Monday, May 12, 2025

AWPA letter to Aust. Prime Minister re West Papua


 Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

                                                Contact email:  seosamh20@hotmail.com 




The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House

Canberra ACT 2600

 

 

13 May 2025

 

Dear Prime Minister,

 

I am writing to you on behalf of the Australia West Papua Association in Sydney concerning the issue of West Papua.  AWPA uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea. However, “West Papua” at this time is divided into six provinces.

 

I would first like to congratulate you on your re-election as Prime Minister.  AWPA understands that  you will be visiting Indonesia on your first overseas trip since your re-election. 

 

AWPA will not go into great detail concerning the human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua as we are sure you are aware of the situation in the territory. 

 

However, in the past year the conflict in West Papua has escalated with regular military clashes occurring between the West Papua National Liberation Army

(TPNPB ) and the Indonesian security forces. As a result of these clashes the security forces undertake military operations in the  area of the engagement.  During these operations, it’s not unusual for houses and food gardens to be destroyed. Local people usually flee in fear from the military to the forest or other regions creating internally displaced people (IDP). There are over 80,000 internally displaced people (IDP) in West Papua  with many suffering from malnutrition and their children missing out on their education. There are also reports of cases of torture, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detentions with no accountability for those military involved. 

 

West Papuans celebrate  significance dates in their history by holding peaceful rallies to bring the world’s attention to the injustice they suffer under Indonesian rule.  The security forces usually respond by  cracking down on the civil society groups  involved . There is  no freedom of expression  or assembly in West Papua. Journalists and human rights defenders are also regularly intimidated.

 

 

There are numerous reports by human rights organizations documenting the deteriorating human rights situation in the territory. Human Rights Monitor in its first Papua Quarterly Report for 2025, pointed out that ,  “Between January and March 2025, the human rights situation in West Papua was marked by a series of security force operations across various regencies in the central highlands, some of which were accompanied by aerial bombings near civilian settlements”. 

 

Extract

“The Indonesian military (TNI) deployed new troops and intensified operations in the regencies Nduga, Pegunungan Bintang and Puncak in January and February 2025. The military operations were reportedly carried out in indigenous communities, causing new internal displacements. TNI members allegedly burned residential houses and established military posts in civilian buildings. The significant intensification of the operations has raised concerns among human rights organisations, local communities, and religious groups as the increased military presence has triggered new internal displacements in the areas”.

 

 

The election of President Prabowo Subianto has  also caused major concern amongst West Papuans. Just days after his inauguration, it was  announced for plans to resume the transmigration program in eastern Indonesia and West Papua, saying it was needed for enhancing unity and providing locals with welfare.  In fact, transmigration is a great danger for West Papuans who  are in danger of becoming a minority in their own land. 

 

There is also concern about the Indonesian Presidents  past human rights record. He was dismissed from the Indonesian army in 1998 for kidnapping student activists. While serving as an officer in the military, (the Indonesian President did a number of tours in occupied East Timor ), it is alleged that troops under his command committed human rights abuses that resulted in the deaths of  many as 200 Timorese men. 

 

The Australian people care about human rights and in light of the ongoing abuses in West Papua , we urge you to raise the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President during your visit to Jakarta.

 

The West Papuan people have been calling on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. We urge you to support the West Papuan people by encouraging the Indonesian government, to allow such a visit to take place.

 

We are also concerned about the close ties between the Indonesian military and the ADF. We believe that the  ADF   should be distancing itself from the Indonesian military while there are ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua,  not increasing ties with the Indonesian security forces as is the case at present.

 

We understand that it is in the interest of the Government to have good relations with Indonesia, but good relations  should not be at the expense of the West Papuan people. The West Papuan people are not going to give up their struggle for self-determination. It’s an issue that is not going away.

 

Yours sincerely

Joe Collins

AWPA (Sydney)

 

CC.  Various Human Rights and media organisations 

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