Massive cash injections in West Papua, but healthcare remains dire

Papuan

Jayapura … healthcare, housing, sanitation and public infrustructure neglected as concerns grow over West Papua’s “missing millions”. Image: Pacific-Tier Communications

Pacific Scoop: Report – By Ryan Dagur

When Emanuel Esema’s 15-year-old brother developed swollen limbs recently he did not even think of taking him to receive medical attention. Their home in West Papua’s Yahukimo district is remote – 800 km from the provincial capital Jayapura and at least three days on foot to the nearest clinic.

“I decided to find medicines myself in the forest,” said Esema.

His younger brother never recovered. He is among a growing number of Papuans who have died due to lack of medical services in this remote corner of the country amid a growing scandal which has put both the central and regional authorities under severe scrutiny.

In Tambrauw, West Papua, alone as many as 95 people have died in the past six months due to a lack of medical facilities, according to Nusantra Traditional Community Alliance (AMAN), an NGO.

There were three community health centers here but they closed down in 2010 due to a lack of personnel, according to AMAN.

Critics of the government say that the budget numbers for this restive corner of Indonesia simply do not add up.

Since Papua became a special autonomous area in the far east of the country in 2001, more than 46.7 trillion rupiah (US$4.9 billion) has been spent on development projects, including hospitals and schools.

Development “acceleration”

This year the central government allocated the same amount again as part of a development acceleration programme for Papua and West Papua.

Dorus Wakum, coordinator of the Community of Papuans Against Corruption (Kampak) said that its investigations showed that only about 50 percent of this money is being used as intended.

“The rest is in the hands of local officials,” he says.

In 2010, 43 legislators in West Papua province and 23 in Papua province became suspects of corruption cases involving the special autonomy budget.

But activists who try to investigate and expose these failings face repression and, in some cases, victimization. Yohanis Mambrasar and his father Hans Mambarasar have been compiling a dossier of local deaths due to lack of medical care in the Tambrauw district.

On April 8, police in Sausapor sub-district went to their house in Werur village, bundled them into a pickup truck and took them to the police station where they were interrogated separately for hours.

“The two police officers asked Yohanis about organisations in Papua which are against the Indonesian government, as well as the names of the organisations he is working with,” Asian Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

Health action urgent

Rights activist Father John Djonga of Jayapura diocese, who conducts daily visits to remote villages, said that health is just the most urgent and apparent problem here.

“Recent deaths show government failure,” he said, adding that most Papuans are trapped in poverty in remote areas with scarcity a normal part of everyday life.

Many people in Papua must rely on what they grow in their immediately locality to survive, which typically means a diet of sweet potatoes, bananas and coconuts.

NGOs have in recent month cited malnutrition as a major factor in the high mortality rates seen in many areas.

The government has blamed the geography of Papua for the recent controversy surrounding the large number of recorded deaths.

“The transportation infrastructure is very limited,” said Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi.

Activist Zely Ariane, coordinator of NGO National Papuan Solidarity, agreed that at more than 319,000 sq kms Papua represents a huge area.

“But don’t make it an excuse not to serve Papuans.”

Source: UCANews

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Indonesian military ‘development’ programme spreads fear in West Papua

Rev.S. Sofyan Yoman

Papuan leaders have voiced their concern at plans for more than a thousand Indonesian soldiers to build 1,500 km of new roads in the next two years to accelerate ‘development’ in West Papua.

The government claims that unrest in the region is caused by a lack of ‘development’, while Papuans blame their problems on the violation of their political and human rights. Survival International, the NGO which campaigns for the rights of tribal people, and many Papuans fear that the influx of soldiers will bring neither development nor peace to the region.

One Papuan leader, Rev Socratez Yoman, told Survival, ‘The West Papuans do not need big roads, but a better life on their own land, without intimidation, terror, abuses and killings’.

Another leader, Markus Haluk, warned that the roads would open up the forests to illegal logging, much of it likely to be at the hands of the military.

The military presence in West Papua is almost always accompanied by human rights violations such as killings, arbitrary arrests, rape and torture.

So-called ‘development’ has already inflicted enormous damage to the Papuan people. Despite the presence of the world’s biggest gold mine, West Papua remains the poorest region in Indonesia with an HIV/AIDS rate thought to be 20 times higher than the rest of the country. Many of the cases of HIV/AIDS can be traced back to the commercial sex industry, which has accompanied the arrival of migrant workers in the fishing, logging and mining industries.

Many Papuans believe that the military have a vested interest in introducing HIV/AIDS in West Papua and see it as an attempt at ethnic cleansing. In some areas the military have supplied alcohol and prostitutes to bribe tribal leaders in order to gain access to their land and its resources. The disease is devastating some tribes. Rates are especially high in areas where so-called ‘development’ has already taken place, such as close to the US- and British-owned Grasberg mine.

Survival International is calling on the government of Indonesia to end human rights violations in West Papua and to enter into meaningful talks with the Papuan people so they are able to decide their own way of life, their own development priorities and their own future.[Ekk/4]

Source: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18325

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Pelayanan Kesehatan di Papua Kembali Digugat

Pastor Jhon Jonga

Jayapura - Kematian 62 warga di Distrik Samenage, Yahukimo, Papua, yang terjadi selama Januari-Maret 2013 menimbulkan kedukaan dalam dunia kesehatan. Kematian tersebut bukan disebabkan tidak adanya tenaga medis, tetapi buruknya pelayanan kesehatan di sana. Pelayanan kesehatan di Papua kembali digugat.

