WPNCL CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF INDONESIAN TO DIALOGUE WITH THE PAPUAN PEOPLE

WPNCL CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF INDONESIAN TO DIALOGUE WITH THE PAPUAN PEOPLE
West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) had written twice to the President of the Republic of Indonesian Dr. Haji Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in 2007 and again in 2008 requesting him to dialogue with the Papuan people. But until now there is still no response from him or his government.
Since its’ establishment WPNCL was committed to the use of peaceful means as the dominant principle to resolve the conflict between the Papuan people and the government of Indonesia. WPNCL considers a mutually beneficial Summit/dialogue with Indonesia the first priority in the process of resolving the issue of West Papua. Such dialogue or Summit must be facilitated by a Third Party or Mediator, endorsed by both parties, the Papuan people and the government of Indonesia.
WPNCL viewed the recent incident involving the arrest and detention of Mr. Jonah Wenda, Spokesman of the Military Council of the West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPN PB) and peace Activist of WPNCL on 6 September 2009 in Klamono/Sorong as a provocative act that could undermine the on going efforts to maintain peace and tolerance in the land of Papua. Mr. Jonah Wenda was transferred to Jayapura for further interrogation then released on … September and placed under house arrest. It is important to keep in mind that peace and tolerance in the land of Papua could be maintained because of the hard work of peace activists of the land including Mr. Jonah Wenda. He had worked tirelessly together with members of WPNCL to make sure that TPN remain committed to peace. WPNCL considers this as confidence boosting effort to pave the way for peace negotiation with the government of Indonesia. After all there must be genuine good will efforts shown by both parties before any negotiation.
Mr. Jonah Wenda and the other peace activists are conducting themselves in the open and known to members of the public. They cannot be considered as a threat to any one. All their activities are manifestations of the undertaking in 2002 where POLDA PAPUA (Regional Police Force of Papua) had agreed to work together with the Papuan Peoples Representative Council (DPRP) and Stakeholder in the Society to maintain peace in the land of Papua. The details of commitment of Stakeholders in the form of Recommendations could be ascertained in the Report of the Peace Conference of the Papuan people held in Jayapura from 15-16 October 2002.
Since that Conference, a Task Force for Peace was established by members of the Civil Society. The main task was to disseminate information and engage Civil Society about the recommendations. The Task Force had also facilitated consultations and reconciliation with groups that potentially could hinder or endangered the peace efforts. It facilitated parallel meetings with different stakeholders in the Society including the different regional commands of TPN.
The Task Force for Peace in Papua had also facilitated combined meetings with Papuans in the country and those in Diaspora. From 16-20 June 2003 a Think Tank Group meeting was held in Utrecht, Netherlands. Some 23 Papuan intellectuals participated. The 3 main agenda items of the meetings were Human Rights and Justice, Development, and Politics. Because of the absence of some important Stakeholders including the TPN it was recommended that another meeting be organized some where closer to West Papua. Such meeting must be inclusive to allow for full participation of Stakeholders of the whole resistance movement.
All these meetings realized the need for workshops tor the purpose of dissemination of the basic recommendations and more importantly to allow for wider participation and input by all sectors who want the realization of peace in West Papua. Two Workshops were facilitated in the country. The first Workshop held in Jayapura on 27 October 2004 recommended that a high level meeting of National leaders must be convened to seriously consider all the criteria and options in the process to resolve the conflict in West Papua. The second workshop held on 20 November 2004 agreed to organize a meeting for the leaders of all the Papuan organizations in the Civil Society. The workshop also discussed technical matters involved including, agenda, venue, participants and cost involved in convening such a meeting.
Considering the recommendations from the workshops many diverse groups in the Civil Society decided to go ahead to convene the proposed National meeting/Summit involving Stakeholders in the country and also in Diaspora. This meeting/Summit was held in Papua New Guinea from 28 November to 1st December 2005. This Summit was able to make a number of interim decisions: The establishment of a National Coordinating body called, West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL). The Summit decided that the Secretariat of WPNCL be based in Port Vila, the Capital of the Republic of Vanuatu. The Summit also decided that concerted efforts must be made to consult widely on unity and maximize consolidation between different factions of the Resistance movement in West Papua. From the invited 28 Resistance organizations only 18 were able to attend. The remaining 10 organizations sent their apologies and endorsed the purpose of the Summit.
Based on the recommendations from the above Summit an important meeting was convened for the Commanders of the West Papuan National Liberation Army, the TPN PB. PNG was also the venue for this meeting which was held from 22-24 July 2006 and was attended by all the regional Commands of TPN. A number of important agreements were made in the meeting including, the duty and function of TPN as a Revolutionary Army that must protect all West Papuans; separation of TPN from the OPM structure, further more the role and responsibility of TPN during the revolution; the formation of TPN Military Council as the highest Coordinating body of TPN; during the same meeting a declaration of commitment by all the Commanders to work together in the efforts to liberate Papuan people and the land of West Papua; urging all the Commanders within the TPN Command to unify their perceptions whether in programming, strategy and action to accomplish the objective of the revolution; acknowledge and respect the universal principles of humanity; endorse the efforts to establish West Papua as land of peace; urging unity between all the resistance groups in West Papua; urging all West Papuans to work together to maintain National unity.
Another follow up meeting by TPN was held at Victoria HQ from 5-7 April 2007. This meeting had reached a number of agreements to merge, Arfai 1965 Command, Marvic Command and Pemka Command into one Command to be known as West Papua National Liberation Army Command. This new Command comes under the responsibility and direct Command of the Military Council of the West Papua National Liberation Army; Henceforth, the Military Council of TPN PB becomes the highest decision making body or Command of TPN PB; confirming a new Command structure and designation of regional Commands for each HQ; the appointment of ranking officers in the Military Council of TPN PB including the other rankings further down the structure of Command. A communiqué was issued at the end of the meeting to declare or affirm the above decisions: a unity process within the rank and file of TPN PB, the merging of Arfai ’65 Command, Marvic Command and Pemka Command into one Command structure. Commitment by all parties within TPN PB to foster bilateral and international cooperation to combat the traffic of narcotics, to stem terrorist networks and above all the creation of a National Command of TPN PB encompassing all regions of West Papua which was divided into 6 Regional Commands.
Next WPNCL convened its Second Summit in Malaysia from 22-25 September 2007. A number of decisions were made here: WPNCL will establish its Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatnu; the adoption of Bylaws of WPNCL that also cover rules on the TPN PB and other functions of the Coalition. The Summit established a negotiating team and agreed on the strategy for negotiation with Indonesia through a Third Party. The Summit had also approved the existence and the on going work of the West Papua Peace Working Group that had networks in 4 major regions, Asia, Pacific, America and Europe. Because of the absence of some stakeholders including TPN PB it was decided to have the final Leaders Summit in Vanuatu.
The third and final West Papuan leaders Summit was held in Vanuatu from 2-10 April 2008. This Summit was endorsed by the Government of Vanuatu. The Summit issued a major resolution calling on Indonesia to agree to resolve the West Papuan conflict peacefully through International negotiation facilitated by a Third Party. The Summit also called on the International community to encourage Indonesia to open West Papua for International access by Journalists and other International agencies.
TPN PB has been one of the important supporting pillars of WPNCL. But since its Commander was elected as Chairman of the Coalition during the Summit in Vanuatu the position of Commander became vacant. Unfortunately it is a technical matter and was referred to the Military Council of TPN PB to decide. This matter was resolved when all the Commanders met near the PNG border from 29-31 October 2008. This was also the first National Planning meeting of the new Military Council of TPN PB.
WPNCL had also held its first National Planning meeting near the PNG border from 4-8 April 2009 to finalize its programs with clear directions and targets including one of the options of negotiating with Indonesia through a Third Party facilitation.
To conclude, WPNCL believes the new government of Dr. Haji Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has the commitment to resolve the West Papuan issue. We encourage SBY’s government to establish communication with us as we previously requested in order to commence the process for negotiation. We hope, God willing this will lead to a mutually beneficial result for both our two peoples, Papuans and Indonesians of this generation and those yet to come.
For more details contact, Rex Rumakiek, the Secretary General on +61 414247468
or the Vice Chairman Dr. John Ondawame on +678 439759026 or the Vanuatu Mission Mr. Andy Ayamiseba on + 678 40808 or 60651.
For general information on Human Rights issues contact Ms. Paula Makabory, the International Representative of Papua Institute of Human Rights Study and Advocacy, on: +61 402547517

