MSG Chair Reminds Jakarta about Decolonisation

11:06 am on 25 May 2016 Radio NZ

The chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group has defended his criticism of Indonesia over its alleged failure to engage with the region over West Papua.

Manasseh Sogavare, who is also Solomon Islands Prime Minister, recently claimed that Indonesia joined the MSG for the purpose of protecting its own interests, rather than discussing human rights in West Papua.

It drew a sharp rebuke from Jakarta where the Director General for Asia, Pacific and Africa, Desra Percaya, said Mr Sogavare’s claims were not based on reality.

Desra Percaya from Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Desra Percaya from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Photo: UN

He also said Mr Sogavare’s statements violated the basic principles of sovereignty and non-interference, as contained in the MSG Establishing Agreement.

However the MSG Chair’s Special Envoy on West Papua, Rex Stephen Horoi, said the chair would like to remind Jakarta that one of the key overarching principles of the group is the principle of decolonisation of Melanesia.

“This is a fundamental principle that binds the Melanesian countries and all MSG members together,” he said.

“In this principle, MSG stands for its defense and promotion of independence as the inalienable right of indigenous peoples of Melanesia.”

Mr Sogavare also sought to remind Jakarta that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua was also a part of the MSG, with observer status.

He claimed the refusal of Indonesia’s government so far to discuss West Papua with him showcases Jakarta’s intention of not engaging in dialogue about the serious allegations of human rights issues.

The MSG chair has reiterated his offer to the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, to discuss matters of common interest within the space provided by the MSG.

Manasseh Sogavare

Manasseh Sogavare Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins

Setelah Papua, Corbyn juga Dukung Kemerdekaan Bangsa Tamil

Penulis: Eben E. Siadari 17:45 WIB | Selasa, 24 Mei 2016

LONDON, SATUHARAPAN.COM – Setelah belum lama ini menyatakan dukungannya kepada Papua untuk menentukan nasib sendiri, pemimpin oposisi Inggris, Jeremy Corbyn, juga menyatakan dukungan serupa kepada bangsa Tamil di Sri Lanka.

Dalam sebuah pernyataan yang dirilis untuk menandai ulang tahun ketujuh sejak pembantaian di Mullivaikkal, Corbyn mengungkapkan solidaritasnya kepada rakyat Tamil dan menegaskan seruan akan keadilan dan penentuan nasib sendiri.

“Saya menawarkan simpati terdalam saya kepada keluarga, teman dan orang-orang terkasih dari mereka yang meninggal selama hari-hari dan minggu-minggu terakhir konflik bersenjata Sri Lanka,” kata pemimpin Partai Buruh Inggris itu, seperti diberitakan oleh tamilguardian.com.

“Pikiran saya saat ini juga bersama dengan masyarakat Tamil yang lebih luas yang telah memikul ketidakadilan selama puluhan tahun dan tetap teguh dalam tekad mereka untuk mendapatkan keadilan,” kata dia.

“Kami akan berdiri dengan Anda dalam mencari kebenaran, keadilan, akuntabilitas, rekonsiliasi dan penentuan nasib sendiri di Sri Lanka,” kata dia.

Corbyn juga menegaskan komitmen partainya akan “perlunya keadilan bagi rakyat Tamil dan kami tetap setia mendukung pelaksanaannya, secara penuh, resolusi  Dewan Hak Asasi Manusia PBB terhadap Sri Lanka”.

“Hanya dengan perhitungan yang benar dengan masa lalu Sri Lanka dapat mewujudkan perdamaian abadi,” kata dia.

Editor : Eben E. Siadari

20 Uskup Negara-negara Melanesia Turun ke Papua, Ada Apa?

Rabu, 13 April 2016

JAYAPURA, SATUHARAPAN.COM – Tanpa banyak menarik perhatian pemberitaan media mainstream Jakarta, sebanyak 20 uskup Gereja Katolik Papua Nugini dan Kepulauan Solomon mengunjungi Jayapura akhir pekan lalu. Di antara mereka yang datang, adalah Uskup Agung Port Moresby, John Ribat dan Uskup Agung Honiara, Solomon Islands, Adrian Smith.

