Papua activist Filep Karma 'abused in prison'

BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10854985

Papua’s most well-known pro-independence prisoner, Filep Karma, is serving 15 years in jail for rebellion. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience.

In a rare interview with a local radio station, obtained by the BBC, he claimed he had suffered physical and mental abuse while in jail. Filep Karma led hundreds of Papuan students in cries of “independence!” during a demonstration in the provincial capital in 2004. They then raised the banned Morning Star flag – the symbol of free Papua – in full view of military policemen. For this act of defiance he was jailed for 15 years for rebellion. Mr Karma says he was exercising his right to protest.

“They terrorised us in a nation that is meant to be a democracy, a nation where freedom of speech is meant to be protected,” he said.

‘Mental torture’

Foreign journalists are restricted from reporting in Papua, and the International Committee of the Red Cross was ordered out of the province last year after it visited political prisoners.In this rare interview conducted by a local radio station without the permission of the authorities, Mr Karma claims to have been regularly abused in jail.

“I have been punched, kicked, pulled. But what hurts more is the mental torture we are subjected to,” he said. “An officer once told me, when you enter here you lose all your rights, including human rights. Your rights are only to breathe and eat. He even went as far as to say that your life is in my hands.”

A fellow political prisoner being held in the same jail, Ferdinard Package, says he lost sight in one eye after a beating from one of the prison guards. The head of the Papuan branch of the Ministry for Law and Human Rights, Nasarudin Bunsan, confirmed the beating took place.

Mr Bunsan said they had a problem with guards who got drunk and then beat the prisoners. He said they were trying to stop the practice and three prison guards were currently facing police charges for abuse.

‘Rise up’

The government recently pardoned and released one Papuan political prisoner. Karma has been made the same offer as long as he apologises to the state, something he says he will never do.

“I predict by 2020 our people will be completely extinct,” he said. “So our people must rise up. We must fight for independence or be destroyed.”

Papua is rich in natural resources and is the home of the world’s largest gold mine, partly owned by the US company Freeport. Yet Papua remains one of the least developed provinces in Indonesia.

August 4, 2010

Thousands call for Referendum at grave of slain West Papuan hero

Photos courtesy of Yasons Sambon, KNPB

Sentani, West Papua, Monday August 2 2010 (West Papua Media Alerts)
Reports have been filtering from Sentani that over five thousand people have been gathering at the grave of slain West Papuan independence hero Chief Dorotheys (Theys) Eluay, continuing the unprecedented mass mobilisations calling for a return of Special Autonomy to Jakarta, and for internationally mediated dialogue and a referendum to determine West Papua’s future.

This rally was called by KNPB (West Papua National Committee) with support from West Papua National Authority, Dewan Adat Papua, students and youth.

The rally was called to commemorate the anniversary of the fraudulent conduct of the Act of Free Choice in 1969, and to remind the international community that West Papuan people still contest Indonesian occupation, human rights and environmental abuses, corruption and impunity. The organisers of the demonstrations have asserted that rolling mobilisations will be increasing to demand a review of the Act of Free Choice until its 41st anniversary on August 15.

Today’s gathering at Sentani remained peaceful, although large numbers of security forces, 3 trucks of heavily armed anti-terror Dalmas paramilitary police, over 100 armed plain clothes intelligence agents, and water cannon were in attendance. Despite intimidation from Indonesian security forces, the mass gathering maintained peaceful discipline and listened to speeches and music.

More demonstrations will be held tomorrow as the special sessions of the DPRP will be held in Jayapura to discuss the final handback of the failed Special Autonomy package to Jakarta, Tens Thousands of people are expected to gather in the morning in a mass mobilisation called by ForDem (Forum Demokratik Rakyat Papua / Democratic Forum of Papuan
People). Security forces are expected to prevent people from gathering, so this is a situation that will need monitoring to ensure restraint by Indonesian Police and military.

Nick Chesterfield @West Papua Media Alerts

Jayapura 02/08/2010, ratusan masa aksi yang diakomodir oleh komite nasional Papua Barat (KNPB), mengakomodir seluruh komponen masyarakat papua dan semu organ-organ pergerakan, dan semu tokoh-tokoh. Masa berkumpul di beberapa titik kumpul menuju ke sasaran aksi mimbar politik bebas di pemekaman pahlawan Theys Eluai Sentani Jayapura Papua.

