Pendeta Socrates SY: Kami Siap Dirikan Negara Papua

Rev.Socratez Sofyan Yoman

 Jakarta--Tidak pernah sekalipun orang Papua diterima sebagai bagian dari rakyat Indonesia. Tidak ada jaminan  warga Papua masih menginginkan menjadi bagian dari Indonesia.

"Tidak pernah orang Papua diterima sebagai bagian dari rakyat Indonesia. Warga Papua dianggap sebagai binatang. Saya tidak jamin, warga Papua masih menginginkan jadi bagian Indonesia. Lihat saja, bagaimana orang Papua ditembak atau dibunuh,"  Pendeta Socrates Sofyan Yoman 

Menurut Socrates aparat keamanan telah gagal melindungi rakyat Papua. Bahkan aparat keamanan telah menjadi bagian dari kekerasan terhadap rakyat Papua. "Bagaimana tidak, orang Papua ditembak, dibunuh. Itu akan menyebabkan kebencian rakyat Papua terhadap pemerintah Indonesia. Siapapun yang diganggu akan melawan. Ini manusia," tegas Socrates.

Socrates mengingatkan, jika pemerintah Indonesia tetap menggunakan kekerasan, rakyat Papua siap untuk merdeka. "Kami selalu siap mendirikan negara Papua. Kami akan urus kemanusiaan dan keadilan. Soal keinginan untuk merdeka itu karena kebijakan yang tidak berpihak kepada manusia," tegas Socrates.

Dialog yang jujur bermartabat menjadi solusi penyelesaian konflik Papua, kata Socrates. Pasalnya, kekerasan tidak menyelesaikan masalah, kekeresan menghasilkan kekerasan baru yang lebih keras lagi. "Yang terjadi di Papua kekerasan dan kejahatan kemanusiaan. Pendekatan keamanan telah gagal. Alternatif penyelesaian adalah dialog yang bermartabat untuk menyelesaikan Papua secara komprehensif," kata Socrates.

Socrates menampik keras jika dikatakan saat ini sudah dilakukan dialog pihak pemerintah dengan wakil Papua. "Dialog tidak pernah ada dan belum pernah terjadi. Kalau ada, kapan dan di mana, tolong tunjukkan. Wakil Papua belum pernah dilibatkan dalam dialog dengan semangat yang setara," tegas Socrates.

Secara khusus, Socrates mengapresiasi pernyataan politisi Partai Demokrat Ulil Abshar Abdalla yang mengusulkan pelepasan Papua, dengan pertimbangan tingginya biaya mempertahankan Papua. "Itu menunjukkan Ulil punya mata hati, dan mata iman. Itu orang cerdas, hati nuraninya berfungsi, pikiran sudah normal terhadap penderitaan warga papua," pungkas Pendeta Socrates Sofyan Yoman.

Reporter: Achsin (Itoday)

Victor Yeimo: Penangkapan Buctar Cs, Hanya Menutup Kesalahan Aparat Keamanan di Papua

"KNPB memahami bahwa, anarkis dan kekerasan tidak menguntungkan dan justru merugikan dalam perjuangan KNPB (Victor Yeimo Jubir Internasional KNPB)"

Ketua Umum KNPB Bucthar Tabuni dan Victor Yeimo

Jayapura VB --- Penangkapan Ketua Umum Komite Nasional Papua Barat (KNPB), Buchtar Tabuni bersama dua rekannya merupakan skenario Indonesia melalui Polda Papua untuk mengalihkan isu pelanggaran Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) yang dilakukan oleh aparat TNI/Polri.

“Serta upaya menutupi ketidakmampuan kepolisian mengungkap pelaku-pelaku penembakan di West Papua, dengan modus mengkambinghitamkan gerakan perlawanan damai yang dilakukan KNPB.”

Demikian penegasan Juru Bicara Internasional, Victor Yeimo dalam siaran pers yang dikirim kepada suarapapua.com, Sabtu (8/6) siang, dari Jayapura, Papua.

“Lihat saja, berbagai kasus penembakan di Puncak Jaya, Timika, Paniai, Wamena serta beberapa daerah dalam beberapa waktu terkahir terbukti bahwa Polisi Indonesia tidak mampu mengungkap pelaku, apalagi menangkap dan menghukum pelaku yang jelas-jelas terbukti,” kata Yeimo.

Dijelaskan, beberapa kasus penembakan OTK di Timika, sampai hari ini Polisi belum mengungkapnya.

Berikutnya, penembakan 5 warga sipil di Degeuwo Paniai yang jelas-jelas dilakukan Brimob Polda Papua belum juga ditangkap dan diadili.

Penembakan Terijoli Weah tanggal 2 Mei saat demo damai KNPB, walaupun ditemukan serpihan peluru, Polisi tidak mampu mengungkap.

Penembakan terhadap warga Jerman, Dietmar Pieper di Base-G pun belum sanggup diungkap Polisi melalui Tim yang dipimpin Wakapolda Papua, Paulus Waterpau.

“Dan, baru pagi hari kemarin (7/7) Teyu Tabuni dibunuh tanpa alasan oleh anggota Polres Jayapura di Yapis, Polisi tidak menangkap pelaku,” jelas Yeimo.