Media Australia, abc.net.au, yang pertama kali  melaporkan adanya kunjungan itu, tidak menyebutkan kapan persisnya para uskup menginjakkan kaki di Papua. Namun menurut Markus Haluk, tokoh United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) yang turut menghadiri misa yang diadakan para uskup itu, rombongan uskup tiba di Jayapura pada hari Jumat 8 April pukul 09:00. Mereka pulang pada hari Sabtu pukul 14:00.

“Sebanyak 20 uskup, tiga dari Solomon Island dan 17 dari Papua Nugini. Selain itu ada 2 pastor imam dan dua suster,” kata Markus Haluk lewat pesan singkat kepada satuharapan.com.

Di antara agenda mereka adalah mengunjungi STFT Fajar Timur, RS Katolik Dian Harapan, pertemuan dengan uskup-uskup Papua dan misa bersama.

Para aktivis setempat mengatakan kunjungan para uskup itu terkesan mendadak dan tidak diumumkan secara luas. Bis dan personel militer dilaporkan mengangkut dan mendampingi mereka selama kunjungan ke Papua.

Frederika Korain, aktivis dan pengacara di Papua, mengatakan kunjungan para uskup itu sama sekali tak terduga.

“Merupakan kejutan besar bagi kami, karena sudah puluhan tahun tidak ada delegasi sebesar itu datang ke tanah kami,” kata dia, kepada abc.net. au.

Ia menambahkan, dirinya baru mengetahui adanya kunjungan itu pada hari pertama mereka tiba di Papua, pada sore hari. Info tersebut ia dapatkan dari pelajar yang bertemu dengan para uskup.

“Mereka datang dari perbatasan Papua Nugini dengan mengendarai bis militer, dikawal oleh personel militer, beberapa di antara mereka berseragam, yang lainnya tidak,” kata Frederika.

Para aktivis yang mendengar adanya kunjungan itu, segera mencoba berbagai cara untuk datang dan menemui mereka. Namun, kata Frederika, pengawal oleh personel militer sangat ketat dan ia menilai kunjungan para uskup ke Papua agak tertutup.

Sebuah kelompok perempuan Katolik di Papua mengatakan, kunjungan para uskup dari negara-negara Pasifik Selatan ini adalah semacam misi pencarian fakta (fact finding).

Apakah mereka dapat menemukan fakta yang sebenarnya di Papua?

“Saya pikir mereka tidak akan mendapatkan gambaran yang akurat tentang kehidupan di Jayapura. Mereka tidak punya waktu bertemu dengan penduduk biasa,” kata Frederika.

Kendati demikian, kedatangan para uskup itu tetap mendapat apresiasi. Kedatangan mereka diharapkan dapat memberi mereka gambaran yang lebih jelas tentang apa yang terjadi di Papua.

“Kami mendapat pernyataan yang jelas, khususnya dari presiden Bishop Conference, yang bertemu dengan Uskup Agung Jayapura. Bahwa mereka akan datang lagi dan ingin mendengarkan apa yang terjadi di sini (Papua),” kata Frederika.

Menurut Markus Haluk, pertemuan ini adalah inisiatif dari para uskup Kepulauan Solomon dan Papua Nugini. Hanya saja mereka diantar dan dijemput dengan mobil bis Kodam 17 Cendrawasih.

“Tanggapan saya, kami menyambut baik kunjungan bersejarah uskup Solomon dan Papua Nugini. Sudah saatnya uskup-uskup Melanesia dari Papua Nugini dan Solomon mendengar, melihat langsung, tangisan penderitaan umat pribumi Katolik (Kristen) Melanesia di West Papua,” kata Markus Haluk.

“Sudah waktunya para uskup Melanesia dan Oceania, Australia, Selandia Baru, Asia, Eropa, Uni Eropa, AS bahkan Bapa Suci Paus Fransiskus, mendoakan kami guna menyelamatkan umat Tuhan di Melanesia, Papua Barat yang sedang menuju kepunahan,” kata dia.

Sebelum ini, Gereja Katolik Keuskupan Brisbane, telah membuka kembali mata dunia internasional atas pelanggaran HAM di Papua dengan terungkapnya laporan yang disajikan sebuah tim pencari fakta yang mereka kirim ke Papua.

Dalam laporan itu dikatakan  warga Papua dipukuli, diintimidasi, disiksa, diculik bahkan dibunuh di Papua.

Isi laporan ini dihimpun oleh Shadow Human Rights Fact Finding Mission to West Papua yang dibentuk oleh Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, menyusul kunjungan mereka ke Papua pada bulan Februari.

