Pacific peoples lead push for Papuan decolonisation

Radio NZ – An academic specialising in West Papua says Pacific Islands peoples are taking the lead on issues of decolonisation within the region.

Dr Cammi Webb-Gannon is a research fellow at Western Sydney University’s School of Humanities and Communication Arts.

She says the unprecedented level of discussion about West Papuan self-determination and human rights at the recent UN General Assembly reflects a new momentum towards decolonisation in the Pacific.

Dr Webb-Gannon spoke to Johnny Blades about the growth of international solidarity for West Papua and the issue of regional representation.

Transcript

CAMMI WEBB-GANNON: As West Papuans have been able to get their stories out as I’ve been observing the conflict and the movement for about 10 years I’d say it’s from 2010 when this has really taken off and then in 2011 I think Indonesia was picking up on the increased traction of West Papua in the international media and so I think that’s when Indonesia decided it really needed to start to have more influence in Melanesian and Pacific politics and it was in 2011 that Indonesia was given observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead group and really started heavy diplomacy into Melanesia to try and counteract the solidarity and the civil society support for West Papua.

JOHNNY BLADES: Do you see any signs in Indonesia’s kind of response that it will do anything other than just sort of push through its viewpoint?

DW-G: Not in the near future I don’t, you heard also Indonesia’s first right of reply no doubt at the United Nations about a month ago and it was quite uninformed, very typical Indonesian government response, saying that essentially there are very few if any human right’s violations that have taken place in West Papua and that it would be impossible for them to go unscrutinised and that’s just blatantly untrue. And then you have several Indonesian NGO’s going ‘that’s ludicrous’ and you know that’s typically what the response has been. It doesn’t look like it’s changing but it does look like Indonesia’s getting more worried therefore they’re increasing their diplomatic efforts.

JB: There is this argument about regional representation for the Papuans, do you think that the Pacific support can be effective, can it overcome the geo-political forces?

DW-G: Well I think it already is, I mean the fact that for the first time West Papua’s been raised at the UN by seven countries not just Melanesian countries, but from Tonga and Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands and Nauru and Palau as well, is a huge testament to the work that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua has been undertaking so a whole lot of diplomacy by the leaders of the ULMWP around the Pacific but also this taps into the Pacific renaissance which I think has been sweeping across the Pacific for the past five or six years. So I guess for the first time since around the 1970s/80s when the Pacific was starting to decolonize, it’s a new spirit of decolonisation. I think it’s more strident than it’s ever been before and it’s more powerful and these Pacific countries are making very good use of regional fora and international fora and West Papua is one of the top issues. I think that the Pacific is really taking the lead on this.

October 18, 2016 0

Pacific West Papua 14 Jul 2016 Decision looms on West Papua’s MSG bid

Radio NZ – The leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group are expected to announce whether or not West Papua will gain full membership this afternoon.

An organisation representing West Papua independence groups, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, was last year granted observer status within the MSG.

But Indonesia, which considers the movement a separatist group with no legitimacy, was also granted associate status.

Jakarta has this year warned Melanesian leaders to “think carefully” about any decision about West Papuan membership, and has put great effort into lobbying ahead of today’s summit.

Vanuatu, a key advocate for West Papua, is pushing for the movement to gain full membership, which is supported by Solomon Islands and New Caledonia’s FLNKS movement.

But Papua New Guinea and Fiji have expressed their support for Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua, and are unlikely to support the country’s removal from the MSG, which Vanuatu is pushing for.

The announcement has been brought forward to this afternoon as Fiji’s prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, has to leave Honiara later today.
Church calls for consideration

The Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea said MSG leaders should consider West Papua’s application.

The Archbishop of Port Moresby, Sir John Ribat, says the movement should be allowed full membership because of its representation of the indigenous Papuans, who are Melanesian.

He said human rights concerns in West Papua need to be discussed within the framework of the MSG, and Indonesia should be involved with them too, but as an observer.

October 17, 2016 0

Anggota Parlemen Kep. Solomon : Indonesia bukan Melanesia

Kantor Parlemen Nasional Kepulauan Solomon - SIBC

Jayapura, Jubi – Kepulauan Solomon menegaskan kembali sikapnya terhadap isu Papua dan Melanesia, terkait status United Liberation Movement for West Papua di Melanesia Spearhead Groups (MSG)

“Indonesia bukan Melanesia dan ULMWP adalah perwakilan sah rakyat dan bangsa Papua di Melanesia,” kata Derrick Manuari kepada Jubi melalui sambungan telepon, Kamis (13/10/2016).

