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1) EU URGES INDONESIA TO ALLOW ACCESS TO INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS IN PAPUA

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1) EU URGES INDONESIA TO ALLOW ACCESS TO INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS IN PAPUA


2) Influence of Vatican II on missionary work in Asmat

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http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1833

1) EU URGES INDONESIA TO ALLOW ACCESS TO INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS IN PAPUA


Ana Maria Gomez, one of EU Parliament member who signed the letter (rigth), with Victor Mambor, Chairperson of The Alliance of Independent Journalist on West Papua (Jubi)


Jayapura, 31/3 (Jubi) – Members of  European Union parliament urged Indonesia to allow  independent observers including those from the EU and the United Nations to monitor elections in Papua.
Sixteen members of EU parliament have sent a letter to the EU High Representatives for Foreign and Security Affairs, Catherine Ashton following a hearing on Papua in January and the parliament’s vote on a memorandum of understanding between Indonesia and the European Union. The parliament members asked Ashton to push Indonesia to actively begin a dialogue process with the people of West Papua as an effort to resolve the conflict peacefully as demanded by some activists in Papua and Jakarta.
The parliament members also asked Indonesia to provide access for independent observers including the observers from the EU and the UN Human Rights Council and to protect the freedom of the local media in Papua.
Leonidas Donskis, an EU  parliament member from Finland, wrote to Jubi on Monday (30/3) that the letter also urged Indonesia to release all political prisoners and to end the practice of accusing Papuans involved in peaceful political activities of treason.
The European Union parliament also expressed strong support for reforms in Indonesia to ensure that security forces responsible to the human rights violations would brought to justice by reforming the military court system.
“Local NGOs have reported that the Indonesian Army continues to commit atrocities against civilians in West Papua while some European Union member countries are selling weapons to Indonesia. It is not possible to monitor whether those weapons have been used against civilians since there is limited access to Papua,” wrote Donskis.
The letter to Ashton, a copy of which was received by Jubi on Saturday (29/3), also mentioned that several articles of Special Autonomy Law have been violated. Other government initiatives such as the establishment of the Development Acceleration Unit for Papua and West Papua (UP4B) and the proposed draft of Special Autonomy Plus Law involved very few indigenous people, it said.
The letter said Jakarta’s approach to the situation of West Papua only revolves around economic issues and budgets were mostly spent on health services and education but health and education facilities were not well functioning. It also noted that people who express their political opinions  and exercise freedom of speech peacefully have subjected to persecution and some activists have been arrested and sentenced to up to 20 years in jail.
The parliament members also expressed concerns that foreign observers and humanitarian and rights organizations as well as independent journalists have been banned from visiting and faced serious restrictions in Papua. Human rights organizations and the Church continuously report about extrajudicial killings, tortures and detention and limited access of education and health services for the indigenous Papuans, the letter said.
The European Union parliament has invited Mr. Norman Vos from the International Coalition for Papua, Ms. Zelly Ariane for National Papua Solidarity and Mr. Victor Mambor from the Alliance for Independent Journalist of Kota Jayapura to speak about the current issues of Papua on 23 January 2014. (Jubi/Benny Mawel/rom)


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https://aapress.com/arts/influence-of-vatican-ii-on-missionary-work-in-asmat/

2) Influence of Vatican II on missionary work in Asmat


Asmat artwork titled ”Painted mat” by artist Efarista Tojakap, of Erma village in the Unir Sirau region. Materials: sago palm frond, lime white, ocher, soot, clix seeds, quill. Size: 69 x 58.5 cm (27.2 x 23 in). Purchased in Agats during the 2011 Asmat Cultural Festival. American Museum of Asmat Art (U of St. Thomas photo)
St. Paul, Minn. (March 26, 2014) — How the Second Vatican Council influenced the work of American Crosier missionaries in a remote region of Papua, Indonesia, especially in connection with the art and culture of the Asmat people who live there, is examined in in the American Museum of Asmat Art’s latest exhibition at the University of St. Thomas.
The Second Vatican Council, which closed in 1965, promoted religious dialog and supported anthropological efforts to understand and work with Asmat cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs.
The exhibition, “Museums and Mission: American Crosiers in Asmat and the Spirit of Vatican II,” is free and open to the public and can be seen April 1 through Dec. 19 in The Gallery, located on the second floor of the Anderson Student Center on the university’s St. Paul campus.
A reception with the six graduate art history students who curated the exhibition will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, April 7, at The Gallery.  The students are Bret Campion, Angela Daniels, Tongtong Guo, Kathryn Joy, Chelsea Lynch and Dakota Passariello. They developed the exhibition as part a graduate seminar taught last semester by American Museum of Asmat Art director Dr. Julie Risser.
The exhibition also includes seven photographs of Asmat life taken last fall by Joshua Irwandi from Indonesia. He is pursuing a master’s in photojournalism and documentary photography at the London College of Communications. Irwandi will discuss “Covering Asmat” in a 4 p.m. talk Tuesday, April 8, in Room 202 of the Anderson Student Center. The talk is geared toward students who hope to travel and do research, whether in Asmat or other regions, and will address practical and ethical issues involved with photographing other cultures.
Asmat Drum (Em), carved by Konpas, Daikot Village, Yupmakcain Region. Softwood, rattan, lizard skin. Collected in 1969, gift of Bishop Alphonse Sowada. (U of St. Thomas photo)
The Asmat people inhabit a remote region of Papua, Indonesia. Thet are known for their traditional and contemporary carvings.
The Asmat live in several hundred villages that are located in tidal and freshwater swamps and lowland rainforests. The challenges of reaching this part of southwestern Papua meant the Asmat had little contact with the outside world until the 1950s.
The American Crosier Fathers and Brothers began collecting Asmart art when they first arrived in Papua 60 years ago. They established the Asmat Museum of Culture and Progress in the Papua city of Agats. Much of the collection then moved to the Crosier Art Museum in Hastings, Neb., and later to Shoreview, Minn. In 2007 more than 1,400 pieces came to St. Thomas, a gift of the American Crosier Fathers and Brothers and the Diocese of Agats.
The collection, one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the United States, has since grown to more than 2,000 pieces and includes finely crocheted masks, intricately carved shields, long “spirit canoes” and tall ancestor or bisj poles. The St. Thomas-based American Museum of Asmat Art is the only one that has continued to purchase art directly from Asmat artists in recent years.
“One essential goal of the Crosier mission work in Asmat was to create programming that would contribute to teaching skills needed to engage successfully with the international world, a force that was rapidly entering their society,” Risser said. “Promoting carved and woven works by master carvers and weavers emerged as a viable way to engage with the international cash economy as well as affirm respect for the rich Asmat culture.”
Items selected by the students for the exhibition include drums, carved sculptures, digging sticks, nose pieces, arm bands, decorated fiber objects and bowls.
An Asmat boy throwing a net into a river. This is one of seven images of Asmat life taken by Joshua Irwandi, of Indonesia, that are part of the St. Thomas exhibition.
Also included is a video loop featuring interviews with Crosier missionaries who served in Agats. In a 2011 interview about the sacred nature of drums, Father Dave Gallus commented: “It is through the carving that the ancestor is remembered. So the drum has a name, usually. And when you use the drum, the ancestor is also present.”
In addition to the museum at St. Thomas, large collections of Asmat art and artifacts can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. In 2009, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts displayed 72 pieces from the St. Thomas collection during a four-month exhibition. Some art historians believe that Asmat art influenced modernist and surrealist Western artists such as Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso.
Exhibition hours are: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays; and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends.  More information is available at (651) 962-5512 and on the Department of Art History website at www.stthomas.edu/arthistory

Media release Free all West Papuan political Prisoners

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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)


Media release 1 April  2014

Free all West Papuan political Prisoners

On the 2nd April West Papuan solidarity groups are holding  a day of action calling on the Indonesian Government to free all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally. Rallies are being held in various cities around the world. AWPA has written to the Indonesian President calling for the release of the more than 70 Papuan political prisoners incarcerated  in West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said  "It is of great concern that the human rights situation in West Papua is deteriorating as the increase in political prisoners indicate. Papuans Behind Bars in their January 2013 update stated that  “At the end of January 2013 there were 33 political prisoners in Papuan jails.” In its February 2014 update it stated that, “there were at least 76 political prisoners in Papuan jails”
AWPA is calling on the Indonesian Government to release all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people. A number of articles in the Indonesian Criminal Code such as article 106 is used to stigmatize West Papuans as separatists when in fact all they are doing is using their democratic right to freedom of expression.   We  call on the Indonesian Government to amend or repeal those articles of the Indonesian Criminal Code that have been used to imprison West Papuans for their legitimate peaceful activities.

AWPA will also write to the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs urging that she raise the plight of West Papuan political prisoners with the Indonesian Government urging their unconditionally.




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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088


Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono 
President of the Republic of Indonesia 
Istana Merdeka, Jakarta 10110
Indonesia

1 April 2014

Dear President Yudhoyono ,  

   
On behalf of the Australia West Papua Association in Sydney I am writing to you concerning the large number of political prisoners incarcerated  in West Papua. AWPA uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea. 

It is of great concern that the human rights situation in West Papua is deteriorating as the increase in political prisoners indicate. Papuans Behind Bars in their January 2013 update stated that  “At the end of January 2013 there were 33 political prisoners in Papuan jails.” In its February 2014 update it stated that, “there were at least 76 political prisoners in Papuan jails”.  Papuans Behind Bars is a collective project initiated by Papuan civil society groups working together with Indonesian and International organisations which focuses on the plight of political prisoners in West Papua.

Throughout the past year the security forces in West Papua have been cracking down on peaceful rallies called by civil society organisations to celebrate days of significant in their history and to bring attention to the worsening human rights situation in the territory.  Many of the rallies called by civil society groups were banned by the security forces although permits had been applied for permission to hold the rallies.  It is unfortunate that the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) does not appear to apply in West Papua.

As recently as the 11 February 2014, the district court of Biak sentenced five Papuans to jail terms of between 20 months and three years simply because they were involved in a rally on the 1 May 2013 where the Morning Star flag was raised. A number of peaceful rallies were called on the 1 May 2013 to commemorate the tragic event of 50 years ago when West Papua was handed over by UNTEA to Indonesian administration. During the rallies on the 1 May two people were killed and three seriously wounded in the town of Sorong.  The police shot and killed two protesters on the 30 April as they prepared to mark the 50th anniversary of the handover. Another activist who was also shot died of her wounds in hospital on the 6 May.   In Timika fifteen people were arrested for simply raising their national flag, The Morning Star and six were arrested in Biak. In the town of Fakfak, the police hauled down the Morning Star flag which had been raised in a local school. Local people were also intimidated by the security forces during these rallies.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay expressed concern in relation to the crackdown on the demonstrations stating   “These latest incidents are unfortunate examples of the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression and excessive use of force in Papua,” and. “I urge the Government of Indonesia to allow peaceful protest and hold accountable those involved in abuses.” and
“There has not been sufficient transparency in addressing serious human rights violations in Papua,” she said, urging Indonesia to allow international journalists into Papua and to facilitate visits by the Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council.


One of the most well known Papuan political prisoner internationally is Filep Karma. Filep was one of the organisers of a peaceful rally in December 2004 where the Morning Star flag was raised.  He was arrested and sentenced to   fifteen years in jail. Amnesty International considers Filep Karma to be a prisoner of conscience who has been imprisoned solely for the peaceful and legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

We congratulate the Indonesian Government on the great progress it has made towards democracy. However, the oppression of the West Papuan people is being noted by the international community. Since the beginning of the year security sweeps have occurred in various regions including the Yapen Islands and Puncak Jaya regions causing fear in the local people.

AWPA urges the Indonesian Government to release all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

We also note that a number of articles in the Indonesian Criminal Code such as article 106 is used to stigmatize West Papuans as separatists when in fact all they are doing is using their democratic right to freedom of expression. We urge  the Indonesian Government to amend or repeal those articles of the Indonesian Criminal Code that have been used to imprison West Papuans for their legitimate peaceful activities.

Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)



1) Green MP 'stands in' for West Papuan prisoners

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1)  Green MP 'stands in' for West Papuan prisoners

2) Prabowo win could harm  RI-US ties: Analyst
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2) Green MP 'stands in' for West Papuan prisoners

Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty will tomorrow lend her support to the international day of action for West Papuan prisoners.
Ms Delahunty will participate in a vigil at lunchtime outside the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington to highlight the many injustices that are currently occurring in Indonesian-controlled West Papua.
According to data from Papuans Behind Bars, the number of political arrests in Indonesian-controlled West Papua more than doubled in 2013 as compared with the previous year, and reports of torture and ill-treatment of political detainees have also increased.
Participants - such as Ms Delahunty - will be ‘standing in’ for Papuan political prisoners, and will be cuffed and gagged.
"New Zealanders need to be aware of the many human rights violations that are occurring in our region," Ms Delahunty said.
"In Indonesian-controlled West Papua, simple acts such as raising the West Papuan Morning Star flag can result in lengthy jail terms.
"We need to keep advancing human rights issues with Indonesia if we are to have a peaceful and stable Aotearoa/New Zealand and region.
"West Papua is an issue that we as a nation could do far more on.
"A good start would be the New Zealand Government cancelling any support and training for the West Papuan Police force until all political prisoners currently held are freed."


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3) Prabowo win could harm  RI-US ties: Analyst
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Tue, April 01 2014, 11:01 PM
The victory of Prabowo Subianto in the upcoming presidential election might harm Indonesia-US ties following a New York Times report saying that his candidacy has raised deep concerns among rights activists in Indonesia and abroad.
“If a high-ranking official – in this case is at a level of a president – is rejected by the US, this will eventually influence Indonesia-US relationships, including their consequences in Asia Pacific geostrategies,” said Alfan Alfian, a political analyst from the University of National (Unas), on Tuesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.
It was unlikely that the worsening of Indonesia-US relations would lead to the pulling of US assets in Indonesia, however, he further said.
Alfan said that the US still needed Indonesia to prevent invasions by China, deemed as its heavy rival in the Asia Pacific.
“I think it will not go that far because the US still needs Indonesia as its strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, we are now living in the Asia-Pacific century, which is marked by mounting rivalries between the US and China,” he said.
Alfan said the upcoming presidential election was a domestic affair, therefore the US should not intervene on the matter.
“Objections against Prabowo have become a classic issue. Prabowo is now still a presidential candidate but if he is elected as president, the situation could be different. It could be that he is not rejected,” said Alfan.
The article, titled “Indonesia Candidate Tied to Human Rights Abuses Stirs Unease” by Joe Cochrane, published on March 26, stated that rights activists in Indonesia and abroad raised deep concerns over Prabowo’s candidacy on his alleged involvement in rights violations in the past.
“They note that the country’s human rights commission recommended that he be prosecuted in the alleged abductions of pro-democracy activists in the late 1990s, during the final months of the military-backed government of president Soeharto, his father-in-law at the time,” it said. (idb/ebf)

1) police break up peaceful rally in Jayapura

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1) police break up peaceful rally in Jayapura
2) NZ protesters call for release of W Papuan political prisoners

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1) police break up peaceful rally in Jayapura


A google translate of article in Majalah Selangkah. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at 

Armed Police Disband Demo Complete Back - Papuan Peace SMPTN
 Author : Admin MS | Wednesday, April 2, 2014 09:21 Viewed : 399 Comments : 1


Police in Papua with its attributes while going down the road dissolve any peaceful demonstration by the people and , students. Photo : Ist .


Jayapura , STEP MAGAZINE - Today, Wednesday ( 2/4 ) , Student Care Prisoners Solidarity Napol ( Political Prisoners ) Papua consisting of students from various universities in Jayapura , held a peaceful demonstration at the release of Prisoners / Napol of the entire prison Indonesian Papua .

They demo at some point . In Uncen Down, and Uncen Top . As planned , today , the demo starts at 08.00 Papua time .

At 11:30 , the police composite of some units come fully armed action that is mass disperse students protesting peacefully .

