Summary of events in West Papua for November -7 December) 2016)

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

Summary of events in West Papua  (14 November  -7 December) 2016).

West Papuan National Flag Day.  1st December

On the 1^st December in 1961, the Morning Star was flown for the first time officially beside the Dutch Tricolor.  The Dutch were finally about to give the West Papuan people their freedom. However it is one of the great tragedies that at their moment of freedom it was cruelly crushed and West Papua was basically handed over to Indonesia in 1963.

Fifty five years later, in a global day of action the Morning Star was raised around the world in an inspiring show of support for the people of West Papua. It is greatly encouraging to see this huge groundswell of support around the world and in particular in our region on the issue. This support includes Civil Society Organisations (CSO), churches, governments and individuals who raised the flag in great numbers on the 1^st December.

                                                                 

Peter Boyle/Green Left Weekly.

                                                                                                                                                        PeterBoyle/Green Left Weekly.

In Sydney, supporters for West Papua marched from the Sydney Opera House to Sydney Town Hall on the 4^th December where speakers included Rex Rumakiek, one of the spokespeople for the ULMWP. As well as the numerous speakers the rally included traditional song and dance. Another inspiring event and congratulations to all involved.                   

Video footage of the Sydney march and other actions at bottom of update. Photos at 
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/photos-of-west-papuan-march-rally.html On the 1st December in Sydney individuals and groups also raised the flag including at the Indonesian Consulate.

In another encouraging and courageous move the Jakarta Post reported (29 November) that a new civil society group, The Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-West Papua), consisting of non-Papuan Indonesian activists and intellectuals, was established as a form of solidarity from non-Papuans regarding the constant oppression suffered by Papuan activists who have fought for independence.

"There is no happiness for Papuans as long as they are part of Indonesia," the alliance’s spokesperson, Surya Anta, said in a press conference held at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) on Tuesday 

Fight for freedom: Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua spokesperson Surya Anta speaks to reporters at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) on Tuesday to declare the group’s support for Papuans to exercise the right to self-determination. (JP/Fachrul Sidiq) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/29/group-supports-referendum-for-west-papua.html

In another Jakarta Post report the group’s spokesperson Surya Anta said the need for a referendum was a consequence of abuses carried out by the government that have resulted in a persistent lack of welfare in the region. “It’s not possible for West Papuans to live normally if manipulation and deceit of history still persist, racial discrimination is deeply entrenched in every aspect of their lives, the slow-motion genocide continues systematically and extortion of natural wealth destroys their livelihoods and culture,” Surya told a press conference at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) in Central Jakarta. 

Police apprehended several people from the group who were participating in a peaceful rally to demand a referendum for West Papua on the 1^st December. One of the people arrested was the coordinator of the rally, Surya Anta, a lawyer for the rally participants, Veronica Koman, said on Thursday. Veronica said the protesters were beaten and arrested by police officers who wore civilian attire on Jl. Imam Bonjol in Central Jakarta when they were about to head to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, located a few meters away from the scene. "We may report the police because we saw many procedures the police violated. They beat and arrested [participants] without wearing police uniforms," Veronica said. Veronica said she was not sure how many of the participants had been arrested, but said there were no more than five. 

Participants of a rally held to demand a referendum for West Papua gather on Jl. Imam Bonjol in Central Jakarta on Thursday. Some of their colleagues were arrested during the event. (JP/Safrin La Batu) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/01/participants-of-west-papua-rally-arrested.html

RNZI reported (2^nd December) that Police arrested over two hundred people in Jakarta yesterday for participating in a rally to mark the West Papuan nationalist day, 1st December.

A public interest lawyer who was present, Veronica Koman, said police subsequently released those arrested, without charge, a few hours later.

But she said the arrests follow the pattern seen in the large demonstrations across Papua region in May and June, where authorities violate citizens' right to freedom of expression.

Indonesian police turn water canons on protestors who were mostly university students from Free Papua Organization and the Papua Student Alliance in Jakarta on December 1, 2016. Photo: Supplied

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/319475/more-mass-arrests-at-papua-rallies-in-indonesia

There were a number of gatherings in In West Papua itself. In Wamena up to 3000 people gathered for a large prayer event at the Traditional Council headquarters (RNZI 2 Dec.) At an event in Jayapura hundreds of people signed a petition in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua with its growing representative role in the Pacific region.

