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1) Warriors for West Papua: RL fights for freedom

February 4, 2016, 1:07 pm
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2) After Snubbing Third Summons, Setya Questioned in Freeport Shakedown

3) Jokowi warned against inviting  military into politics -
4) JAKARTA CLUELESS ABOUT PAPUA PROBLEMS, SAYS PAPUAN LEGISLATOR
5) COMMISSION I SEEKS ANTONIUS WAMANG’S RETURN TO PAPUA
6) German Diplomat Visits the LP3BH

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http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_20797-warriors-for-west-papua-rl-fights-for-freedom.html

1) Warriors for West Papua: RL fights for freedom

04 Feb 2016 ZACK WILSON

Video
West Papua Warriors are set to make history this Friday, when they play a Nines game against the Philippines Admirals in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta.
West Papua is the western half of the island of New Guinea, and it has been taken over by Indonesia.
In 1963, West Papua was taken over militarily by Indonesia and was illegally occupied.
In 1969, the 'Act of Free Choice' was held, which Indonesia insisted was a fair vote. In actual fact, 1,026 West Papuans were forced at gunpoint to vote for integration with Indonesia.
The UK and USA had strong links with Indonesia's right-wing dictator Suharto, and so did not intervene.
The largest gold mine in the world at the time, Freeport, is located in West Papua.
Since 1963, it is estimated that some half a million West Papuans have died at the hands of Indonesian occupying forces, some 25 per cent of the total Papuan population.
Flying the West Papuan Morning Star flag is considered an act of treason by the Indonesian government, punishable by prison, which makes the emergence of the Warriors rugby league team all the more significant.
The team will wear a kit emblazoned with this symbol of West Papuan freedom when they face the Philippines.
Funds were raised for the trip to Australia thanks to a Go Fund campaign.
The players come from Papua New Guinea, and many have roots in West Papua. The team has been sanctioned by the RLIF and the NSWRL, and this will be the first time anywhere in the world that a West Papua team has competed internationally.
Love Rugby League wishes the West Papua Warriors all the best for the future.
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2) After Snubbing Third Summons, Setya Questioned in Freeport Shakedown
By : Jakarta Globe | on 3:39 PM February 04, 2016
Jakarta. Disgraced former House of Representative speaker Setya Novanto has finally fulfilled a summons from prosecutors after three times refusing to attend questioning in relation to an alleged $4 billion shakedown attempt of mining giant Freeport Indonesia.
Setya arrived at the Attorney General's Office headquarters in South Jakarta at 8 a.m. on Thursday (04/02) without being accompanied by any of his lawyers. The questioning was actually not scheduled by the AGO.
AGO deputy attorney general for special crimes Arminsyah said the Golkar politician was questioned in relation to a taped conversation between Setya, oilman Muhammad Riza Chalid and former president director of Freeport Indonesia, Maroef Sjamsuddin.
Setya was grilled for his part in an alleged plot between him and Riza to extort $4 billion in shares from Freeport Indonesia in exchange for helping the miner with its contract renegotiations.
“We estimate that the questionings will not finish today. There will be other summons,” Arminsyah said, as reported by Tribunnews.com.
Setya previously refused three summons by the AGO, each time with different reasons: the case “does not fall under Setya's authority," it would lead to “political and security instability” and he was “physiologically sick."
Setya submitted his resignation as House speaker – though not as a legislator – on Dec. 16, 2015, just before the House Ethics Council was due to rule on his case. Fifteen of the 17 council members had already declared him guilty to some degree of an ethical violation, but his resignation preempted the handing down of a formal ruling.
Regardless of the lack of a definitive verdict in the ethics inquiry, the AGO has embarked on its own criminal investigation into the case.
The House's Commission III overseeing law affairs formed a working committee on the Freeport shakedown investigation on Wednesday.
The committee aimed to monitor the legal process against Setya and Riza, who has left the country and remains untouched by the AGO, the initiator and Democratic Party lawmaker Benny Harman said.
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3) Jokowi warned against inviting  military into politics -
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Wed, February 03 2016, 5:05 PM - 

Human rights activists have criticized President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo for announcing that he would call on the Indonesian Military (TNI) to help the government stabilize the prices of staple foods.

Activists said the announcement could pave the way for the greater involvement of the TNI in civilian affairs, while the institution had yet to complete internal reforms to become more professional.

“The idea of involving the TNI in stabilizing food prices could be in violation of Law No. 34/2004 on the TNI. It could also compromise efforts to make the TNI a professional force,” Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) researcher Wahyudi Djafar told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Wahyudin said that by thinking that the TNI could solve the problem of food price instability, the President could not be aware of the function of the TNI, which was to protect the country’s sovereignty.

“Civilians should not force the TNI to get involved in civilian matters while the institution is undergoing reform. If the government wants to involve the TNI, it should be based on a political decision instead of tactical needs,” he said.

He said that as the first president with no military background, Jokowi should be more resolute in maintaining civilian supremacy over the military. 

“President Jokowi is the first civilian president that we have after the Reform Era. He should elevate civil supremacy and not depend on the TNI,” Wahyudi said.

Late last week, the President instructed leaders of the TNI and the National Police to help support the government’s priority development projects by, for example, helping with land acquisition to ensure the smooth start of projects.

Jokowi also called on the two institutions to help bring stability to staple food prices. 

“Also, [I also gave an instruction] about matters related to inflation and food prices. I have given orders [for the TNI and the police] to go to the field and see whether or not there are [price] differences or those playing tricks [to cheat on food prices or stock],” Jokowi said.

Jokowi also called on the two forces to help crack down on the rampant practice of charging illegal fees, especially in the distribution of basic foodstuff.

In recent years, the TNI has gradually expanded its influence in civilian life by signing agreements with ministries, allowing it to take on tasks such as distributing fertiliser and guarding prisons and public and private infrastructure.

Last year, the military signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to help with the country’s war on drugs, a campaign that is being driven by the President, who has in the past ordered the execution of foreign drug convicts. Al-Araf, an activist with human rights watchdog Imparsial, said the involvement of the TNI in stabilizing food prices was inappropriate.

“The problem should be handled by the agriculture and trade ministries. If there is a ‘mafia’ or cartel that creates price instability, it should be the police that handle the case, not the TNI,” al-Araf said.

Meanwhile, TB Hasanuddin of House of Representative Commission I overseeing defense, foreign affairs and information, called on the government to review its plan to involve the TNI to stabilize food prices.

“Based on Article 7 of the 2004 TNI Law, there are 14 military tasks besides war, and stabilizing prices isn’t one of them,” TB Hasanuddin said.

He said there was also no regulation or procedure that would allow the TNI to monitor and stabilise food prices. - 
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4) JAKARTA CLUELESS ABOUT PAPUA PROBLEMS, SAYS PAPUAN LEGISLATOR

Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan legislator Laurenzus Kadepa accused the Indonesian Government of lacking ideas to solve problems in Papua.
As a result, authorities resorted to stigmatizing the resistance of civilians, including the Papua Free Movement, by branding them Security Disturbing Movements, separatists, armed groups and recently terrorists.
His statement was in response Security Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan’s statement in an online media who said the armed groups in Aceh and Papua were also included as terrorist network category in the draft of Terrorism bill established by the government.
“I see a new stigma because they loss their sense and idea to resolve the Papua problems. Now it comes the stigma of terrorist to follow the handling of the Law on Terrorism. Special Detachment 88 will certainly take action. Could it resolve the Papua problems?” Kadepa told Jubi via text message on Wednesday (3/2/2016).
According to him, which group they accused as the armed group? It must be explained in detail. In Papua, there are many armed groups with different motives. “There are some groups that actually fighting for Papuan independence, but there are also formed to counter the Free Papua, and some are fighting for another reasons. All have weapons. So which group in Papua they are putting in that category,” he said.
He is concerned about other way to be applied to criminalize the resistance of Papuans in demanding justice, the settlement of human rights violation in the past and present and some other things.
Quoted from online media, the Minister of Political, Legal and Defense Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said the indicator of terrorist group is not applicable and marginalizing the Muslim group. According to him, as quoted from RMOL, the armed groups in Papua and Aceh are also included in the terrorist network category by the government in the draft of Terrorism Bill.
“Do not think it would only applicable for Islam group, do not think it would only applicable for ISIS, but if in Papua or Aceh or in my hometown Batak land, there are groups who commit a danger for the country, they might be accused under the law,” Panjaitan said on Monday (1/2/2016).
According to him, the revision of draft Law No. 15/2003 on Combating Terrorism included the definition and criteria about terrorism. “We are not alone in drafting the Terrorism Bill. We involved the constitutional law experts and criminal law experts on the formulation of draft. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)

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5) COMMISSION I SEEKS ANTONIUS WAMANG’S RETURN TO PAPUA

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Representative Council is trying to accommodate a request by Antonius Wamang, convicted for the Mimika shooting in 2002, to move him from Cipinang Prison in Jakarta to Abepura Prison in Jayapura.
The member of Comission I, Tan Wie Long, said the family visited the Commission I for Political, Legal and Human Rights Affairs on Tuesday around 11:00 Papua time to convey their request to move Wamang to Papua.
“We will attempt to help Wamang’s family to remove the prisoner to Papua. We will submit this request to the Chairman of Legislative Council to issue an official letter to relevant parties, such as the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Directorate General of Correction Department,” said Tan after meeting with Wamang’s family representative this week.