Peraih Yap Thiam Hien Award 2009 bidang Penegakan Hak Asasi Manusia, Pastor Jhon Jonga saat dihubungi wartawan Suara Pembaruan dari Jayapura, Papua, Senin (22/4) pagi, menyatakan kinerja tenaga medis yang buruk tersebut tak pernah mendapat perhatian serius pemerintah. Pengawasan tenaga media di Papua sangat minim.

“Sejak pertama membuka persoalan ke publik, sama sekali saya tidak menyebutkan bahwa kematian warga akibat wabah penyakit. Yang menjadi persoalan di Distrik Samenage adalah rendahnya kualitas pelayanan kesehatan terhadap masyarakat,” katanya.

Dia mengaku tak ingin berdebat soal jumlah warga yang meninggal. “Data yang kami peroleh, 62 orang meninggal, sedangkan temuan Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Yahukimo, 26 orang. Data yang kami miliki sudah diklarifikasi ke pihak keluarga. Sebagian korban meninggal karena rendahnya kualitas pelayanan kesehatan. Yang terpenting adalah bagaimana tindak lanjut dari situasi ini,” ujarnya.

Pastor Jhon Jonga menegaskan penyampaian informasi ke publik tentang warga Yahukimo yang meninggal akibat buruknya pelayanan kesehatan tidak dilandasi motif politik untuk menjatuhkan nama baik Pemerintah Kabupaten Yahukimo.

“Itu tidak menjadi tujuan pekerjaan kami. Yang kami inginkan agar perubahan yang lebih baik dari pemerintah dalam melaksanakan tanggung jawab pelayanan kepada masyarakat. Tidak hanya dalam bidang kesehatan, tetapi juga pendidikan, ekonomi, dan sosial, yang memang dari temuan kami di Distrik Samenage tidak terlaksana dengan baik,” ujarnya.

Sementara itu, anggota Majelis Rakyat Papua Barat, Tjonci Wolas Krenak menyesalkan sikap pemerintah pusat yang kurang memperhatikan pelayanan kesehatan di Papua.

“Kami seperti anak tiri. Banyak korban meninggal di Papua, tetapi minim perhatian pemerintah pusat,” tegasnya.

 

Sumber: http://www.beritasatu.com/

 

 

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Political Prisoners papua, seem to does not handled seriously

 By H.E. Kurt Alleyne - Ambassador for Humanitarian Affairs

H.E. Kurt Alleyne

Detained person in Papua Region are seemingly not being greatly addressed greatly. 

Why are many governments standing by watching the imprisonment of persons occur when there is in fact very little reasoning for this to be happening other than that Government Officials are effectively attempting to silence any dissent. Numerous Papuan persons have been held without fair trial as per their human rights and are very often the victims of grievous criminality whilst detained.

The overall situation whilst having been placed with several offices is still seeing arrests continue that are evidently politically motivated. Excessive prison terms are being demanded very often with charges being somewhat tailored and this is taking away the lawful means of any trial as said charges are not realistic nor representative of the factual act , itself very often fabricated to many degrees.

There is a great need for many of the Political Prisoners to be released from detention and given back their liberty so they may resume as best possible their lives. Whilst this is of upmost importance there has to be serious addressing of how or indeed why such imprisonment is being permitted. A number of Organisations are indeed working to alleviate these ongoing matters and are comprised of UNCHR , NGO bodies and other designated persons including Activists, Lawyers among others. There must be measures taken that will much more ensure the safety and well being of the Papuan Population. Greatly required as stated is that all such political prisoners be rightly released whilst having been compensated for the grievous and unwarranted nature of their detention.

Rights of the Prisoners are being violated as assaults of varying degrees are occurring which have no justification and these should themselves find the perpetrators arrested and charged to ensure that justice is seen to be given on behalf of all those that have suffered great indignities. There must be cohesive working arrangements made and concerted efforts continued to gain and uphold the required changes to better protect the populos. I sincerely believe that closer working relations must be established as a matter of urgency so information is more easily correlated and acted upon as having separate organisations not speaking together in a regular manner that is established simply leaves others not knowing what in fact has been addressed and to what degree. This reduces the effectiveness of persons acting on behalf of the Papuan Population and uses vital resources that could be better utilized to address other matters of concern of said population(s).

Source:  H.E. Amb'd Kurt Alleyne ( Goodwill Ambassador for Humanitarian Affairs

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Fighting for a forgotten cause in West Papua

West Papua's 50-year struggle for independence from Indonesia is one of the world's longest-running conflicts. Exiled activist Benny Wenda is trying to draw attention to it, this time with a peaceful message.

Wearing his Papuan patterned shirt, Benny Wenda cuts an unmistakable figure on the streets of Melbourne, Australia. He's currently halfway through his latest global tour, trying to raise awareness for the issue of West Papua.

There is both a sense of peaceful resilience and some exasperation when he explains what the situation is like for West Papuans.

"Every single day you cannot go hunting or gardening, everywhere you go there is a military post, everywhere," he says. "Everywhere you go, intelligence is watching and intelligence monitor what you do."

West Papua is situated on the island of New Guinea, just north of Australia. Formerly a Dutch colony, the region was effectively transferred to Indonesian administration in 1962 under a treaty drafted by the United States. In a controversial 1969 vote, Indonesia was given full control. Since then, conflict has been ongoing between the militant Free Papua Movement organization and Indonesian troops.

West Papua is situated on the island of New Guinea at the eastern end of Indonesia

 

Standing up for a cause

Wenda was born in the Baliem Valley in the central highlands of West Papua in 1975. He says he was forced to witness human rights violations committed by Indonesian forces from a young age.

