Global Lobby for West Papua Takes Off in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

Papuan Activities

Three Papua New Guinea politicians have joined an international campaign to support West Papuans persecuted by Indonesian authorities.

The PNG MPs reignited the controversial issue on Friday one week before the Indonesian government starts repatriating up to 700 West Papuans who live in PNG’s capital Port Moresby or towns along the shared border. Port Moresby’s Governor Powes Parkop said PNG had “turned a blind eye and deaf ear” to the issue.

MPs Jamie Maxton-Graham and Boka Kondra also criticised PNG’s inaction over the plight of their fellow Melanesians, who are an ethnic minority in Indonesia’s Papua province.

Maxton-Graham said he had been prompted to help launch and sign the PNG Charter of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua after seeing photos of atrocities on West Papuans allegedly committed by the Indonesian police and military.

“The international community and our charter says Indonesia must stop this,” Maxton-Graham said. He joined Parkop, Kondra and 50 MPs from other countries in signing the charter.

Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Greens MP Greg Barber are also signatories, alongside MPs from the UK, Sweden, Czech Republic, Vanuatu and New Zealand.

The charter calls for the UN to restore the “right of the indigenous people of West Papua to self-determination”.

Indonesia took formal control of the former Dutch colony in a widely criticised 1969 UN-sponsored vote among about 1000 handpicked villager elders from the Papuan region.

Since then Indonesia’s hardline security measures, including arrests of activists who try to fly Papua’s outlawed Morning Star flag, have helped quell the West Papua separatist movement.

But the long-running insurgency by poorly armed pro-independence guerillas continues.

It is estimated 10,000 to 20,000 West Papuans now live in PNG after they fled their homes on the Indonesian side because of few opportunities and human rights abuse.

Hundreds settled in a refugee camp near the border in PNG’s Southern Highlands region while a majority live and work in the country’s major centres like Port Moresby.

By Ilya Gridneff,  The Age Papua New Guinea Correspondent

More PORT MORESBY news

US seeks expanded military ties with Indonesia

WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior U.S. official says Washington should expand its military ties with Indonesia, befitting a relationship between two robust democracies.

Top diplomat for East Asia, Kurt Campbell, said those ties have grown in recent years, but not fast enough.

Campbell was speaking Tuesday at a gathering of the U.S.-Indonesia Society in Washington.

The U.S. severed military ties for several years after of Indonesia’s bloody crackdown in East Timor in 1999. Jakarta has since sought to professionalize and modernize its military. Key U.S. restrictions on engagement with Indonesia’s feared special forces were lifted in 2010.

Human rights groups say Indonesia’s military abuse continues, particularly in the restive province of west Papua.

Campbell also advocated deeper ties between the two governments and praised Jakarta’s leadership in regional diplomacy

 

More: http://www.boston.com/news/

Tim Kapolda Papua Kontak Senjata dengan Sipil Bersenjata

Kontak Senjata (Ilustrasi)

Jayapura (28/11)—Tim investigasi pembakaran Polsek Pirime Kabupaten Lanny Jaya, Papua yang dipimpin langsung Kapolda Papua, Irjen Pol Tito Karnavian terlibat kontak senjata dengan kelompok sipil bersenjata, Rabu (28/11) sekitar pukul 18.00 WIT.
Kepala Bidang (Kabid) Humas Polda Papua, AKBP I Gede Sumerta Jaya mengatakan, peristiwa itu terjadi di sekitar Indawa antara Distrik Makki Kabupaten Jayawijaya dengan Distrik Tiom Kabupaten Lanny Jaya.
“Kotak senjata terjadi sekitar dua jam. Namun tidak ada yang korban dari pihak rombongan Kapolda. Sementara dari pihak kelompok sipil bersenjata belum diketahui secara pasti,” kata I Gede Sumerta Jaya, Rabu malam (28/11).
Terkiat kronologis menurutnya, sebelum kontak senjata terjadi, rombongan Kapolda Papua melihat kelompok mencurigakan yang membawa senjata api. Tim yang dipimpin Kapolda langsung mengejar kelompok tersebut. Namun begitu dikejar tiba-tiba kelompok mengeluarkan tembakan.
“Mendapat tembakan,  rombongan TNI/Polri yang dipimpin oleh Kapolda langsung  membalas serangan tersebut dan merangsek ke arah hutan dan lembah. Karena sudah gelap dan tim Kapolda berhasil memukul mundur kelompok yang berjumlah kira-kira 40 orang itu penyerangan dihentikan untuk menghindari korban dari tim Kapolda dan melanjutkan perjalanan ke Tiom,” ujarnya.
Dijelaskannya, saat rombongan akan berangkat menju Tiom Kapolda telah menerima informasi bahwa akan terjadi penghadangan di sekitar lokasi kejadian. Sehingga beberapa meter akan mendekati lokasi tim Kapolda melakukan taktik tempur dan mengamati dengan teropong.
“Sepintas terlihat gerombolan itu dan dengan taktik tempur pasukan Kapolda mendekati gerombolan itu dan tiba-tiba ada tembakan dari arah gerombolan dan akhirnya dilakukan serangan balasan. Saat itu kelompok tersebut telah terpojok oleh tim lain yang khusus disiapkan untuk itu. Meski tim Kapolda yang berangkat ke Tiom tidak lebih dari 20 orang, namun tim yang dibawa adalah tim elit yang bisa memukul mundur gerombolan yang berkisar 40 orang itu,” tandas I Gede Sumerta Jaya. (Jubi/Arjuna)

Di Sentani, Oknum Polisi Tembak Seorang Anggota TNI

Kabid Humas Polda Papua, AKBP I Gede Sumerta Jaya. (Jubi/Levi)

Jayapura (26/11)—Akibat masalah keluarga, pada Minggu malam (25/11), di Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua, seorang anggota Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih Kapten CPL Konggeleg ditembak seorang anggota polisi, Brigpol Yohanes Tangketasik. Sehingga tembakan itu menyebabkan korban menderita luka tembak di bagian paha kiri dan saat ini menjalani perawatan di Rumah Sakit Bhayangkara, Kota Jayapura, Papua.
 “Kasus penembakan ini masalah keluarga, seorang oknum anggota Polisi menembak iparnya yang kebetulan anggota TNI. Ini hanya masalahnya sepele, soal keluarga. Pelaku penembakan dan korban itu satu keluarga, korban menikah dengan kakak perempuan pelaku. Jadi ini murni masalah keluarga,’’ kata Kepala Bidang Hubungan Masyarakat Polda Papua, AKBP I Gede Sumerta Jaya, Senin (26/11).

