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.
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.
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.’”
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.”
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.(*)
RadioNZ – 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 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.
The Melanesian Spearhead Group’s Leaders Summit scheduled to be hosted in Port Vila from October 3-4 2016 has been postponed to December.
The MSG Secretariat has verbally confirmed this to 96 Buzz FM news but gave no reasons for this postponement, advising it will issue a press release in due course to clarify the reasons for this postponement. This week, the Vanuatu West Papua Association hosted the Wantok Summit which brought together Free West Papua Civil Society Organisation support groups within Melanesia, including the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
The Wantok Summit was planned months ago to be hosted in Port Vila in parallel with the MSG Leaders Summit, which unfortunately has been deferred to the end of 2016.
Daily Post understands that one of the main issues to host the Wantok Summit is to convince the MSG Leaders on the admission of ULMWP as a full member of MSG.
Members of the ULMWP and other Free West Papua Civil Society Organisation support groups will leave the country this weekend.
glenda@dailypost.vu By Glenda Willie Sep 30, 2016 0
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Komisioner Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia (Komnas HAM), Natalius Pigai menyebut bahwa fobia Papua oleh warga Yogyakarta sudah berlangsung lima tahun belakangan.
Hal itu disampaikan Pigai dalam konfrensi pers terkait hasil penyelidikan Komnas HAM atas peristiwa pengepungan asrama mahasiswa Papua di Yogyakarta yang terjadi beberapa waktu lalu.
“Sudah 5 tahun anti-Papua sudah berlangsung di Jawa,” kata dia di Jakarta, Jumat (22/7/2016).
Ia mencontohkan, salah satu sikap anti-Papua itu ditunjukkan ketika mahasiswa asal Papua mencari kos di kota pelajar itu. Pemilik kos biasanya menolak untuk menerima mahasiswa Papua.
“Misal ada anak (mahasiswa) Papua cari kos-kosan, misal (saat bertanya) ‘ibu bapak ada kos-koasan kosong?’ ‘ada’, begitu tahu anak Papua langsung ditolak,” kata dia.
Terkait penggerebekan asrama Mahasiswa Papua dan Pernyataan Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X mengenai separatisme tidak boleh ada di Yogyakarta, Natalius menilai bahwa pemerintah harusnya dapat melindungi rakyat.
Adanya persoalan tersebut membuat kekhawatiran bagi orang-orang Papua, khususnya mahasiswa, yang ada di Yogyakarta.
“Yang berbahaya adalah masa depan dan keberlangsungan hidup orang-orang papua di Jogja (Yogyakarta), itu tidak pasti,” kata dia.
Penggerebekan Asrama Mahasiswa Papua Kamasan I, di Jalan Kusumanegara, Kota Yogyakarta pada Jumat (15/07/2016) siang berawal dari rencana aksi damai mahasiswa Papua dan aktivis pro-demokrasi mendukung Persatuan Pergerakan Pembebasan untuk Papua Barat atau United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
Namun, kegiatan itu batal dilaksanakan lantaran lebih dahulu dibubarkan oleh ratusan personel gabungan dari Polda Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Brigade Mobil, dan organisasi masyarakat.
Penulis : Fachri Fachrudin
Editor : Sabrina Asril
PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, July 20, 2016) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trades, Joe Natuman, believes other people are trying to use the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to drive their own agendas, saying it is similar to Jesus who was betrayed and sold for 30 pieces of silver.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) was not admitted as full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group during the Special MSG summit in Honiara, Solomon Islands on July 14, 2016.
[PIR editor’s note: On July 20, 2016 Vanuatu Daily Post reported that ‘The Chairman of the Vanuatu Committee for Free West Papua, Pastor Allen Nafuki, has said he strongly believes that the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting to be held in Port Vila in September, will grant West Papua full membership into the Melanesian Spearhead Group.’]
“Our Prime Minister was the only one talking in support of full membership for West Papua in the MSG, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister couldn’t say very much because he is the chairman,” the veteran politician told Buzz FM 96’s Coffee and Controversy host Mark O’Brien yesterday morning.
“Prime minister Charlot Salwai was the only one defending Melanesians and the history of Melanesian people in the recent MSG meeting in Honiara.
“The MSG, I must repeat, the MSG, which I was a pioneer in setting up was established for the protection of the identity of the Melanesian people, the promotion of their culture and defend their rights. Right to self determination, right to land and right to their resources.
“Now it appears other people are trying to use the MSG to drive their own agendas and I am sorry but I will insist that MSG is being bought by others.
“It is just like Jesus Christ who was bought for 30 pieces of silver. This is what is happening in MSG. I am very upset about this and we need to correct this issue.
“Because if our friends in Fiji and Papua New Guinea have a different agenda, we need to sit down and talk very seriously about what is happening within the organization.
“And I am sorry but I will insist that MSG is being bought by others.”
Asked what transpired at the Honiara Summit, DPM Natuman said according to the Prime minister’s briefing on his return, there were some misunderstanding on what happened in the Officials’ Meeting and the Foreign Ministers meeting.