PILAR-PILAR WPNCL HIMBAU PEMERINTAH INDONESIA

Rabu, 7 Oktober 2009
Media Release
PILAR-PILAR WPNCL HIMBAU PEMERINTAH INDONESIA
BERUNDING DENGAN RAKYAT PAPUA
WPNCL (West Papua Nasional Coalition For Liberation) atau “Koalisi Nasional Papua Barat Untuk Pembebasan”, telah dua kali melayangkan surat kepada Presiden Republik Indonesia pada tahun 2007 dan 2008, dalam rangka mengajak pemerintah Indonesia agar berunding dengan rakyat Papua. Namun hingga saat ini Presiden Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono belum menanggapinya. Sejak awal WPNCL telah berkomitmen untuk menggunakan cara-cara damai sebagai prinsip utama dalam menyelesaikan persoalan antara rakyat Papua dan pemerintah Indonesia. WPNCL mengganggap bahwa suatu perundingan yang setara dengan pemerintah Indonesia adalah salah satu langkah prioritas dalam menyelesaikan masalah Papua. Perundingan tersebut harus melibatkan pihak ketiga sebagai mediator, yang disetujui bersama oleh pemerintah Indonesia dan rakyat Papua.
Insiden penangkapan Sdr. Jonah Wenda selaku juru bicara Dewan Militer Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat (DM TPN-PB) dan sebagai aktivis WPNCL pada 6 September 2009 di Klamono Sorong, dan dipindahkan untuk ditahan di Kepolisian Daerah (Polda) Papua adalah suatu tindakan yang dapat menghambat upaya untuk mewujudkan perdamaian di Tanah Papua. Sdr. Jonah Wenda yang kemudian dibebaskan oleh Polda Papua itu sesungguhnya sedang melakukan aktivitas yang berkaitan erat dengan upaya konsolidasi dengan jaringan TPN-PB untuk mendorong proses penyelesaian damai konflik di Tanah Papua.
Sejak tahun 2002, Polda Papua telah bersepakat untuk bekerja sama dengan Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua (DPRP) dan komponen masyarakat sipil di Papua untuk mewujudkan perdamaian di Tanah Papua. Komitmen tersebut tertuang dalam Rekomendasi Konferensi Perdamaian untuk Papua yang diselenggarakan di Jayapura pada 15 – 16 Oktober 2002.
Sejak Konferensi tersebut, komponen rakyat sipil telah membantuk gugus tugas (task force) perdamaian untuk Papua, yang melakukan sosialisasi dan rekonsiliasi dengan kelompok-kelompok rakyat sipil di Papua yang potensial menghambat upaya mewujudkan Papua sebagai Tanah Damai. Task force telah melakukan serangkaian pertemuan paralel dengan berbagai kelompok-kelompok rakyat sipil di Papua, termasuk kelompok Tentara Pembebasan Nasional (TPN) pada beberapa wilayah di Tanah Papua.
Selanjutnya dilakukan pertemuan kelompok “think-tank” yang melibatkan tokoh-tokoh Papua. Pertemuan tersebut dilaksanakan pada 16 – 20 Juni 2003 di Belanda, dan dihadiri oleh 23 intelektual Papua Barat. Pertemuan ini membahas tiga agenda utama, yaitu Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) dan Keadilan, Pembangunan dan Politik. Pertemuan ini dianggap belum mencerminkan representasi dari keseluruhan kelompok perlawanan rakyat Papua, sehingga direkomendasikan suatu pertemuan lebih luas agar dapat melibatkan seluruh pemimpin kelompok perlawanan, baik yang berada di Papua maupun di luar Papua.
Pertemuan-pertemuan paralel telah mendorong dilaksanakannya lokakarya untuk menghimpun seluruh masukan dari berbagai komponen rakyat yang menginginkan terwujudnya perdamaian di Tanah Papua. Lokakarya diselenggarakan di Jayapura sebanyak 2 kali. Lokakarya pertama pada 27 Oktober 2004, melahirkan kesepakatan tentang pentingnya suatu pertemuan tingkat tinggi para pemimpin Papua guna membicarakan kendala-kendala yang dihadapi dalam menyelesaikan konflik di Papua. Sedangkan lokakarya kedua pada 20 November 2004, memandang perlu diselenggarakan pertemuan bagi seluruh pemimpin organisasi sipil di Papua, sekaligus membahas masalah-masalah teknis yang meliputi agenda, tempat, peserta dan pembiayaan tentang pertemuan para pemimpin organisasi rakyat Papua.
Rekomendasi dari kedua lokakarya dimaksud, berbagai komponen rayat sipil di Tanah Papua memandang penting untuk melaksanakan pertemuan besar rakyat Papua yang meliputi komponen rakyat sipil di Tanah Papua dan di luar Tanah Papua. Pertemuan dimaksud dilaksanakan pada 28 November – 1 Desember 2005 di Papua New Guinea (PNG), yang melahirkan sejumlah keputusan, diantaranya: Membentuk wadah koordinasi nasional yang dinamakan Koalisi Nasional Papua Barat untuk Pembebasan atau West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL); Menetapkan kedudukan Sekretariat WPNCL di Port Villa – Vanuatu; menetapkan proses konsolidasi dan rekonsiliasi bagi faksi-faksi perlawanan rakyat Papua Barat. Dari 28 perwakilan organisasi perlawanan rakyat Papua Barat yang direncanakan hadir, hanya 18 organisasi yang berpartisipasi dalam pertemuan dimaksud.
