The Fijian opposition has slammed Indonesian bribery and interference in the internal affairs of Melanesia and calls for support for the people of West Papua

The Fijian opposition has slammed Indonesian bribery and interference in the internal affairs of Melanesia and calls for support for the people of West Papua.

The United Front for a Democratic Fiji (UFDF)  has accused the Indonesian government of deliberately bribing and supporting the incumbent Fijian government in the upcoming elections after Indonesian Ambassador, Aidil Chandra Salim, said in a media interview that the Indonesian government was totally behind Commodore Bainimarama’s bid to become Fiji’s elected Prime Minister.

In a radio interview on 28th January, UFDF Spokesman Mick Beddoes, has condemned Indonesia’s bribery of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) by giving half a million dollars “in exchange for betraying an MSG commitment to the West Papua people”.

In a Press Release, the UFDF said “the call for Independence of West Papua is a matter that not only the MSG group should take up and support, but the Pacific Island Forum members including Australia and New Zealand should unite and support the West Papua’s people’s call for independence, just as we all sought our Independence from colonial rule many decades ago.”

The UFDF says that it “will lodge a formal protest against the Indonesian Government interference in Fiji’s domestic politics as well as in the MSG.”

The UFDF says “it sympathizes with the people of West Papua and is confident that after the 2014 elections, the new government elected by the people will develop a supportive and more engaging policy towards the West Papuan people’s quest for Independence.”

UPDATE: 12th February 2014

In a recent report Fijian businessman and former Politician Kaliopate Tavola admits that Fiji used the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) fact-finding mission to West Papua to discuss trade deals with Indonesia.

Ambassador for the 2014 Trade Pasifika Kaliopate Tavola said while the aim of mission was for the MSG to look at the situation on West Papua, it was also an opportunity for Fiji to seek bilateral agreements.
The visit was mandated by the MSG leaders to assess the application of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) to become a member of the MSG.

Coalition head Andy Ayamiseba had said the fact-finding mission fell short of its mandate.
“To me and the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), the so-called Melanesian Spearhead Group ministerial delegation visit to Indonesia and West Papua was a conflict of interest for Fiji and the Solomon Islands,” Mr Ayamiseba told Vanuatu Daily Post.

Although Mr Tavola did not have details of the bilateral agreement, he said any bilateral assistance to Fiji would be useful, especially coming from Indonesia, a country that had a lot of potential.
“Fiji was the leader of the delegation that went across and apart from the MSG mandate. The gain for Fiji is obviously the gain through the bilateral agreement that were carried out, as well as what will emanate from the West Papua situation,” he said.

By. Admin

Schoolboy deaths-Demonstration will be Wed at 11-45 Britomart Square

Schoolboy deaths-Demonstration will be Wed at 11-45 Britomart Square

 

Demonstration will be Wed at 11-45 Britomart Square

West Papua Action Auckland
Box 68419.
Auckland.

Published 15 December 2014

The Editor,
The New Zealand Herald, letters@nzherald.co.nz

Dear Editor,

Last week, as your paper briefly noted, a military and police unit shot demonstrators in Indonesian-controlled WestPapua. It was a grim and shocking reminder that human rights
abuses are an ongoing feature of life for indigenous Papuans. The five, possibly six, victims who were killed, were all school children wearing school colours. There are
photographs taken at the time to validate the facts, and international and local human rights documentation states that the victims were participating in a traditional protest
dance when they were shot.

I thought back to incidents in the worst days of apartheid South Africa, but this is happening in our Pacific region to
our Melanesian neighbours. Tragically other similar human rights atrocities in West Papua have never been accounted for, but this may be a turning point.

The new Indonesian President has shown signs of goodwill towards West Papua, and he must be called on that. More is needed from our Government than the usual mild expressions
of concern. We should call for an internationally credible
investigation and trial of those found responsible. And we should immediately suspend all defence ties to the renegade
Indonesian military.