Laporan itu mendokumentasikan berbagai diskriminasi ekonomi, sosial dan agama di Papua, termasuk bagaimana penguasaan tanah telah lebih menguntungkan perusahaan multinasional sedangkan warga Papua dikecualikan dari kepemilikan dan pekerjaan.

Laporan itu juga membandingkannya dengan sebuah genosida dalam gerak lambat dan menyatakan bahwa “orang (pemerintah) Indonesia ingin mengganti agama Kristen dengan Islam”.

Penulis laporan tersebut, Suster Susan Connelly dari Kesusteran Josephite, berangkat ke Papua didampingi oleh oleh executive officer Komisi Perdamaian dan Keadilan Keuskupan Agung Brisbane, Peter Arndt.

Selama misi pencarian fakta, mereka mewawancarai lebih dari 250 tokoh masyarakat di Jayapura, Merauke, Timika dan Sorong.

Belum diketahui apakah isi laporan mereka akan menjadi sikap resmi Gereja Katolik.

TNI Amati Sikap Gereja Katolik

Berkaitan dengan kunjungan para uskup tersebut, menurut Ketua Tim Kajian Papua Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI), Adriana Elisabeth, pemerintah pusat khususnya TNI, selalu berusaha mengamati sikap dan posisi gereja, dalam konstelasi konflik di Papua.

Hanya saja, kata Adriana, dalam wawancara khusus dengan satuharapan.com, Senin (11/4), di Papua jumlah gereja banyak. Oleh karena itu sulit untuk mendapatkan satu kesimpulan mengenai posisi mereka dalam menyikapi keinginan sementara kalangan rakyat Papua yang menuntut ingin menentukan nasib sendiri (self determination).

Menurut Adriana, sikap Gereja Katolik lebih dapat dibaca antara lain karena hirarki organisasinya yang jelas.

“Gereja di Papua kan banyak. Saya melihat Katolik lebih mudah membacanya,” tutur dia.

Sikap Gereja Katolik selama ini, kata Adriana, adalah fokus pada misi kemanusiaan. Itu sebabnya, kata Adriana, Gereja Katolik sangat menentang pelanggaran HAM di Papua.

Namun, ia menambahkan, dalam hal perjuangan untuk menentukan nasib sendiri atau merdeka di kalangan rakyat Papua, sikap Gereja Katolik sudah disampaikan oleh Paus Fransiskus kepada Duta Besar Indonesia untuk Vatikan.

Menurut Adriana, Paus mengatakan kepada Dubes, bahwa Gereja Katolik tetap mendukung Papua sebagai bagian dari NKRI. Namun di sisi lain, pemerintah pusat harus memperhatikan Papua secara serius.

“Paus sudah menyampaikan kepad Dubes kita bahwa Vatikan mendukung Indonesia, Papua di dalam Indonsia, tetapi tolong perhatikan Papua,” tutur Adriana, menirukan pesan Paus.

Sejauh ini belum ada pernyataan resmi dari Gereja Katolik tentang hal ini.

Di luar Katolik, diakui oleh Adriana, banyak juga gereja yang pro-kemerdekaan. “Jemaatnya juga banyak dan mereka mendukung adanya dialog. Dan mereka sudah sampai pada tuntutan yang konkret. Mereka umumnya bicara tentang hal yang sama. Apalagi kalau bicara tentang pelanggaran HAM, suaranya sama,” kata Adriana

“Dari TNI yang paling dikahwatirkan memang posisi gereja Katolik. Kalau sudah diasumsikan bahwa mereka pro kepada merdeka, itu yang paling ditakuti tentara. Sejauh ini belum. Posisi gereja membela kemanusiaan, bukan pro kemerdekaan.”

Laporan lengkap dari hasil kunjungan para uskup ini, menurut radionz.co.nz diharapkan rampung pada akhir bulan ini.

Editor : Eben E. Siadari

Jeremy Corbyn on West Papua: UK Labour leader calls for independence vote

https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/42fc08c4fb5d24b8660f856fdaa23bffa97cd34c/0_39_2992_1794/master/2992.jpg?w=620&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=4c384e75f4ed0dac31e976503fb18451The  Guardian, Jeremy Corbyn has drawn attention to the plight of West Papuans, saying the recognition of human rights and justice should be the “cornerstone” of the UK Labour party’s foreign policy.