Merujuk pada rekomendasi di atas, diselenggarakan pertemuan para Panglima Tentara Pembebasan Nasional pada 22 – 24 Juli 2006 di PNG, yang melahirkan sejumlah kesepakatan, diantaranya menegaskan tugas dan fungsi TPN-PB sebagai tentara revolusi yang melindungi segenap komponen Bangsa Papua Barat; memisahkan secara struktural TPN dari OPM, selanjutnya TPN hanya menjalankan peran dan tanggung jawab militer dalam masa revolusi; membentuk Dewan Militer sebagai Badan Koordinasi Tertinggi TPN-PB. Dalam pertemuan yang sama dideklarasikan komitmen untuk bekerja sama dalam membebaskan Bangsa dan Tanah Air Papua Barat; ajakan kepada setiap Panglima Komando TPN-PB untuk menyatukan pandangan, baik dalam hal program, strategi dan aksi, demi mencapai tujuan revolusi; mengakui dan menghargai prinsip-prinsip kemanusiaan yang berlaku secara universal; mendukung upaya menciptakan Papua sebagai Tanah Damai; menghimbau kepada para pemimpin organisasi perlawanan rakyat Papua Barat untuk bersatu; dan mengajak rakyat Papua Barat agar bekerja sama dalam mendukung proses persatuan Nasional.
Pertemuan lanjutan TPN-PB diselenggarakan 5 – 7 April 2007 di Markas Victoria, PNG. Pertemuan ini melahirkan sejumlah kesepakatan untuk meleburkan Komando TPN-PB yang meliputi Komando “Arfai 1965”, Komando “Marvic” dan Komando “Pemka” menjadi satu Komando yang disebut Komando Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, di bawah pengawasan dan tanggung jawab Dewan Militer TPN-PB; membentuk Dewan Militer Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat sebagai suatu forum pengambilan keputusan tertinggi bagi Komando TPN-PB; menetapkan Struktur Komando, dan pembagian wilayah kerja dari masing-masing Markas Komando Daerah TPN-PB; memilih dan memutuskan pejabat Dewan Militer TPN-PB beserta pejabat dalam perangkat struktur lainnya dibawah Dewan Militer TPN-PB. Dalam pertemuan yang sama dideklarasikan himbauan kepada rakyat Papua dan pihak lainnya tentang proses persatuan di lingkungan TPN-PB; peleburan Komando “Arfai 65”, Komando “Marvic” dan Komando “Pemka” ke dalam satu sistem Komando; tekad untuk menjalin kerja sama bilateral dan internasional guna menghambat perluasan jaringan kejahatan terorganisir seperti narkotika dan terorisme; sekaligus membentuk Dewan Militer Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat (DM TPN-PB) sebagai wadah representatif yang membawahi 6 Markas Komando TPN-PB yang tersebar di seluruh wilayah Papua Barat.
WPNCL selanjutnya melaksanakan Summit I pada 22 – 25 September 2007 di Malaysia yang melahirkan sejumlah kesepakatan, diantaranya WPNCL akan mengelola sebuah Sekretariat General yang berkedudukan di Port Villa – Vanuatu. Ditetapkan pula beberapa perangkat organisasi WPNCL yang meliputi Peraturan Dasar WPNCL, Peraturan Organisasi tentang Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, Peraturan Organisasi lainnya. Di samping itu, diputuskan juga satu delegasi Tim Negosiasi dengan mandat melakukan sosialisasi, mengajukan proposal perundingan kepada pemerintah Indonesia, termasuk melakukan perundingan dengan pemerintah Indonesia, yang dimediasi oleh pihak ketiga. Kemudian untuk menunjang kinerja dari WPNCL dan dalam upaya-upaya pengembangan perdamaian dan pencegahan konflik, dibentuk sebuah West Papua Peace Working Group (WPPWG) yang tersebar pada 4 region yaitu Asia, Eropa, Amerika dan Pasifik.
WPNCL melanjutkan Summit II pada 2 – 10 April 2008 di Port Vila – Vanuatu, yang mendapat dukungan politik resmi dari pemerintah Vanuatu. Summit II WPNCL melahirkan sebuah resolusi diantaranya mendesak pemerintah Indonesia untuk segera mengadakan perundingan internasional guna menyelesaikan konflik Papua Barat secara damai dan dimediasi oleh pihak ketiga yang netral, menghimbau masyarakat internasional agar mendesak pemerintah Indonesia supaya membuka akses jurnalis dan organisasi-organisasi internasional untuk masuk ke Papua.
TPN-PB sebagai salah satu pilar pendukung WPNCL berhasil menyelenggarakan Rapat Kerja Nasional I pada 29 – 31 Oktober 2008 di PNG, yang melahirkan sejumlah program bagi DM TPN-PB. Kemudian dilanjutkan dengan Rapat Kerja Nasional I WPNCL pada 4 – 8 Juni 2009 yang melahirkan sejumlah program dan arah kerja bagi WPNCL untuk periode kerja pertama.
Akhirnya kami percaya bahwa pemerintahan Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), memiliki komitmen yang baik untuk menyelesaikan masalah Papua secara damai. Oleh karenanya, SBY dapat segera membuka komunikasi politik dengan WPNCL dalam rangka menyiapkan langkah-langkah menuju perundingan damai yang setara, bermartabat dan demokratis.

