January 2014
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
Contents
Summary
of events
3
Australian -
Indonesian relations 5
Melanesian
Spearhead Group
7
Pacific Islands Forum
9
Crackdown on peaceful rallies 9
A brief chronology of other events in West Papua for 2013 16
The Future 25
AWPA
report - West Papua 2013
This report details incidents of human rights abuses and events that
occurred in West Papua during 2013. In the report AWPA uses the name “West
Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New
Guinea. However, “West Papua” at this time is divided into two
provinces, Papua and West Papua.
The fiftieth anniversary of the handover of West Papua to Indonesian
administration occurred in May 2013. On the 1 May in 1963, the United
Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) transferred administration of the
Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia. From the moment
Indonesia took over the administration from UNTEA, the oppression of the West
Papuan people began and 50 years later the oppression continues and
so does the struggle of the West Papuan people for self-determination.
Summary
of
events
There was little improvement in the human rights situation in West Papua
in 2013. A number of military operations took place in 2013 and the security
forces cracked down on peaceful rallies called
by various civil society organizations.
In the crackdown on the rallies called to commemorate the
tragic event of 50 years ago when West Papua was handed over by UNTEA
to Indonesian administration, two people were killed and three seriously wounded in
the town of Sorong. The
police shot and killed two protesters on the 30 April as they prepared
to mark the 50th anniversary of the handover. Another activists, Salomina
Kalaibin who was also shot died of her wounds in hospital on the 6 May. In Timika fifteen
people were arrested for simply raising their national flag, The Morning Star
and six were arrested in Biak. In the town of Fakfak, the police
hauled down the Morning Star flag which had been raised in a local school.
Local people were also intimidated by the security forces during these rallies.
The United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Navi Pillay expressed concern in relation to the crackdown on the demonstrations stating “These latest incidents are unfortunate
examples of the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression and excessive use
of force in Papua,” and. “I urge the Government of Indonesia to allow peaceful
protest and hold accountable those involved in abuses.”
and
“There has not been sufficient transparency in addressing serious human
rights violations in Papua,” she said, urging Indonesia to allow international
journalists into Papua and to facilitate visits by the Special Rapporteurs of
the UN Human Rights Council.
Amnesty International also raised concerns
about the tragic events that occurred on the 1 May.
“It is imperative
that authorities in Indonesia urgently set up a comprehensive and independent
investigation into allegations of unnecessary use of firearms by security
forces during the protests, make the results available to the public, and bring
those responsible to justice.” “Failure to take action will send a message that
the security forces in Papua operate above the law.”
Many of the rallies called by civil society organisations through out
the year were banned by the security forces although permits had been applied
for permission to hold the rallies. More details of the crackdown on the
rallies follow in the report. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Article 20 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights) does not apply in West Papua.
A number of indicators point out the worsening situation in West
Papua. The increasing number of political prisoners is one.
Papuans behind bars in their January update stated that
“At the end of January 2013 there were 33 political prisoners in Papuan
jails.”
By the end of November there were al least 71.
Extract from November update.
“At the end of November 2013, there were at least 71 political prisoners in Papuan jails. 112 political arrests were made this month in three separate
cases, bringing the total number of arrests so far this year to 537. This represents a 165% increase in the number of political
arrests as compared with the same period in 2012, signaling a significant
deterioration in the environment for free expression and assembly in Papua”.
Intimidation of journalists is another.
The media (including alternative media information) is an important part
of democracy and threats against the media should always be of concern. In West
Papua the local media are on the ground and can be first with reports of
violence and intimidation of civil society, of military attacks and with
reports of the crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.
In a press release the Alliance of
Independent Journalists (AJI) Jayapura stated there were “20 cases of intimidation and violence
against journalists in Papua. The number of these cases showed a significant
increase from the year 2012” Of the 20 cases, 4 cases occurred in West Papua
and 16 cases in Papua. Much of the attack on journalists occurred directly
through verbal and physical intimidation such as threats and insults, vandalism,
entering the editorial office without permission and beatings. Although police officers appear to have been
responsible for a large part of the violence against journalists, the AJI noted
a number of cases were also by civil society, carried out by a group
of people with the aim of defending the interests of certain officials. AJI did note that the
relationship between police and journalists was improving. In relationship to
the Governor of Papua inviting foreign journalists and international
organizations to enter into Papua, the AJI noted that the reality was
permission had to come from the central government and not local authorities. In one
incident the
Governor of Papua, Luke Enembe accused the local paper Jubi of being a
mouthpiece for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) while visiting Abepura
prison.
It is encouraging that the international community is becoming more
aware of the issue of West Papua and there was a lot of media coverage of the
issue in the
region, mostly related to the Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG).
The Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG) held its Summit in Noumea from the 13 to the 21
June. Although it was disappointing that the issue of membership for West Papua
at the MSG was deferred, (The WPNCL applied to the MSG for full membership), a
number of decisions by the leaders of the MSG in relation to West Papua are to
be welcomed. In the officially
MSG Communiqué
Leaders
“endorsed that the MSG fully supports the inalienable rights of the people of
West Papua towards self-determination as provided for under the preamble of the
MSG constitution” and “endorsed that the concerns of the MSG regarding the
human rights violations and other forms of atrocities relating to the West
Papuan people be raised with the Government of Indonesia bilaterally and as a
Group”.
The Vanuatu
Government in particular has shown great support for the West Papuan people. The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Prime Minister
Moana Carcasses Kalosil raised
the issue at the United Nations General Assembly calling for investigations
into alleged cases of human rights abuses in West Papua. He also raised West Papua again at
the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting in Sri Lanka. He called on all members of the Commonwealth
to listen more closely to the cries and heartaches of the people of West Papua.
He said the people of West Papua are still bound by the whim of imperialism and
colonialism so “we cannot continue to deny them their rights
thus I call on our collective efforts to support their cause.”
