Wednesday, July 31, 2013

1) One Killed in Papua After Unidentified Gunmen Fire at Ambulance


1) One Killed in Papua After Unidentified Gunmen Fire at Ambulance
2) Statement by LP3BH on the Need for Dialogue between Papua and Indonesia
3) Government must apolgis for past violations in West Papua
4) DOCUMENT - INDONESIA: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
5)  West Papuan women ‘shield’ activists as rally forcibly dispersed by police
6) West Papuans force release of abused political prisoners in Yapen 



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http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/one-killed-in-papua-after-unidentified-gunmen-fire-at-ambulance/

1) One Killed in Papua After Unidentified Gunmen Fire at Ambulance


An armed civilian group shot at an ambulance carrying a patient in the restive Papua district of Puncak Jaya on Wednesday, killing one and injuring two others.
“An ambulance has been shot in the village of Puncak Senyum in Puncak Jaya. We suspect that an armed civilian group was responsible,” Col. Inf. Lismer Luban Siantar, a spokesman for the military’s Cenderwasih Command, which oversees the province of Papua, told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday.
The ambulance, which was transporting a sick patient, was heading to the Mulia Regional Hospital in Puncak Jaya from Tingginambut when a group of gunmen opened fire from 30 meters above it.
The three people sitting in the front seats of the ambulance were hit, while eight others, including the patient, were not.
“We suspect there were five to 10 shooters,” Lismer said.
The deceased victim has been identified as medical worker Erik Yoman, 35.
Prins Baransano, another medical staff who was shot in the arm, and ambulance driver Darson Wonda, who was hit in the shoulder, are being treated at Mulia Hospital.
“Even after he was injured, the driver kept driving to the hospital,” Lismer said.
Earlier this month, an unidentified gunman fatally shot a passing motorcycle taxi driver in Puncak Jaya.
Papua’s highland districts of Puncak Jaya and Jayawijaya are especially prone to violence and shootings mostly directed against soldiers, police officers and migrants. Authorities have tended to blame armed groups such as the the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM), which has been waging a low-profile resistance since the 1960s.
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2) Statement by LP3BH on the Need for Dialogue between Papua and Indonesia
Statement by the Executive Director of LP3BH
31 July, 2013

LP3BH-Manokwari, an organisation which advocates human rights for the people of the Land of Papua, strongly supports the move which has been taken by the MRP (Papuan People's Council)  to call for peaceful dialogue between Papua and Indonesia.

This move is very much in accord with Law 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for the Province of Papua which grants full powers to  the MRP as the cultural representative of the indigenous Papuan people.

It is crucially important for the dialogue to take place in 2013 because this is the best way  to secure a peaceful and dignified solution to the conflict and the many substantial problems in the Land of Papua.

A number of leaders of countries such as the UK,  the USA, New Zealand, Australia and several European countries, as well as the United Nations, have also called on the Government  of Indonesia to agree to a peaceful dialogue as the way to resolve the problems in Papua. Bearing all this in mind, the LP3BH believes that  there are strong reasons for the Government  of Indonesia under the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to  provide the space for such a dialogue to take place.

Moreover, it is unconstitutional for the Ministry of the Interior and other government ministries in Jakarta to press for an evaluation of of the Special Autonomy Law as this is in violation of Articles 77 and 78 on the evaluation or amendment of the law.

The LP3BH once again  expresses full support for the moves by the MRP for Papua and West Papua  for the holding of a dialogue between Papua and Indonesia  and various people's representative bodies bodies such  the DPR-Papua and the DPR-West Papua to support such a move.

Peace

Yan Christian Warinussy,

Executive Director of the LP3BH

[Translated by TAPOL]

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3) Government must apolgis for past violations in West Papua
[Apologies for the delay in posting a translation of this item. TAPOL]

JUBI, 6 July 2013

Human rights organisations in Papua have called on the Indonesian Government to apologise  to the victims and the families of victims who lost their lives as a result of the brutal incident perpetrated by the security forces on 6 July 1998 in Biak.

Nehemia Yarinap of BUK (Bersatu Untuk Kebenaran - United for Truth) . speaking at a press conference in Jayapura, said: 'The Indonesian government must apologise to the victims and their families for the brutality perpetrated by the security forces in Biak on 6 July 1998.'

On the 15th anniversary of Bloody Biak Tragedy, three NGOs in Papua - BUK, KontraS Papua and Elsham Papua, all of which are active in the field of human rights, said that the government should acknowledge and accept legal responsibility for  the Bloody Biak Tragedy and for other human rights violations that have occurred in the past and should set  up a Human Rights Court.

