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West Papua News
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JOB NOTICE: WEST PAPUA ACTION (Ireland)
West Papua Action, human rights and self-determination education campaign, based in Ireland, seek to employ a Part-time Coordinator.
Closing date: Friday, 23rd September.
West Papua Action was founded in 1996 to campaign and educate in solidarity with the people of West Papua, brutally occupied by Indonesia since 1963.
Reporting to the Board, the Coordinator's position will be on a part-time contract basis (15 hours per week) for a period of 12 months. Hourly rate: €15.00 per hour.
Please email CV and cover letter to:
Barbara Raftery, Chairperson, West Papua Action. Email: wpaction@iol.ie Tel. 087 640 9882.
Job description available on request.
On This Page:
Alex Kouker completes Dublin Triathlon for West Papua Action
Ten thousand Papuans criticize special autonomy implementation (13 August)
Solidarity Message of the Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) (12 August)
Susilo warns U.S. not to interfere in Papua (30 July)
Irish Times: Human rights plea for West Papua (July 19)
President of West Papua Baptist Churches to visit Ireland 14-19 July
Briefing Paper, July 2005, by Rev. Yoman: Download here
Genocide Under Special Autonomy by Rev. Yoman: Download here
Joint Statement by Church Leaders (9 June)
Special Autonomy is the Act of Free Choice Part II by Rev. Sofyan Yoman
Whirlygig * Rónán Ó Snodaigh * Sugarclub 18th April
Alex Kouker completes Dublin Triathlon for West Papua Action
Congratulations to Alex Kouker (pictured), who completed the 2005 Dublin City Triathlon on September 3rd, in a time of 2 hours and 34 minutes, raising awareness about West Papua, and collecting Euro 600.00 for West Papua Action. Alex completed a 1500m swim, followed by a 40km cycle, followed by a 10km run! Congratulations Alex!!!
Ten thousand Papuans criticize special autonomy implementation
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura
The Jakarta Post
Saturday, August 13, 2005
At least 10,000 Papuans stormed into the office of the Papua provincial legislative council in Jayapura on Friday, demanding the government to review its
Special Autonomy Law.
The protesters, in one of the largest such demonstrations ever in the province, claimed that the special autonomy was a total failure as it had
failed to live up to people's expectations in Papua.
The protesters started at Trikora Field in Abepura in the morning, and from there, they marched to the legislative compound. Due to fears of clashes, many schools, offices and shops were closed as the protesters made their way through Jayapura city, some 25 kilometers from the Trikora Field. Other shops and residents along the way prepared food and water for the protesters, who also were demanding justice.
The demonstrators, some wearing traditional Papuan attire, carried a coffin covered with black cloth bearing Otsus (special autonomy), which meant that special autonomy had failed to improve the life of Papuans. Besides
demanding the government to hold national and international dialogs to solve the Papuan problem, the demonstrators, led by the secretary of the Papuan Tribal Council, Leo Imbiri, also demanded the Papuan provincial council members convene a plenary session and formally reject special autonomy.
Responding to the demand, speaker of the Papuan provincial council Jhon Ibo argued that it was premature to say that the Special Autonomy Law was a
failure as it was just a few years old and the implementation process was still ongoing. Ibo rejected the demand for a plenary meeting, but he promised
that the provincial council would intensify dialogs with the Papuan Tribal Council in order to discuss the future of special autonomy.
Leo stated that special autonomy was the best way for Papua to improve, but he argued that parts of the implementation had not yet lived up to people's expectations. First, he said, the government was sluggish in issuing the Presidential Decree on the Papuan People's Council. It was finally launched
three years after the Special Autonomy Law was issued in 2001, which brought disappointment to many Papuans. The Special Autonomy Law provided more
authority for the provincial administration to manage its own affairs, while the central government retained some powers such as in the matters of security and
international affairs. And second, Leo protested, the government approved the establishment of West Irian Jaya province, which effectively partitioned Papua province and violated the 2001 law. The original 2001 law states, however, that the establishment of a new province must be approved by the Papuan People's
Council, while in fact, West Irian Jaya was set up before the MRP was founded. Protests against the Special Autonomy Law, were not only held in Jayapura but also in other areas in Papua, such as Sorong and Biak, although far fewer people took part.
The massive expression of disappointment comes just weeks after some members of the U.S. Congress proposed a bill questioning the validity of the process leading to the 1969 Act of Free Choice in Papua, when a group of some 1,000 selected Papuan leaders voted unanimously to become part of the Republic of Indonesia.
Solidarity Message of the Asia-Pacific Solidarity
Coalition (APSOC) for the West Papua protest
activity today
12 August 2005
"Respect West Papuan Expressions of Discontent,
Uphold Papua as a Land of Peace"
More than three years after the enactment of the Special Autonomy Law on West Papua, the living conditions of the Papuan people remain the same. The West Papuans are poor and constantly in danger as human rights violations continue in this embattled province of Indonesia.
Today (August 12), the West Papuans are officially and publicly displaying their grave dissatisfaction and legitimate grievances over what the Indonesian government has supposedly committed in enacting into law the special autonomy for West Papua. Based on reports and official findings, the law which came into force in January 2002 has not led to significant improvements in the lives of the West Papuans.
Today's protest highlights "the return of the Special Autonomy Law to the central government." But Papuan leaders promise the protest will be peaceful.
