Day: May 21, 2013

Papuan MP says the Aimas Incident was engineered

Tabloid JUBI
17 May 2013

A Papuan member of the Indonesian parliament, DPR-RI, Diaz Gwijangge said that he believes the the recent incident in the District of Aimas, Region of Sorong, West Papua on 30 April when two people were killed had been engineered.

‘I believe that this incident was stage-managed and unfortunately it led to the deaths of two Papuans and has attracted international attention. The action seems not to have proceed as intended and resulted in the death of two Papuans which has attracted international intention.These days, Papua is under the international spotlight; this is a fact that cannot been denied,’ he said.

He also questioned the decision that investigation into the Aimas incident would be conducted by the police. In his opinion, the investigations should be conducted by an independent organisation so as to ensure that everything is above-board and people do not think that something is being concealed.

‘Why should the institution which was involved in the incident be the ones to conduct the investigation? It is necessary to ensure that the investigations are properly carried out and are seen to be fair so as to ensure that nothing is being concealed. It seems to me,’ he said, ‘that there is an attempt to hide something. We have Komnas HAM, (the National Human Rights Commission) and other organisations or the churches which could handle this case. Why have they not been involved?’

He also said he was not convinced that a Bintang Kejora, a Morning Star Flag, had been found, belonging to the local community as well as a membership card, which the police were claiming as evidence, during their sweepings in the area, as the police are claiming.

‘These can easily be said to have been found during searches that took place during the sweeping because no one else was involved in the investigations.. How do we know that this is true? It is just the old refrain  and the local people are the ones who get blamed.’

He went on to say that once again, some Papuans have been killed. Such an occurrence is not going to solve the problems in Papua. On the contrary, it will only mean that  the situation in Papua continues to get international attention.

‘We must find a solution that is beneficial for all sides. Killing Papuans is not going to solve anything. The security forces are only drawing attention yet again to the human rights violations that are occurring in Papua,’ he said.

Translated by TAPOL

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Haris Azhar : Situation in Papua is of growing concern

by Oktovianus POGAU at SuaraPapua.com

May 17, 2013

Jakarta – The Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Haris Azhar views the situation in Papua as more and more alarming, with people’s welfare becoming increasingly unequal, including freedom of expression increasingly repressed.

“I think the government and the security forces have to think, that nowadays the Papuans  are in the limelight of the world,” Haris said , when contacted by suarapapua.com  via email on 15th of May.

According to Haris,  the political position of Indonesia in the eyes of the outside community and domestically is increasingly unpopular. “Then why should repressive manner and failed economic policies for Papua be maintained?,” He asked.

Haris said, the government should initiate a new approach of peaceful means in day-to-day activities of the people of Papua. “Like the argument about Papuan independence, that’s not an issue that should be feared.  Each region that is disappointed also asks for freedom. This phenomenon also exists in America, one of the countries that claim to be champions of democracy, “he said.

Instead, Haris continued, the Government must demonstrate maturity; shouting, action (demonstrations) or hoisting the flag should have  measured response from law enforcement.

“Is political activity in Papua really  life-threatening? Does the flag-raising activity in Papua automatically raise a state? It is not. I fear repression and impoverishment in Papua have just become a show case for the outside world while the country is still there and strong, “he said.

While, Haris said, psychologically Papua  has become a banal discharge of violent desires always living below the consciousness of the security forces, after Aceh, Timor and others are not conflict areas anymore.

“I want to ask the Government of Indonesia to start building a new awareness towards Papua.  Political openness and agreement on the formulation of flexible actions and activities. This maturity will build confidence of Papuans in the Jakarta Government , “he concluded.

Previously, as informed by the media, violence of the security forces again occurred in the past two months in Sorong, Timika, Jayapura, Wamena and Biak.

On 30 April 2013, Sorong Resort Police shoot two civilians, 3 others were wounded, one recent injured, mother Salomina Klaibin (37) also died from her injuries. In the operation, officers arrested seven people, including one action leader, Isak Klaibin.

In Timika, May 1, 2013 authorities arrested 15 people who were raising the Morning Star flag  in a peaceful mass action, seven people were named as suspects. In Biak, one person was shot dead by security forces, and two were arrested.

In Jayapura, a KNPB activist was arrested by the security forces while giving speeches.  Then, May 13, 2013, actions that ware held in solidarity of victims of human rights violations in Papua were forcibly dispersed by police. Four activists, including Chairman KNPB, Victor F Yeimo, were also arrested by police.

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Special Autonomy “Plus” not answering problems of Papua

May 17, 2013

 by  Oktovianus POGAU at SuaraPapua.com

NAPAS menggelar aksi di Jakarta kecam pelanggaran HAM yang terjadi di Papua (Foto: merdeka.com)
NAPAS rallies in Jakarta denouncing human rights violations in Papua (Photo: merdeka.com)

PAPUAN, Jakarta – The Draft Special Autonomy Law Plus (Otsus) that is being discussed with  the central government  and the governor of Papua province will be deemed not to answer the questions and the problems in Papua.

“To my assessment Autonomy Plus  will not answer the problems in Papua, Papuan people are only asking to hold a dialogue as the only peaceful solution,” Syamsul Alam, staff member of the Commission for Victims of Violence (KontraS), said in a discussion session about the release of  Political Prisoners in Papua, in KontraS office, Thursday (05/16/2013) yesterday.

According to Alam, granting Autonomy Plus will further extend the Papua issue, because so far government agencies in Papua were never worked together to build Papua as a land of peace.

” Five Papuan representation of Peace Conference have been selected since the Papuan Peace Conference was held  in Jayapura, but up to now the government has not determined a representation, Jakarta just responded by sending troops  to the land of Papua,” he said.

There is a structural pessimism that Jakarta-Papua dialogue would not happen if political prisoners were not released, then Papua situation gets worse, and the  sick political prisoners will not be positively paid attention to  by the government.

“Free the Prisoners, create a conducive situation in Papua, and immediately hold a peaceful dialogue between the central government and the Papuan people, is the best solution,” he said.

Zelly Ariane, coordinator of the National Papua Solidarity (BREATH) stated that from 30 April 2013 until mid of May, dozens of Papuan activists who expressed tehir views in a peaceful manner had been detained by Indonesian security forces.

“There are 29 people held by security forces since April 30, 2013 to mid of this month. We see a democracy in Papua completely shut down by the government, solidarity must be built to continue to fight against the government, ” Zelly said .

Meanwhile, Peneas Lokbere, Coordinator of United for Justice (BUK) said, there are many political prisoners in Papua who did not receive serious attention from the government, but when arrested they become the responsibility of government.

“The Prisoner just need cigarettes, sugar, or just a nut, no one cares and watch them over the years. Me and some friends in Papua always help, and voluntarily coordinate and  consider their needs, ” Peneas said .

Peneas also expect solidarity of the Indonesian people, the international community, and the people of Papua in particular, on this occasion because the political prisoners were arrested and jailed for fighting injustice and human rights violations in Papua.

In that discussion, it appeared that it was attended by representatives of Directory General of the National Institute of Correction, Papuan students, journalists, as well as various pro-democracy activists in Jakarta.

At approximately 2:30 am, the demonstration proceeded at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, in Jakarta, to ask the Coordinating Minister for Political and human rights to free the Prisoners / political prisoners in Papua.

 

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