Wednesday, June 29, 2016

1) Indonesian Densus88 police shoot dead student, reports West Papua Media

2) Owen Pekei case, DPR Minta Papua Police Chief Responsible

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http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/06/29/indonesian-densus88-police-shoot-dead-student-reports-west-papua-media/

1) Indonesian Densus88 police shoot dead student, reports West Papua Media

By PMC Editor - June 29, 2016

Police in Nabire in the Indonesian-ruled province of West Papua carry the body of teenager Oen (Owen) Pekei, to a pickup truck after he was shot dead. Image: West Papua Media/UmagiNews

Australian-supported Indonesian police special forces have shot dead a teenage Papuan high school student in central Nabire city, West Papua, reports West Papua Media.

The shooting took place on Monday in an “apparently premeditated ambush without provocation, according to credible reports and witnesses from the scene”.

The student was unarmed , reports West Papua Media.

Local independent media in Nabire, UmagiNews, are reporting that the extrajudicial killing occurred as the high school students were passing by the heavily armed police patrol near a roundabout in central Nabire. West Papua Media stringers have confirmed these reports.

Oen (Owen) Pekei, 18, a student from class 2, YPPGI (Senior High School) Karang Mulia Nabire West Papua, was shot dead at 5pm local time, Monday, after being chased by at least three vehicles full of heavily armed, militarised police, according to witnesses.

One witness, whose name has been withheld for protection, told UmagiNews that Pekei was seen riding on a motorbike carrying a noken bag bearing the outlawed Morning Star pro-independence symbol.

Oen (Owen) Pekei … the 18-year-old student who was allegedly shot by Indonesian special forces police on Monday. Image: West Papua Media/UmagiNews

Police gave chase
Police gave chase with three motorbikes, three unmarked police vehicles, and a truck full of fully armed and armoured Densus88 anti-terror police in balaclavas joined the chase.

Pekei was herded into an ambush area, where more Densus88 armed members of the police were awaiting him at three points, according to the witness.

Pekei was then shot in front of the new city complex at the Nabire regent’s office, allegedly from several directions simultaneously.

UmagiNews has published a series of diagrams given by witnesses showing from where different armed units shot Pekei.

One shot from Telkom head office, the second from within the memorial monuments, and the third from the D88 cars of Dalmas Porles Nabire.

Unconfirmed reports seen by West Papua Media stringers allege that among the shooters, both waiting and chasing Pekei, were a heavily armed patrol of black clad special forces police belonging to the Australian-trained and funded counter-terror unit Special Detachment (Densus) 88.

Densus88 has been used extensively for several years to conduct extremely violent repression against Papuan civilians engaged in peaceful acts of free expression, and is currently deployed heavily across Papua, whilst still receiving funding and training from the Australian Federal Police.

Motive unclear
The motive for shooting is not clear, however police have denied – in the military run colonial media outlet Nabire_Net – that they shot Pekei, claiming instead that he died in hospital after hitting his head during the crash.

West Papua Media has published photos of Pekei – provided for publication by his family with permission – showing the entry wound caused by a bullet, which is inconsistent with road impact at low-speed. Warning: Images on this weblink may be distressing for some.

However, human rights observers told UmagiNews that questions arose that if Pekei was considered a road accident victim who was unconscious, why he was dumped in the mortuary instead of receiving an attempt to revive him in the emergency room of the hospital.

Other circumstances surrounding the shooting have not been confirmed at time of writing, and Indonesian police in Nabire have refused to answer phone and SMS messages from West Papua Media and local stringers.

A human rights monitor in Nabire who exposed the news observed that the “Motive appears unknown (as) conducted by the police, but people of Papua demand the Indonesian state carries out a just ‘crack down’ on any human rights violations that occurred”.

This shooting is not the first time an event like this has occurred. On 5 December 2014, the Bloody Paniai incident occurred that left four unarmed Papuan teenagers dead and 17 more Papuans injured when the Indonesian army and police opened fire on peaceful protesters in Paniai.

Some Papuans who gathered outside the Regent’s office after the killing told UmagiNews that they “questioned the Indonesian government’s seriousness in resolving human rights violations by the Indonesian military”.

“Bloody Nabire has returned, the security apparatus of the Republic of Indonesia is shooting the indigenous people of West Papua, using the tools of State (guns)”.