However, he said, certainly there are conditions that must be fulfilled related to the request, such as administrative conditions and so on. His family have obligation to fulfill it. Additionally, the family must submit an official letter to the relevant parties; including the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Directorate General of Correction Department. “We hope their request could be fulfilled, furthermore Antonius is currently getting old and distance from his family. We see this case from the humanitarian perspective. It could be a reference for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Directorate General of Correction Department as well as other relevant parties to allow Antonius to complete his sentences in Papua,” he said.
Other legislator from Mimika electoral region, Wilhelmus Pigai said the Commission I would struggle for pardon or reduction of sentence against Wamang. One of the reasons is during the nine years sentences at Cipinang Prison, he is always good behaved.
“We have submitted the public investigation document to the Cipinang Prison and Ministry of Law and Human Rights. We hope it will get a response immediately. Wamang is an Indonesian citizen who has the same rights as other Indonesian citizens, including to get a pardon,” said Pigai sometimes ago.
On 21 August 2002, there was an attack on the convoy of the vehicles of Freeport’s employees. The Police stated the perpetrator used the type M-166, SSI and Mauser weapons. This attack murdered two American citizens, Ricky Lynn Spier (44 years old) and Leon Edwin Burgon (71 years old) and an Indonesian citizen Bambang Riwanto.
In July 2004, the Indonesian Police stated Antonius Wamang as the perpetrator. They claimed Wamang as one of commanders of West Papua Natioal Army/Free Papua Movement under the lead of the late Kelly Kwalik. Wamang and several others was arrested at Amole Hotel II, Kwamki Lama, MImika on Wednesday (11/1/2006) around 23:05 Papua time.
At the tribune held in the Jakarta State Court on 13 October 2006, Wamang and his six friends were convicted guilty. The Judge accused his act was categorized as severe human right violation. In addition, the Judge also considered him to complicate the tribunal process and never regretted his act.
The Court sentenced him with life imprisonment, and his two friends, Yulianus Deikme and Agustinus Anggaibak was charged with 15 years in prison. While
Yairus Kiwak, the Rev. Ishak Onawame, Esau Onawame and Hardi Sugumol was charged for eight years sentences. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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6) German Diplomat Visits the LP3BH
Monday, 1st February, 2016.

  The Political Counsellor at the German Embassy in Jakarta, Dr.Jens Schuring, LL.M paid a vist to the LP3BH in Manokwari on Monday, 1st
February.

   Dr Schuring met the Executive Director of the LP3BH, Yan Christian Warinussy, SH who was accompanied by members of the staff of the
LP3BH, lawyers Semuel Harun Yansenem and  Simon Banundi. The meeting lasted about one hour. At the meeting, the German
Political Counsellor asked a number of questions about the situation of the rule of law and protection and respect for basic human rights
in Manokwari and throughout the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

   He also asked a number of  questions about impunity which is still a serious issue in Papua and West Papua where many officers of the
Security Forces from the Indonesian army and Polri, the Police Force are based. He said that he was concerned about reports that members of
the security forces were believed to have used force in violation of basic human rights against civilians but such cases had not been dealt
with in accordance with the law.

   Several written reports were given to Dr Schuring by the representatives of the LP3BH about the rule of law  and basic human
rights throughout the Land of Papua, especially in Manokwari and the Province of Papua and the Province of West Papua. These reports were
handed over by Yan Christian Warinussy, the Executive Directive of the
Institute. Dr Schuring asked many questions about the relations between  the various religious communities in Manokwari and West Papua generally.
Members of the Institute  told the German diplomat that many actions and protests had been organised by  the leaderships of Christian 
religious communities about the building of places of worship in violation of legal procedures and other provisions which are in force
throughout the Republic of Indonesia.   The political situation and the security situation in the Land of Papua was also a topic of discussion between 
the German visitor and members of the Institute.

   The LP3BH members also described the political struggle being waged by the Indigenous Papuan People as represented by the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua  (ULMWP) which had recently been accepted with observer status by the Melanesian Spearhead Group. They
also told the German diplomat that these problems had also been raised in the Communique issued after the recent meeting of the Pacific
Islands Forum.

   The members of the Institute also told the German diplomat about what had happened at the recent meetings of these two organisations,
saying that the situation and conditions were extremely serious, so much so that they should have been dealt with by representatives of
the government of the Republic of Indonesia. Moreover, they said that President Joko Widodo himself should take action to seek a peaceful
solution of all these problems in compliance with democratic standards and universal principles.

   Prior to his meeting with members of the LP3BH, Dr Schuring met the head of the regency of Manokwari, Dr Bastian Salably,
S.Th.MA.M.Th, and members of his staff as well as  the chairman of KADIN (a lawyers organisation) James Tarred and the Chief of Police
in Manokwari.  On Tuesday, 2nd February, the German diplomat visited Jayapura.
Peace
Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive Director of the Institute of
Research, Analysis and Development of Aid (LP3BH), Defender of Human
Rights in the Land of Papua.
[Translated by Carmel Budiardjo, Recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, 1995.]
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1) OPM accuses police of staging arms find

February 4, 2016, 10:14 pm
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2) WEST PAPUA POLITICAL UNITY TO DETERMINE PAPUAN FUTURE
3) PAPUA NEEDS DIALOGUE MORE THAN RAILWAY OR FREEPORT
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1) OPM accuses police of staging  arms find

thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | National | Thu, February 04 2016, 3:40 PM 
The Free Papua Movement (OPM) has denied that hundreds of rounds of ammunition, firearms and explosives confiscated by police during a raid on Wednesday night belonged to the organization, and have accused the authorities of staging the arms find.

OPM spokesman Saul J. Bomay said the OPM did not have the funds to purchase such an amount of weaponry.

"The raid was set up by the security forces to increase tension in Papua ," he told kompas.com on Thursday.

Officers from the Papua Police and Jayapura Police raided two houses in Pos VII and Doyo Baru in Sentani in Jayapura regency on Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. The owners of the properties have been identified as Werius Enumbi, 32, Dorce Enumbi, 48, and Simson Tabun, 31.

They are currently being questioned at Jayapura Police precinct.

In the raids police seized 241 rounds of ammunition, two firearms and a replica gun, four pipe-bombs, a flag of the West Papua National Committee, a laptop and a mobile phone, kompas.com reported.

OPM secretary general Anthon Tabuni claimed that the Indonesian Military (TNI) had staged many incidents purportedly involving the OPM, citing 10 Puncak Jaya residents described as OPM members who were reported to have surrendered to authorities last week.

Local media reported earlier this month that 10 former members of the OPM/National Liberation Army surrendered to the authorities and had requested amnesty from the government because they had grown weary of fighting.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sondang Siagian said the raids were a follow-up to case of illegal firearms possession by a college student named Roberth Sambon on Feb. 2. (rin)(+)
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2) WEST PAPUA POLITICAL UNITY TO DETERMINE PAPUAN FUTURE
Jayapura, Jubi – The union of West Papua political forces is a significant variable to determine the future of Papua in Indonesia and in Pacific as well, researcher Cahyo Pamungkas from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences said .
Speaking at the national seminar held by the Indonesian Institute of Science in Jakarta last week, he said now it depends on the Indonesian Government to response the Papua political movement. Indonesia should not avoid talking to Papua Diaspora because they are representatives of indigenous Papuans whose aspirations and desires have not been listened to and recognized in the Indonesian history.
“Politically, they have been elected in Papua Peace Conference 2011 or appointed as negotiator representing the people of Papua. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and Indonesia are members of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). If Indonesia is still claiming to be MSG member, consequently it must recognise ULMWP and invite it for dialogue,” said Cahyo.
He also considered it is necessary to assess whether some members of Free Papua Movement which had been reportedly to be surrender are members of West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), which is part of ULMWP or OPMs in question mark were established by certain parties.
“I think it needs a study whether it was real OPM that affiliated to OPM in the past. Additionally, accusing each violation in Papua is part of Diaspora political campaign is useless. Could no longer lie to the world what is happening in Papua. The ways to accuse without rational argument could not be accepted in the international world,” he said.
He said if Indonesia is still emphasizing the ‘military and racist approaches’ would harm its position in the political course in the international world. Indonesia should conduct dialogue and negotiation with West Papua Diaspora. “They are real aspirations of Papuans and leading the struggle of West Papuan people though they are in exile,” he said.
At the same place, the Indonesian legislator Tantowi Yahya warned the Indonesian Government to not discourage the Papua issues which is always becoming a warm discussion of Pacific countries that are members of MSG. MSG is not a cultural forum but a political forum. “The internationalization of Papua issues is something very worried. Not the result has seen. The countries whose interest to support Papua to be separated from the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
At the same place, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Political, Legal and Defense Affairs for Domestic Political Affairs, Major General Yoedhi Swastono said ULMWP is the representative of Indonesian-Melanesian abroad while in the country the Indonesian Melanesian Community Brotherhood has been declared on 6 October 2015 in Ambon by five governors of Papua, Papua Barat, Maluku, North Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara.
“The Indonesian Melanesian Community Brotherhood is the cultural organization under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. So, it’s not true if said the Papua Diaspora abroad only representing the indigenous Papuans,” he said.
In general, it’s all about distrust of Papuans towards Jakarta and vice versa. “Jakarta doesn’t know how to create a grand design. It is said its key is dialogue. I agree with it,” he said. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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3) PAPUA NEEDS DIALOGUE MORE THAN RAILWAY OR FREEPORT