The Director of KontraS Papua, Olga Hamadi said: ' We demand guarantees that such brutal activities by the security forces will never occur again.'

The three human rights organisations regard the Bloody Biak Incident as a reflection of the many other grave human rights violations that have  bedevilled the human rights situation in Papua, a situation that has not improved because the security approach is always taken towards everything that happens in Papua, all of which is proof the weakness of the rule of law.

'We urge the government to end the isolation and open up Papua to all human rights organisations, national and international,' said Nehemia Yarinap, speaking to journalists.

[Translated by TAPOL]
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HTTP://WWW.AMNESTY.ORG/EN/LIBRARY/ASSET/ASA21/026/2013/EN/4580CCB5-7794-4A10-BB89-C6AC357C9D05/ASA210262013EN.HTML

4) DOCUMENT - INDONESIA: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
Index: ASA 21/026/2013
31 July 2013
Indonesia: Human Rights Committee makes recommendations on civil and political rights
Amnesty International urges the Indonesian government to take concrete and immediate steps to implement recommendations made by the UN Human Rights Committee to ensure that civil and political rights are respected and protected in the country.
On 25 July 2013 the UN Human Rights Committee (the Committee), an independent body of experts tasked with reviewing the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the Covenant), published its Concluding Observations after assessing Indonesia’s compliance with the provisions of the Covenant both in law and practice during its 108th session. In the Concluding Observations, the Committee expressed concern about a range of areas where Indonesia is failing to meet its obligations under the Covenant.
The following are some of the concerns raised and recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee:
The Committee expressed “regret” about ongoing impunity for past human rights violations by the security forces and called for the setting up of an ad hoc Human Rights Court to bring to justice those involved in the enforced disappearances of 13 political activists in 1997-98. It also called for the “effective prosecution” of all those involved in the killing of prominent human rights activist Munir;
The Committee expressed concern about reports of extrajudicial executions and excessive use of force by the Indonesian security forces during protests. It highlighted in particular concerns that Indonesia “uses its security apparatus to punish political dissidents and human rights defenders”. The Committee called on Indonesia to ensure full accountability for human rights violations by the security forces and provide adequate compensation to victims’ families. The Committee also recommended that Indonesia take steps to strengthen the National Police Commission to ensure that all cases of misconduct by law enforcements officers can be effectively dealt with;
The Committee raised concerns about “undue restrictions” on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly in the Papua region during demonstrations and protests. It called on Indonesia to protect protesters from harassment, intimidation and violence. It also called for the revision of criminal defamation provisions in the Criminal Code and the Law on Information and Electronic Transaction, both of which have been used to criminalize human rights defenders and others critics of the state;
The Committee expressed concern about the recently revised Law on Mass Organizations, which “introduced undue restrictions on the freedoms of association, expression and religion of both domestic and ‘foreign’ associations”. The Committee called on Indonesia to revise the law to bring it in to line with Indonesia’s obligations under the Covenant.
The Committee expressed concern at the “inordinate delay” in enacting a revised Criminal Code (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana, KUHP) which includes a comprehensive definition of torture. It called on the Indonesian authorities to “expedite the process” of enacting a revised Code, and to ensure that it includes a definition of torture consistent with the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
The Committee expressed concern about the failure of the authorities to protect religious minorities against violent attacks. It urged the Indonesian authorities to take adequate steps to protect them as well as to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice;
The Committee called for blasphemy laws such as Law No. 1 of 1965 on Defamation of Religion to be repealed and stated that a 2008 Joint Ministerial Decree places “undue restrictions” on the religious minorities such as the Ahmadiyya;
The Committee raised concerns about laws at the national and regional level that it considered “severely restricted” human rights and that discriminated against women. It reminded the Indonesian authorities of their duty to ensure that all laws at the national, regional and local levels are consistent with Indonesia’s obligation’s under the Covenant;
The Committee highlighted concerns around the use of corporal punishment in the criminal justice system, particularly in Aceh province. The Committee called on the Indonesian authorities to end the use of caning in Aceh province and to repeal laws which allowed for it within the legal system;
The Committee raised concerns about ongoing reports of early marriages among girls in Indonesia and called for a review of laws to prohibit the practice. It also called on the authorities to repeal the 2010 Regulation of the Minister of Health No. 1636 which authorizes medical practitioners to perform female genital mutilation, and to enact laws with adequate penalties to prohibit the practise of FGM in the country.
The Committee called on the Indonesian authorities to establish a moratorium on the death penalty. It noted that Indonesia retains the death penalty for drug-related offences, offences which do not meet the threshold of “most serious crimes”. In the event Indonesia refused to establish a moratorium, the Committee called on the authorities to review legislation so that the death penalty is not imposed for drug-related offences.
Many of these recommendations echo calls by civil society groups and national and international human rights organizations. Amnesty International believes that if effectively implemented, the recommendations would strengthen the protection and promotion of civil and political rights in the country.
Amnesty International submitted a briefing entitled Indonesia: Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (Index: ASA 21/018/2013) in June 2013. It highlighted a number of concerns relating to human rights violations by the security forces; restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and religion; discrimination and other violations of women’s human rights; abuses of the rights of migrant domestic workers; the failure to ensure justice, truth and reparation for past abuses; and the continued use of the death penalty.
The Human Rights Committee’s Concluding Observations can be accessed via the following link: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/co/CCPR-C-IND-CO-1_en.doc
Background
The Human Rights Committee comprises 18 independent experts who monitor implementation of the treaty by the 167 States Parties to the Covenant. At the 108th session, held from 8 to 26 July 2013 in Geneva, Amnesty International presented information in respect of Albania, Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Tajikistan and Ukraine.
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5) 