Acara tersebut mulai pada pukul: 12 :15 wpb, berlangsung mulai dengan orasi-orasi dari masing-masing organ dan juga pelaku PEPERA 1969 menjelaskan tentang pelaksanaan PEPERA pada masa lalu, namun semua menyatakan tidak sah karena Indonesia Amerika dan PBB telah melanggar hukum internasional dan tidak laksanakan PEPERA 1969 sesui dengan prinsip-prinsip hokum internasional yaitu (one people one soul).

Pelaku Sejarah Fred Suebu menjelaskan bahwa;

-Pada perjanjian New York orang Papua tidak ikut tanda tangan, maka dinyatakan PEPERA 1969 adalah tidak sah dan cacat hukum dan moral.

– dan saya minta kepada PBB segera lakukan Referendum bagi bangsa Papua Barat .

Dalam orasinya Forkorus Yoesiebu bahwa;

– Kita orang Papua barsatu menuntut kedaulatan dan gugat aneksasi.

– Pertanyaan; apakah rakyat setuju besok bentuk Pemerintahan Negara Papua Barat?

– Rakyat menyatakan setuju.

– Aneksasi PEPERA 1969 harus kugat dan kami rakyat bangsa Papua Barat menembalikan PEPERA 1969 ke PBB.

– Amerika, Belanda, Indonesia dan PBB tidak menghargai hak orang Papua , maka kami menuntut kugat aneksasi.

Demikian Yang mana komite nasional papua barat telah diadakan mimbar bebas politik dalam ranggga mengembalikan anekesasi PEPERA 1969 ke pangguan PBB, bentuk mayat peti PEPEPRA 1969 dan beberapa surat piagam telah kembalikan dan rakyat bangsa Papua Barat Menuntut Referendum untuk pepentuan nasib sendiri bagi bangsa papua barat. Demikian guna menggukat PEPERA 1969 di tingkat Internasional yaitu pengadilan Internasional (ICJ) melalui lembaga diplomat papua yang ada yaitu (ILWP).

Demikian laporan kami Jayapura Papua barat dan atas kerjasama yang baik kami sampaikan banyak terimaksih.

By yasons sambom

West Papua Human Rights Activist

August 2, 2010

STATEMENT BY THE WEST PAPUA ADVOCACY TEAM REGARDING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE INDONESIAN SPECIAL FORCES (KOPASSUS)

STATEMENT BY THE WEST PAPUA ADVOCACY TEAM REGARDING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE INDONESIAN SPECIAL FORCES (KOPASSUS)

The decision of the Obama Administration to begin “gradual and limited” engagement with the Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassus) ignores more than a decade-old, bi-partisan, bi-cameral Congressional consensus opposing assistance to that organization.

Opposition to U.S. military cooperation with Kopassus is based on that unit’s undisputed record of human rights abuse, criminality and unaccountability before the law. U.S. Administration claims that the organization has recently adopted a reform course is belied by credible independent reporting that Kopassus continues to abuse human rights with impunity. A June 2009 Human Rights Watch report detailed Kopassus abuse of civilians in Merauke in the troubled province of West Papua.

Administration claims that those Kopassus personnel “convicted” of human rights abuse have been removed from the organization ignores the reality that the impunity enjoyed by Kopassus personnel for decades has ensured that only a handful of Kopassus personnel have ever faced justice in a credible criminal court. In a rare example of judicial action, seven Kopassus officers were convicted of the 2001 murder of the leading Papuan political figure, Theys Eluay. Of the seven convicted of what the judge in the case termed a “torture-murder,” all remain on active duty after serving brief sentences (the longest being three and one half years imprisonment). Six left Kopassus but one remains in the organization.

Administration assurances that any Kopassus candidate for U.S. training will undergo “vetting” by the State Department ignores past failures of the State Department to screen out Kopassus rights abusers and criminals.

The Administration announcement correctly notes that since the fall of the dictator Suharto, with whose military the U.S. military maintained close ties, Indonesia has been on a democratic course. But the Administration fails to acknowledge that the gravest threat to ongoing democratic progress is the Indonesian military which continues to evade civilian control. Despite 2004 legislative requirements that the military divest itself of its vast empire of legal and illegal businesses by 2009, the military retains this source of off-budget funding.

Kopassus and other military personnel continue to enjoy impunity before the law for human rights abuse and criminal activity including people trafficking and drug running as acknowledged in past U.S. State Department human rights reporting.