"My aunt was raped in front of my own eyes," he says. "My mum was beaten up in front of me. I was five years old. I couldn't do anything. I just cried."

When the Indonesian military bombed Benny's village in the late 1970s, his family, along with thousands of other highlanders, was forced to live in hiding in the jungle.

It was these experiences that fuelled his passion to search for the truth and to try to free his people from this oppression.

"That's when I stood up and said, 'This is not fair,'" Wenda explains. "I went to school, I studied and I started to fight back to free my people."

Wenda became a leader of his tribal assembly in 1999, during a period known as the "Papuan Spring," which saw an increase in peaceful demonstrations for independence.

Not long afterwards he landed in prison, arrested for supposedly planning an attack on a police station and burning two shops during rioting in 2000. He says his imprisonment was politically motivated and that the trial was unjust. The non-governmental organization Fair Trials International supports his claims.

While in jail he composed a song for his supporters. One of the lines of the song goes, "How can I help my people now that I am locked up?"

After months of solitary confinement, Wenda managed to escape. He fled to Papua New Guinea and was later assisted by a European NGO to travel to the UK, where he was granted political asylum.

Campaigning for change

In exile, Wenda set up the "Free West Papua" campaign, which seeks self-determination for West Papua and an end to human rights abuses, which he says are worsening. Twenty-two activists were killed last year alone, he adds.

A Dani tribeswoman from West Papua stands beside bead necklaces and traditional bags called "noken"

 

Some estimates say that as many as 500,000 Papuans have been killed since Indonesia took control, and human rights organizations continue to receive reports of rights violations committed by Indonesian forces.

"The human rights situation is getting worse, everyday," Wenda says. "West Papuans are dying on the street at the hands of police. By killing Papuans they get rank and they get promotions."

Much of the Indonesian and global interest in West Papua is based on its vast natural resources, exploited for gold, copper, oil and logging. This economic interest, coupled with the strategic relationships many countries have with Indonesia, appears to help keep the issue of West Papua out of the spotlight.

Spreading the word

Wenda is now pushing for greater access for the foreign media and human rights organizations when working in West Papua.

"For the last 50 years journalists have been banned," he says. "Why is Indonesia scared of allowing journalists in? Are they hiding something? If they promote democracy, then a democratic country should be able to allow in any journalist."

The Indonesian embassy in Australia declined DW's request for comment on Benny Wenda. Regarding media access to West Papua they said there was no ban on foreign media, adding that six journalists were allowed to visit in the last two years.

As a political leader in exile, Benny Wenda continues to receive information from leaders inside West Papua and he uses his international campaign to bring their message to politicians and communities around the world.

"My message is simple," he says. "My people have been crying for freedom for the last 50 years. The world needs to open their eyes and listen to my people's cry for freedom."

"I strongly believe that people power will change things, and one day my people will be free."

Full News: http://www.dw.de/fighting-for-a-forgotten-cause-in-west-papua/a-16701714

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Tapol Filep Karma Prihatin Demokrasi di Papua

Tapol Papua Filep Karma (Photo MS)

Jayapura OneNews,--Filep Karma, Tahanan Politik (Tapol) Papua mengungkapkan keprihatinannya atas terbumkamnya demokrasi di tanah Papua sejak tahun 1969. Kata dia, ketika sebuah wilayah diisolasi apa saja bisa terjadi dan dunia lain tidak tahu. 

 

Salah satu contoh besar menurut dia adalah pemilihan gubernur pada 29 Januari 2013 lalu tanpa pemantau independen baik dari Papua, Jakarta maupun dari dunia internasional. Selain itu, kata dia, tidak ada media asing yang memonitor pelaksanaan Pilkada. 

"Saya melihat pengawasan lemah sejak proses awal karena  tidak ada pengawas independen dari Papua, nasional maupun internasional. Juga, tidak ada LSM atau jurnalis internasional yang meliput proses ini,"kata Filep Karma beberapa waktu lalu di Lapas Klas IIA Abepura, Jayapura.

Ia menilai, proses demokrasi di Papua tidak semakin baik. Agenda negara saja berjalan tidak demokratis, bagaimana dengan agenda-agenda protes rakyat atas carut-marutnya kondisi Papua saat ini.  Rakyat Papua benar-benar terisolasi dari pemberitaan media di Indonesia dan media asing sejak Papua dipaksakan bergabung dengan Indonesia. 

Kata dia, dalam proses demokrasi yang tidak ada pemantau independen baik LSM maupun jurnalis, tidak akan ada pendidikan demokrasi. Masyarakatnya tidak akan berkembang baik. 

Ini adalah cara pembunuhan dalam bentuk lain yang pelan tetapi pasti. Masyaralat tetap dibuatnya tidak berkembang secara demokrasi. 

Kata dia, mestinya cara-cara Orde Baru mulai harus ditinggalkan. Ini adalah cara-cara Orde baru, kata  Karma yang mengaku tidak mendukung proses Pilgub yang baru saja berlalu karena baginya itu memilih budak-budak yang memperpanjang kolonialisme Indonesia di Tanah Papua. (Aprila Wayar/MS)

Tentang Filep Karma: KLIK

Belajar dari Filep Karma: KLIK

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Lagi Puncak Jaya Memanas, 1 Warga Ditembak TNI dan 2 wanita diperkosa

Operasi TNI/Polri di Papua

Jayapura, Onenews,-- Puncak Jaya Papua kembali memanas, Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) menembak mati satu warga sipil orang asli Papua asal Distrik Tingginambut, saat korban sedang berjalan di Kampung Yamo, ia ditembak oleh TNI  berkisar jarak 100 M dari Pos TNI Distrik Tingginambut. Korban mengenai Peluru tima panas tembus paha kanan, dan  korban sementara masih kritis.

