2) AWPA congratulates the PIF SG, Meg Taylor on her statement to the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council
in relation to West Papua.
3) ’The case is manipulated’: Two Papuan students detained in Jakarta Police
4) Intan Jaya conflict (9): Recommendations to end the violence
5) Armed violence: Soldiers provide aid to returning refugees in Mimika
6) Police still name two suspects in West Papua’s arms trafficking
7) Raja Ampat: 50 police officers receive second vaccine dose
8) Large protests in Papua Province over Indonesia’s special autonomy policy and move to create new provinces
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1) A ‘learning studio’ run by nuns teaches Papua’s neglected children literacy
News Desk March 4, 2021 9:46 pm
West Papua No.1 News Portal | Jubi
Sister Mariecen Kuayo poses with the children in Learning Activity Studio YPPK Tillemans in Paniai Regency. Courtesy of Mariecen Kuayo.
Nabire, Jubi — Nato Tekege. 16, wanted to go to school like other kids in Papua. But he did not have access to any formal education, so when a Catholic nun, Mariecen Kuayo DSY asked him to learn in her “learning studio”, he gladly accepted.
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A ‘learning studio’ run by nuns teaches Papua’s neglected children literacy
I wanted to go to school, so when Sister invited me, I said yes,” Tekege told Jubi through phone interview recently.
Tekege is one of 115 kids who learned at the “learning studio” run by Sister Mariecen and her colleagues in Enarotali, Paniai Regency in Papua.
The children, for various reasons, did not get access to formal education. One of the reasons is they were orphans or had no one to take care of them after their parents got divorced.
Sister Kuayo opened “Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar” YPPK Tillemans or “Learning Activity Studio” YPPK Tillemans in July last year to welcome and give such children an education. She saw them on the street when other kids went to school. So she asked them whether they wanted to learn. Some of them did noy say yes right away, but the Sister saw a glimmer of interest in their faces.
She asked them to visit the convent the following day. “They wanted to learn, but they were too shy to say yes. I saw in their faces that they wanted to go to school, so I told them to visit the convent the following day,” Kuayo told Jubi.
In the beginning there were six children learning there. But the following afternoon, there were seven more coming to the convent. She began the teaching on July 13, 2020. Later, she expanded the invitation to not only street children but also those who stayed at home and did not go to school.
Now, almost a year, the learning studio has accepted 115 students, aged 5 to 22. Mariecen hired more teachers and now the studio had a total of seven teachers: three sisters, two contract teachers, a priest and a vocational high school student.
The children did not live in the convent, but they still stayed at home with their own family. But every day they came to the studio to learn. “Every day the children come and we will learn together,” said Kuayo.
In the first month, the class ran only from 9 am to 10 am. “But the children came at 7 am,” she said. Now, the studio ran four classes for the children and they added the lesson to 7 am to 10:30 am.
For six months, the students learned the alphabets, including writing them. Since January 2021, they began learning how to read.
Kuayo said the stayed in the class for four days in a week, from Monday to Thursday. Every Friday they would learn practical knowledge about how to keep the environment clean. Every Friday they eat nutritious food together, so the studio called the Friday program “Healthy Friday”.
“Their high spirit gives me the reason to teach them. They come even though it rains. I think they really long for an education,” she said.
The learning studio had four levels of classes: early education (4 to 6), elementary school (7-11), junior high (12-15), and high school (16 and older).
Sister Kuayo said some of the children were addicted to sniffing glue but after they were in the learning program, they stopped doing that.
Kuayo applied a peer monitoring system in which a friend would remind one another when they saw someone buy glue or other transgressions.
“They have changed. Those who got addicted to sniffing glue had overcome their problem,” she said.
Sister Kuayo said she contacted the Paniai Education Agency to open access to her students to sit in a state exam equivalent to formal education level. She said she had yet to get any replies from the administration. She also had applied for permits, but she never got any replies as well.
Former Papuan councilor, Jhon NR Gobai demanded Paniai Regency administration, through the Education Agency and Social Agency, to pay attention to the welfare of children who were abandoned or drop outs. “They should have taken care of these children so they could get a good life,” he said.
Reporter: Titus Ruban
Editor: Syofiardi
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The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
2) AWPA congratulates the PIF SG, Meg Taylor on her statement to the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council in relation to West Papua.