Tough argument occurs between armed police and students with mouthpiece microphone in one hand .

The police then forcibly dispersed students who use their freedom to express their opinions , to democracy , to peace .

Police fired several shots , and move forward the delivery of student opinion silencing efforts to liberate Prisoners / Napol Papua .

Police later occupied by armed Uncen gate , and remained at that point for a long time .

The police had also issued a four-letter words to the students .

" Elementary students Bodok , " shouted the cop pulling a shot . Some students provoked emotions and pelted the police with stones .

Majalahselangkah.com observation , students confused and panic over the peaceful attempts to argue that they were immediately silenced by armed police . Residents panicked about Housing III , especially after hearing the shots .

When the news was revealed , the state is still not conducive . Students were forced to enter the campus again , run away, as confronted with guns at the ready . There is a student newspaper were arrested , but it is still not clear . Conditions less safe . ( HY / CB / MS )


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2) NZ protesters call for release of W Papuan political prisoners

Originally aired on Dateline Pacific, Wednesday 2 April 2014

Protesters in New Zealand join international action calling on Indonesia to release West Papua's political prisoners.
Duration:  3′ 2″ 

TRANSCRIPT

Protesters in New Zealand have joined international action urging Indonesia to release West Papua's political prisoners.
According to the group, Papuans Behind Bars, at least 76 political prisoners are being held in jails in West Papua.
A vigil will be held in Auckland tonight while activists in Wellington gathered outside the Indonesian Embassy this afternoon.
Our reporter Amelia Langford was at the Wellington protest.
The small group held photos of Papuan political prisoners and remained silent with their hands bound as a sign of solidarity with those imprisoned. Green Party MP, Catherine Delahunty, who took part in the protest, says people in West Papua have been jailed for exercising their basic democratic rights.
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY: These political prisoners really need our support, they are alone in a country with no independent media, they are alone in a country with no Red Cross, they are alone in a country where there are no civil or human rights maintained by the government.
Catherine Delahunty gives the example of Filep Karma who was jailed for 15 years for raising the West Papuan Morning Star flag. She describes West Papua as the Palestine of the South Pacific and says the New Zealand Government should take action.
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY: The very least New Zealand could do is call on Indonesia to set these prisoners free, they are not criminals, they are political prisoners who should be set free, and New Zealand should stop funding the training programme for the police in West Papua instead of which, where they they should be calling on Indonesia to stop the human rights abuses.
Another Green MP, Eugenie Sage, says the environmental impact of Indonesian rule in West Papua is also a concern.
EUGENIE SAGE: We have a right to freedom of speech here, we can express our views on anything, we can stand and protest, they do not have that right in West Papua, the environmental damage that's occurring under the Indonesian regime, the inability of people to have a voice and protest about that is why I am here.
The Wellington protest was a small crowd, with a turnout of only a handful of people. But one of the protesters, Julianne Leggett, says New Zealanders would be shocked if they knew more about West Papua.
JULIANNE LEGGETT: I think it is outrageous the way the people of West Papua are being treated - their aspirations for political autonomy are being legitimately expressed through peaceful protest.
Another protester, Gabrielle George, says a lot of young people don't know anything about West Papua.
GABRIELLE GEORGE: The fact that not many people know about it, and the fact that the information is so stifled from within Indonesia, so it is important to make it public, make it more widespread throughout New Zealand, and for young people as well to know that so close to us, there is injustice going on.
Gabrielle George says she is hopeful that her actions can help West Papua and points to East Timor's independence after years of protest over Indonesian occupation. Protests outside Indonesian embassies are taking place around the world, including London and Australia.

1) Peaceful demo Demand Release 76 Prisoners of Papua , Police Arrest 2 Students

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1) Peaceful demo Demand Release 76 Prisoners of Papua , Police Arrest 2 Students

2) Protestors call for the release of Papuan political prisoners in Indonesia

3) REGION: International day of action to free West Papuan prisoners

4) Komnas HAM forced to assess  presidential hopefuls

5) London: Protest to call for the release of Papuan Political Prisoners

6) Activists call for release of West Papuan 'political prisoners'

7) INDONESIA: Police officers in Nabire assault three Papuans over a petty fight

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A google translate of article in Majalah Selangkah. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at 

1) Peaceful demo Demand Release 76 Prisoners of Papua , Police Arrest 2 Students
 Author : Yermias Degei | Wednesday, April 2, 2014 23:24 Viewed : 145 Comments : 0
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Illustration . Photo : www.antara - sulawesiselatan.com

Jayapura , STEP MAGAZINE - City Police ( Police ) arrest 2 students Jayapura Papua , Alfares Kapisa ( 25 ) and Yali Wenda ( 20 ) in a peaceful demonstration that was held Prisoner Solidarity Student Care ( Political Prisoners ) University of Papua in front of gate of Paradise ( Uncen ) Waena , Jayapura , on Wednesday ( 02.04.14 ) .

The demonstration was held students from various colleges in Jayapura in order to request the release of 76 Papuan Prisoners languishing in a prison in the Papua .

Alfares Kapisa , medical students and colleagues Yali Uncen Wenda were arrested in the forced dissolution by armed police in front of the gate Uncen at around 10:30 local time .
Furthermore , these two students were taken to Papua Jayapura Police Station for interrogation .

" We're at the Police . Their two ( Alfares Kapisa and Yali Wenda : red ) is being interrogated . Alfares got intimidated until the wounds on the left cheek . Disbursement of blood makes her alma mater jacket filled with blood . Similarly Yali Wenda wounds in the head , "said human rights activist Papua , Elias Petege to majalahselangkah.com this afternoon via cell phone .

No Access to Meet

Coordinating Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence ( KontraS ) Papua , Olga Helena Hamadi and Pastor Dora Balubun has been in the Police around 18:30 local time at the request of colleagues and the 2 students . However , their arrival in vain . They do not get access to see 2 students .

To majalahselangkah.com , via short message , Olga says , " Say no visible anywhere . Then , I phone the police chief , but he said they again check so it can not meet . I be surprised , too, when they two are not in the crease , there possibility 2 students can be at . "

" We do not dberi access to meet , so we went home . Fact , we came here at the request of his friends and two parents of these students , " said Olga .

Related arrests and the access restrictions , majalahselangkah.com contact the Head of the Papua Police spokesman , Senior Commissioner Drs Sulistyo Pudjo , but the phone is off . Forced , majalalahselangkah.com send a short message to confirm , but up to this writing there has been no reply .

Until this story was written , Alfares Kapisa and Yali Wenda still detained in the Jayapura Police Station . ( Yermias Degei / MS )



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2) Protestors call for the release of Papuan political prisoners in Indonesia

By agency reporter
2 Apr 2014
Around 100 protestors demonstrated today (2 April) outside the Indonesian embassy in London to call for the unconditional and immediate release of all Papuan political prisoners.
Seventy-six of the protestors were handcuffed and had their mouths taped shut to represent the 76 political prisoners currently being held in Indonesian prisons.
The protest was organized by Tapol, Survival International, Amnesty International and the Free West Papua Campaign.
According to data from Papuans Behind Bars, the number of political arrests more than doubled in 2013 compared to the previous year, and reports of torture and ill treatment of political detainees have increased. West Papua’s tribal people continue to be arrested for peaceful activities and are often charged with treason or incitement, which can carry lengthy prison sentences.
A demonstration today in West Papua about political prisoners was dispersed by the police who fired warning shots. Two students have been arrested.
Wiki Meaga was arrested in November 2010 while he was on the way to the funeral of a relative who had become ill after being tortured by the police. Meaga and eight other Papuans were accused of raising the banned Morning Star flag before they left their village in the Papuan highlands. It is believed that they were tortured after their arrest. Six of the men were found guilty of ‘treason’ and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. The fate of the other three men is unknown.
Dominikus Surabut, a Papuan activist, writer and documentary film maker who was arrested in 2011 sent a message to the protestors in London, saying: "I can’t be with you in person today because I am in jail, but my soul and my spirit are with you. United and strong we will overcome."
Nixiwaka Yawanawá, a Yawanawá Indian from the Brazilian Amazon, who joined Survival International to speak out for indigenous rights also participated in the protest. He said: "As an Amazon Indian I can understand the Papuans’ fight for freedom and justice. The Papuan tribes have suffered racism and violence at the hands of the Indonesian government for over 50 years; this inhumane action has to stop immediately."
Indonesia has occupied Papua (the western half of the island of New Guinea) since 1963, and more than 100,000 Papuans are believed to have been killed since then.
Survival’s Director Stephen Corry said today: "This is an excellent example of why the current vogue amongst some American ‘popular science’ writers for claiming that the ‘peaceful’ state pacifies ‘violent’ tribes is nonsense. Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua has only been secured through the killing and torture of tens of thousands of tribespeople, who object to their new colonisers. It is one of the world’s longest-standing, and under-reported, gross violations of human rights."
[Ekk/4]


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3) REGION: International day of action to free West Papuan prisoners


Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Item: 8538
AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch / Radio Australia / Radio NZ International / Free West Papua Campaign): Protesters have taken to the streets and the gates of Indonesian embassies in West Papua, Australia and New Zealand as part of Global Day of action to free West Papuan prisoners.
At least four protests took place today on the global day. Indigenous Papuans and Malukans continue to be arrested for peaceful activities such as raising the Papuan Morning Star flag or attending demonstrations and public events that  express dissent.

Radio Australia reported today that there was "growing community awareness about the human rights abuses by the Indonesian military in West Papua", while Radio New Zealand International said a protest had taken place in Wellington.
According to RNZI, Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty, said the New Zealand government must do more to free the prisoners.
"The very least New Zealand could do is call on Indonesia to set these prisoners free, they are not criminals, they are political prisoners who should be set free, and New Zealand should stop funding the training programme for the police in West Papua instead of which, where they should be calling on Indonesia to stop the human rights abuses" Delahunty told RNZI.

West Papua Independence Media reported that a protest had happened in Port Numbay/Jayapura, the capital city of West Papua, while in Melbourne, a demonstration was planned for Tuesday evening, to call for the release of the 77 Papuan and Malukan Political Prisoners held in Indonesian prisons.

Ian Okoka, a Melbourne-based Papuan independence activist, said: “Papuans are losing their right to freely express themselves and many have fled to the jungle for fear of being put in jail.

"Papuans who are seeking independence for Papua through peaceful means are facing threats of arrest and violent intimidation by security forces. Often those arrested, are charged with treason or incitement which can carry lengthy prison sentences."

The West Papuan democratically elected Prime Minister, Edison Waromi, is also in prison. Shortly after the 2011 Third Papuan Congress, Indonesian soldiers stormed the congregation and arrested Waromi along with President Forkorus Yaboisembut.

In March 2012 Waromi, along with four others, known as the “Jayapura 5”, were put on trial for treason and are currently serving a three-year sentence.

Waromi today released a message from prison calling on the United Nations to "prioritise West Papua on its agenda and mediate the political status of West Papua between Indonesia and West Papua" and for Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and TAPOL to conduct investigations into human rights violations in West Papua.

Waromi also called for "real action to end the republic of Indonesia’s colonial occupation of West Papua".
Maire Leadbeater of West Papua Action Auckland said the number of political arrests in Indonesian-controlled West Papua had more than doubled in 2013 compared with the previous year, and reports of torture and ill-treatment of political detainees had also increased.

Joe Collins of the Australia West Papua Association of Sydney said the Indonesian government must release all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

"A number of articles in the Indonesian Criminal Code such as article 106 is used to stigmatize West Papuans as separatists when in fact all they are doing is using their democratic right to freedom of expression. We  call on the Indonesian government to amend or repeal those articles of the Indonesian Criminal Code that have been used to imprison West Papuans for their legitimate peaceful activities" Collins said.
The solidarity groups reported that other demonstrations would be held in London, The Hague, Edinburgh and West Papua.
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4) Komnas HAM forced to assess  presidential hopefuls

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will take an active role in assessing the human rights records of presidential and vice presidential candidates contesting the 2014 election, to encourage the country’s eligible voters to choose pro-human rights leaders in July.

The commission will gather leaders from each of the political parties contesting the upcoming elections at a meeting at its headquarters in Central Jakarta on Thursday to thoroughly discuss the parties’ human rights platforms. Komnas HAM also plans to demand a commitment from each of the parties to address the country’s many unresolved human rights violation cases.

“It can be predicted that all the political parties will normatively say that they uphold human rights. However, we want to carefully examine their respective stances on critical issues, from the protection of minority groups in the country to the resolution of past human rights violations, which have so far been ignored,” Komnas HAM commissioner Roichatul Aswidah said on Monday.

Roichatul, who is also the leader of Komnas HAM’s team on the settlement of past human rights violations, highlighted the urgency of a thorough assessment of parties’ human rights platforms, as well as their presidential hopefuls, particularly as the issue of human rights was often portrayed as a form of “foreign intervention”.

“The 1945 Constitution includes human rights values. Thus, it cannot be denied that human rights are an important issue for the next president, whoever that person may be, to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights values in the country,” she said.

“It is crucially important to make sure that whoever is elected president has a comprehensive and thorough understanding of human rights values and, most importantly, has not been involved in human rights violations,” she emphasized.

Komnas HAM revealed its decision to actively examine presidential hopefuls after several NGOs launched similar initiatives.

Komnas HAM newly elected chairman, Hafid Abbas, had previously insisted that the institution would refrain from assessing the human rights records of presidential candidates, despite calls from rights activists, arguing that it was not Komnas HAM’s duty to do so.

“It is not included in the mandate granted to us by the law. Under my leadership, Komnas HAM will not comply with rights campaigners’ demands,” Hafid said recently.

Hafid’s predecessor, Siti Noor Laila, had also stated that assessing the human rights records of presidential hopefuls would only engage Komnas HAM in “practical politics”, which according to Siti, should be avoided in order to maintain the commission’s neutrality.

Rights campaigners suspected that Komnas HAM’s hitherto reluctance to conduct a hands-on assessment of presidential candidates’ human rights track records was due to infighting within Komnas HAM, interpreted as an attempt to weaken the rights institution.

Their suspicions increased following the revelation that the wife of Komnas HAM’s current leader was a legislative candidate for the Gerindra Party, whose patron, Prabowo Subianto, has been named the party’s presidential candidate.

Prabowo, a former head of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus), has been accused of ordering the torture and kidnapping of activists during the May riots in 1998, which triggered the fall of then-president Soeharto’s New Order regime. Nine of the activists were released alive; but many others from the era are still missing and presumed dead.

In 2003, Komnas HAM released the results of an investigation, which found that Prabowo and Wiranto, chairman and presidential hopeful of the Hanura Party, as well as several other military officials, were responsible for human rights abuses committed during the 1998 riots. Wiranto was at the time commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Komnas HAM submitted its findings to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), which has so far refused to take further action, arguing that Komnas HAM’s findings lacked evidence.

Roichatul gave her assurances that Komnas HAM’s involvement in assessing presidential hopefuls was not intended to “smear” certain individuals, particularly Prabowo and Wiranto, as some might suspect.

