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Open Letter to President of Indonesia on Papuan Political Prisoners |
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Written by FdN
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Tuesday, 17 August 2010 |
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President
Republic of Indonesia
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta Pusat 10110 Indonesia
Via Fax, E-mail
Dear President Yudhoyono:
As Indonesia's National Day on 17 August approaches, we the undersigned
non-governmental organizations engaged in the defense of human rights in
Indonesia are deeply concerned that dozens of Papuans are incarcerated
in prisons in Papua and West Papua simply for having been involved in
non-violent demonstrations or expressions of opinion.
In most cases, these prisoners have been sentenced under Criminal Code
Articles 106 and 110 regarding "rebellion." These articles are a legacy
from the Dutch colonial era and are in violation of the Indonesian
Constitution, Articles 28(e) and 28(f) which respectively afford "the
right to the freedom of association and expression of opinion," and "the
right to communicate and obtain information for the development of
his/her personal life and his/her social environment, and shall have the
right to seek, acquire, possess, keep, process and convey information
by using all available channels."
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West Papua Report August 2010 |
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Written by ETAN
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Tuesday, 17 August 2010 |
Summary:
Fifty members of the U.S. Congress, under the leadership of House
Foreign Affairs sub-committee chairs Faleomavaega and Payne, have
written to President Obama to express their deep concern about West
Papua, noting indications of Indonesian "slow-motion genocide" against
Papuans. The Representatives strongly urged President Obama to give West
Papua a high priority in U.S. policy towards Indonesia and also called
on him to meet with Papuans in his scheduled November visit to
Indonesia. The Obama Administration has announced it will open contact
with the infamous Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassus), notwithstanding a
decade old Congressional consensus against ties with that group unless
and until that unit undergoes fundamental reforms. Papuan Political
Prisoner Filep Karma told international media that U.S. support for
Kopassus would only increase that units capacity to repress Papuans. An
International Court of Justice opinion granting Kosovo the right to
declare its independence would appear to have implications for Papuans
pursuit of self-determination. Indonesian analysts assess that
Indonesian central government unwillingness to dialogue with Papuans
inevitably leads Jakarta to resort to its repressive "security
approach." Reports of abuse of Papuan prisoners in Indonesian prisons by
their Indonesian guards continue. The Indonesian Seafarers Association
has revealed Navy and Fisheries Ministry collusion with foreign fishing
vessels illegally fishing in Papuan waters. The report also notes the
role of foreign fishermen in the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Papuan
ports of call.
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West Papua Report July 2010 |
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Written by ETAN
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Monday, 05 July 2010 |
The West Papua Advocacy Team presented that the 2010 John Rumbiak Human
Rights Defenders Award to Indonesian journalist and human rights
advocate Andreas Harsono. WPAT said that Harsono's reporting related to
human rights and justice issues, including seminal pieces on justice
issues in West Papua, has advanced the cause of human rights in West
Papua by helping to lift the government-imposed veil of secrecy that
obscures ongoing human rights abuse there. According to reporting from
the field and local and international media accounts, Indonesian
security forces, principally the militarized police (BRIMOB), in early
June stepped up "sweeping" operations in the central highlands of West
Papua. Apparently jumping the gun on a police-announced June 28 deadline
for the surrender of local armed pro-independence fighters, security
forces have already begun operations which have displaced thousands. The
Papuan People's Council (MRP) has voted to reject "Special Autonomy"
and to demand a referendum on West Papua's political future. The MRP, a
council established by the Indonesian government in 2005, called for
demilitarization of West Papua and for an internationally mediated
Jakarta-Papuan dialogue, among other demands. The resolution now goes to
the Papuan Parliament, the DPRD, which is expected to act on it in by
mid-July. Human Rights Watch issued a report which states that at least
100 political prisoners remain in Indonesian prisons where they face
torture and inadequate access to basic medical services. The report
notes that Indonesia continues to imprison dissenters involved in
peaceful protest, notably in West Papua and the Moluccas. The UN's
Special Rapporteur for Torture issued a report in 2007 which revealed
similar conditions. Local activists continue to resist implementation of
the "food estate" project in the Merauke area noting the plans
disastrous consequences for the local Marind. The Pacific Island state
of Vanuatu is moving to raise West Papua's political status at the UN
and in regional groupings. A major earthquake has displaced thousands in
Yapen island. Local officials decry the slow pace of government-led
relief efforts. Racism among some Indonesians afflicts popular
perceptions regarding Papuans.
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West Papua Report May 2010 |
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Written by ETAN
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Monday, 10 May 2010 |
Summary
Indonesia's Special Forces (Kopassus) and U.S.-backed Detachment 88
troops joined in an assault on peaceful demonstrators in Manokwari. It
is unclear if any of those initial detained remain in custody. The
Jakarta Post reports chronic malnutrition among Amungme and Kamoro
children who live in the shadow of the massive Freeport McMoran copper
and gold mine. A prominent leader of PDI-P has called for creation of
truth and reconciliation commissions for Aceh and West Papua. Pressure
appears to be building for a military response to dissent in West
Papua, including the targeting of NGOs. Leading human rights
organizations and churches have called for an end to mistreatment of
political prisoners in West Papua and an investigation of security
force killing of activists. Indonesian intelligence and special forces
are attempting to create a false front organization in Biak to replace
a legitimate one established by the local people.
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Action: Prisoner of conscience denied medical care |
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Written by AI
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Saturday, 01 May 2010 |
Filep Karma is in need of urgent medical care. He has been seriously
ill since August 2009. A recent medical report recommended that he
undergo further treatment in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. However,
the prison authorities have told him they cannot fund his medical
treatment. Filep Karma, a 50-year-old prisoner of conscience at Abepura
Prison in the Indonesian province of Papua, has been in prison since
December 2004. He had suffered from health problems before his arrest
but the conditions at the prison and the refusal of the authorities to
provide adequate medical care have exacerbated his conditions. In
August 2009, he had complained of intense pain in the lower abdomen,
difficulty in urinating and testicular swelling. Further medical tests
confirmed that he was suffering from bronchopneumonia, excess fluid in
the lungs, urinary tract infection and various other medical problems.
In the medical report the doctor recommended that he receive further
treatment in Jakarta, but prison authorities have refused to send him
due to a lack of funds. If untreated the conditions could be
potentially life threatening. Amnesty International believes the denial
of medical care to Filep Karma may amount to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment.
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Dozens of groups want peace talks with Jakarta |
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Written by FdN
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Wednesday, 21 April 2010 |
The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNLC) said dozens of organizations in the restive province of Papua demanded talks with the central government to find peaceful solutions for separatist and human rights’ violation issues. “Papua wants to communicate with the government to resolve challenges in Papua,” West Papua Military Council spokesman and WPNLC member Jonah Wenda said in Jayapura, Papua. “We are just waiting for the government to set the date.” He was accompanied by other WPNLC members, Yahamak tribe members A.S. Kailele and S.M. Paiki, and a number of well-known Papuan figures. Jonah claimed 30 organizations in Papua, affiliated with the WPNLC, wished to hold peace talks with the central government in Jakarta, mediated by a third party. The WPNLC was formed because there was a need for a body to discuss pressing issues, said Kailele, who was jailed in Kalisosok in East Java for raising a separatist flag in Papua, which is regarded as a subversive act.
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