Jayapura, Jubi – What is needed most in Papua is not the construction of railways or the extension of Freeport Indonesia’s contract, but a dialogue between Jakarta-Papua to seek a common ground, researcher for Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Cahyo Pamungkas said.
Cahyo, speaking in a seminar held by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences last week, said the Indonesian government should not worry if later the aspiration for independent has risen in dialogue. Freedom is not necessarily defined as independence.
He said Muridan Wijoyo in his book ‘Papua Road Map’ published in 2004 explained for Papuans, freedom is big “F” rather than little “F”, for example how to let indigenous Papuans do planting without seeing the military. It is a form of freedom.
“Within dialogue, it could be negotiated when they asked for freedom. I think before building a railway and continue the Freeport’s contract; we should build the bridge of connection between Jakarta and Papua. It is more important than building a railway. How could we build the railway without a bridge to connect Papua and Jakarta? This gap must be faced,” he said.
He further thought the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) could become a forum of dialogue between Indonesia and Papua. Those who represented the indigenous Papuans are the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). The Indonesian Government must recognize it.
“The logic is the first whether the Indonesian Government recognize the MSG or not? If Indonesia recognized the MSG, it should automatically recognize the MSG members including ULMWP. In this contexts, both ULMWP and Indonesia are the MSG members,” he said.
It has two consequences. The organization that supports the MSG must be treated as legal organization. For example, the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), the Federal Republic of West Papua (NRFBP), the West Papua National Parliament (PNWP). The three organizations are pro-independence group and affiliated under ULMWP.
“ULMWP and Indonesia are both members of MSG. ULMWP should be recognized and embraced for dialog. It’s our opinion. Dialogue between Indonesia and Jakarta could be mediated by MSG which both Indonesia and ULMWP are the legal members of the organization,” he said.
Papua problem could not be solved with guns and economic development. It should be more than it: there is a problem of identity as well as the trauma of human right violations in the past. If those issues are not resolved, regardless what it takes; it would be difficult to settle the Papua problems.
“Perhaps this is the time to reopen books written by Dutch missionaries that said other nation could not resolve the Papua problems than Papuans themselves,” he said.
At the same place, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Political, Legal and Defense Affairs for Domestic Political Affairs, Major General Yoedhi Swastono said ULMWP is the representative of Indonesian-Melanesian abroad while in the country the Indonesian Melanesian Community Brotherhood has been declared on 6 October 2015 in Ambon by five governors of Papua, Papua Barat, Maluku, North Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara.
“The Indonesian Melanesian Community Brotherhood is the cultural organization under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. So, it’s not true if said the Papua Diaspora abroad only representing the indigenous Papuans,” he said.
In general, it’s all about distrust of Papuans towards Jakarta and vice versa. “Jakarta doesn’t know how to create a grand design. It is said its key is dialogue. I agree with it,” he said. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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1) Govt considers amnesty request from Papuan separatists

February 5, 2016, 12:46 pm
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2) Island in focus: Papua  police seize ammunition,  firearms -
3) Seta claims innocence  in Freeport scandal
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1) Govt considers amnesty  request from Papuan separatists 

thejakartapost.com | National | Fri, February 05 2016, 2:16 PM -

The government will consider a request for an amnesty and living assistance from 10 former members of a Papuan separatist group known as the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

If granting amnesty was deemed a peaceful resolution and persuasive of separatist groups to allow a ceasefire, then the government may fulfil the request, said Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan in Jakarta on Friday.

"We will see. If the request is a solution, the President himself will grant it," Luhut said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gave an instruction in January to prioritize a soft approach in addressing separatism, instead of a hard approach involving force and firearms.

In an attempt to create peace in regions of conflict, Luhut said, the government would begin to adopt a more holistic approach that involved various measures, such as engaging in negotiation and dialogue, in order to realize a lasting peace.

"Peace is holistic; it can't stand alone. Until now [efforts] have been partial, but now we want to be holistic,” Luhut said, adding that any solution for former separatists who had surrendered would be made in accordance with the law and its limitations.

Luhut, however, said that he was aware of rebel groups that would end their fighting to obtain amnesty.

Last week, 10 former members of the OPM met with National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Sutiyoso in Jakarta to ask for an amnesty and living assistance such as public housing from the government. Sutiyoso said the local administration of Papua itself had already made plans regarding their requests.

In May 2015, during Jokowi's second visit to Papua, the President granted clemency to five prisoners as part of efforts to foster peace in the province.

At the time, Jokowi called on security personnel to promote dialogue with Papuan people to build mutual trust, in order to change the repressive security approach to a development and welfare approach.

The government said it was also preparing an amnesty requested by former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) combatant Nurdin bin Ismail, popularly known as Din Minimi, and his group members, following their surrender in late December, 2015. (afr/bbn)(+)

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Note. In yesterdays JP The OPM has denied that hundreds of rounds of ammunition, firearms and explosives confiscated by police during a raid on Wednesday night belonged to the organisation  and have accused the authorities of staging the arms find. OPM spokesman Saul J. Bomay said the OPM did not have the funds to purchase such an amount of weaponry.


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2) Island in focus: Papua  police seize ammunition,  firearms - 
The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Fri, February 05 2016, 3:20 PM -

Police on Wednesday seized ammunition, two government-issued firearms and an airsoft gun from two houses in Sentani, Jayapura regency, Papua. 

“We raided two houses and found hundreds of rounds of ammunition, two firearms and an airsoft gun,” Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sondang Siagian told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The raids were conducted between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. local time after police had received information that the houses were used to stash ammunition and firearms.

A student identified only as RS was arrested on Tuesday for carrying firearms. Questioning of the student indicated that people carrying firearms and ammunition often stayed at the two houses.

“The house owners, Werius Enumbi, Dorce Enumbi and Simson Tabuni, are currently being investigated for possible connections to the contraband,” said Sounding. - 
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3) Seta claims innocence  in Freeport scandal
Fedina S. Sundaryani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Fri, February 05 2016, 6:10 PM 

Former House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto has maintained that he played no part in an alleged conspiracy involving gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia (Freeport).

Following a seven-hour questioning session conducted by investigators from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in South Jakarta on Thursday, Setya denied that he had promised to help with the extension of Freeport’s mining contract, set to expire in 2021, in exchange for shares in the company. 

“What is clear is that I never asked for any shares and never abused the President or Vice-President’s name. Such accusations are untrue. Everything now is in the hands of the investigators, to whom I have already told everything,” he told reporters on Thursday. 

Setya resigned last month from his leadership position at the House to avoid political embarrassment after a report filed by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said to the House’s ethics council accused the former speaker of involvement in the conspiracy. 

A recorded conversation Sudirman submitted along with the report gave details of a meeting Setya had with then Indonesia president director of Freeport Maroef Sjamsoeddin and tycoon Riza Chalid. 

A voice believed to be that of Setya’s was heard asking for an 11 percent share for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and a nine percent share for Vice President Jusuf Kalla. 

Setya also said that he was ready to meet a future summons from prosecutors. 

“Yes, I am always prepared [for another summons],” he said. 

On Monday, House Commission III overseeing legal affairs established a working committee to assist the AGO’s investigation into Setya with Democratic Party lawmaker Benny K. Harman serving as its chairman. 

Benny said the committee would not interfere with the criminal investigation already being conducted by the AGO, and would instead oversee how the AGO would handle the conspiracy case.

Meanwhile, the AGO’s junior attorney for special crimes Arminsyah said that Setya had confirmed during the questioning session that a meeting with Maroef and Riza had occurred but the senior Golkar politician continued to deny that the voice on the recording was his. 

“Setya denied that it was his voice on that recording, and it’s within his rights to do so. We are still looking for other evidence and we have already asked an expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology [ITB] to analyze the recording and see if it matches with Maroef’s testimony,” he said, referring to Maroef’s confirmation at a prior questioning session that the voice on the recording was that of Setya’s.

Arminsyah said that based on findings from the forensics expert, there was no doubt that Setya’s voice was the voice heard on the recording.

Although the AGO’s preliminary investigation has led prosecutors to believe that a conspiracy did occur during the meeting, Arminsyah acknowledged that they had yet to gather enough evidence to move forward with the investigation and name suspects.

“We need at least two pieces of evidence [before we name a suspect] and at present we only have one and that is Maroef’s testimony. We will be more resolute once we collect all the evidence,” he said. 

Arminsyah said that Setya had asked to leave the questioning session early on Thursday because he had to leave for West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to join a Golkar Party meeting there. 

“He will be questioned again either on Tuesday or Wednesday,” he said, adding that Setya had pledged to attend the next session.
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1) View point: Civilian supremacy, or civilian inferiority?

February 7, 2016, 11:58 am
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2) Papua Human Development Index Remain Lowest 
3) Residents Complain of Lack of Health Workers
4) Labor Sitars is Still Wandering Outside Prison
5) No Dengue Hemorrhagic Cases in Merauke Hospital

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1) View point: Civilian supremacy,  or civilian inferiority? - 
Dei Atmanta, Jakarta | Opinion | Sun, February 07 2016, 3:16 PM -




After nearly 18 years of reform, public recognition of the Indonesian Military (TNI) as both defender of the state and a choice for national leadership has barely changed, although the once mighty force has stepped away from practical politics.

Candidates with military backgrounds have marked political contestation ever since democratic elections were held in 1999. Many still believe Indonesia needs the guardianship of military figures, as civilian politicians are often perceived to be unprepared to lead the nation in the face of global challenges. 

After 10 years under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, once billed as a reform-minded Army general, Indonesians almost put their trust in another general, Prabowo Subianto, in the 2014 election. Prabowo eventually lost the race to up-and-coming local politician Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, but clearly the public psyche of looking to a leader with a military background remains alive. 

A recent national survey of 1,225 eligible voters in all 34 provinces between Jan. 4-15 by an organization called the Segitiga Institute found that the current TNI chief, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, could be a serious contender for president against incumbent Jokowi if the two were to go head-to-head in the 2019 election. 