We, affiliates and members of the Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition or APSOC, extend our solidarity to the West Papuan people as they launch their protest activity today in various parts of the province to express their discontent and expose the betrayal of the central government of Indonesia on the promised better conditions in West Papua with the implementation of the special autonomy law.
We note with apprehension the usual pattern of intimidation, harassment and suppression of the rights and legitimate grievances committed against the people by the Indonesian military units in West Papua. Militarization remains a problem in West Papua.
We therefore urge the Indonesian military to allow the West Papuans to exercise their rights and enjoy freedom of expression and assembly as they launch their protest activity today. We urge the TNI to refrain from disturbing the peaceful demonstrations being held in various parts of West Papua and desist from any act of provoking unrest.
We are also disturbed by recent reports that the special autonomy funds have been misused and that a large amount have been siphoned off to finance military operations in the province. We therefore call on the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to commission an investigation on the use of the special autonomy funds for West Papua.
We support the West Papuans in their effort to seek redress in the implementation of the special autonomy law.
We call on the United Nations to review the "1969 Act of Free Choice" conducted in West Papua, which the West Papuans regard as a sham. The "approval" of the act by Papuans selected by Indonesia resulted in Indonesia's takeover of West Papua, despite overwhelming Papuan opposition and evidence that Indonesia had failed to meet its international obligations to standards set by the United Nations.
We urge the Indonesian government to address the long-standing conflict in West Papua and initiate a process of dialogue with the indigenous tribal leaders and legitimate representatives of the Papuan people.
Lastly, we support the church and civil society-supported campaign to uphold West Papua as "a Land of Peace."
Susilo warns U.S. not to interfere in Papua
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Shenzen, China
Saturday, 30 July 2005
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned the U.S. not to interfere in Indonesia's domestic affairs after the U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a bill that questions the status of Papua.
Speaking to reporters on Friday during a visit to Shenzen, China, Susilo said such intervention could affect relations between the two countries, which have begun to improve since his election last year and a visit to Washington in May.
"I am concerned (by the bill) ... this (the Papua issue) is Indonesia's domestic affair.
"I call on all friendly states and the United Nations to respect Indonesia's territorial integrity and let us solve our own problems," he said.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a bill on Papua which if passed into law could increase international pressure for the Indonesian government to allow the people of the resource-rich Papua to vote whether to remain a part of Indonesia or become an independent nation.
Section 1115 of Bill No. 2061 especially questions the Act of Free Choice Indonesia held in 1969, when selected Papuan elders voted unanimously to join Indonesia "in circumstances that were subject to both overt and covert forms of manipulation", according to the bill.
The bill asks the U.S. secretary of state to file a report analyzing the 1969 Act of Free Choice within 180 days after the enactment of the bill.
Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Yuri Thamrin said in Jakarta on Friday the government would use all diplomatic avenues to block the act.
Yuri said he was confident Indonesia had room to maneuver diplomatically to block any potential negative impacts from the bill.
The bill is one of four bills approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, all of which concern financial aid to foreign militaries, including the Indonesia Military. In the U.S., bills
must be approved by the Congress and the President before becoming law.
"This bill is interesting because some of the clauses that are very critical toward Papua were amended. This is our main concern," Yuri said.
Irish Times, World News, July 19, 2005
Human rights plea for West Papua
Kitty Holland
WEST PAPUA: The human rights violations inflicted on the people of West Papua are the same as those suffered by the people of East Timor, an activist from the western Pacific island has said.
Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman was visiting Ireland to meet supporters and Government officials.
He said he wanted the Government to urge the EU to call on the Indonesian Government to enter genuine dialogue with the people of West Papua."
A former Dutch colony, just north of Australia, West Papua is about the size of France and has a population of about 4 million.
An estimated 100,000 people have been killed there by the Indonesian military since it invaded the island in 1963. Amnesty International has raised concerns about rape, torture and extra-judicial killings by the military there.
There are also severe restrictions on freedom of assembly and the media. Journalists have not been allowed on to the island.
Rev Yoman, who recently addressed a public meeting in Dublin, said there was "genocide going on every day in my country. The military create disputes and killing to justify their continued presence on the island."
Under a special autonomy arrangement drawn up by Indonesia in 2002, the government said it would move to protect the human rights of the West Papuans and develop their society through investment in the education system and health service.
"This special autonomy is failing. It has only brought great misfortune," Rev Yoman said. Investment was not being made in the areas claimed by the Indonesian government, he added.
"We want to live in peace and justice and respect in our own country. We cannot do this while Indonesia denies us our human rights," he said.
© The Irish Times
President of West Papua Baptist Churches to visit Ireland
"The churches in Papua can no longer remain silent if injustice and human rights abuses continue."
“Violence by the Indonesian military forces has increased. West Papuan people have been pursued, detained, terrorised, intimidated, imprisoned, tortured, raped, killed and disappeared.”
Leading human rights advocate Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman will visit Ireland from 14-19 July 2005.
Members and supporters of West Papua are invited to attend a special meeting of West Papua Action to learn from Rev. Yoman, who is President of the Baptist Churches in West Papua, of the critical human rights situation in West Papua at present, to afford an opportunity for members to meet each other, and to see what we can do here in Ireland.
Rev. Yoman, who has fearlessly advocated for his people in West Papua, and who has written a number of books, has recently been speaking in New Zealand and Australia, and will on this occassion visit the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland.