Thousands sign petition message in support of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua movement in the Pacific and at the UN. Photo: Supplied

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/319478/flag-day-in-papua-takes-form-of-prayer-events,-petition

Jakarta is becoming increasingly concerned at the internationalisation of the issue of West Papua which is why the security forces have been cracking down on peacefully rallies organised by civil society organisations in West Papua

In Sorong on the 19 November a total of 106 activists of the West Papuan National Committee (KNPB) were arrested by the police as they celebrated the eight anniversary of their founding of the KNPB. The KNPB said the police took those arrested to Sorong Police office for questioning. Later, they released 99 people and detained the other seven.  The Sorong Police ch

ief Adj. Sr. Comr. Edfrie Maith said the seven were detained for 24 hours for questioning and then released but they had to report daily to the police.

On the 26 November, 14 activists from the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were arrested in Manokwari for handing out leaflets about an upcoming rally to be held on the 1^st December.  AWPA letter to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/media-release-awpa-letter-to-aust.html

Call for Vanuatu to seek seat on UN committee of 24

RNZI 2 December 2016

A former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope wants Vanuatu to become a member of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation to counter Indonesia's influence. Barak Sope said Indonesia is only on the committee to ensure the subject of self-determination in West Papua is not discussed.

Vanuatu is one of the strongest supporters of Papuan self-determination and Mr Sope has been one of the strongest advocates. He said Vanuatu has a right to sit on two UN committees and should push to have its say on what is known as the Committee of 24. "The reason why Indonesia is there is to prevent West Papua's case. That is all they are doing - always wanting to be in that top committee to ensure that West Papua is not discussed in that committee," he said.

"That is why it is important that we have countries that would support the idea of West Papua to get independence and the proper way of doing it is to be on the Committee of 24." While West Papua is not on the list of 24 territories being considered for independence, six Pacific territories are on it - namely French Polynesia, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Guam, Tokelau and Pitcairn.

MSG committee mulls over membership guidelines

RNZI 25 November 2016 

A Melanesian Spearhead Group committee is meeting in Port Vila to consider guidelines around membership in the regional organisation. The Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues was tasked by MSG leaders at their Honiara summit in July to clarify guidelines for observer, associate and full membership in the group. This comes as the MSG's five full members - Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks Movement - grapple with whether to grant full membership to West Papuans.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua was granted observer status in the MSG last year but its bid for full membership has been deferred pending clarity on the guidelines. Indonesia, which has associate membership status in the MSG, has opposed the Liberation Movement’s bid, saying its own involvement in the group covers West Papuans. Opening the two day meeting at the MSG secretariat, a Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs official, William Soaki, suggested the guidelines needed to contribute to the overall objective of the group. It echoed recent comments by Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai that since last year MSG membership criteria had been developed which did not reflect the group's founding principles, which were about decolonising Melanesia. Mr Soaki said guidelines were required to provide a more streamlined and clear scope for leaders to use in assessing expressions of interest for some form of membership in the MSG.

The Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Amena Yauvoli, encouraged the committee to provide "a workable resolution going forward".

He said the deliberation of the committee was "pivotally important for the future of the organisation" as the issue of West Papuan membership could make or break the organisation. Pending development of the guidelines, a leader summit was expected in the next couple of months to make a decision on the Liberation Movement’s application.

Opinion pieces/reports/press releases etc.

Video -West Papua Solidarity March (Sydney) 4th December

https://video214.com/play/I9kMuZkrxg2cxyEZMdae8A/s/dark

Video- GLOBAL FLAG RAISING FOR WEST PAPUA - AUSTRALIA

https://vimeo.com/193527108

‘Rize of Morning Star’ boosts global ‘free Papua’ movement with new video

http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/12/03/rize-of-morning-star-boosts-global-free-papua-movement-with-new-video/

The Project Channel 10 West Papua

https://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-8/west-papua?_from=searchresult

West Papua: Local Community Accuses Conglomerate of Severe Land-Grabbing Threatening their Livelihood  http://unpo.org/article/19631

How mining and the military created an HIV epidemic in Indonesia’s Papua

https://www.irinnews.org/special-report/2016/11/21/how-mining-and-military-created-hiv-epidemic-indonesia’s-papua

