with withdrawing the military from Papua and stop deploying more troops. To resolve the prolonged conflict in Papua, we remain consistent in urging dialogue between the Indonesian government and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua or ULMWP, just as what the government has done with the Free Aceh Movement in resolving the Aceh conflict,” said Yoman.

Further, The WPCC expressed gratitude to various parties who continue to voice the human rights situation and conflict in Papua Land. The council believes that the Papuan problem can only be solved with the help and support of various parties who care about the fate of the Indigenous Papuans.

“We express our gratitude to all the people and Church leaders, politicians, traditional leaders, academics, Indonesian media, Melanesia, Asia-Pacific, Australia, Aotearoa-New Zealand, African Union, Caribbean, European Union, and the United States of America who has become Simon from Cyrene, walked with us carrying the cross of the Papuan Nation. The cross that we carry is still heavy. Therefore, we still need as much solidarity and support,” said Yoman.

In the same forum, head of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI) Rev. Dorman Wandikbo questioned the role of the Komnas HAM in the human rights situation in Papua. Wandikbo also questioned the Komnas HAM’s sudden act of planning to launch a dialogue to resolve the Papuan problem.

Wandikbo said that if the Komnas HAM truly cared about the Papuan people, they should as well speak out against the government’s plan to expand the province in Papua, and the various plans by the TNI/Police to add more territorial units in Papua. (*

Reporter: Yance Wenda
Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G

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https://en.antaranews.com/news/221505/rights-body-outlines-efforts-to-resolve-papua-armed-conflict

2) Rights body outlines efforts to resolve Papua armed conflict  

5 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), here on Wednesday, reiterated its commitment to ending armed conflict in Papua and highlighted the numerous efforts it has made to achieve this end.

"Stopping armed conflict that has claimed many lives in Papua is Komnas HAM's primary mission," Komnas HAM head Ahmad Taufan Damanik said.

The commission has carried out numerous efforts to end the conflict in Papua, including through peaceful dialogue by meeting with various parties in the province from March 16 to 23, 2022.

It has also intensively monitored the situation in the region and urged law enforcement authorities to follow up on findings of human rights violations and other criminal acts by the military, police, and armed criminal groups.

Further, the commission has finished investigating the Wamena, Wasior, and Paniai cases involving gross human rights violations.

After the investigation results are submitted, in accordance with Law No. 26 of 2000 on Human Rights Court, the District Attorney is tasked with bringing cases before the human rights court for investigation and prosecution.

Komnas HAM has repeatedly met with President Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, and the District Attorney to discuss concrete resolutions.

This has been done to ensure there is no impunity in cases of gross human rights violations, specifically in Papua.

This step is important to uphold justice for victims and their families and to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, whether in Papua or in other regions, Damanik said.

"This concrete step is also important to recover the trust of the Papuans toward the attitude of the Indonesian government," he remarked.

What the commission has done is part of early steps to resolving the conflict comprehensively and aiding the peace effort in Papua, he explained.

Related news: Gov't to focus on welfare to resolve Papua situation: VP

At the early stage, Komnas HAM is striving to seek and hear the opinions of key figures, both within and outside the country, who include religious, cultural, and intellectual figures.

The main issue concerns the move to stop armed violence and conflict as well as conflict resolution issues that the commission wishes to convey to the Indonesian government, Damanik informed.

Next, the commission will tell the President to hold a meeting and negotiation between related parties and other key figures with a collectively agreed upon negotiation mechanism.

Komnas HAM said it believes that the conflict in Papua can be resolved soon through negotiation or peaceful talks between related parties. 

Related news: Police officers in Papua instructed to safeguard development agenda

Reporter: M Zulfikar, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/talanoa/show-the-west-papuans-the-same-compassion-as-the-ukrainians/37QT32NSTEQBKEXLHP6MV26QEY/

3) Show the West Papuans the same compassion as the Ukrainians 

23 Mar, 2022 08:34 AM 

By Stefan Dimitrof of Maori Television

Green party Pasifika peoples spokesman Teanau Tuiono is so concerned about a group of West Papua students that he has written to the government asking for help for them.

Te Ao Tapatahi last week featured a story about the students, studying in Aotearoa, before the Indonesian government stopped their scholarships, forcing them to return home, stripped of their dream for a better future. Three of the Green Party's list MPs have now written to Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Māhuta outlining their concerns.

"Some of the students are nearly finishing their qualifications," Tuiono said. "It makes no sense to cut that short. We are looking at a pathway to residency as well as the extension of visas.

"It would be disappointing to put all that time and effort into that study then have all of those qualifications stop, to have that training stop and not to be able to fulfil that expectation of finishing," he said.

"I am concerned about the situation in West Papua as every other week there are reports of alarming human rights abuses in the region."

Tuiono thinks it is important that the New Zealand and the Indonesian Governments collaborate to ensure the students complete their qualifications.

Tuiono said the students were concerned about how they are going to pay their rent, and what they are going to do to be able to eat. "These scholarships gave them everything that they needed to thrive and survive here," Tuiono said.

"We have shown solidarity to people that come from conflicted areas and we have shown that to the Ukraine. Now let's show it to the West Papuans."