We have booked a room in Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 (Luas stop: Smithfield Square; bus stop Quays/Church Street) for 2-5pm on Saturday, July 16th.
Let us know if you can attend by emailing us at wpaction(a)iol.ie or by phoning us on 01 860 3431.
Joint Statement on
Regional Elections, Special Autonomy and the MRP
By Revd Herman Saud, S.Th.
Chairman of Christian Evangelical Church in Papua
&
Revd Socratez Sofyan Yoman MA
President of West Papuan Baptist Church
At DPRD (Papuan Regional Parliament House), Jayapura.
June 9th 2005 11.00am - 02.00pm
Revd Herman Saud, Synod Chairman of the Christian Evangelical Church in Papua (GKI),
Revd Socratez Sofyan Yoman, Chairman of the West Papuan Baptist Church,
Revd Lipiyus Biniluk, Synod Chairman, Indonesian Evangelical Church (GIDI),
Revd Petrus Done, Synod Chairman of the Pentecostal Church in Papua & Regional Secretary of the Tabernacle Evangelical Church of Papua
and Rt Revd Leo Laba Ladjar OFM, Roman Catholic Bishop of Jayapura,
all of whom are members of the Papuan Churches Council, made statements on the Regional Elections, Special Autonomy and MRP and made very important criticisms over the Indonesian occupation of West Papua.
The statements were addressed to the government leaders of Papua Province.
The leaders present were:
Vice-Governor of Papua Province (Dr Constant Karma),
A representative of the Trikora Regional High Commander (TNI),
The Papua Police Chief and officials from the Papua police,
A representative of the Papuan Court Office,
Chairman of Regional House of Parliament [DPRD] (Dr. John Ibo,MM),
The Second Deputy Chairman of Regional House of Parliament (Paskalis Kosay,S.Pd.),
and the Third Deputy Chairman of Papua Province (Job Kogoya,SE, Dip.Th).
The statements were made in the Papuan Regional Parliament House in Jayapura.
Revd Herman Saud and Revd Socratez Sofyan Yoman together stated some crucial points:
Special autonomy is the Indonesian Government's second betrayal package for the Papuans. The first one was the 1969 Act of Free Choice. If, as you say, Special Autonomy has been implemented, why does it not show any results?
We do not need to talk about Regional Elections and Special Autonomy; in fact, we must talk about the problems of our past and present. We need to have a dialogue about all the problems that have happened on our land from 1962-2005.
There is racial and religious discriminations here. Why has Aceh been given the right to have dialogue with the Indonesian Government; first in Japan and then in Finland, whereas there isn't any for Papua? What is behind all of this? Racism?
The destruction of the TNI weapon's store house in Wamena and the attacks against villages in Puncak Jaya were not carried out by the TPM/OPM. These events are pure manipulation by the TNI.
We Papuans all victims of the past history and therefore we need to look at the history. We hope that you read the book that I wrote; Papuans are not separatists, subversive people and OPM (by Socratez Sofyan Yoman)
We should not tell lies. We must speak wisely, honestly and truthfully. The first missionaries who came to Papua from Germany, Ottouw and Geissler, said: "Whoever works honestly and wisely on this land will walk from one miracle to another miracle but whoever does not work honestly and wisely, will get murka kutuk and malapetaka for himself and his family and his children and grandchildren;
Papuans don't want to take over other lands. We have never become head of villages, regents, and governors in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java! However, in the Papuan land the Papuans are wise and democratic and therefore we should become leaders everywhere we like in this our Land of Papua land.
We Papuans did not kill your tribes, but you came, tortured, raped and took us to court without even knowing our past history.
Philep Karma and Yusak Pakage are a real example [jailed for 15 and 10 years for peacefully raising the Papuan independence flag]. They are the owners of the truth and they claimed the truth. Why did you send them to prison? They are the owners of the truth and they claimed what should be their rights.
Thus, if the government wants to build this land, let them build it wisely;
Give funds to the churches to build schools. Then the church will educate our children through educational institution such as YPPGI, YPK, YPPK, Adventist School. Just give us the funds.
In the past, the Dutch educated Papuans wisely. The Dutch never committed murder, raped, and sent people to prison. You say that the Dutch were the great colonisers, but we think that you are the great coloniser in this modern world.
Doctors in Papua are not saving lives. They prescribe drugs for our people when they are sick but when Papuans visit the chemists they cannot afford to buy the expensive medicines. They just go home sadly and wait to die. This is systematic genocide. Our land is rich so our people should have enough money to buy medicine to save their lives. Where is the money from our land going?
The distribution of alcoholic drinks is also the same. Why don't you ever arrest the Javanese people who supply the alcoholic drinks? You only arrest those [mostly Papuans] who consume the alcoholic drinks. You send them to prison, torture them and many die in prison. We see this also as systematic genocide.
The Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) is like the Indonesian Government trying to give the Papuans sweets to stop us crying. When the children cry the father gives them sweets, but when they stop crying, the father forgets his promises.
The Regional Elections may go on because it is part of a learning process of how elections work. However, what we are concern about is the suffering of the Papuans -- year after year.
Why are the Regional Elections going ahead before the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) has been set up? What is behind all this? What is the government doing? Why has the government not yet prepared the provincial regulations and the special regulations for the MRP to be set up? What is the problem? Why is there not any motivating spirit? If the government is not serious, the Church will take action.