“They will quickly defend themselves, and it is their right to do so. However, their names will never be disassociated from those incidents unless the government follows up on Komnas HAM’s findings. It is urgent to clarify what actually happened,” she emphasised.
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5) London: Protest to call for the release of Papuan Political Prisoners

photos at

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6) Activists call for release of West Papuan 'political prisoners'

Updated 2 April 2014, 14:36 AEST
April 2 is a Global Day of action to call for the release of more than 70 political prisoners reportedly held in the Indonesian province of Papua.
From London to Auckland, there's growing community awareness about the human rights abuses by the Indonesian military in West Papua.
Peaceful campaigns such as "Rize of the Morning Star " use music and social media to keep the momentum going.
Isabelle Genoux discussed the fine line between culture and politics with West Papuan independence advocate Ronny Kareni at the "Rize of the Morning Star photo exhibition" at the Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival recently held in Melbourne.
Presenter: Isabelle Genoux
Speaker: Ronny Kareni, West Papua independence advocate
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             7) INDONESIA: Police officers in Nabire assault three Papuans over a petty fight

April 2, 2014
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-047-2014

2 April 2014
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INDONESIA: Police officers in Nabire assault three Papuans over a petty fight
ISSUES: Arbitrary arrest & detention; inhuman & degrading treatment; police violence; torture
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Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the attack by members of the Mobile Brigade of the Nabire District Police on three Papuans in Nabire. The Papuans were attacked following a petty dispute between them and the officers at Kalibobo futsal pitch. One of the Papuans was stabbed in his back with a bayonet whereas two others were taken to the police station. One of them was stabbed with a bayonet in his left eye brow.
CASE NARRATIVE: 


1) Scholar says Papuans should lead local response to HIV/AIDS

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1) Scholar says Papuans should lead local response to HIV/AIDS

2) KontraS : We Liberation Prisoners Support / Napol Papua

3) Reports of shots fired at protest in West Papua

4) Editorial: Parties Fail to Stand Up for Human Rights

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/240667/scholar-says-papuans-should-lead-local-response-to-hiv-aids

1) Scholar says Papuans should lead local response to HIV/AIDS

Updated at 4:44 pm today


An Australian researcher says NGOs led by indigenous Papuans should play a bigger role in the response to HIV/AIDS in the Indonesian province.
Jenny Munro is a cultural anthropologist at the Australian National University, and been involved in recent studies on HIV/AIDS in West Papua.
She says government studies have shown HIV affects about 2.5 percent of the indigenous population, although some scholars believe it could be much worse.
That compares to about 1.8 percent of the migrant Indonesian population.
Ms Munro says one of the factors is that most Papuans tend to live in rural areas.
"There really are very limited HIV information and testing and treatment services outside major cities, another big issue is that sort of the Indonesian perspective and international models often put forward by donors are still setting the agenda so to speak."
Jenny Munro says Papuan NGOs have the community links and cultural expertise to deliver more effective prevention and treatment programmes.

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A google translate of article in Majalah Selangkah. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at
2) KontraS : We Liberation Prisoners Support / Napol Papua
 Author : Frances Therese Tekege | Wednesday, April 2, 2014 19:17 Read: 247 Comments : 0
Share:



When the news conference . Photo : Ist .

Jayapura , STEP MAGAZINE - Commission for missing persons and victims of violence ( KontraS ) Papua supporting action by some countries for the release of Prisoners / Napol in Papua .

It is delivered Olga Hamadi , directress Papuans told reporters at a press conference in the office of contrast Abepura , Jayapura , on Wednesday ( 02 / 04 ) .

" From year to year there are only Papuans were arrested simply for expressing the aspirations of the people , freedom of expression , the rights of the public to voice and criticize inappropriate state policies , while Indonesia has ratified covenants state and national politics later elaborated in Article 28 UUD 1945 amended , and Act No. 9 of 1998 on freedom of expression , " said Olga .
 
He continued , " Until now there are 76 recorded political prisoners who are undergoing the process of criminal law and in Jayapura , Serui , Biak , Timika , Wamena , Nabire , Manokwari and Sorong. "

And predictable , this process will continue if the approach and state policies that continue to promote this repressive approach to security is maintained.

" We are also grateful to the support and the spotlight of the international community on the issue of silencing democracy in Papua and also the issue of the release of Prisoners / Napol in Papua , " said Olga again .

Such support , said Olga , has been evidenced by the letters of support were submitted for as many as 2,567 political prisoners letters .

"In addition , there is support for the action of 5 countries conducted 2 April 2014 in London who support the liberation of Prisoners / Napol in Papua , " said Olga . ( Teresa F. Tekege / MS )
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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/240576/reports-of-shots-fired-at-protest-in-west-papua

3) Reports of shots fired at protest in West Papua

Updated at 4:58 am today



There are reports emerging of heavily armed police breaking up a student protest in the Indonesian province of West Papua that was calling for the release of political prisoners.
The protest in West Papua's capital, Jayapura, is said to have begun at 8.30am local time, before armed police turned up 3 hours later to try and disperse the crowd.
The students retaliated by throwing stones at police.
The police retaliated by firing several shots, before the students fled.
No further information is currently available.

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4) Editorial: Parties Fail to Stand Up for Human Rights

By Jakarta Globe on 09:27 pm Apr 02, 2014
Category EditorialOpinion
With politicians currently crisscrossing the country on the campaign trail speaking to all-singing, all-dancing crowds of thousands, one subject is rarely touched upon, yet it is a subject that affects all of us. When it comes to human rights, our politicians, never normally short of a soundbite, have fallen strangely silent.
As a country, we have yet to address serious human rights abuses that stain our past. From the 1965-66 purge of suspected communists and the kidnapping and forced disappearances of student activists in Jakarta in 1998, to the murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib, the state stands accused of trampling on people’s rights and doing nothing to disclose the truth.
The abuses continue to this day. It seems like everywhere we look we see state officials and the elites violating our rights almost on a daily basis. Farmers lose their land to companies who often operate hand-in-glove with the local and central governments. If people try and stand up for their rights, the state security apparatus — the police or even the military — are sent in to prove that might is the only right that counts.
It is almost as if the powerful see it as their right to deprive the rest of society of their rights. Unfortunately, we have yet to hear any commitment from the 12 political parties contesting the April 9 election to addressing these issues. In fact, some politicians have even said human rights do not concern the public in general.
Such a foolish statement can be made by any politician and we urge Indonesians to not only refrain from voting for them but also to condemn them. We owe that to those who have fallen in the struggle for democracy and to future generations.

1) Int'l protesters demand democratic rights for Papuan prisoners

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1) Int'l protesters demand  democratic rights for Papuan  prisoners

2) Military Officers Have No Role in Indonesian Elections: Experts

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1) Int'l protesters demand  democratic rights for Papuan  prisoners
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Thu, April 03 2014, 5:33 PM
At least 100 protesters demanded the immediate release of 76 political prisoners in Papua outside the Indonesian Embassy in London, UK, on Wednesday, in a peaceful rally organized by TAPOL, Survival International and Amnesty International UK.
The protesters called on Indonesia’s political parties and candidates to state their support for basic democratic rights in Papua ahead of next week’s national legislative election. Similar rallies were held in Scotland, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and also in Jayapura, Papua.
The protesters, who represented each of the Papuan political prisoners currently behind bars, were symbolically handcuffed and taped across the mouth to highlight the silencing of free speech in Indonesia's easternmost province.
Papuan political prisoner Dominikus Surabut sent a message on Wednesday to April 2 protesters around the world from his cell in Abepura prison, Jayapura regency, saying, “Freedom and democracy cannot be killed or imprisoned. Its spirit is absolute. No person or state can defeat it. To all advocates of human rights and democracy: we cannot remain silent. We must join hands and spirits together to achieve democratic freedoms.”
Surabut was arrested on Oct. 19, 2011, and is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for his participation in a peaceful political gathering.
Despite widespread international concern about the political and human rights situation in Papua, Indonesian political parties have remained silent on what they can offer for a peaceful Papua. Some demonstrators challenged Indonesia's presidential candidates to take up the issue of Papua and explain their policies.
Protesters held placards reading: "Jokowi: Will you give free speech to Papua?" and "Bakrie: Will you release Papuan political prisoners?", referring to Jakarta Governor and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) presidential candidate Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Golkar Party chairman and presidential candidate Aburizal Bakrie.
In a letter to Indonesian Ambassador to the UK Teuku Mohammad Hamzah Thayeb, delivered on Wednesday, rally organizer TAPOL said 537 political arrests had been made in Papua in 2013, more than double the number of arrests in 2012. The number of reported cases of torture and ill-treatment in detention tripled, while the number of cases denying access to lawyers and unfair trials doubled.
The letter pointed out that the huge increase in arrests "is particularly disturbing in the run-up to the Indonesian national elections next week. The lack of democratic space in Papua means that the elections are largely irrelevant as far as many Papuans are concerned". (***)
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2) Military Officers Have No Role in Indonesian Elections: Experts

By Vita A.D. Busyra on 10:06 pm Apr 03, 2014


Jakarta. In recent years, the Indonesian political scene has come alive with a host of old and new faces introducing themselves to the public. But ahead of the elections, analysts have raised concerns over the participation of former members of the military in politics, which they warn could have negative implications for the country’s democratic process.
Edy Prasetyono, a researcher with the University of Indonesia’s Center for International Relations Studies (CIReS), said the participation or support of several military retirees on the political stage may negatively impact the public’s perception of the institution and prompt them to conclude that the military was failing to abide by the principle of political neutrality.
“Their contributions to various parties could cause ruptures in the military,” Edy said at a discussion on Tuesday, adding that this form of support might violate the military’s obligation to maintain its neutrality during elections.
This year’s elections sees People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) founder and retired Army general Wiranto, who was the last military commander under then-president Suharto, running for president, as well as another former Army general, Prabowo Subianto, the founder of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra).
Pramono Edhie Wibowo, who retired from his post as the Army chief of staff last year, is in the running as one of the Democratic Party’s possible presidential candidates.

Edy said that despite there being no prohibitions regarding former military officers’ involvement in the elections, their status as former members of the institution may still make their bids unethical.
“Because they carry the name of the military, it gives a ‘negative’ impression that the military is playing in politics,” he said. “We’re just trying to protect the military from misunderstanding.”
Edy said, however, that trying to restrict retired and active members of the institution may be a challenging task, especially if they were approached directly by the political parties. “They can’t be blamed because it’s not them who initiate the move but the parties who are trying hard to recruit prospective commanders or retired military officers as part of their jockeying,” he said.
He urged the country’s security forces not lapse back into the ways of Suharto’s New Order regime, when electoral fraud was committed publicly, such as announcing the winner before the election even began. “There is no such thing as a sacred election. Our demands for the security forces — the police, the intelligence community and the military — to be neutral is still far from reality,” Edy said.

He emphasized that the military had no role in encouraging the public to vote for a particular party or candidate and that it must also avoid the use of both physical and psychological intimidation. Last but not least, he warned that military members, who are not allowed to vote, should not take any orders from their commanding officers to recommend that their relatives, friends or associates support certain parties or candidates.
Military members are not the only ones prone to being involved in politics.
Kusnanto Anggoro, a military analyst and researcher for CIReS, said it was also important for the police to maintain their neutrality. “Police should show no favoritism because looking back at previous elections, many parties have questioned police officers’ activities,” he said.

Edy said the use of cardboard ballot boxes could increase the chances of violations in the voting process, with police officials being responsible for delivering the materials. He explained that during elections, police played the role of helping the General Elections Commission (KPU) secure, print, store and distribute the ballots.
Hariyadi Wirawan, another researcher, claimed that the upcoming election system was at risk of being manipulated due to the misuse of information technology. “In the past, fraud was done overtly, such as when prior to the elections, the information minister under Suharto would say that the Golkar Party had already won the polls by 62 percent. Today things are more sophisticated with things like smartphones and the internet,” he said.

1) BEFORE DISMISSING THE MASS, POLICE CALL THEM “ MONKEY”

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1) BEFORE DISMISSING THE MASS, POLICE CALL THEM “ MONKEY”

2) POLICE TORTURE STUDENT ACTIVISTS DURING 24-HOUR DETENTION

3) PAPUAN BROTHERHOOD URGES FREEPORT TO NORMALIZE OPERATIONS

4) PAPUA PROVINCE WILL STRENGTHEN MRP POWERS

5) TRANSMIGRATION PROGRAM NO LONGER IMPELMENTED IN PAPUA

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1) BEFORE DISMISSING THE MASS, POLICE CALL THEM “ MONKEY”


                                                       Some police officers were partly armed and barricaded roads (Jubi)

Jayapura , 2/4 ( Jubi ) – Members of the Students’ Solidarity Concern on political prisoners with Student Association Central Mountain were forcibly dispersed when they would hold a peaceful rally nearby campus gate of Cenderawasih University, Waena Jayapura , Papua on Wednesday afternoon ( 2/4).
The dismissal occurred when the protesters had been walking about 20 meters from a rallying point at the campus gate. Police officers who were on stand by junction blocked the road in order to stop the protesters who would like join other group.  Some police officers were partly armed and barricaded roads . From inside the barricade, could be heard,  a police officer said the word ” monkey ” three times to the mass.
Negotiation effort was done by one of the coordinators, yet was ignored a by the police unit chief. He firmly said ” If you keep walking, we’ll arrest, “.
Not too long ago, police arrested a coordinator and immediately secured in a vehicle that had been prepared. Protesters  who saw the arrest  spontaneously attacked by throwing rocks toward police officers. As a result, there was a backlash from the police by releasing several shots.
There is no update information whether any of the protesters was hit or not.( Jubi / Meki Wetipo/Tina )


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http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1894
2) POLICE TORTURE STUDENT ACTIVISTS DURING 24-HOUR DETENTION


Alfares at Dian Harapan Hospital, his face was bruised and swollen (Jubi)


Jayapura, 3/4 (Jubi) – Two students who were arrested by the Police on Wednesday (2/4) for leading a demonstration demanding the release of Papuan political prisoners said they were mistreated in detention.
“We were beaten like animals. Our bodies were covered with blood. The Police doctor visited us at midnight to clean us and examine the wounds,” Alfares Kapissa told Jubi on Thursday night (3/4) at Dian Harapan Hospital.
Kapissa and Yali Wenda were arrested by police for breaking an agreement with the police not to march during the protest. They were released at around 14:00 Papua time.

Jayapura Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Senior Alfred Papare said on Wednesday the student leaders were detained for questioning. The Police had 24 hours to detain or release if no charges were pressed.
The students said kicked them and hit them with rifle butts and rattan canes.
A resident of Jayapura Selatan sub-district who was in Jayapura Police headquarters said he saw the two students injured when he was hauled off the police vehicle.
“I saw their faces and bodies bruised and bleeding. I also saw an officer pointed a riffle butt asking whether they used it to beat the students. It might be a code between the police,” he said.