Previously, the more prominent polling organization Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) discovered in its survey that the TNI was considered the country’s most credible institution, eclipsing the President, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the National Police and the nation’s political parties. The majority of some 1,200 respondents surveyed chose the TNI, identifying them with peace and stability, SMRC executive director Djayadi Hanan said.

We may argue with the validity of those findings but nevertheless, many seem to dream of a president with a military background for various reasons. Reformasi has stripped the military of its political powers, but definitely not its influence.

The military has accepted the principle of civilian supremacy. But supremacy has turned into inferiority, as evidenced by the reluctance of the civilian regime to make the military fully committed to the universal rights that characterize democracy. 

Look at cases of gross human rights violations that dragged a number of Army generals to the ad hoc human rights court. All the officers on trial were acquitted, despite mounting pressures to end impunity.

A much-awaited formal investigation into alleged atrocities committed in the aftermath of the Sept. 30, 1965, aborted coup blamed on the communists looks unlikely to materialize, although the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has submitted its report to the Attorney General’s Office.

In countering the demand for justice from victims and families of the 1965 tragedy, active and retired generals have repeatedly warned of “a communist resurrection”. 

Even the Defense Ministry launched last year a state defense program in which civilians — including students, workers, government employees and taxi drivers — undergo a month-long military-style training program to strengthen patriotism and fight “foreign ideologies”, including communism.

Painstaking efforts to amend a law to bring military soldiers accused of ordinary crimes to civil courts have so far failed. Military resistance has stood in the way of revising the Military Tribunal Law.

The system has also kept the military safe from the radar of law enforcement institutions like the KPK, although the defense sector is highly prone to corruption because of the huge amount of money involved. 

In its latest survey, the global watchdog Transparency International placed Indonesia among countries with a high risk of corruption in arms procurement due to a lack of transparency and accountability.

The TNI’s absence from practical politics is by no means a setback for the military. Instead, the move away from practical politics has allowed the military to avoid corruption investigations and the protracted bickering that has tainted lawmakers as well as their political parties. 

History reveals much about why the public still longs for military figures to lead the nation. The TNI typifies the characteristics of what some scholars define as a “political army”. The TNI has been involved in and has developed a close connection with all stages of the evolution of the country, similar to military regimes in other developing nations.

Since the birth of this nation, either in war or peace, the TNI has never lost its relevance. It is this historical presence that has made it unlikely, for instance, for Indonesia to promote national reconciliation, despite demands for justice for victims, survivors and relatives of 1965. 

Each stage of modernization, or development, leads to an opportunity or the perceived “need” for military political intervention. Development needs stability and the military will fulfill it; and when a crisis happens, the military jumps to the rescue. 

Recently the military deployed its personnel to help farmers in many parts of the country support the government’s food sufficiency program. 

Not only will the program close the gap between grassroots people and their “protectors”, it will also help the military keep its relevance and credibility intact.

The two surveys carry a stern warning for civilian politicians — they must address their inferiority complex to regain public confidence. With bickering civilian politicians constantly seeking figures in uniform to boost votes, people are left with more credible-looking alternatives, like active or retired officers, regardless of whether or not they have a blood-stained past. 
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The author is a staff writer at The Jakarta Post. 
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2) Papua Human Development Index Remain Lowest  
1Hari ago
Jayapura, Jubi – A Papua lawmaker, Wie Long Tan, said the government and stakeholders in Papua have to find the root of economic inequality and the Human Development Index (HDI) of Papua that is still lagging behind other regions in Indonesia. He said since Papua became part of Indonesia in 1969, its human development index has been the lowest in Indonesia. Every year, tens of trillions rupiah are disbursed to Papua yet it must be acknowledged that there are errors in the process to improve the welfare of the people. “I think there is something wrong. When it comes to a great program, great planning, the money is available. Human Resources in Papua is ready. Now why do people feel is not prosperous especially people in the village and the new regencies. The government has to find the root of the problems, “said Tan, on last week. According to him, the various policies to improve the welfare of the people of Papua needs to be re-evaluated. “Supervision, program and planning needs to be improved. Besides, there is the coaching. Leadership from the top level down to take it, both the executive and the legislature directly go down to every village , “he said. This is necessary because the needs of the community in every village is different. The need of the two villages can not be used as a reference, he added. “There’s no way the needs of people in Jayapura with communities Waropen or Mamberamo. If this is done I believe the vision and mission of Papua can be realised, “he said. Desk Chair in Kemenkopolhukam Papua, Major General (TNI) Yoedhi Swastono said President Jokowi gives more attention to Papua. There are eight basic policies for Papua Jokowi as a reference in the construction ministry in Papua including welfare, education and social economy.“ There are development programs have been implementing. The emphasis of autonomy grants is on education and health. If seen since 2002-2015 has been allocated for Papua Rp52,6 trillion and West Papua was Rp15.2 trillion. Why the result was not as expected ? It should be discussed together, “said Yoedhi last week in Jakarta. (Arjuna Pademme/Tina)
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3) Residents Complain of Lack of Health Workers
1 hari ago
“Health workers and doctors have not come to the work. So we reported to the department,” said secretary of the Health Care Forum (FPK), Ibrahim Kosi in Wamena on last week.Since that time there was no service in the clinic and people who seemed treatment was overwhelmed. Secretary of department of Health Jayawijaya, Sem Beay promised to call the head and staff of the health center. It was informed that the officers were not in health centres because they has not come back from the village or town since Christmas and New Year holidays. A resident of Hubikosi district, Siska Hilapok expressed her disappoinment on the lack of medical services in health centers. According to her, the reason the officer is still on holiday seemed to legitimise laziness officers ‘ to extend’ vacation time. Head of Hubikosi health centres (Puskesmas), Markus Rumere when confirmed by Jubi stated his staff and doctors did not come to the work because of the lack of vehicles. Information collected by Jubi found out that at the beginning of each year, there were no medical officer at the health center due to christmas and the new year holidays. Early 2015 also faced similar complaints of citizens and at that time Puseksmas was blocked. (Wesai H/Tina)
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4) Labor Sitars is Still Wandering Outside Prison
1 hari ago
Sorong , Jubi – Convicted of money laundering and illegal logging, Labora Sitars has not returned to the Penitentiary Class IIB Sorong after given a permit to get hospital treatment for his illness. He disappeared in February 2015, a week after he want sent to prison to serve time. However it was known that he went out of prison because of illness. Now His bed was already worn. Therefore, a prison officer was forced to fold the mattress provided for him. Head of prison class IIB Sorong, Maliki, Hanafi when confirmed by Jubi on last week, said Labora Sitars is still in a secret place outside the prison. “He is in a secret place and has not been back, “said Maliki. When mentioned about the removal plan to other prison outside Papua, Maliki said that he was is still waiting for official instructions from the ministry of Law and Human Rights. If there is already a definite instructions, then certainly Labora Sitars will soon be moved from prison Class IIB Sorong. “So, we are waiting for instructions of ministry of Law and Human Rights, “he said. Attorney of Labora Sitars, Usman Hadi asserted that his client did not run away, he is in Sorong and will be going back to prison. “He’s still in Sorong Just wait, he will be back, “he said. (Niko MB/Tina)
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5) No Dengue Hemorrhagic Cases in Merauke Hospital
1 hari ago
Merauke, Jubi – The head of Merauke health department, Stephen Osok said, until now, there have been no recent cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever at the Regional General Hospital and community health centres. If there were, the report has been  obtained and acted upon. “If there are reports about patients with dengue, it is not true. Because until now, the hospital has not reported yet, “said Osok to Jubi on last week. Merauke regency is included endemic area, so that in each year has always appeared a number of cases, including dengue fever. “Indeed, if there is dengue patients in the clinic, is certain to be referred to hospital for further treatment,” he said. While minister of health, dr. Nila moeloek few days ago appealed to all people to keep their house clean. “I ask that no puddles around the house and should apply three M which are drain, bury and cover the used goods. So that people will be avoided from the attack of mosquitoes, “she added. (Frans L Kobun/Tina)
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Summary of events in West Papua for January

February 7, 2016, 11:36 pm
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Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088



         Summary of events in West Papua for January (-8 Feb). 2016




News from the PIF

Statement by the Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Hon. Peter O'Neill: Update on the Implementation of Regional Priorities. Section on West Papua

West Papua

As agreed by Forum Leaders, I have written to H.E Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia conveying the PIF Leaders views on the human rights allegations and expressed the desire of the PIF to consult on a fact finding mission to discuss the situation in Papua with the parties involved. This was conveyed early this year and I am awaiting a response from Jakarta.

http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/newsroom/speeches/2016-1/framework-for-pacific-regionalism-2.html




Attack on the Sinak Police station

On Sunday the 27 December an armed group attacked the Sinak Police station in the Puncak Regency killing three personnel. The group also took a number of firearms and ammunition from the police station.Police claim they have identified two suspected members of the group. In the Jakarta Globe (2/Jan) Gen. Badrodin Haiti, the National Police chief, named the suspects as Kalenak Murib and Iris MuribBadrodin.  He told the Jakarta Globe that a joint team of police and military personnel had raided the two men’s homes in Sinak subdistrict and seized a large stash of ammunition, some of it stolen from the Sinak police station. The houses’ occupants had fled prior to the raids.

An article in Jubi (9 Jan) reported that about 150 police personnel were deployed to hunt for the perpetrators of the attack.  The sweeping operation took place in three villages, Nigilome, Pamebut and Weni at Sinak Sub-district.