West Papuan women ‘shield’ activists as rally forcibly dispersed by police

by westpapuamedia
by Ronny Kareni, West Papua Media
July 29, 2013
(Jayapura)  Four activists were arrested by police and nine de-arrested by West Papuan women at pro-independence rallies in Jayapura.
According to witnesses, twenty West Papuan women jumped into a police truck as police prepared to take three men and six women to the police station. A witness told West Papua Media via phone that “the police were confused” by the women’s spontaneous response and immediately released the seven detained activists.
http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/07/31/west-papuan-women-shield-activists-as-rally-forcibly-dispersed-by-police/
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6) West Papuans force release of abused political prisoners in Yapen

by westpapuamedia
by Alex Rayfield
July 31, 2013
(Yapen) In dramatic scenes outside a remote West Papuan prison, local community leaders on Monday forced the Indonesian police to release to two independence activists jailed on charges of rebellion.
http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/08/01/west-papuans-force-release-of-abused-political-prisoners-in-yapen/
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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

1) Indonesia: Lundin swaps Sareba block for West Papua tract


1) Indonesia: Lundin swaps Sareba block for West Papua tract
2) Five Papuan freedom activists arrested and mass demo dispersed by the police
3) US embassy official  for political affairs visits FOKER - Papua
4) Oil Palm Plantations in Nabire Ignore Indigenous Rights.
5) Kopassus terrorize KNPB Chairman Merauke


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A unit of Lundin Petroleum AB, Stockholm, has signed a production-sharing contract amendment with SKKMigas to substitute the existing Sareba block acreage for new acreage named Cendrawasih VII offshore northeastern Indonesia.
The new block is awarded because the existing block acreage has been declared a protected nature conservation area, said Lundin Sareba BV.
The lightly explored CVII block covers 5,545 sq km in the shallow water portion of the Mamberamo delta on the West Papua northern shore. It contains an undeveloped gas discovery in Pliocene turbidite reservoirs.
Large carbonate build-ups have also been identified on 950 sq km of 3D seismic shot in 2009. Lundin Petroleum expects to reprocess the 3D seismic survey prior to possible future drilling.
The fulfilled Sareba Block commitments are carried over to the CVII Block PSC, and the remaining financial commitment for the purchase of geological and geophysical data shall be completed in year one of the PSC amendment agreement.
Lundin Petroleum operates five blocks in Indonesia and holds a nonoperated interest in an onshore gas producing block.
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2) Five Papuan freedom activists arrested and mass demo dispersed by the police
Bintang Papua, 30 July 2013

Jayapura: Five Papuan Freedom activists were arrested while taking part in a demonstration on 29 July, in support of the discussion on Self-Determination for the people of West Papua which took place at the United Nations Human Rights Committee which met in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this month.

The names of the five people arrested are: Usamah Yogobi, chairman of SHDRP, who is also the chairman of National Reconciliation Team for General Mobilisation and the co-ordinator of the peaceful demonstration, as well as Alius Asso, who helped to organise the demonstration, Johannes Elegani and Benny Hisage.

People from many parts of the territory who took part in long marches towards the meeting place  were forcibly dispersed by the police for failing to have a permit.

According to investigations by Bintang Papua, the police dispersed the demonstration because the actions were not in accord with what had been stated in the request for permission to hold the demonstration.

Two of the five activists who were arrested were taken to  police headquarters in Jayapura City while the other three were taken to the police headquarters in Abepura.

