1) Commemorating Papua Land of Peace Day

2) Kalsakau wants Melanesian staff to work at MSG secretariat

3) ‘Prioritise recruitment of skilled Melanesians’

4) Victim of Wamena human rights violations calls for open settlement 

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https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2023/02/06/commemorating-papua-land-of-peace-day.html

1) Commemorating Papua Land of Peace Day

Ridwan (The Jakarta Post)

 PREMIUM Jakarta   ●   Mon, February 6, 2023 

On Feb. 5 each year in Papua, people commemorate the day the Gospel was spread in Papua and the declaration of Papua Tanah Damai (Papua as Land of Peace, or PTD). The day represents a distant hope for many people in the restive region, which is still experiencing a protracted violent conflict, where blood and tears of sorrow are shed.  

We know that since being incorporated into Indonesia via a United Nations-sponsored Act of Free Choice (Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat) in 1969, the mountainous half-island of Papua has had a troubled relationship with the Indonesian government. Local opposition to the widely criticized referendum led to the emergence of the Free Papuan Organization (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, OPM) in 1965, which has led to a low-level armed insurgency over several decades. In response, the government has suppressed the separatist movement with violence.  

Other causes for resentment on the part of the indigenous population include Papua’s poverty relative to other parts of the archipelago, as well as the large-scale influx of Muslim migrants that have tipped the demographic balance in some areas against the predominantly Christian Papuans. Various efforts to comprehensively solve the Papuan problem have not yielded results. 

The non-security approach also fails to make a difference. Infrastructure development to improve welfare, from the reform era of 1998 until the reign of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, along with the implementation of special autonomy and regional expansion, have yet to ease the level of violence in the region. Recent data on violent conflicts show an upward trend, with no sign of easing.

 It is also worth noting that the rate of violence has escalated even after the signing of a humanitarian pause agreement in Geneva last year.    This essay looks into the origin of Papua’s Land of Peace declaration, from which we can learn about ways to make the idea of Papua as a land of peace and harmony a reality. To understand the PTD framework holistically, it is important to understand its genesis. 

The PTD peace framework, which was launched on Feb. 5, 2003, did not emerge in a historical vacuum. It is rooted in the experience of Papuans who have a real desire for peace. At the outset, the indigenous Papuan youth, including students, wanted to nurture a culture of peace by promoting the idea that Papua is “a Zone of Peace”. At that time, they did not use the term PTD, or “Papua the Land of Peace”.  

The initiative was broached in a meeting in Serui, Yapen Waropen, in June 1999 because Papuan people wanted peace in Papua. I contend that the violent approach by the Indonesian government during the New Order regime against Papuans, including the Biak massacre, which had happened only 11 months earlier (July 6, 1998), gave impetus for that meeting. 

The participants wanted to ensure their meeting was not regarded as subversive against the Indonesian government. In a ceremonial meeting, Marthen Tanawane, a Papuan tribal leader, declared Yapen Waropen as “a Zone of Peace” on Sept. 17, 2000.  In 2001, Theo van den Broek and his companions reflected on the Papua Zone of Peace concept in Jayapura. 

Forty organizations representing almost all government and civil-society stakeholders met to explore the philosophical aspects of the Papua Zone of Peace. At the end of the conference, the participants agreed with the slogan “Papua as a Zone of Peace”, referring to a situation in Papua where its people feel free from physical and psychological conflicts. 

 The notion of “Papua as a Zone of Peace” received a good response from various parties, including religious leaders in Papua. The religious leaders, including Muslims represented by MUI Papua, church leaders, Hindu and Buddhist leaders, strongly supported the notion of Papua as a Zone of Peace due to the Papuans and Indonesian migrants’ mutual desire for peace. However, in the later reflections, those religious leaders considered that the concept of Papua as a “zone” of peace might be misused or misunderstood.

 For instance, they considered that several regions in Papua could be categorized as peace zones, while other regions could be deemed war zones. Instead, they proposed a more accurate term, the “land of peace”.  It is useful to note that the historical and political context of the PTD declaration, especially the communal conflicts that erupted in some areas in Indonesia (such as in Ambon, Sambas, and Sampit). In 2001, a Peace Agreement was reached to resolve the conflict in Ambon, the Moluccas, causing Laskar Jihad to lose its influence. 