Namun, Buchtar Tabuni yang hendak bertanggung jawab dan mengklarifikasi tuduhan terhadap KNPB di depan DPRP, Kapolda, Pangdam dan Tokoh-Tokoh Masyarak, kemarin (7/7) justru ditangkap tanpa prosedur penangkapan resmi (tanpa surat pemanggilan).

Padahal, lanjut Yeimo, aksi KNPB pada 4 Juni lalu adalah aksi damai menuntut polisi mengungkap pelaku penembakan yang terus terjadi di Papua. 

Dan KNPB telah melayangkan surat pemberitahuan aksi ke Kapolda dan Direskrim Polda Papua jauh-jauh hari sebelum aksi.

“Lantas, mengapa aksi damai rakyat Papua diblokade polisi yang menggunakan senjata lengkap? Mengapa tidak membiarkan KNPB melakukan aksi damai seperti biasanya,” tanya Yeimo.

Ditambahkan, KNPB sangat memahami prinsip-prinsip kemanusiaan, perdamaian dan demokrasi secara universal, oleh sebabnya, ribuan massa rakyat Papua Barat selama ini dikoordinir secara damai untuk menyampaikan tuntutan rakyat secara terbuka.

Disampaikan juga, KNPB memahami bahwa, anarkis dan kekerasan tidak menguntungkan dan justru merugikan dalam perjuangan KNPB.

Oleh karenanya, KNPB tidak sama sekali menghasut dan mengatur kekerasan terjadi dalam perjuangan yang damai ini.

“Kami sangat memahami bahwa Indonesia dengan kepentingan kolonialisme dan kapitalisme global diatas tanah ini tidak akan menjujung tinggi nilai-nilai kemanusiaan dan keadilan.”

Karena itu, ditambahkan, penguasa dengan berbagai macam alasan, bersama kekuatan media-media propaganda penguasa akan terus mendiskreditkan, menstigma dan membunuh gerakan perlawanan damai yang dilakukan oleh KNPB diatas tanah surga ini.

Dari catatan suarapapua.com. berbagai aksi penembakan yang terjadi di tanah Papua, tidak ada satupun pelaku yang ditangkap oleh pihak aparat keamanan.

Banyak aktivis HAM menyebutkan ini merupakan bukti ketidakmampuan aparat kepolisian, terutama untuk mengungkap dan menangkap pelaku penembakan yang telah meresahkan warga Papua.

Laporan Oktovianus Pogau

House criticizes Marty on rights diplomacy

Presiden RI SBY

The House of Representatives lambasted the government for padding up its human rights records only to improve the country’s standing in the international community while actually doing little to protect the rights of minority groups domestically.

Several lawmakers accused the government for being hypocrites for actively promoting interfaith harmony at the global level by campaigning on an international protocol banning blasphemy, but failed to equally protect the rights of religious minority groups in the country.

“I appreciate the government’s efforts in proposing such an initiative to the international community. That sounds good. But, how will the government deal with the ongoing religious intolerance at home, because, for example, it hasn’t resolved discrimination against the Shia community in Sampang [East Java],” Tjahjo Kumolo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction said during a hearing with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa on Wednesday.

Later in the session, lawmaker Helmi Fauzy also questioned the government’s refusal to accept a recommendation from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to amend the 1965 law on blasphemy, which has been long used to justify attacks against minority groups.

“We are selling our democracy to the international community, but we forget that democracy requires the protection of minority groups,” Helmi said.

He then urged the government to submit to the UNHRC’s recommendation and amend the outdated blasphemy law, which he deemed as being responsible for the outbreak of religious conflict in the country.

Responding to the criticism, Marty said that the government would synchronize the ministry’s diplomatic efforts with the promotion of religious freedom at the domestic level.

Later on the sidelines of the meeting, Marty told reporters that universal values of human rights should not contradict local values adopted by local communities in the country.

“Our international commitment to protect and uphold human rights must meet the demands of local rules and values. Other countries have done the same,” Marty said.

When asked about the government’s attempt to draw up a regulation that would interpret universal human rights values in accordance with local conditions, Marty said that although Indonesia is a member of the UN, it must defend local values against the values promoted by the UN.

Earlier, Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi has said that the government is drawing up a regulation that would make it possible for local governments to interpret the universal values of human rights in accordance to local conditions.

The ministry was working with the Law and Human Rights Ministry to draft a joint ministerial decree that would set the standards on how to define human rights, according to local customs, which would be used as the benchmark in drafting bylaws nationwide.

Separately, National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) chairman Ifdhal Kasim said Indonesia was obliged to submit to the UN’s human rights values as one of its members.

“That’s the whole point of agreeing to ratify all international protocols, meaning that we have to adapt our laws to international values. 

The government must remember that there are inalienable rights that our government must fulfill despite local values,” Ifdhal told The Jakarta Post.

KONTRAS: Papua akan jadi wilayah operasi Densus 88

An Australian funded Detachment 88 unit in 2010.