The following reports highlights some of the major events that
occurred in relation to West Papua. It shows the continuing struggle of the
West Papuan people for their right to self-determination.
Australian relations with Indonesian
There was a change of government in Australia with the Liberal National
party collation gaining power in September. However there will be no change
from the mantra of previous governments (of all persuasions) of “we recognize Indonesian sovereignty over
West Papua (although there are individual politicians’ in all parties that are
concerned about the human rights situation in West Papua).
At the end of September Prime Minister Abbott visited Indonesia and no
surprises that asylum seeker boats and trade were top of his agenda. Also no
surprise to hear the mantra of “we respect Indonesian sovereignty” or the
statement from the PM "I admire and respect what you and your
government have done to improve the autonomy and the life of the people of West
Papua and I am confident that they can have the best possible life and the best
possible future as a part of an indissoluble Indonesia, as an integral part of
Indonesia."
There was a lot of media coverage on our relationship with Indonesian
mostly over the asylum seeker issue and the spying scandal. However West Papua
also received a good share of the coverage and in
particularly around the three West Papuans who occupied the Australian
consulate in Bali. Markus Jerewon, Yuvensius Goo and Rofinus Yanggam
scaled the two-metre high fence of the Australian compound in Bali’s Renon
district on Sunday morning the 6 October. They called on the
Abbott government to pressure Indonesia to release all Papuan political
prisoners, open West Papua to foreign journalists and for the Indonesian
government to treat them like human beings. The Guardian Australia originally
broke the story. The West Papuans left the compound and went
into hiding just hours after entering it.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) denied
that the Australian consul general in Bali threatened to call in the Indonesian
military and police to expel the three West Papuan students. However, in
an ABC report Associate Professor Clinton Fernandes had a different
interpretation of events. In the ABC report “He says he heard a phone
conversation in which an Australian official threatened the trio, leading them
to fear for their lives if they were handed over to Indonesian authorities”.
"They had the phone on while they were being berated by whoever it was,
with an Australian accent," he told ABC News Breakfast.
In November an article in the Guardian (21 Nov.) reported that
“Officials from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have now confirmed consular staff in
Bali threatened to call the police if a group of West Papuan activists did not
leave the Australian compound”. The article reported that DFAT officials
conceded the West Papuans were in fact told police would be called if they
refused to leave the consulate. They officials were appearing before a Senate
estimates hearing in November and that answer came in response to a series of questions from the Greens senator Richard Di Natale, who has expressed concern about the safety and wellbeing of the activists since the
incident. Other Senate crossbenchers, including the Democratic Labour party
senator John Madigan and the South Australian independent Nick Xenophon, have
also raised concerns about the safety of the three men.
At the time the West Papuans were climbing into the Australian compound,
world leaders were gathering in Bali for the APEC summit.
said:
Prime Minister Abbott who was in Bali for the APEC
conference made the usual statement we have come to expect from Australian
governments i.e. he reiterated his support for
Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua. He
also insisted the activists left the consulate of their own accord after a
“lengthy discussion” and warned Australia would not be party to protests aimed
at undermining Indonesia's authority over West Papua. “We have a very strong
relationship with Indonesia and we are not going to give people a platform to
grandstand against Indonesia,” On his first visit to Indonesia the Prime
Minister said the ''government of Australia takes a very dim view, a very dim
view indeed, of anyone seeking to use our country as a platform for
grandstanding against Indonesia. We will do everything that we possibly can to
discourage this and to prevent this.''
However, before it lost office, Labor was also attacking activists who
support West Papua. Sen. Bob Carr accused people who advocate
self-determination rights for West Papuans of misleading the indigenous people
of Indonesia’s Papua region. Carr made the comment during a Senate Foreign
Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee hearing on his government’s response
to ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua.
Melanesian Spearhead Group
The Melanesian Spearhead Group
(MSG) is one of the two main regional organisations in the pacific and
is composed of the four Melanesian countries of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as well as the Front
de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of Kanaky (New Caledonia).
The organisation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013. The West
Papuan people and their supporters have been calling on the MSG to grant
membership to represantives of the West Papuan people for years. In
2013 The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) applied
for full membership of the MSG. Representatives of the group toured the region
lobbying the MSG membership and it was encouraging that they were invited to
the MSG Summit in Port Vila (13-21 June). Although it was disappointing that
the issue of membership for West Papua at the MSG was deferred, (a number of
decisions by the leaders of the MSG in relation to West Papua are to be
welcomed.
From MSG Communiqué
(In relation to WPNCL application for Membership)
20. Leaders noted that a roadmap in relation to the application by West
Papua National Council for Liberation (WPNCL) for membership should be based on
clear and achievable timelines. Leaders acknowledged that the human rights
violations need to be highlighted and noted that to progress the WPNCL’s
application, it was important to continually engage with Indonesia. Leaders
agreed to establish a process of dialogue and consultation with Indonesia.
Leaders noted and welcomed the invitation from Indonesia to invite a Foreign
Ministers’ Mission to be led by Fiji and that confirmation on the timing of the
Mission was being awaited. The outcomes of the WPNCL’s application would be
subject to the report of the FMM mission.
Decisions
21. Leaders:
(i) endorsed that
the MSG fully supports the inalienable rights of the people of West Papua
towards self-determination as provided for under the preamble of the MSG
constitution;
(ii) endorsed
that the concerns of the MSG regarding the human rights violations and other
forms of atrocities relating to the West Papuan people be raised with the
Government of Indonesia bilaterally and as a Group;
(iii) noted the
application received from the WPNCL to be a member of the MSG and that the
application will be reviewed after the submission of the Ministerial Mission’s
report; and
(iv) approved the
Roadmap as recommended by the FMM which included:
a) that the MSG
send a Ministerial Mission at the FMM level to be led by Fiji’s Foreign
Minister to Jakarta and then to West Papua in 2013 and accept the
invitation
of the Government of Indonesia;
b) the
Ministerial Mission to present its report to the Leaders at the earliest
opportunity within the next six months;
c) the WPNCL to
be officially informed of the MSG Leaders’ decision regarding
its application;
and
d) the Mission
would be part of a process in determining WPNCL’s membership
application.