Untuk penjelasan lebih rinci, hubungi Rex Rumakiek, Sekretaris Jenderal lewat +61 414247468
atau Wakil Ketua WPNCL, Dr. John Ondawame on +678 439759026 atau Vanuatu Mission, Saudara Andy Ayamiseba, melalui: + 678 40808 or 60651.
Untuk hal-hal tentang hak-hak asasi secara umum bisa hubungi Ms. Paula Makabory, Perwakilan Internasional Papua Institute of Human Rights Study and Advocacy, melalui: +61 402547517.

National Liberation Army (TPN/PB) Spokesperson Arrested in West Papua

Media Alert

Sunday 13 September 2009

National Liberation Army (TPN/PB) Spokesperson Arrested in West Papua

A peaceful resolution to West Papua’s long-standing conflict with Indonesia has suffered a serious set-back with the arrest by Indonesian authorities of leading pro-peace activist Jonah Wenda.

Mr Wenda was detained in Sele District, Sorong Regency, in the western part of West Papua, on 6 September, and was formally arrested on 11 September on the grounds of being investigated for subversion (makar) at Papua Regional Police (POLDA) in Jayapura, Papua.

Mr Wenda is a spokesperson for the military wing of the West Papua liberation movement, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB, or Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, formerly known as TPN/OPM).

However, despite working for peace, Mr Wenda is now being held pending being charged with undermining the Security of the State (subversion).

Australian-based spokesperson for the WPPWG (West Papua Peace Working Group, formerly known as West Papua Peace Task Force), Ms Paula Makabory (footnote 1) , described the arrest of Mr Wenda as a serious set-back to finding a peaceful resolution to the continuing troubles in West Papua. She said: ‘Mr Wenda has been working for the past three years with the West Papua Peace Working group to bring about a cessation of hostilities between the forces of the Republic of Indonesian and the indigenous people of West Papua’.

Paula Makabory said: ‘To this end, the West Papua Peace Working Group and Jonah Wenda have facilitated the formation of unified West Papuan political and civil society umbrella organisation called the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL).

’The WPNCL, which includes representatives of the TPN-PB, has expressly sought to commence peaceful dialogue with the Indonesian President and the Republic of Indonesian over issues of the political control and administration of West Papua as a remedy to the impacts of Indonesian Government policies on the West Papuan people.”

”Jonah Wenda has been acting for past two years as ‘media spokesperson’ for the TPN-PB in West Papua. In this role he has meet with the TPN-PB military commanders throughout West Papua to gain support for peaceful negotiation with the Republic of Indonesia. Jonah Wenda plays an important part of the movement to unite West Papuan resistance groups and support them to pursue a strategy of non-violent political change. “

The TPN-PB (or as the TPN/OPM) has been fighting a war of succession in West Papua since Indonesia took control of the territory in 1963.

West Papuan grievances include, disputing the way the territory was incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia during the 1960s, traditional land rights and resource rights and control; widespread killings, human rights violations and abuse by the security forces; unregulated migration; impacts of large scale resource exploitation particularly mining, logging and plantation establishment; economic disadvantage through a development and civil policy that does not benefit indigenous land owners; environmental destruction; political repression, institutional racism and discrimination.

After East Timor achieved independence in 1999 and the conflict in Aceh was resolved through an international peace accord in 2005, West Papua remains Indonesia’s largest unresolved territorial dispute.

For further information, please contact:

Paula Makabory on +61(0)402547517;

Steve Waramory/Defense Lawyer on (+62) (0)85254831555;

Chris Warinussy/Defense Lawyer on (+62) (0) 81344694500

Photo available at http://ipahr.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/jonah-wenda/

INSTITUTE FOR PAPUAN ADVOCACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS (IPAHR)
PO Box 1805
Byron Bay, NSW 2481
Australia
Tel Matthew Jamieson +61 (0) 418291998

1/ Paula Makabory is a board member of Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights and is spokesperson for West Papua Peace Working Group and the Human Rights organisation Els-ham West Papua.

Jonah Wenda

Photo Jonah Wenda

SUSPECTED MURDER OF OPINUS TABUNI BY INDONESIAN MILITARY OR INTEL NOT ACTIONED

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT

10 August 2008

Indonesia: No progress by police investigation into killing of peaceful Papuan protester

The failure to resolve the killing of Papuan protester Opinus Tabuni, one year after the incident, highlights the continued lack of accountability in cases involving the lethal use of firearms by law enforcement officials.

