Monday, October 31, 2011

October update

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

AWPA update. - October 2011

The two main stories out of West Papua in the past month are the crackdown on delegates who were attending the 3rd Papuan People's Congress and the ongoing strike at the Freeport Copper and Gold mine.

The 3rd Papuan People's Congress which was held between the 17 and 19 October and at the end of the Congress the Morning Star flag was raised and a declaration of Independence read out. Indonesian security forces accompanied by armored vehicles immediately moved in to break up the gathering firing live rounds resulting in six people been killed. The security forces also used batons, bamboo poles and the butts of rifles during the arrest of up to 300 delegates resulting in serious injuries. Six people were charged with treason. There may be more casualties as many of those attending the congress fled into the bush in fear of their lives from the security forces. 5000 people are reported to have attended the Congress.

A report in the Jakarta Globe (25 October) said that human rights groups believed that there were strong indications that security forces committed human rights abuses during the deadly crackdown on delegates in Abepura . An extract from the Jakarta Globe article
Ridha Saleh, deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said it appeared likely that officers assaulted and fired at participants at the Papuan People’s Congress, which took place last week. A day after the incident, the bodies of six participants were found near the local military headquarters, reportedly with gunshot wounds. “The participants did not put up any kind of resistance, yet they were taken down, beaten and shot at,” Ridha said. “That this resulted in fatalities clearly makes this a serious rights violation.”

Media reports said that up to 300 extra members of the security are being sent to West Papua which will only increase fear amongst the West Papuan people who are already traumatized by the numerous military operations that have taken place in the past, particularly in the Puncak Jaya region. Human rights organizations around the world condemned the heavy handed response by the security forces to a peaceful congress. AWPA wrote to Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd twice concerning the crackdown http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2011/10/media-release-increasing-tension-in.html
Greens Senator Richard Di Natale was a lone voice amongst Australian politicians in raising concerns about the situation and calling for a halt to ties with the Indonesian military http://richard-di-natale.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/suspend-military-ties-indonesia-greens AWPA also called on the Foreign Minister to t hold an inquiry into how our aid and training to the Indonesian military impacts on the lives of the West Papuan people http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8366263/rudd-called-on-to-launch-indon-inquiry

Human Rights Watch reported that Police have since released all of those arrested except for the six men below.
Forkorus Yaboisembut, chairman of the Papua Customary Council,
Edison Waromi, president of the West Papua National Authority.
Dominikus Surabut, secretary of the Papuan Customary Council in La Pago region.
Selpius Bobii, a social media activist, who organized the Papuan Congress. He eluded the police crackdown, but surrendered to police on October 20, accompanied by his lawyers and a Papuan journalist.
August M. Sananay of the West Papua National Authority.
Gat Wanda, a member of PETAPA, charged with possessing a sharp weapon.

West Papua Media Alerts reports that a demonstration by hundreds of people began this morning (31 Oct) at Waena, near Jayapura, closely shadowed by hundreds of police, including anti-riots and paramilitary units. Rolling civil resistance activities have also been planned in other parts of Jayapura and other Papuan centres in coming days, partly to support the outcome of the congress, where a newly independent state of West Papua was declared.

Freeport Strike
The strike at the Freeport Copper and Gold mine which began on the 15 September is continuing with a number of shootings occurring around the mine. In one incident Petrus Ayamiseba,, a striking worker was killed when Indonesian security forces fired on striking workers in Timika. A number of other workers were seriously injured. Seven people have been reported killed in clashes between workers and police and unknown assailants. Production at the mine has been crippled and infrastructure sabotaged including a pipeline.

Freeport McMoran is a US company which controls over 90 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia while the Indonesian Government holds the remaining 9.36 percent. Rio Tinto also has a share in Freeport investing US $500 million of new capital in Freeport for a 12 per cent stake in the US mining business. Rio Tinto also agreed to finance a US$184 million expansion of the Grasberg mine and in return received 40 per cent of post-1995 production revenue that exceeded certain output targets, and from 2021 a 40 per cent stake in all production. in addition, Rio Tinto would receive 40 per cent of all production from new excavations elsewhere within West Papua. Although the company's revenue is $30 million a day, Freeport workers receive between $1.50-$3.00 per hour. This is the lowest wages of any Freeport mining facility and the striking workers have been simply asking for an increase in their pay level. Freeport makes huge profits and its Grasberg mine and it is the world’s largest single reserve of both copper and gold. In the first half of this year, the company paid US $1.4 billion in financial obligations to the Indonesian government. From 1992 to June 2011, the company paid $12.8 billion to the Indonesian Government. In 2008, Freeport admitted it had paid around “US$1.6 million through wire transfers and checks to provide ‘monthly allowances’ to police and soldiers at and around the Grasberg mine,” (reported by Agence France-Presse). The payments were made “in contravention of a series of legal measures aimed at stopping military units working as paid protection.”

