Tag: Rejection of Special autonomy

PAPUAN CHURCHES: DECLARATION REGARDING FAILURE OF THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT IN GOVERNING AND DEVELOPING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF PAPUA

REGARDING FAILURE OF THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT IN
GOVERNING AND DEVELOPING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF
PAPUA

THEOLOGICAL DECLARATION OF CHURCHES IN PAPUA
Today on January 26th, 2011 we, Leaders of churches in the Land of Papua, along with Christian congregations, gather to declare our stance and position with regard to the state of government and its development policies pursued in the Land of Papua since annexation of Papua by the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, specifically with the introduction of the Law No. 21/2001 regarding the Special Autonomy for Papua.

As Churches, we are deeply concerned over the condition of our peoples, especially the indigenous Papuans, owners of this land, whose fate has been cornered to uncertainty amid development policies staged by the Indonesian Government in the Land of Papua. Such development policy is more characterized by physical structures/infrastructural development and to promote the interests of Indonesia in the Land of Papua.

The implementation of Special Autonomy for Papua has been inconsistent and inconsequent is a strong indication of insincerity of the Indonesian Government which led Papuans to view that OTSUS has FAILED. MRP, as a manifestation of the Special Autonomy with its members hastily selected and further exacerbated with the government’s ignorance of Ii point recommendations produced by the grand meeting of MRP (Papuan Peoples’ Assembly) itself, is therefore considered as an insult to the people of Papua, as people created in the image of God. The Churches also question the letter issued recently by the Minister of Home Affairs No, 188.341/1 l0/SJ regarding clarification pertaining to Special Regulation for Papua Province dated 13 January 2011 which further annihilate the right and existence of indigenous Papuans in their own motherland.

We see such situation as Kairos, a momentum for Churches to speak and express our stance and deep concerns in the form of the following Theological Declaration.

First, we are convinced that these processes repeat the same old process of annexation of Papua into Indonesia which is legally and culturally a flaw. The process of the Act of Free Choice (Pepera) in 1969 has been the root of problem on democracy and legality for the people of Papua. Ever since its integration into Indonesia, Papua has become a troubled territory under the authority of the Indonesian government.

Second, Papuans have undergone a ‘Silence history of suffering’ or memmoria passsionis leading to Genocide. The discourse of genocide has long been voiced by so many observers who are deeply concerned over the very existence of Papuans. The term genocide perhaps does not meet the criteria set forth by the UN, or other nations, or by Indonesia. But from our own view as victims, genocide is indeed taking place through the conditioning staged by Jakarta in the forms of ideology and development policies that are against the indigenous Papuans. Transmigration policy and unrelenting military operations are, in our view well-planned programs to eventually annihilate indigenous Papuans. Papuans are positioned as “the other” and as such warrant surveillance, control, and civilization. Papuans are not equal citizens of Indonesia. Some observers in Jakarta view this as an internal colonialism or disguised slavery against Papuans.

Third, we, churches of Papua acknowledge our own failures and sins for being silent for too long over demonic and destructive nature of the development policy and modernization on indigenous Papuans, which according to observers in Jakarta as internal colonialism and disguised slavery. Papuan churches have misarticulated the Scripture which states: “the government is the Lord’s representative on earth, worthy of respect.” Up until now, this has caused us incapable of playing our prophetic role.

Fourth, to respond to the challenges faced by Papuans, we, the churches are determined to return to our roots, to our Christian traditions, namely to the Scripture and church history. Thus, we view the sufferings of our Papuan people from the biblical perspective (Matthew 16:3b) “signs of times” and see it as theological and missiological challenges. This implies that the Lord is sending us, Papuan churches to His people who are traversing a dark history of suffering and oppression. It is therefore, as churches in Papua we want to hear to regularly raise questions and communicate with the Lord “what do you have in mind with regard to the behavior of those who indulge in disguised slavery against our people? Do you agree and applaud them?”

Fifth, consequently we want to view this critical position of churches in Papua in expressing the grievances of Papuans in the land of Papua is an integral part of our calling to spread the good News commanded by the Holy Scripture. The Scripture and church history are our basis for action. In this mission, the church is sent to shepherd the Lord’s people, keep the image of the Lord to be free from abuse (John 10:11; 21:12, 16, 19). As shepherds, we are obliged to listen to the voices of our sheep (congregation); in this light we raise our voice because “our life boat is drowning; the candle of our people is being put off in the name of development and territorial sovereignty.”

