Category: syndication

SBY is trying to deceive the Papuan People

 

JUBI
19 August 2012The chairman of NAPAS (National Papua Solidarity), Marthen Goo, has accused the president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of cheating the public and the Papuan people with statements he made in his address to the nation on 16 August 2012.

In a press release made public on 18 August, the chairman of Napas said that the president made two points with regard to Papua. Firstly he said that it will not be easy to resolve the problem of Papua, becaue specific, basic and comprehensive measures would need to be taken. His second point was that in order to ensure that the development programme proceeds, the government had set up a special unit known as UP4B – Unit to Accelerate  Development in Papua and West Papua. – which has the task of ensuring synergy, synchronisation and co-ordination between  all the stakeholders in the development process.

In this way, said the president, we will be able to systematically accelerate improvements in the welfare of the Papuan people. He then referred to the Special Autonomy Law for Papua – Otsus – as ‘our basic framework to imrpove services to the public, development and regional government.

Such words, said Marthen Goo were intended to deceive the public. ‘In fact, the way to reach a settlement is very easy. If the government wants to open its heart to the Papuan people, he should take the path of democracy by entering into dialogue or negotiations.’

‘The government  is simply making things more difficult and we in Napas regard this as the primary purpose of the government with regard to Papua and West Papua. What is all this development that the president is going on about?  And what does the president mean by talking about Otsus? He is simply talking rubbish.’

The president’s remarks showed clearly that  he is completely ignorant about the Papuan people. He is only hoping that people will start dreaming. And UP4B is just something to distract people’s attention and stifle the good intentions of the Papuan people who have called for dialogue as the way to solve the Papuan problem.comprehensively.

He said that what was needed was for  talks to be held immediately, mediated by a neutral third party, such as happened in the case of Aceh. He was just engaging in an attempt to trick and cheat the public.

On a previous occasion, the president spoke about the need for ‘constructive communications’ but to this day, nothing has happened. Neither of the two things that had been promised had happened. Instead, crimes against humanity were continuing to be perpetrated in Papua.’

‘ Now, we have the president talking about implementing UP4B which is nothing more than a programme to  force this unit on the Papuan people. In legal terms,  Otsus is a law and has a higher standing than UP4B. This shows the inconsistency in the government’s policy towards Papua,’ he said.

[Translated by TAPOL]

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ELSHAM finds evidence of 749 acts of violence in Papua

 

JUBI
15 August 2012
Jayapura: ELSHAM, – the Institute for the Study and Advocacy of Human Rights in Papua – found evidence of 749 acts of violence that befell the people living in Papua. Most of these acts of violence occurred during arbitrary arrests and detentions.This is reported in the recently launched book, Masa Lalu dan Tak Lalu – The Past and Never Past – which was published by ELSHAM and the International Centre for Transitional Justice.

During its investigations, the researchers examined 108 testimonies about human rights violations . They spoke to 76 people in Biak, 12 people in Manokwari, ten people in Paniai and ten people in Sorong. The period covered was from the mid 1960s (prior to the Act of Free Choice in 1969) up to the period of ‘reformasi’ (following the downfall of Suharto).

Their researchers spent three months out in the field, studying testimonies and obtained information about 749 cases.

Of the 749 cases, 312 were violations against males and 56 violations against women. The details were obtained from101 victims who were  interviewed. One hundred and one victims  had suffered violations together with a group of people or with more than one person. The types of violence were arbitrary arrests and detentions, 234 cases,  military operations against the civilian population including operations to forcibly evict people 181 cases, and torture and ill-treatment, 97 cases.

There were also 86 cases of deaths as the result of extreme torture,  threats 53 cases, assaults 28 cases, the seizure or destruction of  people’s belongings, gardens or livestock  22 cases, orders to report 26 cases, attacks and searches of people’s homes 4 cases, lack of access to food or medication 4 cases, forcible removals, preventing people from finding work 4 cases, forcible removals 3 cases, lack of access to food or medications, denial of access to families 2 cases, trials without lawyers,  2 cases, preventing people from travelling  2 cases. Finally, there was prevention of access to education. A total in all of 749 cases.

Other points included in the report  were that during the first period, from 1960 till 1969, several witnesses spoke of this period being marked by armed clashes  between the Indonesian army and troops of the OPM  (Papuan Freedom Organisaation)  which were frequently followed up by military attacks aimed directly at  the civilian population and arbitrary arrests and acts of torture, and the arrest of  people regarded as being against integration with Indonesia.

During the second period, from 1969 to 1998,  the focus was on destroying the remnants of the OPM, who were still involved in guerilla actions in the forests, People living in the towns as well as in the villages  were kept under tight guard and were required to obtain permits from the army if they wanted to travel anywhere. Peoeple who had once been arrested  were often re-arrested  for no apparent reason.

