1) PAPUAN FEMALE TRADERS BANNED FROM KAJASE MARKET
2) Papua oil palm plans may benefit migrants more
than local poor — report
3) INDONESIA: SETTING THE AGENDA: HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT
4) Indonesia`s next president must prioritize human rights: Amnesty
5) COCOA PRODUCTION IN PAPUA DECLINING
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1) PAPUAN FEMALE TRADERS BANNED FROM KAJASE MARKET
South Sorong , 28/4 ( Jubi ) – Papuan women traders have been banned from selling their goods at Kajase market, with shops now dominated by non- Papuans, their representative said.
A representative of Maybrat women, Wensi Safakaur said that they are disappointed because they feel treated like strangers on their own land.
“We are very sad and disappointed at Papuan officials in this district. How dare, non- Papuans expel the Papuans. It is unacceptable. I hope the local Papuan officials will take action on this matter and do not close their eyes ” she said.
“We are very sad and disappointed at Papuan officials in this district. How dare, non- Papuans expel the Papuans. It is unacceptable. I hope the local Papuan officials will take action on this matter and do not close their eyes ” she said.
She said most Papuan women traders sell typical Papuan crops such as taro, sweet potatoes, cassava , bananas , vegetables and fishery products. They have been selling at the market since 2002 when South Sorong regency was established.
Previously, there was a dispute between Papua women and non- Papuan traders, who claimed to have bought the area from the Revenue Office .
Now , some Papuan women traders are forced to sell their crops in the driveway of Kajase Market . (Jubi / Nees/ Tina)
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2) Papua oil palm plans may benefit migrants more
than local poor — report
29
APR 2014
Editor’s Note: The oil palm industry will be a key theme of discussion at the upcoming Forests Asia Summit, 5-6 May in Jakarta, Indonesia. A discussion forum at the Summit, Improving private sector and smallholder participation and performance in sustainable oil palm development, will explore how private sector performance in environmental and social compliance can be improved across the board in the face of rapid deforestation in ASEAN member states. You can watch this session LIVE online at forestsasia.org/live starting at 3:15 p.m. WIB (GMT+7) on Monday, 5 May. Read here for more details.
BOGOR, Indonesia (29 April 2014) — Indonesia may miss out on a chance to boost socio-economic benefits for the poor in the eastern province of Papua unless it creates a development plan to address disparities caused by the rapid increase in oil palm plantation investments, according to a new report.
Oil palm production is considered a means to stimulate the economy, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods through related job creation and wage hikes — but without well-planned integration policies, key industry players will remain the biggest beneficiaries, the report said.
“Frontier oil palm expansion should be undertaken in stages to ensure the needs of the poor are considered,” said Krystof Obidzinski, a senior scientist with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).
VALUABLE SECTOR
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO), accounting for 45 percent of global output, the report said. In 2012, Indonesian CPO generated almost $18 billion in revenue from exports and $2.8 billion in export tax, according to Bank Indonesia, the country’s central bank.
Not only does oil palm contribute to infrastructure development, but it is also considered significant for poverty alleviation in Indonesia, a country where about 30 million people — 15 percent of the country’s population — live below the poverty line, Obidzinski said.
The government plans to double oil palm plantation estates by 4 million hectares (ha) over the next 10 years, he said, adding that Papua is targeted for much of this expansion due to limited land availability in other key palm oil plantation areas on the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra.
As part of its development efforts on the Papua frontier, the government in 2010 set up the public-private Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) initiative, aimed at expanding economic developmentby cultivating food and energy on a 1.2 million ha site — reduced from 2 million ha after controversy over potential social conflict and environmental damage.
IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS
Researchers used a mathematical equation to evaluate government estimates of the amount oil palm will contribute to the Papua economy, the potential for related job creation and projected income levels from such jobs. The results show that the bulk of increased economic output in the region would benefit the oil palm sector, rather than trickling down into other sectors and stimulating growth.