Sixth, with regard to development policy and current government administration, we hereby declare: (a) that the Indonesian government has FAILED to promote the welfare of indigenous Papuans especially since the Special Autonomy was passed. Therefore we urge the government to immediately halt the whole process of election of members of the MRP (Papuan People’s Assembly) taking place currently and respond to the 11 point recommendation made by the MRP grand meeting; (b) and as a solution, we urge the Indonesian government to open itself and hold a dialogue with indigenous Papuans to be mediated by a neutral third party; (c) we are appalled by the attitude exhibited by indigenous Papuan state officers who are ignorant of the rights of their own people.

Seventh, we urge our Papuan communities to stand up, to work on your own salvation, and express the truth before the present tyrant state authorities, who is on a rampage of internal colonialism, ethnic cleansing (genocide), and disguised slavery against your own Nation.

Eight, to our Papuan communities, in Indonesia, and anywhere else, do pray for us in solidarity to make us stand firm in embracing today’s challenges in Papua that are full of pain and tears.

End of this declaration.

Leaders of Churches in Papua

Signed
Elly D. Doirebo M.Si
Deputy Chairperson of Synod of Evangelical Christian Church of Papua

Rev. Dr. Benny Giay
Chairperson of Synod of Papuan Christian Church

Rev. Socrates Sofyan Yoman MA
Chairperson of Fellowship Papuan Baptist Churches



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West Papuans Call For Dialogue With Indonesia
			

				
(Note: West Papua Media was a participant in this conference, and a paper calling for development of Papuan media was a key part of this conference also.  Over the next fews weeks, we will be publishing a selection of observations from this conference, and a book will also be forthcoming from CPACS West Papua Project)


 


ABC News/Radio Australia

Friday, February 25, 2011


West Papuans Call For Dialogue With Indonesia


The ramifications of the fast moving events in Libya and the middle

east could be felt as far away as Papua in Indonesia, a Sydney

Conference has been told.


A movement for greater autonomy or even independence from Indonesia has been active since Papua was absorbed by the Muslim state in 1969.


It has been at times ruthlessly suppressed by successive governments

in Jakarta, fearful of the loss of national unity and rich resources.


But observers say with demands for greater democracy reverberating

around the world there might be a new willingness in Jakarta to take

on board the calls for change.


Presenter: Karon Snowdon


Speakers: Peter King, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Sydney

University; Jacob Rumbiak, coordinator of the foreign office of the

West Papua National Authority; John Otto Ondawame, Vice President of

the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation.


SNOWDON: Indonesia has faced strong resistance to its rule in Papua,

or West Papua, as it’s also known. The complaints include the appalling human rights record of the security forces, lack of development, resource stripping, cultural insensitivity and unwelcome migrants.

Often these complaints have been ignored or dealt with inadequately,

but perhaps this is changing.


KING: The political situation in Jakarta is now being driven by events

in Papua and also international reaction to what’s happening in Papua.


SNOWDON: Peter King is the convenor of the West Papua Project at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney,

where he spoke at an international conference on Papua.


Peter King says the government of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been embarrassed by the worldwide release of the video showing Papuan men being tortured by Indonesian security.


And by the symbolic return of special autonomy to Jakarta through huge public demonstrations in June last year.   Indonesia’s effort at appeasement, special autonomy has been a failure.


KING: Anybody would be encouraged by what’s gone on in the Middle

East. And the Papuans are even more mobilised than those Arab

populations were – it’s a kind of permanent Papuan mobilisation

against Jakarta. And the tactic so far of cultivating an enriched

elite of bureaucrats and politicians, which has been the main

Indonesian strategy to pacify Papuans, plus the influx of migrants

from outside Papua, that’s not going to wash in the post-Tahir Square

milieu that we’re living in.


SNOWDON: And there has been something of a breakthrough.

Jacob Rumbiak was jailed for nine years, part of the time he spent

with East Timor’s Xanana Gusmao.  He returned to Jakarta for the first time this month at the invitation of the Indonesian government. He’s now an academic and the coordinator of the foreign office of the West Papua National Authority, which he calls the transitional government of an independent West Papua. He was afforded high level access over two weeks of talks in Jakarta.


