Countdown on for Indonesia’s response

By Len Garae Oct 21, 2016 0, DailyPost.vu

The Chairman of Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Allan Nafuki says all civil society organisations in country are united with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pacific Islands Association

of Non-Government Organisation (PIANGO), Emele Duituturaga, to support the request made by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to Indonesia, to formally respond to allegations of racial violence and discrimination against Papuans by November 14.

It is a sign that the attitude of the UN to West Papua’s case is beginning to change.

The PIANGO CEO expressed these sentiments following UN CERD chair, Anastasia Crickley’s notification to Indonesia’s UN Permanent Representative, Triyono Wibowo that the committee’s recent session had considered allegations of killings and violence of indigenous Papuans in West Papua.

“I write to inform you that in the course of its 90th session, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has considered, under its early warning and urgent action procedure, allegations of excessive use of force, arrests, killings and torture of persons belonging to the Papuan indigenous people in West Papua, Indonesia, and allegations of discrimination against this people, that have been brought to its attention by a non-government organization”, Miss Crickley stated in the October 3rd dated correspondence.

“Reportedly, between April 2013 and December 2014, security forces killed 22 persons during demonstrations and a number of persons have also been killed or injured since January 2016. It is alleged that in May 2014, more than 470 persons belonging to the Papuan indigenous people were arrested in cities of West Papua during demonstrations against extraction and plantation activities”.

The letter continues, “… Such arrests have reportedly increased since the beginning of 2016 amounting to 4000 between April and June 2016 and have included human rights activists and journalists. Such acts have reportedly never been investigated and those responsible have gone unpunished.

“The submission claims that repression of persons belonging to the Papuan indigenous people is the result of a misinterpretation and lack of a correct implementation of the Special Autonomy Law by local and national authorities of Indonesia. The submission also claims that actions by security forces constitute violations of the rights of freedom of assembly and association”.

Duituturaga said the committee’s requests for information indicates how seriously it is treating the allegations made by civil societies to the UN about the treatment of indigenous West Papuans by the Indonesian government.

“CERD has given Indonesia until Novembers 14 to provide information on its response to the allegations, the status of implementations of the Special Autonomy Law in West Papua, measures taken to ensure the effective protection of indigenous people in West Papua from arbitrary arrests and detentions as well as deprivation of life”, she said.

Indonesia has also been requested to report on measures taken to ensure that indigenous people from West Papua effectively enjoy their rights to freedom of assembly and association including persons with dissenting opinions, measures taken to investigate allegations of excessive use of force by security forces including killings and steps taken to improve access to education of Papuan children in West Papua in particular those living in very remove areas of the UN CERD.

“Indonesia is not only the third largest democracy in the world, they are an emerging economic powerhouse but their inability to apply democratic principles in West Papua threatens their credibility with the international community.

“The ball is in their court now and Pacific civil societies are eagerly awaiting November 14 alongside UN CERD to read their response,” Duituturaga said

October 23, 2016 0

Kelompok HAM minta pemerintah sambut ajakan 6 Negara Pasifik soal Papua

Jayapura, Jubi – Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) menyampaikan apresiasi mendalam kepada enam negara-negara Pasifik yang telah mengangkat dugaan pelanggaran HAM di Papua serta pengormatan terhadap hak penentuan nasib sendiri bagi rakyat Papua.

AHRC mengakui bahwa pelanggaran HAM sudah terjadi puluhan tahun di Papua, dan tidak ada upaya serius oleh pemerintah Indonesia untuk menanganinya.

AHRC bahkan mencatat, sejak Papua diintegrasikan ke wilayah Indonesia, banyak pelanggaran HAM sudah terjadi. Diantara yang dicatat dan dilaporkan oleh lembaga pemantau HAM di Asia ini adalah kasus Wasior Wamena, pembunuhan Theys Hiyo Eluay, penghilangan paksa Aristoteles Masoka, dugaan genosida di Puncak Jaya 1977, kasus Paniai tahun 2014 dan Tolikara.