Kronologisnya, kata Gede, pelaku tiba di rumahnya di Sentani, Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua dan bertengkar mulut dengan korban. “Saat itu korban sempat mendorong pelaku. Setelah didorong, pelaku masuk ke kamar mengambil pistol dan menembak paha kiri korban. Kini pelaku sudah ditangani Propam Polda Papua,” katanya.
Menurut Gede, dengan kejadian ini, maka senjata pelaku harus ditarik dan harus dilakukan tes ulang psikologi kepada pelaku. “Sebelum diberikan senjata seharusnya dites psikologi. Jika tak lulus, maka tak boleh bawa senjata, dan pelaku ini harus mempertanggungjawabkan perbuatannya,” katanya. (Jubi/Levi)

Ditangkap bawa pistol, warga Degeuwo mengaku beli dari anggota TNI

Pistol (Ilustrasi)

Nabire, (24/11)—Seorang warga Degeuwo ditangkap polisi dari Kepolisian Resort (Polres) Nabire, karena membawa pistol. Pistol itu diakui, dibeli dari seorang anggota TNI.
Warga Degeuwo, berinisial MA dilaporkan oleh sumber tabloidjubi.com di Nabire telah ditangkap polisi karena kedapatan membawa pistol. Saat diperiksa, MA mengaku pistol itu didapatnya dari seorang oknum anggota TNI.
“Hari ini tanggal 24 November 2012 MA, masyarakat Asli Degeuwo ditangkap oleh Polisi Polres Nabire, karena memiliki senjata jenis pistol.” kata sumber tabloidjubi.com, Sabtu (24/11) malam.
MA, ujar sumber tabloidjubi.com tersebut, mengaku kepada polisi jika pistol yang dia bawa itu dibelinya seharga Rp. 26 Juta dari seorang oknum anggota TNI Batalyon 753 Arvita Nabire, berinisial Dmt. Pistol tersebut dibelinya di lokasi penambangan emas 81 di Degeuwo.
“Menurut beberapa saksi, Dmt memang menawarkan pistol tersebut kepada masyarakat Degeuwo. Namun masyarakat menolak dan mengatakan supaya dia jangan jual di Degeuwo, tapi Dmt nekad menjualnya.” kata sumber tabloidjubi.com.
“Saat ini, pihak Batalyon 753 sedang mencari Dmt untuk ditangkap.” lanjut sumber tabloidjubi.com.
Kapolres Nabire, AKBP Bahara Marpaung, saat di konfirmasi tabloidjubi.com mengatakan asal usul senjata api yang dibawa oleh MA masih dalam penyidikan.
“Maaf, saat ini kami sedang mengikuti acara Kunjungan Kerja Kapolda dan Pangdam. Terkait dengan penangkapan MA, asal-usul senjata api saat ini masih dalam penyidikan.” kata Kapolres Nabire, via SMS. (Jubi/Victor Mambor)

Membangun Masyarakat Mimika Melalui Pencapaian MDGs

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) tahun ini kembali menerima penghargaan Gelar Karya Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (GKPM) Awards yang diserahkan di Jakarta (28/9). Penghargaan diterima oleh Sr. Communication Officer PTFI Coronus Suruan. Lima penghargaan yang diterima tersebut adalah penghargaan “Platinum” untuk program pengembangan ekonomi masyarakat berbasis desa, pelayanan kesehatan ibu hamil dan kelahiran, pengendalian malaria dan penanggulangan HIV & AIDS. Sementara tiga pengharaan “Gold” atau Emas untuk program pelayanan kesehatan peningkatan gizi balita, program pendidikan dasar 9 tahun, dan penciptaan akses air minum/bersih dan sanitasi lingkungan yang telah dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Mimika. Pembina lapangan Ibu Natalia Tebai sebagai Health Promotion Officer dari Departemen CPHMC, meraih juara terbaik ketiga kategori Pembina Lapangan.

Tujuan 1 MDGs, Mengentaskan kemiskinan ekstrim dan kelaparan Program Pengembangan Ekonomi Masyarakat Berbasis Desa

Peringkat GKPM Awards: PLATINUM

Yayasan Jayasakti Mandiri (YJM) sebagai Mitra Program Perternakan & Pertanian SP IX & SP XII Departemen Social Outreach & Local Development (SLD) PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) sebagai pengelola program peternakan di dua kampung dataran rendah (Wangirja-SP IX dan Utikini Baru-SP XII). YJM bekerjasama dengan LPMAK sebagai pelaksana program Rural Income Generating Activities (RIGA). YJM sudah berkecimpung lama dalam bidang peternakan ayam dan babi, serta berperan sebagai pendamping, pelatih, sekaligus penyuplai bibit babi kepada para anggota Kelompok Usaha (KU) binaan ekonomi LPMAK. Pada tahun 2011, LPMAK dan YJM telah menyelesaikan pembangunan fasilitas inseminasi buatan untuk babi di Utikini Baru-SP XII, dengan tujuan untuk meningkatkan kualitas ternak babi di Kabupaten Mimika.

Tujuan 2 MDGs, Mencapai pendidikan dasar untuk semua Program Pendidikan

Peringkat GKPM Awards: GOLD

Sebagai bagian dari Rencana Strategis Program Pendidikan LPMAK 2007-2017 yang telah disetujui, LPMAK membuat kemajuan yang berarti dalam memberlakukan standar yang disyaratkan dalam kriteria beasiswa dan menurunkan jumlah beasiswa keseluruhan dari lebih dari 5.000 pada tahun 2005 menjadi sekitar 594 pada tahun 2010. Dengan berfokus pada siswa yang berusaha mencapai prestasi dan mendorong kompetisi di antara penerima beasiswa, program beasiswa LPMAK telah menyederhanakan operasinya dan menetapkan standar untuk keunggulan akademik.

Selama tahun 2010 LPMAK menandatangani perjanjian kerjasama dengan Dinas Pendidikan dan Pengajaran yang berfokus pada peningkatan mutu pendidikan dasar dan menengah di kabupaten Mimika. Hal-hal utama yang ditekankan dalam perjanjian ini adalah: dukungan transportasi udara untuk guru-guru di daerah terpencil; dukungan operasional kegiatan Teaching Learning Resource Center (TLRC); dukungan fasilitas pendidikan; penyediaan suplemen makanan bergizi; serta pemberian pelatihan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan pendidik.