RUMBIAK: Visiting Jakarta is part of how to negotiate with Jakarta

about how to build trust between Jakarta and the people of West Papua.


SNOWDON [TO RUMBIAK]: To what end, independence or just more autonomy  for Papua?


RUMBIAK: The aim is based on [democracy]. Let Papuans choose. If they want to integrate with Indonesia, it’s OK, but when they want to [be] independent, that’s the right.


SNOWDON: A lack of unity in the past has set back the resistance movement.  John Otto Ondawame, the vice president of the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation based in Vanuatu says a united call for dialogue for the peaceful resolution of issues with Indonesia mean the old divisions have ended.


ONDAWAME: Papuans are united in their aspirations for political change.


SNOWDON [TO ONDAWAME]: Are the groups working together successfully now?


ONDAWAME: Yes, we’re working together both inside West Papua in the

guerilla camp in the jungle and also in the outside world to raise the

voices of the West Papuans to the international community that we are

united.


SNOWDON: And he calls on the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the

Pacific Island Forum to do more to promote reconciliation between

Indonesia and Papua.


ONDAWAME: These two bodies must stand together to address the issue of West Papua and to send a fact finding mission to investigate the human rights situation in West Papua and other related issues.


SNOWDON [TO ONDAWAME]: Given the recent case of torture case against members the Indonesian military do you see any change in Jakarta and in the president’s office towards a better deal for Papua?


ONDAWAME: The culture of torture [by the] military has continued for

the past 54 years after occupation.


SNOWDON: Is there no improvement?


ONDAWAME: No improvement at all.


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Nurses in Papua take their complaints to governor.. and to the ALDP
			

				
Bintang Papua, 19 February 2011

Abridged in translation by TAPOL


Nurses working at the Dok II General Hospital have taken part in a

demonstration at the governor’s office, complaining that their rights

have been ignored.


‘We are working to the utmost and often doing things that doctors should

be doing in addition to our own duties. In addition to applying

catheters  and giving infusions, we do laboratory work and look after

and wash the patients, as well as handling things that doctors should be

doing.’


Leni Ebe is one of more than one hundred nurses  working at Dok II in

Jayapura.who are critical of the management of the hospital which they

describe as being appalling. After having made complaints to the

director of the hospital (to no avail), they took their complaints to

the governor of the province.


She spoke in particular about the incentive fee that had been promised

by the government but had not yet been paid.


Nurses in all the hospitals in Abepura as well as elsewhere in Papua are

doing their utmost, she said. ‘We were promised the incentive fee in

2009 and were eventually paid Rp 30,000 [around £2.00], which we got

only after pressing very hard for it.’


Since the enactment of the Special Autonomy law (in 2001), Papua has

been allocated substantial sums of money yet internal management

problems have led to a failure to solve problems in the hospitals,

including the failure to pay the incentive fee, which is being paid to

administrative staff. This led to the hospital personnel deciding to

take their problem to the governor.


Leni Ebe said that it had been agreed that specialist doctors and

dentists would get Rp 10 million (a month), phamacists would get Rp5

million and other medical personnel would get Rp 3m, while other staff

including nurses would get only Rp1m. ‘We have to handle so much of the

work, including that usually done by doctors. Is this is all we are

worth? It is far too little, especially for those of us who have

families to feed.’


A decision by the  governor allocating the money for the whole of 2010

had not been followed through, as a result of which the nurses decided

to take their problem to the ALDP this week. Anum Siregar, director of

the ALDP, said that the failure to implement the decision was a clear

indication of the  lack of any seriousness on the part of the government

to solve the problem and could lead to similar cases occurring elsewhere.

			

		
	
	

					
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INDONESIA: Widespread impunity in Papua aggravating tensions
			

									
											
							
 
					

				
 




Date: 22 February 2011 03:15:24 CET




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2011

ALRC-CWS-16-06-2011


Language(s): English only


HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Sixteenth session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate 


A  written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a  non-governmental organisation with general consultative status 


INDONESIA: Widespread impunity in Papua aggravating tensions 


The  Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) is seriously concerned by ongoing,  widespread human rights violations and violent acts being committed by  the Indonesian security forces in the Papuan highlands in Indonesia.  Impunity typically accompanies even the most serious abuses, as shown by  the lack of effective remedies in a case of severe torture that the  ALRC has documented recently. Despite institutional reforms in  Indonesia, effective accountability for human rights violations in Papua  is lacking, resulting in impunity that then engenders further  atrocities.