It was reported that Ja’far Umar Thalib, a commander of Laskar Jihad, had initially sought to wage jihad in Papua, taking advantage of the turmoil that had arisen because of the call for self-determination for Papua. The PTD project aims to respond to the absence of civil and political rights (CPR) and economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR), excessive security approaches and welfare gaps in Papua. Because the concept of PTD can be interpreted differently by community organizations, it can be used to achieve different goals by different organizations.   

As dialogue is key to overcoming political conflict in Papua, Neles Tebay, for instance, developed the framework of PTD through a program called “Jakarta-Papua Dialogue”, elaborating on elements of “truth and justice” under the architecture of Papua Land of Peace by promoting the idea of dialogue to make the slogan a reality.  Dialogue, for Tebay, is a way to erode the culture of violence. 

Tebay not only articulated his ideas through writings but also translated his ideas by establishing Papuan Peace Network (Jaringan Damai Papua, JDP) in 2010, in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of Science (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia, LIPI) led by Muridan Widjojo.  JDP has been the architect of numerous initiatives to promote dialogue. 

Unfortunately, their activities are viewed by the Indonesian government as a guide for the Papuan independence movement. In an ironic twist, the OPM suspects JDP of working for the Indonesian government. As a result, suspicions about the intentions of JDP have severely undermined its efforts. 

In this light, Tebay noted that the Indonesian government often fell into the trap of viewing peace initiatives in Papua as part of the broader struggle for Papuan independence. On April 14, 2019, Neles Tebay died, making the future of “Jakarta-Papua Dialogue” and JDP’s mission increasingly blurred. 

To conclude, PTD day should not be a ceremonial event only. There should be a political will from the warring parties to engage in a dialogue for peace and finally bring a lasting peace to the Land of Papua.     

 -- The writer is a faculty member at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII)

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https://asiapacificreport.nz/2023/02/06/kalsakau-wants-melanesian-staff-to-work-at-msg-secretariat/

2) Kalsakau wants Melanesian staff to work at MSG secretariat

 By APR editor -  February 6, 2023

By Hilaire Bule, RNZ Pacific Vanuatu correspondent in Port Vila

Vanuatu’s prime minister has stressed any future employment within the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat must be from MSG member countries.

Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, who is also chair of the MSG Secretariat, made the statement following the recruitment of two Indonesian consultants to work in the MSG secretariat in Port Vila.

“We must first look within our region if we have people with required skills,” Kalsakau said.

• READ MORE: VFWPA eyes protest against Indonesian recruitment in MSG
• Other West Papua in Vanuatu reports

“If the Melanesian region does not have those skill sets for any upcoming job, then we can look beyond our region,” he said.

Kalsakau’s remarks to MSG Director-General Leonard Louma come after members of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association staged a protest outside the secretariat in Port Vila against the hiring of Indonesian consultants.

Louma had said at the time that the agency was aiming to strengthen its capacity, which included the recruitment of two Indonesian nationals filling the roles of a private sector development officer and a manager of arts, culture and youth programme.

Louma said the secretariat had been directed to reprioritise its activities and was now positioning itself to meet the demands and expectations of the leaders.

Vanuatu support for West Papua
He also added that saying only Melanesians should work at the MSG Secretariat was like saying that only Pacific Islanders should work at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, adding it was “disingenuous” to suggest such a notion.

But, the Free West Papua Association in Vanuatu said hiring the Indonesians made a mockery of the support Vanuatu had given West Papua for many years.

However, Indonesia has associate membership status in the MSG. The granting of this status has been criticised by Pacific civil society groups due to the ongoing conflict between Indonesia’s military and the West Papua liberation army, and human rights violations.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group and is actively seeking full membership.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

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https://www.dailypost.vu/news/prioritise-recruitment-of-skilled-melanesians/article_90cbe86a-fbc3-50f7-b9eb-cc54cc7296fb.html?fbclid=IwAR19xOPBTi5JQGuGG0TgmfaDqAi_zr5QFgxl6LBQyLo0cHLvedo-cc2TOTQ

3) ‘Prioritise recruitment of skilled Melanesians’

By Hilaire Bule  Feb 4, 2023

Prime Minister (PM) Ishmael Kalsakau, who is also chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has stressed any future employment within the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat must be sourced from MSG member countries.