Tujuan 4 MDGs, Menurunkan tingkat kematian anak Program Pelayanan Kesehatan Peningkatan Gizi Balita

Peringkat GKPM Awards: GOLD

Kematian ibu dan anak di Kabupaten Mimika, Provinsi Papua, cukup tinggi sehingga PT Freeport Indonesia melalui Departemen Community Public Health Malaria Control (PTFI-CPHMC) merasa perlu untuk membantu masyarakat. Program yang dilakukan dengan memberikan pelayanan dasar kesehatan Ibu dan Anak sesuai visi & misi CPHMC. Tujuannya agar sedapat mungkin mencegah kejadian kematian ibu dan anak akibat tidak adanya pelayanan atau kurangnya pengetahuan masyarakat khususnya di 5 desa binaan Community Public Health and Malaria Control PTFI dan Kabupaten Mimika pada umumnya. Kelima desa binaan tersebut yaitu Kampung SP 9, SP 12, Paumako, Nayaro, dan Nawaripi.

Jenis bantuan dan fasilitas yang diberikan meliputi penyediaan infromasi kesehatan, pendampingan kader kesehatan, bantuan pencegahan penyakit, bantuan posyandu, dan pembangunan pusat kesehatan desa, pusat dan puskesmas. Pencapaian di tahun ini tercatat 97 bayi pada tahun 2011/2012 yang ada di wilayah kerja CPHMC telah mendapat manfaat dari program kesehatan Posyandu dan penyuluhan hidup sehat dari Komite Kesehatan Kampung. Dimana 100% dari target bayi ditahun 2011/2012 telah diimunisasi dan tidak ada kejadian kematian dan/atau status gizi buruk pada bayi di seluruh wilayah kerja CPHMC PTFI.

Tujuan 5 MDGs, Meningkatkan kesehatan ibu hamil dan ibu melahirkan Program Pelayanan Kesehatan Ibu Hamil dan Kelahiran

Peringkat GKPM Awards: PLATINUM

LPMAK bekerjasama dengan YPCII (Yayasan Pembangunan Citra Insan Indonesia) menjalankan program “Membangun Inisiatif Masyarakat, Ibu, Keluarga dan Anak Sehat” atau disingkat “MIMIKA Sehat”. Fokus kegiatannya yaitu peningkatan dan memperkuat program Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak (KIA) di kampung-kampung target yang telah diselenggarakan sejak tahun 2008. Pencapaian signifikan dari program KIA di 12 kampung sasaran adalah :

1. Mendukung pelaksanaan 12 Posyandu dengan tingkat partisipasi 52% dari total balita di area pelayanan Posyandu yang ditargetkan, dimana 51% dari balita tersebut mengalami peningkatan berat badan.

2. Melakukan program gizi secara rutin di 4 sekolah

3. Bersama masyarakat membentuk 10 tim kesehatan di 10 kampung.

4. Melakukan sosialisasi perilaku hidup sehat kepada masyarakat di 12 kampung sasaran.

5. Mengaktifkan Pos Obat Kampung di 5 kampung Kamoro

Tujuan 6 MDGs, Partisipasi penanggulangan dan pencegahan HIV/AIDS, malaria, TBC dan penyakit menular lainnya Pengendalian Malaria dan Penanggulangan HIV & AIDS

Peringkat GKPM Awards: PLATINUM

Dalam hal pengendalian malaria di masyarakat umum, biro Kesehatan LPMAK telah bekerjasama secara erat dengan C-PHMC dan Dinas Kesehatan Mimika dalam berbagai program pengendalian malaria di kabupaten Mimika. Kerjasama yang dilakukan difokuskan pada upaya pengendalian, pencegahan dan pelayanan kesehatan bagi penderita malaria. Beberapa pencapaian pada tahun 2010 yaitu :

1. Memberikan pelatihan teknik penyemprotan dalam ruangan (Indoor Residual Spraying) bagi 47 warga lokal dari 4 distrik

2. Sosialisasi dan kampanye pencegahan malaria bagi sekitar 4.000 orang dengan menggunakan media video, brosur dan diskusi kelompok.

3. Penyemprotan (IRS: Indoor Residual Spraying) di 22 kampung di 4 distrik (Total 2.354 rumah – mencakup 87% dari jumlah rumah yang ada) serta pendistribusian 1.700 kelambu nyamuk.

4. Biro kesehatan LPMAK melakukan peningkatkan standar kualitas dan pengontrolan contoh sampel malaria bekerjasama dengan departemen Kesehatan Masyarakat dan Pengendalian Malaria PTFI.

Sepanjang tahun 2010 PTFI dan LPMAK terlibat dalam berbagai aktifitas yang bertujuan untuk mengurangi penyebaran HIV & AIDS di masyarakat. Program-program yang dilakukan antara lain:

1. Pelatihan bagi 13 remaja dan 9 guru untuk menjadi penyuluh sukarela.

Sosialisasi dan pendidikan tentang HIV & AIDS di 4 distrik untuk sekitar 5.000 orang.

2. Menyediakan program VCT keliling di empat distrik dimana 442 orang turut berpartisipasi.

3. Berdirinya dua cabang Komisi Pemberantasan AIDS Distrik (KPAD) di Distrik Agimuga dan Distrik Tembagapura.

4. Mendirikan IBCA Cabang Papua pada tanggal 10 November 2010.

Tujuan 7 MDGs, Menjamin keberlanjutan lingkungan hidup Sarana Air Bersih dan Sanitasi

Peringkat GKPM Awards: GOLD

Setelah sukses dengan proyek pembangunan sumur dan jamban bagi seluruh masyarakat kampung Amungun, Aramsolki dan Fakafuku dengan metode pemberdayaan masyarakat, Pada tahun 2010 PTFI dan LPMAK melanjutkan kegiatan tersebut di beberapa kampung lainnya. Kegiatan yang dilakukan meliputi bantuan pengadaan dan pengelolaan sumber air bersih, program pendampingan seperti pendampingan teknis dan pengukuran kadar kualitas air, dan bantuan pengadaan jamban. Di kampung Fanamo dan Omawita PTFI dan LPMAK membangun 15 sumur untuk melengkapi 51 unit fasilitas penampung air hujan yang menyediakan air bersih bagi sekitar 1.000 warga yang telah diselesaikan pada tahun 2009. Sementara itu di kampung Iwaka dibangun 46 unit fasilitas penampung air hujan yang dibangun dengan menggunakan pola pengembangan kapasitas masyarakat. Sementara itu 78 jamban keluarga tambahan telah dibangun di Fanamo, Omawita, Ipiri, Paripi dan Yaraya serta 10 unit penyaring air biosand di kampung Fanamo dan Omawita.(Trian Purnamasari) http://www.ptfi.com/news/ebk/gen_ebk.asp?ed=20121016