Commentary: Jokowi Is 'Killing' Papua With Rice

http://jakartaglobe.id/opinion/commentary-jokowi-killing-papua-rice/

West Papua: Local Community Accuses Conglomerate of Severe Land-Grabbing Threatening their Livelihood

http://unpo.org/article/19631

RI and the Pacific: A history of cooperation

http://www.thejakartapost.com/adv/2016/12/02/ri-and-the-pacific-a-history-of-cooperation.html

Photos-The Morning Star on Sydney Harbour

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/photos-morning-star-on-sydney-harbour.html

Photos -The West Papuan struggle through T-shirts

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/photos-west-papuan-struggle-through-t.html

Last update

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/summary-of-events-in-west-papua-october.html

1) Yahukimo residents pleased over new flight route

2) PLN working to end blackouts in North Sulawesi, Papua

3) Indonesia takes new step to combat loss of forests, fires

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/06/yahukimo-residents-pleased-over-new-flight-route.html

1) Yahukimo residents pleased over new flight route

Nethy Dharma Somba The Jakarta Post

Jayapura | Tue, December 6 2016 | 08:53 am

People in Yahukimo, a remote regency in Papua, have hailed the opening of a new commercial flight route that connects the regency’s capital, Dekai, to Jayapura, the capital of the Papua province.

Wings Air, a subsidiary of the country’s largest domestic flight operator, Lion Air, opened the Jayapura-Dekai route on Nov. 30, following the inauguration of Dekai’s Nop Goliat Airport by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Oct. 18.

Yahukimo Regent Abock Busup said the people in the mountainous regency had hoped to have more flights connecting the area with other cities in the province.

“We really appreciate Wings Air for opening the route, but Yahukimo residents need larger planes. Two weeks ago, the Nop Goliat Airport head and I talked with Transportation Minister [Budi Karya Sumadi] to see if flights to and from Dekai could use jet-powered planes, such as a Boeing B737,” he told reporters in Jayapura recently.

Wings Air, which operates short domestic routes, flies French-Italian made ATR 72-600 planes for the route, which can accommodate up to 72 passengers.

For the Jayapura-Dekai flight, a plane departs daily from Sentani Airport in Jayapura at 1:30 p.m. and from Nop Goliat at 2:45 p.m.

With a flight duration time of only 50 minutes, tickets for the flight range from Rp 900,000 (US$67) to Rp 920,000.

Lion Air’s Papua regional manager Agung Setio Wibowo said demand for the route was high.

According to him, Wings Air planned the route during the day because it would help passengers who have connecting flights to and from other areas.

“It will help passengers coming from cities other than Jayapura, such as Merauke, Wamena and Makassar, so they won’t have to spend a night in Jayapura before flying to Dekai,” he said.

He added that Wings Air had supported the government’s priority to develop remote regions.

“Why shouldn’t we fly to Dekai? Even the presidential aircraft can land at the airport,” he said.

During his visit to Yahukimo in October, Jokowi also launched the government’s one-price fuel program for people in the region.

Agung added that Wings Air had also planned to open a new route connecting Dekai and Timika by the end of this year.

Nop Goliat Airport head Joko Harjani said the new daily route had significantly helped ease the load of the airport.

Previously, passengers flying between Jayapura and Dekai were only served by Trigana Air, which also operates ATR aircraft.

A Dekai resident, Dian, said she was pleased with the new route.

“Before, we had to be on a waiting list to get a flight to or from Dekai. It could take up to a week before a flight was available,” she explained.

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/06/pln-working-end-blackouts-north-sulawesi-papua.html

2) PLN working to end blackouts in North Sulawesi, Papua

Lita Aruperes and Nethy Dharma Somba

Manado/Jayapura | Tue, December 6 2016 | 08:56 am

Blackouts that lasted nearly a full day in Kombi district, Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi, disrupted daily activities and cut off communications for people living in several villages along Lake Tondano.

The blackouts began on Saturday at around 5 p.m. and the power 
did not resume until around the same time the next day, said local resident Yannemieke Singal on Sunday evening.

State-electricity company PLN did not provide much information regarding the blackout, she said, adding that it took more than six hours for the company to respond to her complaint.

North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and Gorontalo (Suluttenggo) PLN spokesman Jantje Rau said the power disruption in Kombi district was the result of a disconnected line.

“Our workers met difficulties because of the rough terrain in the forest, so it will take a long time to locate the severed cable,” said Jantje.