AWPA Statement 4 March 2021
The Australia West Papua Association congratulates the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Meg Taylor on her statement to the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council in February.
The Forum SG raised the issues of COVID-19, Climate Change and West Papua and pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic must not hinder efforts to address critical issues of concern.
In relation to West Papua she said the violent conflict and subsequent human rights violations in West Papua is of concern for the Pacific Island Forum Leaders for over 20 years. Her full statement at
Joe Collins of AWPA said, “the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the two main regional organisations in the Pacific are very important for the issue of West Papua.” Pacific leaders regularly raise the issue of West Papua at the UN and other international fora, given credibility to the issue on the world stage and the reason Pacific leaders are regularly condemned by Jakarta for doing so.
AWPA believes ” the human rights situation in West Papua is an issue of great concern for Pacific Governments and their people and has the potential to impact on relations between Australia and countries in the region. The Australia Government, instead of trying to keep West Papua of the agenda at the PIF, should support the PIF leaders in urging Jakarta to allow a PIF fact-finding mission to the territory.
It should also strenuously support the call by the PIF SG to the UN Human Rights Council.
“We call on distinguished Council Members to encourage all relevant parties to urgently facilitate a mission to West Papua by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (PIF SG)
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3) ’The case is manipulated’: Two Papuan students detained in Jakarta Police
News Desk March 4, 2021 2:47 pm
West Papua No. 1 News Portal | Jubi
Jakarta, Jubi – The lawyer of Papuan Students Alliance (AMP) in Greater Jakarta, Michael Himan, said two Papuan students, Kelvin Molama and Roland Levy, had been arrested and detained at the Jakarta Police for allegedly physically assaulting a man named Rajid Patiray.
Himan said the Jakarta Police accused both of assaulting Patiray after the Papuan students protested against the Special Autonomy status in front of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Jan. 27, 2021.
Read also: USTJ students arrested by police on campus
Levy was the coordinator of the protest, Himan said.
“They were arrested in each of their [residence] on [March 3]. Roland was arrested at 4 am, while Kelvin was at 6 am. We believed the police manipulated the case,” said Himan as quoted by tempo.co on March 4.
Himan said the clients denied assaulting Patiray. Both knew Patiray’s name because he several times distributed posters or information to the press, claiming it was on behalf of the AMP. But Papuan students and activists said they did not know Patiray, Himan said.
Both students said they felt Patiray action was harming AMP.
Himan said the police questioned his two clients from the early hours of Wednesday until Thursday dawn at 3:12 am Jakarta time.
Himan said his clients refused to sign the dossier because they insisted the arrest was not according to the procedure. Himan said the police did not show his clients any warrant and did not mention the charges during the arrest. Later the police told Himan they were violating article 170 and 365 of the Criminal Code on violence and battery.
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4) Intan Jaya conflict (9): Recommendations to end the violence
News Desk March 3, 2021 10:08 pm
West Papua No.1 News Portal | Jubi
Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan Humanity Team on Case of Violence against Religious Figures in Intan Jaya regency, or Humanity Team, has completed the documentation of alleged extrajudicial killings against Protestant pastor Yeremia Zanambani on Sept. 19, 2020. This report documents facts surrounding the killing of Pastor Yeremia.
This report includes analysis of the context of violence in Intan Jaya regency, in particular between Indonesian Military (TNI) and the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB), which has been happening at the expense of civilians in the regency. This is the sixth from the series published in jubi.co.id.
The murder of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani has similarities with the murder of a Jesuit priest in El Salvador in 1989, which involved several soldiers and a commander in Salvador Army. The court in Spain, which has an international jurisdiction, found in 2020 that one of the perpetrators, a former Salvadoran army colonel, was found guilty of “terrorist murders” against the five Jesuits.
Earlier, in 2011, the court found 20 army members guilty of murder, terrorism, and crimes against humanity for the same case.
Learning from that case and based on human rights principles and to bring justice to Papua Land, the Humanity Team made several conclusions and recommendations after it finished the report on the murder of Zanambani and other violent cases in the regency.
Conclusions:
1. We found preliminary and convincing evidence that what happened in Intan Jaya was a gross human rights violation, with the qualification of “crimes against humanity”.
2. The Humanity Team found convincing and enough proof that what happened against Pastor Zanambani was an extra judicial killing.
3. The Humanity Team found preliminary evidence, which needs to be verified, that supports the allegation that the perpetrator of the killing was done by and involved the members of the Indonesian Military (TNI).
