Update Armed Conflict in Nduga Regency: CSOs estimate a total number of 177 fatalities and more than 5.000 IDPs
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- Published on Tuesday, 23 July 2019 07:26
The solidarity team for Nduga released a report and fact sheet on 18 July 2019 in Jakarta. According to the latest information, the armed conflict in Nduga has resulted in the deaths of 177 persons, 5 cases of disappearances and 5.201 internally displaced persons between early December 2018 and end of June 2019. The team emphasized that the figures are preliminary because the geographical conditions and the ongoing armed conflict still prevent journalists and observers from covering in the Nduga Regency. Many indigenous families continue to hide in the forest, where they live under extreme difficult conditions, facing malnutrition, hypothermia and no access to healthcare. An attempt by the head of the Papuan representative office of the national human rights commission (KOMNAS HAM Perwakilan Papua) to meet with IDPs in Nduga was aborted after members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB) opened fire at his helicopter.
Joint Submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry - Media Freedom in West Papua
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- Published on Sunday, 21 July 2019 06:58
In June 2019, TAPOL and Jubi made a written submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. The Commons Select Committee has opened up an inquiry into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Global Media Freedom. TAPOL and Jubi's submission highlighted the current state of media freedom particularly in West Papua. Over the last 10 years, journalists and news organisations have faced serious threats to their personal security and have also been targeted by digital disinformation campaigns that aimed to disrupt the work of legitimate news sources and news reporting. The death of two local journalists, assaults on multiple others and several cases of international journalists being deported from Indonesia for reporting on or in West Papua underscores the lack of media freedom in West Papua.
The Salim Group builds palm oil empire in West Papua
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- Published on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 08:37
A coalition of Papuan civil society organisations have expressed concerns over the expansion of palm oil companies owned by the Salim Group (logo on the left). According to a fact sheet published by the NGOs WALHI Papua, Belantara, Pusaka and Vali Papua, many SALIM subsidiaries reportedly committed violations against local indigenous communities and national regulations. The Salim Group owns ten palm oil companies in the provinces of Papua and Papua Barat. However, this is just a small share of the Salim Group’s business empire. The family-run company owns investments in food, banking and telecommunications in and outside of Indonesia. Anthoni Salim, the CEO of the Salim Group, is considered the fifth richest person in Indonesia, with an estimated wealth of 5.3 billion US$.
New Caledonia rejects independence from France – Next referendum possible in 2020
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- Published on Tuesday, 16 July 2019 00:57
A referendum held in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia on 4 November 2018 came to the result that New Caledonia will stay a part of France. The results were not a surprise – various polls prior to the referendum had shown results of 63 to 65 per cent voting for a rejection of political independence. Still, they were by far tighter than the polls had predicted, with 56.4 per cent voting for status quo, while 43.6 per cent favouring separation from France. Observers stated that the turnout rate of over 80 per cent was exceptionally high, surpassing those of 2014 election for the territorial Congress and the 2017 French presidential election.
Papuan church congregation under police surveillance – Church members prevented from attending worship in Jayapura
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- Published on Saturday, 13 July 2019 03:55
The International Coalition for Papua (ICP) is concerned about the intimidation of members of a Papuan Tabernacle church (KINGMI Papua) congregation on 14 July 2019 in Jayapura. Human rights defenders claim that members of the Pauan regional police (POLDA Papua) and the Jayapura Municipality police parked a police truck, a mini bus (Toyota Avanza) and several motorcycles in front of the Anugerah Church at Lembah Bahari Street. The police officers intercepted congregation members who came to attend the Sunday morning worship at 9.00 am and checked their identity cards. Many KINGMI church members who saw the police operation were afraid to enter the church building and attend the worship.
Commemorations of Papuan independence Proclamation – Protesters face intimidation and restrictions on freedom of assembly
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- Published on Tuesday, 09 July 2019 08:29
The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP), the Indonesian Peoples Front for West Papua (FRI West Papua) and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) organized demonstrations in commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the West Papuan Independence proclamation. On 1 July, students, sympathizers and political activists joined the peaceful demonstrations in 13 cities all over Indonesia, including Ambon, Ternate, Makassar, Bali, Malang, Semarang and Surabaya. The protesters demanded the Government to respect the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, stop ruthless natural resource exploitation and reduce the military presence in West Papua. The AMP reported that all demonstrations were strictly monitored by large numbers of police officers (see intro image). In some cities, the police prevented the demonstrations and blocked protesters from accessing public areas.
Update armed conflict in Nduga Regency – security force members kill indigenous woman and take her baby
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- Published on Tuesday, 09 July 2019 04:03
The International Coalition for Papua (ICP) has received credible information from multiple independent sources regarding the alleged killing of a 26-year-old indigenous woman named Kenmalet Gwijangge (see intro image) in the district of Mugi, Nduga regency. At the time of the incident Mrs. Gwijangge had her one-year-old Baby Raina Nirigi (see intro image) with her. She and three other indigenous women wanted to collect sweet potatoes as security force members opened fire at the women. While three women were able to flee, Kenmalet Gwijangge sustained a lethal bullet injury and dropped with her baby on the ground. It is currently not known whether Raina Nirigi remained unharmed and where the security force members brought the baby.
Human rights defenders reveal illegal gold mining operation at Siriwo River, Nabire Regency
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- Published on Monday, 08 July 2019 09:39
The Papuan Tabernacle church (KINGMI Papua) has raised concerns over a large-scale gold panning operation at the Siriwo River, Nabire Regency. The company PT Jichuan is currently building a large ship for excavation of gravel from the river bed in midst the forest (see intro image). The head of the Papuan Department for Energy and Mineral Resources (Dinas ESDM Provinsi Papua), Fred Bonay, confirmed in an interview with the local media outlet JUBI that the mining company does not have a license for alluvial gold extraction. In early July, a team from the Nabire District police visited the site at Kilometer 102, Siriwo District. The police stopped the construction temporarily until PT Jichuan has arranged the licenses for the gold panning operation, including an environmental impact assessment.
More Articles...
- Human Rights Update West Papua - 2nd Quarter 2019
- 23 victims of extra-judicial killings in West Papua throughout 2018
- Update on ongoing military operation in Nduga Regency – death toll higher than expected
- Ronaldo Yawan dies during detention at police station in Biak – relatives raise allegations of torture
- Two prisoners die after attempted escape from Abepura Detention Facility – KOMNAS HAM suspects prison negligence
- Second extra-judicial killing in Wogikel Village within ten months
- Political detainee’s physical condition deteriorates during detention – relatives request adequate medical treatment
- The Mairasi Tribe protests against prolongation of logging concession
- Terrorist organization allegedly established training camps in West Papua
- Military member opens fire at group of protesters in Asmath regency – four protesters killed, another four injured