JAKARTA: Komisi untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan  (Kontras) menilai Papua akan dijadikan wilayah operasi Detasemen  Khusus (Densus) 88 sehingga kekerasan di provinsi tersebut akan terus  berlangsung. Kalangan masyarakat sipil mendesak untuk dilakukannya  penarikan TNI dan Polri. 

Koordinator Kontras Haris Azhar mengatakan pihaknya menyesalkan hak  atas kemerdekaan, berkumpul dan mengeluarkan pendapat di Papua tidak  sepenuhnya dijamin oleh negara. Organisasi tersebut mencatat sejak  Januari hingga Oktober 2012 terdapat  81 tindakan kekerasan,  setidaknya 31 meninggal dan 107 orang mengalami luka-luka di Papua.

"Demokrasi di tanah Papua telah dipancung dan menjadi tantangan berat  bagi warga sipil untuk menkritisi kebijakan Negara yakni TNI dan Polri  yang berlangsung hingga saat ini," ujar Haris dalam pernyataan bersama dengan National Papua Solidarity, Bersatu untuk Kebenaran dan Yapham,  yang dikutip pada Jumat (26/10/2012).

Dia mengatakan salah satu sebab mengapa terjadinya kekerasan di  provinsi tersebut adalah ingin dijadikannya Papua Barat sebagai  operasi Densus 88. Sedangkan sebab lainnya, kata Kontras, adalah  adanya pelabelan separatis pada sejumlah warga di Papua serta isu  keamanan di Asia Pasifik, khususnya Papua Barat telah menjadi alasan Indonesia memperkuat kerja sama keamanan bersama negara-negara imperialis.

Haris mengungkapkan kondisi tersebut telah menjadikan Papua sebagai  lahan subur bagi konflik, demi kepentingan negara, ekonomi dan  kekuasaan. Kontras menilai tidak heran kenyataan itu mendorong rakyat  pribumi di Papua bangkit memperjuangkan keadilan dan kebenaran yang  tak kunjung tiba.

"Kami mendesak kepada Presiden untuk segera membuka ruang gerak demokrasi di Papua dan merealisasikan dialog damai antara rakyat Papua dan pemerintah Indonesia tanpa syarat yang dimediasi pihak ketiga," demikian Haris. (Bsi)

 Sumber: http://www.bisnis.com

Amnesty Internasional. Indonesia: End police violence against demonstrators in Papua

Photo AL

A pro-independence protest in Papua has been met with a violent response by the Indonesian security forces as four demonstrators were shot by the police, prompting Amnesty International to call on the authorities to halt the excessive use of force.

On 23 October 2012, police in Manokwari, Papua opened indiscriminate fire at a gathering of some 300 protesters outside the local university in response to stones thrown by a few of the protesters. At least 11 people were injured, four of whom suffered gunshot wounds. Some protesters reported being beaten by the police. At least five police officers also suffered injuries.

“It is unacceptable that people who have gathered for a protest should have to fear for their lives. The indiscriminate use of firearms and excessive force against protesters by the security forces has to stop – it is a violation of international law.” said Isabelle Arradon, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director. “This incident warrants an immediate investigation and a thorough review of police tactics during policing of demonstrations”

Meanwhile, local journalist, Oktovianus Pogau, was punched by police officers during the demonstration as he tried to produce his press card.

The Indonesian security forces have a track record of unchecked abuses, including torture and other ill-treatment, and the use of excessive force against protesters.
“Although members of the security forces may find it challenging to face violent protesters, they should do so while respecting human rights. In particular, the use of firearms should only be a last resort to protect life,” said Arradon.

Security forces should be equipped with a range of means to allow for a differentiated use of force, as well as adequate self-defensive equipment such as shields, helmets and body armour to decrease the need to use weapons at all.

Peaceful political dissent continues to be criminalized in Papua, denying Papuans their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

On 19 October 2012, police prevented hundreds of people who had gathered peacefully at the grave site of pro-independence leader Theys Eluay in Sentani, Jayapura. Five people were arbitrarily arrested but were released later.

“Unfortunately this is part of a long-standing pattern of authorities denying Papuans their right to peaceful protest, which together with lack of accountability for past human rights violations is fuelling resentment and lack of trust locally,” said Arradon

These incidents come at a tense time in Papua, as Papuans have been holding public events to commemorate the first anniversary of the Third Papuan People’s Congress, a peaceful political gathering which was held from 17 to 19 October 2011. At the end of the 2011 Congress, police and military units violently dispersed participants leaving at least three people dead.

Five political activists were sentenced to three years in prison for “rebellion” after the Congress. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

Amnesty International takes no position whatsoever on the political status of any province of Indonesia, including calls for independence. However, the organization believes that the right to freedom of expression includes the right to peacefully advocate referendums, independence or any other political solutions that do not involve incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

AI Index: PRE01/514/2012.

Written By Voice Of Baptist Papua on 10/25/12 |

Indonesia indigenous peoples: We exist!

Ilustrasi kekerasan militer militer di Papua.

The government of Indonesia this month responded to UN recommendations to recognize the rights of its indigenous peoples by claiming that none live in the country. In a response to the UN's Universal Periodic Review, a four–year human rights check-up for all countries, Indonesia said, "The Government of Indonesia supports the promotion and protection of indigenous people worldwide… Indonesia, however, does not recognize the application of the indigenous peoples concept… in the country."