The Labour leader made the comments in an address to a meeting of international parliamentarians, supporters and activists in London on Tuesday.

The group, which included Pacific region ministers and leaders, among them the West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda, called for a UN-supervised independence vote in the Indonesian territory.

West Papuans are the indigenous people of a region on the western half of the island shared with Papua New Guinea, formerly under Dutch rule. Indonesia took temporary control of West Papua under a UN–backed treaty in 1963. It consolidated its rule through a UN-sanctioned but discredited ballot in 1969, in which barely 1,000 West Papuan representatives selected by Indonesia cast votes under threat of violence.

Wenda, who sought asylum in the UK in 2003 after escaping prison in West Papua, has led an international campaign for independence, drawing attention to continuing acts of violence and alleged human rights abuses by Indonesian authorities. Indonesian police have arrested thousands of West Papuans in recent weeks.

“Essentially what we’re looking at is a group of people who did not enjoy their rights during a period of decolonisation, did not enjoy the rights bestowed to them by the UN charter and by the statutes on decolonisation,” Corbyn said.

“As a member of parliament I support them, as a member of this group and as a former vice-chair of the all-party human rights group.”

Recognising human rights and justice “has to be the cornerstone of foreign policy, the cornerstone of our relationship with every other country”, Corbyn said, pledging he would discuss a list of recommendations made in a report by the Politics of Papua Project at the University of Warwick with the Labour party.

“I want these issues to become central to our party’s policies in the future and above all I want to see an end to environmental degradation and destruction and the right of people to be able to make their own choice on their own future.”

Corbyn, who is a cofounder of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua, described Monday’s gathering as “historic” and said the recommendations put forward were a good framework for moving towards recognition of the human rights issues, rights of representation and the right of people to choose their future in West Papua.

He noted the recommendation called for a visit by the UN special rapporteur, the reinstatement of NGOs in the region and questioning of international companies working in West Papua.

“It’s about a political strategy that brings to worldwide recognition the plight of the people of West Papua, forces it onto a political agenda, forces it to the UN, forces an exposure of it and ultimately that allows the people of West Papua to make the choice of the kind of government they want and the kind of society in which they want to live,” he said. “That is a fundamental right.”

He said the international community could continue “pretending the issue will go away” or it could “do something bold”.

“Recognise injustice when you see it,” he said. “Recognise the abuse of human rights when you see it and recognise that both sides in any conflict benefit from a peace process and benefit from recognition of human rights, law and justice.”

The Free West Papua campaign hopes to see a UN resolution within two years to send international peacekeepers to protect West Papuans as they vote on independence.

It urged international governments – particularly those of Australia and New Zealand – to support the vote.

“For 50 years Indonesia massacred my people, 500,000 people. We need international peacekeeping force in West Papua,” Wenda said. “In maybe another 10 or 20 or 50 years time I think my people will become a minority. We need this as soon as possible.”

On Friday the Indonesian embassy in Australia released a statement dismissing the meeting as a publicity stunt organised by a “small group of Papua separatists and sympathisers”.

“Papua and Papua Barat (West Papua) are parts of Indonesia. The UN and the international community recognise this,” it said in a series of tweets.

It accused the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, which Wenda leads, of making “false claims” and said West Papuans already had self-determination through special autonomy, free and fair elections, and education.

“President Jokowi is mobilising resources of the nation to deliver much needed infrastructure and public services in Papua,” it said.

“However, cases of violence are still a challenge. For example cases killed civilians, members of security authorities and separatists. Many cases are brought to court. And more to be brought to justice. President Jokowi is personally looking after human rights protections.”

This article was amended on 19 May 2016. The recommendations that Jeremy Corbyn said he would discuss with the Labour party were made in a report by the University of Warwick’s Politics of Papua Project, not the group as a previous version said.

Big Mountain Akan Konser Dukung Perjuangan Papua Merdeka

Big Mountain, Group Band Reggae asal Amerika Serikat berencana untuk melakukan konser musik dalam rangka membangun penyadaran tentang Gerakan Pembebasan Papua Barat kepada publik Amerika Serikat. Konser musik ini akan dihelat pada 15 Mei 2015. Group Big Mountain bekerja sama dengan Blue King Brown, artis musik reggae asal Australia dan AK Rockefeller, sebuah lembaga kemanusiaan yang berbasis di Amerika Serikat.