Yours sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater
10 December 2014

Hon Murray McCully,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Parliament Buildings,
Wellington.
Dear Mr McCully,

We are writing to you on Human Rights Day to urge you to take action on the latest civilian killings carried out by security forces in Paniai, West Papua on 8 December 2014. The age of the five people killed makes this a particularly shocking event. These were young people of 17 and 18 who were unarmed, dressed in school uniform or school sportswear who were taking part in a traditional (waita) dance protest, after an incident the previous evening when security forces allegedly assaulted people attending a Christmas event.

The five young people were killed when a joint police and military unit fired into the crowd. Human Rights Watch states that they were Simon Degei, Otianus Gobai, Alfius Youw, Yulian Yeimo and Abia Gobay. There are some 17 injured victims in hospital some of them in a critical condition.

Papuan religious leader and Papua Peace Network coordinator Father Neles Tebay said that the violence by security forces against civilians in Paniai cannot be tolerated. According to Metro TV News Fr Tebay is calling for the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to intervene and immediately conduct an investigation into the shooting.

We urge the New Zealand Government to speak out in the strongest terms against this atrocity and to join Fr Tebay in his call for an immediate investigation and for the personnel responsible to be held accountable.

Yours sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater

30 arrested as Jokowi Papua visit crackdown begins

30 arrested as Jokowi Papua visit crackdown begins

 

30 West Papuans in traditional dress, demonstrating during Jokowi's visit to WestPapua, have been forcibly arrested by Indonesian police in Sentani, Saturday, December 27.

Activists being taken away after arrests during Indonesian president Jokowi's Visit to Sentani, West Papua, December27, 2014 (all photos: WestPapuaMedia)

Activists being taken away after arrests during Indonesian president Jokowi's Visit to Sentani, West Papua, December27, 2014 (all photos: WestPapuaMedia)

Activists being taken away after arrests during Indonesian president Jokowi's Visit to Sentani, West Papua, December27, 2014 (all photos: WestPapuaMedia)

The Indonesian president's visit is seen by many Papuans as illegitimate, as issues of political freedoms and human rights are again not being discussed, in favour of a military backed development agenda.

The 30 peaceful rights activists were rounded up in a speedy operation by police, and whisked off to Police Headquarters in Jayapura for further interrogation, acoording to WestPapuaMedia stringers.

More information as it becomes available.

WestPapuaMedia

Time: Papua Remains a Killing Field Even Under New Indonesian President Jokowi

http://time.com/3627122/indonesia-papua-jokowi-human-rights/
Friday 12 December 2014 3:01pm WIB (JoyoNews2)

Time

Yenni Kwok @yennikwok

The death of five high school students in skirmishes with Indonesian soldiers demonstrate the huge task ahead for Jokowi

photo: A Papuan activist delivers speech at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta on Dec. 10, 2014, during a protest against the killings of teenagers in the Papuan town of Enarotali two days earlier Adek Berry­AFP/Getty Images

The vivid images that emerged from Indonesia’s Papua province this week are pretty gruesome: teenage boys in school uniforms lie in a pool of blood, surrounded by shell-shocked residents. They are a grim reminder of the ongoing human-rights abuses in the country’s easternmost corner, wracked by a low-level armed separatist movement and heavy-handed military crackdown for about half-century.

On Monday, five high school students, aged 17 to 18, died in the town of Enarotali after security forces allegedly shot at a crowd of about 800 Papuans ­ many of whom were pupils ­ protesting on a soccer field, not far from the military and police offices. At least 17 civilians were wounded, including women and children. A sixth victim died on Tuesday, Papuan media reported.

The ill-fated protest was sparked by a brawl between troops and local residents, including children setting up Christmas decorations, shortly after midnight ­ it ended with a 12-year-old boy being beaten by rifle butts and stones thrown at the military personnel. The U.N. Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have since called for an independent investigation into the deadly shooting.