The UN’s report recommended that Indonesia should consider ratifying International Labor Organization Convention 169, the only international standard for indigenous and tribal peoples. It also recommended that Indonesia should secure the rights of its indigenous peoples, especially to their traditional lands, territories and resources.

UK-based advocacy group Survival International believes that "Indonesia treats its indigenous and tribal people worse than any other country in the world," especially citing the case of West Papua, where killings, torture and rape of tribal people have been repeatedly documented. The figure of 100,000 people killed since 1963 is believed to be a "conservative estimate," according to Survival.

The Indonesian government does recognize exactly 365 distinct ethnic and sub-ethnic groups—but defines them as "komunitas adat terpencil," or "geographically-isolated customary law communities." These number approximately 1.1 million, out of a total population of nearly 250 million. Indonesia is a signatory to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but the government's official position is that concept of indigenous peoples is not applicable to the country, as almost all Indonesians (with the exception of the ethnic Chinese) are indigenous.

The national indigenous peoples' organization, Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN), uses the term masyarakat adat to refer to indigenous peoples (meaning, more or less, "traditional communities"). By AMAN's estimate, Indonesia is home approximately 50 million indigenous and tribal people. (Intercontinental Cry, Oct. 3; Survival International, Oct. 1; International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs)

Source: http://ww4report.com/node/11651 . Posted By Voice Of Baptist Papua to Voice of Baptist Papua at 10/30/2012

1400 WEST PAPUA TIME OCTOBER 23, 2012 CURRENT SITUATION UPDATES:

MANOKWARI

Police arrest KNPB activists in front of Manokwari uni campus, beaten, & taken into police trucks, according field journo Oktovianus Pogau.

Oktovianus Pogau of SuaraPapua.com was badly beaten by five Indonesian police today while covering KNPB demo outside State University of Papua, Manokwari. Pogau showed press card but still beaten. His lips were bleeding. – via Andreas Harsono.

Independent sources confirm that KNPB peace demo forcibly broken up by hundreds of armed riot lice from Kapolres Manokwari, at 0930 West Papua Time.

Manokwari, latest unconfirmed reports: 3 Wamena men shot dead instantly, 2 critically wounded and in hospital, by massive TNI/Polri hunting party that has raided the Highland dormitories at the State University of Papua, searching for KNPB activists who have dispersed in terror, according to informants in Manokwari. Unconfirmed Reports that 2 Indonesian men on Motorbikes, believed to be undercover Special Forces or Intelligence officers, have been shot with bow and arrow allegedly from highlanders. Witnesses dispute if it was in retaliation for earlier shooting deaths, or was self-defence during raid – difference of less than a minute. Raids are currently ongoing, reports of hundreds of people being rounded up by Indonesian security forces shutting down KNPB demos. Developing story – please stay tuned.

Confirmed names of four Wamena victims of Manokwari UNIPA raid by TNI/Polri: – 1 critically injured man is now dead:
1. Eduard Wantik
2.Edy Peyon
3.Maikel sama
4.Melkias Wanagau

Indonesian TV news channel footage of police shooting into the KNPB demonstration on 23rd October 2012 in West Papua. Source: metrotvnews.com.

JAYAPURA

Two demonstrations held; 1 in Waena, one at Taman Imbi.  Jayapura is spread out across a wide area.

Taman Imbi event was banned by police, so majority of folks moved to Waena or went home after seeing police show of force.

Confirmed from Waena, Jayapura dispersal this morning: 5 arrests including Misael Maisini, Chairman of Front Pepera. Tear Gas and Water Cannon used, while KNPB were holding rally at the site of former KNPB leader Mako Tabuni’s assassination by Densus 88 troops in June. Outside the Perunas 3 Housing complex (Yakuhimo dormitory) that was raided last night by joint TNI/Police force hunting for KNPB activists. Rally due to end soon, please stay tuned.

BIAK

Unconfirmed reports of arrests in Biak at KNPB demo.  Currently verifying.

FAK FAK

Police reportedly dismantle stage for KNPB rally at Tambarui Complex, Fakfak. Demo banned, no reports yet of violence.

WAMENA

Communications have been cut, last reports of entire 756 Battalion and all police on streets preventing any one from gathering.  Grave fears for Wamena civilian safety.

      

Voice Of Baptist Papua to Voice of Baptist Papua at 10/25/2012More to come – please stay tuned. 

 

Aid Acces Challenges For Indonesia's West Papua Region

Aid agencies in Indonesia's Papua region say their work is coming under increased government scrutiny due to Jakarta's concern over a secessionist movement on the island.

By, IRIN - Published: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (http://www.unhcr.org/)

"So many international aid groups working in Papua have been pushed out by the government," Andreas Harsono, a researcher for Human Rights Watch (HRW) who has been covering Indonesia for years, told IRIN, citing a string of NGOs and charity groups, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), that have had to leave.

"They can maintain a presence if they work with the government, but if they give aid directly to Papuans or Papuan organizations, aid groups will be heavily scrutinized by the government and suspected of aiding the independence movement."