Houses Burned

One villager said that due to the Police operation, some residents’ houses were burned and a man was shot dead. “The security personnel who conducted the operation shot down a man suspected to be a member of Free Papua Movement on 3 January. The victim was Gombane Telenggen’s brother,” said a resident who declined to be named due to security reasons. Gombane Telenggen is one of 25 persons suspected attackers on Sinak Police Headquarters. He added the Police also burned a kunume (man’s house) and some honai (houses). “Four honai were burned in Agenggen Village, while in the village of Pamebut, the entire residents’ honai were burned down, except for a church,” he said to jubi on Wednesday, 6 January. Jubi reported that the Papua Police Spokesperson admitted he received information about a citizen shot for been a suspected member of Free Papua Movement, but after checking, it was not true. According to him, searching the victim, the Police and people were not found the body. He also denied the accusation said the Police burned houses during the raid. Paniai Customary Council, John Gobai, regretted the Police’s operation that caused the loss of people’s houses in Sinak. He said the security personnel are often not professional in doing operation that resulting victims among civilians. “It has repeatedly happened all the time. In 2013, the similar thing was also happened in Paniai.





Papuans hide in the woods after the death of TNI officer

The Jakarta Post (7 Jan) reported that hundreds of villagers in Mamberamo Raya in Papua have fled into the woods to live as they fear the Indonesian Military (TNI) will blame them for the death of an officer killed in November last year. A member of the Papuan House of Representatives (DPRP) Tan Wei Long said that at least 120 families from three villages -- Namunaweja, Anggreso and Kasonaweja all in Mamberamo Raya regency -- had fled into the forest in early December. The villagers were afraid of being arrested after the murder of Maj. John De Fretes by a group of people suspected of being part of an armed group in Namunaweja village in Mamberamo Tengah subdistrict on Nov. 30, 2015. "They are afraid of being arrested for involvement in the criminal act. It [the murder] was carried out by rogue individuals, but they are scared of being dragged into the case so they ran away into the woods," he said in Jayapura on Thursday. During the DPRP's recess, Tan visited Memberamo Raya to meet with local officials, religious and community leaders as well as local security officers to discuss ways to persuade the 120 families to return to their village. "All parties have agreed to use the persuasive approach with the people hiding in the forest," he said. 

Separately, Papua's Indonesian Christian Church’s (GKI) Rev. Albert Yoku urged the local government and security officers to find a solution soon considering that the villagers had been living in rough conditions in the forest for more than a month. "The forest in Mamberamo Raya is not suitable for humans to live in. There are many leeches and not much food in the forest. They could starve," he said. Yoku also urged that a persuasive approach be used to convince the villagers to return to their homes. He said that if the government did not take immediate action, it would cause other problems such as health issues and the children skipping school. He suggested that the authorities search the forest carefully as the villagers were spread out in several locations in the forest. (Jakarta Post 7 Jan)





Oktovianus Pogau, West Papuan journalist’s dies.

Okto was a Journalist and Editor in Chief of Suarapapua.com, Okto reportedly died at the Dian Harapan Hospital (RSDH), Waena, on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at around 09 pm local time. It is understood Okto died of a lung disease. AWPA offers its condolences to the family and friends of Okto POGAU who died on the 31 January. May he Rest In Peace.




News in brief


Punks for West Papua released their film on West Papua in mid January. A simple way people can help West Papua is to download the video. The funds raised are being generously donated by the Punks to the West Papuan cause. The film can be downloaded at  punks4westpapua.com
The documentary is taking the issue of West Papua to a new audience worldwide.

http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2016/01/29/documentary-transforms-sydney-charity-gig-into-global-event/ Photos of film launch in Sydney at

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/congratulations-to-ash-and-punks-for.html



A “new” valuable news website particularly for those interested in Pacific issues and West Papua

AUT Pacific Media Centre launches news website

Pacific Media Centre and Evening Report editor Selwyn Manning have teamed up to launch Asia Pacific Report, a news website that will provide a fresh ‘Pacific’ voice to bolster Asia Pacific news and analysis in New Zealand. PMC director Professor David Robie says the collaboration is a result of a gap in the media market for an independent Asia-Pacific voice that addressed issues of equity and justice. “AsiaPacificReport.nzwill feature in-depth current affairs news stories focused on telling the ‘untold stories’. It will be a public space for no-froth journalism examining real pressing issues,” he says. 

AsiaPacificReport.nz 
http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/pacific-media-watch/aut-pacific-media-centre-launches-asiapacificreportnz-news-website-9561




West Papua Warriors

The West Papua Warriors made history on Friday the 5th February, when they played a Nines game against the Philippines Admirals in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta. The team wore a kit emblazoned the symbol of West Papuan freedom.  Funds were raised for the trip to Australia thanks to a Go Fund campaign. The players come from Papua New Guinea with many having roots in West Papua. The team has been sanctioned by the RLIF and the NSWRL, and this will be the first time anywhere in the world that a West Papua team has competed internationally. The team was supported locally by groups and individuals who helped raise funds for their accommodation and insurance. Members of the FWPC Sydney were on hand to cheer them to victory.



Indonesia’s secret dossier to suppress Papuan independence movement 

Jakarta: Indonesian authorities compiled a secret dossier of prominent Papuans that details their "weaknesses" - such as women and alcohol - and outlines a strategy to "suppress" the independence movement.

The secret documents - the originaland a translated version of which were leaked to Fairfax Media - target religious leaders, political activists and even Papuan university students who live outside the troubled province

http://www.smh.com.au/world/indonesias-secret-dossier-to-suppress-papuan-independence-movement-20160203-gmkkbr.html
FinFisher spyware: Indonesian government ‘using Sydney server for surveillance program' The ABC also reported that “the notorious spyware FinFisher, used to infect mobile phones and computers to place targets under surveillance, has been found in a Sydney data centre.”

A proxy server inside the Global Switch data center in Ultimo, Sydney is being used to obscure the real user of the spyware, in this case an Indonesian government agency, according to a group of technology researchers.

A proxy server acts as an intermediary which protects the identity of its real user. 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-26/notorious-spyware-used-to-take-over-computers-found-in-sydney/7114734





MSG Chair calls for Forum mission to Papua

The chairperson of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Manasseh Sogavare is calling on Indonesia to commission a fact-finding mission to discuss the situation in West Papua with members of the Pacific Islands Forum. The Solomon Islands prime minister made the call as he welcomed what he described as Indonesia's change of strategy on West Papua and its approach towards West Papuan separatists. Alluding to last year’s release of high-profile Papuan freedom fighter Filep Karma, the Solomon Islands prime minister says the decision to release Mr Karma is encouraging and speaks well of the Indonesian president Joko Widodo's policies to bring peace to Papua. Mr Sogavare however says Jokowi's three-pronged approach of welfare, security and dialogue must be consultative to avoid simply paying lip service to the indigenous people of West Papua. He says the MSG remains committed to a spirit of positive and constructive dialogue to promote welfare and bring peace and security to West Papua. (RNZI 11 January)




Tekwie laments PNG border weakness

A community leader in West Sepik province says Papua New Guinea needs help from Australia and New Zealand to bolster its border security capacity.

John Tekwie, who is a former West Sepik governor, is urging a regional effort to help PNG build up its defence force and border management agencies.

Mr Tekwie says due to its lack of intelligence-gathering capabilities as well as its proximity to Indonesia's Papua region, PNG is vulnerable to potential terrorist threats. He says it's become easy for illegal elements to cross into PNG from Indonesia. "We have had cases of some people coming across the border in PNG with no visas. For example, last year we had about a hundred people working in Bewani Oil Palm project. That project has been developed by the member for Vanimo Green, Belden Namah. And here is a project that the MP is promoting and under his own nose, these things are happening."

(RNZI 25 January



AHRC. Urgent action-Three indigenous Papuans arbitrarily arrested, tortured and currently waiting for an uncertain justice

An urgent action (8 Jan) was released from the ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION concerning three indigenous Papuans who were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and who are currently waiting for an uncertain justice.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from a local network in Papua regarding the arbitrary arrest and torture of three indigenous Papuans, namely ElieserAwom (26), Yafeth Awom (18) dan Soleman Yom (24). They were arrested by four police officers in plain clothes at 11 pm in Deplat, Base-G Jayapura. The police officers drove the three men in a silver car in the direction of West Sentani. On the way they were tortured, intimidated and forced to admit that they had stolen a motorcycle.

Details at 

 http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-003-2016



RSF URGES INDONESIA TO LIFT BAN ON FRENCH REPORTER CYRIL PAYEN(Comment. If President Joko Widodo says West Papua is open to journalists the message has yet to reach his officials responsible for issuing visas).Indonesia is ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the 2015 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.


RSF URGES INDONESIA TO LIFT BAN ON FRENCH REPORTER CYRIL PAYEN

PUBLISHED ON MONDAY 11 JANUARY 2016.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the Indonesian government’s refusal to let French journalist Cyril Payen visit Indonesia following the documentary he made about West Papua, that France 24 broadcasted last October. RSF points out that Indonesian President Joko Widodo promised to allow foreign reporters to visit West Papua. A Bangkok-based reporter specializing in Southeast Asia, Payen was able to visit West Papua in mid-2015 after obtaining all the necessary authorizations before setting off. But the French ambassador in Jakarta was summoned to the Indonesian foreign ministry after Payen’s documentary, entitled “Forgotten war of the Papuas,” was broadcast on 18 October. Indonesian officials in Bangkok then told Payen in November that he was now persona non grata in Indonesia. And finally, he was notified last week that his request for a visa to make another documentary had been turned down. “We firmly condemn this flagrant violation of media freedom and this discrimination against an independent journalist who has committed no crime,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.

http://en.rsf.org/indonesia-rsf-urges-indonesia-to-lift-ban-on-11-01-2016,48723.html

Report by West Papua Media

Investigation report: December 1 Nabire beatings and arrests of Papuans by army and police

On December 1, 2015 the indigenous Papuan community in Nabire   intended to hold worship to commemorate the December 1 Day of Papuan Independence at the community park of Oyehe, Nabire. However organisers were unaware their worship service in the park had been prohibited by Indonesian Police as an illegal gathering A joint Army and Police force dispersed the gathering with force, severely beating civilians, and then took arrested civilians to the Police Headquarters in Nabire…….  Full report at   http://westpapuamedia.info



The US Ambassador Robert Blake visited West Papua in January to view the progress of US supported development projects and to meet with government officials and activists. A number of reports on his visit below.