Yali’s ear being stitched after were wounded by police (IST)
When met Alfares at Dian Harapan Hospital, his face was bruised and swollen. “The doctor forced us to change our clothes to get rid of evidence. We were beaten from head to toe. My head was injured and I thought they broke my ribs,” he said while showing his wounds and blood spots on his head.
A Papuan human rights activist, Markus Haluk, said Yali Wenda was also injured on his ear. “Now they have difficulty sitting and eating. Their bodies are still trembling,” said Haluk.
The Chairman of Student Executive Board of Cenderawasih University, Yoan Wanbipman said they have sent a letter to the Papua Police Chief to set up a meeting. The meeting between the students, lecturers and the police is set for  Friday (4/4). (Jubi/Victor Mambor/rom)
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3) PAPUAN BROTHERHOOD URGES FREEPORT TO NORMALIZE OPERATIONS

Timika, 3/4 (Jubi) – PT Freeport Indonesia is ready to resume operations following efforts by the Papuan Brotherhood to resolve the impasse with the government over the controversial export tax, the Brotherhood chairman said.
Silas Natkime, chairman of Papuan Brotherhood said the government will not impose 25 percent taxes and Freeport will not resort to mass lay-offs. He said his organization has discussed thee matter with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, legislators from Commission VII on Mining and the Ministry of Mineral Resources in Jakarta as well as with representatives from PT Freeport McMoran Gold and Cooper Inc. Ltd in the United States.
“Let’s be grateful for this result,”  Natkime said in TImika on Thursday (3/4).
He said the Papuan Brotherhood had persuaded PT FI to return to their normal operations since October 2013.
As previously reported revenue received by the Government of Indonesia from 1992 to 2013 in accordance with the Contract of Work between PT FI and the GoI were 15.2 billion USD.
The Vice President of Corporate Communications, Daisy Primayanti said the payment of dividends by PT Freeport Indonesia was determined by the Board of Directors of Freeport and approved by the Board of Commissioners and Shareholders based on the company’s financial performance and cash availability. In this case, the Ministry of Mineral Resources represented the Government of Indonesia. (Jubi/ Eveerth/rom)
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http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1892
4) PAPUA PROVINCE WILL STRENGTHEN MRP POWERS
Governor of Papua Province, Lukas Enembe (Jubi)

Jayapura, 3/ 4 ( Jubi ) – Papua Provincial Government is determined to strengthen the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) to allow them to monitor the use of autonomy funds after passage of a autonomy bill by national parliament.
“If it is passed, the authority of the MRP to oversee the use of special autonomy fund will be regulated. For that reason, we continue to strive for this bill to be passed soon,” Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe said in Jayapura on Thursday ( 3/4 ).
“We will strengthen the MRP by preparing the draft and will discuss it with the Papua Legislative Council. So far, MRP has no legal basis  to supervise the performance of the government,” he explained.
He added, the authority should be governed by rules that have validity nationally .
” So far, MRP only deals with issues of culture, religion and women and  it must be empowered by law. Our target is the regulation should be passed by the Papua Council before August 17, 2014,” he concluded . ( Jubi / Alex/ Tina )
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http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1889
5) TRANSMIGRATION PROGRAM NO LONGER IMPELMENTED IN PAPUA
Jayapura, 1/3 ( Jubi ) – The Department of Labor and Demography in Papua province said that there will be no transmigration program in Indonesia ‘s easternmost region.
” The other provincial governments in Indonesia still consider implementing the transmigration program, but not for the Province of Papua,” department head Yan Piet Rawar said in Jayapura on Thursday (3/4) .
To control the population in Papua, the provincial government already has a provincial regulation (Perdasi) No. 11 of 2013. “The population of Papua should reach 20 million before a new transmigration program can be implemented, ” he explained.
When asked about the impact of the influx of people from outside Papua, he acknowledged the number increased every year but was under control.
“We’ve socialized Perdasi No. 11 of 2013 to the regencies and cities in Papua as people from outside who came to Papua is growing each year. One of the reasons is employment opportunities, ” he said.
He hopes that this regulation can be implemented well if there is cooperation and coordination between the regencies and cities in Papua.
” Yes, the people who enter Papua can not be easily recorded and hopefully the implementation of e-ID card can collect accurate population data, ” he said.
While, the Governor of Papua Lukas Enembe said, currently Papuans do not need new provinces but more welfare in all sectors.
“So far, about 60 percent of Papuans are not ready for new provinces. If we force the split, it will create new problems,” said Luke. ( Jubi / Alex/ Tina )

1) Vanuatu’s New UN Ambassador Vows To Relentlessly Pursue Priorities

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1) Vanuatu’s New UN Ambassador Vows To Relentlessly Pursue Priorities 

2) National Games Headed to Papua in 2020

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1) Vanuatu’s New UN Ambassador Vows To Relentlessly Pursue PrioritiesTevi vows to fight for West Papua, human rights, and climate change
By Godwin Ligo
PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, April 3, 2014) – The newly appointed Vanuatu Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Odo Tevi, has vowed that he will continue to pursue the issues of West Papua and the human rights, Matthew and Hunter Islands, the climate change and other Vanuatu agenda with the UN once he takes up his position in New York.
Ambassador Tevi vowed before the Head of State, Iolu Abil, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Natapei, Vanuatu Foreign Affairs and senior government officials and families that he will keep the present momentum built by the present government with the United Nations (UN) in New York.

"I will work closely with the present Government of Prime Minister Moana Carcasses and keep up the momentum already established with the United Nations that Vanuatu wish to see accomplished such as the issues of West Papua, the Human Right issue and the Climate Change, especially in regard to the effect it has on smaller Pacific Island countries," said the newly appointed Vanuatu Ambassador shortly after receiving his letter of credence from the Head of State and following an oath of allegiance he took that was supervised by the Attorney General Ishmael Kalsakau. He vowed that the UN will hear Vanuatu’s voice over and over again on these issues.
In his short remarks, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Odo Tevi, pledged his support to the Government and the people of Vanuatu to do his best in serving his country and people in the United Nations. He said it is his Prayers that he will perform his duties with pride and hope for and on behalf of the government and the people of Vanuatu with his ability and integrity.

"No one knows everything nor can do everything as in our customs. However, I assure the Head of State and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs that I will not involve myself in such issues as sales of passport and or such other issues and I say this from the bottom of my heart. I accept my appointment to work with the Government of the day and to uphold the integrity of the nation and her people. Long Live Vanuatu," newly Vanuatu Ambassador Tevi gave his assurance to the Head of State, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister, the Government and the People of Vanuatu.
Prior to Ambassador Tevi’s remark, President Abbil stated in his short remarks that he has every confidence and trust in Ambassador Tevi in his new appointment.
"You possess the quality, the value and the trust for the job you are about to undertake in New York. I have confidence and trust in you which will reflect the duties you are expected to carry out at the UN which is a large organization in the world. You will carry out you duties as entrusted to you today. The image of this country will be reflected in your work. At the same time, we do not want you to be involved in the sale passports and the related issues. Protect the integrity of the country and our people because Vanuatu has voted Vanuatu again as the happiest in the world and so protect the nation’s image and integrity," President Abbil cautioned.

Ambassador Tevi is 41 years old. He was born in 1973 and is married with one son and two daughters.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and went to receive his Master of Arts in Development Economics from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GACD).
Tevi occupied the position of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu for 10 years and represented Vanuatu in numerous international and regional conferences in which he presented position papers in many of these international and regional meetings that involve policy directions.
He told Daily Post after receiving his letter of credence from the Head State that the people of Vanuatu, especially the young generation, must not stop to pursue their goals of high attainments.
"My call to the young generation and even to the people of Vanuatu in all works of life is to aim high and continue to go forward for what you believe you can do for your country, your families and yourself," Vanuatu’s new UN Ambassador encouraged the people of Vanuatu as he prepares to take on the challenges in New York shortly.

Mr Tevi took up the post after turning down an offer from the Asian Development Bank.
He replaces former Ambassador Donald Kalpokas.
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2) National Games Headed to Papua in 2020

By Ami Afriatni on 06:54 pm Apr 03, 2014
Category More SportsSports

After contributing many top athletes for Indonesia, Papua has finally gotten its chance to showcase its homegrown talent in front of the nation as the host of the 2020 National Games, the Sports Ministry announced on Thursday.
The decision was taken during the National Sports Committee’s (KONI) annual meeting early March, and will make Papua only the second province in eastern Indonesia to host the Games after South Sulawesi held the 1957 edition.
Papua ran against two other strong candidates, Bali and Aceh, in its bid. The ministry then issued a decree signed April 2 to make the decision official.
“On behalf of Papuans, we thank the government and KONI members for appointing Papua to host the Games,” Yusuf Yambe Yabdi, the secretary general of Papua provincial administration’s sports agency, said at Thursday’s press conference in Jakarta. “We are honored to bear the trust and responsibility.”
Yusuf added it was at first difficult to assure KONI members to give Papua a chance to host the Games.
“But we believe it was not the hardest part. The most difficult challenge will be to prepare the Games very well. We hope Papua can give a huge contribution to national sports development,” he said.
Yusuf said security would be a major issue to tackle, but made assurances that the local government would do its best effort to guarantee the safety of participants and visitors during the Games.
The region has for decades been the site of a low-level armed insurgency and hosts a heavy military and police presence.
“Security is a national issue which needs supports from all over the nation. We will work with police to maintain security in the province. And I can say right now that Papua is safe,” Yusuf said.
Benyamin Arisoy, the provincial administration’s finance chief, said he hoped that the hosting of the Games in Papua would “strengthen the relationship between the province and the whole nation.”
Yusuf vowed there would be full transparency in the budget for the sports extravaganza, amid fears of a repeat of the massive corruption that took place ahead of the 2012 Games in Riau and that led to the jailing of several top officials, including the Riau governor, Rusli Zainal.
Yusuf said Papuan officials would work closely with the State Finance Development Comptroller (BPKB) to ensure that the budget of Rp 9 trillion that it has requested will be put to good use.
The budget plan calls for building new sports infrastructure and renovate nine existing venues in Mimika, Biak, Merauke, Wamena and Jayapura.
“The budget will come from the local and central governments, and also sponsors. There’s an allocation for the Games in our regional budget,” Yusuf said.
Djoko Pekik, a Sports Ministry official, called the decision to award the Games to Papua, an impoverished province that has over the years churned out some of the country’s top football and track and field athletes, a “huge step that shows equality in our country’s sports development.”

Firefight on PNG border-Morning Star flag raised

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1) Contact Weapons at Border This Morning , Morning Star fluttering

2) RAW SHOOT AT BORDERS RI - PNG IS IN EFFECT
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A google translate of article in Majalah Selangkah. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at

1) Contact Weapons at Border This Morning , Morning Star fluttering
 Author : Pilemon Keiya | Saturday, April 5, 2014 08:27 Viewed : 208 Comments : 0



                                                                       Illustration . Ist .
Jayapura , STEP MAGAZINE - Kampung Wutung , dsitrik Muara Tami , PNG - Indonesian border this morning , Saturday ( 05 / 04 ) , skirmishes between dozens of people dressed in camouflage and army .
From the information gathered majalahselangkah.com known , since the morning at 06.00 Papua time skirmishes . Some people dressed in camouflage burn tires and blockade the entrance to PNG .
Reportedly , the West Papuan flag , the Morning Star hoisted there .

" Red and White flag is lowered, no fluttering Morning Star here , " said Aman Hasibuan , Elsintah journalists via mobile phones of some reporters to the scene . Head of Military Command lighting ( Kapendam ) Jayapura , Hidayatula justify risky skirmishes in Wutung , PNG - Indonesian border , when confirmed majalahselangkah.com .

" True , is going crossfire . Muster Our members are already there ( RI - PNG border ) . Currently , guns are still in contact , " said Kapendam . A soldier reportedly being shot in the temple and suffered minor injuries , and police chief of Jayapura , Alfret Papare , hit the glass splinters .

As of this writing , there is no definite information from the police and military related gunfire in Wutung , PNG - Indonesian . ( Philemon Keiya / MS )

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A google translate of article in Jubi. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at


2) RAW SHOOT AT BORDERS RI - PNG IS IN EFFECT
Author : Aprila wiring on April 5, 2014 at 11:52:05 WP
Editor : Victor Mambor
All the work that was published in tabloidjubi well as text , images and sound as well as all forms of graphics ( other than those coded IST ) be copyright tabloidjubi.com


Jayapura , 5/4 ( Jubi ) - A gun battle between the Civilian Armed Group (BCC ) with Military / Police currently underway in PNG Border - RI . Car Jayapura police chief , Chief Alfred Papare also shot .
" We are still looking for the complete data related to the shootout , " said Lt. Col. Infantry Arh Hidayathulo risky , Kapendam XVII of Paradise to reporters via cellular , Friday ( 5/4 ) morning .

The data collected tabloidjubi.com , the shootout has been going on since Pkl . 05:30 CEST and still continues to this day . Safe Hasibuan , Elshinta radio journalist who is also in the group of journalists who will be doing election coverage in Papua New Guinea say group of journalists could not enter the territory of Papua New Guinea as there are roads to border blockade .

" Approximately 40 members who perform KSB White red flag , the Morning Star and the UN flag . White red flags lowered KSB . There Fuel - Burn also . Now still ongoing gunfire . Victim 1 away from the military , " said Aman again .

According to Aman , journalists and secured to the post limit Koramil army . They fit on the border . Soldiers shot hit at the temples . Kasdam , Brig Ahimsa Siburian , Jayapura police chief , Chief Alfred Papare and Dandi 1701/Jpr , Lt. Col. Rev. Handoyo already at the scene . Activity closed , no one community at the site . Jayapura police chief also famous car shot KSB .

A Papuan named Danny Wenda contacted Jubi justify the firing of contact .
" Today is Saturday, April 5, 2014 At 5:00 early this morning , the Morning Star flag was hoisted and the UN flag in Wutung , Border Indonesia - Papua New Guinea by TRWP [ West Papua Revolutionary Army ] , under the leadership of Gen . Mathias Wenda [ Command Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army of West Papua ] . Sejanta contact between the military and the ongoing TWPB . " Said the man from the central mountains of Papua is living in Vanimo . ( Jubi / Aprila )

1) OPM Fires on TNI Outpost on PNG Border, Military Says

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1) OPM Fires on TNI Outpost on PNG Border, Military Says

2) Police, TNI stay on guard  at borders after shootout 


3) GUNFIRE AT THE BORDER, JAYAPURA POLICE CHIEF GOT SHOT

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1) OPM Fires on TNI Outpost on PNG Border, Military Says

By Banjir Ambarita on 03:46 pm Apr 05, 2014
Category Human RightsNews
Jayapura. An Indonesian soldier suffered minor injuries during a firefight between police and members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) on the border of the restive Indonesian province and Papua New Guinea on Saturday, the Indonesian Military (TNI) said. 
Spokesman of the Cendrawasih Military Command, which oversees the TNI’s operations in Papua and West Papua provinces, Lt.Col. Hikas Hidayatullah, said some 40 members of OPM fired on a watch tower at a military post in Wutung, Jayapura on Saturday morning.
“The separatists also set a billboard on fire and took down the Indonesian flag before they raised the OPM flag,” Hikas told the Jakarta Globe on Saturday.
Hikas said the men skipped over the PNG border after the incident. First.Sgt. Tugiono was wounded by shattered glass during the gunfire but would make a full recovery, he added.
“He has been treated at Marthen Indey hospital,’” Hikas said.
Papuan police spokesman, Sr.Cmr.Pujo Suslityo, said the armed men had been trying to disupt local economic activity.
During the gunfire, six local journalists heading to Vanimo, Papua New Guinea to cover the April 9 legislative elections were held up inside the military post.
“We were stuck there and had to wait until the firefight was over to return to Jayapura,” said Aman Hasibuan, a journalist for Elshinta radio station.
Earlier this month two Papuans from the Moni tribe were shot dead by the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) during a clash with police in Jayanti, Timika.

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2) Police, TNI stay on guard  at borders after shootout 
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sat, April 05 2014, 5:12 PM
Dozens of soldiers and police officers are still guarding the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) borders at Skow Wotung following a shootout between soldiers and a group of unidentified men on Saturday morning.
The shootout began when a group of youngsters raised the Free Papuan Movement (OPM) flag, burned down a banner, vandalized a car wash and piled wood on the street near the borders.
The police then lowered the flag and pursued the group, but then the group entered the neighboring country’s territory.
Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Albert Papare and his team then went to the borders along with a group of soldiers. Albert was then shot at and got injured after being hit by glass. Besides Albert, a soldier by the name of Chief Sgt. Tugino was also hit.
Both officers were then rushed to the Bhayangkara Police hospital in Jayapura.
Two groups from the police’s mobile brigade (brimob) and riot police were deployed to the scene, along with their army counterparts.
“Now we have the situation under control,” Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistyo said without further elaboration.(dic)
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3) GUNFIRE AT THE BORDER, JAYAPURA POLICE CHIEF GOT SHOT
Morning Star and UN Flags in the Border of Indonesia-PNG while gunfire hapen there (Jubi)


                                      Morning Star and UN Flags in the Border of Indonesia-PNG while gunfire hapen there (Jubi)
Jayapura, 5/4 (Jubi) – Gunfire between the armed civilian group and Indonesian army and police currently is currently happened in the Border area of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. A Police vehicle carrying the Jayapura Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Senior Alfred Papare got shot.
“We are still searching for a complete information related this incident,” the Military Spokesperson of Kodam XVII Cenderawasih Lieutenant Infantry Arh Riskan Hidayatuloh told reporters though short message.
The latest information confirmed to tabloidjubi.com said this incident has been going on since 05:30 in the morning (Papua time) and still on going until now. A reporter from Elshinta Radio, Aman Hasibuan who joined in the group of journalists to cover the legislature election in Papua New Guinea said the journalists were not able to cross the border because the armed civil group has blocked the access to the main road.
“It’s approximately 40 people who blocked the road. They brought the white-red flag, as well as the Morning Star and the UN flags. They also lighted a fire. The shooting is still on going. A soldier has been shot,” Hasibuan said.
According to him, the journalists have secured to the Military District station and Army station at the border. The Head of Military Staff Brigadier General Ahimsa Siburian and Jayapura Chief Police Adjunct Commissioner Senior Alfred Papare and Commander of District Military Lieutenant Colonel Wahyu Handoyo have already been in the scene. The location was closed for the public. While the official car of Police Chief has also been shot.
A Papua resident, Danny Wenda confirmed to Jubi about this incident. “Today, on Saturday morning, 5 April 2014 at 5:00, The West Papuan Revolution Army led General Mathias Wenda (Supreme Commander of West Papuan Revolution Army) flagged the Morning Star and UN flags in Wutung, the Border area of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. A gunfire between the Indonesian army and revolution army is still on going,” said Wenda the highlander man who stayed in Vanimo. (Jubi/Aprila/rom)

1) Two security personnel injured

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1) Two security personnel injured

2) Papuans welcome Jokowi 


3) Young Papuans set up ‘Jokowi’s  Booth’



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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/93525/two-security-personnel-injured

1) Two security personnel injured

Sat, April 5 2014 10:29 | 562 Views

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - An army soldier and a police officer got injured in an exchange of fire with a group of armed civilians on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border area on Saturday, the military sources said. 