PLN could also no provide information to customers because of the difficulties accessing the area. “So, we were late in conveying the information,” said Jantje.

In an effort to speed up the restoration of the North Sulawesi-Gorontalo power network, PLN has flown in parts of an emergency tower from Makassar, South Sulawesi, by means of an Air Force Hercules cargo aircraft, which arrived at Gorontalo’s Djalaluddin Airport at 11:47 a.m on Monday.

Jantje said the emergency tower was hauled by three low-bed container trucks to the location where the No. 6 high-voltage line tower collapsed. PLN expects the broken power system will be restored later this week.

Meanwhile, PLN’s Papua and West Papua office has brought in seven 4-megawatt power generators to deal with the ongoing power crisis, which has taken place for the past two months in Jayapura. 

The generators arrived at Jayapura Port on Monday and will be installed at the Waena diesel power plant (PLTD). 

“This is part of our efforts to prepare and maintain power supplies ahead of the Christmas holiday by adding around 4 MW of power. The Orya hydroelectric power plant [PLTA] and Halltekamp steam power plant [PLTU] are still being renovated,” said PLN’s Papua and West Papua region technical manager PPL Tobing.

Tobing said the seven generators and two fuel tanks were brought in from Surabaya, East Java, and had already been transported to the Waena power plant, which would later connect power to the Jayapura power system.

“The generators will not be immediately in operation as they will take 15 days to prepare and then linked to the Jayapura power system. We expect power will not be disrupted over Christmas and power outages will no longer occur,” said Tobing.

PLN’s Jayapura regional office has been experiencing a deficit of between 10 and 15 MW and has had to impose rotating blackouts for up to six hours daily.

“When will this end? The blackouts take place every day. If a blackout occurs in the morning, power will only resume later in the day,” lamented Sari, a housewife.

Papua provincial council Commission IV member Yan Mandenas said he would push for the central government’s help in overcoming the power crisis in Jayapura. 

He expected that Papua would have better power facilities following the inauguration of six electricity projects in Papua and West Papua by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in October

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http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/latest-oil-and-gas/2016/12/06/Indonesia-takes-new-step-to-combat-loss-of-forests-fires/stories/201612060125

3) Indonesia takes new step to combat loss of forests, fires

Indonesia is expanding its moratorium on converting peat swamps to plantations to help prevent disastrous annual fires and cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions

December 6, 2016 2:02 AM

By STEPHEN WRIGHT Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has strengthened its moratorium on converting peat swamps to plantations in a move a conservation research group says would prevent annual fires and substantially cut the country’s carbon emissions if properly implemented.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s amendment to the moratorium regulation, which was issued on Monday, expands it to cover peatlands of any depth and orders companies to restore areas they’ve degraded.

Indonesia’s move was welcomed by Norway, which in 2010 pledged $1 billion to help the country stop cutting down its prized tropical forests but has released little of it. As a result of the expanded regulation, Norway said it would give $25 million to Indonesia to fund restoration of drained peatlands and another $25 million once an enforcement and monitoring plan is ready.

Draining of peat swamps by plantation and pulp wood companies is a major contributor to destruction of tropical forests in Indonesia and the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. It worsens annual fires that release huge amounts of carbon stored in the peat. A study in the journal Nature Climate Change estimated that by 2012, Indonesia was clearing 840,000 hectares (2 million acres) of forests a year, more than any other country.

Arief Wijaya, a forests expert at the World Resources Institute, said Tuesday that the strengthened moratorium is particularly important for protecting Indonesia’s Papua region as the “last frontier of natural forests” still largely untouched by exploitation.

Deforestation is far advanced on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and worsening in Kalimantan, which is the Indonesian part of Borneo.

The institute estimates Indonesia could achieve a 7.8 gigaton reduction in carbon emissions over 15 years, which is equivalent to about one year of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Wijaya said that in practice the amended regulation means companies such as Asia Pulp & Paper are prohibited from expanding their use of peatlands, even if they are within their concessions. They also must rehabilitate drained peatlands.

Last month, the company was criticized by Indonesia’s Peatland Restoration Agency which released photos showing one of its suppliers in South Sumatra was replanting peatlands which burned in last year’s dry season fires and were supposed to be restored.