What is the difficulty in building Papua? What is the Papuan population? Are we not enough? Are you sending the migrants from outside because this is the only way to build our land?
What is the purpose of sending the six white ships (Indonesian Royal Passenger Ship [paid for out of Special Autonomy funds]) who every week bring thousands of migrants from Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Ambon to Papua? Is this what you call building Papua?
Why are there so many intelligence officers (spies) in this region? [an extra 7,000 have been sent recently] Why are you sending 15,000 extra troops to Papua? Are we all terrorists or robbers so you want to spy on all our activities and use soldiers to control us? Is this what you call building Papua?
All the activities of the church leaders are being watched over and spied upon. Is this building Papua?
Are we Papuans really such an enemy for the government? Instead of paying so many Indonesians to be spies and soldiers, why doesn't the government create jobs to feed the 220 million people of Indonesia? Why do so many Indonesians have to try to find work in Malaysia? Now many of them are refugees on the Kalimantan/Malaysia border. The government spends all its money on spies and soldiers so there is no money left to look after its own people. Now East Timor is independent, but Indonesia is not looking after its old supporters in the militias who it used to fund to kill the Timorese. What kind of government is this? Is this what you call building Indonesia?
If Special Autonomy for Papua really means "autonomy", why do we still have to get approval from Jakarta for everything? ; Why did you only give the tail and not the head as well? [This is an idiom in Papua which means that something is given not with a whole heart. There is till something hidden behind]. Is this what you call building Papua?
Why is all our wealth still being taken to Java? Why are we Papuans still powerless? Is this what you call building Papua?
Why aren't there any Papuans who hold positions such as Police Chief, Military commander, Air force Commander, Navy Officers? Are we Papuans not physically strong enough? Didn't our Papuan athletes at the Olympic Games show the world we can be champions? Is this what you call building Papua ?
Our question is this: When will you be serious about build Papua?
If in the coming years the situation is still the same, the church will surely take action and will speak to the world.
Revd Herman Saud
Revd Socratez Sofyan Yoman
Jayapura, West Papua
9 June 2005
Special Autonomy is the Act of Free Choice - Phase 2
By Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman, MA
Chairman of Papuan Baptist Churches in West Papua
30 January 2005
A. BACKGROUND
The special autonomy law No. 21/2001 was born because of the demand from the West Papuan native people who wanted to have self-determination of their future life. The demand took place because of the cruelty, violence, deception and injustice of the Indonesian government towards the native people of Papua (the Lord's people in the Land of Papua) since the integration of the native Papuans into the unitary state of Indonesia on May 1, 1963 before the Act of Free Choice in 1969.
The root of the cruelty, violence, deception, injustice and dishonesty of the Indonesian government towards the native West Papuan people are as follows:
(1) The New York Agreement, 15 August 1962 which was negotiated without involving the native people of West Papua as the owners of the Papuan land.
(2) The Act of Free Choice 1969 which was very dishonest and very undemocratic.
(3) Human Rights Abuses as a process to destroy the Papuans as an ethnic group (systematic genocide) which has been planned and carried out from 1962 until the present, 2005;
(4) Discrimination in the development process with the native West Papuans with no rights and appropriate empowerment.
(5) The massive transmigration programme (long term Islamization and Javanization (Indonesianization programme) in West Papua) in order to rule the area around the Pacific and Australia.
(6) Special Autonomy Law No. 21/ 2001 is the Act Free Choice 1969 Phase 2.
(7) The establishment of West Irian Jaya Province contradicts the national commitment which is stated in the Special Autonomy Law No 21/2001.
The period of the Indonesian occupation has been our saddest time in our recorded history. During this time human tragedy has occurred continuously among Papuans because of the killings committed by the Indonesian government for two main reasons:
(a) To maintain the integrity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia and therefore neglecting the integrity and the dignity of the Papuans; and
(b) To secure the state's vital assets -- the Natural Resources of West Papua.
The two reasons above have neglected the integrity and the human dignity of the native Papuan people as the nation's most vital assets.
Therefore, the church should not keep silent. In fact, the church must speak about truth, justice, love and peace to protect the Lord's people in West Papua so we could enjoy the freedom, justice, love and peace within a sovereign independent state like other nations in the world.
B. SPECIAL AUTONOMY LAW No. 21 / 2001
Special Autonomy is the 1969 Act of Free Choice Phase 2 with the purpose of torturing and destroying the native people of West Papua. This is proven by the fact that the special autonomy has been implemented for 4 years between 2001 and 2004, but the suffering of the West Papuan people has become even worse.
1. Military Operations have taken place everywhere in West Papua. There have been different kinds of manipulation and the addition of military personnel, which has increased, and have been stationed in all parts of West Papua.
2. With the operation of 6 big passenger ships, migrants have arrived daily to settle in West Papuan Land.
3. Most of the Special Autonomy funds from the regional and provincial governments have been used to fund the military operations.
4. The arrest, the imprisonment, the torture, the shooting, and the killing of the native West Papuans have increased in the last 4 years since Special Autonomy was implemented.
