Tag: Jayapura

South Sorong police drive away Papuan women traders

JUBI, 17 May 2012Teminabuan,  South Sorong:

The local administration in South Sorong, Papua, along with the police have destroyed a market run by Papuan women  who are known as  mama-mama.  Their tables, chairs and the goods for sale were all destroyed . And then the mama-mama were forcibly removed  These actions commenced on Friday 11 May  and have continued until now,

This was reported by Sarce Safles, one of the women who is responsible for the trading activities of the mama-mama, in a message sent to Jubi.

She said that beforehand the local government had called a meeting with some of the traders, while others had not been invited.

She said that at the meeting which she had attended, the women who were present  explained about what happened to them. ‘We said that the mama-mama should be allowed to continue with their trading business at the usual location because conditions there very busy and good for business.There are many people living in the area which means that there any many people who will purchase goods on sale. Besides this, the location is regarded as sacred.

The local government people ignored all these points made by the women, On 10 May, the assistant secretary of the local administration along with members of the local police descended on the location, smashed up everything  and forced the women to leave. These acts of destruction continue on the following day and on then on Friday, other marketing places were smashed up and the traders were told to move to another location.

But there is no one is living at this new place, which means that there is no one there to buy anything, yet even so the local government continued their destructive activities.

To this day, these activities are still going on and traders are still being forced to find somewhere else. to carry on with their business.

However the mama-mama are determined to remain at their old place for three reasons. First of all, they have been trading there for a long time already., secondly it is a very convenient place for these activities and thirdly, it is a sacred location.

For all these reasons, the mama-mama have decided to stand their ground but the government’s response was to mobilise the police, destroy the market.and smash up their tables and chairs.

The women did try to returned to their old market in Ampera  because the new location was a very great distance away, it was difficult to access and without anyone around who would buy anything. It is about three kms away and neither cycles nor motor cars cannot approach the new market place. Yet even so, the local government is forcing the women to move there.

An activist in Jayapura who confirmed all this information said: ‘The mama-mama traders have every right to insist on staying at that place and the local government should not behave in this way. They have no right to force the women to do anything.’ In her opinion, the local government should be facilitating the traders  and should be responsible for providing profitable market places for the women.

Slightly abridged translation by TAPOL

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POLICE CHIEF: ‘I WILL ARREST OPM PEOPLE WHO CAUSE DISTURBANCES’

Bintang Papua, 23 May 2012

Jayapura: In response to the announcement by the TNI/OPM Revolution Co-ordinator, Lamberth Pekikir, that they intend to fly the Kejora – Morning Star – flag  on 1 July, the anniversary of the OPM and also when Indonesia’s President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visits  West Papua on 25 June, the police chief of Papua, Inspector-General Bighman Lumban Tobing said that the police force would take firm action.

He said that the general situation in Papua is general speaking  ‘conducive’  though there have been some security disturbances  recently in Puncak Jaya by elements who intend to break away from the NKRI – Unitary Republic of Indonesia.

The police chief said that all components in society  including the media are responsible for keeping the situation in Papua conducive.As the hosts of the National Raimuna Xth event [which the president will attend]; we are jointly responsible for maintaining a conducive atmosphere, ensuring that the news from Papua will be about tranquillity in the area.

The chief of police also said that they would take firm action against any group that attempts to cause security disturbances in Papua. He said: ‘I will arrest and take firm action against any group that intends to cause disturbances in this place. ‘

He said that there were no plans to bring in additional troops and they will rely on the organic TNI troops and the police force now in Papua to keep order. He repeated his conviction that all components of society will ensure that the National Raimuna event will proceed smoothly.

The Raimuna event will take place in Waena and will last from 25 June till 1 July and will be officially opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
Ten thousand members of the youth organisation Pramuka all 16 – 20 years old and of Pandega, 21-25 years old  [the Indonesian boy scouts movement] from PNG, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei will also be taking part.

[Abridged in translation by TAPOL]

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Jefrai Murib has serious medical problems but is not getting the treatment he urgently needs

JUBI, 23 May 2012
The hospital in Jayapura where Jefrai Murib has been getting treatment has been creating difficulties regarding the medical treatment needed by this political prisoner.The chairman of BUK, Bersatu Untuk Keadilan – United for Justice – Peneas Lokbere said that to continue his treatment, he should have been examined again by the doctors on 22 May,  and would need to undergo a course of physiotherapy  and be given medicine that he needs for the paralysis  which has affected  the right side of his body.