Manuari, anggota parlemen Kepulauan Solomon yang mewakili Solidaritas Kepulauan Solomon untuk Papua Barat menjelaskan pertimbangan soal kemelanesiaan itulah yang menjadi alasan Kepulauan Solomon dan Vanuatu serta Front Pembebasan Kanak (FLNKS) memutuskan untuk menerima ULMWP sebagai anggota MSG pada bulan Desember nanti.

Sekalipun Fiji dan Papua Nugini (PNG), dua negara terbesar di MSG tidak menghadiri pertemuan anggota MSG pada Desember nanti, tiga anggota ini telah menentukan sikap mereka.

Manuari menambahkan, sikap tiga anggota ini diputuskan setelah melakukan lobi intens dengan beberapa negara Pasifik seperti Tokelau, Nauru, Tonga dan Marshall Islands.

“Tentu saja akan ada protes dari anggota lain. Fiji dan PNG punya hubungan yang sangat dekat dengan Indonesia. Namun solidaritas Melanesia seharusnya mendukung bangsa Papua Barat daripada mempromosikan Indonesia di Melanesia,”

jelas Manuari.

Lanjutnya, meskipun Fiji dan PNG tidak mendukung keputusan yang diambil tiga anggota penuh lainnya, MSG akan berdiri pada prinsip pendirian MSG, yaitu mempromosikan solidaritas Melanesia di kawasan.

“Kembali kami tegaskan, Indonesia bukan Melanesia dan ULMWP adalah perwakilan sah bangsa dan rakyat Papua yang adalah bangsa dan rakyat Melanesia,” tegas Manuari.

Indonesia, lanjutnya, selalu melakukan protes terhadap apa saja yang dilakukan bangsa-bangsa di Melanesia dan Pasifik yang berkaitan dengan Papua baik dalam forum MSG maupun Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Sikap Indonesia ini, menurutnya bukanlah sikap yang biasa ditunjukkan oleh bangsa Melanesia.

“Posisi Solomon jelas dalam hal ini. Kami tidak bisa terus menerus menggunakan alasan teknis soal keanggotaan untuk menghalangi hak bangsa dan rakyat Melanesia lainnya untuk terlibat dalam solidaritas Melanesia dan MSG. Karena disitulah prinsip dasar MSG diletakkan oleh para pendiri,”

kata Manuari. (*)

October 13, 2016 0

Rockin for West Papua diluncurkan di beberapa negara

Jayapura, Jubi – Rize of the Morning Star menyelenggarakan parade musik global bertajuk Rockin for West Papua dari 30 September 2016 sampai setidaknya 30 Oktober 2016.

Festival musik, seni, dan kebudayaan global itu ditujukan untuk membangkitkan kesadaran terhadap genosida dan pelanggaran HAM masyarakat asli West Papua.

Di Australia, rangkaian acara ‘Rockin’ For West Papua’ (R4WP) diselenggarakan di Sydney , Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Perth, Gold Coast, Lismore & Newcastle. Sementara di beberapa negara lainnya seperti Inggris, Afrika Selatan, Selandia Baru, dan Belanda juga menyelenggarakan acara serupa.

Menurut Ronny Kareni, salah seorang musisi dan aktivis asal Papua yang menjadi motor Rize of the Morning Star, Rockin for West Papua bersolidaritas untuk Perdamaian, Kebebasan, dan Penentuan Nasib Sendiri di West Papua.

“Kami percaya musik dapat bangkit melawan tirani, kami percaya dapat berperang dengan bersenjatakan musik, dan kami juga percaya dapat menggunakan musik untuk bersatu dan melawan penindasan,”

ujarnya ketika dihubungi Jubi Senin (10/10/2016).

Sabtu (8/10) lalu salah satu rangkaian acara digelar di pelataran Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia, berlangsung meriah. “Ratusan orang menyaksikan dan antusias terhadap pagelaran musik dan budaya Papua,” kata Ronny lagi.

R4WP dan Rize Of The Morning Star mengajak para musisi, artis-artis dan siapapun yang mau terlibat mendukung kampanye kemanusiaan West Papua.

“Kita mengorganisir dukungan agar pemerintah Indonesia, AS, Asutralia dan Inggris tahu bahwa kita berdiri bersolidaritas untuk West Papua. Kami beri hormat pada para musisi dan artis yang menggunakan hak independen mereka untuk jadi suara bagi orang-orang tak bersuara di West Papua”

ujar Ronny.