Opinus Tabuni, aged 35, was part of a peaceful rally celebrating United Nations Indigenous People’s Day on 9 August 2008 in Wamena, Papua province. Also present was the Indonesian police and other security forces. At the end of the rally some members of the crowd raised the United Nations flag, the Indonesian flag, an SOS flag saying Papuan people are in danger and the banned ‘Morning Star’ flag, regarded by Indonesian authorities as a symbol of the Papuan separatist movement.

According to reports, the police responded by using live ammunition to fire warning shots and attempted to remove the flag. Opinus Tabuni was discovered dead by members of the crowd with a bullet wound clearly visible on his chest.

In September 2008, an investigation team formed by the Jakarta branch of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) discovered from the autopsy report that the bullet found in Tabuni’s rib cage was a military bullet. However, since then, family members of Opinus Tabuni have not received any information on the investigations and have been unable to meet the Head of the Regional Police in Papua Province to seek updates on the case.

Amnesty International calls on the Indonesian authorities to ensure a prompt, impartial, independent and transparent investigation to determine how it is that a peaceful protester was shot to death. Those responsible for Opinus Tabuni’s death should be held accountable and the government must ensure his family and dependents receive adequate reparations for their loss.

The police must also ensure that law enforcement officials in Papua apply non-violent means in carrying out their duties and only use force as a last resort, when strictly necessary. These principles, enshrined in international standards such as the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, have also been included in the recent Regulation No. 8 of the Police Chief, signed in June 2009.

Amnesty International also calls on the President and Parliament to set up an independent police complaints mechanism which can supervise and manage investigations conducted by the police. Such a mechanism should also be allowed to carry out their own investigations, particularly in cases where excessive or lethal force has led to injury or death.

Background

Papua, Indonesia’s eastern-most province, has witnessed increased violence in recent months. Three people have been killed, and more than a dozen wounded in a series of incidents near the Freeport gold and copper mine in recent weeks. In April, five people were killed in a series of incidents around the parliamentary elections.

In 2009, Amnesty International continued to document disproportionate and excessive use of force by the police during demonstrations in Papua. On 3 April 2009, police opened fire on a protest demonstration in Nabire, calling for the boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections and investigations into past human rights violations in Papua, injuring at least seven people. On 29 January 2009, also in Nabire, police violently dispersed a demonstration calling for local elections to be held. Police kicked and beat the demonstrators with rattan sticks and rifle butts. Rubber bullets were also used, injuring at least five people. Amnesty International is not aware of any investigation into these incidents.

Amnesty International considers all those who have been detained solely for peacefully displaying the ‘Morning Star’ flag to be prisoners of conscience who should be immediately and unconditionally released.

WEST PAPUAN LEADERS ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RESULT OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM MEETING

WEST PAPUAN LEADERS ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH
THE RESULT OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM MEETING

Leaders of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation were in Cairns North Queensland to push hard for the PIF to grant West Papua Observer Status and also for the forum to discuss many other issues affecting West Papuan people. Meanwhile more human violations are occurring. PIF should never fail to address the issue of West Papua. After all PIF was established to address all the issues affecting the Pacific community, political or otherwise. It is important that leaders of the PIF raise these concerns in order to prevent further violence. Turning away from it will only make it worse. Prior to the PIF meeting they have taken part in a Civil Society Forum on Climate Change where all these issues were discussed and linked as inseparable part of climate change.

Vice Chairman of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, Dr. Otto Ondawame stated the coalition is not happy at all about the way the PIF treated West Papua. “This is hypocrisy; how could they concern themselves about human right and democracy issues in other parts of the world but ignore what is happening next door he asked? By not protesting or even mentioning the violence in West Papua you are infect encourage it to continue”, he said.

The PIF had clearly stated its concerns about the situation in West Papua during its 37th forum meeting in Fiji. We would have hoped that the PIF be consistent with its concerns because the situation is not improving at all. “Regardless of this setback our Coalition will continue to work for a peaceful and dignified solution to the West Papuan issue. We will never stop until once again we become part of the Pacific community as we were when we were member of the South Pacific Commission from 1947 – 1962”, said Mr. Rex Rumakiek, the Secretary General of the WPNCL.

For more information contact: Dr. John Ondawame, on 0439759026 and Rex Rumakiek on 0414247468.

WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COALITION FOR LIBERATION
P.O. Box 1571, Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu, ph: + 678 40808; +61414247468; +61439759026
E-mail: morningstar@vanuatu.com.vu, awulkeweng@yahoo.com, rexruma@hotmail.com

Four Papuans killed by crack troops. Messianic movement promises freedom for Papua

Received from Synod of Christian Evangelical Churches (GKI) in Papua, 7 July 2009
Abridged in translation by TAPOL

Clash in Kapeso leaves four Papuans dead

Following negotiations which failed to convince TPN/OPM koreri (messianic) leaders Decky Imbiri and Nella Yensenem to pull down the Morning Star flags that had been raised in April, troops of Densus 88 (the crack anti-terrorist unit) became involved in a clash with followers of these two who were armed with nothing more than bows and arrows.

This clash between forces with very disparate equipment resulted in the deaths of three Papuans, while eighteen followers of Decky escaped.

Before the Densus unit launched its attack, a Team of local leaders, including the bupati, community leaders and representatives of the GKI and many other churches, had left the coast aboard fifteen boats and sail towards Kapeso, intending to meet up with kampung residents who wanted to return home.

The Team docked 12 kms from Kapeso and waited for the people who wanted to return home. Unbeknown to the team, a speed boat with five people on board entered the Swandi River estuary which leads to Kapeso, intending to carry out traditional rites. All of a sudden, one of them, Benny Suromaja from Kosanaweja kampung was shot bead by an unidentified person who had been hiding in the nearby forest. The victim was carried back home but died later that afternoon.