C. THE EXPANSION OF THE WEST IRIAN JAYA PROVINCE
The expansion of the West Irian Jaya Province is real evidence that :
1. The government of Indonesia was not serious about the interests of the native people of the West Papua.
2. The government of Indonesia did not seriously implement the Special Autonomy Law No. 21/2001 which was a commitment and a national political bargain which was legalized by the Indonesian House of Parliament and which has been supported by the European Union, the United States of America, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Pacific Island Forum and which has been accepted by the Papuan elite. Instead, the government issued a Presidential Decree No 1 / 2003 to expand the Province of West Irian Jaya.
The purpose of the expansion of the West Irian Jaya Province is as follows:
(a) For military purposes. That is to expand the military territory by establishing new headquarters at provincial, regency and district level in order to control and to narrow the movement and the freedom of the native West Papuans. The expansion of the West Irian Jaya Province is purely the work of the Indonesian Military intelligence.
(b) The expansion of job vacancies, particularly at the top management level: Government officers from outside West Papua will fill the posts that cannot be filled by the native Papuans. These [non-Papuan] people are the people who are jobless because of the restructuring of Indonesian government departments at a national level. These people are sent to West Papua because many native Papuans do not have the appropriate education or rank to fill the posts.
(c) A systematic approach which has been programmed carefully to destroy (genocide) the native Papuans. This is done through transmigration program and illegal migration to fill areas which they claim to be "under-populated" by Papuans. Besides, there are efforts to Islamize, Indonesianize (Javanize) West Papua in the long term and also for Indonesia to rule the territory around the Pacific and Australian Zone.
(d) A systematic approach through the devide et impera (divide and conquer policy). This is done by isolating or grouping the native Papuans and creating a situation so that the Papuans could kill each other because of their efforts to defend their land rights or to compete for positions in government jobs.
(e) Polarization efforts : to polarize the native Papuans who are pro-Special Autonomy and pro-expansion [of West Irian Jaya Province] and those who are against, in order to make them fight against each other(devide et impera policy).
D. CONCLUSION
(1)The support from the European Union and the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia for Special Autonomy for West Papua means repeating the same mistake as the 1969 Act of Free Choice in West Papua.
(2) The support of the European Union, and the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to co-operate fully with the Indonesian Government to support Special Autonomy means they are working together to destroy the lives of native West Papuans whose faith is mostly Christian.
(3) The native people of West Papua do not need Special Autonomy but need instead an international dialogue which is honest, fair and democratic to determine their own life in their own land and country.
(4) The Special Autonomy Law No. 21/ 2001 is a great disaster for the native people of West Papua and with that there will be no hope for the future.
Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman, MA
Chairman of Papuan Baptist Churches in West Papua
30 January 2005
Whirlygig * Rónán Ó Snodaigh
Sugarclub, Leeson Street
8pm, Monday, 18 April, 2005
Doors 8pm
After being absent from the scene for a while, folk-blues-soul ensemble Whirlygig make a welcome return at the Sugarclub this Monday night. They will be joined by Rónán Ó Snodaigh.
Whirlygig, a seven-piece band, play modern-day folk enlaced with blues and soul, jazzed up instrumentals, and original songs which have a Tom Waits vibe. Rónán Ó Snodaigh of Kíla fame, is an accomplished solo performer in his own right and an exciting percussionist.
The gig is a benefit for Irish campaign West Papua Action.
West Papua, north of Australia, was taken over by the Indonesian military in 1963. An independence referendum should have taken place in 1969, but, instead, less than one percent of the population were rounded up, held in education camps, threatened and bribed. All hand-picked 1,022 put their hands up in public to declare for Indonesia. West Papua was dropped quietly from the United Nations' agenda, and the killings and torture continue to a deafening international silence. At least ten per cent of the population have been killed. The occupation has entered its fifth decade.
West Papua Action joins with solidarity groups around the world aiming to put West Papua back on the UN agenda, to campaign against human rights abuses in the territory, and to open it up to the scrutiny of the media, non-governmental organisations and politicians.
Yudhohono condemned for failing to stop military operation
Press Conference Announcement - December 23, 2004
Today, an unprecedented coalition of church groups, non-government
organizations, tribal councils, women and student groups held a Press
Conference in Jayapura, the capital of Indonesia's Papua province at 10.00am
local time, (12.00 Eastern Standard Time) to condemn Indonesian President
Yudhoyono for failing to stop the on-going military operation in the
highlands area of Puncak Jaya, West Papua.
The Press Conference today announced: the Christmas visit of President
Yudhoyono to West Papua will not proceed. "In such a situation of grave
humanitarian crisis, with thousands of our people suffering and at serious
risk, SBY's visit for Christmas is like him coming to dance on our graves",
said Rev. Socrates Sofyan Yoman, President of the Papuan Baptist Church.
Despite appeals from the West Papuan people to stop the military operation,
through demonstrations, recommendations from the Papuan Parliament and press
statements, there is no sign the government has made any move to stop the
operation. Mr Yudhoyono is scheduled to visit West Papua on the 26th of
December to celebrate Christmas.
On December 21st the coalition made an appeal to the international community
to urge their governments to press the Indonesian government over the Puncak
Jaya operation.