The chief of police of Jayapura,  AKPB Alfred Papare, along with several other senior police officers, were  seen moving among the  crowd of demonstrators, attempting to halt the demonstration. One police officer said that of those taken into custody, two would be released and allowed to return home after having been interrogated.

The secretary-general of SHDRP,  Jubedius  Selegani  said that he was deeply disappointed  with the actions of the police to disperse the demonstrators because those organising the event had submitted a request for permission to hold the events.

He said that  the government of the Republic of Indonesia should  realise that their actions would eventually be seen as a victory for the Papuan people when they finally win their independence.

Selegani also called for the release of all the five people who were arrested. Similar views were expressed by the head of the district of Domberai of the WPNA (National Committee of West Papua) who said that during the dispersal of the demonstraation, many people taking part in the demonstration were beaten by the police.

Saireri Marthinus, head of the Transitional Administration of the WPNA, said that news about the dispersal of the demonstration would be reported in the international media, as well as the news of the arrest of the five activists  which would only help to advance the struggle of the Papuan people for their demand for freedom from the NKRI - the Republic of Indonesia.

[Abridged in translation by TAPOL
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3) US embassy official  for political affairs visits FOKER - Papua
Bintang Papua, 30 July 2013

Jayapura: The Second Secretary for Political Affairs at the US Embassy in Jakarta, James P. Feldmeyer, declared that he will pay close attention to any information or complaints, however small he receives from Papuan people.

He urged NGOs in Papua not to despair and to continue to provide information to his embassy about developments in Papua. He said that  any information he received from NGOs in Papua would be passed on to officials of the US Government.

He was speaking at the office of Foker (Co-Ordinating Forum) of NGOs in Papua when he made this comment.

According to information obtained by Bintang Papua, the US diplomat held a private meeting at the Foker office, when he was accompanied by a female colleague. From there, they visited the office of ELSHAM - Papua.

The Executive Secretary of a Papuan NGO, Lienche F. Maloali said that the aim of the meeting had been to urge NGOs in Papua not to stop providing information to the US Embassy about the situation in Papua including information about various human rights violations  that continue to occur in Papua.

Mr Feldmeyer made it clear that they are always keen  to get the most up-to-date information from those who are members of various Papuan organisations which could be sent to senior officials at the embassy or to members of the House of Representatives or the Senate. Such information would also be made available to members of the US Congress and possibly also to the President of the USA.

Lienche, as Malioli is known to his friends,  said that they felt very frustrated  because they continue to send information about the latest situation in Papua, but they had never received any serious response.

'Initially we felt frustrated because information about human rights violations, however great or small,  has been sent to people abroad. Now we are being told not to feel frustraated and to continue to provide information about the latest events in Papua.'

One member of Foker - Papua, Bas Wamafma said that the US Government should urge the Indonesian Government to provide the space for democracy in Papua  and to allow foreign journalists to have the freedom to carry out their journalistic activities  in the Land of Papua.


[Translated by TAPOL]
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https://awasmifee.potager.org/?p=443

4) Oil Palm Plantations in Nabire Ignore Indigenous Rights.

The Yerisiam people living in Kampung Sima, Nabire Regency, Papua are still waiting for oil palm plantation companies PT Nabire Baru and PT Sariwana Unggal Mandiri to give clarification and compensation to local indigenous people.
This was the message of a press release written by Simon Petrus Hanebora, a Yerisiam tribal leader, which was received by tabloidjubi.com on Tuesday (30/7) morning. “Thousands of commercially-valuable trees from 32,000 hectares of the Yerisiam indigenous people’s ancestral land have been logged by the oil palm company,” it reads.

Hanebora continues to explain the various attempts he has taken to resolve this issue. He wrote to the forestry service on 31st July 2012, to ask for clarification of how many cubic meters of wood were contained on PT Nabire Baru and PT Sariwana Unggal Mandiri’s plantation concession. He also wrote to the Nabire Regency Environment Agency on 31st July 2012 requesting a deferral of PT Nabire Baru’s plan to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Simon also wrote to the Papuan police chief on 03 June 2013 to complain about the wood and rattan on PT Nabire Baru’s oil palm concession. “The way PT Nabire Baru and PT Sariwana Unggal Mandiri ignore the Yerisiam indigenous peoples rights is not compatible with legal provisions and violates national and international law on indigenous people’s rights”, he said.
According to Simon, the meeting to discuss the Environmental Impact Assessment involved relevant government bodies and the company (PT Nabire Baru) but not one member of the Yerisiam indigenous community from the two affected villages was involved. “None of the Yerisiam people have ever been involved in any of the meetings between the Environmental Impact Assessment commission and PT Nabire Baru. What makes it worse is that the people feel the harassment even more strongly as they have no protection whatsoever,” he explained.
Simon sincerely hopes that all community leaders, NGOs, indigenous and religious leaders, can make a positive contribution through advocacy or investigation of how PT Nabire Baru and PT Sariwana Unggul Mandiri have ignored the Yerisiam indigenous people’s rights. “I hope all competent institutions can give advocacy or investigate this problem,” he said.
[note: PT Nabire Baru is owned by Goodhope Holdings, a Singapore-based subsidiary of Sri Lankan company Carson Cumberbatch. A longer investigation (in Indonesian) was published in May 2013 by Mongabay Indonesia:http://www.mongabay.co.id/2013/05/30/sawit-masuk-nabire-dari-hutan-sagu-sampai-hutan-keramat-dibabat-bagian-2/]