In a report in the Jakarta Globe (28 Oct) the police admitted that they accepted millions of dollars from Freeport to provide security for the mine. According to the human rights group Imparsial, the police received $64 million from Freeport between 1995 and 2004. An article in the SMH (1st Nov) reported that Freeport has offered striking workers a pay increase of 30 per cent but unions have rejected the upgrade, saying it is still vastly below comparable salaries for other Freeport McMoran employees. ''We want $US7.50 per hour,'' said Virgo Solossa, a union official.
The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) accused the Police of a Conflict of Interest in Papua. Kontras said it found that senior police had threatened a labor organizer from the All-Indonesian Workers Trade Union (SPSI). It said Sudiro, SPSI’s chief workplace organizer for Freeport’s Grasberg mine, had reported that Timika Police Chief Denny Siregar called him and made a death threat. Sudiro also said Papua Police chief Bikman L. Tobing had harassed him with insulting language. According to Kontras, such aggressive language and threats constituted violence against the unionist. The state secretary under former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, Bondan Gunawan, says he believes the daily allowances that PT Freeport Indonesia gives to the police have an indirect effect on the conflict in Papua. “It will make the law enforcers side with the foreign company,” Bondan said on Saturday during a discussion called “A Never-Ending Conflict in Papua”.

AWPA wrote to the US Ambassador in Canberra asking that the US Government investigate the killing of Petrus Ayamiseba to see if Freeport management is using the security forces and its own security staff to intimidate workers to return to work. AWPA believes industrial action should be dealt bilaterally, between the company and workers and not involving the security forces. There have been numerous incidents of human rights abuses reported around the Freeport mine and AWPA urges the US Government to investigate these abuses.

An article in Bintang Papua (28 Oct) said a number of student organisations along with the KNPB, the National Committee for West Papua announced the establishment of a movement to oppose Freeport. They regard this company as having been the cause of many problems in Papua. The students unfurled two banners, one of which depicts the US flag intertwined with the logo of Freeport. The new organisation is called People's Movement Against Freeport Crimes - Gerklaf. The co-ordinator of the new organisation is Fanny Kogoya and Bovid Defa is the secretary.At the end of the ceremony, the US flag was set on fire. This opposition movement regards the presence of Freeport as having come about as the result of a political contract between the USA and its allies in order to ensure the continuance of Papua within the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.

ANTARA News reported (31 Oct) that PT Freeport Indonesia said it was ready to refer its dispute with workers affiliated to the All-Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) to the industrial relations court if its latest pay raise offer was not enough to satisfy them. However, There is cause for concern that the situation around the mine could deteroiate as in a report in the Jakarta Globe (31 Oct) the union representing striking Freeport workers in Timika, sais “that a number of police armored vehicles and heavy loaders were on their way to break up the labor action. In a statement released by the All-Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI), secretary Albar Sabang said “four panzers, one backhoe and one bulldozer are on the way to mile 27 of the Freeport area in Mimika” with the intention of breaking the strike by Tuesday, when a delegation from the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions is scheduled to meet with the Freeport unionists in Jakarta”.
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Opinion pieces/press releases/urgent actions etc.
There have been a large number of articles/opinion piece on the situation in the past month. A few below.

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Increased Pressure On Freeport Strikers

By Setyo Budi 25 Oct 2011
Workers at West Papua’s Grasberg mine have been in intense negotiations for wage increases with Freeport Indonesia management since July this year. To break the strike, Freeport management yesterday issued a statement offering to provide a financial incentive for those who can convince striking workers to go back to work.
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Indonesia Stands By Papua Crackdown
By Newmatilda.com 25 Oct 2011
Last week, New Matilda published a breaking report on the violence at the Third People’s Congress in West Papua. Indonesian military and police opened fire on participants and took civilians and leaders into custody. As reports of fatalities and injuries continued to emerge from Jayapura, NM has been in contact with local sources and provided up to date information and footage. Now, Jakarta has given its side of the story — and it stands by the violent crackdown
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It's Time To Take A Stand On Papua
By Richard Di Natale 21 Oct 2011
Yesterday afternoon news reached my office that unarmed Papuans — women, young people, church leaders, academics, tribal elders — and at least one Australian citizen, were being shot at by the Indonesian security forces. We now know that at least four people are confirmed dead, scores severely wounded and hundreds have been detained at the police station in Jayapura, the capital of West Papua………………………………

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Lush Campaign

A chain of shops run by Lush have today launched a huge UK and Ireland
nationwide campaign to increase awareness and support for the Free West
Papua movement.