The Prime
Minister of Vanuatu, The RT. Hon Moana Carcasses Kalosil in a statement
said “Mr. Chairman, we are aware of the concerns of West Papuans, who
long for a day when they as Melanesians, could achieve self-determination. But
also Dear Colleague Leaders and friends, we are aware of the human rights
violations and atrocities being committed against West Papuans in their
motherland. And so therefore, I join the many voices of peace loving citizens
around the world, across all continents and oceans, to call for an end to the
abuse of human rights. We urge that any continuation of abuse of human rights
should be immediately brought to the attention of the international community.
It is encouraging
that the MSG will go on a fact-finding mission to West Papua and
undoubtedly the MSG leaders are only too well aware that such missions may
be controlled or manipulated as to where, when and whom they are permitted
to see by the authorities. It is to be hoped the MSG mission will be
accompanied by journalists as a way of showing the openness of the process. It
was also encouraging to see the large amount of media coverage in the region
(before and during) the MSG Summit in relation to West Papua.
However there are
some concerns and The Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Gordon Darcy Lilo visited Indonesia to strengthen ties between the two island
nations. Prime Minister Lilo has faced strong criticism from civil society
groups and others for not giving reasons for the trip. There is a danger that Indonesia may try and
invite the MSG leaders individually as a tactic to divide the MSG instead of
the original invitation as a group.
Pacific Islands Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is the other regional organization and
consists of the 16 independent nations
in the pacific. They are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and
Vanuatu.
The PIF was founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum. In 2000, the
name was changed to the Pacific Islands Forum to better reflect the geographic
location of its members in the north and south Pacific.
Other categories include
Forum Observers and associate membership. New Caledonia and French Polynesia,
previously Forum Observers, were granted Associate Membership in 2006. Forum
Observers include Tokelau (2005), Wallis and Futuna (2006), the Commonwealth
(2006), the United Nations (2006) the Asian Development Bank
(2006), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries
Commission (2007), the World Bank (2010), the ACP Group (2011),
American Samoa (2011), Guam (2011) and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianas (2011), with Timor Leste as Special Observer (2002).
The West Papuan people and their supporters have also lobbied the PIF
leaders yearly asking that West Papua be granted observer status at the PIF and
that concern for the human rights situation in West Papua be mentioned in the
PIF’s official communiqué. Concern for the situation in West Papua has been
mentioned in the communiqué in the past but has been dropped from the PIF’s
agenda in recent years, probably due to pressure from Australia, Indonesia and
to a lesser degree PNG.
Although its unlikely that observer status will be granted in the coming
year at the PIF, progress at the MSG in raising concern about the human rights
situation in West Papua might encourage the PIF to do likewise. It should be
noted West Papuan has always been considered part of the pacific community and
a West Papuan representative attended the first South Pacific Commission (SPC) Conference and West Papuans
continued to participate in the SPC meetings until the Dutch ceded their
authority to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) in 1962.)
It is time for the Forum to bring the Melanesian people of West Papua back into the
Pacific community. A campaign worth continuing.
Crackdown on peaceful rallies
Peaceful protest plays an important part in the political life of many
countries including our own and the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of
expression should be viewed as a sign of a health democracy. Not so in West
Papua and another indicator of little progress in the territory. The
crackdown on rallies indicates the security forces are taking a hard line
approach to peaceful demonstrations to try and stifle any dissent.
On the 13 May the security forces cracked down on a rally which had been
called to protest the attack by the security forces on the peaceful
demonstrators on the 1 May which resulted in the killing of three people
and the arrest of up to 20. The rally on the 1 May was called to protest
the handover, 50 years ago of West Papua by UNTEA to Indonesian administration.
During the rally on the 13th, the security forces arrested four
protesters, Yongky Ulimpa, Ely Kobak, Marten Manggaprouw, and Victor Yeimo, Chairman
of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
On the 10 June a number of rallies were called in support of West Papuan
membership at the MSG. The security forces broke up the rally and three
activists were arrested and taken to the Jayapura police chief for questioning The former
chairman of the KNPB, Buchtar Tabuni was also arrested on the 12 June and later
released but not before he was beaten up by the police.
On the 1 July a group of civilians raised the banned
Morning Star (Bintang Kejora) flag in Kampung Wandenggobak, Mulia, Puncak Jaya
regency, Papua while officers from the Puncak Jaya Police precinct were
celebrating the National Police's 67th anniversary, which fell on July 1.
Intermittent gunfire was also heard in the lead-up to the Morning Star flag
being raised.
Bintang Papua
reported that five Papuan 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. 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.
KNPB organized rallies for International Day of Democracy
The KNPB called for rallies to be held throughout West Papua to celebrate
International Day of Democracy (15 September) and also to show
support for the MSG and for the policies of the Vanuatu Government in relation to
West Papua. Although banned the rallies went ahead on the 16th in
Biak, Nabire, Sorong, Wamena, Timika, Merauke, Manokwari, Jayapura, Dogiya, and
Yahukimo. The response from the security forces varied in different towns. In
Jayapura the
rally was forcibly disbanded by the TNI and police using tear gas to
break up the rally According to the KNPB records over 200 were arrested although
eventually released. A brief summary of the rallies in the various regions based
on KNPB reports and articles in local media
In Wamena although they did not get permission from the police, the
West Papua National Committee (KNPB) with thousands of people in held a
peaceful protest in commemoration of the International Day of Democracy
KNPB mass and Society in Wamena when peaceful protest in
Tiananmen Sinapuk. (JUBI / ISLAMIC)
In
Timika the security forces monitored the gathering including conducting patrols
in the area and checking IDs and taking photos of those taking part. They
had also parked and armored car next to the gathering.