Benny Wenda, tokoh gerakan kemerdekaan Papua Barat akan diundang hadir dan memberikan pidato dalam acara tersebut. Dalam pernyataan resmi yang dirilis situs facebook, West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, vokalis utama Big Band, Joaquin Quino McWhinney mengatakan, konser tersebut sebagai amal dukungan perjuangan Papua Merdeka. Informasi lengkapnya bisa klik https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6mA63NUDuE&feature=youtu.be.

Sekedar diketahui, Big Mountain adalah Band Amerika yang sangat terkenal setelah merilis ulang lagu Baby, I Love Your Way milik Peter Frampton. Lagu ini menjadi top Hits di Amerika pada tahun 1994, dan menduduki posisi keenam di Billboard Hot 100 Inggirs tak lama setelah itu.

Dibentuk pertengahan 1990-an di San Diego dengan Nama Rainbow Warriors, personil awalnya adalah Chin, Davis, Quino (vokal yang lahir dengan nama James Mc Whinney), Billy Stoll (keyboard) dan Lynn Copland (bass).

Album pertama yang mereka Rilis bertajuk Wake Up (1992) dengan mengangkat single berjudul Touch My Heart. Sukses mengantar mereka tampil dalam suatu acara Festival Reggae yang bertema Reggae on The River Festival pada tahun 1993.

Banner Konser Papua Merdeka di AS
Banner Konser Papua Merdeka di AS

Di tahun berikutnya formasi band itu berubah, namun beberapa personil diantaranya Chin, Quino, Copland, Davis, dan Stoll tetap bertahan. Mengusung nama baru BIG MOUNTAIN, mereka kembali merilis single Baby, I love Your Way untuk Sountrack film Rality Bites. Single ini juga di rilis dalam album, yang bertajuk UNITY pada tahun 1994.

Baby, I love Your Way oleh Big Mountain disebut sebagai Greatest / Air Play yang dapat melompat dari tangga lagu No. 78 sampai 59 dan terus naik ke posisi No. 1 hingga berminggu minggu lamanya.

Meskipun keberhasilan Big Mountain ditangga lagu Pop komersial, sebagian komunitas Reggae tetap setia, dibuktikan dengan menjadi headline dalam media media International saat tampil untuk dua konser berturut turut, pada Sunsplash Reggae (1994 – 1995) di Jamaika.

Band ini merilis lagu lagu yang berisi perlawanan pada tahun 1995 (Album Resistance) dan pada tahun 1997 (album Free Up). Beberapa single lainnya yang masuk di tangga lagu Amerika dan Inggris adalah Touch My Light (1992), Reggae Inna Summertime (1993), I would find A Way (1994), Baby Te Quiero A Ti (1994), Sweet Sensual love (1994), Get Together (1995), All Kings Of People (1997). Tak urung musisi kelas dunia Sheryl Crow, ikut tertarik meramu karya karya mereka dalam album-albumnya. (*)

Azhari Cage: Pemerintah Pusat Masih Menaruh Curiga Terhadap Aceh

KLIKKABAR.COM, BANDA ACEH – Anggota Komisi I DPR Aceh, Azhari Cage menyesalkan sikap pemerintah pusat yang hingga saat ini belum menyetujui Bendera Aceh. Menurut Azhari, jika dilihat sesuai dengan prosedur hukum, bendera Aceh sudah sah untuk dikibarkan.

“Jika kita lihat sesuai dengan prosedur hukum baik yang ada dalam UUPA maupun yang ada dalam Qanun Nomor 3 tahun 2013 Bendera Aceh sudah sah,” kata Azhari Cage dalam keterangan pers di ruang kerjanya, Rabu, 27 April 2016.

Azhari mengaku heran terhadap pemerintah pusat yang masih menaruh curiga terhadap Aceh. “Pusat masih menganggap jika Bendera Aceh dinaikkan akan ada negara di dalam negara, padahal bukan demikian,” terang Azhari.

Oleh karenanya, Azhari mengaku sangat kecewa dengan kondisi saat ini yang belum memiliki kejelasan, padahal Bendera Aceh tersebut lahir karena pertumpahan darah masyarakat Aceh pada masa lalu.

“Bendera ini lahir dari kesepakatan damai antara RI dengan Aceh, sangat banyak pertumpahan darah, sangat banyak anak yatim hilang bapaknya dan istri hilang suaminya, siapa yang bertanggung jawab?,” kesal Azhari.