According to Lokbere, when he went to the hospital for the treatment he required, he was not allowed to enter the hospital and was told that the doctors who should have been treating him had finished their work at the hospital for the day and had gone home. This happened on two days running and then he was told that he should go to the General Hospital for treatment.

Because of this, said Lokbere, Jefrai had been unable to get the necessary treatment.

He also said that they had asked the prison where  Jefrai is being held to cover the costs of the treatment required, but had failed so far to get the prison to respond to this request. Jefrai has lost the ability to move the right side of his body but was not getting the medical treatment that he urgently requires.

On the following day, 24 May, JUBI reported that Lokbere and his colleagues had decided to try to raise money to cover the costs of Jefrai’s treatment, by asking  for money from people in the streets.

Lokbere said that they were having to do this because the costs of the treatment were currently having to be borne by the prisoner’s family.

Other political prisoners such as Filep Karma and Ferdinand Pakage were also in need of treatment so attempts to raise money for them would have to start as soon as possible.

As regards the condition of Jefrai, the doctors have said that his is an emergency case.He needs treatment for eight hours a week and his condition must be regularly checked by the doctors. ‘He needs help very quickly,’ said Lokbere because his is an emergency case.

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JUBI, 24 May

Jefrai’s lawyer refused entry to meet Jefrai

A doctor who is treating the political prisoner Jefrai Murib ordered Cory Silva, a lawyer acting for the prisoner, to leave the premises of the hospital. The lawyer  had intended to  ask the doctor at the hospital  to make the necessary arrangements for the political prisoner to get the medical treatment that he needs.Examination by doctors had confirmed that Jefrai Murib has high blood pressure and blood clots (this is surely DVT – deep vein thrombosis, caused by excessive periods immobile – Tapol) after having been examined by a team of doctors. ‘The right side of his body is completely unable to function,’ she said. The doctor has suggested a course of physiotherapy for him as the condition had been present for a long time. The doctor said that treatment was urgent in order to prevent the blood clots from spreading to other parts of his body.

His doctor has also approached a physiotherapy specialist, Fernandes who suggested a course of treatment.When Peneas Lokbere tried to make contact with the physiotherapist, he was told that he was not available at the time and the prisoner would need to go elsewhere for treatment. but they had been unable to make contact with a physiotherapist.

When the lawyer was eventually able to contact the specialist, he was told by Fernandes that he should go to the General Hospital. Cory Silva wa criticised for trying to interfere with the prison management ans was ordered to leave the premises.The doctor also said that it was up to the prisoner’s family to handle of the case.

Cory Silva said that  what the doctor had said was quite inappropriate because it was the duty of the prison where Jefrai was being held to take full responsibility for Jefrai getting the necessary treatment.

Peneas Lokbere insisted that it was the responsibility of the doctor at the  prison to make the necessary arrangements and if he was refusing to do so then he should be replaced so as to make sure that the treatment needed by Jefrai could be started as soon as possible

Another of Jefrai’s lawyers, Yusman Conoras  complained that the doctors at the prison clearly had no understanding of the human rights aspect of this matter.  He said that it was the responsibility  of  the prison authorities  to provide the proper treatment for those who are being held in the prison Moreover, a prison should be giving guidance to the people being held in the prison and not just trying to punish the prisoner.

JUBI  reported that as yet, no comment had been forthcoming from the doctor in question.

[Translated and summarised by TAPOL]

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In Nabire, UP4B Met with Protest Again!

Tabloid Jubi

May 10, 2012

Jayapura, (10/5)— Socialization of the Accelerated Development Unit for Papua and West Papua (UP4B) continues to be met with challenge and refusal. After a rejection incident took place in Manokwari, now the people of Nabire Regency also carried out a rejection action towards UP4B. This action took the shape of a peaceful protest at Nabire airport, Thursday (10/5) morning.

“At least 1000 or more people carried out a spontaneous action as a form of refusal to accept the arrival of the head of U4PB, [Lt. Gen.] Bambang Darmono in Nabire Regency” said Benediktus Goo, one of those who spoke at the mass action. According to Benediktus Goo, this action was carried out by a coalition of communities from Nabire, Dogiyai, Deiyai, Paniai, Puncak and Puncak Jaya regencies.