Images of the scene at West Papua Media

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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can ben a bit erratic.

original bahasa link at

http://suarapapua.com/2016/06/29/seorang-pelajar-ditembak-mati-polisi-dprp-minta-kapolda-papua-bertanggungjawab/

2) Owen Pekei case, DPR Minta Papua Police Chief Responsible

Writer Stephen Yogi -June 29, 2016

Police officers and the victim at the scene (Photo: Doc. Rius Douw)

NABIRE, SUARAPAPUA.com - Although it has been denied by Nabire police station, the death of Owen Pekei (18) are required to be addressed seriously at once explained to the victim's family affairs chronology of events.

Laurenzus Kadepa, member of parliament of Papua Province, said, whether because of a bullet or pure traffic accidents (laka then), the case should be presented honestly to the public especially the families of the victims.

Although the motive and the chronology of events mazy, said Kadepa, appropriate recognition of the victim's family, in contrast to the police explanation. Owen Pekei, grade II SMA YPPGI Nabire, according to the family, was shot dead after being pursued because of not wearing helmets and carrying nokeng patterned Morning Star, Monday (06/27/2016) afternoon.

Presented, if true testimony of the family a lot after seeing the condition of the victim, authorities should bertanggungjawabkan. Because, he said, the reason penembakannya unnatural. "When properly due to the shooting, the police chief had to intervene to check his men at Nabire police station," he told suarapapua.com, yesterday morning.

Kadepa remind, lives only in God's hands. "Humans are not entitled to, and do not do the shooting because it is not a solution, it adds to the problem. These inhuman acts, if true culprit very biadap shot, "he said.

He called the officers very unnatural reasons. "The reason Owen Pekei not wear a helmet and bring nokeng BK display was very unnatural. And if officials anticipate the activities July 1, also very unnatural, because it should not take the life of innocent people, "said Kadepa.

The victim named Owen Pekei, students in high school YPPGI Nabire, Class II, Department of IPS. According to the family, the victim was shot while riding a motorcycle in Jalan Merdeka. At that time he brought a woven patterned nokeng Morning Star flag.

Kadepa also questioned whether the victim has been the DPO related crime is extraordinary? What happens when the opposition uses the weapons to the security forces?

"The reason must be strong to easily escape the bullets. Families of the victims say, the boy was only a student. Not criminals. Why should it be shot? It must be clarified, "he said.

To that end, Papua Police chief asked to immediately open to the public events. "Papua Police Chief should be the law of all, who ruled until doing," he said again.

In general, Kadepa asserted, the security forces stop making new cases in Papua, especially the removal of the lives of people. Therefore, the state has commitments would resolve human rights violations and promised not to fire on civilians on Earth Cenderawasih.

"The efforts of the state to solve cases of human rights violations and the government's promise to the international community to no longer commit human rights abuses, I think I'm good. But with this incident, all that effort just a ruse, "said Kadepa.

Announcers: Stephen Yogi

Editor: Mary Monireng

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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

UN action demanded over rights violations in West Papua

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/307522/un-action-demanded-over-rights-violations-in-west-papua

UN action demanded over rights violations in West Papua

9:35 am today

An international human rights law firm has submitted a formal legal complaint to the UN Human Rights Council regarding violations by Indonesia against West Papuans.

The Foundation Legal Aids for the People of West Papua and the Amsterdam-based firm Prakken D'Oliveira, filed the complaint, on behalf of the so-called Federal State Republic of West Papua, its president, as well as 19 other citizens.

Downtown Jayapura. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins

The complaint set out an array of alledged human-rights abuses suffered by the West Papuans from the moment of Indonesian annexation of West Papua in 1963 to the present day.

The complainants said after more than 50 years of death and destruction in West Papua, it was time for international legal action.

They urged the UN to formally condemn the Indonesian government for committing systemic human rights violations against the people of West Papua.

The group said it was hoped that the Human Rights Council would undertake a thorough factual and legal inquiry leading to the passage of a UN resolution containing such condemnation.

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1) National scene: Komnas HAM wants no part in Papua team

2) PNG diplomat encouraged by West Papua observations (Transcript)

3) Komnas HAM Release developments Handling Cases of human rights in Papua

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/28/national-scene-komnas-ham-wants-no-part-papua-team.html

1) National scene: Komnas HAM wants no part in Papua team

Jakarta | Tue, June 28 2016 | 08:50 am

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is taking no part in a government-sanctioned team on human rights violations in Papua, commissioner Natalius Pigai said on Monday.