US ambassador concerned about West Papua abuses

Fresh from a trip to West Papua, the United States Ambassador to Indonesia reportedly expressed concern about human rights abuses in the country's remote, eastern region. As part of his trip, Robert Blake visited Manokwari in West Papua province where he met with the Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Investigation and the Development of Legal Aid, Yan Christian Warinussy. Mr Warinussy says the ambassador asked him about recent developments and the human rights situation in West Papua and Papua provinces. He says he told Mr Blake that the situation continued to be highly unsatisfactory in view of many cases of human rights violations which had not been dealt with in a court of law. Ambassador Blake was reportedly very concerned about such incidents and said that his government would push for those who had been responsible for these violations to be excluded from any US-linked local programmes related to education and human rights. RNZI 20 Jan 2016)



US concerned about keeping Papuan forests intact

More details have emerged about the visit to West Papua by the US Ambassador to Indonesia, including American concern about destruction of rainforest in the region. Papuan activists met with Ambassador Robert Blake in Jayapura on Tuesday to discuss issues such as human rights. Mr Blake also discussed ongoing, rampant clearance of forest and peatlands in Papua which has some of the world's last remaining substantial tracts of rainforest. One of the people Mr Blake met with was Father Neles Tebay of Papua's Catholic Justice and Peace Secretariat. He says the ambassador was looking at how to help protect Papua's forests, in light of commitments made at last month's UN Climate Change summit in Paris. "In my understanding, knowing the destruction of forests in Papua and its implications, he might raise the issue in his conversations with central government of Indonesia in Jakarta." (RNZI 21 Jan)





Papua Activists Discuss Freeport With US Ambassador

 

By: Robert Isidorus January 20, 2016
Jayapura. Papuan activists met with US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake in the provincial capital on Tuesday to discuss human rights, politics and US-owned Freeport Indonesia. “The US ambassador said that Papua was important to the US, and he felt it was necessary to pay a visit to Papua. He wanted to know about Papua's human rights and political condition,” Yuliano Languwuyo, coordinator of local organization Justice, Peace and Unity Secretariat (SKPKC), said after the meeting on Tuesday night. Yuliano said the organization was told in mid-2014 that the restive easternmost province of Indonesia would have civilian leaders and see a steady downgrade of military presence in the area.

"If they disappeared, so would the violence. But it never happened," he said.

Tight military monitoring of Freeport Indonesia sites on the island have a largely negative impact on locals, including reports of violence from officers, Yuliano said. "We asked the ambassador if Freeport had any control over security, and if they [security personnel] have any training in human rights while performing their duties. They have to be trained by the National Commission on Human Rights [Komnas HAM] so they will be less violent when protecting the areas," he said. Blake reportedly questioned the necessity of human rights training and refused to comment on Freeport's security, Yuliano said. Blake also refused to take questions from reporters after the meeting. The meeting was held at a restaurant in Jayapura's East Sentani district and was attended by Yuliano, chairman of the Papuan NGO Cooperation Forum Septer Manufandu, Papua Komnas HAM chairman Frits Ramandey and Papuan Peace Network activist Neles Tebay.




German Diplomat Visits the LP3BH

The Political Counsellor at the German Embassy in Jakarta, Dr.Jens Schuring, LL.M paid a vist to the LP3BH in Manokwari on Monday, 1st February. Dr Schuring met the Executive Director of the LP3BH, Yan Christian Warinussy, SH who was accompanied by members of the staff of the LP3BH, lawyers Semuel Harun Yansenem and Simon Banundi. The meeting lasted about one hour. At the meeting, the German Political Counsellor asked a number of questions about the situation of the rule of law and protection and respect for basic human rights

in Manokwari and throughout the provinces of Papua and West Papua. He also asked a number of questions about impunity which is still a serious issue in Papua and West Papua where many officers of the Security Forces from the Indonesian army and Polri, the Police Force are based. He said that he was concerned about reports that members of the security forces were believed to have used force in violation of basic human rights against civilians but such cases had not been dealt with in accordance with the law. From a report by Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive Director of LP3BH, and translated by Carmel Budiardjo. (Monday, 1st February, 2016).




JAKARTA CLUELESS ABOUT PAPUA PROBLEMS, SAYS PAPUAN LEGISLATOR

Victor Mambor Feb 04, 2016

Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan legislator Laurenzus Kadepa accused the Indonesian Government of lacking ideas to solve problems in Papua.

As a result, authorities resorted to stigmatizing the resistance of civilians, including the Papua Free Movement, by branding them Security Disturbing Movements, separatists, armed groups and recently terrorists. His statement was in response Security Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan’s statement in an online media who said the armed groups in Aceh and Papua were also included as terrorist network category in the draft of Terrorism bill established by the government. “I see a new stigma because they loss their sense and idea to resolve the Papua problems. Now it comes the stigma of terrorist to follow the handling of the Law on Terrorism. Special Detachment 88 will certainly take action. Could it resolve the Papua problems?” Kadepa told Jubi via text message on Wednesday (3/2/2016). 

According to him, which group they accused as the armed group? It must be explained in detail. In Papua, there are many armed groups with different motives. “There are some groups that actually fighting for Papuan independence, but there are also formed to counter the Free Papua, and some are fighting for another reasons. All have weapons. So which group in Papua they are putting in that category,” he said. He is concerned about other way to be applied to criminalize the resistance of Papuans in demanding justice, the settlement of human rights violation in the past and present and some other things. Quoted from online media, the Minister of Political, Legal and Defense Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said the indicator of terrorist group is not applicable and marginalizing the Muslim group. According to him, as quoted from RMOL, the armed groups in Papua and Aceh are also included in the terrorist network category by the government in the draft of Terrorism Bill.

“Do not think it would only applicable for Islam group, do not think it would only applicable for ISIS, but if in Papua or Aceh or in my hometown Batak land, there are groups who commit a danger for the country, they might be accused under the law,” Panjaitan said on Monday (1/2/2016). According to him, the revision of draft Law No. 15/2003 on Combating Terrorism included the definition and criteria about terrorism. “We are not alone in drafting the Terrorism Bill. We involved the constitutional law experts and criminal law experts on the formulation of draft. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)




Indonesia’s biggest sago mill kicks off operations - 

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened the largest sago mill in Indonesia on Friday. The mill, operated by state-owned forestry firm Perum Perhutani, is expected to boost sago production for both domestic needs and export.

The mill, located in Kais, West Papua, officially started operations on Jan. 1, Antara news agency reported on Friday. Perum Perhutani president director Mustoha Iskandar said that Papua had considerable potential for natural sago production. A good quality Papuan sago raja can produce 900 kilograms of sago from one branch, he said. Built at a construction cost of Rp 150 billion, the mill will employ 40 local workers to work in the factory and around 600 people to supply sago logs. The company expects the venture to accrue an income of Rp 100 billion per year. It is also hoped that the mill will boost the local economy.  The factory will produce 25 percent of its full capacity during the first year of operation, 50 percent during its second year and is expected to produce to full capacity during its third year. The processed sago from the mill will be distributed by Perhutani to Papua, Jakarta, Cirebon, Semarang, Surabaya and Medan. Meanwhile, Mustoha said that the firm also aimed to export sago products to Japan, Korea, Thailand and China. Jokowi expressed hope that the plant would benefit the surrounding area and improve the local economy.  The firm will pay Rp 9,000 per log to locals who supply to the sago mill. In this way, Kais locals will no longer have to send their products to the Sorong market in Sorong, West Papua. The journey to Sorong often takes up to a week on a traditional boat. The island of Papua has the largest sago palm forests in the world, reaching 2.5 million ha. Perhutani also said it currently had a license for 15,000 ha of sago palm forest in Papua and it would partner with local farmers to add to production quantity, he said. Perhutani would invest Rp 112 billion (US$9.3 million) in the factory, with 30 percent coming from bank loans, while the remaining 70 percent is said to be sourced from internal cash. (Extract from Jakarta Post 2 Jan).



Sago Forest in Papua Needs Preservation

Tempo.Co 31 JANUARY, 2016

TEMPO.CO, Sorong, West Papua - Sago forest in Papua needs to be preserved in a sustainable manner because it is a food reserve for the local community, according to West Papua environmentalist Benny Yesnat."Sago is the staple food of the indigenous people of Papua since time immemorial. Even without rice, the Papuan people can consume sago for survival," said Benny Yesnat in Sorong on Sunday. Therefore, he called on the people of Papua to preserve sago forest, and do not destroy it for agriculture and other development interests."Sago forests should not be burned to clear land for plantations, especially oil palm plantations which can only damage the humus, the substance made from dead leaves and plants for soil fertility," Yesnat noted. According to him, sago plants not only serve as food reserve, but also protect the water source for the life of Papuan community in general. Therefore, he added that the indigenous people of Papua and West Papua must maintain this local wisdom for generations in the future. He affirmed that sago many benefits to peoples lives. Besides serving as food reserve, sago leaves can be used as the roof of traditional houses. Further, he expressed hope that the indigenous people of Papua can unite to reject irresponsible parties who want to turn sago forests into oil palm plantation.