Impunity and the sense of injustice that it engenders in society are  having a strong impact on social stability and cohesion in Papua.  Repression, discrimination and human rights violations by the Indonesian  security forces are adding to tensions. Papuans reportedly feel like  second-class citizens in Indonesia, even within Papua itself, and face  discrimination, poverty and injustice as a result. The military  arbitrarily suspect Papuans of being linked with rebel groups and  stigmatise them, subjecting them to abuse.


Autonomy law rejected



The State has failed to provide justice and remedies and to bring  prosperity and equality to Papua through the Special Autonomy Law,  despite it being Indonesia’s most resource-rich region. Demonstrations  in Jayapura, the capital of the Papuan province, have repeatedly  rejected the Special Autonomy Law of 2001, with many civil society  speakers having labelled it as being a failure. The autonomy parliament  in July 2010 issued a decree formally rejecting the law and demanding a  referendum on the political status of the autonomy region. The law was  rejected mainly due to it having failed to deliver on any of the key  demands of indigenous Papuans since its enactment. These include  economic aspects but security and the need for protection against  discrimination and human rights violations also figure highly.


The repeated calls by Papuan politicians, church and other civil society  leaders for a dialogue between Papua and Jakarta have not been  responded to by the government. Given the ongoing grave human rights  violations by Indonesian security forces and the deteriorating relations  between Papua and Jakarta, the ALRC is concerned that the situation of  human rights risks declining seriously in the coming period, unless  Indonesia takes meaningful action to address its role in the worsening  situation. To be credible in doing this, the Indonesian government and  military must ensure that human rights violations are halted and  impunity is shown to be being dismantled, with justice being served and  reparation being provided to victims.


Torture and impunity — a symbol of abuse and injustice


In the high-profile torture case mentioned above, which remains  emblematic of the situation of human rights in Papua at present, Mr.  Tuanliwor Kiwo, an indigenous Papuan man, was arbitrarily detained and  tortured in May/June2010 by the Indonesian military. Mr. Kiwo was  arrested at the Kwanggok Nalime TNI post near Yogorini village on his  way from Tingginambut towards Mulia, Papua, Indonesia. During two days  of detention, Mr. Kiwo was subjected to several serious forms of torture  including burning, beatings and other forms of violence, resulting in  serious injuries and Mr. Kiwo falling unconscious. He was able to escape  in the morning of the third day. Mr. Kiwo is currently in hiding for  security reasons but has given a detailed testimony of his torture in a  video recording.1


While cases of torture are often reported from Papua, this case received  significant international attention after video footage of the torture2 was published by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in October  2010. As a result of the significant public pressure concerning this  case, three members of the military were tried in a military tribunal  for disobeying their superior’s order to release the victim and were  sentenced to between nine and twelve months imprisonment. The ALRC is  concerned that the charge and punishment in this case are not  commensurate with the gravity of the violation that severe torture  represents. Furthermore, the victim has not been provided with any form  of remedy. Despite its high profile nature, this case speaks to the  Indonesian system’s inability to address torture as a serious crime and  human rights violation, and its failure to provide adequate reparation  to victims. In less visible cases, even less can be expected, and  impunity typically prevails.


In another case of violence by members of the military in the March  2010, that was also published in October 2010, the perpetrators have  received sentences of an equally disproportionately low nature. Three  solders from the Indonesian military’s Pam Rahwan Yonif 753/Arga Vira  Tama squad, based in Nabire, Papua, were given a five-month imprisonment  sentence by the military court III/19, Cenderawasih military command in  Jayapura in November 2010, for having kicked and beaten arrested  indigenous Papuans whom they suspected of involvement in separatist  activities. The names of the convicted officers are Chief Pvt Sahminan  Husain Lubis, Second Pvt Joko Sulistiono and Second Pvt Dwi Purwanto.  Military judge Lt. Col. Adil Karokaro explained in the verdict that the  defendants had breached the Indonesian military’s code of conduct by  torturing the residents.


The government of Indonesia continues to deny the widespread use of  violence by the Indonesian military in Papua, and alleges that these  violations are rare and isolated, individual cases. However, the ALRC  continues to receive further cases of violence against indigenous  Papuans, including killings by the police and military, arbitrary  arrests, the burning of houses and killing of livestock, which point to a  widespread pattern of the use of violence, as well as a policy of  intimidation by the Indonesian military.