“Komnas HAM has decided not to delegate any commissioner to take part in the team,” Natalius said at his office in Jl. Latuharhari, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Natalius said there was no possibility that Komnas HAM, as an independent institution, would participate in any government initiative, including the Papua team, which is spearheaded by the Office of the Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Minister.

“The government is not authorized to coordinate or coax the commission into taking part in the team. We do not sit in the President’s Cabinet,” Natalius said.

Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan previously claimed that Komnas HAM was part of the team, which, between now and October, is tasked with identifying human rights violations in the country’s easternmost region, and is led by former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) acting deputy chairman Indrianto Seno Adji.

The team’s efforts have met fierce opposition from Papuan activists, including rights activist Yan Christian Warinussy, who wrote in an article on local online news outlet suarapapua.com on Sunday that according to the 1999 Human Rights Law, the only institution with the authority to investigate the causes of human rights violations and initiate preliminary investigations was Komnas HAM.

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201806072/png-diplomat-encouraged-by-west-papua-observations

Transcript

2) PNG diplomat encouraged by West Papua observations

9:22 pm on 28 June 2016

Papua New Guinea's ambassador in Jakarta says there's a change of attitude taking place in Indonesia's Papua region, or West Papua, whereby the indigenous people are participating more in the running of their own region.

Listen duration6:18

Transcript

Peter Ilau this month visited the Papuan cities of Jayapura and Merauke on the invitation of Indonesia's Co-ordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security affairs, Luhut Panjaitan.

Also on the visit were ambassadors from New Zealand, Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Mr Ilau told Johnny Blades the visit was about witnessing the government's "holistic" approach in Papua.

PETER ILAU: Issues of human rights, right across to issues of development, issues of education, issues of law and order, issues of funding development aspirations and having a strategic sort of view of linking Papua with the rest of Indonesia and the world, I guess.

JOHNNY BLADES: Are you encouraged by what you've seen?

PI: Well we are absolutely encouraged. There are certainly new trends and the directions from the President here are certainly very forthright, and his overall strategic plan which the minister is now taking across to the people and taking the leadership himself. He is connected and the people understand it, and people take ownership of the development initiatives that are being put in place.

JB: With your background, of course, you were the head of Papua New Guinea's military forces and you know all about the sensitive issues, would you say things are improving on that front?

PI: It's the perception that has been portrayed outside which really misguides all of us, including Papua New Guinea. The Papua New Guinea Defence Force, in my time, and I'm sure it's still the same now, is that we had a very good understanding with the TNI (Indonesian military). We knew what was happening. From time-to-time I tried to explain to people that the so-called buildups are actually their way of managing their border; they have the numbers, they have the resources, so when they move a large number of troops it becomes obvious to people that there's a large mass of troops and equipment being moved, whereas on the other side, we just have 100 men or 150 at the most, and when they move, it's just a group of people moving. So it's not as significant as the movements that are taking place on the other side which is often misread. when you have three or four thousand people moving at the same time, of course it raises tension. You know, when sattelites pick up movements of people, they pick up movements of much larger signature, as opposed to a small signature. But they've always managed it, and we've always understood from the PNGDF point of view that they were just doing their normal rotation of troops, normal deployment, extraction of troops.

JB: We see that there's a lot of support for the United Liberation Movement of West Papua over there. What are you hearing?

PI: Our observation here - and I'm sure my other three colleagues Fiji, New Zealand and Solomon Islands will say similar things in their own way - look, we are observing a trend, a show of attitude towards doing things for themselves. You know the governors, the bupatis, the regents, they're all indigenous Papuans. There's no Javanese or any other persons in the driving seat in terms of leadership in those provinces, districts and village levels. Even the police and military forces, there's more and more Melanesians now in there. The financial institutions, the businesses that are run... of course, it's all of Indonesia that is driving development in economics, banking, finance in Papua. But you see more and more indigenous Papuans are creeping up into management. The universities are a class example: all of the professors, lecturers, many of them are Papuans.

So, back to your question, I think this renewed sense of wanting to do things for themselves... a couple of things became obvious in the meetings, and you probably noticed - if you haven;t done so yet, there's an interesting article in the Jakarta Post last week. It was done by the Indonesian ambassador in Canberra but it's also a view that was said to us in no uncertain terms to the four of us (ambassadors) that were visiting, in one of the meetings, and that's in the presence of activists, Papuan activists against human rights (abuses), they were telling us that, you know, we've had enough of outside interference with what we're doing. When they say outside interference, they are referring to outside governments and even outside Papuans, the diaspora Papuans who are constantly putting out messages that are not exactly what is being inspired on the ground here at home, what people want to do.