4. The team found preliminary evidence, to be verified in an investigation until it was declared enough, to support the allegation of a crime against humanity.
Recommendations:
1. To the President of the Republic of Indonesia: Order TNI commander to pull out the military personnel and stop the military operation in Intan Jaya.
2. To the President of the Republic of Indonesia: Cancel the establishment of the Hitadipa Military Command.
3. To the TNI: Leave YPPGI Hitadipa Elementary School so the school can be used for educating the children again.
4. To the Papua administration: Communicate with the parties related to the armed conflicts in Intan Jaya Regency to have a cease fire for humanity.
5. To Papua Governor: Urge the National Commission for Human Rights to follow up the investigation and their findings by questioning the security personnel.
6. To the TNI: Reveal the whereabouts of Apinus Zanambani and Luther Zanambani, whose last known position on April 21, 2020 was at Sugapa Military Command.
7. To Papua Governor: Collect data to identify the number, the mapping, and the condition of the displaced people from Hitadipa, Sugapa, Agisiga, and Ugimba districts.
8. To Papua Governor: Anticipate famine among the displaced people.
9. To Papua Governor: Make sure the displaced people get access to education and health in their respective shelter.
10. To Papua Governor: Provide trauma healing to the communities affected by the armed conflicts, especially the women and the children.
11. To Papua Governor: Help Intan Jaya administration to restore their social and economic condition, especially in Hitadipa.
12. To Papua Governor: Check the Recommendation Letter for Area Permit for Special Mining Business (WIUPK) to the Mind ID president director, and revoke the recommendation.
13. To Papua Governor: Form an independent team to collect data on violence to people and alleged human rights violations in Papua Land.
14. To TNI and the National Police: Implement strict legal actions on any member involved in violence against civilians.
15. To Papuan Church Council and other religious institutions to push the government to pull out the TNI and police personnel from Intan Jaya so the people who have been displaced can go home before Christmas so they can celebrate Christmas at home.
Reporter: Victor Mambor
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5) Armed violence: Soldiers provide aid to returning refugees in Mimika
6 hours ago
Mimika, Papua (ANTARA) - Soldiers from the 756/WMS Infantry Battalion's security task force prepared and distributed 100 boxes of packaged rice meals to those affected by acts of terror unleashed by armed Papuan groups in Mimika district, Papua.
The recipients were refugees from Kimbely Banti ll village in Tembagapura sub-district, Mimika district, Papua province, who have returned home, a military officer said.
The Indonesian military (TNI) cares for and is prepared to help resolve local residents' problems, the task force's commander, Major Marolop Edison Bala Hutapea, said.
"We do this because they are our own brothers and sisters," he said in a press statement that ANTARA received here on Thursday.
Around 14 army personnel from the task force's Banti security post prepared and distributed the packaged meals to the returning refugees living near the post, Hutapea informed.
After returning home, not all of them have been able to resume normal life, he said adding, they cannot even cook because many kitchen sets got damaged after locals abandoned their homes.
Many of them had hurriedly fled their homes to seek refuge in Timika, the capital of Mimika district, in wake of violence unleashed by armed Papuan groups, he said.
"To ease the burden on the returnees, the Banti security post personnel prepared the rice meals because they do need them," he added.
Papua has witnessed a vicious cycle of violence, with armed Papuan groups targeting civilians and security personnel over the past two years.
Intan Jaya district recorded its bloodiest month in September, 2020, with armed groups launching a series of attacks that killed four people and injured two others.
The acts of terror have continued this year. On January 10, 2021, an Indonesian soldier died in a gunfight in the Titigi area of Intan Jaya district.
In February this year, at least 359 residents of Intan Jaya took shelter in a church after a villager, identified by his initials as RNR, was shot by an armed rebel.
Most of those who decided to leave their homes over fears of being targeted by armed rebels were residents of Bilogai village of Sugapa sub-district.
Related news: Police still name two suspects in West Papua's arms trafficking
Related news: Indonesian soldiers offer mobile health services to villagers in Papua
Related news: Navy helps Papuan children instil reading habit through mobile library
The recipients were refugees from Kimbely Banti ll village in Tembagapura sub-district, Mimika district, Papua province, who have returned home, a military officer said.