Selain itu, lanjut Azhari, kesepakatan damai tersebut terwujud karena ada perjanjian berupa butir-butir MoU yang telah disepakati di Helsinki pada 2005 silam.

“Kalau hari ini tidak bisa lagi dikaitkan dengan GAM, setelah 2005 tidak ada lagi yang nama GAM, semoga tidak ada dusta antara Pemerintah Aceh dengan Pemerintah Pusat,” tandas politisi Partai Aceh ini.

REPORTER: MUHAMMAD FADHIL

Papuans concerned at Indonesian overtures to MSG

3:29 pm on 8 April 2016

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has questioned Indonesia’s increased diplomatic overtures to Melanesian countries.

TRANSCRIPT RADIO ANZ

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says that while Indonesia increases diplomatic links to Melanesian countries, its security forces continue to brutalise Papuans.

The Liberation Movement was last year granted observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group, while Indonesia was given associate member status.

However Indonesia’s Political and Security Affairs minister Luhut Pandjaitan visited Papua New Guinea and Fiji last week to lobby for greater participation by Jakarta.

Minister Luhut indicated that Jakarta was aiming to “aggressively explain” to Pacific states about the conditions in Indonesia what it has been doing in the area of human rights.

However, Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission last month stated that in the past year more than 700 West Papuans had been persecuted through being arrested, beaten, and tortured by security forces.

The Liberation Movement’s Benny Wenda spoke to Johnny Blades, who asked him about Indonesia’s outreach and assistance packages to PNG and Fiji.

BENNY WENDA: The bilateral agreements like trade, yes that’s up to the Papua New Guineans and Fijians but from my point of view, this is like a bridge, like Indonesia is using this as a good bridge to convince the Papua New Guineans and Fijians. But one of the things that I always argue [is] why now? Why now, but before never? When we become a member of the MSG, observer status, and they’re trying to use that issue to engage more with Melanesians and Pacific countries while they’re killing our people and they’re more campaigning for their investments, business and things and they’re trying to trade. But all the while killing Melanesian people and that is undermining what Indonesia does to pretend they’re good guys. But I’m not criticise what Indonesia has contributed to the Fijians for the cyclone [Winston]. But on the other hand, using this issue… trying to pressurise, look, we’re giving you money but don’t talk about West Papua. We don’t know, that’s under the carpet, but that’s my view. The West Papua issue is a Melanesian issue, it’s nothing to do with Indonesia. And the fact that Minister Luhut [once said] that we don’t need you, you go where you come from, that is what he already stated. And this dates back to 1960s, one of the generals called Ali Murtopo, said Papuans, we don’t need you, if you need island go to the Pacific or go to the moon or go to America. It’s repeated again. And so that’s why my argument is that Indonesia is not really interested in the people of Melanesia’s suffering under their colony. So they just need our resources. So in fact all the resources they are using to kill us and trying to be good guys. So that’s not make us a setback but give us confidence, more to convince our brothers and sisters in Melanesia that West Papua issue is a Melanesia issue and a Pacific issue, and we are the Pacific family.

JOHNNY BLADES: It seems in the Indonesian media that minister Luhut is claiming PNG and Fiji are going to support their bid to become full members of the MSG, do you know?

BW: I’m not sure at the moment, because that is just trying to claim, trying to convince the PNG and Fiji governments. But I’m sure that ordinary people in PNG and Fiji are really supportive, one hundred percent, of west Papuan full membership and that’s from before, until today. That’s why I’m really confident that West Papua issue is still there. But I don’t know about Minister Luhut’s claim. But that depends on whether PNG and Fiji want to support that or not, that’s up to the two governments. But MSG stands for the Melanesian peoples, it’s nothing to do with Indonesia. And MSG on principle, Indonesia has no right to stand in the way of what decision must be made by Melanesians for Melanesian people.

JB: This claim that the people in Jakarta keep making, about having 11 million Melanesians within the republic, including Maluku, North Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara, do you believe that people in those provinces – even if they have Melanesian stock – do they identify as being Melanesians?

BW: Look, this makes me laugh. They have never campaigned for… they never think about their identity as Melanesia. They more look the Indonesia. They feel they are  Indonesia, so I have never seen those islands, those two or three provinces that you mention campaign for membership in the Melanesian family. No, they are more Indonesian, they claim, nothing to do with the Melanesians. They are more happy with Indonesia rather than Melanesia. So when we become part of the MSG, then Indonesia [started thinking] okay let’s use some of the outer islands. They may have Melanesians but they never campaigned for membership because they never feel they are Melanesian. That’s from beginning until today.