ANTARA




Govt to take ‘soft approach’ in Papua

Ina Parlina, The Jakarta Post, January 05 2016

The government said on Monday that it would prioritize a soft approach in addressing separatism, including by engaging in negotiation and dialogue, as well as the possibility of granting clemency and unconditional release to political prisoners. However, it added that it may still take a hard approach if met with resistance. The instruction to use a soft approach was issued by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during a plenary Cabinet meeting on Monday. “A soft approach will always be the priority of the government, since we believe that a soft approach is better than other means,” Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said after the meeting at the State Palace. Pramono added the government would implement a similar mechanism to that used in handling the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), including the chance of granting amnesty and unconditional release, as stated in a 2005 presidential decree. “The pattern used for resolving [issues related to] GAM, in line with Presidential Decree No. 22/2005 [on amnesty and unconditional release for GAM members], will be implemented in various regions,” Pramono said. “However, if it is not possible because there are differences in terms of [political] views, including an intention to separate from the country, then the government will keep using a hard approach,” Pramono added. National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said the President had indeed made the call to adopt the soft approach used in handling the GAM issue to settle separatism in other areas, including Papua, adding that Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan had been tasked with assessing whether granting amnesty was possible. “Such a pattern was able to solve violence in Aceh,” Badrodin said. “However, if it is used to no avail and [a person] still carries out violence, stern action will be needed.”

In May, during his second visit to Papua, Jokowi said the release of political prisoners incarcerated in Jayapura was only the beginning. At the time, Jokowi granted clemency to five prisoners as part of efforts to foster peace in the restive province.


“There will be a follow-up by granting clemency or amnesty to other [political prisoners] in other regions,” the President said, referring to around 90 political prisoners incarcerated nationwide. Jokowi has also called on security personnel to promote dialogue with Papuan people in order to build mutual trust, saying he wanted to change the repressive security approach of the past to a development and welfare approach. The move sparked mixed responses from activists, with some expressing doubt over how Jokowi’s administration would follow up.  Budi Hernawan, a research fellow at the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), criticized the government for using a security-oriented approach in Papua instead of a social approach. According to Budi, building mutual trust was indeed the key to addressing the Papua issue. “Mutual trust is essential. Papuan people want to have dialogue with the central government. However, the two sides interpret dialogue differently,” he said on Sunday, adding that Papuans wanted a way to freely voice their aspirations, including political aspirations, where they could also discuss past human rights abuse cases in Papua. According to Budi, assigning the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister to handle issues in Papua instead of the coordinating human development and culture minister or coordinating economic minister showed the government was still taking a security-oriented approach.




Jakarta- PAPUA DIALOGUE IS A DIGNIFIED WAY TO SOLVE CONFLICT IN PAPUA

Victor Mambor Jan 27, 2016



Jayapura, Jubi – Papuans want dialogue between with Jakarta and this has been constantly echoed in recent years, but there has been no response from Jakarta.

The Executive Secretary of the People’s Network , Septer Manufandu, head of representative office Komnas HAM Papua, Frits Remanded, coordinator of the Papua Peace Network (JDP) Seles Tebay and Coordinator of the Secretariat of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (SKPKC) Papua Yuliana Languwuyo also discussed the issue during a meeting with the ambassador of the United States to Indonesia, Robert Blake. “He (US ambassador) also mentioned dialogue, and then we said that dialogue is a dignified way to negotiate the problems in Papua,” Manufandu said. “Everything must be placed in a dignified manner to look for a solution together and make a political commitment to live together in the future, ” he told reporters on last week.


Then US ambassador responded that dialogue is a good way, but there must be equation perception or view of the concept of dialogue both from government and public. Earlier, coordinator of the Papua Peace Network (JDP) Neles Tebay said, there should be an internal dialogue in Papua first before dialogue between Jakarta and Papua is held. According to him, internal dialogue is important for it is such a need, a longing for Papuans. He also found that among the Papuans themselves, there is no common understanding of the Jakarta-Papua dialogue especially about the purpose and agenda. There is a party that thinks that the Jakarta-Papua dialogue will be endangering the territorial integrity of Indonesia. There is also a view that the Jakarta-Papua dialogue is dangerous because it can destroy the ideology of Papuan independence. While some people understand that the Jakarta-Papua dialogue is a solution to the conflict in Papua. Jakarta-Papua dialogue is not the goal but it is a means to identify problems and look for the best solution by involving all parties. “Internal dialogue will be attended by all Papuans to discuss the concept and goal of Papua – Jakarta dialogue,” Neles Tebay said. (Roy Ratumakin/Tina)



FORMATION OF PAPUA BARAT DAYA PROVINCE IS STILL PENDING

Victor Mambor Jan 25, 2016

Sorong, Jubi – The Formation Of Papua Barat Daya Province Under New Autonomous Regions (Dob) Is Awaiting A Government Regulation In Accordance To Law No. 23/2014 On Regional Administration. Papua Barat legislator from Maybrat Regency, Jhon Asmuruf, said on Monday (25/1/2016) in Sorong that the new proposed province along with Maybrat Sau Regency have been discussed and approved by the Indonesian House Representatives and the Regional Representative Council.

The next process, he said, has been submitted to the Ministry of Domestic Affairs to form a regulation because the split of region or DOB formation should be referred to the existing regulation, that is the Law No. 23/2014 on Regional Administrative. He said the process of DOB formation has undergone the preparation phase for three years that determined by Government Regulation. If it declared eligible, the proposal of new region submitted to Indonesian House Representative and Regional Representative Council to set into an autonomous region in accordance to the law. “Sorong Raya residents living in Sorong Municipality, Sorong Regency, Sorong Selatan Regency, Maybrat Regency and Raja Ampat Regency are expecting Papua Barat Daya Province could be realized soon, therefore the development of infrastructure, economic growth and community welfare could be materialized immediately,” he said. Further the politician from Hanura Party asked to all society components in Sorong Raya region to support the formation of Papua Barat Daya Province that is still on going process. “There should be no disagreement that even leading to conflict among community therefore the formation process of DOP Papua Barat Daya Province could run smoothly and could be realized soon,” he said. The formation of Papua Barat Daya Province, he further said, is the people’s aspiration to shorten the distance of government’s services to the people because the area is widespread. (*/rom)





GOLD MINERS CREATES CONFLICT IN DEGEUWO

Victor Mambor Jan 27, 2016

Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Customary Council of Wolani, Mee and Moni tribes (LMA SWAMEMO) has accused gold miners of stealing Degeuowo gold and creating conflicts at the site.“The illegal businessmen are creating a conflict to achieve their goals there,” said Bagubau to Jubi in Sentani, Papua on last week.

He said conflicts are created through entertainment facilities such as karaoke, bar and sexual business. Communities are then to compete using existing entertainment facilities. “Order a women means one package with liquor. This can cause people to fight till they die,” he pointed out the murder of a mobile brigade conducted by a miner in the Blue Baya location at the end of December 2015. He said, the stabbing occurred when the two men competed for a commercial worker at that location and when they were arguing the police came.

“The perpetrator took his machete out and stabbed the chest of victim. After that he fled into the woods. I got this report from Yohanes Kobepa, my secretary, ” he said. He continued, at the same time, there was combustion event of heavy equipment owned by the company, PT. Quarta Air at 81 site.

He said the burning was very detrimental to the company but also the local community, including the institution he leads. We never teach communities to resolve the existing problems in the region by force despite the company harm indigenous peoples. “If you are furious, let’s take it into the court. We, as the institution are working to find out why it was happened. I think the company and people who live in the surrounding areas do not want the customary council institution to control Degeuowo area, “he added. Yohanes Kobepa confirmed it and said that this conflict was full interests motives that want to dominate Degeuwo area. “The area is a region full of gold. People want to get rid of the control of indigenous peoples in the name of security management. That’s all they want by sacrificing others, “he said through a short message. (Mawel Benny/Tina)




Calls for PNG govt to determine West Papuan refugee claims

A West Papuan who has lived in Papua New Guinea for almost three decades has urged PNG's Foreign Minister to help give him and others living in limbo some certainty on refugee status. Last week, the minister, Rimbink Pato, announced that the Citizen Advisory Committee would meet to consider refugee claims of 1000 West Papuans registered in Western Province after fleeing Indonesia.

As an advocate of West Papuan independence, Fred Mambrasar fled from Indonesian military aggression in PNG's neighbouring territory in the mid-1980s. He is among around 1500 West Papuans now living in Port Moresby without citizenship, who he says successive PNG governments have ignored the plight of. Mr Mambrasar said there were an estimated 10,000 West Papuans in PNG whose refugee claims should all be determined.

"Rimbink Pato speak but must action. Not just speak but em must action. Because sometime the government tok yes we granted citizenship but only for some people. but like me and other West Papua, not yet."  (RNZ 4 Feb)




Opinion pieces/reports/books/press releases etc.



View point: Civilian supremacy, or civilian inferiority?