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West Papuan Futures – part three, the independence struggle is here to stay
15 October, 2011 By Setyo Budi*
This is the third part of an article that looks at a fragmentation that appears within the Indonesian government and West Papuan Independent Movement on the issue of West Papuan independence. Click to read the first part and second part of the article. This article has been published in Arena Magazine, www.arena.org.au

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Theologians & Franciscan Friars about recent post-Congress Indonesian violence affecting their communities

http://westpapuamedia.info/2011/10/28/theologians-franciscan-friars-about-recent-post-congress-indonesian-violence-affecting-their-communities/

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Pacific media freedom report with a focus on West Papua

Full report here:
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Food vs. Forests, Profits vs. People

By Octo Mote and John M. Miller
Photo: SORPATOMNews
The town of Merauke in West Papua, Indonesia, holds a special place in Indonesian national history. The Dutch sent the first generation of Indonesian nationalists to the Tanah Merah prison camp in Merauke, where some of them died and were buried during the colonial period. Merauke’s mythic stature will make the Indonesian government all the more sensitive to opposition. Land grabbing is not new in West Papua; it has happened since colonial times (see sidebar). Every acre of Papuan land that has been claimed for a national project was taken by force. In a sense, there is nothing new about the Indonesian government’s latest project, Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE), nor is there anything new about West Papuan resistance.

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Amnesty International

INDONESIA MUST INVESTIGATE MINE STRIKE PROTEST KILLING 10 October 2011
The Indonesian authorities must immediately investigate the use of deadly force by police at a mining protest, Amnesty International said today after one protester was killed and at least six injured. Indonesian security forces opened fire on striking workers of a gold and copper mine in the eastern province of Papua run by US company Freeport-Mcmoran on Monday
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Urgent Appeal Case October 11, 2011
We have received information regarding the arbitrary arrest and torture of 15 Papuan villagers, including several minors, in Horas Skyline village, Jayapura, Papua, committed by a joint team of Jayapura city district police and Cenderawasih military area command on 31 August 2011. Until now, there is no investigation into the incident.....................

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from tapol
LP3BH: Police and army chiefs must be held responsible for attacks on Papuan Congress participants
Statement by Yan Christian Warinussy, executive-director of LP3BH/Manokwari
The attack by members of the Indonesian Police/Polri and the Indonesian Army against partiipants at the Third Papuan People's Congress on 19 October was a gross violations of human rights because it was perpetrated against ordinary civilians who were unarmed and were not involved in any acts of resistance. This is abundantly clear from video which I and the LP3BH-Manokwari have in our possession and which have been shown to government officials and members of the European Parliament as well as to members of the German Parliament last week in Berlin.
The videos clearly show that the attacks that were launched by members of Polri and the TNI were acting under the command of the chief of police in Papua and in Jayapura. There were no acts of resistance whatever by members of the public or by any of the participants at the Congress, including members of the special defence group for the Congress, the PETAPA. The videos also show a number of persons in civilian clothing, wearing short pants and shirts who are clearly intelligence agents of the police and the army, who can be seen holding pistols as well as rifles and who can be seen firing their weapons into the air, and even show some members of the security forces firing in the direction of the large crowd of people who were running away towards the mountains or to places in Abepura, in fear of their lives. The discovery of six dead bodies following the tragedy of the Third People's Congress is a clear indication of the use of ammunition being aimed against the mass of people.
As a human rights activist in the Land of Papua, I saw no actions aimed at dispersing the people or attempts to prevent chaos. The Congress was already over and one hour later, members of the security forces who were under the command of Police Commissioner Imam Setyawan SIK can be seen trying to prevent a vehicle which was driving along Jalan Yakonde with the lawyer Edison Waromi on board, which was damaged by the security forces who pulled the people of the vehicle and started beating them and then pushed them into a police van to be driven to police headquarters where they are now being held in custody. Following the arrest of Waromi, the security forces starting firing their weapons and chasing participants of the Papuan Congress as they were leaving the location of that event.
I herewith, as Executive Director of LP3BH/Manorkwari and a human rights defender in the Land of Papua, urge Komnas HAM, to investigate the matter and to bring formal charges against the Papua chief of police and the police chief in Jayapuara, as well as the commander of the 1702 military command in Jayapura who were in command of the operation to be held fully accountable for the bloody incident that occurred on 19 October 2011
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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Media release-Increasing tension in West Papua

Press Release West Papua
The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

26 October 2011

Increasing tension in West Papua



In light of the dangerously deteriorating situation in West Papua AWPA has again written to the Foreign minister (letter below)
urging him to use your good offices with the Indonesian Government to

call for the halt to any (or proposed) military operations in West Papua as a way of avoiding further escalation of the situation and avoiding further bloodshed.
We point out that during military operations in West Papua the security forces have great difficulty in distinguishing between civilians and what they term separatists

We also urge the Government to hold an inquiry into how our aid and training to the Indonesian military impacts on the lives of the West Papuan people

and in the short term to immediately halt any aid or training to any military unit found to have committed human rights abuses.