HR is Everyone's Business

Divisi Manpower Management & HRM Jakarta , PT Freeport Indonesia bekerjasama dengan GML Performance Consulting Jakarta menyelenggarakan Pelatihan Human Resources bagi para Senior Manajemen Lapangan PTFI yang berlangsung di Lupa Lelah Club, Tembagapura selama 2 hari berturut-turut (31 Oktober - 01 November 2012).
Pelatihan tersebut dibuka oleh EVP Employee Development, Joko Basyuni, yang menyampaikan bahwa pelatihan ini diadakan untuk menambah wawasan para pemimpin senior di divisi operasi dalam hal pengetahuan sumberdaya manusia, agar lebih memahami konteks Human Resources Management dan kaitannya dengan peran dari Line Managers untuk meningkatkan produktifitas Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM) di tiap divisi secara optimal.
Setelah pembukaan di hari pertama, Cahyo Winarto selaku Principal Consultant dari GML Asia memberikan materi mengenai HR roles dan kaitannya dengan Line Manajer roles, Manpower Planning, Recruitment dan Development. Di akhir sesi tersebut diharapkan agar peserta training dapat lebih berperan dalam mengelola timnya sehingga dapat menjamin ketersediaan SDM di tiap-tiap unit kerjanya secara tepat kuantitas dan tepat kualitas, mengembangkan kompetensi SDM, mempertahankan keberadaan SDM untuk betah bekerja, dan meningkatkan produktifitas SDM secara optimal. Satu pesan Cahyo Winarto pada sesi terakhir hari pertama adalah HR is EVERYONE's BUSINESS yang artinya tugas untuk melaksanakan fungsi-fungsi HR dengan baik merupakan tanggung jawab kita semua, bukan hanya tugas dari Divisi HR saja.

Penjelasan mengenai Kepemimpinan, Penghargaan, Hubungan Industial dan Pemutusan Hubungan Kerja mengisi pelatihan hari kedua. Banyak pertanyaan menarik yang dilontarkan oleh peserta, salah satunya dari Ardhin Yuniar, Manager Grasberg Engineering, mengenai bagaimana cara mempertahankan Engineer yang berkualitas tinggi untuk tetap loyal pada perusahaan. Kemudian hal tersebut di jawab dengan penjelasan mengenai dua factor penting dalam mempertahankan keberadaan SDM yaitu faktor materi seperti pemberian sistem renumerasi yang menarik (gaji pokok, benefit, bonus, dsb) serta faktor non materi (karir, pengembangan, komunikasi, family day, dsb).
Pelatihan yang diikuti oleh 25 Senior Manajemen dari divisi-divisi Operation ditutup oleh Vice President Geo Services Wahyu Sunyoto, dan menyatakan bahwa pelatihan-pelatihan mengenai bagaimana cara pengelolaan sumber daya manusia dengan baik harus lebih sering diadakan untuk membekali para leader dalam memimpin divisi atau departemen nya masing-masing. Beliau juga menekankan bahwa setelah mengikuti pelatihan ini diharapkan sebagai pemimpin senior dari divisi Operation harus bisa menggabungkan ilmu Human Resources, Engineering dan Operational di lapangan sehingga diharapkan dapat meningkatkan produktifitas yang ada seoptimal mungkin.
Para peserta memberikan masukan bahwa pelatihan ini sangat bermanfaat untuk lebih memahami fungsi HR di lapangan, dan ini harus dilanjutkan ke semua Lini manajer agar mempunyai wawasan yang sama. (Photo: Novel Alfami dan Bashir Nurhuda; Text: Bashir Nurhuda). sumber: http://www.ptfi.com/news/eBK/gen_ebk.asp?ed=20121107.

Freeport Abaikan Harkat dan Martabat Kemanusiaan Ex 24 Karyawannya

Taling Freeport yang merusak lingkungan di sekitar Freeport (Foto: Ist)

PAPUAN,  Editorial — Peristiwa Timika Berdarah tahun 1977 masih di ingat oleh Dorus Wakumm dari Komunitas Masyarakat Adat Papua Anti Korupsi (KAMPAK) Papua. Menurutnya, ini adalah sebuah peristiwa yang memakan korban jiwa yaitu masyarakat amungme dan komoro.

Militer dan Polisi Indonesia melakukan operasi militer di tahun yang sama ke wilayah Kabupaten Jayawijaya dan daerah-daerah lainnya di wilayah pegunungan tengah. Sejak saat itu, Kellyk Kwalik selaku Panglima Kodap III TPN/OPM melakukan perlawanan terbuka kepada Militer dan Polisi Indonesia termasuk PT. Freeport Mc.Moran.

Panglima TPN/OPM Kodap III Jenderal Kellyk Kwalik melakukan perlawanan bersama masyarakat pemilik hak ulayat terhadap keberadaan Militer dan Polisi Indonesia yang didukung oleh PT.Freeport Mc. Moran saat itu.

Jenderal Kellyk Kwalyk dan Masyarakat melakukan perlawanan dengan memotong dan meledakan Pipa aliran tambang yang mengalir dari Gresbert Tembagapura ke pelabuhan Port Sait.

Dalam perlawanan ini Militer dan Polisi Indonesia membunuh banyak warga masyarakat, membakar rumah, merusak barang milik warga , menembak binatang piaraan warga, yang membuat warga ketakutan dan lari berlindung dihutan-hutan selama hampir lima bulan lamanya.

Akibat dari operasi Militer dan Polisi Indonesia saat itu, memporak porandakan kehidupan masyarakat suku amungme – Kamoro yang melakukan perlawanan terhadap keberadaan PT. Freeport Mc.Moran.  telah mengakibatkan banyak korban jiwa masyarakat Amungme-Kamoro dan warga sekitarnya.