Still according to Benediktus Goo, this action resulted in the cancellation of the program to “socialize” [present] UP4B in Nabire Regency at the Guest House, the Regional Legislative Assembly and Pantai Yamari.

The mass of people began to make speeches in the front yard of Nabire airport at 8AM. The head of UP4B,  Bambang Darmono, arrived in Nabire at 9AM. Indeed, his plan was to stop in Nabire on his way back from Raja Ampat Regency, on his way to Jayapura.

Banners that were displayed during this action included “We the People of Papua Reject UP4B in the Land of West Papua”, “We the People of Papua Reject UP4B, Bambang Darmono return home with [your plan for] Indonesian Urbanization in the Land of West Papua”. The mass also demanded a Referendum and Dialogue mediated by an international third party, and demanded the full sovereignty of West Papua.

The spokesperson for UP4B, Amiruddin Al Rahab, when contacted by tabloidjubi.com confirmed that a protest action took place. However according to him, this incident did not unfold according to the news that has spread regarding the rejection. “Yes there was indeed a demo. But the crowd was not in the thousands. Only some hundreds. BD (Bambang Darmono) also stopped by to hear the aspirations of the people. Because this is the face of democracy. Anyone has the right to convey their position” said Amiruddin to tabloidjubi.com by mobile telephone.

According to Amiruddin, BD also asked the mass of people if he needed to respond to their aspirations. But because those assembled refused to allow BD to respond (to comment on) their aspirations, BD along with the UP4B entourage pursued their plan to hear input from the Regent of Nabire and top regional security and government officials, as well as some civil society leaders in the VIP room of the airport.

“There was no expulsion or detention carried out towards BD and UP4B. The meeting with top officials did indeed take place in the VIP room. Then we continued our trip back to Jayapura because we were just on our way back there from Raja Ampat” said Amiruddin.

The mass dispersed at 1PM. During this action, there was also some commotion between the people assembled and the security forces. This incident caused Selfina Muyafa, S. Sos (30 yrs) to be struck in the forehead so that she had to be brought to Nabire hospital for treatment. (Jubi/Victor M)

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Prison warders beat and kick more than forty prisoners

JUBI, 10 May 2012

At least 42 prisoners – both political and criminal – have been beaten by warders in Abepura Prison where they are being held,  with these beatings occurring on 30 April.

According to information from the Justice, Peace and Creation Secretariat (SKPKC) in Jayapura, the prisoners who were beaten included Selfius Bobii, Luis Kossay, Terianus Tabuni, Wayus Hubi, Markus Dubi, Stenly Palondong, Alfian Palendeng, Erens Apromis, Octo Ikinia and Fredy Marsyom.

Some of them were beaten until they were black and blue all over. Selsius Bobii said he had ben slapped, hit and kicked all over his body. He was then dragged into the prison office. Luis Kossay said that he had been struck by a bludgeon, by iron rods and beaten with a rope and while being beaten he was kicked and then dragged out of his cell, dragged 200 metres and thrown into the yard. In the yard, his fingers and toes were stamped on by warders with their heavy boots. After suffering all this, he was ordered to remain in a half-squatting position for an hour.Three other prisoners were subjected to the same painful treatment and the rest were also beaten and kicked without mercy.

These acts of maltreatment occurred on 30 April and began when Selpius Bobii and some other prisoners asked the warders not to lock their cell doors because they wanted to practise singing some songs for their co prisoners. However, he was ordered out of his cell and taken to stand before the security official  who refused to grant him permission to do this. Selpius tried to explain that they wanted to rehearse some songs to be recorded later on, but permission was refused. and he was ordered to return to his cell.

Selpius said later that the previous warder, Ayurbaba, had given them permission to do these things and had allowed the prisoners to have recreational activities. When the new chief warder Liberty Sinijak heard this going on, he came out and started shouting at Selpius. In response Selpius shouted back, saying that the warders were doing nothing to help the prisoners but only trying to crush them.

The chief warder shouted back and ordered Selpius into the isolation wing. When the other prisoners in their cells heard all this shouting, they started calling out to the warders to stop maltreating Selpius.

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