“What happened was that they presented to the Summit Leaders something which apparently was not discussed at the officers level so this was the problem,” he explained.
“The issue of Membership was supposed to be presented to the Leaders.
“Instead they present the leaders with a list of criteria for membership.
“This criteria was whether or not organisations or liberation movements should be considered for full membership.
“Finally, our Prime minister was the only one talking in support of West Papua membership, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister couldn’t say very much because he is the chairman.”
On the issue of New Caledonia, DPM Natuman said, “People are now saying we should not be interfering with Indonesia’s sovereignty. But what about New Caledonia? France has held onto New Caledonia.
“In the 1990s, we insisted that New Caledonia was a colonial possession of France, therefore we have the right to intervene .
“And we intervened, firstly we asked the people of New Caledonia to form an umbrella grouping, or political parties to support their cause. So they established the FLNKS at Vanuatu’s request.
“Through that means we promote their issues to the Forum and eventually they were listed in the UN’s listing of colonial territories.
“We have to assist them to get Independence, same as West Papua.
“West Papua was forcibly annexed by Indonesia and brutally overthrown. They were in the process of getting their independence in the early 1960s.
“West Papua is very rich in resources, gold, copper and forests thus a lot of western capitalists were interested in that.
“Now they say we cannot interfere, no, we must interfere. Melanesians are being killed by Asians, we have to interfere.”
The Deputy Prime Minister was part of the panel in yesterday’s 96Buzz FM’s Coffee and Controversy show at the Lava Lounge, which also features Glen Craig from Pacific Advisory and Job Dalesa who is on the West Papua Reunification Committee.
When asked on his opinion on whether MSG in itself has ‘lost its way’ as implied by the DPM, Dalsesa replied,” I certainly think so, West Papua has a lot of enemies. A lot of people are fighting over this area because of its resources, and by fighting you can do a lot of things including buying another country and I think this is what they are doing.
“The divide and rule tactic is a common tactic that has been used for a long time.”
Yesterday’s show revolved around Foreign Policy, MSG and the South China Sea dispute.
Don’t miss out on the next Coffee & Controversy Show, 9am next Tuesday.
DailyPost.vu, By Godwin Ligo | Posted: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 8:00 am
The Chairman of the Vanuatu Committee for Free West Papua, Pastor Allen Nafuki, has said he strongly believes that the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting to be held in Port Vila in September, will grant West Papua full membership into the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
“It was right here in Port Vila, that Vanuatu played an important role in hosting of the reconciliation ceremonies between all West Papua Leaders, and the formation, and the signing of the agreement of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) between all the West Papua Leaders,” Pastor Nafuki told the Daily Post.
He went on to state that: “As a Pastor in a Christian church and occupying the Chair of the Free West Papua Association in Vanuatu, I also strongly believe that it is God’s plan that the West Papua admission as a full member to the MSG will take place here in Vanuatu.
“In this regard I am calling on every Christian Leaders in all Christian denominations and all Christians across Vanuatu to rise in Pray in one accord for this dream for West Papua brothers and sisters to be fully realized in September 2016 here in Port Vila, Vanuatu,” he appealed.
“After the news was received from Honiara that West Papua full admission into the MSG did not happen, I gave a lot of thought about why the MSG Leaders had once again did not grant full admission to the Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papua full MSG membership.
“What came across my mind is that we humans make plans but God’s will according to His plan and time is what we have to seek and accept.
“So, as of today as I am talking to the Daily Post, I wish to state that my Committee is reviewing plans and preparing an even stronger application which will be submitted in good time ahead of the MSG Leaders’ Summit here in Port Vila in September, 2016,”
said Pastor Nafuki.
“Let me reiterate my call on all Christian Leaders and all Christians across Vanuatu to place West Papua Melanesian brothers and sisters for a full membership into the MSG, in the hands of the Almighty God to grant this request in the MSG Leaders’ Summit in September 2016,”
Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister has hit out at Indonesia saying Melanesians must speak up for the people of West Papua.
Joe Natuman believes the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is being swayed by outside interests after it deferred making a decision on awarding full membership to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
“West Papua was forcibly annexed by Indonesia and brutally overthrown. They were in the process of getting their independence in the early 1960s,” he told Vanuatu’s Buzz FM 96. “Now they say we cannot interfere, no, we must interfere. Melanesians are being killed by Asians, we have to interfere.”
He says the MSG is failing to meet its charter.
“The MSG, I must repeat, the MSG, which I was a pioneer in setting up was established for the protection of the identity of the Melanesian people, the promotion of their culture and to defend their rights,” he said. “Now it appears other people are trying to use the MSG to drive their own agendas and I am sorry but I will insist that MSG is being bought by others.”
Vanuatu has been a strong supporter of the ULMWP getting full membership but Papua New Guinea and Fiji say it would undermine Indonesia’s sovereignty. Jakarta has confirmed it has been lobbying Melanesian countries intensely.
“If our friends in Fiji and Papua New Guinea have a different agenda, we need to sit down and talk very seriously about what is happening within the organisation,” said Mr Natuman.
Papua Merdeka News 