The Indonesian military, and particularly Kopassus and intelligence agencies continue to repress peaceful protest, most notably targeting the people of West Papua. The military, especially Kopassus, but also the U.S.-funded “Detachment 81” and the militarized police (BRIMOB), routinely intimidate, threaten and accost Papuans who non-violently resist denial of fundamental rights, illegal expropriation of their lands and marginalization. Military and police units have repeatedly conducted purportedly anti-rebel “sweep operations” in the remote Central Highlands forcing thousands of villagers into the forests where they suffer lack of food, shelter and access to medical care. Twenty percent of Kopassus personnel (approximately 1,000 personnel) are stationed in West Papua.

The U.S. Administration’s decision to resume cooperation with the most criminal and unreformed element of the Indonesian military removes critical international pressure for reform and professionalization of the broader Indonesian military. It signals to Indonesian human rights advocates who have born the brunt of security force intimidation that they stand alone in their fight for respect for human rights and genuine reform in Indonesia.

contact: Ed McWilliams, edmcw@msn.com, +1-575-648-2078

July 22, 2010

Video from July 8-9, Otsus handback at DPRP office, Jayapura

Video has just been released showing events at the DPRP in Jayapura.
The footage clearly contradicts Indonesian reporting that only small numbers of people were present.

Mass Action outside UNCEN 1, July 8 2010
For the original footage in a single archive, please download from the following link:http://rapidshare.com/files/406461117/July8-9_video_DPRP_Aksi_massa.rar

Please credit West Papua Media Alerts

July 13, 2010

Photos from 8th July rally in Wamena, West Papua

West Papua: Photo News From Wamena Papuan Peoples Demanding REFERENDUM for West Papua.
By WPNews Wamena
Jul 11, 2010, 02:37 Email this article
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West Papua : Photo News From Timika Papuan Peoples Deman for REFERENDUM for West Papua.
By WPNews Timika
Jul 10, 2010, 03:35 Email this article
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======================

REFERENDUM IS THE BEST WAY TO WEST PAPUA

KNPB News: Thursday December 8 July 2010 the people of West Papua nation which incorporated and organized by WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COMMITTEE (KNPB) REGION Mimika, West Papua reduce the nation’s approximately 2000 people of Papua in the Timika area. Mimika earth to witness and stated that the referendum is the best solution for problem solving West Papua.

Under the banner of peaceful demonstrations which are carried on “The best way for the people of West Papua is a referendum” and a banner that also under the action of a “nation of West Papua human rights in emergency situations.” Both banners are lowered by the Papua People’s west incorporated in WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COMMITTEE (KNPB) Timika region. Peaceful demonstrations are done on the Thursday on 8 July 2010 is the voice of the people of West Papua nation which is in Timika states that “By the Way we can be free referendum” stressed the head of KNPB Timika.

12:00 pm Time Papua West Papua National Committee Chairman (KNPB) Timika Region ROMARIO YATIPAI explains that the purpose of Peace Demonstration conducted and organized by KNPB Timika Region that:

1. West Papua nation is a nation that has his identity as God’s creation the same with other nations in the world. Recognition as a nation as the skin, characterized by racial Malanesian Black and short Hair must admit that as inhabitants of this paradise Island.
2. We the people of West Papua nation down the road to support the recommendation Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) at the Great Council of the Papua People’s Assembly of December 9 to 10 June 2010 has given birth and Recommendation 11 of them are already recommended that the Special Autonomy has Failed to return to Jakarta and so Referendum demanded. The referendum demands which were born in the recommendations of the MRP is not because of the failure of special autonomy but the West Papuan People’s Voice Pure, so do not be mistaken that the referendum could be born because the Failure of Special Autonomy.
3. Romario Yatipai asserted that the referendum is the best way for the people of West Papua to Self-Determination Alone in this State. So we invite the people of West Papua nation to unite Steps to an existing exit through IPWP and International level ILWP as international media to the people of West Papua who are ready to resolve the issue of West Papua because referendum OFF PRICE IS SELF-ESTEEM and INDEPENDENCE IS THE NATION WEST PAPUA
human rights are universal rights that must be respected by all people in this world, without exception.
4. Yet that is precisely inversely seen in Papua. Increasingly repressive Indonesian military rampage today in Puncak Jaya regency against civilians, which is a major threat to survival. Innocent people are falling everywhere in the whole of Papua. Violations of human rights problems in Papua is a problem very long time or period. Unfortunately justice and truth never take sides for the people of Papua in shympatizme human rights issues and lighter weight is always the case. It became obvious that the shootings of the late Mr. KELLY KWALIK General has violated the universal declaration of human rights in the world but has been let and has been considered that the assassination was like killing an animal, That’s the presumption that no same riight as a Man of God’s creation must be respected.
5. Violence Negara Indonesia through its ranks like Army-Police truly lethal human rights systematically in all aspects of the course towards the process of Genocide (ethnic cleansing) of the People of Papua as Malanesian. Everything to do to turn off the road in the nation of Papua for the sake of the abundant natural wealth in this country not for the sake of humanity that exists. Above this real condition, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) invites to all lovers of human values over the Land of Papua for solidarity and join for saying VIOLENCE STATE OPPOSITION top of the Papuan People’s Nation. So our demands, “The immediate international intervention in the Territory of Papua, Papua Because already used as a Military Operations Area (DOM) Volume II, so will the new casualties in the list of human rights violations in West Papua”