Facts
The situation in Puncak Jaya is deteriorating
More than 6000 highland tribal people have been displaced in the military
operation
The deaths of 23 civilians from starvation and exposure, mainly children and
babies, have been verified in early December
Crops, livestock, homes, churches and clinics have been destroyed
The area remains closed to church officials, medical staff, aid workers,
independent observers and the media. No independent investigation has been
conducted
No relief has been delivered - the refugees remain without help, shelter and
food
FOR further information PLEASE CONTACT:
IN ENGLISH 1. Denny YOMAKI (Secretary of ELSHAM, West Papuan Institute for
Human Rights Study and Advocacy ), Phn: +62-(0)81344119442
2. Dr. Benny GIAY (Bible Church Camp Papua), Phn: +62-(0)815-86237462
3. John RUMBIAK, Coordinator of International Advocacy for ELSHAM in Sydney,
Australia, Phn: +61-(0)424572475
IN INDONESIAN
1. Sofyan YOMAN (President of West Papua Baptist Church) Phn:
+62-(0)812-4888458,
2. Lipius Biniluk, Chairman of the Christian Evangelical Church Indonesia in
West Papua, Phn. +62-(0)81344062678,
3. Aloysius RENWARIN (Chairman
of ELSHAM), Phn: +62-(0)816-4336370 or +62-(0)967-581520
An Appeal to the International Community over the devastating Puncak Jaya Operation and Wider Destabilizing Political Developments in West Papua
Elsham News Service, 21 December 2004
Solution to Papuan military operation a test for new Indonesian President Yudhoyono's leadership
Indonesia's new President must end the current military operation underway in Papua province through peaceful dialogue or risk allowing the region to become increasingly unstable and torn by civil conflict.
The Deterioting Military Operation in Puncak Jaya
Despite President Yudhoyono having expressed a willingness to find a sustainable solution to the four decade long conflict in West Papua, since August a military operation in the highlands area of Puncak Jaya has led to the displacement of up to more than six thousand indigenous tribe members and the deaths of at least twenty three, mainly children and babies, from starvation.
Having been forced from their villages by the Indonesian military, the Papuan refugees have been denied access to food and medicine and have had their villages, livestock and food gardens destroyed. According to Reverend Sofyan Yomans of the Papuan Baptist church, the villagers ?are too frightened to return to their homes, fearing they will be accused of being separatists or supporters of the OPM, and killed?. (OPM stands for Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or Free Papua Movement.)
The Puncak Jaya operation is seen as a test case for Yudhoyono?s fledgling leadership. The atmosphere in Papua is increasingly desperate as peace advocates and church groups warn of an impending East Timor-like scenario if urgent action is not taken to defuse the situation.
The highlands area has become a militarized zone where access is denied. Church officials previously allowed freedom of movement have now effectively been barred from offering aid and solace to their congregations, which have been dispersed over the last four months. Journalists have also been barred.
A similar military campaign during 2003 was investigated last November by the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). Soldiers from Kopassus were found to have committed gross human rights abuses and crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, it has been reported by church sources on the ground that several attacks on police officers in the Puncak Jaya area have been orchestrated, not by OPM, but by Kopassus operatives who have infiltrated the OPM. The officers shot have all been native Papuans, but new attacks, for instance, at the time of the President's visit to Papua this week, may provide a trigger for a rapid escalation of the fighting.
Wider Destabilising Political Developments in West Papua
West Papua is home to the US world's largest gold and copper mine, operated by PT. Freeport Indonesia, while British energy giant BP plans to start the construction of the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility next year, and the Australian BHP Billiton is hoping to go ahead with an open cut nickel mine.
Increasing militarization, coupled with human rights abuses and unmet demands for independence, have turned Indonesia's easternmost province into a "time bomb waiting to go off" that could drag Australia and the rest of South Pacific into its wreckage.
Locals are losing patience with Jakarta after moderate independence leader Theys Eluay was assassinated in November 2001 and efforts to establish a "zone of peace" throughout the province by humans rights workers failed.
An extra 25,000 troops have been poured into the mineral and timber-rich province since 2000, and more than a million migrants have moved into the province from elsewhere in Indonesia, rapidly closing the gap on the 1.5 million native Papuans.
And over the last year reports have filtered out from the coastal town of Sorong that shipments of guns have been arriving and are being distributed to local people and to militia members recruited by the notorious Eurico Gutterres. Gutterres was accused of committing crimes against humanity following the bloodbath after the 1999 East Timor referendum.
Australia and neighbouring countries would be affected if wide-scale violence broke out and refugees began fleeing over the border to Papua New Guinea. A "failed state" crisis in Papua could also threaten security in the wider Pacific region.
Unless President Yudhoyono takes decisive steps this week, Papuan anger may spill over in what is already a very dangerous situation. His visit to Papua for Christmas on this coming 26 December is a clear opportunity for him to show his strength and commitment to bring the military under control in Puncak Jaya.
International Solidarity Movement for West Papuan, world church institutions and human rights groups as well as sympathisers around the world are called on to act urgently and telephone, email or write to their governments and members of Parliament, urging President Yudhoyono to:
· halt the Puncak Jaya operation, remove the military from the area and allow it to be reopened to humanitarian groups.
· allow proper independent investigations into the recent spate of killings
to be undertaken
· allow urgently needed food, medical supplies and shelter to be provided for the displaced refugees, who should be allowed to return to the sites of their villages without fear of reprisal
· allow the Indonesian Human Rights Commission to investigate the military?s excesses
· restore some sense of certainty and just treatment to the lives of the indigenous Papuan Christian community by introducing an appropriate set of concrete policies, including a withdrawal of the massive troop presence in Papua, dismantling the militias and dropping a decree that has divided the province into three.