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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction, Sydney, Australia 2088


The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra
ACT 2600


26 October 2011


Dear Mr Rudd,

I am writing to you concerning the increasing tension in West Papua. I wrote to you on the 20 October concerning the crackdown by Indonesian security forces on delegates who were attending the 3rd Papuan People's Congress which was held between the 17 and 19 October. Reports now indicate that the casualties were more numerous than first thought. Six people have been confirmed killed and six charged with treason. A large number of West Papuans received serious injuries as they were beaten by the security forces with batons, bamboo poles and the butts of rifles during the arrest of up to 300 delegates. There may be more casualties as many of those attending the congress fled into the bush in fear of their lives from the security forces.

In other recent incidents around the giant Freeport copper and gold mine, three miners were ambushed by unknown gunmen and two other miners killed in a clash with police. The Mulia Police chief was also shot by unknown gunmen at Mulia Airport in Puncak Jaya regency on Monday and an unidentified group also set fire to the Mulia food resilience office. As a result of these incidents and in an effort to tighten security and to conduct military operations for those responsible for the killing of the police chief, up to 300 members of the security are being sent to West Papua.

AWPA believes that this deployment of extra security will only increase fear amongst the West Papuan people who are already traumatised by numerous military operations that have taken place particularly in the Puncak Jaya region.

A report in the Jakarta Globe (25 October) said that human rights groups believed that there were “strong indications” that security forces committed rights abuses during last week’s deadly crackdown on a pro-independence rally in Abepura, Papua. An extract from the Jakarta Globe article
Ridha Saleh, deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said it appeared likely that officers assaulted and fired at participants at the Papuan People’s Congress, which took place last week. A day after the incident, the bodies of six participants were found near the local military headquarters, reportedly with gunshot wounds. “The participants did not put up any kind of resistance, yet they were taken down, beaten and shot at,” Ridha said. “That this resulted in fatalities clearly makes this a serious rights violation.”

The security forces always try to blame the OPM for many of the incidents that occur in West Papua. However, Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, a researcher with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said on Tuesday that it was difficult to pinpoint the cause of the recent spike in violence, but that there were only three elements influential enough to trigger the turmoil: the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM), the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the police. “But we can’t really tell which one of them actually started the whole thing because the information coming out of Papua is limited and sketchy,” he said, adding that reports from security forces were also unreliable. In one scenario he points out that “But if it’s the TNI or National Police manipulating events to try to get more troops and supplies posted to Papua, then that’s even more worrying.”
He added that the tactic of boosting the security presence there by creating unrest was “not a new practice,” having been carried out frequently under the New Order regime. Earlier this year, the military said there was a need to increase the TNI’s presence in Papua, citing the province’s huge energy and mineral riches and increasing potential for secession.
AWPA points out that 300 security forces have just being deployed to West Papua.


In light of the dangerously deteriorating situation we urge you to use your good offices with the Indonesian Government to

call for the halt to any (or proposed) military operations in West Papua as a way of avoiding further escalation of the situation and avoiding further bloodshed.
We point out that during military operations in West Papua the security forces have great difficulty in distinguishing between civilians and what they term separatists

We also urge the Government to hold an inquiry into how our aid and training to the Indonesian military impacts on the lives of the West Papuan people

and in the short term to immediately halt any aid or training to any military unit found to have committed human rights abuses.

Yours sincerely

Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)
CC. Indonesian Embassy, Canberra

Australian Embassy, Jakarta

various human rights organisatios and the media

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Media release-CHOGM leaders should condemn the brutal crackdown on the West Papuan people

Press Release West Papua


The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

CHOGM leaders should condemn the brutal crackdown on the West Papuan people

24 October 2011

AWPA is calling on the CHOGM leaders (who will meet in Perth) to condemn the brutal crackdown on the West Papuan people .

In a bid to make CHOGM relevant the Commonwealth leaders will discuss a special eminent persons' report on renewing the organisation. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said talks will focus on "the role of the Commonwealth in the age in which we live and how we can strengthen it for the future"

The report warns the Commonwealth must "focus fresh attention on violations of human, political and civil rights if it is to continue to command attention on behalf of its member states and retain the respect of its own people".