The Indonesian military (TNI) cares for and is prepared to help resolve local residents' problems, the task force's commander, Major Marolop Edison Bala Hutapea, said.
"We do this because they are our own brothers and sisters," he said in a press statement that ANTARA received here on Thursday.
Around 14 army personnel from the task force's Banti security post prepared and distributed the packaged meals to the returning refugees living near the post, Hutapea informed.
After returning home, not all of them have been able to resume normal life, he said adding, they cannot even cook because many kitchen sets got damaged after locals abandoned their homes.
Many of them had hurriedly fled their homes to seek refuge in Timika, the capital of Mimika district, in wake of violence unleashed by armed Papuan groups, he said.
"To ease the burden on the returnees, the Banti security post personnel prepared the rice meals because they do need them," he added.
Papua has witnessed a vicious cycle of violence, with armed Papuan groups targeting civilians and security personnel over the past two years.
Intan Jaya district recorded its bloodiest month in September, 2020, with armed groups launching a series of attacks that killed four people and injured two others.
The acts of terror have continued this year. On January 10, 2021, an Indonesian soldier died in a gunfight in the Titigi area of Intan Jaya district.
In February this year, at least 359 residents of Intan Jaya took shelter in a church after a villager, identified by his initials as RNR, was shot by an armed rebel.
Most of those who decided to leave their homes over fears of being targeted by armed rebels were residents of Bilogai village of Sugapa sub-district.
Related news: Police still name two suspects in West Papua's arms trafficking
Related news: Indonesian soldiers offer mobile health services to villagers in Papua
Related news: Navy helps Papuan children instil reading habit through mobile library
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https://en.antaranews.com/news/169236/police-still-name-two-suspects-in-west-papuas-arms-trafficking
6) Police still name two suspects in West Papua’s arms trafficking
7 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Police investigators' probe is ongoing into a case of sale of weapons and ammunition to armed Papuan criminals that involved two cops, according to a police spokesman.
"There are still two suspects, and the Papua and Maluku police headquarters is still handling the case," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rusdi Hartono stated.
The suspects belong to the Sabara (public order) units, Hartono noted in a press statement that ANTARA quoted in Jakarta on Thursday.
Preliminary results of investigation indicated that the suspects sold the weapons and ammunition to the armed Papuan criminals, as it was economically lucrative.
"Each bullet has its price and so does a rifle. Of course, it is economically profitable. This aspect is being further investigated," Hartono remarked.
In aiding the investigation process, the National Police has sent out its internal affairs division (Propam) to the Maluku police headquarters, he confirmed.
The suspects were registered as cops at the Ambon city police precinct and Lease Island police precinct, according to Hartono.
They were apprehended following the arrest of a suspect, identified by the initials as WT, 34, in Teluk Bintuni District, West Papua Province, on February 10, 2021.
The Maluku police investigators in Maluku Province have coordinated with their counterparts from the West Papua Police headquarters for handling the case.
Related news: Papua police chief finds cop's involved in arms trafficking deplorable
According to Maluku Police spokesperson Sen. Coms. M. Soem Ohoirat, the suspect confessed to having purchased the weapons and ammunition from Ambon.
According to local media outlets, the suspect was arrested in possession of a revolver, assault rifle, 607 bullets, and a magazine.
Ohoirat recently confirmed that the Maluku police investigators had apprehended several people in Ambon while steering clear from disclosing the identities of the detainees.
In November 2020, the West Papua police had thwarted an attempt by an underground arms syndicate to trade weapons and ammunition smuggled from the Philippines.
The police arrested three people, including a housewife, over their involvement in the case.
The suspects, identified as SM, SK, and RB, smuggled six guns, three magazines, and 43 bullets into West Papua through Manado in North Sulawesi and Sorong in West Papua. (INE)
Related news: Papua police chief warns his men against arms trafficking
Related news: West Papua police foil arms trafficking operation; arrest three
"There are still two suspects, and the Papua and Maluku police headquarters is still handling the case," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rusdi Hartono stated.
The suspects belong to the Sabara (public order) units, Hartono noted in a press statement that ANTARA quoted in Jakarta on Thursday.
Preliminary results of investigation indicated that the suspects sold the weapons and ammunition to the armed Papuan criminals, as it was economically lucrative.
"Each bullet has its price and so does a rifle. Of course, it is economically profitable. This aspect is being further investigated," Hartono remarked.
