Tag: indonesia

Pacific Church Leaders call for West Papua’s Independence

From Vanuatu Daily Post

December 13, 2011
The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) is calling for the independence of West Papua and her people from Indonesia.

In a statement that was endorsed by the church leaders at their recent meeting in Samoa, they declared that, “beginning in 2012, we will celebrate a day of freedom in support of our brothers and sisters in Maohi Nui, Bougainville, New Caledonia, West Papua and peoples who yearn to be free. We call on the Secretariat of the PCC to designate such a day.”

PCC’s Acting General Secretary Reverend Francois Pihaatae said this designated day will be discussed in details during the staff planning retreat in early January of next year.

“The Pacific Conference of Churches is committed to the decolonisation of the Pacific region. We stand beside people under colonial rule and walk with them in their journey towards a future of their own choosing. It is unacceptable that in this day and age we continue to accept the existence of colonies in the Pacific region,” Rev. Francois said.

Rev. Francois is calling on church members in the Pacific to join hands and pray about the situation in West Papua.

“Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe that true worship is about true commitment for the good of others. Let’s walk with the people of West Papua through our prayers and ask God to provide them with comfort and protection in this very difficult time they are facing.”

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Massive Indonesian offensive displaces thousands in Paniai as helicopters attack and raze villages

Wednesday December 14, 2011

SPECIAL REPORT By Nick Chesterfield at West Papua Media, with local sources

Thousands of people have reportedly fled in terror from a large area in Paniai, West Papua as a massive combined Police and military offensive attacked villages on December 13, attempting to break armed resistance from pro-independence guerrillas.

Credible human rights sources are claiming up to 20 local people have been shot dead by Indonesian security forces around the jungle centre of Markas Eduda, during a brutal operation that is reported to have razed 26 villages, and caused over 10,000 people to flee to the relative safety of Enaratoli.

Over four full strength combat battalions of Indonesian army (TNI) Kostrad commandos from Battalion 753, Brimob paramilitary police, and elite counter-terrorism troops from Detachment 88 – all units armed, trained, and supplied by the Australian Government – were deployed in a cordon to surround the headquarters of the Paniai Free Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-OPM), under the command of General Jhon Yogi.

Urgent text messages were received reporting an attack on Markas Eduda by Brimob and the TNI. According to people in Paniai and those close to sources near Markas Eduda, by 13:30 local time the base had been surrounded by troops. At 14:05 local time a Paniai based contact reported to West Papua Media that the TNI and Brimob had entered Eduda and surrounding hamlets and proceeded to torch homes. Ground and air attacks (by helicopter) were both reported.

In a massive escalation to constant military operations that have been carried out across Paniai since April 2011, Indonesian forces dropped ground troops by helicopters into 26 villages surrounding the TPN headquarters.

An office of a non-government “Peace and Justice Secretariat” was amongst those burnt to the ground in Eduda.

Helicopters were used repeatedly before and during the attack, with a witness reporting via SMS that t upon sunrise at 0615 local time helicopters began strafing the villages in the operation area and firing teargas upon local residents. Local sources claimed that Indonesian troops fired live grenades, “bombs” and tear gas from the helicopters while storming the villages surrounding Eduda.
Unconfirmed reports described the helicopters as firing live rounds and also dropping fuel onto traditional huts which were then set on fire.

Combined forces of the military, police, BRIMOB and Detachment 88 were ferried by further helicopters into 14 locations around the headquarters, and proceeded to clear every village. Multiple contacts were reported throughout the day from both sides, and heavy fighting was occurring from resistance forces.

According to credible reports from local sources, by the close of Tuesday, Police failed to arrest any member of the OPM led by Yogi, and the Eduda headquarters were still controlled by the TPN / OPM. However reports of a heavy gun battle with troops and police Mobile Brigade was still evident as night drew close. However unconfirmed reports stated that seven helicopters were landed on the Eduda parade ground and had occupied the village, but TPN forces had retreated to the forest.

One Indonesian police officer is confirmed dead from after ongoing firefights with TPN troops, and and another seriously injured. Human rights sources have also claimed that the TPN sustained casualties, though the number or condition is unknown at this stage.