Korban yang di Tembak TNI adalah warga sipil Distrik Tingginambut atas nama Wundiwili Tabuni (25Th). Peristiwa ini terjadi tanggal (21/03/2013) waktu setempat.

Kata sumber kepada WPNLA, “Sebelum Wundiwili ditembak TNI, Anggota TNI di Distrik Tingginambut di Yamo, ada 1 tank-tank dan naikan bendera merah putih. Mereka bilang kalau orang Papua lewat sini kami akan tembak”. Ujarnya.

Sumber lain mengaku hal itu disampaikan kepada sumber oleh salah satu prajurit TNI kepada sumber yang namanya tidak mau dimuat di WNLA, tetapi diijinkan untuk marganya ditulis adalah Tabuni.

Korban Pemerkosaan 2 Wanita

 

Selain itu, pada hari Sabtu (23/03/2013), terjadi perkosaan terhadap 2 wanita oleh TNI dari Pos Distrik Tingginambut kesatuan 753 Nabire. 

2 korban permekosaan diantaranya, Regina Murib (25Th) dan Weresina Tabuni (22Th) warga Distrik Tingginambut.

Dua wanita korban pemerkosaan TNI nama Regina Murib diperkosa oleh 5 Prajurit TNI dari kesatuan 753 Nabire yang ditugaskan di Distrik Tingginambut.  Kemudian korban Weresina diperkosa oleh 10 Prajurit TNI 753 Nabire. Hal itu dilaporkan salah satu keluarga korban dari Mulia setelah ia mendapat informasi peristiwa tersebut, melalui via telpon seluler kepada WPNLA.

Ditanya kepada sumber terkait peristiwa penembakan Wuniwili apakah benar terjadi? Sumber mengatakan “itu betul Wundiwili Ditembak oleh TNI saya juga dengar informasi itu”. Ujarnya, kepada Admin WPNLA.

Tentara Nasional Indonesia Memancing Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat, dengan cara menembak masyarakat sipil dan perkosa wanita secara tidak manusiawi. 

Hal ini TNI melanggar HAM, karena TNI yang melakukan perlawanan masyarakat sipil, padahal harusnya TPN-OPM yang menewaskan TNI. 

Jika TNI mau balas dendam bukan kepada masyarakat sipil, tetapi carilah TPN-OPM. Apalagi wanita yang tidak tau apa-apa diperkosa. Hal ini benar-benar melanggar Hak Asasi Manusia oleh TNI 753 di Puncak Jaya.

Sebetulnya, jika para TNI melakukan perlawanan terhadap TPN-OPM tidak salah, jangan terhadap masyarakat sipil. Perlawanan atau perang yang terjadi di Puncak Jaya antara TPN-OPM dan TNI adalah sesuai hukum perang alias Geneva Convention. 

Sebab TPN-OPM melakukan perlawanan untuk mempertahankan keutuhan bangsa Papua untuk merdeka dan berdaulat Penuh seperti Negara-negara merdeka di dunia. 

Sedangkan TNI mempertahankan keutuhan NKRI Papua sebagai bagian dari NKRI tetapi Indonesia memaksakan kehendak orang pribumi Papua, untuk Papua bagian dari NKRI adalah tidak benar.

Akhirnya, setelah terjadinya Peritiwa penembakan pada (21/03/2013) dan pemerkosaan terhadap dua wanita (23/03/3013). Situasi di Puncak Jaya memanas saat ini, keluarga korban kesulitan perawatan korban tembak Wundiwili, dan dua wanita korban perkosaan mengalami sakit. Mohon perhatian da advokasi atas pelanggaran HAM di Distrik Tingginambut Kabupaten Puncak Jaya. Harap para pembelah HAM menyuarakan hal ini dengan serius.

Admin WPNLA 2013-03

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U.S. Try referendum for West Papua!

Mantan Merlu AS Hilary Clinton

Jakarta worry: "I would suggest that Indonesian Foreign Minister sent a letter of protest to the U.S. government for intervention by the Indonesian nation's sovereignty," he explained.

Onepapua,-- Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marty Natalagewa have protested the statement of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are worried about the human rights situation in Papua.
 
"Hillary's statement was the U.S. intervention in Indonesia," said intelligence analysts as reported by AC Manullang indonesiatoday.in, Monday, November 14, 2011.
 
According to AC Manullang, the U.S. Government has been implementing a strategy to release Papuan Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (Republic of Indonesia). "Human rights will be the reason the United States filed a referendum for the people of Papua," he explained.
 
Manullang said, due to the statement of Hillary, European countries as well as support groups in various countries of Papua will urge Indonesia to conduct a referendum for Papua.
 
"In the international world are of opinion, the need for a referendum for Papua because many human rights violations," said Manullang.
 
Fears of Indonesia

In response to a statement by U.S. Secretary, said Manullang, the Government of Indonesia must be firm with the United States.
 
"I would suggest that Indonesian Foreign Minister sent a letter of protest to the U.S. government having to intervene Nation sovereignty of Indonesia," he explained.
 
He continued, assertiveness Indonesia will be a boost for the government of SBY recently had popular support continues to decline.
 
"If the government of SBY act firmly against the United States, the people of Indonesia will support it," added Manullang.
 