Joe Collins of AWPA said "obviously CHOGM will focus on its own member states however, many of the CHOGM countries are regional neighbours of Indonesia and some like Australia and New Zealand help train and aid the Indonesian security forces. Human rights should be universal and organisations such as CHOGM should make a statement of concern about the human rights situation in West Papua. If enough pressure is put on Indonesian it may hold its military to account for human rights abuses.



Background

At the end of the 3rd Papua People`s Congress the delegates raised the West Papuan national flag, the Morning Star flag. The security forces immediately began fireing live rounds to disperse the assembly. Six people were killed.

up to 300 hundred were arrested and many were beaten by the security forces with batons, bamboo poles and the butts of their rifles

Six delegates have been charged with treason.


Saturday, October 22, 2011

Media Release from Medical Association for Prevention of War

Medical Association for Prevention of War, Australia

Media Release

Call for suspension of military ties with Indonesia over West Papuan shootings

The shootings and arrests of people meeting peacefully at the Third West Papuan Peoples Congress at Abepura this week are the latest instance of Indonesia’s violent and repressive rule in West Papua.
Australia has an agreement for military cooperation with Indonesia which includes the supply of weapons. It opens with the phrase “reaffirming the sovereign equality of the parties, their faith in the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments”.
The Medical Association for Prevention of War supports calls upon the minister of Defence, Stephen Smith to immediately announce a suspension of defence cooperation with Indonesia and to demand access for Australian and other journalists to West Papua.
We call on our government to proceed with an investigation into these appalling events in West Papua.
Australia took an honourable stand over East Timor. We should do so again now over West Papua.

Dr Jenny Grounds President

Dr Anne Noonan, Vice-President

Medical Association for Prevention of War, Australia

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two U/A from AHRC re 3rd WP congress

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-213-2011

20 October 2011
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INDONESIA: One person killed, hundreds arrested and five persons charged with rebellion at Third Papuan People's Congress

ISSUES: extra-judicial killing, freedom of expression, Military, ; Police Violence, Indigenous people, Torture, Ill-treatment
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CAMPAIGN: End Violence in West Papua

Dear friends,

The AHRC has received information regarding the killing of at least one person and the arrest of hundreds of participants at the Third Papuan People's Congress including Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi on 19 October 2011 in Abepura, Papua. Concerns about the safety of the arrested persons and the need for an investigation into the killing need your urgent intervention. (photo: security forces in Papua surround the Third Papuan People's Congress)

CASE NARRATIVE:

According to reports received by the AHRC, around 2200 members of the Indonesian army (TNI) and the mobile brigades (BRIMOB) were mobilized on the occasion of the Third Papuan People's Congress that began on 17 October 2011, and was attended by more than 4000 indigenous Papuan participants, at the Taboria oval (Zaccheus Field) in Abepura, Papua. At least 100 members of the security forces had surrounded the area andfour police cars, two armoured vehicles from the police and a further two armoured vehicles from the mobile brigades of the police (BRIMOB) had approached close to the area. This show of force with heavy firearms was seen as a form of intimidation to the unarmed participants. Several persons were reported to have refrained from participating at the event due to this.

The event concluded at around 2pm on October 19, and a political declaration regarding the self-determination of the indigenous Papuan population was read out. Following this declaration the security forces opened fire, allegedly as warning shots only. Tear gas was used and security personnel from the army and police started dispersing the crowd and beating up numerous participants. About 300 persons were arrested and taken into custody in trucks. Around 200 of them were later released, while 100 remain detained at the Regional police headquarters (POLDA Papua). Video material is availablefrom MetroTV.

Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi, elected at the event as indigenous political leaders, were also arrested. Selfius Bobi (Chair of the organising committee of the congress) is currently being investigated by the police as well. According to the law, the police are required to release detained persons within 24 hours or lay charges against them. The police has so far charged 5 persons with with article 110 p.(1), 106 and 160 of the Indonesian Criminal code, rebellion/secession (maker): Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Gladius Waromi, August Makbrawen Sananay Kraar, Dominikus Sorabut, and Gat Wenda. Numerous Papuan political prisoners have been sentenced for up to 20 years based on this charge in the past.