More photos at http://knpbnews.com/blog/archives/2714#more-2714
In Merauke activities included a rally and the signing of a petition. It
was also to show support for the policies of the Vanuatu Prime Minister and the
MSG urging the MSG to follow up on its statements at their forum.
http://knpbnews.com/blog/archives/2711
In Biak although forbidden by the police the rally went ahead.
The action was to support the Government of Vanuatu to bring West Papua to
the annual General Assembly of the UN and to also urge the MSG countries to
follow up on the MSG final decision in June in Kanaky in relation to West
Papua. The action was under the watchful eye of the police but the rally
remained peaceful.
In Nabire, 14 KNPB activists were arrested and beaten.
Equipment belonging to the organisers was confiscated by the police. They activists
were finally released from the police station at the urging of the Speaker
of Parliament Nabire Meepago region, Abel Nawipa. The rally was also to show
support for Powes Parkop governor of Port Moresby campaign " Sorong
to Samarai".
In Sorong the peaceful demonstration was forcibly disbanded by the
military and police. A total of 27 demonstrators were arrested and intimidated,
including the Chairman of the Regional KNPB Sorong. Police also confiscated the
entire organisers equipment. Those arrested were taken to the police
station but were released in the afternoon.
The rallies in Jayapura was forcibly disbanded by the TNI and police.
The police used tear gas to break up one rally.
TEAR GAS fired
(PHOTO: ARNOLD Belau) Jubi
Rallies also took place throughout West Papua on the 16 October. The rallies were called to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the IPWP, to urge the United Nations sent a team of representatives to West Papua and to thank the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Moana Kalosil Carcasses for Vanuatu’s support. After the rally in Kaimana 3 people were arrested, shots fired, various items confiscated and property damaged. According to the police they were investigating a previous murder case although the KNPB say its general intimidation to keep the West Papuan people in fear.
The Police banned another rally called by the KNPB
and NFRPB for the19 October. The
rally was to commemorate the 3rd Papuan People’s Congress
which was held in Oct 2011. The
3rd Papuan People's Congress was held between the 17 and 19 October.
Shortly after the Congress and as part of a celebration, the Morning Star flag
was raised and a declaration of Independence read out. Indonesian
security forces accompanied by armored vehicles immediately moved in to break
up the gathering firing live rounds resulting in six people been killed. The
security forces also used batons, bamboo poles and the butts of
rifles during the arrest of up to 300 delegates resulting in serious
injuries. Five of the delegates were charged with treason. Forkorus
Yaboisembet, Edison Gladius Waromi, Agust M. Sananay Kraar, Selpius Bobii, and
Dominikus Surabat,
However, despite the ban the rallies went ahead. A heavy
security presence disrupted the peaceful rallies across West Papua. In Fak-Fak
22 people were arrested while going to commemorate the anniversary of the
3rd Papuan peoples congress. A heavy security presence in Sentani at the
grave of chief Theys Eluay blocked the commemoration. Local media (Tabloid
Jubi) reported that the security forces consisted of Police patrol cars
and motorcycles, water canon, trucks from Brimob including two Brimob logistics
trucks.
In Fak-Fak 22 people were arrested while going to commemorate the
anniversary of the 3rd Papuan peoples congress. A heavy security presence
in Sentani at the grave of chief Theys Eluay blocked the commemoration. Local
media (Tabloid Jubi) reported that the security forces consisted of Police
patrol cars and motorcycles, water canon, trucks from Brimob including two
Brimob logistics trucks.
Dozens of Papuans were arrested and searched, gathered in the Hall of
Fakfak police for interrogation. ( Jubi / Alex Tethool )
On the 4 November thousands of students marched to protest against the
Draft Bill on the Special Autonomy Plus law. The students from a number of
organisations jointly known as (Uproar) marched from Abepura to
Jayapura, carrying banners and shouting Special Autonomy Plus will bring no
change to Papuans. After arriving at the office of the governor of
Papua which was protected with a barbed wire fence, the authorities allowed a
small number of student representatives to meet with the Governor to convey
their concerns. After the meeting with the Governor the rally
dispersed quietly. The students protested again on the 6 November outside
gates of Cenderawasih University in Abepura and Waena. In Abepura the rally was
disbanded. However in Waena the students made speeches and blocked the gate
with banners. The protest continued with a silent protest held by the students
on the 12th outside the university gate in Waena to protest the
arrest of a number of students on the 7 November in Kotaraja, Jayapura
The student protest -rejection of Special Autonomy Law
in Jayapura.
Photo : tabloidjubi.com in http://majalahselangkah.com/content/mahasiswa-gempar-layak-disebut-pahlawan on the
11/11
A number of rallies organised by the KNPB took place in various towns in the territory. On 26 November police cracked down on a peaceful rally in Jayapura. Up to 28 people were arrested. Local journalists covering the rally were also intimidated.
In Timika 31 people were arrested at a rally calling for the
right of self-determination for the people of West Papua. A report and
photos from West Papua media at http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/11/29/shootings-killings-beatings-arrests-as-hundreds-flee-to-jungle-after-indon-police-open-fire-on-peaceful-knpb-demo/
Statements from the national police chief shortly after
the rallies raised great concern for West Papuans that might take part in
future rallies. The National Police chief Gen. Sutarman said "that
the police would crack down on groups that intended to separate from the
unitary state of Indonesia, including by strictly enforcing a ban on flying the
Morning Star (Bintang Kejora) separatist flag.