JB: Was that the article that characterised the United Liberation Movement for West Papua as almost a terrorist group?

PI: Yeah, that's the article, and in fact during the meetings a large number of files were brought forward, individual citizens, Papuans bringing out evidence on a lot of the incidents that have occurred in the past, so-called human rights incidents. People were bringing in files, photos and giving it to the minister and his staff for presentation to courts for follow-up investigations and consequently maybe arrests of people who are implicated.

JB: The Melanesian Spearhead Group has recognised the United Liberation Movement as a group and it's obviously in the MSG as an observer, so it can't be likened to a terrorist group, surely?

PI: Yeah, I think one has to see the outcomes of these investigations that are being brought up and the evidences that have been brought out so what is now being shared in the media and consequently when the parliament clear, clears their.. what they mentioned to us, that the president wants all these things, all the incidents that happened before 2000 to be cleared. Once they clear a lot of these and the information becomes public, I think we'll be surprised to see who the real aggressors are in a lot of these incidents.

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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.

Original bahasa link at

http://suarapapua.com/2016/06/20/komnas-ham-rilis-perkembangan-penanganan-kasus-ham-tanah-papua/

3) Komnas HAM Release developments Handling Cases of human rights in Papua

JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) asserted, the problem of human rights violations in Papua and West Papua has been a latent problem, widespread and rooted in some fundamental issues.

In a press release No. 015 / PR-KH / VI / 2016 on the Development of Human Rights Violations in Papua and West Papua, is written, "The vast majority of human rights violations has not been granted legal settlement that is fair and true based mechanism applicable national law, either through judicial and non-judicial mechanisms. "

Joko Widodo to the President's commitment to resolve the human rights problems in Papua, the Commission already taken several steps. Including attending some of the meetings held by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security and the Office of the President staff to discuss some ideas and steps to resolve human rights violations in Papua and West Papua.

"The Komnas HAM investigation indicates the occurrence of violations of human rights in Papua weight. Abepura incident, event Wamena and Wasior events are events that based on its investigation the Commission stated as human rights violations are severe. Komnas HAM monitoring results indicate a widespread and diverse alleged human rights violations in Papua and West Papua, "he wrote.

Of the various processes of monitoring, mediation, investigation and assessment which has been ongoing since 1993, the Commission appreciates the government's efforts to solve the problems of human rights in Papua and West Papua, as well as recommending the need for a comprehensive approach and fundamental formulated with various levels of society in Papua and West Papua.

Additionally, open to cooperation with all the parties intention to complete a variety of human rights violations, including gross human rights violations, as well as the prevention of future human rights violations in Papua and West Papua as well as in other areas in Indonesia.

What about the handling of severe human rights violations?

Komnas HAM in the same press release revealed that, for events Wamena and Wasior 2003 2001-2002 2003-2004 had conducted an investigation and submit the inquiry findings to the Attorney General in 2004.

Also held a reciprocal communication with the Attorney General from 2004 to 2014 has not reached the pace of investigation by the Attorney General. Besides the closed meeting with the Attorney General to review the results of the investigation the Commission and agreed on the necessary follow-up steps, the end of May 2016.

"At a plenary meeting of the Commission 7-9 June 2016 sets out to establish the Advanced Research Adhoc Team Event Team Wamena and Wasior incident Advanced Research AdHoc," he explained.

Paniai special cases of dengue in 2014, the National Commission on Human Rights has established a team to conduct an investigation Adhoc. In addition, pre-visit investigation by the Office of Komnas HAM in Papua for consultation with families in Enarotali, Paniai (late May 2016), and visit Tim Adhoc for consultation with families along with other stakeholders 17 to 19 June, 2016.

Related to the victims of human rights violations, the Commission together with several parties are formulating mechanisms remedies for victims of human rights violations in Papua, which include, first: access to justice equal and effective, both: compensation (reparation) adequate, effective, and fast for damages ( harm) suffered, and third: access to relevant information concerning violations and compensation mechanisms.

Another important point, the Commission recommends to all parties not to use violent approaches and encourage the realization of a peaceful Papua and respect for human rights.

