Papua Church Leaders call for the involvement of the international community

Details

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

West Papua-wide anti-racism protests accompanied by violence – eight protesters killed, 50 injured during crackdown in Waghete

Details

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.

Read more...

Amnesty International Press Release - Attempted criminalisation of human rights Lawyer Veronica Koman

Details

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.

Read more...

Security force operation in Puncak Regency – about 800 indigenous IDPs flee their homes

Details

Published on Sunday, 01 September 2019 11:03

According to multiple Papuan media outlets, a security force operation in the Gome District of the highland regency Puncak has resulted in the displacement of several hundred indigenous peoples, mainly women and children. Between 24 and 26 August 2019, joint security forces have conducted raids in the villages Tegelobak, Mitimaga, Kelanungin, Upaga and Ninggabuma with the goal to arrest Goliat Tabuni and Anton Tabuni, two commanders of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) controlling some areas in the regencies of Puncak and Puncak Jaya. An exchange of fire between the security forces and the TPN PB was reported from Mitimaga on 24.08.2018 around 3.00 pm.

Read more...

Amnesty International urges police to drop treason charges against six Papuan activists in Java

Details

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.

Read more...

Leading ULMWP activist arrested and charged with document forgery

Details

Published on Tuesday, 27 August 2019 11:05

Members of the Jayapura municipality police have arrested the head of the politics desk of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Bazoka Logo (see intro image). The police pressed charges against Logo for alleged violation of article 266 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) on document forgery. Bazoka Logo’s lawyers from the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), the Association of Human Rights Lawyers for Papua (PAHAM Papua) and Posbakum Madim stated that the arrest was not conducted in accordance with law enforcement procedures. They regard the arrest as an attempt to criminalize the ULMWP activist, who had organised a peaceful demonstration in commemoration of the ‘New York Agreement’ on 15 August 2019.

Read more...

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expresses concern about the situation in West Papua

Details

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".

Read more...

Government imposes internet blockade after anti-racism riots in West Papua

Details

Published on Tuesday, 27 August 2019 11:01

The Government has blocked the internet in the Provinces of Papua and Papua Barat since 19 August 2019 after large scale demonstrations and several riots in multiple Papuan cities. Several media outlets reported that the blockade was eased on 5 September 2019, after the Government assessed that the situation in West Papua had 'calmed down'. Other sources claimed that the internet was still down in multiple Papuan cities. The rallies were carried out in response to acts of racial discrimination against Papuan students in the Javanese cities of Malang, Surabaya and Semarang in mid-August. The Government justified the measure, arguing that the blockade would prevent the spreading of false information and assist law enforcement personnel to calm down ongoing tensions. The head of the Papuan branch of Indonesian telecommunication provider PT. Telkom Indonesia, Mr. Charles Aronggear, confirmed that the internet restrictions were imposed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. He stated in an interview on 26 August 2019 that it is not clear when the restrictions will be lifted again.

Read more...