Hampir kurang lebih 900 jiwa yang meninggal akibat adanya operasi tersebut yang diumumkan oleh pemerintah Indonesia, tetapi lain halnya dengan laporan yang dilansir oleh Uskup Muninghof pada tahun 1995 yang dilaporkan kepada KOMNASHAM-RI di Jakarta, bahwa korban jiwa lebih dari 900 jiwa warga masyarakat yang telah menjadi korban akibat dari adanya operasi militer tersebut.

Selain itu, peristiwa 1977 tidak hanya menimpah warga masyarakat, sebaliknya ada sejumlah karyawan PT.Freeport Mc.Moran yang dituduh terlibat dalam sabotase pipa tambang oleh kelompok Jenderal TPN/OPM Kellyk Kwalik.

Tuduhan itu sangat tidak mendasar dan tidak bisa dibuktikan apakah ke 24 ex karyawan itu terlibat atau tidak, sebab sejak mereka diculik dan disekap didalam kontainer di Gesrberg Tembagapura selama 3-6 bulan, ke 24 ex karyawan PT.Freeport Mc.Moran selama itu mengalami tindakan kekerasan seperti; penangkapan, penculikan, penganiayaan, penyiksaan, dan penghinaan serta penahanan tanpa ada bukti yang jelas dan kuat diduga mereka ex karyawan terlibat dalam sabotase pipa tersebut.

Selama ditahan dan mengalami tindakan kekerasan aparat Militer, Polisi dan Laksusda Irian Jaya Barat, para ex karyawan ini tidak mendapatkan keadilan dan bantuan hukum dan tidak pernah diajukan pengadilan yangmana Pengadilan dapat memutuskan mereka bersalah bahwa ke 24 ex karyawan PT.Freeport Mc.Moran terlibat dalam sabotase Pipa tambang yang dituduhkan kepada mereka.

“Tuduhan aparatus negara dan manajemen PT.Freeport Mc.Moran tidak bisa dibuktikan di pengadilan, apakah benar mereka terlibat atau tidak, sebab hingga saat ini tidak ada putusan pengadilan yang menyatakan bahwa ke 24 ex karyawan PT.Freeport Mc.Moran bersalah,” kata Dorus.

Terjadinya putusan hubungan kerja antara PT.Freeport Mc.Moran dengan 24 ex karyawan, hanya didasari oleh Surat Laksusda Irja Komando Operasi Portsite No.R/20/KOOPS/XI/1977 tertanggal 17 November 1977 dengan perihal terlibatnya saudara didalam separatis GPL dengan maksud menghancurkan proyek Freeport Indonesia,Inc. Di Tembagapura.

Atas dasar surat laksusda yang hanya sepihak saja tanpa ada putusan pengadilan bahwa (mereka) ke 24 ex karyawan PT.Freeport Mc.Moran itu terlibat atau tidak, bersalah atau tidak. Hanya dengan dasar ini lalu kemudian Manajemen PT.Freeport Mc.Moran melalui surat pemutusan hubungan kerja yang ditandatangani oleh Superintendent Employee Relation atas nama R.O. Nelson mengeluarkan surat PHK dan menunggu persetujuan P4P, maka Manajemen PT.Freeport Mc.Moran baru bisa membayar hak-hak ke 24 ex karyawan tersebut.

Patut diduga bahwa jika ke 24 ex karyawan ini tidak dipecat dengan cara kriminalisasi dan diskriminasi seperti ini, kemungkinan banyak hal yang diketahui oleh anak-anak putra asli papua ini akan menjadi ancaman dikemudian hari, apabila Manajemen PT.Freeport Mc.Moran melakukan kesalahan kepada mereka.

“Apa yang dilakukan oleh PTFI ini, sudah mengabaikan nilai harkat dan martabat kemanusiaan terhadap 24 Ex-karyawannya dan orang Papua asli,” tutup Dorus.

Sesudah kejadian tersebut, salah satu anak asli Timika yang adalah pemilik lokasi tambang, Titus Natkime, pernah melakukan gugatan terhadap PT Freeport di pengadilan negeri Jakarta Selatan.  Saat itu ia minta Freeport membayar padanya 300triliun untuk ganti rugi seluruh kerusakan dan lain-lain.

Titus mengaku, sudah bekerja belasan tahun lamanya, namun tidak pernah ada perhatian yang serius dari Freeport pada dirinya yang juga adalah anak dari Tuarek Natkime, pemilik tanah Amungsa yang telah meninggal.

Perjuangannya untuk terus meminta hak-hak adatnya kandas. Pengadilan negeri Jakarta Selatan mengatakan perkara tersebut tak bisa dilanjutkan. Kandas ditengah jalan, alasannya tidak memenuhi azas persidangan.

Keberadaan PT Freeport Indonesia memang tak pernah perhatikan harkat dan martabat orang asli Papua. Sama Titus Natkime yang adalah pemilik tanah tambang PT Freeport saja diperlakukan demikian, apalagi dengan yang lainnya.

Freeport, perusahaan multi-nasional yang menjadikan Papua sebagai panggung meraup banyak keuntungan, namun meninggalkan luka bekas (sakit) ditengah-tengah masyarakat adat tanah Papua.

 

OKTOVIANUS POGAU/TOMMY APRIANDO  

Indonesia brands peacful Papua activists 'enemies of state'

The last year has seen a series of violent attacks on West Papuan activists in the Indonesian provinces of Papua.

Indonesia brands peacful Papua activists 'enemies of state' (Credit: ABC) 

From the killing of Mako Tabuni, the deputy chairman of the National Committee for West Papua or KNPB, to the recent killing of another KNPB figures, Paul Horis, it's been a bloody time.
There were hopes for talk rather than shooting, with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono formally agreeing to dialogue and twice meeting Papuan church leaders.
On the Papuan side, five representatives have been appointed as negotiators with the Indonesian government, including Octo Mote.
Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Octo Mote, Tom and Andy Berstein Senior Human Rights Fellow at the Yale University Law School

TV Papua, vreedzame demonstratie in Fakfak en openbare recht zitting in West-Papua

TV Papua, Vandaag in ons journaal en terugblik op 2 gebeurtenissen uit West Papua.

In Fak Fak was er een vreedzame demonstratie gehouden door de Papua's.
Ze riepen de Indonesische authoriteiten op, om alle politieke gevangen in West Papua vrij te laten.
Ook Het onrecht, ongelijkheid en discriminatie dat nu ruim 50 jaar structureel aanwezig is in West Papua moet stoppen.
De demonstranten droegen grote borden met foto's van onder andere Hilary Clinton, Parlementariers en andere politieke figuren.