Calculations show that due to a lack of experience working in the oil palm sector and due to conflict over land rights, local Papuans would be unlikely to benefit from the government’s projected employment opportunities, leading to an increase in migrant workers.
“Depending on the plantation development scenario, our analysis shows that from 10,000 to more than 1 million jobs could be created,” Obidzinski said. “Unfortunately, most jobs on oil palm plantations require unskilled labor, and wages for such work wouldn’t do much to improve the earnings in low-income households.”
The potential for conflict in the province could increase with the introduction of foreign workers and due to disputes over land tenure rights, he said.
“Investors usually believe a one-off payment means they’ve purchased the land, but Papuans don’t realize that — they often believe their land has been rented, not sold and that they should receive compensation at regular intervals,” he said.
Oil palm plantations have led to vast deforestation — up to 50 percent of the 8 million ha of productive plantations in Sumatra and Kalimantan are situated on deforested land, according to Obidzinski.
“The government should commit to ensuring frontier expansion in Papua is sustainable — non-forest land should be used for oil palm plantation estates to ensure a low carbon footprint,” Obidzinski said.
“Implementing plantation development in stages would give rural communities time to prepare, leading to improved livelihoods, less tension and fewer conflicts.”
This work forms part of the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry and is funded in part by U.S. Agency for International Development and the Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development Aid.
For more information on the topics discussed in this article, please contact Krystof Obidzinski at k.obidzinski@cgiar.org
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA21/011/2014/en
3) INDONESIA: SETTING THE AGENDA: HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT
Indonesia: Setting the agenda: Human rights priorities for the new government
Index Number: ASA 21/011/2014Date Published: 29 April 2014
Categories: Indonesia
As the Indonesian people prepare for presidential elections in July 2014, Amnesty International calls on the presidential candidates to commit publicly to ensuring that human rights are protected, respected and fulfilled. The organization continues to receive credible reports of human rights violations across Indonesia. These include violations by Indonesian security forces, restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and religion and the criminalization of peaceful political activists. There is also ongoing discrimination against women and religious minorities, while executions resumed in the country in 2013 after a four-year hiatus.
Extract on Papua
6. RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN PAPUAThe Indonesian security forces have a track record of committing human rights violations in the provinces of Papua and West Papua with near impunity. Amnesty International has received credible reports of unlawful killings and unnecessary and excessive use of force and firearms by both police and military personnel during peaceful pro-independence protests and gatherings. The government has consistently failed to make a distinction between violent armed groups and peaceful activists. Further, political activists and others accused of links to pro-independence groups have been tortured or otherwise ill-treated during arrest and detention.39 Accountability for such acts is rare and at most security personnel receive disciplinary sanctions.40
Amnesty International takes no position whatsoever on the political status of any province of Indonesia, including calls for independence. However, the organization believes that the right to freedom of expression includes the right to peacefully advocate referendums, independence or other political solutions.
There remains a persistent culture of impunity for serious human rights violations committed by the Indonesian security forces in Indonesia including in Papua. The Attorney General has not investigated the Wasior (2001) and Wamena (2003) cases despite the fact that Komnas HAM has submitted its inquiry reports to the Attorney General's office indicating that it had found initial evidence suggesting that security forces had committed crimes against humanity, including acts of torture.41 A Human Rights Court and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Papua to establish the truth about past violations, as provided for in Law No. 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for the Papua province (Articles 45 and 46), have yet to be
Index: ASA 21/011/2014 Amnesty International April 2014
Indonesia: Setting the Agenda
Human rights priorities for the new government
established.
Amnesty International continues to receive reports of intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders and journalists in Papua. Further, the Indonesian authorities continue to restrict access to international human rights organizations, international journalists and other observers to the Papuan region. The denial of unimpeded access to these provinces limits independent reporting of the human rights situation there.
In May 2013, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, urged Indonesia to “allow international journalists into Papua and to facilitate visits by the Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council”.42
Human rights priorities for the new government
established.