Indonesia says it has backing of PNG and Fiji at MSG

Radio NZ – Indonesia’s Co-ordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs minister says Jakarta has won the backing of Fiji and Papua New Guinea for its push to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan toured the MSG countries last week and says Indonesia should have a larger presence in the South Pacific as parts of the archipelago share the same cultural values with Melanesia.

The Antara news agency says the minister was told by Fiji’s foreign minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, that his government would support Indonesia boosting its status from associate to full membership.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama receives a 5 million US dollar cheque from Indonesia's Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan.
Indonesia’s government minister Luhut Pandjaitan presents post-cyclone reconstruction aid to Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama. Photo: Fiji Sun

 

PNG’s foreign minister Rimbink Pato also showed his support for Indonesia being a full member.

Mr Pandjaitan says being a full member will strengthen Indonesia’s position in the MSG.

Following his Melanesia tour, the minister said he would propose assigning a Foreign Ministry official to engage with Pacific neighbours and advance Indonesia’s commitment to resolving complicated issues surrounding West Papua.

He says Indonesia needs to maintain good relations with the MSG countries because those nations have influence.

Mr Pandjaitan says if the MSG countries get the wrong information about Indonesia they will end up taking it to the United Nations.

Menlu Papua Nugini: Kami Tidak Tertarik Bicara Papua Merdeka

Penulis: Melki Pangaribuan 17:57 WIB | Jumat, 01 April 2016

PORT MORESBY, SATUHARAPAN.COM – Menteri Luar Negeri Papua Nugini, Rimbink Pato, mengatakan Papua adalah bagian integral dari Indonesia sebagai negara yang berdaulat. Negaranya tidak tertarik untuk membicarakan penentuan nasib sendiri bagi rakyat Papua.

“Posisi Papua Nugini selalu pada pandangan bahwa provinsi Irian Jaya (nama lama dari  Papua) merupakan bagian integral dari bangsa yang berdaulat Indonesia. Jadi kami tidak tertarik membicarakan masalah penentuan nasib sendiri, karena itu tidak pernah menjadi masalah bagi kami, dan itu tidak pernah menjadi perhatian bagi kami,” kata Rimbink dalam wawancara dengan Johnny Blades dari radionz.co.nz.

Kendati demikian, Papua Nugini, menurut dia, menganggap masalah pelanggaran Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) di Papua tetap menjadi keprihatinan, seperti telah terungkap[ dalam resolusi yang dikeluarkan oleh pemimpin Pacific Island Forum di Port Moresby.

“Perdana menteri kami telah menulis surat kepada Presiden Joko Widodo dan memberitahukan resolusi itu; dan mungkin akan ada respon untuk itu. Tapi itu bukan masalah yang ada hubungannya dengan panggilan apapun untuk menentukan nasib sendiri,” kata dia.

Komentar Rimbink merupakan jawaban atas berbagai spekulasi atas kunjungan Menkopolhukam, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan ke Papua Nugini, yang oleh banyak kalangan dikatakan untuk menekan negara itu untuk tidak mendukung kelompok yang selama ini menyuarakan penentuan nasib sendiri bagi rakyat Papua.

Rimbink juga menegaskan bahwa kerjasama Papua Nugini dengan Indonesia berlangsung cukup erat. Termasuk dalam berbagai masalah yang dihadapi, seperti soal kebakaran hutan di Merauke dan ketegangan militer di perbatasan.

“Ada beberapa insiden baru-baru ini sepanjang perbatasan tapi kami mampu bekerja sangat erat dengan pemerintah Indonesia dan membawa masalah tersebut ke sebuah resolusi. Dan, seperti yang saya katakan, Papua Nugini menjadi teman yang sangat dekat dari Indonesia, dan Indonesia mempercayai negara kami, sehingga tidak ada yang kami ingin lakukan yang akan menggantikan kepercayaan dari rakyat dan pemerintah Indonesia kepada kami.”

Namun pada saat yang sama ia menekankan bahwa  isu hak asasi manusia tetap penting dan mengharuskan Indonesia dan Papua Nugini bekerjasama.