Antara learned from the Indonesian military sources here that the soldier named Tugino and Jayapura Police Chief Ajunct Senior Commissioner Alfred Papare sustained injuries, caused by the remnants of bullets. 

Tugino had been evacuated to a hospital in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province. 

The incident occurred when the Indonesian security personnel were checking the situation around the border area shortly after the armed civilians hoisted a Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag at a lighthouse there. 

Despite his wounds, Alfred Papare was able to contact Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Military's (TNI) Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII Cendrawasih Brig.Gen.Hinsa Siburian to report the situation on the ground. 

A group of soldiers had been deployed to dispel the armed civilians and lowered the flag in Skouw, Muara Tami District, Papua Province.  

Reported by Evarukdijati
Editor: AA Ariwibowo


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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/05/papuans-welcome-jokowi.html
2) Papuans welcome Jokowi 
Sita W Dewi and Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sat, April 05 2014, 4:38 PM
Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is spending the last weekend of the open campaign period visiting the easternmost island of Papua, showing his commitment to native Papuans.
The Jakarta governor first stopped in Sorong, West Papua, to refuel his chartered airplane and visited a traditional market in the city. He later continued onto Jayapura, Papua, and went straight to Youtefa market in Abepura to meet with the locals.
As usual, Jokowi was welcomed like a celebrity.
“I saw it with my very own eyes, Jokowi is willing to meet with the people at traditional markets, unlike any other president. Papuans want him,” Linda Sanyi, a local resident, said. Another native Papuan shared the sentiment.
“I want him to become president. He goes to traditional markets so he understands people like us,” Berlin Wadi, a vendor, said.
Jokowi, who was heavily guarded by dozens of police, took his time talking to the vendors and also brought home vegetables and smoked fish.
He later spoke before thousands of PDI-P supporters at the PTC field.
“No presidential candidate has come here before, but I did, because the sun rises in the east, in Papua,” said Jokowi, to a cheering audience.
He also promised Papuans that he would make Papua his priority once he was elected president.
“I understand that Papua’s problems should be solved with heart, with real work. I’m not going to promise you too many things, but Papua’s resources should be used for Papuans’ own well-being,” Jokowi said.
He also expressed his optimism that the PDI-P would seize a  landslide victory in Papua.
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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/05/young-papuans-set-jokowi-s-booth.html
3) Young Papuans set up ‘Jokowi’s  Booth’
The Jakarta Post | Election Watch | Sat, April 05 2014, 9:02 AM
A group of young Papuans from various cultural and social backgrounds has established an umbrella organization for all the supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) presidential candidate, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. They have called the organization “Lapak Jokowi” or “Jokowi’s Booth”.

‘’Lapak Jokowi was established to support Jokowi in his bid for the presidency. We are only one week old but we already have 100 members in Jayapura alone,” Angelbert Dimara, one of the group’s members, said on Wednesday, adding that similar organizations with the same name had also been established in Biak, Merauke and Mimika regencies in Papua, as well as Manokwari and Sorong regencies in West Papua province.

He said membership was open to everyone, regardless of their social or cultural background, but it was closed to political party members. — JP/Nethy Dharma Somba

1) Raising of Bintang Kejora, flag leads to shoot-out

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1) Raising of Bintang Kejora, flag leads to shoot-out

3) MIFEE during Romanus’s Term of Office: New Permits and Deforestation Threats.

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1) Raising of Bintang Kejora, flag leads to shoot-out
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Headlines | Sun, April 06 2014, 10:43 AM

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police are beefing up security in the area bordering Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in Skouw-Wutung following a shootout between TNI-police and dozens of armed civilians on Saturday.

The incident, which took place on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. local time until noon, was sparked when 30 armed civilians hoisted the Morning Star (Bintang Kejora) flag and took down the Indonesian Red-and-White in the neutral area of Skouw-Wutung at around 6 a.m., said Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Pudjo on Saturday.

The flag has long been seen by the Indonesian government as a symbol of rebellion. The armed group also set fire to a banner, damaged a car wash and piled wood on the streets, hampering traffic. Local officers immediately took down the Bintang Kejora flag before chasing the armed group, which had fled to PNG territory.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alfred Papare and a member of the 1701 military command (Kodim), Sgt. Major Tugino, sustained injuries after getting hit by glass debris as a result of the armed group firing at the border tower.

Alfred and Tugino were rushed to Bhayangkara Hospital and Marthen Indey Hospital, respectively. “At that time, TNI-police were handling the situation,” Sulistyo said, adding the police were still investigating those involved in the incident.

The incident also hampered journalists who were heading to the Indonesian Consulate in Vanimo, PNG, to cover the election in the country.

Police chief Gen. Sutarman had pledged the police would crackdown on separatist groups, including by strictly enforcing a ban on flying the Bintang Kejora flag, which West Papuans often try to raise in a special ceremony every year on Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia-PNG border area will be closed to the public ahead of the legislative election, which will fall on Wednesday.

“The border area will be closed from April 6 until April 12 due to the election in Indonesia. We have informed the Papua New Guinea government,” said Papua border head Suzanna Wanggai.


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BY BOBBY ANDERSON – 4 APRIL 2014



The United Development Party, Indonesia’s oldest Muslim party, rallies in the Papuan highlands. All photos by author.
Koteka [penis gourd]-adorned Lani men in feather head dresses armed with handmade bows run in a circle; teenage Lani girls with painted faces, wearing only grass skirts and bras, wave flags and chant; dreadlocked young men idle in camo shorts, sticks in hand; small groups of older Papuans sit in clusters, singing Christian hymns, while pigs root around in mud on the edge of the field. It’s just another election rally in support of Indonesia’s oldest Muslim political party, The United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan).   Except that we’re in an almost 100% Christian patch of the remote Papua highlands....................................................
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3) MIFEE during Romanus’s Term of Office: New Permits and Deforestation Threats.

For more than three years (8th January 2011 -March 2014) the Merauke Regency leader Dr. Romanus Mbaraka and his deputy MT Sunaryo S. Sos, have taken charge of Merauke Regency, claiming the ideal of meaningful change through a green development approach and policies – or at least that was the message during their election campaign.
What does a green development approach mean? Ideally that idea would be in line with principles of sustainable development, including (1) the principle of democracy, which prioritises the people’s interest and agenda, meaning that each development should be based on the people’s needs, determined by the people themselves in a participatory manner and based on honest information; (2) the principle of justice, which gives just benefits to wider society, and most importantly the poor, not only prioritising a few individuals or groups, and also bringing the opportunity for the same benefits to be enjoyed by both present and future generations; (3) the principle of sustainability, developing a dimension of development policy that is long term and sustainable, types of resource use that are completely low-impact, non-exploitative and do not destroy ecosystems’ support capacity, in other words development must find a place for itself equidistant from economic, social and environmental interests.
At the beginning of Romanus’s term as regency head, MIFEE was sharply criticised because it wasn’t in line with principles of sustainable development and was ‘top-down’, or as Romanus put it “It is as if MIFEE was sent to us from the sky”. Romanus also said openly that there could be no MIFEE projects on Kimaam island. A popular policy Romanus launched was called GERBANGKU (an acronym for Develop my Village Movement) which increased development funds at the village level.
On several occasions Romanus stated that he would place limits on the controversial MIFEE project to meet several conditions, for example: ensuring the Marind people do not lose their right to land, and that companies must be unconditionally prepared to empower, train and develop the skills of Marind people, so they do not end up as mere spectators. Sacred places should not be interfered with or cleared as part of the development process. Let them be the small green heart of Merauke. (see Kompas, 12 October 2011)
New Permits Threaten Increased Forest Destruction
The green development mission has over time remained little more than a nice story and development has tended to take a more conventional form. Romanus has produced new policies and continued existing ones which mean giving out land without ever correcting or re-examining the unjust land-grabbing permits or their effect on communities, and this is not in line with sustainable development principles. Indeed, on the contrary, Romanus as Regency leader has renewed permits and issued new permits to snatch the people’s land, threatening forest destruction and creating anxiety amongst the community.
In late 2011, Romanus renewed PT. Hardaya Sawit Papua’s permit to develop an oil palm plantation in Jagebob district, issuing SK Bupati [decision document] 323 of 2011, dated 8 November 2011, for an area of 62,150 hectares. This despite the fact the Yeinan people in Jagebob district had made it clear that they did not want to give any of their land to a company because they felt they had already sacrificed enough land for a transmigration project.
Aside from that, another two location permits were issued to sugar-cane companies PT Dharma Agro Lestari in 50,000 ha of Tubang and Okaba districts, and PT Bhakti Agro Lestari in 26,098 hectares of Malind District. Both companies are thought to be owned by the Astra Group.
During the course of 2012, Romanus’s government issued location permits to six new companies, including five sugar-cane producers: PT Anugerah Rejeki Nusantara (subsidiary of the Wilmar Group), PT Kurnia Alam Nusantara, PT Swarna Hijau Indah and PT Randu Kuning Utama (all three subsidiaries of the Mayora Indah Group, and PT Rizki Kemilau Berjaya, and finally PT. Mega Surya Agung, which is in the business of planting maize and soya.
The total area covered by permits issued in 2012 was 188,335, the majority of which is controlled by the Mayora Indah Group and is located in Tubang, Ilwayab and Kimaam districts.
In 2013, Romanus issued location permits to five companies, namely: PT Wahana Samudera Sentosa (industrial forestry), PT Lestari Subur Indonesia (sugar-cane plantation), PT Indonesia Jaya Makmur (sugar-cane plantation), PT Purna Karsa Wibawa (sugar-cane plantation) and PT Internusa Jaya Sejahtera (oil-palm plantation). In total 164,170 hectares of permits were issued in 2013.
PT. Lestari Subur Indonesia is a subsidiary of Wilmar International, which had previously obtained a permit on Kimaam island, which was later exchanged and moved to District Jagebob and Sota. In 2013, that company negotiated for access to land but were opposed by the local indigenous people.
During Romanus’s period of governance, 14 new location permits have been issued covering an area of 490,753 hectares, in general for sugar-cane plantations. Romanus also did not manage to place restraints on permits issued by the Forestry Ministry nationally or the Papuan Provincial Government, nor on the relevant sectoral institutions such as the local forestry and plantation services or the investment board.
This policy of issuing new permits has several impacts. Firstly, there is the threat of deforestation and unsustainability. Development of sugar-cane and oil palm plantations entail replacing the forest-savannah ecosystem with monocultures, threatening the loss of low-lying forest, savannah and swampland, which is most widespread in the Merauke area. Secondly, the local government has extensive powers to issue large-scale permits to facilitate control over natural resources concentrated in the hands of corporations and a few powerful groups, which is clearly unjust and it is communities and future generations which will lose out. This policy is actually broadening conflict, bringing about the marginalisation of the Malind People and their rights to sources of livelihood, which in turn reduces the people’s trust in their government.
Sooner or later these problems will have a serious impact on the sustainability of indigenous Papuan’s existence and the sustainability of the ecological support capacity of this threatened environment.
Permits for companies in the MIFEE program during the Romanus – Sunaryo term of government (2011 – present), are as follows:
2011
PT. Wanamulia Sukses Sejati, Industrial Forestry Plantation (IUPHHK-HTI), Kaptel and Muting Districts, 96,553. 56 ha.
  • Governor’s recommendation letter No. 79 / 2011, dated 6 July 2011, regarding AMDAL, UKL – UPL
PT. Hardaya Sawit Papua Plantation, oil palm plantation, District Jagebob:
  • SK Bupati No. 323 / 2011, 8 November 2011, Location Permit for 62.150 ha;
  • SK BKPM Prov. No.03/94/I/P/I/PMDN/2012, 25 Juni 2012, Initial Permit for sugar-cane plantation;
  • SK BKPM Prov. Papua No.570/305, 27 Juli 2012, Plantation Permit (IUP), area 44.740 ha;
PT. Bhakti Agro Lestari, sugar-cane plantation, District Malind, 26,098 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 374 / 2011, 5 December 2011, Location Permit for 26.098,13 ha;
PT. Dharma Agro Lestari sugar-cane plantation, District Tubang and Okaba,50.000 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 373 / 2011, 5 Desember 2011, Location Permit 50.000 ha;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.19/94/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 17 April 2013, Initial Permit;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.16/P.IUP/TB/2013, 17 April 2013, Plantation Permit.
2012
PT. Rizki Kemilau Berjaya,sugar-cane plantation, District Kurik, 10.000 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 20 / 2012, 16 January 2012, Location Permit, 10.000 ha;
PT. Anugerah Rezeki Nusantara, sugar-cane plantation, District Animha and Tanah Miring, 27.457 ha;
  • Surat  Bupati No: 27/2012, 31 January 2012, Location Permit, 27.457,27 ha;
  • Surat BKPM Provinsi No.521.005, 10 May 2012.
  • AMDAL (EIA) consultation took place in February 2014.
PT. Hardaya Sugar Papua Plantation, sugar-cane plantation, District Jagebob,37.898 ha:
  • SK BKPM Prov. No.04/94/I/P/I/PMDN/2012, 25 Juni 2012, Initial Permit for sugar-cane plantation;
  • SK BKPM Prov. Papua No.570/306, 27 Juli 2012, Plantation Permit, 37.898 ha;
PT. Swarna Hijau Indah sugar-cane plantation, District Tubang and Kimaam,36.363 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 249 / 2012, 7 July 2012, regarding Location Permit, 36.363 ha;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.14/94/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 26 March 2013, Initial Permit;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.13/P.IUP/TB/2013, 26 Maret 2013, Izin Usaha Perkebunan.
PT. Kurnia Alam Nusantara, sugar-cane plantation, District Tubang and Ilwayab,50.000 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 251 / 2012, 7 June 2012, Location Permit, 50.000 ha;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.15/94/P.IUP/I/TB/2013, 26 March 2013, Initial Permit;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.15/94/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 26 March 2013, Izin Usaha Perkebunan.
PT. Randu Kuning Utama, sugar-cane plantation, District Ilwayab, Tubang and Kimaam, 40.000 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 250 / 2012, 7 June 2012, Location Permit, 40.000 ha;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.14/94/P.IUP/I/TB/2013, 26 March 2013, Initial Permit;
  • SK BKPM Provinsi No.15/94/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 26 March 2013, Izin Usaha Perkebunan.
PT. Mega Surya Agung, soya and maize plantation, District Kaptel and Ngguti,24.697 ha;
  • Surat BKPM Prov No. 570/008 24 January 2011;
  • SK Bupati No. 407 / 2012, 27 September 2012, regarding Location Permit, 24.697 ha;
  • Surat BKPM Prov. No. 06/P.IUP/TP/2013, 23 January 2013 regarding PPIUP (Izin Usaha Perkebunan);
  • Surat BKPM No.07/94/I/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 25 January 2013, regarding Initial Permit.
PT. China Ghate Agriculture Development cassava and rice plantation, District Okaba, 20.000 ha.
  • SK BKPM Prov No.521/602, 3 October 2011, Initial Permit;
  • SK BKPM Prov No.017/P.IUP/TP/2012, 28 September 2012, Initial Permit;
  • Governor’s Recommendation No. 522/1872/SET, 5 April 2013, 20.000 ha.
PT. Cendrawasih Jaya Mandiri sugar-cane plantation, District Malind and Kurik,22.117 ha.
  • Governor’s Recommendation No. 570/94/1/IP/PMDN/2012 for Initial Permit;
  • SK Gubernur No. 179 / 2011, 30 December 2011, regarding AMDAL, UKL – UPL;
  • SK Menhut No.36/Menhut-II/2012, 30 January 2012, Release of land from forest estate, 22.117 ha;
  • Surat BKPM Prov No. 570.199/94/IUP/I/PMDN/2012, 7 May 2012, Plantation Permit;
  • SK Gubernur No.522.1/3622, 24 September 2012, Timber use permit.
PT. Medco Papua Alam Lestari IUPHHK-HTI, District Kaptel, 74.219 ha;
  • Governor’s Recommendation No.522.1/58/29/SET, 21 December 2012;
2013
PT. Wahana Samudera Sentosa , Industrial Forestry, District Ngguti and Kaptel,79.033 ha;
  • Bupati’s recommendation No. 522.2/226 / 2013, 18 Januari 2013, Location Permit, 79.033,99 ha;
PT. Agriprima Cipta Persada oil palm plantation, District Muting and Ulilin, 33.540 ha;
  • SK Gubernur No.126 / 2012, 17 July 2012, AMDAL/UKL-UPL;
  • SK Bupati No. 6 / 2013, 17 January 2013, Initial Permit;
  • Surat BKPM No.03/94/IUP/I/PMA/2013, 27 March 2013, Plantation Permit.
PT. Karisma Agri Pratama rice farming, District Tubang, 37.786 ha;
  • Surat BKPM Prov. No. 03/P.IUP/TP/2013, 23 January 2013 PPIUP (Plantation Permit), 37.786 ha;
  • Surat BKPM No.04/94/I/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 25 January 2013, Initial Permit.
PT. Agri Surya Agung, sugar-cane plantation, District Tubang 36.774 ha;
  • Surat BKPM Prov. No. 05/P.IUP/TP/2013, 23 January 2013, PPIUP (Plantation Permit), 36.774 ha;
  • Surat BKPM No.06/94/I/IP/I/PMDN/2013, 25 January 2013, Initial Permit.
PT. Lestari Subur Indonesia, sugar-cane plantation, District Jagebob and Sota, previously located in District Tabonji, 25.102 ha;
  • Surat Bupati No.27 / 2013, 12 February 2013, Location Permit, 25.102, 285 ha; Transfer from District Tabonji to District Jagebob and Sota.
PT. Karya Bumi Papua, sugar-cane plantation, District Malind and Kurik, 15.628 ha;
  • SK Gubernur No. 178 / 2011, 30 December 2011,AMDAL, UKL – UPL;
  • SK Menhut No.172/Menhut-II/2012, 4 April 2012, release of land from forest estate, 15.628 ha;
  • SK Gubernur No.522.1/3622, 24 September 2012, timber use permit.
  • Surat Rekomendasi Gubernur No. 570.198/94/1/IP/PMDN/2012, 7 May 2012, Initial Permit;
  • Surat Bupati No. 63  / 2013, 20 Maret 2013, renewal of Location Permit;
PT. Internusa Jaya Sejahtera, oil palm plantation, District Muting, Ulilin and Eligobel, 18.587 ha.
  • SK Bupati No. 339 / 2013, 1 July 2013, Location Permit, 18.587,05 ha;
  • Consultation for AMDAL February 2014
PT.  Purna Karsa Wibawa, sugar-cane plantation, District Ngguti, Tubang and Okaba, 20.224 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 340 / 2013, 1 July 2013, regarding Location Permit 20.223,92 ha.
PT. Indonesia Jaya Makmur Investasi sugar-cane plantation, District Ngguti and Tubang, 20.224 ha;
  • SK Bupati No. 341 / 2013, 1 July 2013, Location Permit, 20.223,94 ha;
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1) RI-PNG border temporarily closed

