Organisations petition Australia on Indo – Australia Military Training

The five most prominent Ni-Vanuatu charitable organisations in the country led by the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association (VFWPA), have petitioned the Australian Government to “stop killing Melanesian people

in West Papua” by way of providing financial support and military training for Indonesian Elite Kopassus and Detachment 88.

The training programme is made possible under the Australia/Indonesia bilateral military cooperation.

The petition was signed by the Chairman of VFWPA, Pastor Allan Nafuki, President of the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs, Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe, Chief Executive Officer of the Vanuatu National Council of Women, Leias Cullwick, Chief Executive Officer of Vanuatu Non-Government Organisations, Charlie Harrison and President of Vanuatu National Youth Council, Vira Taivakalo.

The petition says the decision has come at the right time to support and encourage all the West Papua Solidarity Groups in Australia to change the heart of the Australian Government to “stop the killing of Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papua”.

The petition describes Melanesians as “the most hated ethnic group in the world” saying, “…the Australian Government should have learned and repented from the past barbarous treatment our forefathers received during the black birding and slave-trade era”.

In the true spirit of solidarity and partnership with all the Pacific Civil Society Organisations and the people of Vanuatu:

• Convince that all indigenous peoples have an inalienable right to complete freedom, the exercise of their sovereignty and the integrity of their national territory.

• Re-affirm our solid stand to continue always to be the voice of the voiceless.

• Express solidarity with the commitments of the leaders of the MSG, other Pacific countries and all the West Papuan support groups around the globe to condemn the ongoing genocide and human rights violation in West Papua.

• Further petition the Australian Government to respect all the Articles of the following International Instruments on Human Rights which were adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly :

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (GA resolution 217 A (111) of 10 December 1948),

• (11) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

• (GA resolution 2200 A (XX1) of 16 December 1966 and came into force on 23/03/1976),

• (111) Declaration On The Granting Of Independence To Colonial Countries and Peoples. (GA resolution 1514 (xv) of 14 December 1960 and

• (1V) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. (GA resolution 2200 A (XXXI) of 16 December 1966, but entered into force on 03/01/1976

• Finally petition the Australian Government to solemnly proclaim the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end of colonialism in all its forms and manifestation in the world and especially in West Papua.

The Chairman of VFWPA says the First Secretary Head of Political and Economic Unit, Sonya Gray attended the signing ceremony at the PCV Office yesterday.

The Chairman read the petition in her presence then handed her a copy to deliver to the Australian High Commissioner.

The First Secretary said thank you and assured the petitioners with words to the effect that the Australian Government, like Vanuatu, does not support all forms of mistreatment of all colonised peoples but that at the same time respects Indonesia’s sovereignty.

January 21, 2017 0

Full West Papua membership expected by December

Radio NZ – There are plans afoot to ensure West Papua gets full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group by the end of the year.

That’s according to a long-time campaigner for West Papua and Vanuatu churchman Pastor Alan Nafuki.

He received a briefing from the MSG’s chair and Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare last week as a leaders summit was deferred for the second time.

There’s been disagreement among Melanesian leaders over a full seat at the table for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

Pastor Nafuki told Sally Round a summit is now set for early December and full membership for West Papuans will be like Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.

Transcript

West Papuans demonstrate support for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's bid to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. — West Papuans demonstrate support for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s bid to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Photo: Tabloid Jubi

PASTOR ALAN NAFUKI: It has been decided next time around when the summit convenes its meeting during the month of December this year, there are other alternatives to make, to make sure that the West Papua issue, West Papua bid to become a full member of MSG will be granted by December. Regardless of if all the Melanesian countries do not get together, that would not stop the granting of the West Papuans full membership of the MSG.

SALLY ROUND: Mr Sogavare had some kind of plan for this?

AN: Leaders of government, they have their own plans but I would speak on behalf of civil society within the Melanesian countries like New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands and civil society in Papua New Guinea and also in Fiji, that we’ve been fighting for many, many years now. We are looking forward to the summit that is being organised, planned for December this year.

SR: At your meeting with Mr Sogavare last week were any of the avenues discussed about how, without certain countries attending…

AN: He only briefed us that the meeting was scheduled for December and things should be OK by December because even if majority were present, the meeting would continue to boost West Papua into the membership of MSG. To my understanding what the prime minister of Solomon Islands was saying, I think it was obvious and it was good. I think I am satisfied with what he has said and I am very pleased. I think some of the government people, they are trying to revisit the MSG constitution and see what options they can take best to accommodate the West Papuans. The Vanuatu government asked the chiefs of Vanuatu and churches in Vanuatu if we are all 100 percent supporting, so you could not deny anything from our side. It would only look at other countries. But we are looking forward and we made sure that our … the prime minister of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu really understood our voice (inaudible). 100 percent of our people are supporting the West Papuans to come in the membership of the MSG and also for the self determination and of course independence. We have been fighting for this for many, many years. This will be a relief for me. It will be another achievement that is going to be a part of Christmas cake for all Melanesian countries.

October 19, 2016 0

Nafuki believes ULMWP membership in MSG will be made in September

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,” Nafuki reiterated.

ligo@dailypost.vu

August 28, 2016 0

Nafuki believes ULMWP membership in MSG will be made in Septembe

DailyPost.vu, By Godwin Ligo | Posted: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 8:00 am

“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,”

Nafuki reiterated.

ligo@dailypost.vu

July 20, 2016 0

Sope applauded at West Papua devotion

Special Advice r to the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, Barak Sope, was applauded when he was introduced to the West Papua Unification Meeting devotion in the Chiefs Nakamal yesterday morning.

Vanuatu Daily Post – By Len Garae Dec 5, 2014

The Head of the Pacific Conference of Churches Delegation Pastor Francois, and the Chairman of the West Papua Unification Organising Committee, Pastor Allan Nafuki both welcomed his presence saying it is vital for the spirit of the Meeting.

Sope who sat throughout the morning devotion, which ended at 12.30pm said as he was leaving, that what is happening in Port Vila now is a living example for other Governments to consider doing to support the people of West Papua.

“Vanuatu has dared to take the stand to support the struggle of the people of West Papau because no other country in the world has made such a humanitarian offer to the West Papuans,” he said.

At the beginning it was Sope who brought the Black Brothers Band to Vanuatu who used to perform to fundraise for the Vanuaaku Pati while at the same time, doing public awareness through its music about the West Papua struggle for freedom.

The first time that the ni Vanuatu public realised just how serious the struggle was when a member of the band assaulted an Indonesian tourist outside the Fung Kuei shop when a tourist liner was in port.

Sope has been close to the West Papua struggle throughout his adult life and even adopted Andy Ayamiseba into his family as his brother.

Ayamiseba is the West Papua Head of Mission in Vanuatu, who is currently recovering at Vila Central Hospital following the amputation of his right leg due to non communicable disease.

In the latest development, former Prime Minister and present Leader of Opposition Moana Carcasses also joined the devotion and stayed for approximately 15 minutes.

It was Carcasses when he was Prime Minister that he delivered a highly powerful address at a UN special committee in Geneva on March 6 of this year, against the reports of human rights abuse allegedly caused by the Indonesian military on West Papuans.

His address rocked the superpowers and reverberated round the world.

December 12, 2014 0