Buchtar Tabuni and Wim Rocky Medlama have
been put on the wanted list simply because they were involved in leading the
rally on the 26 Nov.
Wim
Rocky Medlama and Buchtar Tabuni. Photo : Ist
Majalah
selangkah
A
brief chronology of other events in West Papua for 2013.
1 Jan A gunman
shot and wounded a man not far from the Papua Police headquarters. Malage
Tabuni, 43, was waiting for a public minivan with four friends at he was shot
in his right shoulder. A friend rushed him to Jayapura’s Dok II General
Hospital, where he was treated.
7 Jan. At the beginning of January a
security operation (sweep) took place in the Paniai district. The sweep was
partly in response to a shootout that occurred in Pugo Village, East Paniai.
The firefight took place in the village on the afternoon of the 7 Jan causing
some villagers to flee to Madi, Enarotali, and other nearby villages. During
the operation by the security forces who were searching for an OPM group led by
John Magai Yogi, fences and plants in the gardens of local residents were
damaged and a number of houses in Pugo village were burned.
10 Jan. An unidentified gunman shot dead a civilian and
seriously injured a soldier in in the Puncak Jaya district. The Police sent a
team to Mulia to investigate the shooting. Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito
Karnavian said that the attack was launched by the armed gang behind several
such attacks in the region.
The OPM claimed responsibility and also said
that the civilian (a motorcycle taxi driver) was a member of Indonesia's
intelligence
21 Jan. The
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the
torture of twenty prisoners at the Abepura Correctional Facility, Papua, on 21
January 2013. Information gathered by local activists reveals that the torture
was conducted by three prison guards with the acquiescence of the head of the
prison. The victims were beaten with bare hands as well as whipped with thick
wire until some parts of their bodies were bleeding. Despite the injuries
suffered the prison guards did not give any medical treatment to the tortured
prisoners. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-025-2013
In a follow up report dated the 6 March, the AHRC reported that the Head
of Abepura Correctional Facility, has been replaced.
31 Jan. A motorcycle driver was shot in the neck in
Tigi Timur, in the district of Paniai. The shooter was a passenger of the
motorcycle taxi and was shot in the neck. " said Sr. Com. Agus Rianto, the
head of the National Police general information department Bahar was left
injured after the bullet went through his cheek and was treated in a hospital
in Paniai.
7 Feb. A joint force of the Indonesian National
Police and the Indonesian Military raided Ipakiye Village in East Paniai
District, Papua. The joint force consisted of members of Papua Regional
Police’s Mobile Brigade, Community Control Unit of Paniai District Police and
the 753 Battalion of the Indonesian Military. The aim of the operation was to
find members of the pro-independence group, Free Papua Movement (OPM). At
around 9.30pm, the joint force raided the house of Stepanus Yogi, a civilian
who is married to Dorpina Gobai and the father of a 18-month old baby. Just
prior to the raid some other villagers of Ipakiye told Stepanus that the joint
force was coming to his house so he ran for his life, leaving his wife and baby
at the house. Six civilians were arrested and four officers of the
joint force also molested Dorpina and physically assaulted her 18
month old baby during the raid. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-045-2013
15 Feb. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has
received information regarding the arbitrary arrest and torture of seven
Papuans which took place on 15 February 2013. The victims were driving home in
two cars when the police stopped them as they were looking for two
pro-independence activists. The victims were later brought to the police
station where they were further questioned on the whereabouts of the activists.
They were severely beaten, kicked and electrocuted before being five of them
were released without charge the next day. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-024-2013
21 Feb An attack on the security forces resulted in 8 soldiers and 4
civilians killed in two separate incidents in Sinak and
Tingginambut in the Puncak Jaya region. A helicopter trying to
evacuate the bodies of the victims was also shot at the following day, injuring
the pilots which halted the evacuation. A lot of media coverage of
the incidents and of West Papua itself (causing outrage in the Indonesian
press) with editorials and opinion pieces offering solutions.
If President Yudhoyono opts for what he calls the welfare approach (at
the time) other government officials did not. Antara News reported that
Indonesia`s Deputy Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that the TNI
will take a firm stand by conducting tactical action against the armed groups
that killed the soldiers and civilians in Papua last week. "The
tactical action includes to chase, apprehend and destroy". Statements such
as this create fear in the West Papuan people who are well aware of what
sweeping operations against so call separatists mean. At first media reports referred to
the attackers as unknown gunmen and Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian’s linked the
shootings to the recent regional elections. However, the
military arm of the OPM under Goliat Tabuni did claim responsibility. The security forces had also been building
military posts in the region and encroaching close to OPM areas. Although the
OPM are committed to peaceful ways forward they reserve the right to self
defence and the protection of their people. The attacks occurred
in Sinak and Tingginambut in the Puncak Jaya District.
25 Feb. In Paniai, the police arrested two
teenagers, Alpons Gobay (15 year old) and Menny Gobay (18 year
old) based on fabricated charges after finding a woven bag filled
with a cartridge and other materials associated with pro-independence movement,
which did not belong to either of them but was left by a stranger just before
the police came. The police told the media that the two teenagers are members
of a pro-independence group yet the spokesperson of the group has claimed that
the arrested individuals are not members. The police and military officers
kicked and beat Alpons and Menny. The officers also hit Alpons and Menny with
their guns before taking them to Paniai District Police Station in a car. The
beatings continued during the journey from Bobaigo Village to the police
station as well as during the interrogation process. As a result, both victims’
forehead, lips, head and arms were wounded. Alpons and Menny also suffer from
pain in their ribs. Alpons and Menny were released on 11 March 2013.
(Info from an AHRC u/a dated 22 March) http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-048-2013
26 Feb. Two
members of John Yogi’s OPM group were arrested in Kampung Ayaigo Kebo in the
Paniai district. They were arrested by a joint military-police patrol.