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http://www.indoleft.org/news/2022-03-18/former-timor-militia-protest-at-amnestys-jakarta-office-over-its-stand-on-papua.html

4) Former Timor militia protest at Amnesty's Jakarta office over its stand on Papua

Tempo – March 18, 2022

Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia has responded to a protest action held by the Jakarta Red-and-White Militia (Laskar Merah Putih, LMP) in front of its offices. The protest was held in relation to recent problems which are occurring in Papua.

"We consider this to be an expression of freedom of opinion", said Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid when contacted on Friday March 18.

Amnesty, said Hamid, will continue to articulate its concerns about human rights violations in Papua, particularly the rights of indigenous Papuans which are increasingly being ignored, and not excepting violence against non-Papuan civilians and security personnel.

Protest actions by members of the LMP on Thursday March 17 were held at two different locations, the Amnesty office and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The organisation conveyed four demands based on a copy received by Tempo.

First, supporting the government in the creation of new autonomous regions (DOB) in Papua. Second, demanding that non-government organisations (NGOs) such as Amnesty not create narratives that tend to side with armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua.

Third, supporting the TNI (Indonesian military) and Polri (Indonesian police) in taking firm actions against groups which threaten the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). And fourth, demanding that legal action be taken against Papuan students who held a protest action in front of the Home Affairs Department several days ago which turned anarchic.

Hamid continued saying that Amnesty will continue asking the government to conduct an investigation into all human rights violations in Papua. Amnesty is also asking the government not to make unilateral policies which impact on the rights of indigenous Papuans which are guaranteed under the Special Autonomy Law or Otsus.

Amnesty is also asking the government to postpone the implementation to recent revisions the Otsus Law because the Constitutional Court (MK) is currently testing the constitutionality of the law. "Until the MK hands down a ruling, it would be best if the government postpones it", he said.

President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has already signed off on Law Number 2/2021 on Papua Special Autonomy as a revision to Law Number 21/2001 on Otsus. But after only a few months, the Papua People's Council (MRP), which represents the cultural interests of indigenous Papuans, challenged the new Otsus Law in the Constitutional Court.

The preliminary hearing at the Constitutional Court was held virtually on Wednesday September 22, 2021.

"The plaintiffs argue that the norms in the stipulations of Article 6 Paragraph (2), Article 6A, Article 28, Article 38, Article 59 Paragraph (3), Article 68A, Article 76 and Article 77 of the Papua Otsus Law violates their constitutional rights as indigenous Papuans", read a written release on the Constitutional Court official website.

One aspect of the implementations of the new Otsus Law is the formation of new DOB or the splitting up of the Papua region into six new provinces. It is the planned DOB which has attracted a great deal of protest, a plan which is being continued despite the law being challenged at the Constitutional Court.

Amnesty is urging the government to postpone the plan to create DOB in Papua and has criticised several articles in the new Otsus Law which abolish the need for agreement from the MRP before creating new regions. According to Hamid, the DOB cannot just be implemented if the aim is to bring government services closer to the public.

However he is asking that the policy not violate the procedures in the Otsus Law on the question of agreement from the MRP. Amnesty is therefore asking the government to postpone the formation of DOBs in Papua.

In relation to armed groups in Papua meanwhile, right from the start Amnesty has rejected the discourse promoted by National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar on classifying Papuan armed groups affiliated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM) as terrorist organisations.

According to Hamid, classifying armed groups affiliated with the OPM as terrorist organisations will not bring an end to the human rights violations suffered by the Papuan people because many of these are allegedly committed by state security forces.

"With regard to the acts of armed criminals which are committed by non-state actors it would be best to continue using a law enforcement approach", said Hamid in a written release on Tuesday March 23, 2021.

Rather than labeling them as terrorist, Amnesty is pushing for a legal approach to all violations which take place in Papua – weather they are committed by KKB, the OPM, police or the National Intelligence Agency (BIN). "So they are all treated the same before the law", he said.

Tempo has tried to contact the Jakarta LMP commander Agus Salim with regard to the protest action at the Amnesty office but as of this report being submitted, Salim has not yet responded.

Quoting from its official website laskarmerahputih.co.id, the LMP was born in East Timor when it was seeking to separate from Indonesia [through a UN sponsored referendum in 1999]. The group did not want East Timor to separate from Indonesia although in the end it acceded to the decision of the government at the time.

The Jakarta LMP is also recorded as receiving grants from the Jakarta provincial government in 2017 under the governorship of Anies Baswedan and Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno.

The value of the grant received by the social organisation established in December 2000 was initially planned to increase by five times from the 100 million rupiah it received 2017 to 500 million rupiah in 2018. Later on however it returned to 100 million during a meeting of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Budgetary Committee.

"The DPRD of course had a rational consideration, that the budget must forces on poor and less well off communities", said Uno when speaking at the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday November 29, 2017.

Tempo has also tried to contact Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Teuku Rezasyah about the LMP protest action in front of its office but although a WhatsApp message sent to him has been read there has been no response as of this article being posted.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Amnesty Sampaikan Sikap soal Papua Usai Unjuk Rasa Laskar Merah Putih".]

Source: https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1572271/amnesty-sampaikan-sikap-soal-papua-usai-unjuk-rasa-laskar-merah-putih

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