The killings raise doubt on the commitment of new Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, whose election victory has buoyed hopes that the world’s largest Muslim majority nation may finally address rights abuses, self-determination grievances and economic inequality ­ issues that have long plagued the resource-rich provinces of Papua and West Papua.

However, the most recent shooting is “one of hundreds” of rights-abuse cases documented by HRW over the past 15 years in the Papua region, says Andreas Harsono, the group’s Indonesia researcher. “None of these have been resolved. If anyone is ever put on trial, he would be sent to jail for a few months, but no military men nor policemen have ever been fired because of human-rights violations in Papua.” Indonesian police and military have denied involvement in the Monday shooting ­ the army chief of staff even suggested the Papuan rebels were behind the incident.

Jokowi, who traveled to Papua and West Papua during parliamentary and presidential campaign seasons, has shown plenty of goodwill gestures to the troubled region. In a June visit, the then presidential candidate told an adoring crowd of his family’s close affinity to the Papuans’ homeland. “My wife was named Iriana because her grandfather was a teacher who was deployed to the then named Irian Jaya for quite some time,” he said, referring to the old provincial name of Papua.

Just weeks after his election victory, Jokowi met with Papuan politicians and leaders and promised to boost dialogue between Jakarta and the two provinces. In October, the President made Yohana Yembise his Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the first Papuan woman appointed to the Cabinet.

The Papua region, which has some of the world’s largest copper and gold mines, is the only remaining area plagued by armed separatist conflicts in Indonesia. (East Timor voted for independence in 1999 and Aceh rebels reached a peace deal with Jakarta in 2005.) While the two Papuan provinces are currently a virtually no-go zone for foreign reporters ­ two French journalists making a documentary on Papua’s insurgency were arrested last August, jailed for more than two months and later deported ­ Jokowi has spoken about lifting media restrictions.

Conversely, though, Jokowi has been heavily criticized not only for naming a hard-line retired general, Ryamizard Ryacudu, as Defense Minister, but also for supporting an increased military presence in the region, including a plan to establish a new military command. Indonesian rights activists say the higher number of security forces could trigger even more violence in Papua.

And like the Tibetans, Uighurs and Mongolians in China’s periphery regions, Papuans are also worried of the influx of new migrants into their homeland ­ a number that is likely to increase if the new Transmigration Minister could push a migration program to Papua from other islands, especially the densely populated Java. “It is seen as an attempt to Indonesianize Papua,” Harsono tells TIME.

One day after the shooting, in an International Human Rights Day event in the southern Javanese city of Yogyakarta, Jokowi reiterated his human-rights commitment. “The government is paying attention and committed not only to resolve past human-rights abuses but also to prevent rights violations from being repeated in the future,” he said

That may be reassuring to some, but Papuans and human-rights activists are demanding more concrete actions, not just promises, from their new leader. “After nearly two months in power, nothing has been realized yet,” Harsono says about Jokowi. “There have been no significant changes.”

Papuans take to the streets across Indonesia to protest Paniai shootings

Papuans take to the streets across Indonesia to protest Paniai shootings

Indoleft News Service - December 11, 2014

The following is a compilation of transitions from Indonesian language media sources of solidarity actions around Indonesia in response to the fatal shooting of civilians by TNI and police in Paniai on December 8. Translations by James Balowski.

* President Widodo met with protests by Papuan students in Yogyakarta
* Students demand TNI, police be held accountable for shootings in Papua
* Fatal shooting in Papua, a Christmas 'gift' from President Widodo
* Solidarity for Papua: Stop the killing of civilians in Papua
* Wearing penis guards, Papuans join labour protests in Jakarta