Amnesty International continues to receive reports of intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders and journalists in Papua. Further, the Indonesian authorities continue to restrict access to international human rights organizations, international journalists and other observers to the Papuan region. The denial of unimpeded access to these provinces limits independent reporting of the human rights situation there.
In May 2013, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, urged Indonesia to “allow international journalists into Papua and to facilitate visits by the Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council”.42
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4) Indonesia`s next president must prioritize human rights: Amnesty
Tue, April 29 2014 19:05 | 548 Views
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias next leader must urgently tackle the ongoing human rights violations and repeal repressive and discriminatory laws, UK-based international NGO Amnesty International said in a press statement on Tuesday.
"It is disappointing that during the campaigning period the candidates have so far mostly ignored human rights. Indonesia has come a long way over the past decade, but there are still serious challenges remaining which the candidates should address," said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Asia Pacific Director.
There have been some human rights improvements during President Yudhoyonos administration (2004-2014), including the introduction of new human rights regulations for policing as well as legal reforms which strengthen witness protection.
Indonesia has also played an important role in the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), a body which could play a powerful role in enforcing rights standards across the region.
But serious violations have continued, ranging from suppression of freedom of expression and torture or other ill-treatment by the security forces, to almost complete impunity for crimes under international law committed during the Suharto era and the period of reform that followed. Further, executions resumed in Indonesia in 2013 after a four-year hiatus.
Although Indonesia has signed key international treaties guaranteeing rights protections, in most cases they have not been incorporated into domestic law or implemented in policy and practice.
"Indonesia's next president must go beyond paper promises and ensure that the daily reality in the country matches its lofty international commitments," said Rupert Abbott.
"The past decade has been marked by only patchy progress on human rights, and even regression in some areas."
In particular, the freedom of expression has deteriorated in recent years, and Indonesia's next president must work to amend or repeal legislation that is used to criminalize peaceful political activities.
More than 70 people, mainly activists from the eastern provinces of Papua and Maluku, are currently in prison for "rebellion" (makar) for taking part in peaceful political protests or raising banned independence flags. A 2007 regulation banning "separatist" flags has led to scores of arrests.
Harassment and attacks on religious minorities also increased under President Yudhoyonos administration, fuelled by discriminatory laws at both the regional and national level.
The minority Ahmadiyya community is prohibited from promoting its activities and teachings in many parts of Indonesia. The group has been the target of frequent attacks across the country in recent years, and there are credible reports that local government officials have sometimes allied with hardline religious groups to threaten or harass Ahmadiyya members into renouncing their beliefs.
"As long as discriminatory laws against religious minorities are in place, the violence and harassment which groups like the Ahmadiyyas face are effectively state-sanctioned. The new government must urgently work to repeal all laws which threaten freedom of religion or expression," said Rupert Abbott.
Women and girls continue to face barriers in exercising their rights, and there are laws and regulations which discriminate against women. The government has also failed to prohibit and take effective and appropriate action to eliminate practices which are harmful to women and girls, such as female genital mutilation, and impose appropriate criminal penalties on those who perform such acts.
(Tz.A051/KR-BSR/A014)
"It is disappointing that during the campaigning period the candidates have so far mostly ignored human rights. Indonesia has come a long way over the past decade, but there are still serious challenges remaining which the candidates should address," said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Asia Pacific Director.
There have been some human rights improvements during President Yudhoyonos administration (2004-2014), including the introduction of new human rights regulations for policing as well as legal reforms which strengthen witness protection.
Indonesia has also played an important role in the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), a body which could play a powerful role in enforcing rights standards across the region.
But serious violations have continued, ranging from suppression of freedom of expression and torture or other ill-treatment by the security forces, to almost complete impunity for crimes under international law committed during the Suharto era and the period of reform that followed. Further, executions resumed in Indonesia in 2013 after a four-year hiatus.
Although Indonesia has signed key international treaties guaranteeing rights protections, in most cases they have not been incorporated into domestic law or implemented in policy and practice.