14.00 Time of Papua during the action started to go in the yard DPRD Mimika district. The period included in the peace and quiet are very tense Karen security from the Police, NIA, and the Mobile Brigade Detachment B, Densus 88, reduce its personnel with a complete weapon.

6. Mimika Police Chief requested that who led by this action to coordinate so we get a tremendous pressure, as the police chief reprimanded community hard to Romario Yatipai that “Opinions must be submitted in accordance with existing mechanisms in the legislation of the Republic of Indonesia.” In accordance with the existing mechanism as good citizens we have to report to police notice of Action Demonstration. We can conclude that the space of Democracy on Earth the Mimika more of special and general West Papua has been shut by means of the republic of Indonesia because our country staged a peaceful demonstration was always in block by State security forces are Army, Police, BIN, and the Mobile Brigade Densus 88 . This has proven to when KNPB staged Timika Region of Peace, the police chief of Mimika Moch Sagi reprimand with no disrespect to the Mimika KNPB told that Answer Romario Yatipai action.

ATTITUDE OF THE NATIONS POLITICAL DECLARATION OF WEST PAPUA

In this happy occasion we the people of West Papua nation on earth Mimika, Papua, the western states with a real political attitudes that:
1.
We the people of West Papua nation which existed across the Timika region, told the world that a referendum is the best solution for the people of West Papua nation because the problem of West Papua’s political status is a matter of violation of the Act of Free Choice 1969 LAW defective national and international law.
2. We fully support IPWP ILWP as media people and the nation of West Papua in the international world to solve problems through the process of the western Papuan self-determination referendum for West Papua.
3. We urge that IPWP and ILWP well as countries struggle for independence supporters to send troops to West Papua Peace by securing for west Papua Very Emergency situations.
Thus the political statement of the people of this nation we the people of West Papua, Papua nation on earth with a real Timika.

We Must End this!

WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COMMITTEE (KNPB)
TIMIKA REGION

TTD

ROMARIO YATIPAI
Chairman KNPB Timika

•The photos that we attach below are the photographs in Action Peaceful demonstrations are done by the Mimika region in order KNPB OTSUS Returning to Jakarta. The referendum is the nation demands of the people of West Papua. Photo evidence of field in the Peace Action is as follows:

We Call the Worl to Help West Papua People !

T

ayapura Photo News: Demanding REFERENDUM for West Papua NO Autonomy.
By KNPB Timika
Jul 9, 2010, 05:09 Email this article
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Thousands Rally in West Papua: Reject Special Autonomy, Demand Referendum on Independence
By Jacques Friedman
Jul 9, 2010, 04:45 Email this article
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by Jacques Friedman
Thursday Jul 8th, 2010 5:21 PM
International news agencies have reported on the mass rally in Jayapura, capital of Indonesia’s Papua province. Thousands of people joined a long march, walking 17 km from the MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua – Papua People’s Assembly) to the DPRP (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua – Papuan Provincial Legislature), rejecting the Special Autonomy granted by Indonesia in 2001 and demanding a referendum on West Papuan independence and an internationally-mediated dialogue with Jakarta. As protesters joined the rally from several points in the city, the crowd – claimed by media to number just a few thousand – swelled to nearly 20,000. They occupied the grounds of the provincial legislature under the watchful eye of police and army units.

long_march_jayapura.jpg

Situation tense as police permit protesters to spend the night at Papuan legislature

International news agencies have reported on the mass rally in Jayapura, capital of Indonesia’s Papua province. Thousands of people joined a long march, walking 17 km from the MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua – Papua People’s Assembly) to the DPRP (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua – Papuan Provincial Legislature), rejecting the Special Autonomy granted by Indonesia in 2001 and demanding a referendum on West Papuan independence and an internationally-mediated dialogue with Jakarta. As protesters joined the rally from several points in the city, the crowd – claimed by media to number just a few thousand – swelled to nearly 20,000. They occupied the grounds of the provincial legislature under the watchful eye of police and army units.