The resource-rich Papua region (2,000km east of Jakarta and comprising the provinces of Papua and West Papua) has the lowest levels of human development of Indonesia's 33 provinces, with about 34 percent of Papuans living on less than US$1 per day, according to government statistics. The region has a land area nearly twice that of the UK but a population of only 3.5 million.

"There are multiple issues facing West Papua and Papua today," said Dini Sari Djalal, head of communications at the World Bank's Jakarta office. "Among the most vital are poverty, maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS. The two provinces rank worst in these indicators in all of Indonesia."

At the same time, the region is prone to a host of natural disasters, one of the most recent being a 6.1 magnitude  quake on 8 September recorded off the coast of Nabire, Papua.

"In the West Papuan cities of Manokwari and Sorong, earthquakes are recorded on a fairly regular basis as is flooding," said Phillip Charlesworth, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies head of delegation for Indonesia.

But it is Papua's decades-long simmering separatist movement that has often dominated international media attention.

Although the government granted the region Special Autonomy status in 2001, activists continue to voice their discontent, calling for greater autonomy to help improve the region's socioeconomic problems.

Native Papuans are benefiting neither from the land and forests exploited by outside timber and palm oil companies, nor the region's immense mineral wealth, including gold, copper and other metals, they say.

This summer, the International Crisis Group reported at least 15 violent incidents in the provincial capital Jayapura in May and June, and others in the central highlands.

Since the former Dutch colony was annexed in 1969, a small armed group known as the Free Papua Organization (OPM) has been fighting for Papuan independence.

Human rights groups estimate some 100,000 Papuans have died in the conflict since the 1960s, while local media regularly report on clashes between the OPM and security forces.

Economic marginalization , coupled with an ongoing influx of labour migrants from elsewhere in Indonesia continues to fuel tension, particularly over the issue of jobs.

In many of the region's cities and towns, non-native Papuans are now in a majority, and tensions between the two groups are not uncommon, as are reports of the government's often heavy-handed response towards the indigenous population.

"We continue to receive credible reports that Indonesian security forces are committing unlawful killings, and torture [in the Papua region]. They're using excessive force when carrying out arrests or during public policing, and are criminalizing peaceful political activism," said Josef Roy Benedict, Amnesty International's Indonesia campaigner, based in London.

These actions violate the  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Indonesia is a state party of the former and has ratified the latter convention, Benedict added.

Some aid groups not welcome

"We'd welcome the help of more international organizations, but there's a need for the government to open up the space for them to see the reality here," said Julianus Septer Manufandu, executive secretary of the Papua NGO Forum, a network of 118 local NGOs assisting Papuans in human rights, land disputes, natural resources and emergency response.

Currently, five UN agencies are working in the region.

The Indonesian Red Cross ( PMI) is also on the ground, assisting with blood donations, cataract operations and disaster management.

"We're neutral, so we give victims of the [low-level] conflict humanitarian assistance and the government has no problem with that," said PMI Secretary-General Budi Atmadi Adiputro.

However, others have been less successful.

"One reason why our MoU [memorandum of understanding] was not renewed was because we supported local partners who were involved in human rights work," said Ernest Schoffelen, a programme officer with the Catholic Organization for Relief and Development ( Cordaid), a Dutch development agency working in the area of health, peace-building, inter-religious dialogue and human rights in the region for over 50 years.

"Papuans were very welcoming of the aid we provided," Schoffelen said. "The resistance to our presence came more from central government. They didn't want us to be there."

Tortuous NGO registration process

"Everything goes through the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and BIN [the Indonesian State Intelligence Agency]," said one international aid worker who asked not be named, adding it could take 1-3 years for an international NGO to be registered. "All INGOs [international NGOs] proposing to work in Indonesia must appear before an interdepartmental panel, in which the specific ministry or department under which the INGO would work argues the case for the INGO to be allowed."

Those involved in peace-building activities face an even tougher time, he added.

"The level of scrutiny on the part of BIN is extremely high," the aid worker said. "For groups working in peace-building advocacy or legal affairs - which are considered political activities rather than technical development - there's virtually no chance."

ICRC first opened an office in Jayapura (Papuan capital) in 1989. The office was closed in 2009 following an instruction from the Indonesian government, also addressed to a number of other organizations.

Prior to 2009, ICRC delivered water access and sustainable living environment programmes; international humanitarian law (IHL) dissemination work with the military, police and journalists; and detention visits to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners.

The government reportedly raised objections to the ICRC's presence in Papua for not reporting  prison visits to the authorities.

Today the ICRC's presence in the two provinces is limited to ad hoc missions from the head office in Jakarta.

"We still play a supporting role to the work of the Indonesian Red Cross there, and we organize punctual activities, such as IHL dissemination sessions for the Air Force in Biak [a small island to the north]," said Patrick Megevand, the ICRC's Jakarta Regional Delegation communication coordinator.

"We hope to go back there on a more sustainable basis. For now, everything depends upon the renewal of an agreement with the government, which we've been negotiating since the closure of the office in 2009."