Independent West Papuan journalist Oktavianus Pogau was also in close contact with local witnesses. Yustinus Gobay, a villager Paniai who spoke with Pogau via phone, said he hold grave fears for casualties. “At OPM place we still do not know, but chances are there definitely are a lot of victims, because they were attacked from the air by helicopter,” explained Gobay.

At least 130 named villages in the Military Operations Area (Daerah Operasi Militer. DOM) have been reported by credible local human rights sources as being abandoned by residents. As each village has a minimum of four large families (min 40 people), with many housing up to ten families each (80 people), a simple demographic extrapolation indicates that between 5400 and 10800 Paniai villagers have had to flee the military operations. (Full list of villages follows report).

Church sources have reported that the refugees are seeking shelter in the Enaratoli area and are relying on traditional kinship reciprocities. No food, sanitation or medical aid has been made available by any government agency to give relief to this large number of internally displaced people.

“We do not know how long the war between the military / police and the TPN / OPM will continue,” Gobay told journalist Pogau. “We have fled our homes due to fear, and the attention of the local government doesn’t exist,” said Gobay

Local residents have expressed grave fears via SMS to West Papua Media that the current operations are designed by the Indonesian security forces as a “final push to push us over the edge of genocide, to make Orang Asli (Indigenous people) spent and murdered, fast and quick”.

Messages sent to West Papua Media from multiple sources claimed that “State of Indonesia is considered a country hostile to humanity and is implementing Terrorism Program in Papua since May 1, 1963”, referring to the date of invasion by Indonesian forces.

Since 7 December, civilians from the villages and around Dagouto and Eduda have been progressively evacuated, with no regard for welfare, by security forces. Many were housed in a multipurpose hall Uwatawogi Enarotali. This evacuation was carried out at the request of Chief of Police, Secretary of Paniai District and Commander of the Special Team Gegana Brimob, to broaden the battlefield between the TPN and the Mobile Brigade. Paniai Civilians became increasingly restless and frightened, and had little access to food or basic needs, their starving even more pronounced.

According to human rights sources, security forces have been constantly targeting remote communities that inhabit the foothills along the West-East mountain range which extends from the Grasberg to Cape Dagouto-Lake Paniai.

Local leaders led by the Chairman of the Regional Indigenous Council (DAD) in Paniai, Jhon Gobay, complained earlier this month to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in Jakarta about the unrest and violence against citizens in the district due to the presence of members of the Police Mobile Brigade from Paniai.

During the meeting, DAD Paniai firmly ask the President and Chief of Police to immediately withdraw troops from Mobile Brigade Paniai district. Gobay said the situation of occupation has caused many people becoming victims of security force harassment due to the stigma of being OPM attached to the citizens of Papua, especially in the Paniai District.

The President of the Federated Republic of West Papua, Forkorus Yaboisembut, speaking from his cell in Jayapura where he is awaiting trial on treason charges, appealed to the United States and international community to urge Indonesia to show respect for human rights and democracy in West Papua.

The situation is ongoing and developing and West Papua Media will continue to closely monitor events.

Please urgently help us continue this work.  @westpapuamedia working tirelessly to end impunity in Papua with effective journalism. But we need your help  – PLEASE DONATE NOW wp.me/P1aPlR-116

Full list of villages burnt and attacked by Indonesian security forces:

  1. Muyadebe,
  2. Kegomakida,
  3. Bokowa,
  4. Uwamani,
  5. Kugitadi,
  6. Badauwo,
  7. Obaikebo,
  8. Woubutu,
  9. Yagiyo,
  10. Gekoo,
  11. Tokou,
  12. Bibida,
  13. Odiyai,
  14. Papato,
  15. Timida,
  16. Kopo,
  17. Uwibutu,
  18. Madi,
  19. Ipakiye,
  20. Nunubado,
  21. Awabutu,
  22. Kogekotu,
  23. Bobaigo,
  24. Iyaitaka,
  25. Toputo,
  26. Aikai
  27. Puteyato.