In the third perid following ‘reformasi’ after the fall of Suharto, there were many pressures for changes to be made in the situation in Papua. However, civil actions by  students and political groups of people calling for independence  were dealt with by acts of violence.

[Translated by TAPOL]

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KNPB urge police to stop brutality against Papuans

Tabloid Jubi

AUGUST 8, 2012

 BY VICTOR MAMBOR 

WIM METLAMA AND TINUS YOHAME (JUBI / EVEERT)
Jayapura (7/8) — West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has requested that the security forces not  be arrogant in continuing to chase, arrest and interrogate people who do not know anything, without following procedures that are applicable in Indonesia

This statement is conveyed by KNPB Spokesman, Wim R. Metlama.  KNPB also strongly condemned the arrest of the former Chairman of the KNPB, Buchtar Tabuni.  Buchtar, now the Chairman of the National Parliament of West Papua (PNWP), was prosecuted without legal evidence, and with facts unclear.

Medlama explained that the request is also associated with the arbitrary kidnappings of Doga Tabuni (29 years) and Alex Dagay (25 years) by plainclothes security forces on Monday (6/8) at 15:00 CLT at Housing III Waena, Jayapura, Papua, in Cenderawasih University’s Dormitory area.

“They were then subjected to interrogation process under the bridge at New Street.  The security apparatus also asked them about who spoke with a  few people in the police search listings.  They even offer some facilities (inducements) to the detainees if they were able to inform on the whereabouts of people that they are looking for, like (at a) pigsty and a mini kiosk, “said Metlama, accompanied by KNPB activist Tinus Yohame  in the press conference in Abepura, Tuesday (7/8).

Metlama also urged the disclosure of the (facts behind the) shooting of Mako Tabuni, including efforts to arrest the new Chairman of the KNPB, Victor F . Yeimo by the police outside the Court trial of Buchtar Tabuni trial. “Thus Spake KNPB to urge that the police to stop brutality outside the legal procedures against Papuan people, particularly the activists of KNPB,” he said. (Jubi / Eveerth)

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Filep Karma refuses to take oath in Buchtar trial

JUBI, 26 July,2012

 

Filep Karma who has diligently fought for the basic rights of the Papuan indigenous people refused to take the oath when summoned as a witness in the ongoing trial of Buchtar Tabuni. He said that the court was a full of people who know only how to deceive and trick the Papuan people.

He said that his own declaration that he was speak the truth was enough. Both the prosecuting counsel and the judges urged Karna to take the other on the Bible but he refused to do so.

He said repeatedly that he did not want to acknowledge the law that was in the hands of people who were intent upon using deception. He reiterated his belief in God whose crown is embedded in within his own breast.

‘Jesus said, I am the word, the path towards  truth and life. I will offer my testimony on that basis,’ Karma told the court. However the judge failed to persuade Karma to take the oath in the way required by the court. He asked Karma whether he was willing to be a witness in the Buchtar Tabuni trial and if so he would have to take the oath as required.

Karma did not budge from his position and the judge therefore dismissed him as a witness and adjourned the hearing.

The next hearing in the trial will be held on 30 July.

A photo accompanying the article in JUBI shows Filep Karma in a discussion with Buchtar Tabuni outside the courthouse.]

[Abridged translation by TAPOL]

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Bishop wants Papuans to hold dialogue before any dialogue with Indonesia

Bintang Papua, 20 July, 2012Mgr Leo Laba Ladjar , the Bishop of Jayapura, believes that the Papuan people should hold a dialogue between themselves before entering into dialogue with Indonesia. He acknowledged that this dialogue would be quite difficult. He was speaking during a meeting of all Catholic clerics with representatives of the police force to build a  partnership for security and order in Papua.

He said that Papuan people should sit together and discuss how to promote development in Papua.

Response to KNPB calls

In response to the desire of the KNPB – National Committee of West Papua for all its members to surrender to the police and to call on the Bishop to mediate,  he said that this was quite acceptable  as long as the organisation’s intentions were genuine and it was not simply seeking to meet the Bishop which might cause people to suspect their intentions.

He described the KNPB as an organisation that has rejected all the programmes of the government such as Special Autonomy, UP4B and other things

‘I have the impression that the KNPB refuses to listen to anyone. I would not want to listen to things that they are doing  at a time when they are becoming ever more determined and radical. I dont know how long the KNPB will continue to reject any improvements. Perhaps they are seeking to get something that they have not been able to get so far.’

[COMMENT from Tapol: Perhaps what the Bishop describes as radical is the recent call by the KNPB for a referendum to be held in West Papua.]

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