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1) RI-PNG border temporarily  closed

2) JOKOWI: 9 APRIL, PAPUA IS IN MY FIRST WATCH LIST

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1) RI-PNG border temporarily  closed
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sun, April 06 2014, 7:07 PM
The Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) border crossing has been closed following a shoot-out on Saturday between joint patrol officers from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police and dozens of armed civilians in Skouw-Wutung, an area that borders the two countries, ahead of the legislative election on Wednesday.
“The border crossing has been temporarily closed. Aside from maintaining security ahead of the legislative election and on Election Day itself, the closure is also aimed at securing the area after a shoot-out between security officers and armed civilians,” Cendrawasih District Military Command (Kodam) chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said during a visit to Skouw-Wutung on Sunday.
Damaged government property and other buildings that had been destroyed as a result of the incident were clearly visible in the area.
The entrance to the border crossing, which is usually crowded by locals, was very quiet on Sunday. Only a handful of armed security officers were seen guarding the border crossing .
Christian said the government would use the closure, which will run through April 12, to repair the damaged facilities.
“The glass in the observation tower, which was destroyed during the shoot-out, will be replaced with bulletproof glass, as the tower is a highly strategic vantage point for monitoring the border,” he said.
Following the closure, the passport-check post for people crossing the border into either Indonesia or PNG has been moved to the Hamadi fish-auction site, which can only be accessed by sea.
“After the armed clash, around 24 PNG citizens were refused entry to PNG via the Skouw-Wutung crossing and were redirected to the sea border crossing in Hamadi,” said the head of division IIA at the Jayapura Immigration Office, Gardu DP Tampubolon.
Meanwhile, Papua border head Suzanna Wanggai said the closure of the Indonesia-PNG border had been carried out with the agreement of the PNG government. (ebf)
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2) JOKOWI: 9 APRIL, PAPUA IS IN MY FIRST WATCH LIST

Jayapura, 5/4 (Jubi) – Presidential candidate from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Joko Widodo said the problem in Papua only can be solved through hard work and compassion.
“The reason I come to Papua because Papua is part of Indonesian regions where the sun initially rises. Much potential are clearly here in Papua. But those potentials should be used for the welfare of the people of Papua. I do want to make a lot of promises, because a real work is more important,” said Jokowi when giving a public speech in the grand campaign at PTC Ground of Jayapura City on Saturday (5/4).
People’s enthusiasm and the supports of cadre parties have made him confident the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle would obtain a landslide victory in the most eastern region of Indonesia in Legislature Election on 9 April.
“I was in Sorong at 8 to 10 in the morning and visited a traditional market there. I also visited a traditional market in Jayapura. I saw and could feel the spirit. I am sure the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle would easily win in Papua,” he said. He promised if PDIP got a landslide victory he would immediately return to Papua. The victory in the Legislature Election would determine the victory in the upcoming Presidential Election.
“I got a feeling that PDIP would obtain a landslide victory in Papua. I hope it would be true.  Papua will be in my first watch list on 9 April. If we obtained a landslide victory, we would win in the presidential election. 9 July would be easy to overcome,” he said.
Meanwhile the Chairman of the Executive Council of PDIP Papua, Komarudin Watubun told Jokowi about the problem in Papua. He said the presidents changed all the time but the problem of Papua only solved through speeches and emphatics.
“It wasn’t need. What we need is the problem in Papua could be solved with compassion. We want the people of Papua received the equal rights as the others in other part of Indonesia. We pray for you to become a president,” he said.(Jubi/Arjuna/Rom)

Police Catch , Hold and Torturing Two Students Uncen

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A google translate of Elsham report. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.

Elsham News Service , 4 April 2014

Police Catch , Hold and Torturing Two Students Uncen

Jayapura , ENS , - Action of students who are members of " Solidarity Student Care TAPOL - detainees ( 2/4 ) , ended with the arrest , detention and torture of arbitrary police in doing Alfares Kapisa Jayapura Police Station on ( 27 ) students of the Faculty of Medicine Uncen Semester ( VI ) , and Yali Wenda ( 19 ) students of Faculty of Social Uncen Social Welfare Department ( IKS ) semesters ( II ) .

The student action began at about 8:00 CDT , when the scores of students Uncen calling itself " Concerned Student Solidarity TAPOL - detainees gathered in the Campus Gate Uncen Waena . They are then going to Long Lama Uncen Mars to campus in Abepura and perform speeches are still in their resistance associated with Political Prisoners and Prisoners 70 Political Prison ( LP ) and several cities / regencies in Papua .

Around 10.45.WIT , Jayapura Police joint forces composed of police anti -riot , armed thugs and Brimob mass block in front of the campus gate Uncen Waena . Police officers fired warning shots into the air , while pursuing and capturing student . In this demonstration dissolution time police arrested Alfares Kapisa and Yali Yali Wenda .

To the Director of Elsham Papua , the second victim witness each Alfares Kapisa and Yali Wenda revealed that at the time they were arrested , police beatings using rifle butts , rattan and beating the target range in the head and ribs .

Alfares Kapisa revealed that , while traveling by car toward Mapolresta Dalmas of Waena Jayapura City , he and his friend ( Yali Wenda ) and told to lie face down on his stomach ( Dalmas truck at the floor ) . Then from above ( backs ) police put the shield , then turns Dalmas member Jayapura City Police walked the tread shield . After that they were shocked .

Alfares Mapolresta admitted he was shocked at the neck left , after it was hit with a rifle butt on the left side of the head and left eye , consequently there are approximately 5cm long wound on the left of the head , from the eyes to the left , there is a death at the eyelids blood , bruises and wounds in the eyes of the upper temple .

As a result of being hit and kicked repeatedly beaten with shoes and boots with a rifle butt , Alfares complained of pain in the head and the left side of the left ribs . Not content with hitting , Alfares toe boots are also stamped with a blood clot causing death in his fingers .

A similar fate in natural Yali Wenda , he said , " I was hit with the barrel of a gun left ear and left chin " . The beating resulted in the top left ear torn with wounds approximately 4cm in length . His chin could not move because of swelling and pain in bone sections , in this case causing it difficult to eat . Yali Wenda added that during the course of up to Mapolresta Waena Jayapura City , he was caned on the back of the body as a result there is a bruise on the back of his body , but that he also electric shock .

Alfares and Yali revealed that the clothes they were wearing when arrested and clubbed by police covered in blood taken at night . " At night , we had the police take the clothes , said to be washed and instead , they bought two T-shirts to wear at the moment until we were ushered back to the house in Waena " said Alfares .

Note ;

There is an oddity in the return to both the students , they were arrested and detained by the Jayapura Police Station . But those who return them to the home is the military .

According Alfares , members of the military who drove home they say do not tell it was opened to the public .

Both students were on hold from Wednesday ( 2/4 ) , 1200 . WP . and released on Thursday , ( 3/4 ) at approx . 13.20.WP.

recommendations :

1 . 1 . Komnas HAM must go down to Jayapura to investigate in depth the arbitrary actions of the police against a number of students who want to express their opinions in public in the last 3 months

2 . 2 . Police Chief immediately crack down on members who had been malakukan arbitrary action outside the legal procedures

3 . 3 . Jayapura police chief removed and stripped of his position as police chief for not being able to function as a protector of the people and allow members to hold a violent demonstrators .



For further information labih ; Fery Marisan - 081344937471


Summary of events in West Papua for March (beginning of April) 2014

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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

Summary of events in West Papua for March (beginning of April) 2014


The 2nd April was an International day of action to free West Papuan political prisoners. At a rally organized by TAPOL, Survival International and Amnesty International outside the Indonesian Embassy in Londonat least 100 protesters called for the immediate release of 76 political prisoners in West Papuahttp://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/03/intl-protesters-demand-democratic-rights-papuan-prisoners.html 

Rallies also took place in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. In a RNZI report, Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty, said the New Zealand government must do more to free the prisoners."The very least New Zealand could do is call on Indonesia to set these prisoners free, they are not criminals, they are political prisoners who should be set free, and New Zealand should stop funding the training programme for the police in West Papua instead of which, where they should be calling on Indonesia to stop the human rights abuses" http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/region-international-day-action-free-west-papuan-prisoners-8538 AWPA letter to Indonesian President at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/media-release-free-all-west-papuan.html

In West Papua the security forces crackdown on a peaceful rally called by students from various colleges in Jayapura. The students were calling for the release of the 76 Papuan Prisoners in a prison in West Papua. The police forcibly dispersed the students firing a number of shots and arresting two. In a report in Jubi the students said they were beaten before they were released. “We were beaten like animals. Our bodies were covered with blood. The Police doctor visited us at midnight to clean us and examine the wounds.” A google translate of an Elshan report on the arrests at http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/police-catch-hold-and-torturing-two.html

Two urgent actions were released which people can respond to. On the 2 April The Asian Human Rights Commission released a u/a concerning the assault on three Papuans by Police officers in Nabire. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the attack by members of the Mobile Brigade of the Nabire District Police on three Papuans in Nabire. The Papuans were attacked following a petty dispute between them and the officers at Kalibobo futsal pitch. One of the Papuans was stabbed in his back with a bayonet whereas two others were taken to the police station. One of them was stabbed with a bayonet in his left eyebrow. http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-047-2014

On the 26 March AI released a u/a concerning seven Papuan activists imprisoned Sorong. Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of seven Papuan activists in Sorong district, West Papua province in Indonesia, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA21/008/2014/en


The Region

The newly appointed Vanuatu Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Odo Tevi, has vowed that he will continue to pursue the issues of West Papua and the human rights, Matthew and Hunter Islands, the climate change and other Vanuatu agenda with the UN once he takes up his position in New York. http://www.dailypost.vu/content/tevi-i-will-give-un-no-rest 
Vanuatu also marked the 26th anniversary of the signing of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Cooperation Agreement. In his keynote address to mark the March 14th date, Prime Minister Moana Carcasses quoted the country's first Prime Minister, the late Father Walter Lini, who said Vanuatu is still not free if all Melanesia is not free. Mr Carcasses quoted Father Lini on the very spot where the founding Fathers of MSG signed the MSG Cooperation Agreement 26 years ago. He reminded the MSG that it is their duty to stand together to support the decolonization processes for self-determination for New Caledonia, West Papua as well as Tahiti until all of them are free of colonial rule. (RNZI)


The Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae says said the church has remained silent for too long and therefore played a part in the victimisation of Papuans. He was speaking at the launch of the single Rise Morning Star - Freedom for West Papua by well known Fijian musician Seru Serevi. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/pacific-churches-asked-to-speak-about-papua/1276876 An Indonesian delegation which included a number of Papuans visited Fiji early in March. The Papuan members of the delegation gave a public lecture at the University on the Special Autonomy in Papua and were questioned vigorously by the students. 