2 March. A priest named Jonah Gobay (55
years) was tortured and abused and then released after the families of the
victims handed over a ransom of Rp. 1 million to the police in Enarotali City
Police, Paniai. During the time that Pastor Gobai was the
priest at the KINGMI Church in Nabire he suffered a number of illnesses as well
mental disorders. During his time in Enarotali he again suffered from mental
disorders, running and shouting things that no one can understand, acting like
someone who is mad. But the police refuse to acknowledge that the priest is
suffering from a mental disorder.
4 March. Another
four members of the OPM were arrested in the Sarmi district. The security
forces claimed they found explosive powders and OPM membership cards.
5 March. Crackdown in Paniai. West Papua Media reported (March 5) on a
crackdown in Paniai after guerrillas from Paniai commander Jhon Yogi's Paniai
unit of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB) were involved in armed
engagements with the Indonesian army (TNI) and Police throughout
February. http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/03/06/paniai-sweeps-intensify-misery-under-indonesian-control-as-security-forces-ban-music-and-torture-priest/ Jubi also reported that during the police
sweeps the phones of local people were checked and if the memory cards
contained folk songs in the Papuan language the police would smash the memory
card with stones. http://tabloidjubi.com/2013/03/05/polisi-paniai-sweeping-lagu-daerah-papua/
11 March Indonesian police have been accused of
torturing three civilians in Lanny Jaya Regency of Papua province. Suara Papua reported
that the three Papuans, who are members of the Baptist Church in Pirime, were
arrested after returning from a trip to Sinak. Sinak is part of the region
where a massive military and police operation is underway in response to last
month's shooting deaths of eight Indonesian soldiers. It is not yet clear why
the three men were arrested but they were taken to Wamena Police Station. The
Chairman of the Fellowship of Baptist Churches in Papua, Socratez Sofyan Yoman,
says the three men, aged 23, 30 and 46 have been tortured.
26 March. Unidentified
gunmen fired shots at a helicopter in Puncak Jaya region. There were no
fatalities in the incident but two bullet holes were found in a window near the
cockpit. The helicopter was on a flight to pick up two missionaries from Lumo
village. The police claim separatists are responsible for the attack.
“Based on our investigation, the attackers fired from the hilly area in
Puncak Senyum and the only people who live in the area are an armed group led
by PW [Puron Wenda],’’ Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian told
reporters on the 28 March. However, the OPM has denied responsibility for the
attack.
17 April. The Asian Human Rights Commission released an urgent
action concerning the detention of two activists by the Sausapor Sub-District
Police in Papua. The activists were taken from their house to the police
station and were being interrogated in relation to an investigation they
conducted regarding the death of villagers in Tambrauw Regency due to the lack
of medical treatment. It was reported that the two activists as well as others
who were engaged in the investigation were previously followed by police
officers. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-062-2013
27 April. Jubi reported that a
combined force of Military and police did a sweep in three villages in the
district of Angkaisera, Serui, Yapen Islands regency. One person was arrested.
The sweep caused fear in the local people. West Papua media reported that the
Angakaisera district has been a pro-independence hotspot, and subject to an
ongoing blockade and village raids by Indonesian security forces. Targeted
non-violent activists have reported that they have "always experienced
ongoing terror, intimidation and fear tactics conducted by Indonesian
police."
16 June The Freeport Mining Facility was
attacked by up to 70 people on the 16 June. The Jakarta Globe reported that
dozens of people vandalized Freeport facilities and looted ore concentrate at
the copper and gold giant’s mining district in Mimika, Papua. Witnesses said
that around 70 people came to the mining area, looting and vandalizing cars and
a security post. A RNZI report raised
the possibility that the reason for the attack was because people were starving
as a result of not having any work.
25 June. Two people were killed in
a shooting incident on the 25 June. The victims were a TNI infantry lieutenant
named Wayan Sukarta and a civilian named Tomo. "The shooting was done my
members under my command," said Gen. Goliath Tabuni. Tabuni also said that
the civilian they killed, reported by local media as a taxi driver was actually
a military intelligence of the TNI 753. A third civilian died after jumping
into a ravine while trying to escape the ambush.
Killings in the Puncak Jaya Region
In May reports that about forty West Papuans had been executed by
military or paramilitary police in Papua's Puncak Jaya region appeared in a
number of media articles. The West Papua National
Committee also reported that mysterious killings have been ongoing in the
Punncak Jaya Region since April with up to 11 people dead and up to 40 people
missing. Indonesia’s Kopassus troops are believed to be involved .An article in the Jakarta Post on the 30 May reported titled
" Disappearances, rumors of killings haunting Puncak
Jaya"
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/05/30/disappearances-rumors-killings-haunting-puncak-jaya.html West Papua
Media also reported that there were “Credible
and disturbing reports are continuing to emerge from Tingginambut, Puncak Jaya,
in the West Papuan highlands, detailing evidence of another violent rampage by
the Indonesian army special forces (Kopassus) against civilians throughout May,
allegedly by Kopassus officers stationed in the district which has been suffering
war conditions since February.” Full report at http://westpapuamedia.info/2013/05/26/beheadings-and-dumped-bodies-pile-up-dead-as-indonesian-special-forces-rampage-again-in-tingginambut/
8 MAY. The National Intelligence Agency
(BIN) reported that the (OPM) organisation had political activities in a number
of other nations aside from the United Kingdom. BIN reported that OPM
activities in European nations are backed by local non-profit organizations.
Therefore, the government must foster a relationship and gain support from OPM
based nations.
14 May. Freeport Mine. An underground training
facility at the Freeport mine collapsed leaving 28 workers dead and 10
injured. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) says the
earth movement detector at the collapsed underground facility of PT Freeport
Indonesia mine in Papua was not functioning.