Full list of villages forcibly evacuated by Indonesian Security forces:

  1. Dagouto,
  2. Kopabutu,
  3. Obaiyoweta,
  4. Odimaa,
  5. Touwomuti,
  6. Kubiyai,
  7. Jikawapa,
  8. Bubugiwo,
  9. Dei,
  10. Dukubutu,
  11. Tamugauwo,
  12. Deba,
  13. Kaidoutadi,
  14. Obaipugaida,
  15. Ekauwiya,
  16. Kagama,
  17. Waigei,
  18. Dokukiyaida,
  19. Eyagitaida,
  20. Okonobaida,
  21. Tegiye,
  22. Baguwo,
  23. Geitapa,
  24. Nakuwago,
  25. Pogeidimi,
  26. Iteuwo,
  27. Kopabaida,
  28. Kenepugi,
  29. Kenegei,
  30. Kagokadagi,
  31. Debamomaida,
  32. Tegougi,
  33. Iyobado,
  34. Muyabado,
  35. Wegou,
  36. Dinubut,
  37. Ayagogei,
  38. Momabaida,
  39. Waimaida,
  40. Pugaitapuda,
  41. Wopakagouto,
  42. Duwadide,
  43. Watimato,
  44. Kugaimapa,
  45. Etogei,
  46. Diyagepugi,
  47. Wauka,
  48. Wagibutu,
  49. Utoupagouda,
  50. Bamaida,
  51. Togogei,
  52. Ganiyakato,
  53. Kegowauto,
  54. Kotemomo,
  55. Dauwagu,
  56. Putapugi,
  57. Onagekaa,
  58. Ibouwagu,
  59. Epogoumuti,
  60. Katuwobaida,
  61. Akoubaida,
  62. Danetakaida,
  63. Detai,
  64. Yumauwo,
  65. Uwagi,
  66. Tagipige,
  67. Makadimi,
  68. Bogobaida,
  69. Namutadi,
  70. Nawipauwo,
  71. Bebiyagi,
  72. Tuka,
  73. Ipouwo,
  74. Abatadi,
  75. Kobebaida,
  76. Kobetakaida,
  77. Yagapa,
  78. Wetamuti,
  79. Kogada,
  80. Emaidimida,
  81. Emai,
  82. Tagiya,
  83. Debaiye,
  84. Tuguwai,
  85. Kagokotu,
  86. Widimeida,
  87. Bumabado,
  88. Ogeida,
  89. Bumaida,
  90. Pagimoutadi,
  91. Deta,
  92. Yonaibutu,
  93. Biyamoma,
  94. Komoubutu,
  95. Dogiyo,
  96. Pagimomakida,
  97. Ayaigo,
  98. Duwagikotu,
  99. Kagupagu,
  100. Togowa,
  101. Wodebapugi,
  102. Kebo,
  103. Manataidagi,
  104. Kobeyuwonotaida,
  105. Ukadeya,
  106. Giyaimani,
  107. Iyeimoma,
  108. Pougo,
  109. Paiyogei,
  110. Kedege,
  111. Yagai,
  112. Detauwo,
  113. Deyatei,
  114. Kotopo-Obano,
  115. Muye,
  116. Mogoya,
  117. Dimiya,
  118. Epouto,
  119. Podida,
  120. Watai,
  121. Yawei,
  122. Keniyapa,
  123. Pugobado,
  124. Kagamade,
  125. Touyetadi,
  126. Waidide,
  127. Pagubutu,
  128. Kopai,
  129. Wooge,
  130. Duma Dama
  131. and others.
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Rajawali Group opens 10,000 ha for sugar beet in Paniai

JUBI, 9 December 2011
Abridged in translation by TAPOL

The Rajawali Group plans to open up 10,000 hectares in the district of Malind, Paniai for a sugar beet plantation. In preparation for the planting, seeds have already been brought from West Java after undergoing tests.

The manager of the Rajawali Group Abdul Wahab said that the seeds are currently being prepared in readiness for planting. The process should take six months but because of the heat in the past few months, it may take eight months.  Some of the seeds have dried up because of the heat.