Lembaga ini juga mengingatkan bahwa tak satupun dari kasus-kasus tersebut ditangani. Terlebih fungsi-fungsi yudisial tidak ada; polisi malah menjadi pihak yang melindungi pelaku dan melakukan pelanggaran HAM; juga tidak ada investigasi yang transparan terhadap aparat keamanan yang terlibat.

“Kami tidak tahu nama-nama unit dan jumlah orang yang terlibat. Pertanyaan-pertanyaan semacam itu tetap tak terjawab karena pemerintah tidak pernah sungguh-sungguh mengatasi kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM,” ujar rilis AHRC yang diterima redaksi, Senin (3/10/2016).

AHRC mengakui bahwa ada beberapa inisiatif yang dilakukan pemerintah terkait Papua, seperti Unit Percepatan Pembangunan Provinsi Papua dan Provinsi Papua Barat (UP4B) di masa Presiden SBY, pembentukan tim KOMNAS HAM untuk persoalan HAM di Papua, kebijakan Presiden Joko Widodo terkait pembebasan beberapa tahanan politik.

Namun upaya-upaya tersebut tidak menunjukkan hasil bagi Papua. “Sebaliknya, pelanggaran HAM terus terjadi, pembunuh Theys jadi kepala KaBAIS, dan secara umum tidak ada keadilan dan pemulihan terhadap korban,” ujar AHRC.

AHRC menyerukan kepada pemerintah Indonesia untuk dengan serius menerima semua poin dan rekomendasi yang diberikan oleh enak negara Pasifik tersebut; pemerintah juga harus membuka akses bagi badan independen untuk memonitor perlindungan HAM di Papua.

Pemerintah Indonesia juga diminta untuk membuka ruang dialog dengan rakyat Papua difasilitasi oleh pihak ketiga yang independen dan kredibel dibawah dukungan PBB.

Pemantauan khusus PBB

Senada dengan itu Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Jakarta, dalam siaran persnya belum lama ini, juga membantah jawaban delegasi tetap Indonesia di PBB terhadap 7 negara Pasifik terkait penegakan HAM di Papua.

“Keterangan yang disampakan perwakilan Indonesia pada Sidang Umum Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa Ke 71 tersebut sangatlah bertolak belakang dengan realita yang ditemukan di Papua,” ujar Pratiwi Febri yang menangani isu Papua di LBH Jakarta.

Jumlah penangkapan di Papua tahun 2012-2016 – dokumen LBH JakartaMenurut data yang dihimpun oleh LBH Jakarta bersama jaringan, terhitung sejak April 2016 hingga 16 September 2016, total penangkapan telah terjadi terhadap 2.282 orang Papua yang melakukan aksi damai. Dalam kurun waktu 28 Mei hingga 27 Juli 2016, total terdapat 1.889 demonstran yang ditangkap. Sedangkan terhitung hingga 15 Agustus 2016, terdapat 77 demonstran yang ditangkap.

Penangkapan tersebut dilakukan di beberapa tempat berbeda di Papua dan mayoritas disertai dengan intimidasi dan tindak kekerasan. Dari data yang dihimpun sejak tahun 2012 sampai Juni 2016 terhimpun jumlah penangkapan mencapai 4.198 orang Papua.

LBH Jakarta secara khusus juga menyoroti dampak pasca diberlakukanya Maklumat oleh Kapolda Papua tanggal 1 Juli 2016, yang pada intinya melakukan pembatasan kebebasan berekspresi melalui penjatuhan stigma sparatis atau pemberontak kepada masyarakat yang melakukan unjuk rasa yang berdampak pada pembubaran dan penangkapan setiap unjuk rasa.

Menurut catatan LBH Jakrata, terhitung 13 Agustus sampai 16 September telah terjadi penangkapan lagi terhadap 112 demonstran yang sedang melakukan aksi damai di berbagai tempat di Papua.