After hearing all the shooting, 200 troops based nearby quickly took action. Densus 88 troops were ordered to go by police patrol boats to Kapeso where clashes had occurred between men armed with bows and arrows and heavily armed Densus 88 troops.who later said that their equipment had come from abroad.

Kapeso kampung is now occupied by security forces while the roughly one hundred inhabitants have fled to an unknown destination. Reports have been received of many more people being killed by Densus 88 troops, but as yet, the GKI has only been able to identify four of the victims by name. (Names given.)

Background

This Kapeso incident followed the arrival of an elderly woman Nella Yensenam who arrived in Kapseo on 27 November 2007. She claimed to have been ordered by God to create a Kingdom of God on Papuan soil and she anointed a local man Musa Kawena to lead the people across the Mamberamo River, renamed the River of Jordan, into the Promised Land. They set up a church where prayers were led by Nella Yensenem. Attempts by the local cleric to persuade them to leave the church were unsuccessful.

On 3 April, 18 followers of Decky Imbiri joined forces with Nella Yensenem saying that they would lead the Papuans across the Jordan. A month later, they said that they saw signs that would lead them to the United Nations in New York. These were the signs that motivated the people of Kapeso to raise flags on the Kapeso airstrip.

On 21 May, Rev AlberthYoku, the secretary of the GKI synod and other church leaders held talks with Decky Imbiri trying to convince him not to deceive the people into believing that raising the flag would mean that Papua would be free. Such efforts were unwise because people have raised the Morning Star flag on many occasions, many of whom have been killed.

This is a abridged translation of a report prepared by the GKI Church Synod in Papua and translated by TAPOL in the UK

SBY Covered Up Ambush Murder of U.S. Citizens

link – http://etan.org/news/2009/06Timika.htm

SBY Covered Up Ambush Murder of U.S. Citizens

Eben Kirksey, Ph.D., University of California (Santa Cruz)
+1.831.429.8276 or +1.831.600.5937 (English or Bahasa Indonesia)

Paula Makabory, Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (Melbourne)
+61.402.547.517 (English or Bahasa Indoneisa)

John M. Miller, East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (New York)
+1.718.596.7668 (English)

1 July, 2009 – Previously secret U.S. State Department documents
implicate the President of Indonesia in a probable cover-up of an
ambush in West Papua. The documents show Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who
is running for reelection on July 8, maneuvering behind the scenes to
manage the investigation into the August 2002 murder of three
teachers—one Indonesian and two U.S. citizens.

Yudhoyono brought politics into a case that should have just been
about forensic facts,” said Dr. Eben Kirksey, an anthropologist at the
University of California, Santa Cruz and a regional specialist. “The
documents reveal that Yudhoyono initially stalled attempts by the FBI
to launch an independent investigation,” he continued. The U.S.
Congress, outraged at these stalling tactics, blocked funds for
Indonesian military training until there was cooperation with the FBI.

The documents released today add a new twist to a hotly contested
Presidential race.

Yudhoyono is not the only controversial former soldier running in the
presidential election,” said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of
the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network. “Vice presidential
candidates and former generals Wiranto and Prabowo Subianto were
involved in well-documented human rights crimes in East Timor and
throughout Indonesia.”

When a police investigation implicated Indonesian military shooters as
the likely murderers of the schoolteachers, Yudhoyono became involved.
Yudhoyono, a retired General and then the Coordinating Minister of
Political and Security Affairs, wrote to the Charge D’Affaires of the
U.S. Embassy in Jakarta that “I have dispatched a fact finding team
led by one of my deputies to Timika and its surrounding (sic), to find
additional information and other related facts especially on a broader
political and security aspects of the incident.” Timika, the site of
the attack, is in the remote province of Papua, where U.S. mining
giant Freeport McMoRan (FCX) operates a concession.

Yudhoyono’s stalling tactics let the Indonesian military cover their
tracks,” said Paula Makabory, a Papuan human rights activist who
founded the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights in
Australia. “The ‘fact finders’ under his command systematically
intimidated witnesses and tampered with material evidence,” Makabory
continued.

Following high-level negotiations with Bush administration officials,
who promised Indonesia millions in military aid, Yudhoyono allowed the
FBI into his country. “By the time the FBI were granted access the
trail was cold,” said Makabory. “The FBI investigation proceeded
within a narrow framework that fit the Bush administration agenda,”
said Dr. Kirksey.

The Special Agents found a fall man, while tiptoeing around evidence
connecting their man to the Indonesian military,” Kirksey added.

Antonius Wamang, an ethnic Papuan, was indicted by a U.S. grand jury
for his role in the attack. He was apprehended in 2006 by the FBI and
sentenced to life in Indonesian prison. Wamang had extensive ties to
the Indonesian military, according to a peer-reviewed article,
Criminal Collaborations,” co-authored by Dr. Kirksey and Andreas
Harsono, an Indonesian investigative reporter (link below).

The declassified documents disclosed today were obtained through a
Freedom of Information Act Request (FOIA) by Dr. Bradley Simpson of
the National Security Archive. The State Department found 62 documents
relevant to the Timika murders. They released only two of these
documents in full and 20 others “with excisions.” The rest were
withheld. The FBI did not release any documents, writing: “No records
responsive to your FOIA request were located by a search of the
automated indices.” The FBI is notorious for not complying with
Freedom of Information Act requests.

The documents reveal evidence of a cover-up,” said Dr. Kirksey. “The
fact that many relevant documents were not released is more evidence
of the same”

Selections from these documents are published here in seven distinct
sections [links to the PDFs of the documents can be found here:
http://etan.org/news/2009/06Timika.htm

1) Response by the State Department and the FBI to the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) Request

2) Initial Reports About Attackers; Yudhoyono Orders a Quick Response
The first State Department reports about the 2002 attack seriously
entertained two theories: that the perpetrators were Papuan
independence fighters (OPM guerillas) or rogue elements of the
Indonesian military. The documents note that the assault took place on
a foggy mountain road near a military checkpoint and an Army Strategic
Reserve Forces post. Upon learning of the attack, Yudhoyono ordered a
quick response to restore security and to investigate the attack.