At around 4pm on October 19, Mr. Kadepa, one of the Congress participants, was found dead behind the office of the military resort command (KOREM) in Abepura. Mr. Kadepa's corpse was then taken for an autopsy to a local hospital. (photo: police troup truck at the incident location)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Soon after the Second Papuan People's Congress in 2000, the elected political representative of the indigenous Papuan community, Theys Hiyo Eluay was abducted and killed by the Indonesian military. All perpetrators of the case were later aquitted. During the Third Papuan People's Congress the participants again questioned the legality through which Indonesia claimed sovereignty over the then decolonized former Dutch Western New Guinea in a UN administered process that was later shown to have been flawed. At the event Yaboisembut, head of the Papuan Customary Council was elected as the President and Waromi as the Prime Minister of the West Papuan Federal State. The Papuan flag was also displayed at the event. These acts were seen as secessionist activities (Indonesian: MAKAR).

In other flag raising events or gatherings where political opinion were expressed in the past many persons had been arrested and subjected to torture and ill-treatment. Foreign journalists are not given access to the Papuan provinces by Indonesia and several international groups including the Red Cross have been banned from operating in Papua.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities listed below asking them to intervene in the case immediately to ensure the safety of all arrested persons, an investigation into the killing and that all perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with international human rights norms.

Please be informed that the AHRC is also sending letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, the working group on arbitrary detention, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, calling for their intervention into this matter.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear ___________,

INDONESIA: Security forces kill at least one person and arrest hundreds at Third Papuan People's Congress

Name of victims: Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Gladius Waromi, August Makbrawen Sananay Kraar, Dominikus Sorabut, Gat Wenda, Selfius Bobi, Mr. Kadepa and hundreds participants of congress
Name of alleged perpetrators: members of the Indonesian army (TNI), members of the mobile brigades (BRIMOB) of Regional Police of Papua province
Date of incident: 19 October 2011
Place of incident: the Taboria oval (Zaccheus Field) in Abepura, Papua

I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the killing of at least one person and the arrest of hundreds of participants at the Third Papuan People's Congress including Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi on 19 October 2011 by members of the Indonesian army (TNI) and members of the mobile brigades of the police (BRIMOB).

According to the information I have received from the AHRC, around 2200 members of the Indonesian army (TNI) and the mobile brigades (BRIMOB) were mobilized on the occasion of the Third Papuan People's Congress that began on 17 October 2011, and was attended by more than 4000 indigenous Papuan participants, at the Taboria oval (Zaccheus Field) in Abepura, Papua. At least 100 members of the security forces had surrounded the area andfour police cars, two armoured vehicles from the police and a further two armoured vehicles from the mobile brigades of the police (BRIMOB) had approached close to the area. This show of force with heavy firearms was seen as a form of intimidation to the unarmed participants. Several persons were reported to have refrained from participating at the event due to this.

I am informed that the event concluded at around 2pm on October 19, and a political declaration regarding the self-determination of the indigenous Papuan population was read out. Following this declaration the security forces opened fire, allegedly as warning shots only. Tear gas was used and security personnel from the army and police started dispersing the crowd and beating up numerous participants. About 300 persons were arrested and taken into custody in trucks. Around 200 of them were later released, while 100 remain detained at the Regional police headquarters (POLDA Papua).

Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi, elected at the event as indigenous political leaders, were also arrested. Selfius Bobi (Chair of the organising committee of the congress) is currently being investigated by the police as well. According to the law, the police are required to release detained persons within 24 hours or lay charges against them.

I am disturbed to learn that around 4pm on October 19, Mr. Kadepa, one of the Congress participants, was found dead behind the office of the military resort command (KOREM) in Abepura.

In light of the above information I am of the opinion that the killing of one person and the arrest of hundreds of participants at the Third Papuan People's Congress by members of the Indonesian army (TNI) and members of the mobile brigades (BRIMOB) are a violation of the right to life and a violation of the right to freedom of expression and require and independent investigation.

I am therefore urging you to ensure that all human rights violations are investigated and that no persons remains detained or chareged solely for the peaceful expression of their political opinions. The Regional Police of Papua (POLDA Papua) must ensure a fair treatment of all arrested persons according to international norms and that no person is subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

I also urge you to ensure that an impartial and professional investigation into the death of Mr. Kadepa is conducted and all those found guilty are prosecuted according to the law.

I am looking forward to your intervention in this case.