Implementation of the above will be an excellent way for President Yudhoyono to solidify his position at the start of his presidency and gain the respect of the international community. It can also provide an urgently needed space in which Papuans can move forward on the crucial issue of dialogue. Governments are asked to "support and encourage" President Yudhoyono to establish the "necessary pre-conditions" for peaceful DIALOGUE.
This appeal has been issued on December 21, 2004 in West Papua by A Coalition of West Papuan Church, Human Rights and Students Organizations and Tribal Councils:
1. West Papuan Baptist Church in Jayapura
2. Christian Evangelical Church (GKI) in the Land of Papua in Jayapura
3. Catholic Diocese of Jayapura
4. Christian Evangelical Church Indonesia (GIDI) in West Papua
5. Secretariat for Justice and Peace, Catholic Diocese of Jayapura
6. West Papuan Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (Elsham) in Jayapura
7. Foundation for Human Rights and Against Violence (YAHAMAK) in Timika
8. West Papua Tribal Council in Jayapura
9. Papua Presidium Council in Jayapura
10. Bureau of Human Rights and Justice, Bible Camp Church of West Papua (GKII), in Jayapura
11. Association of Jayawijaya Women in Wamena
12. Solidarity of Papuan Women in Jayapura
13. Association of West Papuan Political Prisoners in Jayapura
14. West Papuan People's Front Against Militarism in Jayapura
15. West Papuan Front for the Oppressed People
16. West Papuan Solidarity Committee in Jayapura
17. Association of West Papuan Highlands Stundents in Jayapura
18. Association of Catholic Students in Jayapura
19. Association of Biak Students in Jayapura
20. Triton Foundation in Sorong
21. Legal Aid and Human Rights Papua in Sorong
22. Echo Foundation Papua Raja Ampat in Sorong
23. Justice and Peace for Sorong and Manokwari, Catholic Diocese of Sorong
24. Centre of Malamoi Tribal Council in Sorong
25. Malamoi Tribal Council Della Village, Kab.Sorong
26. Knasaimos Tribal Council, South Sorong Regency
27. Traditional Council, South Sorong Regency
28. Association of Moi Students in Indonesia, Sorong
29. Perdu Foudnation in Manokwari
30. YALHIMO Foundation in Manokwari
31. LP3BH Foundation in Manokwari
32. Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) in Jayapura
FOR further information PLEASE CONTACT:
IN ENGLISH
1. Dr. Benny GIAY (Bible Church Camp Papua), Phn: +62-(0)815-86237462
2. Denny YOMAKI (Secretary of ELSHAM), Phn: +62-(0)81344119442; E-mail: elshamnewsservice@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
3. John RUMBIAK, Coordinator of International Advocacy for ELSHAM in Sydney, Australia, Phn: +61-(0)424572475; Email: john_rumbiak@hotmail.com
IN INDONESIAN
1. Sofyan YOMAN (President of West Papua Baptist Church) Phn: +62-(0)812-4888458
2. Aloysius RENWARIN (Chairman of West Papuan Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy - ELSHAM), Phn: +62-(0)816-4336370 or +62-(0)967-581520; E-mail: elshamnewsservice@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
3. Rev. Lipius Biniluk, Chairman of the Christian Evangelical Church Indonesia in West Papua, Phn. +62-(0)81344062678
Another fine mess in Papua
The Jakarta Post.com. Editorial. November 18, 2004
The Constitutional Court could not have come up with a worse decision when it ruled that the carving of Papua into three provinces was illegitimate while also recognizing the presence of the new West Irian Jaya province as a fact of life. This ruling is sowing more confusion into an already confused state of affairs in Papua. The source of this latest controversy is a January 2003 instruction by then President Megawati Soekarnoputri to establish three new provinces out of Papua as mandated in a 1999 law enacted during the administration of President B.J. Habibie. But this law, according to the Constitutional Court, was effectively annulled when Megawati enacted in November 2001 the special autonomy law for Papua. The court deemed her instruction for the creation of West Irian Jaya, Central Irian Jaya and Eastern Irian Jaya provinces as equally invalid. But the court said it also recognized the presence of the West Irian Jaya province because the regional apparatus -- an administration, and an elected legislative council and the region's elected representatives to the People's Legislative Assembly in Jakarta -- had been created. The court ruling, however, puts a stop to the creation of the other two new provinces. Going by the Constitutional Court ruling, we are now left with two provinces in the western half of the New Guinea Island: West Irian Jaya covering the Bird's Head region of the island, and Papua, covering the eastern and heartland of the Papua territory.
Also going by the court ruling, West Irian Jaya is considered an illegitimate province. Here is a province that was conceived by Habibie and born into this world, with some inducement, during Megawati's presidency. It is now left to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to raise this illegitimate child. Such an awkward status is bound to haunt the province in years to come. The court ruling has also left many unanswered questions. What happens to the special autonomy law which treats Papua as one single province? Would the Papuan People's Council, whose creation is mandated under the special autonomy law, have the authority to speak on behalf of West Irian Jaya too? Or, God forbid, would the Papuan people have to negotiate all over again to secure a new legislation for its special autonomy status? Time will tell how Papua and West Irian Jaya will emerge out of this huge mess. But this episode confirms what many Papuans believe or have long suspected: that Jakarta is bent on interfering in the affairs of Papua, even as it promises to give greater autonomy to this backward but resource-rich province. The status of Papua as a special autonomous region today is only in name.