“Menyikapi hal ini Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Jakarta mendorong Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa (PBB) untuk melakukan pemantauan khusus terkait pelanggaran hak asasi manusia di Papua.” LBH Jakarta juga menekankan agar Presiden Joko Widodo lebih terbuka dalam memberikan informasi terkait pelanggaran hak asasi manusia di Papua serta menghentikan segala bentuk pelanggaran hak asasi manusia yang terjadi di Papua.(*)

October 22, 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

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

LIMA: Indonesia Hanya Beretorika Jawab Isu Papua

JAKARTA, SATUHARAPAN.COM – Direktur Lingkar Madani Indonesia Ray Rangkuti mengatakan perwakilan Indonesia di sidang PBB hanya beretorika dalam pidato balasan terhadap tudingan pelanggaran Hak Azasi Manusia (HAM) yang disampaikan tujuh negara pasifik.

“Pemerintah Indonesia tidak menjelaskan secara terperinci karena Indonesia hanya menyampaikan bahwa telah terjadi perbaikan aturan dan konvensi HAM secara heroik,” kata dia di Grha Oikoumene, Jakarta pada hari Rabu (5/10).

Menurut dia, pemerintah Indonesia harusnya menjelaskan sejauh apa kebenaraan atau ungkapan dari tujuh pimpinan negara Pasifik mengenai persoalaan di Papua.

“Kalau di Papua dikatakan 50 tahun belakangan melakukan pelanggaran HAM maka perwakilan Indonesia harus menjelaskan dengan menjawab pertanyaan dari tujuh negara tersebut artinya data harus dijawab dengan data,” kata dia

Sebelumnya, Anggota delegasi Indonesia di Perserikatan Bangsa-bangsa, Nara Masista Rakhmatia, mendapat perhatian dan simpati di dalam negeri atas langkahnya memberikan respons terhadap diangkatnya isu Papua oleh enam negara anggota PBB di Sidang Umum ke-71 PBB di New York, pekan lalu.

Diplomat muda jebolan Sekolah Departemen Luar Negeri dan lulus pada tahun 2008 itu menyampaikan sikap Indonesia yang membantah secara kategoris tuduhan-tuduhan yang dialamatkan oleh enam kepala pemerintahan dari enam negara Pasifik, yaitu Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu dan Tonga.

Editor : Eben E. Siadari

October 6, 2016 0

Papua is non-negotiable: Minister

Liza Yosephine, The Jakarta Post

apua’s place in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is not up for negotiation, a minister has said in a response to allegations of human rights violations conveyed during a recent UN General Assembly (UNGA) session.

“In diplomacy, several things are negotiable but some others cannot be negotiated. When it comes to the issue of support toward separatism, I think not only diplomats, but all of us, know that this is a point where we should stop,” Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi told journalists on Tuesday.

The minister was responding to criticism of Indonesia’s strong response to six Pacific Island heads of state, who conveyed their allegations of human rights violations in Papua and West Papua provinces during the recent UNGA in New York.

Retno asserted that Indonesia strongly upheld the principles of the UN Charter, which include non-interference and respecting other nations’ sovereignty. At the same time, she continued, Indonesia was committed to maintaining friendly relations with all countries.

“We will never act with hostility toward other countries and will continue to engage with them. But, again, when it comes to the issue of sovereignty and non-interference, once those [principles] are violated, that’s where we will stop [negotiating],” Retno said.

Nara Masista Rakhmatia, the second secretary at Indonesia’s permanent mission to the UN, called speeches made by the heads of state of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Tonga “interference” and said they aimed to encourage separatism in the two provinces.