Yours sincerely,

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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
The President of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3863777 / 3503088.
Fax: +62 21 3442223

2. Mr. Kemal Azis Stamboel
The Chairman of the First Commission of House of Representative of Indonesia
Gedung DPR RI Nusantara II, Lantai 1
Jl. Jenderal Gatot Subroto
Jakarta 10270
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5715518
Fax: +62 21 5715523

3. Chairman of Third Commission of The House of Representative of Indonesia
Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 6 Jakarta
INDONESIA
Tel:+62 21 5715569
Fax: +62 21 5715566

4. Military Commander in Chief
Mabes TNI, Cilangkap,
Jakarta 13870
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 8459-1244 / 8459-1243
Fax: +62 21 845-6805

5. Mr. Pramono Edhie Wibowo
Army Chief of Staff
Jl. Veteran No. 5 Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tlp: +62 21 3846002 / 3456838
Fax: +62 21 3848300

6. Mr. Erfi Triassunu
Commander of Regional Military Command XVII Cendrawasih
(Kemiliteran Daerah Papua / Kodam Papua)
Jl. Polimak atas Jayapura Provinsi Papua
INDONESIA
Fax: +62 967 533763

7. General of Police Timur Pradopo
Chief of Indonesian National Police
Markas Besar Kepolisian Indonesia
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Kebayoran Baru
South Jakarta 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3848537 / 7260306 / 7218010
Fax: +62 21 7220669
Email: info@polri.go.id

8. Head of Division of Profession and Security of Indonesian Police
Markas Besar Kepolisian Indonesia
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Kebayoran Baru
South Jakarta 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3848537 / 7260306 / 7218010
Fax: +62 21 7220669
Email: info@polri.go.id

9. Chairman of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas)
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20 Komplek PTIK Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2352
Fax: +62 21 739 2317

10. Head of National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia
Jalan Latuharhary No.4-B,
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
Email: info@komnas.go.id

11. Ms. Harkristuti Harkrisnowo
General Director of Human Rights
Department of Law and Human Rights Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav.6-7 Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006 / 525 3889 / 526 4280
Fax: +62 21 525 3095

12. Chief of Regional Police of Papua province
Jl. Samratulangi No. 8 Jayapura
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 0967 531014
Fax: +62 0967 533763

13. Chief of Jayapura city district police (Polresta Jayapura)
Jl. A. Yani No.11
Jayapura
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 967 531027


Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PRL-042-2011

INDONESIA: Security forces open fire at Third Papuan People's Congress

(Hong Kong, October 19, 2011) At around 3pm today the security forces surrounding the Third Papuan People's Congress in Indonesia opened fire and dispersed the event. Possible casualties are not known as of now. Several persons are reported to have been arrested, including Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi, indigenous political leaders.

The AHRC has received reports from several credible sources about the violent intervention by the Indonesian military (TNI) and the mobile brigades of the police (BRIMOB) at the Tunas Harapan field in Abepura, Papua, where the event took place. See our earlier press release in which the AHRC reported the military and police’s aggressive approach to the event. Some reports allege that several persons have been killed.

There are fears that raids by the security forces through the town, as seen in the past, may be repeated tonight. In several past instances, the police and military tortured and shot suspects. The situation in the wider Jayapura and Abepura area remains tense. Shops are closed and traffic is blocked by the security forces.

More than 2000 members of the army and police were reported to have been mobilised.

"This violent intervention and use of firearms is a disproportional use of force to deter the participants of this event, and violates their right to freedom of expression and political opinion," said Wong Kai Shing, Executive Director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, in response to the violence.

"The current situation requires close monitoring," he continued. "We call on all authorities to ensure that any arrested persons are not subjected to torture and their procedural rights are protected. Any arrested persons should be charged with internationally recognised crimes based on evidence or released immediately."

# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

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Friday, October 21, 2011

AWPA letter to Foreign Minister re crackdown by security forces in West Papua

Press Release West Papua
The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
AWPA letter to Foreign Minister re crackdown by security forces in West Papua
20 October 2011

AWPA has written to the Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd re crackdown by the security forces on delegates at the Papuan People's Congress.
Joe Collins of AWPA said “ the Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd should urgently raise the matter with the Indonesian President asking that he control the security forces in West Papua and urging the release of all those arrested for simply holding a meeting which is their democratic right” .
Info Joe Collins
Mob 04077 857 97
------------------------------------------

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, Sydney, Australia 2088

Ph/fax 61.2.99601698 email: bunyip@bigpond.net.au

The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra
ACT 2600
20 October 2011
Dear Mr Rudd,
I am writing to you concerning the dangerously deteriorating situation in West Papua. Yesterday, the Indonesian security forces fired on delegates who were attending a peaceful Papuan People's Congress which was between the 17 and 19 October. West Papua's military commander, Major-General Erfi Triassunu, confirmed the shooting although claimed they were only warning shots. However, it is difficult at this stage to know if there are casualties but one person is believed to have been killed with others injured. Reports also indicate that hundreds have been arrested including representatives from various civil society organizations including church groups.

