2) Ali condemns MSG; says group’s acceptance of funds ‘a slap in the face’ of every West Papuans
3) Armed group torches homes in Ilaga, Papua police chief confirms
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https://pina.com.fj/2022/04/04/indonesia-needs-to-allow-ohchr-visit-nz-foreign-minister-mahuta/
1) Indonesia needs to allow OHCHR visit: NZ foreign Minister Mahuta
New Zealand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta says the Indonesian Government needs to finalise the timing of the visit of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as soon as possible.
Mahuta in an interview with FijiLive said last year, the United Nations received reports indicating several instances of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the enforced displacement of at least 5,000 Papuans and the Office of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights need to be permitted to visit Papua as soon as possible.
“Aotearoa New Zealand recognises Papua as the sovereign territory of the Republic of Indonesia in accordance with the UN decision in 1969,” she said.
“In the context of our open and constructive relationship with Indonesia, Aotearoa New Zealand continues to register its concerns with Indonesian authorities.
“This is in regards about the human rights situation in Papua, and encourages Indonesia to promote and protect the human rights of all its citizens.
“We joined and supported the Pacific Island Forum leaders call for the Office of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights to be permitted to visit Papua,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Francisco Cali Tzay has called on the Indonesian Government to conduct full and independent investigations into the abuses.
Tzay said internally displaced persons in West Papua have not returned to their homes due to the heavy security force presence and ongoing armed clashes in the conflict areas.
“Thousands of displaced villagers have fled to the forests where they are exposed to the harsh climate in the highlands without access to food, healthcare, and education facilities,” he said.
“We are particularly disturbed by reports that humanitarian aid to displaced Papuans is being obstructed by the authorities.
“Moreover, severe malnutrition has been reported in some areas with lack of access to adequate and timely food and health services.
“In several incidents, church workers have been prevented by security forces from visiting villages where I internally displaced persons are seeking shelter,” he said.
He said unrestricted humanitarian access should be provided immediately to all areas where indigenous Papuans are currently located after being internally displaced.
“These cases may represent the tip of the iceberg given that access to the region is severely restricted making it difficult to monitor events on the ground,” they warned.
“Security situation in highland Papua had dramatically deteriorated since the killing of a high-ranking military officer by the West Papua National Liberation Army, last year.
“Two children aged two and six, on 26 October, were shot to death by stray bullets in their own homes, during a firefight. The two-year-old later died,” he said.
He said investigations must be aimed at ensuring those responsible, including superior officers where relevant, are brought to justice.
SOURCE: FIJI LIVE/PACNEWS
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2) Ali condemns MSG; says group’s acceptance of funds ‘a slap in the face’ of every West Papuans
ARIETA VAKASUKAWAQA7 April, 2022, 10:45 am
The Melanesian Spearhead Group’s acceptance of funds from the Indonesian National Police for the formulation of its regional security strategy was akin to buying their silence on the West Papua issue with blood money, claims human rights activist Shamima Ali.
The MSG received more than $200,000 ($US100,000) from the Indonesian National Police last week.
Ms Ali claims that the Pacific must stand together and condemn the atrocities committed by Indonesian security forces on the West Papuan people and call for sanctions against Indonesia.
“How can the MSG – a collective that purports to represent the Melanesian people – accept money from a government that is killing people whose only crime is their desire for independence, self-determination and autonomy,” she said.
“Our Melanesian brothers and sisters have lost loved ones and children at the hands of the Indonesian security forces – how can the MSG accept a single cent from them – it is a slap in the face of every West Papuan.
“It is the height of absurdity for the MSG to accept this money, and it is beyond comprehension that the funds will be used to develop the MSG Regional Security Strategy with security forces of a country that is killing, brutally attacking and detaining its indigenous people.”
She said if nothing was going on in West Papua, then why were the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner and foreign journalists barred from going there.
“Lives have been taken, people are being detained simply for speaking out for self-determination and we cannot just pretend it never happened and is still ongoing.
“At the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, we fly the Morning Star every Wednesday in solidarity with the West Papuan people and their bid for autonomy. West Papua, Merdeka!.”
Questions sent to the MSG Secretariat and Indonesian Embassy in Suva remained unanswered.
Members of the armed group allegedly torched the houses after one of their friends was shot dead by security personnel who were trying to arrest him.
"It is true that after a member of the armed criminal group, identified as Ali Teu Kogoya, was shot dead on Sunday (April 3, 2022), the armed criminal group torched houses," Fakhiri informed in Jayapura on Thursday night.
He said that based on the report he received, since Tuesday (April 5), the armed group has burned a total of 16 houses, forcing their occupants to flee to safer places, including the Puncak District Police Station in Ilaga.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported in the fire.
Related news: Wanted terrorist captured by Nemangkawi joint task force in Papua
However, Fakhiri urged his men to remain vigilant and not be easily incited by the armed group's actions.
"The armed criminal group keeps trying to incite us. When we are weak, they will attack us and rob us of firearms and ammunition," he said.
Ali Kogoya, who was a member of the Koyawage armed group, carried an FN 46 AK type rifle, with the series number EA 1520077. The rifle contained two bullets.
He got the rifle from Undius Kogoya, who has currently joined the Kelenak Telenggen armed group in Ilaga.
Related news: Security personnel continue to persuade Papuan insurgents: police
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