The U.S. Embassy noted in a cable to Washington: ”Many Papuan groups
are calling for an independent investigation led by the U.S. Calls for
an independent probe are unrealistic, but we believe that Papua’s
Police Chief, who enjoys a good reputation with Papuan activists (and
U.S.), can conduct a fair investigation.” The Police Chief’s
investigation later indicated that the Indonesian military was
involved. The FBI subsequently launched a separate probe.

3) Attack Victims Treated in Secrecy at Australian Hospital

The survivors of the assault were airlifted out of Indonesia to a
hospital in Townsend, Australia. Here U.S. diplomats, the FBI,
Queensland Police, and the Australian Defense Force kept a tight lid
on the situation—preventing the victims from speaking with the press
and even from contacting family members for the first two days. See:
Tom Hyland, “Lost in the Fog,” The Age, September 28, 2008.
http://www.theage.com.au/world/lost-in-the-fog-20080927-4pb8.html?page=-1

4) Yudhoyono Assumes Coordinating Role in Investigation

Following police reports of Indonesian military involvement, these
documents reveal that Yudhoyono began to play a more active role in
managing and influencing the direction of the investigation. Yudhoyono
met repeatedly with the FBI field investigators, as well as high-level
U.S. diplomats, blocking their initial attempts to gain unmediated
access to witnesses and material evidence. This file includes a letter
from Yudhoyono to the Charge D’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy where he
outlines a strategy for managing the broader political and security
aspects of the incident.

5) Commander-In-Chief Concerned About Washington Post Interview

The Washington Post reported in 2002 that senior Indonesian military
officers, including armed forces commander General Endriartono
Sutarto, had discussed an unspecified operation against Freeport
McMoRan before the ambush in Timika. General Sutarto vehemently denied
that he or any other top military officers had discussed any operation
targeting Freeport. He sued The Washington Post for US$1 billion and
demanded an apology from the paper. Several months after this lawsuit
was settled out of court, The Washington Post asked to interview
Sutarto. This document contains notes from a meeting between the U.S.
Ambassador and Commander-in-Chief Sutarto where this interview request
was discussed: “Clearly concerned, General Sutarto asked why the
Washington Post wanted to interview him, as well as TNI’s Strategic
Intelligence Agency (BAIS) and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN)
Chiefs regarding the Timika case.” See: Ellen Nakashima and Alan
Sipress “Indonesia Military Allegedly Talked of Targeting Mine,” The
Washington Post, November 3, 2002.
http://etan.org/et2002c/november/01-09/03mine.htm

6) Most Important Issue in U.S.-Indonesia Bilateral Relationship

The U.S. Ambassador stressed in a June 2003 meeting with Yudhoyono
that justice in the Timika killings was “the most important issue in
the bilateral relationship.” During this period, FBI agents were given
intermittent access to evidence. Yudhoyono continued to play an active
role in coordinating the political aspects of the investigation.
Taking an unusual personal interest for someone with a Ministerial
level position, Yudhoyono repeatedly met with the FBI case agents the
low-ranking U.S. investigators who were deployed to Timika for field
investigations.

7) Attorney General Ashcroft Suppressed Evidence

On June 24, 2005, Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director
Robert Mueller announced that Antonius Wamang, an ethnic Papuan, was
indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for the Timika murders. The
indictment alleged that Wamang was a “terrorist” who sought
independence from Indonesia. Following this announcement, three
respected human rights groups and indigenous organizations charged
that the U.S. Government suppressed evidence linking Wamang to the
Indonesian military. A peer-reviewed article, titled “Criminal
Collaborations: Antonius Wamang and the Indonesian Military in
Timika,” details the nature of these links. The group called for
Wamang to be given a fair trial in the U.S., rather than in
notoriously corrupt Indonesian courts. See: Eben Kirksey and Andreas
Harsono, “Criminal Collaborations,” South East Asia Research, vol 16,
no 2. http://skyhighway.com/~ebenkirksey/writing/Kirksey-Harsono_Timika.pdf

etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan

John M. Miller Internet: etan@igc.org
National Coordinator

East Timor & Indonesia Action Network
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Mobile: (917)690-4391
Skype: john.m.miller Web: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810

Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet

– oooooooooooooooooooooo S. Eben Kirksey, Ph.D. NSF Post-Doctoral Fellow 2008-2010 Web: people.ucsc.edu/~skirksey/ Direct-line: +1.831.600.5937 Projects: http://www.skyhighway.com/~multispecies/

West Papuan Political Prisoner is physically abused by Public Prosecutors and Police in Jayapura Courthouse

Human Rights Report                             23April 2009

West Papuan Political Prisoner is physically abused by Public Prosecutors and Police in Jayapura Courthouse

Indonesian Public Prosecutors have triggered an attack against a Political Prisoner,  Buchtar Tabuni,  at the Jayapura District Court, 22 April 2009, in Jayapura, West Papua

On Thursday 22 April 2009, Buchtar Tabuni, was taken by members of the public prosecution team and police from prison to attend a hearing of his trial at the Jayapura District Court. The hearing was scheduled to hear the testimony of an expert witness.

Upon entry to the courthouse Buchtar requested to be put in the cell at the back of the court.  He said that wished to see his defense lawyer’s as had been the usual practice before the trial commenced. Team members of public prosecutor and police responded to his request with repressive actions by dragging and beating Buchtar and forcing him into the court cell.

During the incident Buchtar Tabuni said he was held tightly by 3 of the team members of public prosecutor office while he was attacked by members of the Indonesian Police and Indonesia security forces intelligent agents, who were wearing civilian’s clothes and carrying pistols. The Police and intelligence agents beat him and kicked him.  This resulted in him suffering back and backbone pain and a wound to his left arm and blisters on his feet.  A witness also independently verified that he saw the members of public prosecutor drag Buchtar forcefully and police beat him.