Panic was caused amongst the delegates when hundreds of members of the security forces, accompanied by armored vehicles surrounded the participants at the Congress. As well as live ammunition delegates reported that the security forces also used tear gas and rifle butts on the participants during the arrests.
We urge you to urgently raise the matter with the Indonesian President asking that he control the security forces in West Papua and urging the release of all those arrested for simply holding a meeting which is their democratic right.
Yours sincerely

Joe Collins
Secretary
AWPA (Sydney)
cc.Various human rights organisations
.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Authoritarian style show of force at Third Papuan People's Congress

Press release from AHRC +Jakarta Globe report below

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http://www.humanrights.asia/news/press-releases/AHRC-PRL-041-2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PRL-041-2011

INDONESIA: Authoritarian style show of force at Third Papuan People's Congress

October 19, 2011



(Hong Kong, Jayapura, October 19, 2011) About 100 TNI soldiers and several members of the mobile brigade of the police (BRIMOB) are reported to have approached closer to the location where the Third Papuan People's Congress in Jayapura, Papua is currently being held. The organisers fear that the mass violence frequently perpetrated by the armed forces and police may be repeated in this event.

Some journalists are reported to have been blocked from accessing the area and reporting on the event.

The West Papua National Committee called for this Third Papuan People's Congress and one of the aims of the Congress is to select a new leadership.

"This heavy and disproportional deployment of force is a threat to the security of a peaceful gathering of indigenous Papuan people," said Wong Kai Shing, Executive Director of the Asian Human Rights Commission. He went on to say, "It is the duty of the Indonesian authorities to protect their right to freedom of expression and assembly and to refrain from causing any intimidations or making threats."

Thousands of indigenous Papuans joined a march in Jayapura/Abepura to inaugurate the event earlier this week. An estimated 4000 persons are reported to currently being attending the event on its third day. However, several expected participants have either left the location or decided not to attend following the heavy and intimidating show of force by the army and police. About 2200 members of the security forces were reported to have been mobilised in the wider Jayapura area.

On this third day of the event, four police cars, two armoured vehicles from the police and a further two armoured vehicles from the mobile brigades of the police (BRIMOB) have approached the area. More than a hundred members of the security forces have formed a cordon at the fence at the outdoor location at a 2m distance.

"For more than 50 years now, the Papuan people have not had the space to talk about their identity. As a democratic country, Indonesia should ensure public space to discuss diversity. Threats and intimidations should have no space in a country that has overcome authoritarian rule," said Markus Haluk, a civil society leader.

Organisers fear that an intensification of the unspoken threat of action by the security forces may escalate the situation and result in many persons being injured or even killed by the ensuing violence.

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http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/brimob-military-out-in-force-for-last-day-of-papuan-congress/472586

Brimob, Military Out in Force for Last Day of Papuan Congress
Jakarta Globe | October 19, 2011

Hundreds of Brimob and military troops, along with Panser armored vehicles like the ones pictured above, greeted shocked participants of the annual Papuan Congress in Jayapura on Wednesday. (Antara Photo)

Participants of the Papuan Congress in the provincial capital of Jayapura were shocked at being greeted at the venue by five armored vehicles and hundreds of heavily armed police and military officers, an attendee of the congress said on Wednesday.

“Three tanks belong to the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) of the Papua Police and the others are the military’s,” a participant named Oktovianus told the Jakarta Globe.

The meeting, held annually to push for the rights of indigenous Papuans among the many disparate tribes there, has been ongoing since Monday. More than 5,000 participants from 234 tribes in Papua have been in attendance.

The event was scheduled to enter its last day on Wednesday at 9 a.m., but as participants arrived at the field in Padang Bulan Abepura where the congress has been held, they were greeted by the show of force from the police and military, Oktovianus said.

He added that the unannounced and heavy security presence unnerved some participants but that scheduled events went on as planned.

“The congress must go on because this is what every indigenous Papuan from Sorong to Merauke wants,” he said.

“The congress discussed the rights of the indigenous Papuans, especially political rights,” Oktovianus said.

Organizers, he added, had notified the Coordinating Ministry of Political, Legal and Security Affairs about the congress well in advance.

“The central government had been informed about the event, as well as the National Police and the military, two weeks before the congress.”

However, he said, no permission had been granted by any of those institutions to hold the event.

“The worst possibility is that we will be forcefully dismissed, but we hope everything is going to be fine,” he said.

Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch urged the military not to use violence.

“The Human Rights Watch condemns any forms of violence because violence does not solve the problem,” Andreas said.

“The congress participants may speak of sensitive issues but they do it peacefully, no chaos, and no one is harmed,” he said, adding that according to Indonesian law any form of gathering is allowed as long as the police are notified.

“I know such laws do not seem to apply in Papua but I ask the police not to discriminate the Papuans because they are also part of Indonesia,” Andreas said.

The story is developing.



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