Earlier, the United States Government, through the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton responded to the turmoil that continues in Papua. Hillary Clinton, on Friday, 11 November 2011, expressed concern about the state of human rights in Papua.  

Former U.S. first lady's call for a dialogue to meet the aspirations of the people in the conflict areas.

 

Source: http://www.islamtimes.org/vdcgzu9xtak9tu4.1ira.html

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Organisasi HAM menyerukan kepada HAM PBB Masalah Eskalasi kekerasan di Papua Barat

Dewan HAM PBB di Jenewa / Foto Vmision

Oleh: Christopher Dinding
The Dewan HAM PBB di Jenewa / Foto: Amerika Serikat Mission Jenewa, melalui Wikimedia Commons
Geneva NewsToday-- Termasuk VEM dan Papua Barat network - Dalam sebuah pernyataan kepada Dewan HAM PBB hari ini, berbagai organisasi hak asasi manusia telah menyatakan keprihatinan mereka pada eskalasi kekerasan di Papua Barat." 

"Di bawah kedok anti-terorisme strategi sejak musim panas lalu ada gelombang penganiayaan terhadap aktivis politik dan pembela HAM dan pembela, kebebasan berpendapat. Dengan penangkapan sewenang-wenang dan tanpa dasar hukum dan Mereka mempertanyakan dan harus dihentikan. yang di kutip http://www.vemission.org/   selasa 13/03/13."

Penyiksaan di penjara
"Pada tanggal 21 Januari 20 tahanan di penjara Abepura terkenal, di mana para tahanan politik ditahan banyak orang Papua dan telah disiksa. Dia telah dipukuli dengan Elektrojabeln. Meskipun itu adalah hal yang baik bahwa dalam episode setidaknya Gefängsnisleitung itu telah ditangguhkan".  

"Namun, dalam rangka untuk mengakhiri iklim impunitas di Papua Barat pada prinsipnya, perlu bahwa pelaku akan bertanggung jawab dan dengan mereka semua yang lain yang menyiksa, pelecehan, mengintimidasi atau bertanggung jawab atas pelanggaran hak asasi manusia".

Berdasar tuduhan
"Berada di kasus lain 15 Februari menangkap tujuh di Papua Depapre dan dibawa ke kantor polisi di ibukota provinsi Jayapura. Bahkan para tahanan yang dituduh kontak dengan aktivis terendam telah disiksa selama interogasi. Lima dari mereka yang ditangkap dibebaskan keesokan harinya, Daniel Gobay dan Matan Klembiab tidak berdasar tetapi kepemilikan senjata tajam didakwa".

Pastor ditangkap"Pada tanggal 2 Maret adalah pastor Gobai Yunus, mantan kepala Kingmi Nabire Gereja Maranatha, di Pania kabupaten dipukuli oleh polisi dan ditangkap. Meskipun menurut template Asian Human Rights Commission ada tuduhan bahwa polisi telah menuntut masih satu juta rupee (sekitar 80 euro) untuk pembebasannya".

Kekerasan Mematikan
"Yang bertanda organisasi menyayangkan eskalasi terus kekerasan di Papua Barat. Pada tahun lalu telah terjadi kasus kekerasan antara pasukan keamanan Indonesia, milisi dan warga sipil, di mana beberapa kematian di semua sisi".  

"Pemerintah Indonesia diminta sehingga untuk menerima proses perdamaian penuh dan setara, dalam rangka untuk memutus siklus kekerasan. Dalam konteks ini perlu disambut bahwa Presiden Indonesia telah menyatakan beberapa kali untuk berdialog dengan orang Papua".

Rekomendasi oleh Hak Asasi ManusiaOrganisasi HAM merekomendasikan kepada Dewan HAM PBB untuk mendesak pemerintah Indonesia untuk:

1. Aktif untuk dialog damai dengan penggunaan Papua bawah iringan netral, sebagai aktivis perdamaian dan non-pribumi penduduk permintaan Papua Barat, sehingga ada solusi yang berkelanjutan bagi masyarakat di Papua Barat".
2. "Untuk memungkinkan pergerakan bebas untuk Papua, tidak hanya untuk wisatawan, tetapi juga bagi wartawan asing, sebagai pengamat independen telah menyerukan untuk beberapa waktu. Hanya sebagai pelaporan independen mungkin - wartawan lokal hidup melalui laporan kritis dalam bahaya konstan".
3. Semua tahanan politik dibebaskan, sehingga membuat dialog yang tulus dan partisipatif dengan semua kelompok yang relevan bisa.

Published News: http://www.vemission.org/

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Usai Port Moresby, Selanjutnya Port Villa, Tujuan Kampanye Benny Wenda

Benny Wenda J. Robinson

Numbay OneNews,-- Benny Wenda, pemimpin Papua Barat dan pelobi internasional untuk kemerdekaan Papua Barat ddijadwalkan tiba di Port Vila besok.

 

Benny Wenda akan tinggal di Port Vila selama beberapa hari. Sesuai dengan program yang dirancang, saat kedatangan Wenda besok (12/3) sore,Pemimpin Masyarakat Adat Vanuatu akan berada di bandara untuk menyambutnya. Kemudian, upacara selamat datang resmi yang diselenggarakan oleh Ketua Dewan Kota Port Vila  akan diadakan di AOS Nakamal.

Wenda dijadwalkan bertemu dengan Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), dan akan menjadi Tamu Khusus dalam Konferensi Pers yang diselenggarakan oleh Asosiasi Media Vanuatu (MAV) di sore hari.