This is a problem that could have been prevented had Megawati heeded appeals from Papuans in 2003 to stop the process of establishing the West Irian Jaya province. The fact that she went ahead with this "divide-and-conquer policy" suggests some hidden agenda on her part, or on the part of parties behind the move. Papuans will now turn to President Susilo to resolve this issue in the best possible way. In the October presidential election Papuans overwhelmingly voted for him instead of Megawati. He owes them that much. Let's hope he will not disappoint them.
Court ruling perpetuates conflict in Papua
Jakarta Post.com November 18, 2004
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post
The decision by the Constitutional Court on the judicial review of Law No. 45/1999 in Jakarta on Thursday surprised many, including those opposed to and those who support the controversial formation of West Irian Jaya province. Accompanied by Papua governor Jaap Solossa, Papua Legislative Council Chairman John Ibo who filed a request for the judicial review, expressed disappointment with the verdict, saying the decision with its strong political overtones did not provide a solution to the core issue in the country's easternmost province.
Acting governor of West Irian Jaya Octavianus Brahm Atururi and officials from the home and defense ministries and the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) seemed pleased by the decision that acknowledges the existence of the new province. However it is unclear whether the new province will enjoy the special autonomy status as Papua does under Law No. 21/2001. The Court buried Law No. 45/1999 -- on the formation of West and Central Irian Jaya Provinces and that of several new regencies, including Paniai, Puncak Jaya and Mimika -- because its enforcement was not in line with Law No. 21/2001. The two laws were not in conflict with the Amended 1945 Constitution but their enforcement raised serious implications in the field. Eight of nine judges were of the same legal opinion that West Irian Jaya and the new regencies under it remained valid, although Law No. 45/1999 was no longer effective. They argue that the special autonomy law took effect after the new province and regencies were formed, and no state institutions have annulled the law.
The judges argue that the new province and regencies should be accepted because they have their own administration and legislatures and representatives in the House of Representatives who were elected in the April legislative election. The Constitutional Court's ruling, which is final and binding, has left legal and political uncertainty for both Papua and West Irian Jaya. West Irian Jaya and the new regencies were accepted although they have no legal basis. Like other provinces, regencies and/or mayoralties, the new province and regencies formed under the already annulled law, need new laws as the legal basis for their formation and a valid administration in the future. In addition, many legal experts are baffled by the court's argument that Law No. 45/1999 remained effective in spite of Law No. 21/2001 as long as no relevant authorities had declared the former law ineffective. Judge Maruarar Siahaan in his dissenting opinion argues that West Irian Jaya's existence should be declared invalid because Law No. 45/1999 is in conflict with the 2001 Papua special autonomy law, and the new province's formation was mandated by a controversial presidential instruction in 2003, two years after the special autonomy law took effect. Law No. 45/1999 automatically became ineffective regardless of whether or not it was declared ineffective, he argues.
The court verdict needs a political decision on the new province's status. If the new province of West Irian Jaya will also enjoy special autonomy like Papua, it has to be mandated in a special autonomy law. As a consequence it would also have the right to share the special autonomy funds and to establish its own highest law-making body similar to Papua's Peoples Assembly (MRP). The local assembly is assigned to elect a governor and design development policy in the province. With its decision, which is irreversible, the Constitutional Court has apparently tried to provide a win-win political solution for all conflicting sides in Papua and Jakarta, but it has not only failed to solve the prolonged issue, but will even worsen the situation there. John Ibo, in filing the judicial review request, noted Jakarta's reluctance to fully implement the special autonomy law, which has been given by the People's Consultative Assembly and through national consensus as the main framework to seek a comprehensive solution to the Papua issue.
The Assembly agreed to give special autonomy to Papua and Aceh in 1999 amid the strong demand for a self-determination ballot in the two provinces following the stepping-down of former president Soeharto and the beginning of the reform era. He said the Papuan people lost confidence again in Jakarta when president Megawati Soekarnoputri declined to approve the draft regulation on the establishment of the MRP and to fully disburse the special autonomy funds in the first two years of the implementation of autonomy. According to Law No. 21/2001, the MRP will play an important role in designing development policy and approving the appointment of high-ranking officials in the province. The central government later turned down the draft regulation as it was feared it would pave the way for the province's separation from Indonesia. Papuan people and local government officials have strongly rejected this concern as invalid, saying the law clearly stipulates that Papua is part of Indonesian territory.
The presidential instruction issued by Megawati, was issued with strong support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Indonesian Military and the BIN which were believed to have their own interests in the planned formation of the two new provinces. Certain high-ranking officials at the home ministry have allegedly gained financial advantage from the establishment of new administrations in the new province and regencies while the Indonesian Military and BIN have maintained their security businesses with the presence of two giant mining companies in Manokwari and Timika respectively. The formation of new provinces was also expected to help security authorities to control separatist activities in the region. The Constitutional Court has planted a time bomb in the region that could explode if the majority of tribal people opposing the formation of the new province are dissatisfied with the provincial administration's performance. The new province's establishment, however, has won political support from migrants from Java, Sulawesi and Maluku. Besides, the Court decision also raises new problems for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government which has expressed its commitment to fully implement special autonomy and review the controversial presidential instruction as recently promised by the President himself to the Papuans. (The author is a staff writer at The Jakarta Post. He can be reached at ridwan@thejakartapost.com)
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