R4WP menyatakan solidaritasnya pada rakyat West Papua, rakyat bangsa-bangsa pertama (masyarakat asli di dunia), dan musik sebagai ‘senjata’ penyampaian pesan.(*)

October 12, 2016 0

lans afoot for West Papuan membership by year end

Radion NZ – A Vanuatu churchman says there are plans underway to ensure West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group before Christmas.

A Vanuatu churchman says there are plans underway to ensure West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group before Christmas.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu

The Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana

Summit meetings of the regional body have been deferred twice this year amid apparent disagreement among leaders over the issue.

The Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Alan Nafuki, said he received a briefing on the situation from the MSG’s chair and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week.

Pastor Nafuki said he’d been told the summit would now go ahead in early December whether or not all countries attend.

He said full membership for West Papua would be a great achievement and like Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.

“I am satisfied with what he said and I am very pleased. I think some of the government people they are trying to revisit the MSG constitution and see what option they can take best to accommodate the West Papuans.”

Pastor Nafuki said he’d made sure the prime ministers of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands understood that the people of Vanuatu were 100 percent behind membership for West Papuans.

October 10, 2016 1

DLP calls for all political parties to join nation-wide Solidarity Day in support of West Papuans on December 1st

June 21, 2016 by admin

Click here for full media release: Premier Andrews called to support Solidarity for West Papuans

Excerpt below:

The Democratic Labour Party Member of Parliament, Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins today introduced a motion into the Victorian State parliament calling for:

“the Government to show support for the plight of the people of West Papua by establishing a West Papuan Solidarity Day, including a public raising of the Morning Star Flag, commencing Thursday, 1 December 2016 and continuing on 1 December each year until the United Nations free vote is held.”

Dr Carling-Jenkins advised the parliament that: “West Papua was forcibly annexed by Indonesia in 1962 and since that time the West Papuan people have suffered from atrocities such as torture, murder, rape, oppression, forced removal of their children, and other crimes against humanity by the Indonesian authorities.

The Democratic Labour Party Federal Secretary, Stephen Campbell, states that the DLP believes there has been a decades long cover up by consecutive Australian governments who have turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the West Papuan people in return for favourable treatment by the Indonesian government.

“Surely history has taught us that no good can come by ignoring the sufferings of oppressed people” Mr Campbell stated.

“How can we, as Australians, deal with any nation who can invade a neighbouring country then treat the citizens of that country with the sort of inhumane treatment the Indonesians have handed out to the West Papuans? Has East Timor taught us nothing?”

The Democratic Labour Party is calling for all political parties to join them in their call for a nation-wide Solidarity Day in support of the West Papuans on December 1st.

“The DLP will be contacting every party in this country and asking for them to turn up with their supporters in every capital city in Australia on December 1st” Mr Campbell said.

“This is one time when party politics must disappear. None of us should seek anything except justice for the West Papuan people and the full compassion of the Australian people.”
Filed Under: Media Releases, News, West Papua

October 10, 2016 0

Ribuan rakyat Papua hadiri pengucapan syukur atas capaian ULMWP

Wamena, Jubi – Ribuan rakyat Papua hadir dalam acara pengucapan syukur atas hasil yang dicapai rakyat Papua dalam upaya pembebasan bangsa Papua secara damai.

Pengucapan syukur ini dilakukan di Kantor Dewan Adat Lapago, Wamena, Kamis (6/10/2016).

“Ribuan orang yang hadir. Lebih banyak dari mereka yang datang saat pembukaan kantor ULMWP dan kantor DAP Lapago,” kata Dominikus Surabut, panitia pengucapan syukur ini.

Menurutnya, ibadah pengucapan syukur ini selain dihadiri oleh rakyat Papua, dihadiri juga oleh komponen pendiri United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) yaitu Negara Federal Republik Papua Barat (NFRPB), Parlemen Nasional West Papua dan West (PNWP) Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL).

“Sebagai umat Tuhan, bangsa dan rakyat Papua harus mensyukuri apa yang digumuli selama bertahun-tahun ini. Tanggal 22-26 September lalu, suara bangsa dan rakyat Papua bisa didengar kembali oleh 173 negara anggota PBB. Ini hasil yang harus disyukuri,” kata Dominikus Surabut.

Markus Haluk, tim kerja ULMWP kepada Jubi mengatakan dalam pengucapan syukur ini, Sekjen ULMWP, Octovianus Mote menyampaikan pidatonya secara langsung melalui sambungan telepon.

“Sekjen ULMWP sampaikan ucapan terima kasih kepada rakyat yang sudah lakukan doa syukur. ULMWP, kata Sekjen terus akan berjuang hingga hak penentuan nasib sendiri terjadi bagi bangsa dan rakyat Papua,” kata Markus Haluk.