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister says any self-determination efforts in Indonesia's Papua region must be made in conjunction with Jakarta. Gordon Darcy Lilo and other leaders in the Melanesian Spearhead Group are considering a bid for membership by the indigenous Melanesians of Papua region. Mr Lilo, who says Jakarta has taken heed of his call for an end to abuses by security forces in Papua, describes Indonesia's legitimacy over the region as unquestionable. He says the choice by West Papuans to join Indonesia was made with the 1969 Act of Free Choice, although the referendum is widely regarded as having been stage-managed. "They've done that. And it was done under the auspices of the United Nations. We need to respect that process. We need to work within that legitimate authority that they've made a decision on and make a point where we can find a way for that legitimate authority to make a decision whether or not the choice of autonomy or the choice of an independent autonomy will be the path that both parties will agree to put an agenda on to work towards into the future." Gordon Darcy Lilo (RNZI21 March 2014)


Shootings/Incidents

A joint police and military patrol killed a suspected separatist and arrested four others on the 15 March in Puncak Jaya. The military and police were on a joint patrol heading to Kota Mulia when the officers encountered a group of armed men who started shooting at the patrol. One of the men was wounded in the encounter and died en route to a local hospital Two of four arrested had also been injured but had received treatment at hospital. The Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe said the attack on the security patrol was purely criminal. “They are not fighting for independence. This group’s action is purely criminal,” In a report in Jubi the governor said that The Yambi group has always engaged in extortion and all that stuf


An army soldier and a police officer were injured in a clash with an armed group on the PNG border on the 5 April in the Skouw-Wutung area. Approximately 40 people were involved in the incident at the border post. The group blocked the road and lowered the Indonesian flag and raised the West Papuan and UN flags. They also lighted a fire. The firefight continued for sometime and according to a local resident it was Mathias Wenda’s group involved in the incident.  The group eventually fled across the border into PNG. Cendrawasih District Military Command (Kodam) chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said during a visit to Skouw-Wutung on Sunday that the border crossing has been temporarily closed. Aside from maintaining security ahead of the legislative election and on Election Day itself, the closure is also aimed at securing the area after a shoot-out between security officers and armed civilians,”



News in Brief

Scholar says Papuans should lead local response to HIV/AIDS
RNZI Updated at 4:44 pm on 3 April 2014  An Australian researcher says NGOs led by indigenous Papuans should play a bigger role in the response to HIV/AIDS in the Indonesian province. Jenny Munro is a cultural anthropologist at the Australian National University, and been involved in recent studies on HIV/AIDS in West Papua. She says government studies have shown HIV affects about 2.5 percent of the indigenous population, although some scholars believe it could be much worse. That compares to about 1.8 percent of the migrant Indonesian population.Ms Munro says one of the factors is that most Papuans tend to live in rural areas. "There really are very limited HIV information and testing and treatment services outside major cities, another big issue is that sort of the Indonesian perspective and international models often put forward by donors are still setting the agenda so to speak." Jenny Munro says Papuan NGOs have the community links and cultural expertise to deliver more effective prevention and treatment programmes.

 
Buchtar Tabuni asks for protection from international community

Jayapura, (23/3) Jubi – Buchtar Tabuni, who is on a Papua police wanted list, asked the international community to provide protection and security for him in accordance with the international humanitarian law. “Buchtar Tabuni sent this message from his hiding place. He needs international advocacy because he has become the most wanted person by the Police and Indonesian Military for leading a peaceful demonstration to declare a referendum for West Papua. He has been hiding in the jungle of Papua for five months” Victor Yeimo told to Jubi on Sunday (23/3) via a text message. Yeimo who is a political prisoner in Abepura Prison said Tabuni has moved from from one place to another while on the run and had difficulties in getting food and medicines. After the peaceful demonstration on 26 November 2013 that led to clashes between the National Committee for West Papua with security forces, the Police Chief of Jayapura City, the Adjunct Commissionaire Senior Alfred Papare asked Tabuni as the person in charge to come to the Police Office to provide information. 
“We ask Buchtar Tabuni to come to the Papua Police in order to provide information related to the protest,” Papare said at that time. One week later police put him on the wanted list for ignoring the summons. (Jubi/Victor Mambor/rom) (Jubi 24 March)



Gold mine in Digeuwo practice high prostitution, parliament member says

Jubi March 29, 2014

Jayapura, 28/3 ( Jubi ) – Member of Papua Legislative Council, Charles Simaremare is concerned about the adverse effects of mining in Degeuwo people, Paniai Regency, Papua since the practice of prostitution in the gold mining region is quite high. ” Moreover, the circulation and consumption of alcoholic beverages in that location can be harmful such as the transmission of HIV / AIDS. We only take small aircraft because the region is isolated,” Simare- mare said on Friday (28/3). The communities who live in the area confirmed that gold mining existence has been improving the economy of local residents. 
“Yes, people told me that their economic condition is increasing although the goods prices are more expensive. The location was in the middle of the forest yet there is electricity and telephone networks, ” he said. He further said that the livelihoods of local communities is a traditional mining by perforating the mountains to search gold
” Why the government is not monitoring it, if it is ignored, the spread of HIV / AIDS will be increasing rapidly, ” he said. Previously, secretary of the Department of Mines and Energy of Papua province Fred Boray, said Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe has instructed Degeuwo gold mine to shutdown   because it does not benefit local community. 
” At this location, there is rampant prostitution used for exchange payment with gold. Actually, the region must be interfered because until now there are over 10 thousands miners, ” he said. He added mostly all gold mines do not have a license while the gold continued to be dredged. 
“The government must handle it seriously because it is governor’s instruction, ” he said. ( Jubi / Arjuna/ Tina) http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1828


SICK YAHUKIMO RESIDENTS UNTREATED DUE TO HEALTH WORKERS SHORTAGE

Jayapura, 20/3 (Jubi) – Because of a shortage of health workers in Walma district in Yahukimo, many sick people have been left untreated and died, said a local student. Urbanus Iksomon, a student from Yahukimo told reporters in Jayapura Thursday (20/3) he and other students conducted a survey for four months there and found that many nurses and doctors avoided work and preferred to live in Wamena and Jayapura. 
“The Department of Health should monitor all the nurses and doctors who do not work well and refuse to treat sick patients, while they still get paid,” Iksomon said. As a result, some people who were sick died without getting medical treatment, he said. He said in some villages, there was no single health worker. As many as 51 district heads hardly showed up for work and failed to take an action on public complaints about issues such as education, health and infrastructure, the student said. Dr Raflus Doranggi, member of Aids Control Commission in Jayapura, said the maternal and child health condition in Papua is very alarming. 
“The health issue in Papua is not only at the technical level but a lack of an effective regulatory framework by the legislature,” Raflus told tabloidjubi.com. (Jubi / Aprila/ Tina)


Crops damaged, Sabonm People face starvation.

Merauke, 10/3 ( Jubi ) – Residents of Sabon village in Merauke regency are facing a possible famine after their tuber and banana crops were damaged by seawater. Sabon village head Petrus Buniawi said seawater entered villagers’ farms at a height of approximately one meter. 
“The houses are safe because they are generally stilt houses,”he told tabloidjubi.com at Pangkat hall in Kelapa Lima, Merauke, Papua on Monday (10/3) . However, Buniawi said, crops such as tubers, vegetables and bananas which were ready for harvest were destroyed. 
“Frankly, the people just let it go and are not able to do much. We hope that the government can help us,” Buniawi said. A member of the Merauke Representatives Council, Dominikus Ulukyanan such the incident in Sabon happened almost every year and the government must come up with the right solution to prevent similar disasters in the future. Merauke regent, Romanus Mbaraka said the government has distributed aid including 60 tons of rice and other basic necessities to Waan district for the last few weeks. 
“I have received the report and instructed officials to deliver assistance so the people can have their daily meals” said Romanus. ( Jubi / Frans L Kobun/ Tina ) (Jubi 11 March)

 
Benny Wenda has called for a boycott of the Indonesian election. Benny’s statement at http://freewestpapua.org/2014/03/16/benny-wendas-statement-on-boycotting-the-indoensian-elections/ Victor Yeimo of the KNPB also urged the people of Papua from Sorong to Merauke not to vote in legislative elections (Pileg) and presidential elections (presidential) in 2014. " I say to all members of KNPB wherever you are and all over West Papuan civilians to boycott the colonial Indonesia, " said Victor to majalahaselangkah.com, Sunday ( 06 / 04 )  " Because the fate of the nation of Papua will be determined through a referendum later. KNPB This is an official stance, " he explained.



Transmigration program no longer implemented in Papua

Jayapura, 1/3 ( Jubi ) – The Department of Labor and Demography in Papua province said that there will be no transmigration program in Indonesia ‘s easternmost region. ” The other provincial governments in Indonesia still consider implementing the transmigration program, but not for the Province of Papua,” department head Yan Piet Rawar said in Jayapura on Thursday (3/4) . To control the population in Papua, the provincial government already has a provincial regulation (Perdasi) No. 11 of 2013. “The population of Papua should reach 20 million before a new transmigration program can be implemented, ” he explained. When asked about the impact of the influx of people from outside Papua, he acknowledged the number increased every year but was under control.
“We’ve socialized Perdasi No. 11 of 2013 to the regencies and cities in Papua as people from outside who came to Papua is growing each year. One of the reasons is employment opportunities, ” he said. He hopes that this regulation can be implemented well if there is cooperation and coordination between the regencies and cities in Papua. 
” Yes, the people who enter Papua can not be easily recorded and hopefully the implementation of e-ID card can collect accurate population data, ” he said. While, the Governor of Papua Lukas Enembe said, currently Papuans do not need new provinces but more welfare in all sectors.
“So far, about 60 percent of Papuans are not ready for new provinces. If we force the split, it will create new problems,” said Luke. ( Jubi / Alex/ Tina) (Jubi 4 April)



Papuans welcome Jokowi 

Sita W Dewi and Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Sat, April 05 2014

Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is spending the last weekend of the open campaign period visiting the easternmost island of Papua, showing his commitment to native Papuans. The Jakarta governor first stopped in Sorong, West Papua, to refuel his chartered airplane and visited a traditional market in the city. He later continued onto Jayapura, Papua, and went straight to Youtefa market in Abepura to meet with the locals. As usual, Jokowi was welcomed like a celebrity. “I saw it with my very own eyes, Jokowi is willing to meet with the people at traditional markets, unlike any other president. Papuans want him,” Linda Sanyi, a local resident, said. Another native Papuan shared the sentiment. “I want him to become president. He goes to traditional markets so he understands people like us,” Berlin Wadi, a vendor, said. Jokowi, who was heavily guarded by dozens of police, took his time talking to the vendors and also brought home vegetables and smoked fish. He later spoke before thousands of PDI-P supporters at the PTC field. “No presidential candidate has come here before, but I did, because the sun rises in the east, in Papua,” said Jokowi, to a cheering audience. He also promised Papuans that he would make Papua his priority once he was elected president. “I understand that Papua’s problems should be solved with heart, with real work. I’m not going to promise you too many things, but Papua’s resources should be used for Papuans’ own well-being,” Jokowi said. He also expressed his optimism that the PDI-P would seize a landslide victory in Papua.


Opinion pieces/reports/press releases etc.
Editorial: What Papua Needs Is More Transparency 

Papua’s Endless Cycle of Strife And Poverty


Is a UN resolution on Papua impossible?



 

 
Conflict in Indonesia’s Papua Region

 
‘Otsus Plus’ for Papua:  What’s the point?  



MIFEE during Romanus’s Term of Office: New Permits and Deforestation Threats.




1) Indonesia Closes PNG Border Area Ahead of Legislative Elections

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1) Indonesia Closes PNG Border Area Ahead of Legislative Elections
2) Religious people in Papua must vote
3) Papuan govt prioritizes national exam`s logistics to Jayapura`s remote areas
4) Statement by Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive-Director of LP3BP on 7
April 2014

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1) Indonesia Closes PNG Border Area Ahead of Legislative Elections

By Banjir Rambarita on 07:40 pm Apr 07, 2014
Category CrimeNewsPolitics

Jayapura. Indonesia on Monday temporarily shut down its border with Papua New Guinea at the village of Wutung, Papua, two days before the archipelago’s legislative contests over the possibility of separatist-induced election violence.
“Border access [at the village] between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea has been closed down due to the approaching elections,” Brig. Gen. Hinca Siburian, a member of the Cendrawasih Military Command, which oversees the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) operations in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, said. “This is not over the shooting incident that occurred last Saturday — this is the KPU’s [General Elections Committee] agenda during the voting period.”
An Indonesian soldier and Papua Police official suffered minor injuries during a firefight between police and members of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) on the border of the two countries on Saturday.
Around 40 members of the OPM fired on a watch tower at a military post in Wutung. They also took down the Indonesian flag and raised the banned Morning Star flag — a symbol of Papuan independence.
Afterward, the perpetrators hopped over the border back into PNG.
Hinca said the army will still keep an eye on the border areas in anticipation of possible threats from separatist groups during the election.
“We’re on alert — we won’t let separatists disturb the elections,” he said.
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2) Religious people in Papua must vote

Mon, April 7 2014 19:08 | 386 Views
Sentani (ANTARA News) - It is mandatory for all religious people in Papua to vote during Wednesdays legislative elections, according to local religious figures.

"Those who claim to be religious and refuse to vote as are irresponsible," Papua Communion of Churches Chairman Reverend Lipius Biniluk stated here on Monday.

Biniluk explained that religious people have responsibility and integrity to vote in the elections without pressures from certain parties.

"No pressure, no money politics. Religious people must vote for who ever they think is the right person to lead this nation," he remarked, adding that they should participate in making the election a success.

Meanwhile, Jayapura branch of Indonesian Ulema Council Chairman Faishal Saleh noted that religious people were also recommended to love their nation.

"Acting as non-voters in the elections is against the government and therefore religious people are forbidden to do so," Faishal stressed. 

According to him, Islam and the nation are one in the form of value system and the governance structure.

Therefore the religious figures call on all public elements and religious community in Papua to participate in the elections without acting as non-voters.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH

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3) Papuan govt prioritizes national exam`s logistics to Jayapura`s remote areas

Mon, April 7 2014 19:27 | 408 Views
Sentani (ANTARA News) - The Jayapuras Head of Education Department, Alpius Toam, stated in Jayapura on Monday, that they will prioritize the national exams logistics distribution to the remote areas, such as Demta, Taja and Yapsi.

As the national exam for high school students will be held on April 14 to 16, Alpius stressed that its logistics will be sent on April 12 to Demta, Taja and Yapsi areas, and then on April 13, to Nimboran Sub-district.

"Actually, the farthest area of Jayapura District is Airu, but since this area does not hold the national exam for elementary school, we remove it from the logistics distributions target," noted Alpius.

After the national exam for the high school students, there will be national exam for junior high school on May 5 to 8, and elementary school on May 19-21.

"While for Sentani areas, which is closer to the city, the distribution will be sent on time during exams to avoid allegations and suspicions of leakage," Alpius explained.

Alpius added that his team is ready to distribute the national exams logistics to all districts in Jayapura areas, which hold exams, as soon as the provincial education department of Papua received the stuff. 

One the national exams logistic are distributed to those remote areas, the packages will be deposited to the police until the exam next day begins.

"On the exam day, the police and invigilators from some universities in Papua, will distribute the package to each school which holds the exam," Alpius explained.

Alpius noted that the national exam for this year will need a lot of attention and concern from all sides for its logistics distribution, as the schedule coincides with post-legislative elections in April and before the presidential election in July.
(Uu.A060/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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4) Statement by Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive-Director of LP3BP on 7
April 2014

Speaking as a human rights defender working in the Land of Papua, I
urge the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) in Jakarta to
immediately investigate the maltreatment and torture by members of the
Indonesian police of Yali Wenda (20) and Alvares Kapissa (25) on 2
April. Such actions are regarded as being grave human rights
violations as stated in Article 9 (f) of Law 26/2000 on Human Rights
Courts and the most serious form of human rights violations according
to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and
Degrading Treatment.

As a recipient of the John Humphreys Freedom Award 2005 in Canada,
I call on the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to place this case of
treatment of the two students both of whom are civilians on its agenda
for discussion and the adoption of a resolution regarding the
government of Indonesia in its session in May this year.

The Secretary General of the United Nations should also press the
Indonesian government to allow his Special Representative on
Maltreatment and Torture to enter the Land of Papua in order to ensure
that this case is handled transparently and in accordance with the
mechanisms and principles of international law.

As Executive Director of the LP3BH Manokwari, I call on the
international community, in particular the governments of the members
of the European Union to review the bilateral accords on co-operation
which they have entered into with Indonesia, in the context of
developmental activity in the Land of Papua.

Respect for human rights is regarded as the foremost feature of
law in any bilateral accord between state members of the European
Union and other countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States
of America, New Zealand and Japan and Indonesia.