The reported failure of Papua’s special autonomy has led to a rise of support for Papuan independence movements across the globe, particularly from Pacific nations. (ebf)

October 6, 2016 0

Listening to the Pacific beat on Papua

Budi Hernawan, Jakarta | Thu, September 29 2016 | 08:07 am

In an unprecedented move, seven UN member states from the Pacific raised their concerted voices on Papua during the prestigious 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

Nauru started the intervention by highlighting the issue of human rights violations in Papua, followed by a newcomer in the discourse of Papua: the Marshall Islands.

Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands followed suit and went one step further by specifically highlighting the issue of the right to self-determination for Papuans. Tonga emphasised the gravity of the problem and Palau, another novice, called for constructive dialogue with Indonesia to solve the Papua issue.

This was a historic moment for us as we have never had such unified high-profile intervention when it comes to the issue of Papua at the UN. Perhaps the only lone ranger used to be Vanuatu, which tried to break the silence of the UN fora.

This week’s debate at the UN General Assembly might remind us of a similar but much more colorful debate on Papua at the assembly in 1969, when the forum decided to close the chapter on Papua by accepting the result of the Act of Free Choice.

If in 1969 some African countries expressed opposition to the assembly’s decision to adopt the result of the 1969 Act of Free Choice for Papuans, today the Pacific nations are taking the lead.

Indonesia’s response, however, was highly predictable. Repeating the slogan of territorial integrity and sovereignty, the government’s response unfortunately does not provide us with facts and evidence of the improvement in the human rights situation in Papua.

It may be remembered that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promised to solve the killing of four high-school students in Paniai on Dec. 8, 2014. The investigation into the case has been delayed for almost two years and we have not seen much progress.

The families of the victims recall that at least eight government institutions sent their respective fact-finding team to interview victims on the ground and personnel of the Army, the Papua Police, the National Police, the Air Force, the Papua Legislative Council, the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the Office of Coordinating Security, Political and Legal Affairs Minister, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). None of these teams, however, has ever published their report for public consumption.

Similarly, the dossiers on the Wasior killings of 2001 and the Wamena case of 2003 have been pending for more than a decade at the Attorney General once Komnas HAM finished its investigation. These were not ordinary crimes but crimes against humanity, one of the most serious crimes punishable by Indonesian and international law. Unfortunately, both Komnas HAM and the Attorney General’s Office have argued over evidence and procedure for years.

Komnas HAM insists that it has provided conclusive evidence and has followed proper procedure. On the other hand, the Attorney General’s Office has argued that Komnas HAM has not met the requirement of a pro-justice investigation as investigators did not take an oath as required by the Criminal Law Procedures Code. Both institutions have overlooked the fact that victims continue to suffer.

Memories are still fresh on the surge in the arrests of Papuan youth when they took to the streets to express their opinions in public despite a constitutional guarantee of the right to do so.

The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) documented that at least 4,587 individuals, men and women, were arrested by the police for expressing their political views in 13 cities, namely Dekai, Fakfak, Jakarta, Jayapura, Kaimana, Makassar, Malang, Manado Manokwari, Merauke, Sentani, Wamena and Yogyakarta.

While most of the arrestees were released within 24 hours, the deployment of police in 13 jurisdictions across the country would not have been possible without the blessing of the National Police top brass.

While we were grappling with human rights conditions in Papua, we were shocked by the President’s decision to appoint Gen. (ret) Wiranto as the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister.

In February 2003, the UN-sponsored Special Panels for Serious Crimes of the Dili District Court, Timor Leste, indicted Gen. Wiranto, then the Indonesian defense and security minister and Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) commander for crimes against humanity in connection with the events in Timor Leste in 1999.

As we were yet to recover from the President’s unfathomable choice, we were presented with another unprecedented decision when the Indonesian Military TNI chief named Maj. Gen. Hartomo to lead the military’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS).

Hartomo was the commander of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) Tribuana X unit assigned to Papua when Theys Eluay was murdered. Hartomo and six other Kopassus officers were charged with Theys’ murder on National Heroes Day in 2001. He and his team were found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison by the Surabaya Military Court and discharged from the Army.