Pada sidang Majelis Umum PBB yang diselenggarakan di New York, Amerika Serikat, dari 13 hingga 26 September, 7 pimpinan negara-negara Pasifik mendesak Indonesia agar melakukan dialog konstruktif, serta PBB agar ikut turun tangan terkait pelanggaran HAM di Papua dan Papua Barat.

Ketujuh negara yang angkat bicara tersebut adalah Republik Kepulauan Marshall, Kepulauan Solomon, Tuvalu, Republik Vanuatu, Republik Nauru, Tonga, dan Palau, pada 23 September.

Kepulauan Solomon yang merupakan ketua Melanesia Spearhead Groups (MSG) dan Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) dalam sidang tersebut mengatakan masalah Hak Asasi Manusia dan penentuan nasib sendiri ibarat dua sisi koin, tak bisa dipisahkan dan sudah seharusnya berlaku juga untuk bangsa dan rakyat Papua. (*)

October 10, 2016 0

West Papua’s MSG membership expected by December

Radio NZ, Reports from Vanuatu say West Papua is poised to be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in December.

The Daily Post said this was announced by the MSG chair, the Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare, in Port Vila at a meeting with West Papuan representatives.

Mr Sogavare reportedly said Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia’s FLNKS movement would admit West Papua at the next MSG Leaders Summit in Vanuatu even if Papua New Guinea and Fiji stay away.

An MSG summit planned for last week was cancelled without a reason being given after it had already been deferred earlier in the year.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has been seeking to become a full member of the MSG which last year made Indonesia as an associate member.

The Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association Pastor Allan Nafuki said if Fiji and Papua New Guinea do not turn up for the next summit, the three other members will have no alternative but to go ahead and vote West Papua into full MSG membership.

Concern about human rights abuses by Indonesian forces in West Papua was raised by several Pacific Islands countries at the United Nations last month, triggering a rebuke from Jakarta for alleged interference in Indonesia’s domestic affairs.

October 10, 2016 0

West Papua to be granted full MSG membership

By PMC Reporter – October 10, 2016

The community in West Papua acknowledged the support shown by the Pacific leaders at the UN General Assesmbly this year. Image: The West Papua National Authority

West Papua will be granted full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in December, 2016.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported that the announcement was made by the chairman of the MSG and prime minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, while he met with the chairman of Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Allan Nafuki and prominent West Papua prominent leaders Jacob Rumbiak, Benny Wenda and Andy Ayamiseba in Port Vila last week.

‘overdue smile’

The Daily Post stated: “The Chairman of VFWPA said he smiled a long overdue smile and breathed a sigh of relief saying, ‘Now I can go to my home island of Erromango and have a peaceful sleep with my grandchildren, with no disturbance whatsoever.’”

West Papua, through the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has long campaigned for full membership status of the MSG.

At the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, this year in September, Pacific Islands leaders from the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu supported West Papua’s right to self determination. They also called on the UN to investigate the country’s ongoing human rights abuses.

It was the first time several Pacific Island leaders spoke collectively about West Papua on a global platform.

During the time of the Assembly a new report which detailed the human rights violations in West Papua and explained why full MSG membership is an essential step for peace was published online. The research aimed to convince Pacific leaders on providing full membership of the MSG to the ULMWP.

‘incredible solidarity’

Over the weekend the ULMWP released a statement thanking the island nations for their support.

“On behalf of the people of West Papua, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) would like to express its deepest and sincerest thanks and encouragement to you all for your incredible solidarity and support for our people, at the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.”

“It brings tears to our eyes and joy to our hearts to witness such strong Pacific Island solidarity for our people who have suffered the most sever human rights violations for over 50 years.”

Read the full Daily Post report.

October 10, 2016 0

ULMWP dijamin ‘Full Member’ di MSG

Jayapura, Jubi – Dengan maupun tanpa kehadiran PNG dan Fiji pada KTT Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Desember mendatang, pemimpin Vanuatu, Kepulauan Solomon dan New Caledonia akan menjamin keanggotaan penuh West Papua di MSG.

Jaminan tersebut diberikan oleh Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, sekaligus ketua MSG, Manasseh Sogavare, setelah bertemu Ketua Asosiasi Free West Papua Vanuatu (VFWPA), Pastor Allan Nafuki, dan para pemimpin ULMWP Jakob Rumbiak, Benny Wenda, dan Andi Ayamiseba minggu lalu.

“Sekarang saya bisa pulang ke rumah di Pulau Erromango dan tidur dengan damai bersama cucu-cucu saya,” kata Allan Naruki seperti dilansir Vanuatu Daily Post Sabtu, (9/10/2016).