In aiding the investigation process, the National Police has sent out its internal affairs division (Propam) to the Maluku police headquarters, he confirmed.
The suspects were registered as cops at the Ambon city police precinct and Lease Island police precinct, according to Hartono.
They were apprehended following the arrest of a suspect, identified by the initials as WT, 34, in Teluk Bintuni District, West Papua Province, on February 10, 2021.
The Maluku police investigators in Maluku Province have coordinated with their counterparts from the West Papua Police headquarters for handling the case.
Related news: Papua police chief finds cop's involved in arms trafficking deplorable
According to Maluku Police spokesperson Sen. Coms. M. Soem Ohoirat, the suspect confessed to having purchased the weapons and ammunition from Ambon.
According to local media outlets, the suspect was arrested in possession of a revolver, assault rifle, 607 bullets, and a magazine.
Ohoirat recently confirmed that the Maluku police investigators had apprehended several people in Ambon while steering clear from disclosing the identities of the detainees.
In November 2020, the West Papua police had thwarted an attempt by an underground arms syndicate to trade weapons and ammunition smuggled from the Philippines.
The police arrested three people, including a housewife, over their involvement in the case.
The suspects, identified as SM, SK, and RB, smuggled six guns, three magazines, and 43 bullets into West Papua through Manado in North Sulawesi and Sorong in West Papua. (INE)
Related news: Papua police chief warns his men against arms trafficking
Related news: West Papua police foil arms trafficking operation; arrest three
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7) Raja Ampat: 50 police officers receive second vaccine dose
8 hours ago
Waisai, W Papua (ANTARA) - Fifty police officers from the Raja Ampat police precinct in West Papua have received the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine, as part of efforts to vaccinate frontline public servants.
On the day they were inoculated, the cops also took part in a blood donation program, Raja Ampat Police chief, Adjunct Sen.Coms. Andre J.W. Manuputty, informed.
The vaccination and blood donation drive was conducted through a collaboration between the Raja Ampat police precinct and the district's public hospital, he said.
The vaccine recipients included officers from the traffic, criminal investigation, and public service units, he said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Thursday.
Through the vaccination program, Raja Ampat police joined the national effort to create herd immunity and break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
The police officers also wanted to set an example and lay to rest any misgivings about the vaccination program among local residents, Manuputty said.
The Indonesian government has been striving to reduce the country's COVID-19 infection rate, with the Health Ministry working with the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) to carry out vaccinations and contact tracing at the grassroots level.
Collaborating with communities is also considered key to reducing the COVID-19 infection rate.
To curb infections, the government has enforced restrictions on public activity in the islands of Java and Bali since January 11, 2021.
It has also launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that it would take 15 months to vaccinate around 181.5 million people under the national COVID-19 vaccination program.
Since January 26, 2021, Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate has exceeded one million cases.
To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the lethal pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed on the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population. (INE)
Related news: Over two million Indonesians vaccinated so far: task force
Related news: Indonesia's Army commences vaccination for 353,647 soldiers
EDITED BY INE
On the day they were inoculated, the cops also took part in a blood donation program, Raja Ampat Police chief, Adjunct Sen.Coms. Andre J.W. Manuputty, informed.
The vaccination and blood donation drive was conducted through a collaboration between the Raja Ampat police precinct and the district's public hospital, he said.
The vaccine recipients included officers from the traffic, criminal investigation, and public service units, he said in a statement received by ANTARA here on Thursday.
Through the vaccination program, Raja Ampat police joined the national effort to create herd immunity and break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
The police officers also wanted to set an example and lay to rest any misgivings about the vaccination program among local residents, Manuputty said.
The Indonesian government has been striving to reduce the country's COVID-19 infection rate, with the Health Ministry working with the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) to carry out vaccinations and contact tracing at the grassroots level.
Collaborating with communities is also considered key to reducing the COVID-19 infection rate.
To curb infections, the government has enforced restrictions on public activity in the islands of Java and Bali since January 11, 2021.
It has also launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that it would take 15 months to vaccinate around 181.5 million people under the national COVID-19 vaccination program.
Since January 26, 2021, Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate has exceeded one million cases.
To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the lethal pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed on the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population. (INE)
Related news: Over two million Indonesians vaccinated so far: task force
Related news: Indonesia's Army commences vaccination for 353,647 soldiers
EDITED BY INE
