Military members alleged of killing indigenous Papuan in Wouma District, Jayawijaya Regency
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- Published on Thursday, 12 September 2019 04:29
The Foundation for Justice and Integrity of the Papuan People (YKKMP) has documented credible information regarding allegations of an extra-judicial killing by army members of the 756 Wim Anesili Wouma Battalion. According to the information received, four soldiers guarding Wimane Sili military post in Wouma District collectively tortured 23-year-old Analok Heselo on 15 August 2019, around 9.15 pm. The military members approached Analok Heselo as he was sitting in front of the military post smoking a cigarette and repeatedly beat him with rubber batons. Subsequently, the military members dragged Analok Heselo inside the military post, where they poured water over him and continued the beatings.
Update on IDP situation in Gome, Puncak Regency – number of IDPs raise to 1.500
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- Published on Thursday, 12 September 2019 04:11
Since 24 August 2019, joint security forces have raided multiple villages in the Gome district of Puncak Regency, Papua Province. The security force operations have forced indigenous villagers in the Gome district to flee their villages. Initial reports from 26 August 2019 estimated that approximately 800 indigenous Papuans had been internally displaced and sought refuge in temporary shelters in Yenggernok Village. According to information dated 5 September 2019, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yenggernok have risen to more than 1.500 persons, originating from eleven villages. Security forces reportedly carried out raids in eight of the villages, namely Kelanungin, Upaga, Tegelobak, Misimaga, Niggibuma, Agome, Gome, and Yenggegolawi. The security force members allegedly seized gardening tools and killed pig livestock.
YouTube blocks West Papua satirical video on request of the Indonesian Government
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- Published on Wednesday, 11 September 2019 10:42
On 28. August YouTube blocked a satirical video about West Papua from being viewed in Indonesia as a consequence of a 'legal complaint from the government'. The video titled 'Visit West Papua' satirizes the Australian government's policies on West Papua and portrays the Indonesian government as colonizers and the Australian government as standing by for its own profit.
The video, created by Australian Company The Juice Media, is one of many part of the company's Honest Government Ad series and was first uploaded on Nov. 21, 2018 but was re-shared on The Juice Media's Twitter account and other social media in the past weeks following widespread protests and rioting in Papua and West Papua.
Papua Church Leaders call for the involvement of the international community
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- Published on Friday, 06 September 2019 13:51
Church Leaders from GKI, GIDI, Fellowship of Baptist Churches and KINGMI Papua have expressed their concern about the situation in Papua. They express their sympathy to the victims of violence and those with lost or damaged property during the protests between 19-29 August across Papua and West Papua. They also express their gratitude to the thousands of Papuans who have been brave to protest against racial discrimination, something that has been experienced for a long time by Papuans in all walks of life.
On their Letter of Appeal, the Church Leaders recount a series of concerning events that took place between the first day of protests and 3 September 2019 and have led to a crisis situation with escalating violence and the continued heavy presence of security forces. They conclude by calling for international action and urging the Government of Indonesia to have a mediated dialogue with the ULMWP.
DOWNLOAD THE PASTORAL LETTER OF APPEAL AS PFD HERE
Amnesty International Press Release - Attempted criminalisation of human rights Lawyer Veronica Koman
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- Published on Thursday, 05 September 2019 06:19
Drop charges against lawyer for Papuan political activists
Responding to the East Java police’s decision to bring charges against human rights lawyer Veronica Koman, Amnesty International Indonesia’s Executive Director Usman Hamid said:
“Veronica Koman is a human rights defender who has provided legal aid to many Papuan political activists and documented human rights violations in Papua. She is now being persecuted for tweeting about a violent attack on a Papuan student’s dormitory on August 17, in which police fired tear gas.
“This is an appalling attack on the right to freedom of expression in Indonesia, and a brazen attempt to silence a brave activist. These charges are clearly intended to deter others from speaking out against human rights violations related to Papua.
Amnesty International urges police to drop treason charges against six Papuan activists in Java
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- Published on Thursday, 05 September 2019 06:07
3 September 2019 Index: ASA 21/0970/2019
INDONESIA: POLICE MUST DROP MAKAR (REBELLION) CHARGES AGAINST SIX PAPUAN ACTIVISTS
Amnesty International Indonesia urges the Jakarta Regional Police Force (Polda) to immediately drop all “rebellion (makar)” charges brought against six political activists who are campaigning for the right to self-determination for Papua, and to immediately and unconditionally release them. The activists were charged and detained under Articles 106 and 110 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code (KUHP), which cover crimes against the security of the state, solely for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expresses concern about the situation in West Papua
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- Published on Wednesday, 04 September 2019 11:38
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said her office was "disturbed" by the escalating violence in Papua and West Papua in the past two weeks, especially the deaths of some protestors and security forces. The OHCHR released the following Comment earlier today:
(Geneva, 4 Septermber 2019) "I have been disturbed by escalating violence in the past two weeks in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua, and especially the deaths of some protestors and security forces personnel. This is part of a trend we have observed since December 2018, and we have been discussing our concerns with the Indonesian authorities. There should be no place for such violence in a democratic and diverse Indonesia, and I encourage the authorities to engage in dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua on their aspirations and concerns, as well as to restore internet services and refrain from any excessive use of force. Blanket internet shutdowns are likely to contravene freedom of expression and limiting communications may exacerbate tensions".
West Papua-wide anti-racism protests accompanied by violence – eight protesters killed, 50 injured during crackdown in Waghete
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- Published on Sunday, 01 September 2019 11:10
Last week, anti-racism rallies in West Papua were accompanied by riots, chaos and violent crackdowns by security forces. The protests occurred in response to acts of racial discrimination and assault by security forces and nationalist mass organisations against Papuan students in the Javanese cities of Malang, Surabaya and Semarang in mid-August. The protesters also expressed their aspirations for political self-determination, arguing that Papuans are treated as ‘second-class’ citizens in Indonesia. The government deployed additional security forces in various Papuan regions and has blocked the internet across in the Provinces of Papua and Papua Barat since 19 August 2019 to prevent the spreading of information through social media and hamper media coverage on the current situation in West Papua. The worst outbreak of violence was reported from the regency of Deiyai, where the forceful dispersal of demonstrations resulted in the deaths of eight protesters. Fifty protesters were injured during the crackdown.
More Articles...
- Security force operation in Puncak Regency – about 800 indigenous IDPs flee their homes
- Leading ULMWP activist arrested and charged with document forgery
- Government imposes internet blockade after anti-racism riots in West Papua
- Police prevents peaceful commemoration of the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’
- Commemorations of New York Agreement accompanied by arrests, violence and racism - Papuan students subjected to harassment and assaults
- Update trial: JUT sentenced to five months imprisonment
- New law allows prosecution of foreign researchers – academics fear restrictions of academic freedom
- Constitutional court reviews law on the formation of Papua Province
- Update Armed Conflict in Nduga Regency: CSOs estimate a total number of 177 fatalities and more than 5.000 IDPs
- Joint Submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Inquiry - Media Freedom in West Papua