West Papua wordt ruim 50 jaar gekoloniseerd door Indonesie en de realiteit in West Papua is verre van een Democratie.
De Papua's willen een VN interventie, aangezien het blijkt dat Jakarta totaal geen wil heeft om de Papua's perspectief te bieden. en
Op 26 juli jongsleden was er een openbare rechtszitting in West Papua, met Filip Karma en Buchtar Tabuni.
Tijdens de zitting werden ze door de Rechter uitgehoord en ondervraagt.
(Bron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwAhkP5j71M&feature=player_embedded)

Papuan separatist leader reportedly killed

Klismon Woy, anggota KNPB yang masih kritis di rumah sakit

The Papuan separatist group, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), says its leader Paul Horis has been killed.

The chairman of the KNPB, Victor Yeimo, said MR Horis was killed by Indonesian special forces at the weekend.

Another KNPB member was seriously wounded in the attack.

Mr Yeimo also alleged that a regional member of parliament, Peter Katem, was beaten and tortured by the Indonesian military in the eastern town of Merauke.

Dr Camellia Webb-Gannon, co-ordinator of the West Papua Project at the University of Sydney, told Radio Australia that the reported incidents suggest the Indonesian military is taking "an increasingly hardline and violent approach to the conflict in West Papua".

Alm. Paulus Horik saat disemayamkan di rumah duka

"This is despite contradictory statements from top political leadership in Indonesia that a development or dialogue approach will be taken," she said.

Several members of the KNPB were arrested recently for making or storing bombs.

However, the KNPB insists it is committed to a peaceful campaign for self-determination

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/

Australia presses Indonesia on Papua killing

Pemakaman Mako tabuni (Ist)

Canberra called on Wednesday for an Indonesian inquiry into the killing of a Papuan independence leader but could not say whether Australian-trained counter-terrorism police were involved in the death.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said senior Australian officials had pressed Indonesia on the death in June of Mako Tabuni, a leader in Papua's fight for independence from Jakarta allegedly killed by Indonesia's anti-extremist squad.

Tabuni's supporters told Australian media he was gunned down by plain-clothes officers from Detachment 88, a counter-terrorism squad formed after the 2002 Bali bombings and partly trained and resourced by Australia.

Carr said Australian police included human rights training in their work with the Indonesian police but "we don't run the counter-terrorism forces" and there was a limit to Canberra's responsibility for their activities.

 Source: http://news.yahoo.com/australia-presses-indonesia-papua/

He could not confirm whether Detachment 88 had been involved in Tabuni's death but said several top-level representations had been made to Jakarta calling for a "full and open" investigation into the shooting.

"We think the best way of clarifying the situation is for an inquiry," Carr told ABC Television.

"We think it would be in the interest of Indonesia in particular and in the interest of their human rights record in the Papuan provinces."

Carr stressed that the calls came "in the context of us consistently recognising Indonesian sovereignty over Papua, and at the same time asserting our right as a friend and a neighbour to raise human rights issues".

"Even when they're dealing with people who may have used violent means, who are accused of using violent means, our strong position with Indonesia is that the legal process should be open and that the people accused of these offences should be treated with due process," he said.

Carr said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had been "very responsive".

Australian police said it only provided funding to the Indonesian forces for specific counter-terrorism initiatives, though it had "gifted" cars, telecoms and computer equipment worth Aus$314,500 (US$325,810) over two years.

"The Australian Federal Police is not aware, nor been informed, that Detachment 88 is specifically targeting independence leaders in Papua and West Papua," it said in a statement.

Get full coverage of the Republican National Convention here

West Papua Report November 2012

 Demonstrators protest SBY's visit to London at 10 Downing Street in London. Photos via Facebook.
This is the 103rd in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com. If you wish to receive the report directly via e-mail, send a note to etan@etan.org. For additional news on West Papua see the reg.westpapua listserv archive or on Twitter.
WPAT Note: With the October 2012 edition, West Papua Report changed format: The Report now leads with "Perspective," an opinion piece; followed by an "Update," a summary of some developments during the covered period; and a "Chronicle" which lists of statements, new resources, appeals and action alerts related to West Papua. Anyone interested in contributing a Perspective or responding to one should write to edmc@msn.com. The opinions expressed in Perspectives are the author's and not necessarily those of WPAT or ETAN.
Contents:
Perspective: Genocide in West Papua by Malign Neglect

Update

• Indonesian Security Forces Attack Peaceful Political Rallies Across West Papua
• KontraS Says Scores of Violent Acts Have "Engulfed" West Papua
• Military Sweep Operations Again Force Flight of Civilians
• Indonesia Fails to Meet Basic Papuan Health Needs
• The Need to Empower Papuan Women
• Indonesia Seeks to Deny Obligations to Indigenous by Claiming They Don't Exist

Chronicle

• Tapol: "Britain and Indonesia: Too close for comfort?"
• Survival International Condemns UK Plans to Honor Yudhoyono
• CSW: Indonesia Must Address Human Rights Violations
• Amnesty International: End Police Violence against Demonstrators in Papua
• End Violence against Papuan Journalists

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Perspective

Genocide in West Papua by Malign Neglect
by Edmund McWilliams

The "Perspective" article carried in the October 2012 edition of the West Papua Report made a strong case that the Indonesian government is culpable of genocide in West Papua. The analysis persuasively argued that the brutal repression carried out in West Papua for decades by Indonesian security forces has been responsible for the death of at least 100,000 Papuans. Moreover, the nearly constant "sweeping operations" carried out by the Indonesian military, police, and special units such as "Detachment 88" have driven villagers, especially in the rural highlands, into the jungles where many have died as a consequence of lack of food, shelter and access to medical care. Indonesian security forces standard refusal to allow humanitarian relief into areas affected by their military campaigns has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis generated by those operations. The analysis also cited demographic evidence, including population growth comparisons with Papua New Guinea, that strongly suggested that the genocidal consequences of nearly 50 years of Indonesian occupation of West Papua may amount to many hundreds of thousands of Papuans lost.

Jakarta's deliberate, pernicious policies in West Papua also have been especially harmful in the sphere of "development" in West Papua. Even before Jakarta assumed full and formal control of West Papua under the guise of the fraudulent "Act of Free Choice," Jakarta had begun its decades-long, exploitative collusion with U.S. and other corporations targeting Papuan resources.

