Pacific island countries deliver joint statement on West Papua at ACP council meeting in Brussels
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- Published on Saturday, 06 May 2017 04:28
The Pacific Island nations of Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands delivered a joint statement on 3 May 2017 at the Council of Ministers of the 79-member Africa Caribbean Pacific Group of States (ACP), in which they voiced concerns over present and past human rights violations – including crimes against humanity - in the region. The Pacific nations also called for an eventual resolution that includes support of the right of West Papuan political self-determination. The statement was read aloud by Johnny Koanapo, a high-ranking member of the Republic of Vanuatu parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister.
ULMWP lobbies parliament of Uganda to support West Papuan independence
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- Published on Saturday, 06 May 2017 11:01
Uganda's leading daily news paper 'The New Vision' published an article on 2 May 2017 about the lobby meeting between ULMWP executive director Jacob Rumbiak and the deputy speaker of the Uganda Parliament, Mr. Jacob Oulanyah. The meeting was part of a courtesy visit to the Uganda Parliament on 7 April 2017. During the meeting Jacob Rumbiak stated that the ULMWP asks Uganda to influence other African states to support the independence of West Papua at the United Nations.
Tensions and military presence due to conflict between mining companies in Nifasi increase
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- Published on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 12:48

The customary council for the Papuan customary area of Meepago reported of increasing tensions in the area around Nifasi village of Nabire Regency, due to an ongoing conflict between two gold mining companies in the area. The operation area of both companies belong to the Wate tribe. Particularly villagers living in Nifasi village are heavily affected by the conflict, which has resulted in extensive military presence around the gold panning sites at the nearby Masairo River.
Yapen District Police officers allegedly execute Maikel Marani
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- Published on Sunday, 23 April 2017 05:28
Local human rights defenders in Yapen Island have reported that a special police force unit under command of Yapen District Police allegedly executed the head of the local armed independence group Maikel Marani (28 years) in the early morning hours of 27th March 2017 at Kontinuai Village, Angkaisera District, Yapen Islands Regency. According to eye witnesses, special force members in black uniforms and balaclavas approached the house of Maikel Marani's in-laws at 01:00 am, where Maikel had stayed over night. The witnesses stated that Maikel Marani was unarmed at the time of the attempted arrest. As Maikel Marani tried to escape, a police officer released shots at him, one of them hitting Maikel's leg. Despite no further attempts to avoid the arrest, the officers again fired several shots at Maikel Marani, causing his instant death on the spot. Subsequently, the police officers tortured two other villagers with the initials H.S. (30 years) and F.A. (28 years), and forced them at gunpoint to show where Maikel Marani had hidden his weapons.
Adoption of local regulation on the restoration of Papuan female victims' rights
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- Published on Saturday, 22 April 2017 06:57
The Department for Internal Affairs (DEPDAGRI) through the National Women Commission (KOMNAS Perempuan) has shared information on the local regulation PERDASUS No. 1 / 2011 on the Restoration of the Rights of Papuan Female Victims of Violence and Human Rights Violations. Even though the law had already been passed under former Governor Syamsul Arief Rivai on 3 August 2011, civil society activists had not been informed about the adoption of the law until early April 2017. The regulation provides detailed descriptions and definitions of various forms of violence (Article 2) and human rights violations against women (Article 3:), with particular reference to discrimination, forms of slavery or human trafficking including prostitution, forced marriage and forced sterilization. Furthermore, it defines the rights of female victims, which includes their restoration through restitution, rehabilitation and compensation, as well as the victim's right to truth and justice.
Press Release: Indonesia Visit by the Special Rapporteur on Health
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- Published on Thursday, 20 April 2017 09:22

The Special Rapporteur on the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health Mr. Dainius Pūras, issued a press release on 4 April 2017 after his country visit to Indonesia between 22 March and 3 April 2017. The Special Rapporteur appreciated Indonesia's efforts in the field of health, which he considered as being “on the right track to develop an equitable and sustainable healthcare system based on universal health coverage”. At the same time Mr. Dainius Pūras warned the Indonesian government that ”ambitious goals can be reached only if challenges are addressed”. Among the major challenges the Special Rapporteur named the availability, access to and quality of health services for all Indonesian citizens as well as barriers in law and practice which impede the realization of sexual and reproductive health rights, resulting in various forms of violence and discrimination. The Special Rapporteur was particularly “concerned about the health status of ethnic Papuans, who are two times more likely to have HIV/AIDS than the rest of the population”. A comprehensive report on the visit to Indonesia will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2018.
UN Special Rapporteur visits Indonesia - concerned about situation in West Papua
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- Published on Friday, 07 April 2017 11:36

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Dainius Pūras, who visited Indonesia from March 22nd until April 3rd 2017, called on the Indonesian government to increase national budget allocations for health. "However," he said, "increased investments in healthcare only make sense if the system is efficient, transparent, accountable, and responsive to those who use it." He also expressed concern about the healthcare situation in West Papua.
WAN-IFRA investigates media freedom in West Papua
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- Published on Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:09

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publisher (WAN-IFRA) launched an investigation on the media freedom situation in the Papuan cities Jayapura, Merauke and Timika between 30th January and 3rd February 2017. A delegation from the Media Freedom Committee Indonesia (MFCI) consisting of eight Indonesian journalists from Jakarta, Makassar and Solo traveled to Papua province, where they followed local journalists from Papuan news organisations during media coverage for five days. The initiative was part of WAN-IFRA's Strengthening Media and Society programme which is backed by the Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
More Articles...
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- NGOs deliver statement about the situation of indigenous Papuans at Human Rights Council
- Indonesia deports two French journalists from West Papua
- Vanuatu takes lead in expressing Pacific Sates' concern regarding human rights situation in West Papua
- 'Swim for West Papua' - Free West Campaign launches global petition
- Urgent Appeal - Police officers torture Mr. Edison Hesegem to death in Jayawijaya General Hospital
- European Parliament adopts Resolution on Indonesia, noticing arrest of peaceful protesters in West Papua
- 1st December Commemoration in Jakarta - Papuans and Indonesians demonstrate for Right to Self Determination
- Joint Statement on the New York Agreement by the Ecumenical Forum of Papuan Church Leaders
- UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Initiates Early Warning Procedure Regarding Human Rights Situation in West Papua