Security, political considerations

Others cite security concerns and restrictions on freedom of movement, particularly in the interior.

"The work we did there was valuable and there is a need for an international presence," one former aid worker with an INGO that closed down its Papua operation in 2011 claimed, adding however: "Our international staff received threats, and then national staff started to receive threats from the government."

Oxfam's country director Richard Mawer, said security was not affecting their work on the ground there, but added that all INGOs were finding it increasingly difficult to be given approval to work there, and now required special permission to implement any new initiatives.

Government response

The Indonesian government, meanwhile, says it is just operating standard procedures.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene told IRIN there were no special requirements for INGOs to work in Papua, noting that there were already at least 14 working in the region on health, economic development and natural disaster issues. He added that all must abide by a set of general requirements, which included not engaging in profit-orientated activities or fundraising.

For international NGOs wanting to work in the area of human rights in Papua and West Papua, Tene said:

"Human rights is an important issue in Papua and all of Indonesia, but INGOs must not engage in political activities and must convince the government they do not intend to do this. Their work has to benefit the people [of Papua and West Papua]."

Academic To Shed Light On Papua Massacre

United States cultural anthropologist Dr Eben Kirksey.

In 1998, United States cultural Anthropologist Dr Eben Kirksey, when he was a college exchange student, wit-nessed the massacre of more than 150 civilians by Indonesian troops in West Papua, reports the Catholic Leader.

Dr Kirksey will discuss this and other experiences in a talk at St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace on October 17 in conjunction with the publication of his new book Freedom in Entangled Worlds - West Papua and the Architecture of Global Power.

Brisbane archdiocese's Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) executive officer Peter Arndt, who organised Dr Kirksey's visit, said it was important for Australians to be aware of the human rights violations occurring on a regular basis "right on Australia's doorstep".

Over the past decade, Mr Arndt has sought to support the indigenous West Papuans' struggle for independence. "It's still a very difficult struggle," he said.

"In the current year, it's obvious security forces are clamping down on anyone who challenges the status quo. Many arrests and human rights violations are occurring."

In March this year the CJPC formed part of a demonstration in King George Square to protest against the treatment of five West Papuan independence leaders.

The men were initially arrested after Indonesian military units had used violence against crowds gathered for the Third Papuan People's Congress in October 2011. A number of unarmed Papuans were killed.

FULL STORY Academic to shed light on massacre (Catholic Leader)

Source More: http://www.cathnews.com/news

West Papua arrests highlight Australian Detachment 88 links

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3604232.htm#

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcast: 04/10/2012

Reporter: Hayden Cooper

An Australian-funded police unit in West Papua has again been implicated in a crackdown on the region's independence movement.

Transcript

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: An Australian funded counter-terrorism unit in West Papua is facing new accusations of abusing its power in the troubled Indonesian province.

The notorious squad known as Detachment 88 has launched a fresh crackdown on independence activists, in the wake of an expose by this program in August.

Eight men have been detained and accused of bomb-making.

Separatist leaders claim the explosives were planted and they've been framed to justify the squad's activities.

Hayden Cooper has this report.

HAYDEN COOPER, REPORTER: Jayapura, West Papua is a city marred by violence and tension, where independence leaders have been arrested, beaten, killed. And where police have been confronted by unruly and angry demonstrations.

When 7.30 travelled to the province in August, the crackdown on the independence movement was already severe, resulting in several deaths, including of this man, independence leader Mako Tabuni, shot in this street, witnesses say, by the Australian trained and funded police unit Detachment 88.

ERSON WENDA, RELATIVE (last month, voiceover translation): Clearly, it was them who killed him because we saw them shoot him and take him to their hospital.

HAYDEN COOPER: Since then, the crackdown has worsened. Victor Yeimo succeeded Tabuni as leader of the West Papuan National Committee, KNPB. This week, he sent this video to 7.30.

VICTOR YEIMO, CHAIRMAN, KNPB: We are the non-violent activists in West Papua. We will fight for our right of freedom according to the peaceful means in West Papua. We demand our right of self-determination to a referendum to be held in West Papua by UN peacefully and democratically.

HAYDEN COOPER: But the Indonesian authorities don't believe his claim of non-violence and they're pursuing KMPB like never before. In June, Indonesian soldiers went on a rampage in the highlands town and KNPB stronghold of Wamena, and now in a new development, police have raided the homes and offices of KNPB members in the area. Last weekend eight were arrested and witnesses say once again Detachment 88 was involved.

VICTOR YEIMO: When they arrest the KNPB brothers in Wamena, we saw Detachment 88 with one car, and another car with police, joined in by TNI.

HAYDEN COOPER: Indonesian police accuse the eight KNPB members arrested of making bombs and claim to have found explosives during the raid. Victor Yeimo rejects that and says his group is being framed as terrorists to justify Detachment 88's presence.

VICTOR YEIMO: This is how Indonesia is now making a scenario with the terrorist issue in West Papua. As you know that in West Papua we never know how to make a bomb, how to create bomb.

HAYDEN COOPER: Some international observers and West Papuan advocates back that view

CAMMI WEBB-GANNON, SYDNEY UNI: I don't think that the KNPB has any reason to be making bombs because they believe in a peaceful approach to pursuing independence. They want a referendum on independence in West Papua.