Jakarta's deliberate, pernicious policies in West Papua also have been especially harmful in the sphere of "development" in West Papua. Even before Jakarta assumed full and formal control of West Papua under the guise of the fraudulent "Act of Free Choice" whereby Papuan suffrage was denied, Jakarta had begun its decades-long, exploitative collusion with U.S. and other corporations targeting Papuan resources. Beginning in 1967 and its infamous deals with Freeport McMoRan, the Indonesian government has pursued a plan of systematic exploitation of Papuan natural resources. That exploitation, in the forestry sector, fishing, mining, and oil development have invariably been at the cost of ecological concerns and the rights and welfare of Papuans. Forests which had sustained many generations of Papuans were destroyed, often by the Indonesian military, which garners great wealth that enables it to evade civilian budgetary control.

The Indonesian navy has colluded with foreign fishing interests allowing the use of illegal drag nets in Papuan waters which have devastated offshore fishing grounds. Mining, particularly by Freeport McMoRan, has destroyed entire riverine systems (e.g. the Ajkwa) with tailings that pollute food and water resources and destroy forests, including the sago palm, a vital food source for the Amunge in the Timika area.

There can be no doubt that the impact of five decades of Indonesia's colonial approach in West Papua has been devastating for at east two generations of Papuans. Under Jakarta's rule, hundreds of thousands of "transmigrants" have been settled in West Papua. These transmigrants were often victims of Jakarta's "development" policies, uprooted from their villages elsewhere in the archipelago to make room for developments schemes by cronies and generals of the Suharto dictatorship. Under Suharto and successor regimes, the transmigrants resettled in West Papua (and in other areas such as West Kalimantan and Sumatra) received preferential treatment vis-à-vis the original people already occupying those lands. In West Papua, Jakarta's transmigration policies deliberately marginalized local Papuans, often forcing Papuans off productive land that Papuans had called home for many generations with minimal or no compensation. Traditional land rights were, and continue to be largely ignored. The flow of government monies to West Papua was diverted from indigenous Papuans and directed instead to development of facilities to assist transmigrant settlement. Similarly, business licenses and government contracts were extended to transmigrant businesses in a manner that routinely accorded non-Papuans commercial advantages that inevitably deepened the marginalization of Papuans.

But the Indonesian government's deliberate marginalization of the Papuan people has extended far beyond this commercial and development favoritism. Since coercively annexing West Papua, Jakarta has directed most of its resources in the area of medical and educational infrastructure to the cities and towns of West Papua where transmigrants have clustered. As a result, Papuans living in rural areas desperately lack access to adequate medical facilities and personnel, and to education. Statistics developed by the United Nations and the Indonesian government over decades reveal that rural areas, where the majority of Papuans live, are among the worst served populations in Indonesia.

This malign neglect, even more than the devastating impact of direct military assault, appears to account for genocidal impact of Indonesian rule for the last five decades.

The United Nations, ASEAN, and foreign governments have been complicit in the genocidal approach adopted by Jakarta toward West Papua by virtue of their silence in the face of decades of suffering inflicted on the Papuan people. Especially complicit are those governments, such as the U.S., Australia, and the UK, which have enabled the brutal Indonesian security forces through the provision of weapons and military training.

October 31 London protest against visit by Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Photos from Facebook.

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UPDATE
Indonesian Security Forces Attack Peaceful Political Rallies Across West Papua

According to various reports, Indonesian security forces attacked peaceful political rallies in several cities on October 23. The worst attacks took place in Manokwari where four people were shot by Indonesian army personnel and many others were beaten. The daily JUBI reported on October 24 that in the repressive action in Manokwari, security officials arrested eleven students, some of whom were injured. Other rallies, which like those in Manokwari, also called for Papuan independence, were organized October 23 in Jayapura, Fak Fak, Biak, Sorong, Timika, Merauke and Yahukimo. The rallies were organized by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).

KontraS Says Scores of Violent Acts Have "Engulfed" West Papua

An October 29 JUBI report translated by TAPOL, notes that KontraS, the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence reported that from January to October as many as 81 acts of violence occurred in Papua. Thirty-one people died as a result of their injuries. KontraS believes that since January scores of acts of violence have engulfed Papua and that there are serious restrictions to democracy in Papua. "It is a serious challenge for civil society to criticize the policy being pursued by the government," said KontraS.

Military Sweep Operations Again Force Flight of Civilians

A "special investigation" by West Papua Media revealed that as of mid-October, Indonesian security forces were intensifying sweep operations targeting villages in the vicinity of the Papuan Central Highlands town of Wamena. The sweeps reportedly forced hundreds of villagers to flee into the surrounding forests, where some have sought refuge with pro-independence guerrillas in the nearby mountains. The special so-called anti-terror "Densus 88," widely accused of human rights violations, reportedly is involved in the sweeps. Activists from the pro-independence West Papua National Committee (KNPB) are reportedly being targeted by heavily armed police and soldiers who are cruising the districts surrounding Wamena detaining civilians suspected of having affiliation with the KNPB.

WPAT Comment: The Indonesian government has an obligation to meet the humanitarian needs of those civilians who have been displaced by security force operations. It is also imperative that Indonesian forces not target those guerilla camps which now include displaced civilians.

Indonesia Fails to Meet Basic Papuan Health Needs

A report published in JUBI, October 22, reported that the Indonesian Health Service said that there are only one thousand villages (kampungs) in West Papua that have medical clinics. Approximately 2,600 kampungs have no government clinics. According to Josef Rinta, head of the Health Service, the absence of clinics in over two thirds of West Papua's rural villages is die to a lack of medical personnel.

In a commentary which accompanied TAPOL's translation of this report, the widely respected human rights organization said: "This dreadful lack of such a basically important service has persisted for so long in a territory that is endowed with hugely-profitable natural resources which provide the Indonesian government with huge earnings year on year in taxes, dividends and revenue from the profits of the US-owned Freeport mine which mines gold and copper in West Papua and the British owned Tangguh LNG natural gas project."

The Need to Empower Papuan Women

Because women extremely rarely occupy positions of strategic importance, either in government or elsewhere, they have not had the opportunity to show their capabilities. Dirty tricks make it very difficult for women to compete with men.