These all are simple facts that tell us the way our government commits to human rights in Papua and elsewhere, which the Indonesian delegation to the UN General Assembly describes as “robust and active”.
______________________________

The writer, who obtained his PhD from the Australian National University, lectures in international relations at the Paramadina Graduate School of Diplomacy, Jakarta.

September 29, 2016 1

Mosi Tidak Percaya Terhadap PM Joe Natuman Mulai Diperdebatkan Dalam Sidang Parlemen Vanuatu

Jayapura, Jubi – Sidang anggota Parlemen Vanuatu untuk sesi pertama di tahun ini telah dimulai di ruang sidang Parlemen Vanuatu yang bertempat di ibukota Port Vila, Vanuatu, Senin (8/6/2015). Pada sesi ini, anggota parlemen akan memperdebatkan gerakan mosi tidak percaya terhadap Perdana Menteri Joe Natuman.

Sesi ini sempat tertunda dari jadwal semula pada Maret 2015, yang disebabkan hancurnya negara pulau itu oleh badai tropis Topan Pam.

Wartawan Radio New Zealand, Johnny Blades, melaporkan bahwa pihak oposisi telah mengajukan mosi tidak percaya terhadap perdana menteri Joe Natuman.

Blades mengatakan, sebuah gerakan tentang mosi tidak percaya itu telah ditandatangani oleh 21 anggota parlemen dan telah diajukan kepada pembicara pada pekan lalu. Mosi tidak percaya yang sudah ditandatangani itu akan diperdebatkan dalam sidang perlemen oleh 52 kursi, pada Kamis (11/6/2015).

Puluhan tanda tangan itu termasuk dua orang anggota parlemen yang telah ditunjuk menjadi menteri oleh PM Joe Natuman, pekan lalu. Salah satunya adalah MP dari Luganville, Kalfau Moli. Ia telah ditunjuk menjadi menteri luar negeri baru, menggantikan Sato Kilman yang dipecat oleh Perdana Menteri setelah ia menunjukkan dukungannya bagi gerakan membangun mosi tidak percaya itu.

Blades mengatakan, pemecatan itu dipahami bahwa Sato Kilman adalah kandidat oposisi alternatif perdana menteri.

“Ini masih harus dilihat bagaimana tiga anggota parlemen pemerintah lainnya terkait dengan gerakan mosi tidak percaya akan memilihnya. Tapi, setelah ditopang sejumlah orang seperti Kalfau Moli dan menteri kehakiman baru Osea Nevu, pemerintah Natuman yang sedang memimpin yakin bahwa ia memiliki dukungan mayoritas,”

kata Blades. (Yuliana Lantipo)

Source: TabloidJubic.com, Diposkan oleh : Yuliana Lantipo on June 8, 2015 at 11:36:54 WP [Editor : ]

June 8, 2015 0

Port Vila berparade untuk Kemerdekaan West Papua

Posted: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 12:00 am, By Len Garae | Vanuatu Daily Post, diterjemahkan PMNews

Kemarin pagi Port Vila bangun dengan gegap gempita menyambut marching dari Brigade Mobil (Brimob) Brass Band dan pukulan yang membuat semua mata mau melihatnya, saat mereka memimpin paradanya melewati Ibukota menuju ke bukit di mana Bendera Bintang Kejora telah berkibar berdampingan dengan Bendera Vanuatu di Saralana yang dikibarkan oleh para pejuang kemerdekaan dari Vanuatu.

Sejumlah orang melambaikan bendera West Papua dipimpin oleh Perdana Menteri dan anggota kabinetnya dan delegasi dari West Papua yang telha tiba pada waktunya untuk mengambil bagian dari Pertemuan Unifikasi di Rumah Adat (Nakamal) para Kepala Suku dalam waktu tiga hari dimulai dari hari ini

December 3, 2014 1