HAYDEN COOPER: In West Papua the Institute for Human Rights Advocacy, known as ELSHAM, has studied the arrests and suspects the explosives recovered by police were part of an elaborate set-up.

CAMMI WEBB-GANNON: They don't have the capacity to gain the materials, so ELSHAM has actually said that the materials were probably planted in the KMPB members' houses where they found the explosives and that's not an unusual thing for security forces to do.

HAYDEN COOPER: The weekend raids follow the appointment of a new police chief in Papua, Brigadier General Tito Karnavian. His background as the former head of Detachment 88 generates serious unease among some Papuans, despite his assurances of a new inclusive approach.

CAMMI WEBB-GANNON: They will be opposed to his former role as the head of Densus 88, and as a police chief this just - it doesn't seem to mesh with his new approach of working - to win the hearts and minds of Papuans.

RONNY KARENI, WEST PAPUAN EXPATRIATE: I have no doubt there'll be definitely more crackdowns on KNPB members and those who are very active and very vocal in pursuing and calling for independence for West Papua, and that is for sure, that that's one thing that Jakarta is aiming to shutting down political activists in West Papua.

HAYDEN COOPER: Ronny Kareni is one of many West Papuans living in Australia. He uses music to promote the independence cause on behalf of his friends at home.

RONNY KARENI: Every day, like, I got SMS coming through my phone and then the information is that their lives are under intimidation and they always live in state of fear and they're being followed and it's sad, but this is the reality in West Papua.

HAYDEN COOPER: 7.30 put several questions to the Indonesian Government but received no reply. Attempts to contact the new Papuan police chief were also unsuccessful.

As for Victor Yeimo, he is pushing for the release of the eight activists arrested on the weekend, and with his supporters here, he's pressuring Australia to rethink its funding for Detachment 88.

RONNY KARENI: The Papuans will be pretty much living like prisoners in our own land where our movement, what we do, will be censored, will be monitored, will be followed, and as I said, there's no room for democracy at all.

LEIGH SALES: Hayden Cooper reporting.

Rigths Body Wants Papua Shooting Probe

Marthen Goo, head of the National Papuan Solidarity.

AHRC says arrest of drunk youth was excessive 

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) yesterday called on the government to launch a criminal investigation into the shooting and arrest of an unarmed man last month by police in Papua province.

Kristian Belau, 21, was shot in the leg and arrested in an altercation with police following a night out with friends in Nabire district on September 24.

According to Yones Douw, a local rights activist, Belau and several other young men had stopped a police car while drunk and demanded money from the officers inside.

“The police fired three warning shots, which scared the young men off,” Douw said.

Police then launched a search for the young men and found Belau and two others.

“Two of them escaped. Belau, however, was very drunk and approached the police instead of running away. As he did so, they shot him even though he was unarmed and didn’t pose any threat,” Douw said.

The AHRC agrees with Douw and says the police exercised “excessive use of force.”

“Under Indonesian law, police should only use force in situations where it is strictly necessary. The force used should also meet the ‘proportionality test’ – it should not be greater than the danger caused by the threat,” the commission said.

The AHRC demanded the shooting be adequately and effectively investigated. It has also questioned the police version of events which stated that Belau was shot during a gunfight.

“That’s not true. There was no gunfight. The police are telling lies,” said Marthen Goo, head of the National Papuan Solidarity.

“We have lost our trust in law enforcement officials, including the police. How can we report criminal activities to police when, in fact, they are the perpetrators?” he said.

Related reports

Tabuni was  intentionally killed by police

 Source News: http://www.ucanews.com/2012/10/04/rights-body-wants-papua-shooting-probe/

Detachment 88 Implicated In New Activist Crackdown

Chaiman KNPB Victor Yeimo (Photo ABC)

An Australian-funded police unit in West Papua has again been implicated in recent crackdowns on the region's independence movement.

The region has been the scene of violence and tension in 2012, with independence leaders arrested, beaten and killed, and police confronted by unruly and angry demonstrations.

In June, Indonesian soldiers went on a rampage in the highland's town of Wamena, a stronghold of the West Papua National Committee, which is known as KNPB.

Last weekend police were again targeting the area, raiding the homes and offices of KNPB members.

Eight people were arrested and witnesses, including KNPB leader Victor Yeimo, say once again the Australian-trained and funded police unit Detachment 88 was involved.

"When they arrest the KNPB brothers in Wamena, we saw Detachment 88 with one car, and another car with police, joined in by TNI (the Indonesian military)," Mr Yeimo said.

Indonesian police accuse those arrested of making bombs and claim to have found explosives during the raid.

Mr Yeimo rejects that and says his group is being framed as terrorists to justify Detachment 88's presence.

In West Papua, the Institute for Human Rights Advocacy, known as ELSHAM, has studied the arrests and suspects the explosives recovered by police were planted.

It is a view that is supported in Australia by advocates of the West Papuan cause.