2
3 May. A hearing of a United States
Congressional Human Rights Commission has taken note of the deteriorating human
rights situation in Indonesia’s Papua region. The hearing, which was chaired by
Representative James McGovern and heard from Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch and Indonesia’s Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of
Violence. John Miller of ETAN salso attended. Octovianus Mote also made a statement to
the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) of the US Congress hearing on
Human Rights in Indonesia on 23 May
1 July Arlince Tabuni, an 11 year old
girl from Tion City was killed during a sweep by the security forces who
were looking for members of the OPM.
Pupome village, Lani Jaya
regency
6 July. The 6 July marked 15 years since
the Biak Massacre when the Indonesian security forces massacred scores of
people in Biak, West Papua. The victims, included women and children who had
gathered for a peaceful rally. They were killed at the base of a water tower
flying the Morning Star flag. Other Papuans were rounded up and later taken out
to sea where they were thrown off naval ships and drowned. A Citizens Tribunal for the 15th Anniversary
of the Massacre was held on Saturday July 6th at the University of Sydney. All
details including the verdict at
http://www.biak-tribunal.org
12 July. Unidentified gunman shot and
killed a motorcycle taxi driver in Wandigobak village, near the Semen River in
the Puncak Jaya region. The attack occurred at approximately 8:30 in the
morning. The victim was Muhammad Saleh, 43 and was originally from Makassar in
South Sulawesi.
19 July. Two armed groups entered Mulia and attacked
the TNI post on Friday afternoon. Two of the attackers are reported to have
been killed before the rest fled into the bush.
31 July. An armed group shot at an
ambulance in the Puncak Jaya region killing one and injuring two
others. The ambulance was carrying 11 passengers and on route from
Tingginambut to Mulia General Hospital in Mulia sub district, when the armed
group opened fire.
The bullets hit three people sitting in the front seats,
while eight others were uninjured. The incident killed passenger Heri Yoman and
injured two medical officers, Darson Wonda and Frits Baranzano. A platoon
from the Papua Police Mobile Brigade was sent to Mulia the following day to
pursue the attackers. A newspaper in Papua published a
letter in September from the OPM apologising to the Indonesian Red Crescent for
the attack on the ambulance The letter in Bintang Papua was signed by two
commanders of the movement’s military wing, the OPM. They say shots were fired
at an ambulance at a time when the Indonesian army was carrying out operations
in Puncak Jaya. The commanders say the person who did the shooting thought the
vehicle belonged to the Indonesian military.
14 May. Soldiers damage St Mary Magdalene
Parish Church
Asia News.it reported that Special Forces carried out an operation against arms trafficking for the
local independence movement. The desecration took place at the end of a Sunday
Mass. Catholics are surprised and bewildered by the insult. A search in the
building yielded no weapons. According to local activists, early on
Sunday May 14
the
security forces inspected the parish church but came up empty handed. An
officer ordered a parishioner to open the doors to the sacristy, where
vestments and other sacred objects are kept. However, because finding the key
was taking its time, one of the soldiers decided to kick down the door. Nothing
was found in the building's attic and basement, no weapons, ammunitions or
explosives. The soldiers eventually went away, leaving parishioners under
shock, bewildered and angry for the damages caused to their place of worship.
8 August. Irwan Wenda (elsewhere reported as Irwan
Yanenga) was shot to death by a police officer in front of a cyber cafe on
Ahmad Yani Street, 15 meters away from Jayapura Sub-District Police
Station. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released an urgent
action concerning the incident. Two people who witnessed the shooting were
beaten up and detained at a police station.
11 August. A man was wounded after being shot at when
trying to grab a weapon from a patrolling police officer in Timika. According
to authorities the incident occurred after patrolling police asked a group of
four men who were consuming alcoholic late that night to stop and told them to
go home.
However, after the police returned from their patrol their way
was blocked by a larger group of local people, Papua police spokesman Sr. Comr.
Gede Sumerta Jaya said.
A police officer came out of the car and walked toward
the people, but the people attacked him trying to grab his weapon which fired
wounding one of the local people.
31 August. A soldier from Task Force 753 Infantry
Battalion was killed while patrolling in the Tingginambut area in
Puncak Jaya. Tabuni of the TPN/OPM claimed responsibility for the
shooting but said the army fired first and his group were responding to the
attack. In response to the attack members of Task Force 753 conducted searches
causing some of the local people to flee to the forest. The military said there
were no sweeps but they were only focusing on routine activities such as
helping the community.
10
Sept. The Asian Human Rights Commission realized an
u/a concerning the shooting of a Papuan man in Nabire, Papua. The victim,
Marthen Gobai, was shot in the head on 5 September 2013. Whereas the identity
of the perpetrator is yet to be confirmed there is an allegation that the
shooting was carried out by the police. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-118-2013
In September the Freedom Flotillia completed its journey. Evading the Indonesian
Navy, a ceremony to reconnect the indigenous peoples of Australia and West
Papua near the Australia-West Papuan border and holding The ceremony was the
pinnacle of a 5000km journey beginning in Lake Eyre, in which sacred water and
ashes were carried and presented to West Papuan leaders.
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2013/09/freedom-flotilla-completes-sacred-mission/
3 Oct. The
Asian Human Rights Commission realized an u/a concerning the torture of a
Papuan man by police and military officers. The victim was detained for 12
hours and subjected to beatings and whippings from which he suffered various
injuries on his body. It has been reported that the victim now has difficulty
in walking and using his right arm as a result of the assault. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-127-2013/?searchterm=indonesia%20papua
4 Nov. An
alleged member of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) was shot dead by soldiers in
Papua’s Puncak Jaya province. “One member of an armed group was shot
and a firearm was confiscated. The
alleged OPM member, was shot in front of the Mulia district offices and died
instantly.