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A google translate of posting on KNPB web page . Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. 
Although not the best translation it shows the continuing intimidation of KNPB activists .


5) Kopassus terrorize KNPB Chairman Merauke
July 30, 2013 By: admin Category: KNPB Areas, News

Merauke, KNPBnews - mental terror against activists West Papua National Committee (KNPB) re-occur in Merauke, West Papua. This time KNPB Chairman Merauke region, Gento Emerikus Dop, and some members of the People's Parliament (PRD) under surveillance, interrogated and followed by members of Kopassus (Khususu Forces) on Friday January 26 until July 27 then. The following chronology of events.

CHRONOLOGY OF INTIMIDATION Kopassus

On the day of Friday, July 26, 2013, approximately 10.30 WPB, two members of Kopassus came Mining and Energy Office of Merauke district, with a view to meet the lord Gento Emerikus Dop, Civil Servants (PNS) in the Department of Mines and Energy of the Merauke district as well as Chairman of the Regional KNPB Merauke. And the lord Gento meet with them and ask them about the purpose of their visit.
Gento host asked them, no need what Mr.? Then one of the two members of Kopassus replied that they were his father Marius Atapen. After iitu lord Gento immediately excused himself and went out of the office because there are matters to be resolved.

On the day of Saturday, July 27, 2013 approximately 10.30 WPB, three members of Kopassus named Son, Heri, Akbar visited the secretariat KNPB Merauke region. Purpose of their visit is to meet with the Chairman of the PRD Region Merauke. At that time Chairman of the KNPB not be in the Secretariat. After that they headed to the Chair KNPB Merauke to meet. But they could not get into the house but only watched lord Gento in front of his house and away. Distance from the Secretariat KNPB / PRD home to host Gento approximately 100 meters.

On the day Monday, July 27th, 2013 at approximately 10 WPB, when the lord Gento while storytelling with friends - friends in the tavern (where selling vegetables) Sicilian mother's located in front of the village office palm 5, two members of Kopassus with motorhome came megapro the place. Once they may be seated, they immediately told me about the father of Marius Atapen are also growing and selling tomatoes. After that they were asked directly to the host Gento who sit side by side with members of Kopassus. The question about the activities of the concerned. This sounds like a question, Kopassus: father work where? Then lord Gento replied, "I am the mining department officials." After that they (Kopassus) asked again to host Gento, Kopassus:'ve come home from work whether / when to come home from work? Mr. Gento mejawab them: "home affairs and it does not concern me." And the lord Gento said goodbye and left.

Hose how many hours later two members of Kopassus also trailed advisor KNPB / PRD are also the husband of the mother PRD Chairman, Mr. Mathias Tambaip while on his way to the Merauke district office as the initial destination. Mr. mathias use revo motors. But on the way to the district office of lord Mathias passed with two members of Kopassus were using a different megapro motorcycle. In question does not directly go to the district office but changed his destination only to deceive because he was being followed. When in the course of two members of Kopassus who had trailed the host Mathias ran towards the city. To ensure that the two members of Kopassus was trailed host Mathias, the subject stopped at the diner and look towards Kediri two members of Kopassus. This diner is located in the UB. At that time they (the two members of Kopassus) the stop across the street. Sure enough, that two members of Kopassus was being trailed host Mathias.

After a host of food stalls Mathias proceed to the district office. On the way to their district office continues to follow. Upon arriving at the office of the district in question was about to finish his business and home. Two members of Kopassus had been out of sight again. Mr. Mathias passed by two other members of Kopassus when they wanted to go home. The two members of his change in position two do pembuntututan and monitoring of the host Mathias concerned to arrive safely at home.
Chronological reports and we wish to convey.

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