For the Commission, some of it is expected to be a major concern of policy makers for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights in Indonesia in general and Papua and Papua Barat in particular.

Announcers: Mary Monireng

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1) West Papua Action Auckland congratulates the Governments of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

2) West Papuans in the driving seat, says PNG ambassador

3) PNG diplomat encouraged by West Papua observations

4) Pertain to operate aircraft for fuel distribution in Papua

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1) West Papua Action Auckland congratulates the Governments of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

West Papua Action Auckland,

Box 68-419, Auckland

28 June 2016

Media Information: West Papua Action Auckland congratulates the Governments of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands for their statements last week about human rights abuses in West Papua. We believe their principled and courageous stand at the Human Rights Council in Geneva has drawn attention to the suffering of a people whose plight remains hidden from much of the world. We strongly support Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands in their call for the UN Special Rapporteur for the Freedom of Expression to be invited to visit the territory, and will encourage our Government to back this call. Letter follows:

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare,

Red House, Honiara.

Solomon Islands.

25 June 2016

Prime Minister Charlot Salwai,

Parliament Buildings, Port Vila.

Vanuatu.

Dear Prime Ministers,

West Papua Action Auckland would like to congratulate your Governments for the very important representations made by your diplomatic representatives at the Geneva meeting of the Human Rights Council.

We fully support the principled stand that your governments have taken in support of the people of West Papua who continue to suffer from grievous human rights abuses. Along with you, we have been very disturbed by the large number of arrests of young people that have taken place across the territory in the last two months. We understand that those arrested were doing nothing more than attempting to express their political aspirations and their support for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua to become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

In the last few days our concerns have increased as we read the reported statement of the Police Chief in West Papua, General Paulus Waterpauw, who said that there would be ‘legal consequences’ for those in groups who advocate for ‘separatism’. He appeared to be threatening young people with a criminal record should they take part in a demonstration that could be seen as anti-government. If this report is accurate then it has serious implications. We strongly believe that the essence of democracy is the right to peaceful dissent.

We therefore back the call you have made to Indonesia to invite the UN Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to visit West Papua. Furthermore, as Indonesia has not welcomed the request for a fact-finding mission supported by the Pacific Island Forum, we are pleased that you have raised this important proposal in Geneva.

For our part we will do our best to encourage our own Government to follow your inspiring lead.

Your s sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater

For West Papua Action Auckland

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/307457/west-papuans-in-the-driving-seat,-says-png-ambassador

2) West Papuans in the driving seat, says PNG ambassador

44 minutes ago

Following his visit to West Papua, Papua New Guinea's ambassador to Indonesia says that increasingly West Papuans are in the driving seat in terms of the running of their own region.

Peter Ilau this month visited the Papuan cities of Jayapura and Merauke on the invitation of Indonesia's coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs, Luhut Panjaitan.

Also on the visit were ambassadors from New Zealand, Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Mr Ilau said the visit was about witnessing the government's efforts on protecting human rights, advancing development and further linking Papua with the rest of Indonesia.

"Look, we're observing a trend, a show of attitude towards doing things for themselves," said Mr Ilau. "You know the governors, the bupatis, the regents, they're all indigenous Papuans.

"There's no Javanese or any other persons in the driving seat in terms of leadership in those provinces, districts and village levels."

Peter Ilau said that even in Indonesia's police and military forces, there were now more Melanesians participating.

He said one of the salient points that he and the other ambassadors picked up during the visit was that local people in Papua are fed up with outside interference.

"When they say outside interference, they are referring to outside governments and even outside Papuans, the diaspora Papuans who are constantly putting out messages that are not exactly what is being inspired on the ground here at home," he said.

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201806072/png-diplomat-encouraged-by-west-papua-observations

3) PNG diplomat encouraged by West Papua observations

5:03 am today

Papua New Guinea’s ambassador in Jakarta says there’s a change of attitude taking place in Indonesia's Papua region, or West Papua, whereby the indigenous people are participating more in the running of their own region.

Listen duration 6:18

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/28/pertamina-to-operate-aircraft-for-fuel-distribution-in-papua.html

4) Pertain to operate aircraft for fuel distribution in Papua

Atom Amindoni The Jakarta Post

Jakarta | Tue, June 28 2016 | 10:24 am

State-owned energy firm Pertamina plans to operate a dedicated aircraft to support fuel distribution to remote areas in Papua starting in September.