Urgent Action: Stop the killing of Papuans

Urgent Action: Stop the killing of Papuans

Urgent Action: Stop the killing of Papuans “Civilians have been shot and killed without reason. These actions show that security personnel have treated residents not as citizens but as enemies who must be eliminated,” Rev. Neles Tebay, Papuan leader Five Papuan teenagers have been shot dead by the security forces during a protest. For decades West Papua’s tribal people have been killed, raped, arrested and tortured by Indonesian soldiers and police. The government in Jakarta has done nothing to stop them. There are 65 West Papuan political prisoners behind bars, many are incarcerated merely for raising the West Papuan flag or for peacefully calling for independence. These ‘offences’ can result in 15 years in prison. Indonesia’s new President has promised to enter into dialogue with the Papuan people and to move away from a military solution to the region’s problems. His response to the teenager’s deaths will be a test of this resolve. Please email President Widodo, urging him investigate the recent killing of five teenagers and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice; to end human rights violations in the region and to enter into dialogue with the Papuan people. Click here to send a pre-written message Or if this doesn't work for you, you can use this text to send an email to H. E. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia at ppid Dear President, I am extremely alarmed at the high number of killings, torture, rapes and arbitrary arrests that the Papuan people suffer at the hands of the Indonesian soldiers and police and by the recent shooting dead of five Papuan teenagers. I urge you to demilitarize the region; end the impunity for soldiers who kill and torture Papuans and ensure that those responsible for these gross human rights violations be brought to justice. There are 65 Papuan political prisoners behind bars. I urge your administration to release all West Papua’s political prisoners unconditionally and to end the prosecution and persecution of those peacefully expressing their political views. Finally, I call on you to enter into direct, internationally-mediated dialogue with Papuan leaders. Sincerely, If you have a few minutes, please post your letter to: President of the Republic of Indonesia H. E. Joko Widodo, Istana Merdeka, Jakarta Pusat, 10110, Indonesia. This is even more powerful. If your email bounces, please don't worry about sending us a message. It's probably because the recipient has blocked their account due to the high number of protest emails. It means the campaign is working. Thank you

Survival International USA, 2325 3rd Street, Suite 401, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA T +1 415 503 1254 Survival International, 6 Charterhouse Buildings, LONDON, UK, EC1M 7ET T +44(0)20 7687 8700 www.survivalinternational.org

West Papua Report December 2014: TNI deployment, Vanuatu meet, political prisoner, demos attacked

This is the 128th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published by the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at edmcw<a href="mailto:edmcw. If you wish to receive the report directly via e-mail, send a note to etan. Link to this issue:.

The Report leads with "Perspective," an analysis piece; followed by "Update," a summary of some developments during the covered period; and then "Chronicle" which includes analyses, statements, new resources, appeals and action alerts related to West Papua. Anyone interested in contributing a Perspective or responding to one should write to edmcw. The opinions expressed in Perspectives are the author's and not necessarily those of WPAT or ETAN.For additional news on West Papua see the reg.westpapua listserv archive or on Twitter.

 

CONTENTS

This edition's Perspective is the first part of an article by Made Supriatma about Indonesian security force deployments in West Papua. In Update: Papuan leaders from around the world gathered in Vanuatu. Peaceful Papuan demonstrators were detained and shot during events commemorating the founding of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB). Papuan Behind Bars reports that 69 West Papuan political prisoners are currently in Indonesian government custody. The U.S. government plans to expand its support for "modernization" of the Indonesian military (TNI). Reform of that deeply corrupt, human rights abusing and unaccountable institution is not on the U.S. or TNI "modernization" agenda. Indonesia's new defense minister plans to re-institute military influence in civilian sectors. The plan would undo much of the limited post-Suharto reforms with specific negative consequences for West Papua. Another military plan, apparently endorsed by President Widodo, would put new military commands in West Papua. In Chronicle, Papuan political prisoner Filep Karma is interviewed by Michael Bachelard. A review of the 2001 Bloody Waisor incident provides important context to new logging plans. Budi Hernawan revisits the murder by Kopassus of Theys Eluay and the disappearance of his driver. Finally, we note a timely analysis of Indonesia's growing efforts to wield influence in Melanesia where support for West Papuan self determination is growing.

PERSPECTIVE

Indonesian Security Forces in West Papua (Part 1)
By Made Supriatma

Made Supriatma is an editor with Joyo Indonesia News Service.