First Published December 6, 2016 12:00 AM

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1) Video -West Papua Solidarity March (Sydney) 4th December

2) More mass arrests in Indonesia at West Papua demos

3) Wings Air connects Yahukimo to Jayapura

4) Success in BBM single price policy depends on infrastructure

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1) Video -West Papua Solidarity March (Sydney) 4th December

Sydney Opera House to Town Hall

https://video214.com/play/I9kMuZkrxg2cxyEZMdae8A/s/dark

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201826491/more-mass-arrests-in-indonesia-at-west-papua-demos

2) More mass arrests in Indonesia at West Papua demos

From Dateline Pacific, 4:01 pm on 5 December 2016 

There have been more mass arrests in Indonesia of those participating in rallies for West Papuan self-determination.

Over two hundred people were arrested in Jakarta last week at a rally to mark the anniversary of the first raising of the banned Papuan nationalist symbol, the Morning Star flag.

A public interest lawyer who was present, Veronica Koman, says police subsequently released those arrested, without charge, a few hours later.

But she told Johnny Blades that police didn't cite any particular alleged breach of the law in making the arrests.

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VERONICA KOMAN: So for Jakarta the police didn't mention any particular laws. It's just a pattern of violating their right to freedom of expression. I think the state is just being paranoid of the Morning Star symbol.

JOHNNY BLADES: But this is against the rules, you say, because you have the freedom of expression?

VK: It's just basic freedom of expression. As long as Papua is still a part of Indonesia it means they still have the right to freedom of expression, and it's being violated systematically by the state. And also, I would like to say that today is an historic moment for the West Papua movement. Because this year it's the first time ever that Indonesians have taken to the streets together with the West Papuans in celebrating 1st of December and demanding the right to self-determination for West Papua. And we in Jakarta are really campaigning, letting Indonesians know what's actually happening in West Papua, and also the history of manipulation by state. So people are opening their eyes, and it's growing, the solidarity is definitely growing.

JB: There's a lot of young people, urban young people (taking the action), often students, I suppose?

VK: Yeah. And human rights activists and civil society organisations. Although mostly organisations cannot declare themselves supporting (Papuans) really openly, but I know most of them actually agreed that West Papuans deserve the right to self-determination.

JB: How do the police regard these events? They must know about the rule of freedom of expression?

VK: So I've been the lawyer for West Papuans during demonstrations for the last two years. And always... each time that West Papuans do any protest, the police will always find ways to forbid the demonstration. They keep creating excuse to silence the West Papuans. This year alone, since April, April 2016 until now, there have been at least 4,800 arrests.

Veronica Koman says that as well as being blasted by water cannons, the demonstrators in Jakarta were roughed up by undercover security forces, and ten of those arrested sustained injuries. 

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/05/wings-air-connects-yahukimo-to-jayapura.html

3) Wings Air connects Yahukimo to Jayapura

Nethy Dharma Somba

Jayapura | Mon, December 5, 2016 | 07:14 pm

Wings Air, part of the Lion Air group, is now serving routes from Nop Goliat Airport in Yahukimo regency in Papua, an airport newly opened by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Oct. 18.

The airline’s first flight from the airport in Dekai was on Nov. 30, carrying 72 passengers in a ATR-72 plane to Sentani Airport in Jayapura.

Yahukimo Regent Abock Busup said the residents of his regency had long wanted to have an airplane route to Jayapura.

“Wings Air with an ATR plane has landed in Dekai. It’s not enough. We hope for a Boeing to arrive here too. Two weeks ago I met with the airport manager and the transportation minister to allow for a bigger plane to land in Dekai. This was a follow-up from Jokowi’s visit,” he said.

The Lion Air manager in Papua, Agung Setio Wibowo, said Dekai residents had been enthusiastic about the Wings Air service, which flies every day from Sentani to Nop Goliat in Dekai at 1:30 p.m. local time in 50 minutes and from Nop Goliat to Sentani at 2:45 p.m. local time.

The ticket price is about Rp 900,000 (US$67).

Before Wings Air, Trigana Air flew round-trip from Sentani to Dekai.

Wings Air will open routes from Dekai to Timika next year. (evi)

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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/108180/success-in-bbm-single-price-policy-depends-on-infrastructure

4) Success in BBM single price policy depends on infrastructure

Senin, 5 Desember 2016 09:56 WIB | 430 Views

Biak (ANTARA News) - Success in the policy of administering single price for oil fuels (BBM) all over the country would depend much on the availability of adequate infrastructure especially in eastern part of the country such as in Papua, a lawmaker said.