Bintang Papua reports that a Papuan woman, speaking on behalf of the Women's Caucus in the Majelis Rakyat Papua (MPR), the upper house of the Papuan parliament) called for the empowerment of Papuan women. Ibu Rode Ros Muyasin said that indigenous Papuan women are as capable as Papuan men. However, the problem is that they have never been given the space to display their capabilities. For example, although a quota has been set for women to occupy 30% of the seats in the legislature, this quota has never been achieved. She said that because women extremely rarely occupy positions of strategic importance, either in government or elsewhere, they have not had the opportunity to show their capabilities. She went on to say dirty tricks make it very difficult for women to compete with men. She called on all elements in society to foster the involvement of women. The Special Autonomy Law for Papua endorses the principles of protection, support and empowerment of indigenous Papuan women.

Instead of a quota of 30% women in the legislature, she said justice requires that this should be 50%. Women's position within the special eleven extra seats in the legislature is also not at all clear. She urged all people in Papua to make sure that women enjoy the same proportionate role as men. "There must be an end to gender discrimination, to the continuing stigmatization of Papuan women as being of incapable."

WPAT Comment: One of the original conceptions of the MPR was that it would provide space for women's voices than would the elected lower house of parliament.

Indonesia Denies Obligations to Indigenous by Claiming They Don't Exist

The UN Human Rights Commission's periodic review of Indonesia recommended that it consider ratifying International Labor Organization Convention 169, an international standard for indigenous and tribal peoples. It also recommended that Indonesia secure the rights of its indigenous peoples, especially to their traditional lands, territories and resources. The recommendations grew out of the UN's Universal Periodic Review of human rights required of every UN member state.
The government of Indonesia's responsed there were no indigenous peoples living in the country. In its response, Indonesia claimed that "The Government of Indonesia supports the promotion and protection of indigenous people worldwide. Given its demographic composition, Indonesia, however, does not recognize the application of the indigenous people concept as defined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the country." While Indonesia is a signatory to the Declaration, the government argues that all Indonesians (with the exception of the ethnic Chinese) are indigenous, entitled to the same rights. The government does recognize 365 distinct ethnic and sub-ethnic groups, but defines them as komunitas adat terpencil, (geographically-isolated customary law communities). Approximately, 1.1 million people out of a total population of more than 240 million belong to these groups. However, the national organization of indigenous peoples Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN), which prefers to refer to indigenous peoples by the term masyarakat adat (traditional communities), estimates that Indonesia is home approximately 50 million indigenous and tribal people.
Appeals, Alerts, Statements:

Background statements issued by various organizations on the occasion of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's state visit to London, from October 31 to November 2, 2012 are collected by the NGO Forum for Indonesia and Timor-Leste here (PDF file).

Tapol: "Britain and Indonesia: Too close for comfort?"

A TAPOL media release on the occasion of President Yudhoyono's visit to Britain raised fundamental questions about the Indonesian-UK relationship. TAPOL called for "immediate ban on the sale to Indonesia of any military equipment that may be used for internal repression," and a review of British-funded training of Indonesia's notorious so-called anti-terror police, Densus 88, or Detachment 88. The unit, formed after the Bali bombings in 2002 to combat terrorism (with U.S. support), "is reportedly being deployed to tackle other issues, such as alleged separatism in Indonesia's conflict-affected provinces. Local civil society monitors say Densus 88 is being used to crack down on the Papuan independence movement, and the unit has been implicated in the assassination of its leaders, such as Mako Tabuni, who was shot dead in June this year," wrote Tapol (see July 2012 WPAT Report ).

TAPOL's release also announced an October 31 demonstration "on behalf of human rights victims." TAPOL Coordinator Paul Barber criticized plans for the UK to honor Yudhoyono, calling it "a gross affront to those who have suffered violations at the hands of successive Indonesian governments."

Demonstrators protest SBY's visit to London at 10 Downing Street in London. Photos via Facebook.

Survival International Condemns UK Plans to Honor Yudhoyono

Survival International joined other human rights groups in condemning the visit of Indonesian President Yudhoyono to Britain. Director Stephen Corry said "Reports on the Indonesian government's torture and killing of West Papuan tribespeople make grim reading. It's extremely alarming that British taxpayers are funding a special forces unit accused of atrocious human rights abuses against West Papuan tribespeople. We're urging David Cameron to challenge the Indonesian President on his country's abysmal human rights record."

CSW: Indonesia Must Address Human Rights Violations

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) urged the UK government to raise concerns over religious intolerance and other human rights violations in Indonesia with President Yudhoyono. In a letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague, CSW called for pressure to be put on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to protect the rights of religious minorities and defend the rule of law.

The organization warned that Indonesian democracy could be undermined if human rights violations in West Papua are not addressed. The Indonesian president should follow the recommendations of the Papua Road Map and enter into dialogue with the Papuans.

Amnesty International: End Police Violence against Demonstrators in Papua

On October 25, Amnesty International urged Indonesia to end police violence in West Papua. AI noted that a pro-independence protest in Manokwari, Papua on October 23 was violently attacked by the Indonesian security forces. Four demonstrators were shot by the police when they opened fire at a gathering of some 300 protesters outside the local university. A few protesters had thrown stones. At least seven additional people were injured. 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's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director. "This incident warrants an immediate investigation and a thorough review of police tactics during policing of demonstrations."
End the Violence against Papuan Journalists
Pantau Foundation and Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) issued a statement condemning a police attack on Papuan journalist Oktovianus Pogau, a reporter with Suara Papua and a contributor to the Yayasan Pantau. He was beaten by five policemen while trying to take pictures of police use of excessive violence against the KNPB demonstrators in front of the State University of Papua in Manokwari (see above). SEAPA's executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran said: "We deplore the aggression used against the demonstrators and especially journalists, who are on duty. Papua has been a particularly difficult and dangerous place for the media and such kinds of abuse will further deny the rights of the people to news and information." She added: "The threats of impunity, of not bringing perpetrators of violence against media personnel to justice, is problem that has pushed backs Indonesia's gains in media freedom in the last decade or so."

On Wednesday, November 1 London police arrested human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell when he unfurled a West Papuan flag as the Indonesian President’s limousine departed Westminster Abbey in central London. Police told Tatchell that they had arrested him at the request of the Indonesian President's entourage. Tatchell was released without charge. "President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should have been arrested on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity under British and international law," Tatchell said. "I was stunned to be chased and arrested for a peaceful, lawful protest. The Indonesian President stands accused of crimes against humanity in East Timor and West Papua, involving the deaths of thousands of people.

Link to this issue: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2012/1211wpap.htm