Pertamina is currently using aircraft from private airliner Trigana Air to deliver fuel to several areas in Papua such as Wamena, Jayawijaya and Lanny Jaya regencies, the company's vice president of corporate communications Wianda Pusponegoro said on Monday. However, the limited Trigana flights have made regular deliveries difficult, causing fuel supply shortages in the country's easternmost region.

Therefore, Pertamina is considering leasing or purchasing a cargo aircraft specifically for more regular fuel delivery, she added.

Pertamina uses land, water and air transportation to distribute fuel in the challenging terrain of Papua, which contributes to the high cost of distribution there, she added. The energy firm spends more than Rp 34.34 billion (US$2.6 million) a month to deliver fuel to Papua province and Rp 5.4 billion to West Papua province.

However, the company sells the fuel in Papua at the same price as other parts of Indonesia, despite spending more on fuel distribution.

Pertamina began fuel distribution via air to Indonesia's northernmost area, Krayan district in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, earlier this month. Renting air tractor aircraft from private airliner Susi Air, Pertamina delivered its first 1,000 liters of diesel to Krayan. (rin)

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Monday, June 27, 2016

1) SOLOMON ISLANDS IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL VOTE FOR WEST PAPUA INDEPENDENCE

2) Indonesia ‘recognises communal rights’ of 9 indigenous groups in Papua

3) 12 Missing as Passenger Boat Sinks off Papua Coast

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http://theislandsun.com/solomon-islands-support-global-vote-west-papua-independence/

1) SOLOMON ISLANDS IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL VOTE FOR WEST PAPUA INDEPENDENCE

BY ERNEST TA’ASI | June 27, 2016

THE SOLOMON Islands government is in support for an international supervised vote on the independence of West Papua.

Solomon Islands representative Barret Salato gave the country’s support before the UN Human Rights Council for the vote proposal that was made by the International Parliamentarians for West Papua Forum in London last month.

“We strongly endorsed the final declaration of this International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) Forum which took place in London on 3 May which calls for an internationally supervised vote on the independence of West Papua,” Salato said in his statement over the situation of West Papua.

The London declaration has been endorsed by cross regional parliamentarians from 15 UN member states.

Barret Salato spoke of the brutal oppression faced by West Papuans.

He said the Solomon Islands government is regularly updated on the violation of human rights against West Papuans.

“The Solomon Islands government receives regular reports of cases of arbitrary arrests, summary execution, torture, ill-treatment, restriction of freedom of expression, assembly and association, committed mainly by the Indonesian police,” Salato said.

He said on 2 May alone, 2,109 indigenous Melanesian West Papuans were arrested for participating in peaceful demonstrations in several cities in West Papua and some Indonesian cities.

“The demonstrations were held in support of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) to be recognized as a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the commemoration of 1 May 1963 as Indonesia’s annexation of West Papua and to support the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) meeting.

“During the arrest, some of them experienced torture and ill treatment from the Indonesian security forces,” he added.

“The Solomon Islands notes the recent outcomes of the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead group that was held last week in Fiji (14-17TH June 2016) where both Representatives of Indonesia and the ULMWP sat as MSG members during the deliberation.

“This outcome envisages to establish a safe space for constructive engagement with all parties with a view to addressing the concerns of the MSG members about the recent developments in West Papua.

“In this regard, the Foreign Ministers further agreed to establish a Committee of High Level Representatives of the MSG members to accompany and facilitate this constructive engagement.

“We also welcome the initiative of the MSG to work closely with the Indonesian government to visit the Melanesian Provinces of Indonesia at a later date. This important visit would allow for a clear, objective and independent view by the members of the MSG leaders and ministers.”

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http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/06/28/indonesia-recognises-communal-rights-of-nine-indigenous-groups-in-papua/

2) Indonesia ‘recognises communal rights’ of 9 indigenous groups in Papua

By Yeremia Sukoyo in Jakarta

By PMC Editor -

June 28, 2016

Indonesia’s Minister of Land and Spatial Planning Ferry Mursyidan Baldan has declared the government’s recognition of communal rights of nine indigenous communities in Papua.

The declaration was held at the closing of the 9th Sentani Lake Festival at the province’s Khalkhote region in East Sentani last week.

“We want to affirm how Jayapura becomes the living space for indigenous communities. No more actions against the living and cultural spaces of indigenous communities,” Ferry said.