Peggi P. Pattipi, lawmaker from the Commission VII of the House of Representatives said the government has taken a right decision by setting the price of BBM in Papua the same as in other regions of the country. 

"The people of Papua have suffered from injustice over the past years as they have to pay a much higher prices for BBM than in other regions of the country," Peggi said here on Sunday. 

For many years, the people in the interior areas of Papua suffered under unfair economic development, she said. 

She cited BBM is available at a price of Rp6,500 per liter in other regions of the country, but in Papua the price could be as high as Rp100,000 per liter. 

If the government did not immediately attend to infrastructure problem it would be difficult to maintain the policy in Papua.

She said development of land transport infrastructure between districts areas in Papua is expected to be completed only in 2018.

The connectivity will help in the implementation of the policy to create a single price of BBM all over the country, she said. 

The bold decision of President Joko Widodo to create a single price for BBM will greatly contribute to the welfare of the people in interior areas of Papua, she said. 

"As a member of the House of Representatives from Papua, I call on the people to take part in safeguarding implementation of the policy," she said. 

President Joko Widodo has told the State Enterprise Ministry and state-owned oil company Pertamina to be in charge of administering the policy in Papua and West Papua starting next year.

Pertamina said it would suffer at least Rp800 billion a year to implement the policy in Papua and West Papua because of the difficulty in transport and distribution. 

Pertamina has to operate air tankers for the distribution of BBM to the interior areas in that the two provinces.(*)

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Indigenous West Papuans send solidarity to Standing Rock

http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/12/05/indigenous-west-papuans-send-solidarity-to-standing-rock/

Indigenous West Papuans send solidarity to Standing Rock

By PMC Editor - 

  

December 5, 2016

A previous activist video on West Papua Independence Day. Video: Free West Papua

Indigenous groups from around Oceania have sent their support to the ongoing struggle in North Dakota in the United States.

While protesters at Standing Rock and West Papua may seem worlds apart, they share a common bond from an indigenous struggle against a larger oppressor, says West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda in a letter of solidarity and friendship.

“On behalf of the people of West Papua we offer solidarity to our indigenous brothers and sisters as we intimately understand the complicated struggles they are facing,” said Wenda via his website.

While last Thursday marked “West Papuan Independence Day,” the indigenous Melanesian people in West Papua are still subject to neo-colonial rule by Indonesia and have been struggling for independence for more than five decades.

West Papuans raising the banned Morning Star flag in defiance of Indonesian authorities in Yahukimo in the Highlands last Thursday. Image: Benny Wenda

Wenda said his independence movement was drawing parallels and inspiration from the ongoing protests in North Dakota and was “alarmed that their people, lands, and traditional ways of life have become threatened to the point of extinction.”

“As we witness militarised law enforcement agencies commit acts of violence against peaceful water protectors in the US, it reminds us of our own mistreatment at the hands of those intending to overpower and silence our voices,” he said.

Wenda, who is currently living in exile in the United Kingdom, added that “the urgent situation at Standing Rock reminds us to advocate for the right of every Indigenous person to protect their culture and religion, tribal systems and natural resources”.

Celebration hashtags
Around the world, supporters joined the celebration of West Papuan Independence Day through the hashtags #GlobalFlagRaising and #LetWestPapuaVote.

Because of a widespread media blackout by Indonesia, the independence movement gains little international coverage, but has increasingly taken to social media to raise awareness.

Wenda and Melbourne producer Airileke Ingram also released the track Sorong Samaraito coincide with the day.

On 1 December 1961,  Melanesian West Papuan first raised their Morning Star flag, but were then annexed by Indonesia in 1969 in a controversial referendum after previously winning their independence from Dutch colonialism in 1963 and then being invaded by Indonesian paratroops.

In ongoing oppression, about 500,000 Melanesians are thought to have been killed by Indonesian authorities and face restrictions of movement and assembly, with many protesters being held as political prisoners.

Indigenous groups in Australia and New Zealand have also expressed their support for West Papua and Standing Rock.

A solidarity for West Papua rally at the Sydney Opera House at the weekend. Image: Australia West Papua Association (AWPA)

A number of New Zealanders from the Māori community have started posting versions of their traditional haka war dance to social media as a show of solidarity to the North American protesters.