Pada Selasa pagi, Pendiri Kampanye Kemerdekaan Papua Barat akan melakukan kunjungan resmi ke VANGO dimana masyarakat Vanuatu memiliki kesempatan untuk menyuarakan keprihatinan mereka atas isu-isu kemerdekaan Papua Barat. Benny Wenda juga mendapatkan kesempatan untuk melakukan tur Port Vila yang diselenggarakan dan dipimpin oleh Vete Indigenous Historical Association (VIHA) pada Rabu pagi.

Pada bulan Juni 2010, Parlemen Vanuatu memilih untuk mendukung Papua Barat untuk menentukan nasib sendiri dan diberikan status pengamat di Melanesian Spearhead Group and Pertemuan Puncak Pacific Island Forum.

Radio Australia pernah melaporkan bahwa, Perwakilan Papua Barat di Melbourne, Ronny Kerani secara khusus menyebutkan Vanuatu menjadi salah satu negara yang telah mendorong isu kemerdekaan Papua di PBB.

Benny Wenda akan meninggalkan Vanuatu pada hari Kamis pagi, setelah sebuah acara perpisahan yang akan diselenggarakan oleh VIHA pada Rabu malam. (Jubi/Victor Mambor)

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West Papuan Independence leader to visit Vanuatu

 By. Glenda Shing 

Benny Wenda

West Papuan tribal leader and international lobbyist for the independence of West Papua from Indonesia, Benny Wenda, is scheduled to arrive in Port Vila tomorrow.

The Free West Papuan activist is expected to stay in Port Vila for a week, and according to the program drafted for the occasion, upon the arrival of Wenda tomorrow afternoon, Vanuatu Kastom Chiefs will be at the airport to welcome him. Later on, an official welcome ceremony organised by the Port Vila Town Council of Chiefs will be held at the Chief’s Nakamal.

On Monday, the West Papuan Independence leader is scheduled to meet with the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), and will be the special Guest in a Press Conference organised by Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) in the afternoon.

On Tuesday morning, the Founder of the Free West Papuan Campaign will make an official visit to VANGO. Members of the Public will have the opportunity to voice their concerns over the West Papuan independence issues, and again, Wenda will be the special Guest, held at the Chief’s Nakamal 4pm, Tuesday.

Wenda will also have the opportunity to tour Port Vila organised and led by Vete Indigenous Historical Association (VIHA) on Wednesday morning.

In June 2010, Vanuatu’s Parliament voted to support West Papua’s indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, seeking to have its independence noted and observer status granted at the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Pacific Island Forum leaders’ summit meeting.

Radio Australia reported that, Melbourne representative of the Free West Papua Movement, Ronny Kerani specifically named Vanuatu being one of the countries to have pushed the issue of Papuan independence to the United Nations, and labeled Vanuatu as one country that had gone “behind closed doors” with Indonesia.

A farewell gathering is to be hosted by VIHA on Wednesday evening and Wenda will depart from Vanuatu on Thursday morning.

A leading figure in the region’s independence movement, Benny Wenda served as a special representative to both the British Parliament and the United Nations. He was detained in 2002 by the Indonesian government on accusations of inciting violence and arson, but escaped during his trial and was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom. 

After arriving in the UK, Wenda founded the Free West Papua Campaign to spread awareness of the human rights situation in West Papua.

 Source News: http://www.dailypost.vu/news.html

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Benny Wenda’s Freedom Tour a great success

by Catherine Delahunty

This week Benny Wenda from “Free West Papua’ and Jennifer Robinson of International lawyers for West Papua brought the “Freedom Tour” to Auckland and Wellington.

The Auckland day was hosted by the hard working “Indonesian Human Rights Committee.”

Wellington also went very well despite the lack of co-operation from the new Speaker David Carter and the predictable refusal to meet Benny Wenda from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Jennifer Robinson and Benny Wenda at the media briefing

The media forum which was effectively banned from parliament was well attended and only a robot would have not have been moved by Benny Wenda’s story of his childhood under Indonesian military rule and his experiences in prison.

Benny also stole our hearts with his musical performance while Jennifer Robinson laid out the political and legal position with great clarity. The call for independence for West Papua is clearly a call for peaceful change and respect for all citizens.

The international legal case against the colonisation of West Papua is simple. The Indonesians justified their occupation by a bogus referendum of about 1000 people at the point of a gun, the United Nations stood by while West Papua was appropriated for gold, timber and empire by Indonesia.

The situation today remains a disaster with state violence, hunger, political killing and torture and no access by international media or the International Red Cross. Benny Wenda initiated the International parliamentarians for West Papua a group of which I am a proud member as arer number of Green MPs locally and internationally. He is relying on our solidarity to keep the pressure on Indonesian for a peaceful dialogue.

It was great having MPs Maryan Street and Hone Harawira supporting the Wellington visit and showing their commitment to this issue being brought to light despite the appalling decisions by the Speaker and the Minsiter of Foreign Affairs.

Mana leader Hone Harawira and Labour MP Maryan Street join Benny Wenda, Jennifer Robinson and Catherine Delahunty on parliament’s steps.

It was also great to meet Dominic Brown maker of the film “Forgotten Bird of Paradise” made undercover in West papua who is travelling with Benny Wenda.

With some serious media coverage this week I am hopeful more New Zealanders have now heard of the situation in  West Papua and will support the Green challenge to the Government to work for a peace dialogue between west Papuan leaders and the Indonesian Government.