The planting of sugar beet is planned to begin in 20112 but difficulties have arisen because of the unrealiability of some of the contractors. They are busy at the moment with construction work and road building which may require some adjustments.

Wahab also said that a factory will be built in 2012 and it is hoped that by 2014, the crop will have been harvested and we are able to produce red sugar. ‘This is the target for the company and it must be realised,’ he said.

COMMENT by Tapol

The item just posted about the Rajawali Group’s opening up of 10,000 hectares of land for the production of sugar beet in Malind district of Paniai fails to raise the issue of who holds proprietary rights over the land which the company plans to ‘open up’ for beet.

There is no indication about whether there are people who are now living on the land or whether it is an area where the Malind people hunt or fell trees to build houses or for fuel to cook their everyday meals.

Did Rajawali seek the permission of local communities that live on or use the land that the company plans to use for a beet plantation? Were the local communities who, we may assume, use the land for their homes or livelihoods, ever consulted about the use of the land or offered compensation? What will happen to people who currently live on this land? Will they be evicted or paid compensation for the seizure of their land?

Using the land for the cultivation of beet will require a considerable input of labour. Where will these labourers – and their families – come from? Will this require the influx of labour from outside Papua, thus shifting the demographic composition in favour of migrants from other parts of Indonesia and further intensifying the marginalisation of the Papuan people?

TAPOL

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‘Pro M’ Aspirations are guaranteed under the law: Police chief

“….But violations will be dealt with”

Bintang Papua, 7 December 2011

Jayapura: Activities that are conducted by people, such as freedom of
assembly and the expression of opinion or aspirations such as pro-independence for West Papua (‘M’) which are being promoted by some
West Papuan people are guaranteed under the law, said the Chief of
Police Police-General Drs Timur Pradopo, speaking after participating
in a dialogue with stakeholders about accelerating development in West Papua at the office of the governor of Papua.

He went on to say that if this freedom of assembly and talking about
independence aspirations are done in ways that violate the law, it is the responsibility of the police to enforce the law. Nevertheless,
before the law is enforced, certain steps need to be taken. If, for
example, the persons who assemble wish to present their views, it is up to the police at the local level (Polsek) or the regional level (Polres), backed by the regional police chief along with the rest of society and religious leaders, to take action for their protection but they should not act in violation of the law.

‘This is what is always done by police officers in Papua (Polda, Polres, Polsek), so as to safeguard the activities of each side.’

He said any violation of the law will be dealt with by the police. And furthermore, action will be taken against police officers who violate the law, such as maltreating people in the community.

He went on to say that if anyone feels that they have been harmed by the presence of the police, this should immediately be reported, along with facts and data, and there will be a response from Polsek, Polres, Polda or even the chief of police (Kapolri) will deal with the matter when the law has been violated.

‘No one is immune, including police officers.’

Asked whether there could be an increase in the number of police, taking into account the current security situation in Papua, the police chief said that there is no plan in the coming days for the number of police to be increased But what is being done is enforcement of the law.

‘It is the task of the police to preserve a situation of security in
Papua and this should be done in a proper way in order to ensure that
the plans for development and activities by the people can proceed smoothly.

[COMMENT: A shift towards greater leniency seems to be in the air]

[Translated by TAPOL]

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AHRC: INDONESIA: Human Rights in 2011 – The Decay of Pancasila and Constitutional Protections

Human Rights Day, December 10, 2011


On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2011 the AHRC publishes its annual report on the State of Human Rights in Indonesia in 2011.

The full report will be made available for download at http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/hrreport/2011/AHRC-SPR-006-2011/view.