"They don't have the capacity to gain the materials, so ELSHAM has actually said that the material was probably planted in the KNPB member houses where they found the explosives, and that's not an unusual thing for security forces to do," says Cammi Webb-Gannon, from the University of Sydney's West Papua project.

"I don't think KNPB has any reason to be making bombs because they believe in a peaceful approach to pursuing independence, they want a referendum on independence in West Papua."

Deadly crackdowns

Detachment 88, which is trained by Australia as part of counter-terrorism operations, has also been linked to a string of incidents in which Papuan independence leaders have been arrested and killed.

When 7.30 travelled to the province in August, the crackdown on the independence movement was already severe and had resulted in several deaths, including the killing of former KNPB leader Mako Tabuni.

Witnesses say he was shot in a street by Detachment 88.

Victor Yeimo succeeded Mr Tabuni as leader of the KNPB and since then, he says the crackdown has worsened as he takes the campaign public.

"We are the non-violent activists in West Papua," he says in a video sent to 7.30.

"We will fight for our right of freedom according to peaceful means in West Papua.

"We demand our right of self-determination, for referendum to be held in West Papua peacefully and democratically."

But the Indonesian authorities do not believe his claim of non-violence and they are pursuing KNPB like never before.

International observers say it is because the Indonesian government is threatened by the movement.

Cammi Webb-Gannon says the Papuan movement's international links could explain Indonesia's concern.

"First of all a lot of them are young, they're students, or have recently been students," she told 7.30.

"So they do have a lot of passion, a lot of fire, they have a popular support base, they work from a very grassroots perspective, and I think Indonesia is worried because they do have these international links."

New police chief

The weekend raids follow the appointment of a new police chief in Papua, Brigadier General Tito Karnavian.

His background as the former head of Detachment 88 generates serious unease among some Papuans despite his assurances of a new inclusive approach.

"They will be opposed to his former role as head of Densus (Detachment) 88, and as a police chief it doesn't seem to mesh with his new approach of working to win the hearts and minds of Papuans," Ms Webb-Gannon said.

7.30 put several questions to the Indonesian government about the latest situation in Papua but received no reply. Attempts to contact the new Papuan police chief were also unsuccessful.

As for Mr Yeimo, he is pushing for the release of the eight activists arrested on the weekend.

And with his supporters in Australia, he is pressuring the Australian Government to rethink its funding for Detachment 88.

"The Papuans will be pretty much living like prisoners in our own land, where our movement, what we do will be censored, will be followed, will be monitored," Mr Kareni said.

"There's no room for democracy at all."

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news

Polisi Grebek dan Tangkap Anggota KNPB di Wamena

Kekerasan Polisi Terhadap Aktivis KNPB. (Ist)

Wamena, KNPBnews- Polisi Indonesia kembali melakukan penggrebekan sekretariat KNPB Wilayah Baliem, Wamena dan melakukan penangkapan terhadap 8 anggota KNPB sore ini (29/9) pukul 05.30, di kompleks Potikelek, Wamena, West Papua.

Ketua KNPB wilayah Baliem, Simion Dabi saat dihubungi KNPBnews sore ini membenarkan bahwa anggotanya, yakni Sekjen KNPB Wilayah Baliem, Janus Wamu (26), Eddo Doga (26), Irika Kosay (19), Jusuf Hiluka (52), Yan Mabel (33),  Amus Elopere (22), Wioge Kosay (18) dan Melias Kosay (35) telah ditangkap dengan tidak manusiawi di Sekretariat KNPB Baliem, Wamena. 

“Kira-kira pukul 5.30 sore ini Polisi dari satuan Densus 88 dan Polisi dengan senjata lengkap menggunakan 2 truk dalmas, 4 mobil extrada, 2 mobil polisi dan sekitar 14 motor 5 kendaraan masuk dan menggrebek kami punya honai, sekjen dan 7 orang ditahan, dan katanya besok mereka akan kembali bakar rumah honai disini. Kami belum tahu motif penangkapan ini, tapi kemungkinan ini berkaitan dengan skenario menggiring aktivis KNPB ke teroris dengan mengkaitkan kasus peledakan Bom beberapa waktu lalu di jalan Irian Wamena”, terang Dabi dengan nada kesal.

Menurut Dabi penangkapan dilakukan sewenang-wenang tanpa prosedur hukum serta saat ini ketujuh orang yang ditangkap berada dalam kondisi tidak aman. Kedelapan anggota KNPB saat ini sedang dintrogasi, dipaksa dan diintimidasi di Polres Wamena.

Ketua Umum KNPB, Victor Yeimo telah mendesak kepada Kapolres Jayawijaya agar kedelapan orang anggotanya dilepas, “Saya baru telepon langsung tapi tidak diangkat, saya hanya SMS kepada Kapolres agar segera membebaskan anak buah saya yang ditangkap, karena itu perbuatan yang tidak beradab dan beradat”, tegas Victor.

Sebelumnya (23/9) lalu, enam anggota KNPB di Timika ditangkap di jalan oleh Polisi Indonesia dan diintimidasi selama sehari di Polres Mimika. Tanpa salah, aktivis  KNPB terus dikejar, ditangkap, diintimidasi dan dibunuh oleh NKRI. (wd)