Naruki mengatakan, West Papua telah menderita akibat brutalitas kolonial dan kematian selama 54 tahun dibawah kekuasaan Indonesia. “Saya percaya, masanya sudah tiba bagi rakyat Melanesia di West Papua untuk menikmati penentuan nasib sendiri,” katanya dengan dengan yakin.

Dia juga menegaskan semua organisasi masyarakat sipil di PNG, Kepulauan Solomon, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, dan Fiji 100% mendukung sikap pimpinan MSG ini. “Saya mau tekankan, rasio dukungan (terhadap keanggotaan penuh ULMWP di MSG) itu 100%, sekali lagi 100%.”

Sebelumnya seperti dilansir Radio New Zealand (3/10), mantan perdana menteri Vanuatu, Barak Sope mengatakan MSG menjadi tidak efektif akibat ulah permainan (pemerintah) Fiji dan PNG.

KTT MSG, yang seharusnya dilakukan minggu-minggu ini, ditunda tanpa penjelasan. Hal ini terjadi karena MSG berjuang untuk keanggotaan penuh ULMWP, yang ditolak oleh Indonesia.

Barak Sope, pendukung loyal kemerdekaan West Papua, mengatakan ketidakefektifan akibat ulah Fiji dan PNG ini, yang didukung Indonesia, telah membuat keputusan MSG terus tertunda-tunda terkait ULMWP.

“Saya kita ini permainan saja antara pemerintah PNG dan Fiji,” ujarnya. “Mereka bekerja sama dengan Indonesia, dan mereka tidak mendukung rakyat Melanesia di West Papua yang menghendaki kemerdekaan. Karena itu terus tertunda-tunda.”

Dia meminta agar ketiga anggota MSG lainnya, Vanuatu, Kepulauan Solmon, dan FLNKS-New Caledonia, harus terus jalan dan membuat keputusan tanpa Fiji dan PNG.

Pastor Nafuki, yang hadir dan kecewa karena keanggotaan ULMWP menjadi tertunda di KTT MSG Juli lalu, tidak menjelaskan lebih lanjut apa yang terjadi di Honiara waktu itu. Namun sumber terpercaya mengatakan PNG dan Fiji keluar dari KTT tersebut.

“Sekarang mereka berulah lagi di Port Vila, membuat alasan serupa untuk menunda pertemuan,” ujar Nafuki yang padahal telah menyiapkan berbagai kegiatan masyarakat sipil untuk memastikan keanggotaan ULMWP pada KTT yang sedianya dilakukan Oktober ini.

Pada pertemuan dengan Ketua MSG minggu lalu, Nafuki memaparkan “rencana strategis” nya kepada Perdana Menteri Vanuatu, Perdana Menteri Solomon Manasseh Sogavare dan Victor Tutugoro-New Caledonia, untuk mencari terobosan guna menolong West Papua tanpa Fiji dan PNG.

“Sejauh yang dipahami masyarakat sipil, jika dua dari tiga anggota MSG hadir maka teruskan keputusan, namun mesti berhati-hati juga untuk tidak melanggar konstitusi MSG,” ujar Nafuki.

Dengan nada gembira, Nafuki lalu mengulang kembali respon Ketua MSG, Manasseh Sogavare, pada pertemuan minggu lalu.

Menurut Nafuki, PM Sogavare menegaskan jika Fiji dan PNG tidak hadir pada KTT MSG di minggu kedua atau ketiga Desember mendatang, tiga negara anggota tidak punya alternatif lain selain melanjutkan pertemuan dan memutuskan West Papua menjadi anggota penuh MSG.

Ketika ditanya bagaimana sikap Indonesia terkait rencana ini, Nafuki mengatakan, “itu tidak didiskusikan. Kepentingan saya hanya bagaimana caranya West Papua bisa menjadi anggota penuh MSG,” ujarnya.

Bagi Nafuki, konfirmasi Ketua MSG ini sudah memberi dia dan seluruh anggota VFWPA dan organisasi masyarakat sipil di Melanesia 100% harapan bagi perubahan nasib West Papua.

“Ini berita sangat baik bagi kami! Waktu itu kami duduk bersama dengan Andy (Ayamiseba), Benny (Wenda), dan Jacob (Rumbiak) dan jajaran saya di meja yang sama,” kata Nafuki.

Dikonfirmasi Jubi, Sabtu (9/10/2016), Andy Ayamiseba membenarkan pertemuan tersebut. “Betul, kami sudah lakukan pertemuan dengan PM Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare, di Port Vila,” ujarnya.(*)

October 10, 2016 0