“When one group of relations is being hurt, abused, being bullied, being ripped off, we all feel that – especially us as Māori – we are very much a leader to the indigenous people,” Te Hamura Nikora told Radio New Zealand.

Nikora, a New Zealand media personality, helped to create the Facebook page “Haka With Standing Rock”.

• Indonesians seize public buses for 328 arrested at ‘free Papua’ demo
• Australian solidarity for West Papua rally
• Standing Rock Sioux issue emergency proclamation
• Pacific nations condemn Indonesian abuses in West Papua
• Toka Tū Aotearoa – Haka with Standing Rock

Photos of West Papuan march & rally. Sydney Opera House to Town Hall 4 Dec.

Photos of West Papuan march & rally. Sydney Opera House to Town Hall 4 Dec.

Another inspiring event and congratulations to all

Pacific CSO commemorate West Papua flag raising ceremony in Kenya

http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=12740455505841047bfb8e89cf2343

Pacific CSO commemorate West Papua flag raising ceremony in Kenya

11:19 pm GMT+12, 01/12/2016, Kenya

By Pita Ligaiula in Nairobi, Kenya
 
Pacific regional civil society delegates attending the High Level Meeting (HLM2) in Nairobi Thursday commemorated the West Papua flag raising ceremony.  
 
Pacific Islands Non-Governmental Organisation (PIANGO) Executive Director Emele Duituturaga said the event is another opportunity to raise awareness of the struggle faced by West Papua in their quest for independence from Indonesia.
 
“For us in civil society and those of us who have been very supportive of the West Papua campaign today is the 1st of December where in 1961 the Papuan flag was raised as part of Netherlands preparation of Papua for independence. So we commemorate that day. We are calling for the recognition of West Papua peoples struggle for self-determination which was a human right.
 
"And we also calling for decolonisation of Indonesia because West Papua is a nation that was prepared for independence and the people have suffered for the last 50 years. They have been killed and deprived off their right to self-determination,” Duituturaga told PACNEWS.
 
Duituturaga also welcomed Pacific Leaders who champion the cause of self-determination in West Papua.
 
“In fact Pacific Leaders have already recognised their rights as indigenous people and we want to bring that back. Certainly we are calling other Pacific nations and other Pacific countries to support that cause. It’s good to see seven Pacific leaders champion this at the UN.
 
"We are now working with the Human rights Council to ensure that violation of human rights continuing in Indonesia are  brought back  to the UN  and that we calling for UN intervention of what is really going on in West Papua,” said Duituturaga


SOURCE: PACNEWs

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‘Rize of Morning Star’ boosts global ‘free Papua’ movement with new video

http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/12/03/rize-of-morning-star-boosts-global-free-papua-movement-with-new-video/

‘Rize of Morning Star’ boosts global ‘free Papua’ movement with new video

By PMC Editor - 

  

December 3, 2016

The new video Sorong Samara. Video: The Rize Of The Morning Star

While Indonesian authorities tried to brutally suppress West papua “independence day” rallies across the republic this week, the creative empowerment group Rize of the Morning Star (ROTMS) has been campaigning with passion, determination and focus.

A new video, Sorong Samarai, from the group is rapidly raising global awareness for the Free West Papua Movement, with self determination through non-violence a core focus.

Filmed on location from the tip of West Papua (Sorong) to the tip of Papua New Guinea (Samarai), producers Airiliki say the programme features from from the highlands to the islands, and the bush to the city streets.

“Sorong Samarai….One People, One Soul, One Destiny. A celebration of Papuan Identity, fighting for a free West Papua.”

Using music as a key unifier and amplifier of energy and action, ROTMS has successfully organised some of the largest scale international Free West Papua solidarity actions so far.

According to the ROTMS website, the group “engages in a broad cross section of activity including mobilising, training and resourcing community, fund raising, concerts, partnerships, publicity, promotion and educating predominantly through the arts and entertainment industry”.

Activating a collective of musicians, filmmakers, journalists, publicists, activists, companies, brands and the wider community, ROTMS inspires and empowers individuals and communities to uphold equal rights for human beings, hold persecutors accountable and to play an integral role in the global momentum for a Free West Papua.

Papua Merdeka!

Let the light shine into the darkness, for the dawning of a new day comes, with the Rize Of The Morning Star!

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