Buchtar said that he was trying to protect his head and face from the attackers while being held and dragged.   Buchtar said that members of public prosecutor who were holding his arms had also laid their hands on him. He said that he was hit by a hard object at his back and his arm when he covering his head during the attack. This was confirmed with the medical report (Fig.2 below), that states 1.there is a scratch wound at left elbow; 2.there is a pain in the back bone; 3.there is a pain oat the leg marks of beaten. The diagnose states there is a wound (ulkus luka) and marks of in sharp object (trauma tumpul).

One of Buchtar’s defense lawyers said the hearing was cancelled because the expert witness did not show up.  He said that Buchtar Tabuni’s defense team was angry at the police and members of public prosecutors because these two institutions used violence against their client.

He said that the incident happened while team of defense lawyers were waiting in their room and had not realized that Buchtar had been taking to the courthouse through another gate (not the usual one).   The defense lawyer also reported that 80% of the courtroom was stacked by Indonesian security forces members, including intelligent agents.

The defense lawyer said that in front of judges, the public prosecutor pronounced that he got a direct order from his superior (office of Chief Public Prosecutor) to bring Buchtar through non-formal gate, but did not state a clear reason for this change of procedure. The Judge asked the Public Prosecutor to take Buchtar Tabuni to the hospital and that he be checked by a doctor immediately.

Instead Buchtar was taken to Abepura prison by Public Prosecutor and left there. His defense lawyers came at the prison and asked officials of the prison to provide a medical treatment and check (visum report) in the prison for Buchtar.

Buchtar received a medical check by a nurse, appointed to work as a health worker in the prison.   Some of his defense team then went to the police office to report the incident.

On 18 February 2009, Buchtar Tabuni (30) had been charged under article 106 of the Criminal Code regarding ‘makar’ or ‘subversion’, Article 160 of the Criminal Code regarding acts of incitement (rebellion) and article 212 of the Criminal Code regarding resisting personnel of the state, on his first trial. Buchtar Tabuni was arrest on 2 December 2008 in relation to a mass demonstration, which occurred in Jayapura supporting the establishment of International Parliamentarians for West Papua, which took place in London of 15 October 2008.

Paula Makabory from Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights said today,  “This attack on Buchtar Tabuni shows the fundamental bias in the Indonesian judiciary system in courts prosecuting West Papuan political prisoners.  There is little hope that Indonesian judicial procedure will bring about a fair or safe trial for Buchtar Tabuni and the many other West Papuan political prisoners.”

“A culture of injustice, persecution and Human Rights abuse exists within Indonesian state institutions which are hostile to West Papuan people.  Indonesian state institutions, such as public prosecutors office and the court system, which have obligations under International law and Indonesia’s national laws to ensure justice for West Papuan people are actually at the fore front of the attack on the indigenous people of West Papua and their civil & political rights.”

Reported by Paula Makabory
Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights (IPAHR)

For  further information contact:

Paula Makabory   (+61) 402 547 517; or

Buchtar Lawyers for Indo interview:
1.    Gustaf Kawer (+62) 813 1915 0718
2.    Peter Ell (+62) 8124 808 500
buchtar-tabuni230409-photo

Gayana: Human rights lawyers pressing for West Papua self determination

Stabroeknews Gayana

Friday, April 10, 2009

Human rights lawyers pressing for West Papua self determination
By Stabroek staff | April 9, 2009 in Local News

The International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) formally launched in Guyana on Friday to continue its efforts to help West Papua to “exercise peacefully their fundamental human rights and the freedoms guaranteed by international law.”

In a press release the group which comprises a network of international lawyers, said it launched here at the request of the West Papuans in recognition of Guyana’s support of its “freedom and self-determination” 40 years ago. Guyana is also recognised internationally for the progress made in settling land rights and respecting the self-determination of Amerindian peoples.

The ILWP is dedicated to helping the indigenous people of West Papua to exercise freely their fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by human rights standards including the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

West Papua forms the western half of New Guinea, the world’s second largest island and one of the most culturally diverse areas in the world. There is a line down the middle of the island and the same Papuan peoples, who are ethnically and culturally distinct from the Asian peoples of the neighbouring Indonesian archipelago, have occupied both sides of the island for thousands of years.

Papua New Guinea is a free and independent sovereign state. In 1962 the Dutch colonial government transferred administration of West Papua to the UN who subsequently handed over administrative responsibility to Indonesia. According to the release “This transfer was subject to the condition that the indigenous West Papuans should have the right to exercise their self-determination within 5 years.”

However, in 1969 Indonesia held an “Act of Free Choice” where the government had selected 1022 Papuans from a population of nearly 1M people and forced them to declare that West Papua wanted to remain with Indonesia. This “Act of Free Choice” violated international law and the fundamental right to self-determination guaranteed by the UN Charter and the international community. The right had also been recognised by Indonesia in a bilateral treaty – the New York Agreement 1962.

West Papua is now occupied territory, annexed by Indonesia in 1969. Under Indonesia rule basic freedoms have been denied and Amnesty International estimates that over 100,000 people have died as a result. “Merely flying the Papuan flag is considered an act of treason by Indonesia [and] can result in 15 years imprisonment,” the release said.

The ILWP said it remains steadfast in ensuring that the West Papuans can enjoy the legal freedoms and rights that underpin all free and democratic societies. The group said too its members work closely with the International Parliamentarians for West Papua to ensure that basic human rights are upheld.

Report ends;

Aditonal information

‘International Lawyers for West Papua’ (www.ilwp.org) launches tomorrow
in South America, with a series of meetings taking place that will
continue until 5th April. A number of prominent international lawyers
have gathered for the occasion, and will lay out the legal framework and
rights for Papuan self-determination.

(www.ilwp.org)