28 Nov. An Indonesian soldier, Chief Sgt Wandi
Ahmad was shot by a group of armed civilians in Papua. Wandi was
shot in the head when he was on duty in the regency of Puncak Jaya at 10 a.m.
local time He was hospitalized at the Army Hospital Marthen Indey in
Jayapura. Besides Wandi, a driver by the name of David was killed
and his car was set on fire by the shooters.
1 Dec. West Papuan national flag day, the
Morning Star was raised in West Papua and at rallies around the world to
celebrate the first official flying of the flag in December 1961. In
PNG, there was a series of events starting with the presentation of
the John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award' for 2013 to Powes Parkop
the Governor
of Port Moresby and the National Capital District. On the 28 November Governor Parkop
also hosted a meeting of the International Parliamentarians
for West Papua.
On the 1st December the West Papuan national flag flew
alongside the PNG flag at City Hall as part of celebrations to mark 1 December.
The event was not without controversy and three of the event organisers were
arrested. Benny Wenda and Jennifer Robinison were warned by the
authorities that would be
arrested, prosecuted and deported if they attended the meetings.
2
Dec. The
Jakarta Globe (2 December) reported on attack on Yongsu village (about 25 kilometres from Jayapura) on the 30 November.
Villagers said that a man was shot during the raid and he was the
village secretary, identified as Eduard Bunyan. “However, officers claimed the
victim was an OPM member Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw, Papua’s deputy police
chief, said that police had received reports that Adranus Apaseray, said to be
an OPM leader, had been fatally wounded in the shootout. “But his body has not
been discovered. An activist reported that following the attack, most of the
village’s 200-odd residents fled, hampering investigations. “The
villagers have evacuated and some houses were reportedly burned after the
incident. Papua Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Pujo Hartono said his
officers undertook a raid on the village based on initial suspicions it was
being used as a separatist military training ground. The OPM said the raid
was to intimidate local people into not taking part in celebrations of their
national flag day on the 1st December
8 Dec. An unidentified group fired shots at a Toyota
Kijang Innova, driven by Chief Pvt. Warsidi, a Mimika Infantry Brigade
personnel. The incident took place at around 12:55 p.m. local time when the car
was on its way from Timika to Mile 50. As the car arrived at Mile 41 it was
shot at by unidentified persons. There was
no casualty in the incident.
12 Dec. A bus carrying Merauke Military Commander
Brig. Gen. Bambang Haryanto and other military officers was fired upon by
unidentified assailants near Freeport Indonesia’s Grasberg mine in the Mimika
regency. Of the six bullets fired only
one hit the bus.
15 Dec.
Danny Kogoya died in Vanimo on Sunday 15 December. Danny was a regional commander in the
OPM. There is some concern that he may have been poisoned by the Indonesian
security forces. It was initially reported that Mr. Kogoya had
succumbed to an infection as an aftermath of a leg amputation although the
operation was performed without his permission. He was shot in September last
year by the Indonesian Security forces although he had offered to surrender.
After his release from the military hospital in Jayapura, the police threatened
to re-arrest him and to escape certain death Mr. Kogoya fled across the border
to PNG. The Asian Human Rights Commission released an appeal
about the situation on the 23 Dec.
http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-157-2013
27 Dec. A group of gunmen fired on a
convoy of trailer trucks owned by US mining giant Freeport Indonesia in Timika.
The trucks were driving from Timika to Tembagapura. During the convoy’s
journey, a group of shooters opened fire from both sides of the road, but the
trucks continued onward. No casualties were reported in the incident. The
trucks kept driving despite being shot at although each truck suffered damage
from the gunfire.
At the beginning of 2014 (4 Jan.) Jubi reported that a Police Station in
Kulirik village, District of Puncak Jaya was attacked by a group of
unidentified person. Kompas.com also reported that only 2 personnel were on
duty at the time as the other 5 personnel were on patrol in the surrounding area.
According to the report about 20 people entered the post and removed some
weapons.
The Future
The West Papuan people will eventually achieve their own
self-determination. There are many ways forward and the West Papuan people are
using all avenues to achieve their freedom. Various West Papuan organisation
are lobbying the UN, regional
organisations such as the MSG and calling on Jakarta to hold dialogue
with West Papuan representatives. It is encouraging that regional governments
are showing support by raising the human rights abuses in West Papua with
Jakarta.
The issue is also being raised around the
world by solidarity groups and individuals, too numerous to mention. There are many
West Papuan lists, web and facebook pages where one can receive updates and
respond to urgent actions.
Sources
The information in the report is based on the many urgent actions and
reports released by civil society organisations and human rights defenders in
West Papua and from reports from international NGO’s and information received.
AWPA also monitors the Indonesian and the local media in West Papua. Many of the photos are from the West Papua National Committee’s (KNPB) own web page. http://knpbnews.com and from West Papua
Media’s web page which is quick in responding to events with reports and photos. West Papua Media web page at http://westpapuamedia.info
The photo on the cover is from 25/11 SuaraPapua .com (25 Nov.)
The report did not touch on the environment, the exploitation of the
natural resources of West Papua by international companies and health and
education. However, regular postings covering these issues can be seen on daily
postings on the reg.westpapua - lists - Riseup.net and
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au
For further information on lists that can
be subscribed to
contact, Joe Collins. AWPA (Sydney) email: bunyip@bigpond.net.au
About the Australia
West Papua Association (Sydney)
The
Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) is a human rights organisation focusing
on the territory of West Papua. AWPA’s
role is to lobby both the Australian Government and the International Community
to raise concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua. The West Papuan people face great challenges including
ongoing human rights abuses, the exploitation of their natural resources with
little or no benefit to themselves, the danger of becoming a minority in their
own land and a HIV/AIDS epidemic. AWPA raises awareness in the
international community about the historical wrongs and history of West Papua
and supports the right of the West Papuan people to self-determination.
http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au
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