The LP3BH also urges the Government of Indonesia to give
unfettered access to the Land of Papua to Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch and the International Crisis Group to investigate the
current state of human rights in the Land of Papua and what may happen
there in the future.

Peace

[Translated by Carmel Budiardjo]




1) OPM in battle, No destruction or threat to PNG

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1) OPM in battle, No destruction or threat to PNG

2) Freeport helps distribute  election materials in Mimika 

3) SMUGGLING OF PROTECTED BIRDS FOILED

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1) OPM in battle, No destruction or threat to PNG
Tue 08 Apr 2014
VANIMO, PNG POST COURIER) ----Two Indonesian soldiers and OPM rebels were reportedly injured in an eight-hour gunfight last weekend at the Papua New Guinea-Indonesian border near Wutung in West Sepik Province.
A PNG intelligence officer, who is currently on the ground, told the Post-Courier that the OPM have taken to the jungle on the PNG side of the border after the confrontation with the Indonesian military, which continues to increase its presence.
The situation is quiet but tense, he said while emphasising that the PNG Defence Force could not contain and prevent members of the OPM from entering PNG territory, as they were only a section comprising 10 to 15 soldiers.
The soldiers are part of a company from the PNGDF Vanimo forward base, which is part of the 2nd Royal Pacific Islands Regiment based at Moem Barracks in neighbouring East Sepik Province.
The primary objective of the PNGDF soldiers deployed to the border is to conduct surveillance to ensure the safety of PNG citizens, especially Wutung villagers who live a kilometre from the border posts and not far from the scene of the fighting.
Members of the OPM last week pulled down the Indonesian flag and hoisted their West Papua and United Nations flags before embarking on a path of destruction, which saw the burning of Indonesian government facilities at the border post and a gun battle with the Indonesian police and military.
The gun battle ceased after dark as reports emerged of Indonesian military presence rolling into Batas in recent days. PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato confirmed on Sunday that a diplomatic note was given to the Indonesian government highlighting PNG’s concerns over recent developments on the border between the two countries.
However, Opposition Leader Belden Namah yesterday warned that failure to address the issue could have long-term implications for bilateral relations.
“I have stated on numerous occasions that the border is a time bomb ticking away. I call on both the PNG and Indonesian governments again, to take immediate steps to address key issues affecting our border, and in particular the need for a more precise demarcation of the international land border,” he said in a statement.
Wutung Villagers are also frustrated at the lack of action from authorities and have petitioned the PNG Government to speed up the reopening of the border post so they can return to their gardens and normal lives.
“Wutung people have most of their gardens across the Indonesian border, where 80 percent of their land is located and closing of the border will prevent them from accessing their gardens to harvest food for their daily consumption,” said the intelligence official.
Meanwhile, the rebel group Organisasi Papua Merdeka, along the PNG-Indonesia border, will not harm or destroy anything on PNG soil, says an OPM insider.
He said the rebels who identify themselves as the revolutionary army for the Free West Papua Movement have verified that nothing has been destroyed and no people will be harmed.
They said claims that the PNG government’s border administration facility was burnt down is not true. The government lodged an official protest note on Sunday with the Indonesian government saying that rebels had razed the local border facility to the ground.
The insider confirmed, however, that reports the rebels lowered the Indonesia flag and raised the West Papuan and UN flags are true. According to him, the incident occurred last Thursday when the Defence Force was at the Batas area. An eyewitness has verified these claims and assured the people of PNG that all property is intact and no harm has come to citizens following the incident.
The recent report which implies that the rebels are building up in numbers and may be a threat to the lives of Papua New Guineans have been rejected by the insider.
“We just want an independent West Papua, our fight is with Indonesia and not with Papua New Guinea,” said the insider.
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2) Freeport helps distribute  election materials in Mimika 

The Jakarta Post, Mimika | Archipelago | Tue, April 08 2014, 12:07 PM
Mining giant Freeport Indonesia has dispatched an Airfast helicopter to distribute election materials to the remote villages of Hoeya, Jinoni and Puti in Mimika, Papua, an election official has said.
The Mimika General Elections Commission (KPUD) commissioner Agus Hugo Krey said on Tuesday as quoted by Antara that the distribution of election materials to Kuala Kencana and Mimika Baru districts would be conducted today.
Bepindo, a company appointed by Freeport to distribute election materials in Mimika, will also transport the materials to three other villages, namely Diloa, Geselema and Noema, on Tuesday.
The distribution of materials to the three villages, which are located in Jila district, will be conducted using an aircraft departing from Alama airport.
Sixteen ballot boxes, ballot papers and other materials for the three villages should have been distributed on Monday. Due to the limited capacity of the aircraft, 16 ballot boxes were returned to Mimika KPU.
“We’d like to express our gratitude for PT Freeport’s support in helping distribute election materials to a number of villages in remote Mimika areas,” said Agus.
As of Tuesday, election materials for 10 districts have been distributed. They are Agimuga, Jita, Mimika Barat, Mimika Barat Jauh, Mimika Barat Tengah, Mimika Tengah, Mimika Timur, Mimika Timur Jauh, Tembagapura and half of Jila district. (ebf)
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3) SMUGGLING OF PROTECTED BIRDS FOILED



                                                                        The bird of paradise (fotohewan.info)

Jayapura , 7/4 ( Jubi ) – Quarantine officials in Jayapura foiled an attempt to smuggle four birds, three birds of paradise and a king cockatoo out of Papua on Monday (31/3).
“At ship’s entrance, the officers found a carton of cigarettes. When checked, there were birds in a box hidden under sacks of rice,“ the head of Agricultural Quarantine Class I Jayapura , H. Suryo Irianto Putro said.
“Before the owner was found, the ship had already left. So, the officers seized the birds and took them to the Office of Agricultural Quarantine. Unfortunately, one of the birds of paradise died. We plan to hand it to Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center on Tuesday ( 8/4),” he added.
The head of Supervision and Enforcement at the Jayapura Quarantine Agency, Hendri Lumbaa Boas, said officers immediately reported the finding to the Center for Agricultural Quarantine Agency, the Governor of Papua and the Police Chief.
“We will send them back and hope that the people of Papua can participate in protecting the  wildlife, ” Boas said. ( Jubi / Arjuna/ Tina)

1) Papua, PNG police join forces to hunt insurgents

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1) Papua, PNG police join  forces to hunt insurgents 

2) PAPUANS TO BLAME FOR AUTONOMY FAILURE, GOVERNOR SAYS

3) Papua province to postpone vote casting in 35 subdistricts

4) Election-material distribution  still underway in Jayapura 

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1) Papua, PNG police join  forces to hunt insurgents 
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Tue, April 08 2014, 4:13 PM
The Papua Police are working with their Papua New Guinea (PNG) counterpart to hunt down a group of criminals on the run in PNG territory after a shoot out with the police near the Indonesia-PNG Skouw Wutung border on  Saturday.
“We identified the group from evidence found at the scene of the crime. They are under the leadership of Mathias Wenda,” Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Tuesday.
According to the police, Mathias Wenda’s group had been based in Victoria Village, PNG, and were known to be operating near the border area.
The group allegedly replaced the national flag with the Free Papua Organization (OPM) flag, vandalized the border area and exchanged fire with the police, which resulted in the injury of Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr.  Albert Papare chief Sgt. Tugino. (dic)

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2) PAPUANS TO BLAME FOR AUTONOMY FAILURE, GOVERNOR SAYS
Jayapura , 7/4 ( Jubi ) – Papuans have only themselves to blame for the failure of special autonomy, Governor Lukas Enembe said Monday.
“Don’t blame Special Autonomy. If you say Special Autonomy has failed, who is to blame? we Papuans have made it fail as it is known that all important positions, governor, regents and representative council are in the hands of Papuans,” he said.
 Enembe was speaking during a gathering attended by local leaders including regents and the heads of Working Units ( SKPD) in Papua to mark one year in office.
“It’s been a year into my leadership as a governor and Klemen Tinal as a deputy governor in Papua yet we have not done something that gives impacts to communities. Therefore, I invite all leaders to work together to fight poverty, ignorance, backwardness and isolation in Papua. I hope each head of working units will be able to translate these into their programs,” Enembe said.
He stated that this year should focus more on reconciliation, consolidation, regulatory structuring and inventory of problems.
“We keep working to develop good communication among all stakeholders to make Papua better. We have done and it will be part of our journey, ” he stated .
He said he hoped Special Autonomy (Otsus) would be implemented well so there will be change and progress in Papua.
“The most important is our leadership can have a great impact on the people of Papua. We hope that God grants us all leaders, long life and good health to finish the tasks mandated, “ he said. ( Jubi/ Alex/ Tina)
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Wed, April 9 2014 00:27 | 251 Views

3) Papua province to postpone vote casting in 35 subdistricts

Wed, April 9 2014 00:27 | 251 Views


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Papua provincial district of Yahukimo should postpone vote casting in 35 subdistricts from the earlier schedule of April 9, because ballots had not arrived at the locations, the General Election Commission (KPU) commissioner said.

"Ballot papers cannot be sent to areas in Yahukimo District due to bad weather. Cargo airplane had started flying there, but bad weather had forced the airplane to return to the capital of Yahukimo District," the KPU commissioner, Hadar Nafis Gumay, said here on Tuesday night.

The polling logistics supplies, including the ballots, were flown by using the civilian and military aircraft to the locations. On the way, however, bad weather prevented the airplane from heading to the locations. 

According to Hadar Nafis, the KPU personnel will resume sending the logistics materials for the polling day on the morning of Wednesday, April 9, if the weather was good. 

The casting of votes will be conducted soon after the ballots arrived in the locations, the KPU commissioner added. 

Indonesia will hold a legislative election on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, and a presidential election on July 9, 2014.

Twelve national political parties will participate in the legislative election, namely the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), the Nations Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), the Golkar Party (Golkar) and the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) 

Also included in the lineup are the Democratic Party (Demokrat), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the Peoples Conscience Party (Hanura), the Crescent and Star Party (PBB) and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). (*)
Editor: Heru
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4) Election-material distribution  still underway in Jayapura   

The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Tue, April 08 2014, 8:39 PM
The Jayapura General Elections Commission (KPUD), Papua, was still distributing election materials to five districts on Tuesday.
Cipto Wibowo, an official with the KPUD Jayapura’s finance and logistics division in Kelapa Dua Entrop, said on Tuesday that 700 of over 3,000 ballot boxes had been delivered by noon.
“We started distributing the election materials at 8 a.m. local time, first concentrating on the locations furthest away, such as Kampung Moso in Muara Tami district,” said Cipto as quoted by Antara news agency.
He said the election materials were sent from the KPUD’s warehouse in Entrop. “The distribution is closely monitored by officers from the Jayapura Police who will also safeguard the dispatch of the election materials to every district,” said Cipto.
He further said the KPUD Jayapura had asked the Jayapura Police precinct to guard and monitor more than 700 polling stations (TPS) in areas across the province’s capital.
“We have asked the police to dispatch one officer for every TPS, who will be supported by two community protection [Linmas] officers,” said Cipto.
He said the KPUD was optimistic that all the election materials would be delivered by Tuesday evening.
According to official data, the number of voters in the final voter list in Jayapura is 343,456 while 2,000 voters were registered in the special voter list. (put/ebf)

1) TNI, separatists clash on election day

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1) TNI, separatists clash  on election day

2) Prabowo to allow foreign  journalists enter Papua 

3) OPM-linked gang behind  attack: Police

4) Missionary plane crashes in Papua

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1) TNI, separatists clash  on election day
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Election Watch | Wed, April 09 2014, 10:45 AM

A clash between Army soldiers and armed separatists erupted in Mulia, the capital of Puncak Jaya regency, on Wednesday when people in other parts of Papua province flocked to polling stations for the legislative election.
Antara news agency reported that based on military sources in Jayapura, the Cendrawasih Military Command's Battalion 751 personnel confiscated an AR-15 rifle from the separatists.
The security situation in the easternmost province of Indonesia remains fragile. On April 5, 2014, an exchange of fire between military personnel and armed rebels also occurred in the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border area.
A soldier named Tugino and Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alfred Papare sustained injuries after being hit by by stray bullets.
The incident occurred when Indonesian security personnel were monitoring the security situation around the border area after armed civilians hoisted the outlawed Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag at a lighthouse there.
Following the clash on April 5, Indonesia closed the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) in Skouw-Wutung. (***)


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2) Prabowo to allow foreign  journalists enter Papua 
Margareth S.Aritonang, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Election Watch | Wed, April 09 2014, 3:41 PM
Gerindra Party chief patron and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto said that if he was elected as a president, he would open Papua, the country's easternmost province, to foreign journalists.
The former commander of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) emphasized that any foreigner could come to Indonesia as long as they adhered to the country's regulations.
"We'll see about the regulations later, but, [I think] it shouldn't be a problem. This is a free country," Prabowo said, responding to journalists' questions on the matter after he cast his vote at a polling station near his mansion in Hambalang, West Java.
Several presidential hopefuls have apparently focused on Papua — one of the country’s most-conflict prone areas —to win the support from the electorate.
Other than Prabowo, who has been nominated by the Gerindra Party to represent the party in the July election, Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who has also been named a presidential candidate by the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI-P) also voiced similar support for Papua during a visit to the house of prominent singer Iwan Fals earlier this month.
"There is no reason foreign journalists should be banned from Papua if there are no existing laws that support it," Prabowo said.
In 2012, a human rights session at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) recommended the government to allow foreign journalists to enter the country's resource rich land. The recommendation was included in a list of another recommendations provided for Indonesia in order to fulfill its commitment to protect and uphold human rights in the country. (ebf)
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3) OPM-linked gang behind  attack: Police
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Wed, April 09 2014, 10:22 AM

The Papua Police are working with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) police in a manhunt for armed assailants who fled to PNG after a shootout on Saturday with security forces in Skouw Wutung, on the border of Indonesia and PNG.

“The police have investigated and have identified the armed civilian group as being from the Mathias Wenda gang, based on field evidence,” said Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian in Jayapura on Tuesday.

Mathias Wenda is a leader of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM).

The evidence came in the form of an identity card under the name of a person with the rank of major, signed by Mathias.

“The finding leads to the Mathias Wenda gang,” Tito confirmed.

Based on police information, the gang usually operates along the Indonesia-PNG border in Skouw Wutung and is based in Victoria village, PNG.

“We will take advantage of our good relations and cooperation, which is well-established with PNG, and take legal action against these armed criminals,” he said.

The armed gang carried out an attack on Saturday morning on the Indonesia-PNG border when around 20 armed men took down an Indonesian flag and raising the Morning Star separatist flag.

The flag has long been seen by the Indonesian government as a symbol of rebellion.

The armed men set fire to a banner, damaged a car wash and piled wood on the streets, blocking traffic in the process. The gang members also fired at security personnel who were conducting surveillance
on them.

In the incident, Jayapura City Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alfred Papare and Indonesian Military (TNI) Sgt. Major Tugino were injured.

During the gunfire, security personnel were able to shoot and hit three of the gang members, but they immediately fled into the jungle of the neighboring country.

“We’ve tightened security on the border to prevent a similar incident from recurring,” said Tito.

In regard to the legislative election, Tito urged residents not to be provoked by misleading rumors.

“Rumor has it that two people were killed in Nafri, whereas in fact both of them were killed in a traffic accident,” he went on.

“The driver of the car involved in the accident has been held, so the rumor of the killing is untrue.”

Tito emphasized the police and the TNI would beef up security ahead of the election as part of an effort to maintain peace and security.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia-PNG border area will be closed to the public from April 6 until April 12 due to the election in Indonesia.


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4) Missionary plane crashes in Papua

Wed, April 9 2014 10:01 | 499 Views

Jayapura (ANTARA News) - A missionary plane belonging to Advent Christian, crashed in Doyo, Jayapura District, Papua Province, on Wednesday.

The number of victims and the cause of the plane are not known yet. 

(Uu.F001/R013)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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