 Source: http://blog.greens.org.nz/2013/02/13/

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Asian Human Rights Commission to call on UN over alleged torture in West Papua

Papuan freedom activist

The Asian Human Rights Commission says it is writing to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture about the arbitrary arrest and torture of seven West Papuans.

The arrests took place near Jayapura, the capital of Indonesia’s Papua province late last week.

The group of seven were stopped in traffic by police looking for two pro-independence activists.

The Commission says the Papuans were 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, with two reportedly still in police custody.

The Commission has called on Indonesian authorities to investigate and for medical assistance to be directed to the group who were arrested for the injuries they sustained.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International

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Leaks reveal it's past time to speak for West Papua

Jennifer Robinson Lawyer Wikileaks and West Papua

Having been unjustifiably targeted on the ''WikiLeaks Threat'' list in secret US documents leaked in February, I was somewhat surprised to be left off the Indonesian intelligence watch list leaked last month about West Papua. I mean, every man and Naomi Robson was on it. And I've been acting as lawyer to exiled Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda far longer than I've acted for Julian Assange.

Robson's listing was as much a damning indictment of the quality of Indonesian intelligence as a reflection of Indonesia's paranoia about journalists seeing West Papua. While Robson, in safari suit and lizard, was there to ''save'' a child from alleged cannibals rather than to expose human rights abuse by the Indonesian military or report on Papuans' aspirations for independence, she was arrested because that is exactly what she would have seen and - hopefully - reported.

The leaked documents also reveal the penetration of Indonesian surveillance on Papuans: everyone from teachers to taxi drivers is on the Kopassus payroll. I have first-hand experience of it. In 2002 I worked with advocate John Rumbiak (now in exile in the US) at Elsham, a Papuan human rights organisation. As an Australian exchange student at an Indonesian university, I had entry where journalists were denied - but it did not spare me from surveillance or intimidation.

One day I travelled to a remote village to translate for a German friend researching the impact of transmigration on indigenous Papuans. Escorted by an Indonesian priest who offered to ''help'', we were bemused by the robot-like positive responses to our questions. ''It's great,'' they said in unison, ''now we have rice and cigarettes.''

As we left, a woman walked close behind me and whispered - just out of earshot of our Indonesian escorts - ''if you want to hear the truth, come without the intel''.

Later that day I excused myself from the priest's home, saying I needed a walk. I made it only two blocks before being ushered into a Papuan home. ''Please help us. They rape and kill our people. Tell the world.''

Traumatised by the psychological warfare now revealed in the leaked documents, they drew me close to whisper. Their stories were unimaginable; I fought back tears.

After that I saw things anew. Plain-clothes intelligence officers posed as ojek (motorcycle taxi drivers) outside my house, watching who came and taking me wherever I went. Emails were read over my shoulder in internet cafes. Some Papuan friends refused to meet me in public because it attracted unwanted attention. Instead, they jumped over my back fence after dark.

Weeks later I was in court working with defence counsel on the trial of the then political prisoner and independence leader, Benny Wenda. As I left the court building plain-clothes police confronted me and took me in for questioning. I was threatened with deportation, grilled for my ''political'' activity in assisting the defence and released with a warning on condition I apologise to the chief of police.

The conflation of human rights and politics in Papua is not the sole realm of the Indonesian government. The Australian and US governments are equally guilty. I was also given a stern warning by an Australian diplomat that my human rights work risked ''becoming a political football'' for our government and that I was to ''keep [my] head down''. I soon learnt this was characteristic of the spineless and reactionary approach Australia takes to foreign policy on Papua. Similarly, a 2006 US embassy cable published by WikiLeaks condemns claims of genocide, gross human rights violations and environmental destruction in Papua as ''dramatic and vague''.

Rather than seeing human rights as a political nuisance and accusing advocates of embellishment, perhaps the US and Australia ought to push for access for international organisations and journalists so that claims can be properly investigated. In light of the recently leaked documents and the extent of human rights abuse, they should also reconsider military aid to Kopassus.

Judging by the furore over live cattle exports, it appears Australians care more about our cows than a million West Papuans being subjected to a slow-moving genocide. Stand up Naomi Robson (you may as well; you are already on the list). Stand up Australia. Let us see how long we can make Indonesia's next watch list and read it with pride when it turns up on WikiLeaks.

On Twitter: Jennifer Robinson is a human rights lawyer in London.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/

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Lawyer Jennifer Robinson blasts govt for refusing to let activist speak

Lawyer Jennifer Robinson

A leading human rights lawyer yesterday hit out at a decision banning a West Papua independence activist from speaking at Parliament.

Jennifer Robinson, a member of Julian Assange's defence team, is in New Zealand briefly with Benny Wenda, a leader of the self-determination campaign for West Papua, which is under Indonesian control.

Several MPs wanted Mr Wenda, who lives in exile in London, to speak at Parliament but the new Speaker, David Carter, refused the request.

He reconfirmed his decision yesterday despite a plea from Labour MP Maryan Street, who claimed the decision was made by the Government after advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Speaker's office said the request was declined because the function did not meet guidelines to using parliamentary facilities and hosting guests.

Mr Wenda was expected to speak about alleged human rights abuses in West Papua, and highlight NZ's military relationships with Indonesia.

Here Source News: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/

Miss Robinson said: "It raises very serious questions about the influence Indonesia has on the New Zealand Parliament and the New Zealand Government. To prevent somebody coming to speak - merely to speak and exercise their freedom of expression - in the New Zealand Parliament building of all places ought to be of grave concern to New Zealanders about the influence the Indonesians have in their domestic and foreign policy."