The state had supported available space for Papua’s indigenous communities so no more people are evicted or forced from their native land, Ferry said.

“On behalf of the country, we affirm that in all Papuan regions, the entire space, mountain, beaches and others are owned by Papua’s indigenous communities. Whoever wishes to take benefits, to develop, should recognise the presence of indigenous communities within.”

“There should no longer be the elimination of indigenous communities’ rights,” Ferry said.

Daniel Toto, head of Jayapura’s indigenous communities, has called on the central government to strengthen the practical presence of indigenous communities.

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http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/12-missing-passenger-boat-sinks-off-papua-coast/

3) 12 Missing as Passenger Boat Sinks off Papua Coast

Biak, Papua. At least 12 people are missing after a passenger boat sunk off in Biak district waters in Papua before dawn on Monday (27/06), police said.

Biak Numfor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hadi Wahyudi said the boat, which was carrying 13 passengers, sunk due to bad weather and high waves between Rani and Numfor islands.

“A victim has been rescued to East Numfor Police office while 12 others are still being searched by the team,” Hadi told reporters in Biak, as reported by Antara news agency.

The rescued victim was identified as Firwanmus Yendife.
A joint team of police, transportation agency as well as search and rescue agency have been deployed since 5 a.m. to evacuate the 12 missing victims.
As of 11 p.m. local time, the team is yet to locate and rescue the missing victims.

Jakarta slams Solomons and Vanuatu over human rights

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/307394/jakarta-slams-solomons-and-vanuatu-over-human-rights

Jakarta slams Solomons and Vanuatu over human rights

6:53 pm today

Indonesia has strongly rejected statements about West Papua by Vanuatu and Solomon Islands at the UN Human Rights Council session last week.

Delegates of the two Pacific Islands' countries accused Indonesia of failing to prevent ongoing human rights abuses against West Papuans.

But Indonesia's delegate at the session, Michael Tene, said Vanuatu and Solomon Islands' statements showed a lack of understanding of Papua.

He said they were politically motivated in support of separatist groups which incite public disorder and terrorist attacks against civilians and security personnel.

Indonesia as a democratic country is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including by taking necessary steps to address the allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Papua. No one is perfect. We are always open to have dialogue on human rights issues, but we reject politicisation of these issues. We deplore the way Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have abused this council and the universal principles of the promotion and protection of human rights by supporting the cause of separatism.

Michael Tene from Indonesia's Permanent Mission to the UN.

He has described Vanuatu and Solomon Islands as being far from perfect on protection of human rights.

He said the two countries still face serious human rights problems, have rampant corruption in all segments of society and government, human trafficking, mistreatment of children and daily abuse of women.

"It would be for the betterment of their populations if the governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu give attention and priority to seriously address their respective own domestic human rights shortcomings."

Furthermore, Mustika Hanum, the third secretary at Indonesia's Permanent Mission, expanded on her country's concerns about domestic violence in Solomon Islands.

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Saturday, June 25, 2016

1) Freeport starts flights to interior Papua for employees

2) Delegation Of Franciscan International Respond To Human Right Cases In Papua

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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/105401/freeport-starts-flights-to-interior-papua-for-employees

1) Freeport starts flights to interior Papua for employees

Sabot, 25 Juni 2016 05:17 WIB

Timika (ANTARA News) - International mining company PT Freeport Indonesia, which is operating in Papua province, has started a special flight for employees and their families from seven tribes, who want to take vacations in their villages in the hinterlands.

Freeport management representative William Rising, said here on Friday (24/6) that the flight will help employees, especially those from the seven tribes, and facilitate their taking holidays in their villages.

Currently, there are 4,242 Papuan employees, including those from the seven tribes (Amungme, Kamoro, Damal, Dani, Nduga, Mee and Moni) working in Timika. This number constitutes 39 percent of the total employees of PT Freeport Indonesia.

"This flight program is expected to help the employees, who are taking holidays by using regular flights," Rising said.

During this time, the employees who are spending vacations in their villages in the hinterlands should fly via Jayapura. This is because there is no special flight from Timika to their villages.

In the initial phase, the special flights for Freeports Papuan employees have been started for seven regions, namely Ilaga, Beoga, Wamena, Enarotali, Wagete, Moanemani and Sugapa.

PT Freeport deploys three aircrafts leased from Jhon Lin Air, MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) and Airfast once a week.
(Uu.KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

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