In 2011, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has witnessed a deterioration of the human rights situation in Indonesia in terms of religious freedom, the role of the judiciary and accountability for violence by security forces. This report, which is based on the organisation’s documentation and monitoring work, shows that Indonesia remains heavily affected by serious human rights violations and shortcomings in the rule of law. The lack of effective prevention and legal measures taken by the legal apparatus against fundamentalist groups, shows the inability of the State to ensure fundamental rights, such as the right to life and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Constitutional foundations such as “unity in diversity” (Pancasila) and fundamental rights are being undermined, as is being seen in the lack of appropriate responses by the State to the decay of religious pluralism and diversity. Constitutional fundamental rights are not being enforced for Aceh’s citizens, who live under discriminating Sharia laws, or for religious minorities in Java and elsewhere in the country, who face persecution, or for indigenous Papuans who lack equal access to justice, protection and social welfare and as a result increasingly reject Indonesian citizenship. Indonesia’s international recognition as a role-model for secular democracy in the region, and as the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, is losing credibility.

Numerous cases of violations of the freedom of religion were reported in 2011. This situation cannot be separated from Indonesia’s recent history. The relationship between State and religion in Indonesia is swinging from one extreme to the other. Under the authoritarian Suharto regime, which was in power until 1998, religious movements were violently suppressed, as shown in the Tanjung Priok (1984) and Talangsari (1989) incidents, during which hundreds of Muslims were killed. Alleged perpetrators in that case remain unpunished. The use of violence against religious groups was a strategy at that time to prevent Islamists from gaining political power. Conversely, the trend that has developed in recent years shows that religious organisations are now undermining State institutions and justice processes. The increased religious violence is exemplified by the killing of three Ahmadiyah followers in February 2011. The perpetrators in the case have received no or only lenient punishments, while victims among religious minorities suffer persecution.

Violence by security forces, including the police and military, remains the other major concern in Indonesia in 2011. The AHRC continued to receive numerous cases of torture by the police, and, from crises regions under heavy military control like Papua, (1) it received cases of torture by the military. The AHRC is deeply concerned by the violent dispersal and killings during the Third Papuan Congress in October 2011.

The prevailing climate of impunity permits such violence to go unchecked. It is caused by the lack of effective reforms to provide impartial and professional accountability mechanisms, including for human rights violations. Efforts to develop and reform the bodies mandated to oversee the police, prosecution and judiciary, such as the extension of the mandate of the National Police Commission (KOMPOLNAS) and the mandate of the Prosecutorial Commission, are important steps taken by the GoI. However, in practice, police officers cannot be criminally prosecuted for the widespread use of torture to obtain information or punish detainees, and members of the military cannot be held accountable by independent investigations and civilian courts. They continue to be tried exclusively by the Indonesian National Army’s (TNI) legal system, which has serious flaws and typically perpetuates impunity. While Indonesia had announced the inclusion of the crime of torture in its new draft criminal code, this draft has been pending for adoption for many years. Sharia law in Aceh institutionalises corporal punishment and therefore inhuman and degrading treatment, and violates rights concerning fair trials.

The freedom of expression of activists in Papua is frequently violated through arrests of protesters and imprisonment for the peaceful expression of political opinions. More than 60 cases of violence against journalists in 2011 and several defamation law suits were reported. A new law concerning the State’s intelligence system passed in 2011, and allows for arbitrary measures that violate human rights and can be used to silence activists. Civil society faces many serious challenges to their ability to perform work in favour of human rights and reforms.

As a survey by the Kompas newspaper in 12 major Indonesian cities in October revealed, 83\% of the respondents are dissatisfied with the work of the police, judiciary and the attorney general’s office in upholding the law. Almost 100\% of the respondents felt that political conflicts within the police and corruption within State institutions is, in general, in a serious condition. (2)

Politicisation of criminal justice institutions such as the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), corruption in the judiciary and the immunity of military commanders present an ongoing problem. The lack of accountability for gross violations of human rights and ongoing impunity for the instigators of the 2004 assassination of Indonesia’s leading human rights defender, Munir Said Thalib, due to the refusal of the Attorney General to conduct new investigations, are key indicators concerning the inability of State institutions to address human rights violations effectively, and thus to fulfil their mandate to ensure a just and fair society. As a result, religious extremism grows and violations by security forces continue.

The full report will be made available for download at http://www.humanrights.asia/resources/hrreport/2011/AHRC-SPR-006-2011/view.

——-

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