Editor : Eben E. Siadari

Help Us Fight for Independence – West Papua Calls on Ghana

Jayapura, Jubi – The people of West Papua are sending desperate calls on government officials and leaders of Ghana to assist them in their bid to join the United Nations.

Nobel peace prize nominee and Spokesperson for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Chief Benny Wenda joined Ghanaians to mark Ghana’s 59th independence anniversary on 6th March, 2016.

During his stay, he interacted with prominent people in the country, including Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe, former head of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), and former presidents Kufuor and Rawlings.

Reverend Deegbe prayed for the people of West Papua and Chief Benny Wenda for his visit to Ghana. “God made people and wants people everywhere to be free”. He also promised to raise the issue of West Papua at an upcoming church meetings in the USA.

Rev Deegbe who is a Senior Pastor at the Calvary Baptist Church served the CCG as General Secretary from July 2003 until April 2013.

In a meeting with former President John Agyekum Kufuor and former AU Chair, the former president pledged support for the liberation of the people of West Papua. “It is important that humanity should be central to everything. As a human being you are entitled to humanity.

In due course humanity will prevail and you will be free.” “The whole world will support you. Not even Indonesia can stop it” “Ghana was once a colony for 100 years, Nkrumah was our liberator, he was a pan africanist and you see yourselves as Africans. What you are doing is the right way.

The photos of your people bear witness to a true leader of your people. Some of our paramount chiefs wear feathers. The same but eagle feathers. Despite the distances between our places we are the same. Clearly you are not Indonesian.”

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has also pledged his support to fight for the independence of the West Papuans. He said “we are honoured to fight for your people. We share a similar history.”

“It is no surprise to me that you had support from Ghana at the UN in 1969 and that we accepted West Papuan refugees in the 1980’s. West Africa has seen slavery, colonial struggles and independence”

“Chief you find yourself in a very painful situation. I suggest that you contact and lobby every congressman, senator and parliamentarian. The European Commission, the AU and all organisations. Keep knocking and knock again, don’t let them sleep”

“We will contribute by reminding them who is still colonised”

Keep fighting

Benny Wenda met former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings - Jubi
Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana made the statements when he met with Chief Benny Wenda, spokesman for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and Nobel Peace prize nominee

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All across Africa and around the world people are finding out about Indonesia’s Genocide and illegal colonisation of West Papua. West Papua has a legal right to self determination, de colonisation and independence.

West Papua is the western half of the Melanesian island of New Guinea, in the Pacific Ocean, bordering the independent nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG). It lies just 200km north of Australia and the indigenous Melanesian people have lived there for over 40,000 years.

West Papua was colonised by the Dutch in 1898 and always administered as “Dutch New Guinea” separate from their “Dutch East Indies” which is now Indonesia. With the promise of independence on 1st December 1970 and on 1st December 1961, the West Papuan national flag was raised with the beginnings of a democratically elected government formed, announcing a 9 year period of peaceful transition towards independence.

Politics before Papuans But within months the dream was dead. The newly independent state of Indonesia wanted access to West Papua’s vast wealth and the military promptly invaded West Papua. Conflict broke out between the Netherlands, Indonesia and the indigenous population regarding control of the territory.

Due to US’ fear that failing to appease Indonesia could result in the spread of South East Asian communism, the US government intervened and engineered an agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands, which in 1962 gave control of West Papua to the United Nations and one year later transferred control to Indonesia.

The Papuans were never consulted and after a sham referendum in 1969 with 1026 people handpicked Papuans being forced to vote for Indonesian sovereignty, West Papua officially became part of Indonesia.

The military occupation and secret genocide The West Papuan people never accepted Indonesia in their country and ever since 1963, have resisted Indonesian rule, first with bows and arrows and what little guns they could and then with peaceful civil resistance.

The people of West Papua have regularly organise mass protests for self determination and independence and continue to appeal to the international community from speaking out through media to diplomatic pleas by exiled Papuans.

Through a vast wealth of natural resources, like the largest goldmine on Earth (Grasberg), West Papua has become Indonesia’s largest GDP contributor, and with the prospect of an independent West Papua looking with international support, Indonesia does not want Papuans telling the outside world the truth.

Not only has the Indonesian government banned all foreign journalists and human rights groups from West Papua but the Indonesian military and police also systematically target any West Papuans campaigning for independence and brands them as “separatists” and “terrorists”. (*)

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