Army Navy and Air Forces Coming in Part 2: Police, Intelligence, and Conclusion

In his meeting with TNI elites, President Joko Widodo reportedly agreed to a proposal to expand the army’s territorial command in West Papua. The army proposed two more territorial commands (Kodam) in eastern Indonesia. One is in Manado and the other is in Manokwari, the capital city of Papua Barat province. The navy will also expand its command by adding an Armada Command (Komando Armada Tengah) in Makassar. TNI also proposed to reviveKomando Gabungan Pertahanan (Joint Defense Command) which is similar to Komando Wilayah Pertahanan(defense territorial command) or Kowilhan. The Kowilhan was established in 1969, and then eradicated in 1984 during the reorganization of the Indonesian military. The TNI chief, Gen. Moeldoko, said that he also plans to revive the position of territorial assistant for the navy and air force.

President Joko Widodo is the fourth civilian president of the reformation era. Three of his civilian predecessors have never served full term in the office. All of those civilian presidents had to deal with the military and in fact it became their biggest challenge. President Widodo too has to confront the same problem. The three presidents were approaching the military differently. President Habibie chose to defy the military completely when he decided to grant referendum to East Timor. President Abdurrahman Wahid chose a more confrontational approach. He often intervened in the military’s internal affairs. President Megawati Sukarnoputri took a very different approach. She gave a ‘blank check’ to the military. She appointed the ultra-nationalist officer Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu as the army chief of staff. Under her administration, the military was given permission to launch huge operations in Aceh in order to crush the rebellion. Many of Megawati’s military men are now parts of the Jokowi’s administration.

Indonesia: Stop imminent execution of six people by firing squad

AI Press Release – Indonesia: Stop imminent execution of six people by firing squad

Indonesia must immediately halt plans to put to death six people – one Indonesian and five foreign natiionals – by firing squad this week, Amnesty Internattional said after the Attorney General's office today confirmed the executions would be carried out on Sunday 18 January 2015.

"These executions must be stopped immediately. The death penalty is a human rights violation, and it is shocking that the Indonesian authorities are looking to put to death six people this Sunday," said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International's Research Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

"Indonesia's new government took office on the back of promises to improve respect for human rights, but carrying out these executions would be a regressive move. Rather than putting to death more people, the government should immediately impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to its eventual abolition."

All six of those to be executed on Sunday were convicted and sentenced to death for drug-related offences. They include one Indonesian, Rani Andriani alias Melisa Aprilia; and five foreign nationals: Daniel Enemuo (Nigerian), Ang Kim Soei (Dutch), Tran Thi Bich Hanh (Vietnamese), Namaona Denis (Nigerian) and Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira (Brazilian).

Five of them are reportedly going to be executed on Nusakambangan Island, Central Java province, while Tran Thi Bich Hanh is to be executed in Boloyali district, also in Central Java.

While no executions were carried out in Indonesia in 2014, the government has announced that 20 are scheduled for this year.

In December 2014, it was also reported that President Joko Widodo would not grant clemency to at least 64 individuals who have been sentenced to death for drug-related crimes and that there were plans to execute them.

Drug-related offences do not meet the threshold of the "most serious crimes" for which the death penalty can be imposed under international law.

"It would be a huge set back if the government goes ahead with its plans to execute as many as 20 people during the year. Tackling rising crime rates is a legitimate goal of President Widodo's administration, but the death penalty is not the answer and does not work as a deterrent to crime," said Rupert Abbott.

"The plans for a new spate of executions come at a time when the government is actively seeking to protect Indonesian nationals who face the death penalty overseas. If the death penalty is wrong elsewhere, it is surely wrong in Indonesia too."

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances, regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to carry out the execution. The death penalty violates the right to life as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The protection for the right to life is also recognized in Indonesia's Constitution. So far 140 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.

Public document

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For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on press

Weblink: http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/indonesia-stop-imminent-execution-six-people-firing-squad-2015-01-15