“We must first look with in our region, if we have people with required skills,” he said.

“If the Melanesian region does not have those skills sets for any upcoming job then we can look beyond our region.”

PM Kalsakau made it clear to MSG Director General (DG), Leonard Louma that the MSG needs to be more vocal on issues affecting our region.

“We must not lose sight of the fact that we are a strategic bloc to be reckon with,” PM Kalsakau said.

“We have a huge land mass, population and natural resources. Therefore, we need to be more focal and energize towards ensuring that the region gets as much attention as it can.”

This comes after DG Louma had responded to a Daily Post article on January 11, 2023 titled, “VFWPA eyes protest Against Indonesian recruitment at MSG”, in which the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association (VFWPA) threatened to stage a peaceful demonstration if the MSG Secretariat pursues its plan to recruit Indonesians.

He stated that saying only Melanesians should work at the MSG Secretariat is like saying that only Pacific Islanders should work at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, adding it is disingenuous to suggest such a notion.

The DG said the MSG Secretariat has engaged non-Melanesians in the past to work on specific projects to implement decisions made by Leaders.

He confirmed two non-Melanesians are assisting them on two specific projects and said the MSG Secretariat’s Staff Regulations, which were endorsed by the Governing Bodies, provide for recruitment of persons outside the MSG region.

Meanwhile, PM Kalsakau noted Fiji now has a new Prime Minister and there is a need to start talking.

Mr. Kalsakau said there are also issues with Kiribati that made him started thinking Vanuatu should be speaking out more as Melanesians so that no one feels isolated and vulnerable.

“As Chair of the MSG, my best interest would be to have a meeting with my colleagues just so we hold ourselves true to the aspirations of our founding fathers,” the PM said.

“I will be meeting with the Australian Prime Minister, so it is crucial that we meet for a shell of kava at the MSG Secretariat or virtually with other leaders. I want to feel that Melanesian spirit of brotherhood before meeting with the Australian PM now that Australia is a member of MSG under the Pacific Islands Forum. The more we continue talking with each other with an open mind, the more the MSG bloc will grow stronger.”

The Chair was also informed that the MSG is running five programs on Youth, Climate change, Environment, Culture and Research and Education and Human Rights.

On the issue of West Papua, the new chairman was told that the position of each member states differs from the other countries and there is no joint position and as a result the MSG Secretariat has left the West Papuan issue to national governments.

“This is different from Human Rights abuse which the MSG leaders have agreed for the United Nations (UN) to send a team to West Papua,” said DG Louma.

PM Kalsakau questioned DG Louma on why West Papua should be treated differently.

According the new chairman, if they are given full membership, it will enable them to properly address their concerns to the group.

He also heads that FLNKS in New Calédonie who is a member of the MSG, and will soon take up an office space at the Secretariat office in Port Vila.

Mr. Kalsakau called DG Louma into to his office recently, following his election as Prime minister.

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https://en.jubi.id/victim-of-wamena-human-rights-violations-calls-for-open-settlement/

4) Victim of Wamena human rights violations calls for open settlement   

News Desk - Human Rights Violations 

6 February 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – Linus Hiluka, a victim and witness of human rights violations in the 2003 Wamena case, wrote an open letter to the Indonesian President, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Human Rights, as well as the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

In his letter, Hiluka emphasized that the Indonesian government must openly resolve cases of human rights violations, including Wamena and Wasior cases, through visiting each said regency and the crime scene.

“The settlement of cases of past human rights violations must be open, honest and fair, and cannot impose the wishes of the government, but heed the wishes of the families of victims,” Linus Hiluka told Jubi in a short message on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

“Especially for the Wamena case, all families of the victims have given their trust to Mr. Theo Hesegem as a Papuan human rights defender, therefore please contact him and he will connect the government with us, the families of the victims,” he said.

For this reason, he emphasized that the families of victims have agreed not to allow the settlement of the Wamena case to be done through individuals who have no interest in contacting the victims and their families.

“Anyone who will contact me related to the settlement of human rights violations, please show a letter from the President,” he said.

He added that the families of the victims have also conveyed their stance in statements to the team formed by the central government to resolve the case, and they are still waiting for an answer from the President. (*)

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