Human rights violations and other crimes committed against civilians by  members of the military are still only tried by military courts, which  lack independence, transparency, a comprehensive penal code  incorporating human rights norms, and a system of punishments that are  proportional to the severity of the crimes committed. A military  tribunal is not able to hold perpetrators of torture accountable in line  with international law standards. Such tribunals cannot invoke any  military regulations that prohibit the use of torture. Therefore,  perpetrators cannot be tried for committing torture and no remedies can  therefore be provided to victims.


Furthermore, the country’s penal code does not include torture as a  crime. This means that members of the police that commit torture remain  immune from criminal prosecution. Indonesia is therefore failing to  comply with its obligations under the Convention Against Torture.  Indonesia ratified the Convention against Torture in 1998, but the use  of torture is still widespread and systematic, as cases received and  documented by the ALRC attest. The promised review of the penal code has  been delayed for years despite recommendations made to the government  of Indonesia, which it accepted, during the Universal Periodic Review in  this regard.


From a human rights perspective, it is vital for Indonesia to  immediately begin to take credible action to tackle impunity and be seen  to be tackling it in an effective way. Jakarta must ensure that the  security forces halt the use of excessive force and violence-based  strategies in dealing with security-related issues in Papua. Allegations  of human rights violations must be investigated and any lacuna in  legislation and due process must be addressed. For example, torture must  be criminalized in line with Indonesia’s international obligations  under the Convention Against Torture. Military personnel who are alleged  to be responsible for human rights violations against civilians must be  tried in civilian courts.


The ALRC invites the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges  and lawyers to recommend institutional reforms to the government of  Indonesia to ensure that members of the military are held accountable by  independent courts that uphold human rights and constitutional values  and ensure that these are made available to legislators in Indonesia.


The ALRC also requests that the Special Rapporteur on torture and other  cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment follow up with the  Indonesian government to ensure the full implementation of the  recommendations made to Indonesia during the UPR review regarding the  review of the penal code and the full criminalisation of torture.


Furthermore, the ALRC urges the Indonesian government to heed the call  for dialogue made by the Papuan indigenous community and avoid a further  deterioration of the conflict in Papua. Finally, the ALRC calls on the  Indonesian government to release all Papuan political prisoners, in  order to show its commitment to a new path towards peace, security and  human rights in Papua.


——–


Footnotes:


1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX5CuZhFFCI

2 http://humanrightsasia.blip.tv/file/4446942/


# # #


About the ALRC:  The Asian Legal Resource Centre is an independent regional  non-governmental organisation holding general consultative status with  the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It is the sister  organisation of the Asian Human Rights Commission. The Hong Kong-based  group seeks to strengthen and encourage positive action on legal and  human rights issues at the local and national levels throughout Asia. 






International Human Rights Day 2010 – Download our pre-print PDF version of the annual reports here.


—————————–


Asian Human Rights Commission

#701A Westley Square,

48 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon,

Hongkong S.A.R.

Tel: +(852) – 2698-6339

Fax: +(852) – 2698-6367


URL: humanrights.asia

twitter/youtube/facebook: humanrightsasia








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Two Papuan prisoners allowed ten days respite
			

				
JUBI: 17 February 2011


Two Papuan prisoners, Melkianus Bleskadit and Dance Yenu, both of whom are alleged  to be involved in flying the 14-Star flag in Manokwari, West Papua on 14 December 2010 have received notification from the attorney-general in Manokwari giving them respite from their imprisonment (pembantalan?).


Simond Riziard Banundi, one of the lawyers working for the two men, said that the letters have been issued to give them time to rest at home.   ‘Our two clients have received these letters from the attorney-general to free them for a time, so as to rest in their homes,’ said Banundi.  But he said that this would not be possible because what they need is treatment to deal with their physical conditions.


He said it was true that the attorney-general had given the two men ten days respite, from 12 till 21 February . ‘We have received the letters,’ he said, ‘and our clients are currently being treated in hospital.’


[NOTE: The word used for the letter – pembantalan – is one that we are not familiar with in this connection and our dictionary hasn’t helped. We posted several articles about these prisoners yesterday. TAPOL]


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