Miss Robinson did not know for certain whether Jakarta would have meddled in the decision, but it made New Zealand seem very reactive to Indonesia's position on hosting a West Papuan refugee. Mr Wenda will now speak today at a seminar at Victoria University on the independence struggle in West Papua.

An Australian, Miss Robinson is based in London and works for several human rights groups. She took part in Mr Wenda's 2002 trial for masterminding a fatal attack on a police station. During the case, Mr Wenda escaped from custody and eventually reached Britain, where he was granted political asylum. He is now a British citizen.

Since 2010, Miss Robinson has been part of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's legal team.

Yesterday she defended Assange's decision to remain holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, saying he faced a real risk of ending up in an American military prison if he left the diplomatic enclave.

There was no guarantee Sweden would not deliver him to the United States, where he could face the death penalty. Once in the US, there was every chance he could end up like alleged WikiLeaks whistle-blower and soldier Bradley Manning, who supporters claim has been subjected to degrading treatment in prison.

Miss Robinson also said she had no intention of abandoning Mr Assange, who has seen several high-profile supporters desert his cause.

The latest was the heiress and magazine editor Jemima Khan, who last Friday washed her hands of Mr Assange, comparing him to an "Australian L. Ron Hubbard" after the Scientology founder.

"We have grave concerns should he ever be returned," Miss Robinson said. Asked if she was hanging in with Mr Assange, she said: "Absolutely."

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Papua's "cry for freedom" unheard for 50 years - Wenda

Mr. Benny Wenda is an activist for the independence of West Papua from Indonesia.

He currently lives in Britain after being granted political aslyum in 2003 but has been unable the country because of an Interpol ' Red Notice' or arrest warrant sought by the Indonesian government.

That threat has now been lifted and Mr Wenda is on an international tour, talking to politicians and policy makers in the USA, New Zealand, Australia and Melanesia.

 Here Orginal News: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacific/news

Presenter:Geraldine Coutts

Speaker:Benny Wenda, West Papua independence activist

WENDA: That's Indonesia trying to because internationally telling the truth about what really happened, what's really going on and Indonesia tried to silence me two years ago.

 

COUTTS: Alright, you're on a tour, an international tour. What is your message in the countries where you're stopping?

 

WENDA: Yeah, I just carried a simple message. My people cry for freedom last 50 years and even internationally Indonesia is trying to silence me, because I think I was telling the truth and I carry the message of my people, because their world is ignoring them, so I think it's travelling that's raised the issue as well as telling the politician government here in New Zealand and Australia and some other Melanesian countries.

 

COUTTS: And was that as a result of the independent investigation by Fair Trials International that the Interpol 'Red Notice' initiated by the Indonesian Government was lifted?

 

WENDA: Yes, yes, yes, conclusion was that Indonesia just used political motivation to silence me. It is not only happening to me, but it to my people as well, because my people have been silenced for the last 50 years. So I think the time for the world to hear because of my trip to around the world.

 

COUTTS: What form did that Fair Trial International investigation take?

 

WENDA: Yeah, I think they the investigation was also there is a lot of eyewitness, including Jennifer Robertson, who is my lawyer. She's one of the also give testimony and arguments because she was in  a trial in West Papua, so that is a very strong case against Indonesian Government.

 

COUTTS: And other West Papuans, were they called, did they have their say at the trial as well at the investigation?

 

WENDA: No, only the just Fair Trial and Jennifer Robertson, they working together.

 

COUTTS: Well, what does it mean now? Does it actually allow you to go home?

 

WENDA: No, only this is because, only international, so I cannot go back to West Papua until I my people free and myself free and I will go back a free man.

 

COUTTS: You're not allowed to go back or it's self-imposed?

 

WENDA:  No, I cannot go back, because if I go back, I will be arrested and put in the prison. 

 

COUTTS: What are you hearing about what is actually happening in West Papua at the moment?

 

WENDA: West Papua it's really increasing. It's West Papua I call home of the military and that's why Indonesia now more military since the killing of the Michael Tabuni  and it's last year saw about 20 Papuan were killed, so this is more violence that is committed by the Indonesian military and police and this I call a Secret Genocide Committee by Indonesian government, police and military.

 

COUTTS: It's very difficult because of the censorship of the press, it's very difficult to get accurate and up to date information from West Papua. So how do you know what is going on and how reliable are you're sources?

 

WENDA: We are receiving 24 hours information, because in the day and night, we have people on the ground reporting. But because Indonesia able to clamp down on that area, like Amnesty International ban, Red Cross  are banned, peace brigade is banned and even media, international media, like every media are banned. 

 

Since Indonesia occupied, illegally occupied 1963 until today, Indonesia banned. So why Indonesia hiding, why Indonesia call it a democracy, and a moderate the country, then why not journalists allowed in to West Papua. That is the problem. Indonesia really why are they hiding for and that the simple question for the Indonesian Government.

 

COUTTS: Are you asking the countries that you're visiting, you're saying New Zealand, Australia and Melanesia to act on your behalf to a) allow you to go home and also to grant independence?

 

WENDA: Yes, my trip is simply asking for their support, for free my people and then I will go back a free man. Until my people not free, and I never go back and that might here in Melanesian as well as in New Zealand, Australia. Because West Papua is not Asia, it's Melanesian. They are, because Melanesian people are Micronesia, Polynesia. We are connected in the spirit as well as we are the Pacific, so this is the regional issue, so that's why it's an issue of West Papua never go away from mind of Australia and New Zealand, as of Melanesian country so that is a very important that we got my message to tell that, all the brothers and sisters in the Pacific.

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