"Indonesia's next president must go beyond paper promises and ensure that the daily reality in the country matches its lofty international commitments," said Rupert Abbott.
"The past decade has been marked by only patchy progress on human rights, and even regression in some areas."
In particular, the freedom of expression has deteriorated in recent years, and Indonesia's next president must work to amend or repeal legislation that is used to criminalize peaceful political activities.
More than 70 people, mainly activists from the eastern provinces of Papua and Maluku, are currently in prison for "rebellion" (makar) for taking part in peaceful political protests or raising banned independence flags. A 2007 regulation banning "separatist" flags has led to scores of arrests.
Harassment and attacks on religious minorities also increased under President Yudhoyonos administration, fuelled by discriminatory laws at both the regional and national level.
The minority Ahmadiyya community is prohibited from promoting its activities and teachings in many parts of Indonesia. The group has been the target of frequent attacks across the country in recent years, and there are credible reports that local government officials have sometimes allied with hardline religious groups to threaten or harass Ahmadiyya members into renouncing their beliefs.
"As long as discriminatory laws against religious minorities are in place, the violence and harassment which groups like the Ahmadiyyas face are effectively state-sanctioned. The new government must urgently work to repeal all laws which threaten freedom of religion or expression," said Rupert Abbott.
Women and girls continue to face barriers in exercising their rights, and there are laws and regulations which discriminate against women. The government has also failed to prohibit and take effective and appropriate action to eliminate practices which are harmful to women and girls, such as female genital mutilation, and impose appropriate criminal penalties on those who perform such acts.
(Tz.A051/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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5) COCOA PRODUCTION IN PAPUA DECLINING
Jayapura , 28/4 ( Jubi ) – the shipment of cocoa from Papua has dropped 67.5 percent due to pest attacks and the lack of understanding of plant maintenance by farmers.
According to the Papua Plantation Office, in 2010, Papua produced 4.6 million kg and but in 2013 the number fell to 2 million kg, the office said, citing data from between 2010 and 2013.
“In 2008, the shipping of cocoa beans outside Papua reached 9 million kg but now it has drastically declined, ” the head of the Papua Plantation Department, John D Nahumury, told reporters in Jayapura, Papua on Monday (28/4).
Indonesia is the third largest producer of cocoa after Ghana and Ivory Coast. While Papua cocoa beans have been very popular since the Dutch era. The cocoa beans are shipped to Surabaya and Makassar.
“We want regain the glory of Papua cocoa beans by improving quality, ” he said.
In Papua, there are some districts that have been used as a center for cocoa ie, Keerom, Sarmi, Yapen , Nabire and Waropen, and Jayapura. Besides that , he has also received reports regarding several regional development centers of spreading pests Cocoa Fruit Borer (CPB).
“Provincial officials also conduct a review in the field. The efforts that will be made are to handle and control the plants and production, ” he explained .
In the short term , there will be a counseling program to the farmers on good gardening, and maintenance such as pruning, fertilizing including pest prevention.
“And it should be done seriously,consistently and continuously, ” he said .
“And it should be done seriously,consistently and continuously, ” he said .
He added that the demand will be quite high from Indonesia.
“If we do not take a stand, in the future we will import raw materials from abroad. Some cocoa processing plant that has been established is closed due to a very limited supply of raw materials
“If we do not take a stand, in the future we will import raw materials from abroad. Some cocoa processing plant that has been established is closed due to a very limited supply of raw materials
In response, John Nahumury argues to improve production and quality of Papua cocoa, so the production can be boosted and the selling price at the farm level can be good and the income of farmers will be increased.
” For that, there are various regulations that will be made, ” he said .
” For that, there are various regulations that will be made, ” he said .
Previously, Agus Rumansara Director of Coaching Development Foundation Entrepreneurship Papua said cultural factors still affect cacao production as society is still limited to plant and grow their own cocoa.
” This tradition is still going on because people do not fully take care regular cocoa plants. They let cocoa to grow without special treatment, ” said Rumansara . ( Jubi / Alex/ Tina )
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