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/02/07/view-point-civilian-supremacy-or-civilian-inferiority.html


No ‘magic bullet’

http://www.insideindonesia.org/no-magic-bullet


The Struggle for Merdeka in West Papua

pacific.scoop.co.nz/2016/01/the-struggle-for-merdeka-in-west-papua/



The Pacific’s state of independence

http://www.policyforum.net/the-pacifics-state-of-independence/



World Report 2016: ‘Politics of Fear’ Threatens Rights

https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/01/27/world-report-2016-politics-fear-threatens-rights

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016



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1) GLOBAL CALL FOR ACTION- FEBRUARY 2016

February 9, 2016, 1:55 am
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2) US Ambassador’s Visit to Papua Should Contribute to Conflict Resolution 
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1) GLOBAL CALL FOR ACTION- FEBRUARY 2016
What is the most effective way to help to make a difference to the FWPC?
To achieve its aims in 2016, the Campaign needs to strengthen its international political voice.
This month we are calling on all of our supporters across the globe to write to their local representatives, to encourage them to add their name to the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP). This is a simple but powerful way to show your solidarity- and it only will only take a few minutes of your time.
YOUR SUPPORT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST PAPUA- AND NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION!
Remember that your political representative works for you and has a duty to represent your concerns within government. So if you haven’t already, please get in touch and let them know that the situation in West Papua is unacceptable. This is your chance to raise their awareness and compel them into action. Let Indonesia know that the eyes of the world are watching………
GET THE TEMPLATE LETTER HERE
FIND OUT HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE HERE
Below is a letter from West Papuan Independence Leader Benny Wenda to all of our supporters this February.

February 2016
Dear friends of the Free West Papua Campaign,
I am writing to thank you for your continued solidarity with the people of West Papua towards our goal of self-determination and freedom.
Last year saw incredible successes for the Campaign and the message of support that rang out across the international community was heard by my people, offering hope and renewed strength in our struggle.
Together we are making our voices heard. For this, I want to thank each and every one of you who are walking along side us on this journey towards independence.
This year we are looking to strengthen the collective voices of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua. We are asking all of our supporters around the world to talk to their political representatives, making them aware of the situation and inviting them to join the IPWP.
We now need your help to make our voice even louder within the international community and your help really does make a difference. 
Thank you again for standing with us in this struggle.
PAPUA MERDEKA
Benny Wenda
West Papuan Independence Leader
Spokesperson for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)
www.bennywenda.org
www.freewestpapua.org

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2) US Ambassador’s Visit to Papua Should Contribute to Conflict Resolution 3 minggu ago 
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua legislator Rube Magai a visit by US ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake to Papua should not only involve sight-seeing but also focus on resolving the conflict. He said the United States should not only think about its own interests, but also participate in pushing for an end to the conflict in Papua. Moreover Papua has three trim cards as reasons to seek independence: Freeport’s contract, human rights violations since 1963 to present and the political status of Papua that has been scrutinised by the international community, in particular Pacific countries. “Those three things have close links with Papua’s history that has not been resolved until now. The ambassador should not only come to visit, but also to participate in solving problems in Papua. During the time those who played the game in Papua are the United States and Indonesia for the sake of investment and potencies of natural resources in Papua,” Magai told Jubi on Monday (18/1/2016). Related to Freeport’s issue, according to him, the company signed its first contract with Indonesia in 1967 or before Papua integrated with Indonesia in 1969, but never involved the indigenous Papua as landowners. About human rights violations in Papua, he said, it was occurred since 1963 to present and the Indonesian Government has not resolved it. 
“The third problem is Papua’s political status. Until now its political status continues to discuss in every meeting of Pacific countries, such as in MSG and Pacific Forum Island (PIF). In MSG, Papua is currently obtained status as observer. Papuan issues have not only taken to regional level but also to international level and even to the United Nations,” he said. He said it is now depending on the US to react on Papua, whether they would detain their ego for the sake of investment, that is the Freeport to continue sacrifice the indigenous Papua or they have a political action to push the resolution of many problems in Papua. During the time, he added, the United States saw the Freeport as big investment; while the indigenous Papua are becoming victims and the Indonesian Government is being ignorant.“These three issues are Papua’s ace cards. Though the Indonesian Government was silent, the politic in Papua is still running. The Central Government should immediately solve the human rights violations that were occurred since 1963 to present. Then about Freeport’s Contract of Work, it is the crime of the United States and Indonesia. The investment problem should be solved separately according to the issues. Do not blend it or politicised,” he said. Earlier, the Chief Representative of Human Right Commission Papua Region, Frits Ramandey stated he would run a dialog with the Ambassador of the United States for Indonesia, Robert Blake Jr. He though the ambassador would question about human rights agendas.“Clearly the Human Right Commission has an interest to clarify about human rights cases, but also ask for some sort enforcement (intervention) from the US Ambassador for Indonesia towards several cases handled by the Human Rights Commission that have not been resolved,” said Ramandey. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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1) UPDATE 2-Indonesia mines ministry backs new Freeport copper export permit

February 9, 2016, 12:05 pm
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2) Oppenheimer reflects on  implications of Oscar-nominated  documentary The Look of  Silence 
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1) UPDATE 2-Indonesia mines ministry backs new Freeport copper export permit
Markets | Tue Feb 9, 2016 7:43pm IST
* Recommendation linked to payment of 5 pct export tax
* Trade ministry still needs to issue permit (Adds Freeport comment)
By Wilda Asmarini
JAKARTA, Feb 9 Indonesia’s mining ministry on Tuesday recommended that Freeport McMoRan Inc receive a new six-month copper export permit, 
potentially ending a near two-week stoppage after the previous permit expired last month.
Freeport was forced to halt overseas shipments from one of the world’s biggest copper mines in Papua after the government demanded the U.S. 
mining giant first pay a $530 million deposit for a new smelter before a new export permit could be approved.
A lengthy export stoppage would have hit Freeport's profits and denied the Indonesian government desperately needed revenue from one of its biggest taxpayers.
"We issued a recommendation that Freeport receive an export permit," Bambang Gatot, the mining ministry's director general of coal and minerals, told reporters.
The mining ministry recommendation will now be sent to the trade ministry, which has the power to issue export permits.
Typically once the trade ministry receives a recommendation from the mining ministry, the renewal of an export permit would be a formality.
Freeport Indonesia produces about 220,000 tonnes of copper ore from the mine per day. About a third usually goes to a domestic smelter at Gresik, with the rest exported as concentrate.
Gatot told parliament the mining ministry supported the renewal of Freeport's export permit because of the miner's willingness to continue paying an export tax of 5 percent.
Talks between the two sides over the $530 million bond were still ongoing.
Indonesia wants the deposit as a guarantee that the Phoenix, Arizona-based company will complete construction of another local smelter. The amount would add to an 
estimated $80 million that Freeport set aside in July 2015 to obtain its current export permit.
Clementine Lamury, a director for Freeport Indonesia, told parliament the company already had a contract with vendors on constructing the smelter and would abide by the 
agreed payment terms, despite government demands for the investment to be accelerated.
Freeport CEO Richard Adkerson last month said the government's demand for a smelter deposit was "inconsistent" with an agreement reached between the two sides in mid-2014.
According to that agreement, Freeport must sell the government a greater share of the Grasberg mine, and invest in domestic processing to win an extension of its mining contract beyond 2021.
The U.S. mining giant wants to invest $18 billion to expand its operations at Grasberg, but is seeking government assurances first that it will get a contract extension.
Freeport’s long-held desire to continue mining in Indonesia beyond 2021 has been beset by controversy, including cabinet infighting, resignations and a major political scandal that
 led to the resignation of the parliamentary speaker. (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini; Additional reporting by Bernadette Christina Menthe; Writing by Michael Taylor and Randy Fabi; 
Editing by Himani Sarkar, Tom Hogue and Mark Potter)
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2) Oppenheimer reflects on  implications of Oscar-nominated  documentary The Look of  Silence 
Callistasia Anggun Wijaya, thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | National | Tue, February 09 2016, 6:59 PM -


The American documentary film director Joshua Oppenheimer is set to make his way up the red carpet at the 2016 Academy Awards later this month, voicing the 
important message that past human rights abuses still haunt many Indonesian families.
Oppenheimer's The Look of Silence is up for Best Documentary Feature at the 88th Academy Awards set to be held in Hollywood, the US, on Feb. 28. 
The film follows a man probing his brother’s murder in the violence that racked the country from 1965 to 1966.
The critically acclaimed documentary, released in 2014, is the companion piece to Oppenheimer's award-winning Oscar nominee documentary The Act of Killing, which was released in 2012.
The two documentaries tell stories encompassing a dark chapter in Indonesian history, namely the 1965 to 1966 communist purge, in which up to a million people with alleged links to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) were murdered, kidnapped or tortured.
For The Look of Silence, Oppenheimer befriended Adi Rukun, an optometrist living in North Sumatra whose brother Ramli Rukun was brutally killed in 1965.
While The Act of Killing focuses on the perpetrators boasting of how they butchered people associated with the PKI, The Look of Silence shows how Adi confronts his brother's murderers who live free, with some now grasping the reins of regional power. 
The confrontation results in powerful scenes, as Adi's repressed feelings bubble up as he asks his brother’s murderers why they did what they did.
Oppenheimer refers to the film as an Indonesian production.
“This is the first Indonesian film ever nominated for an Oscar. The movie was made by Indonesians and for Indonesians,” he told thejakartapost.com in a Skype interview from Los Angeles over the weekend.
While The Act of Killing also received an Oscar nod in 2012, it was not an Indonesian production, according to Oppenheimer, as he did not involve many Indonesians in his crew, fearing their safety might be at risk given the appearance in the film of the likes of Vice President Jusuf Kalla and the chairman of paramilitary group Pancasila Youth, Yapto Soerjosumarno.
Conversely, sixty Indonesian crewmembers, who remain anonymous, worked on the making of The Look of Silence.
At one point during production, Oppenheimer and his crew, including cinematographer Lars Skree and producer Signe Byrge Sørensen, emptied all numbers on their mobile phones and bought a second car, allowing them, if need be, to make an instant switch after leaving perpetrators' houses to throw any hired goons or cops off the scent .
Despite the myriad challenges he faced, an Oscar nomination never crossed Oppenheimer’s mind.
“We made these movies in order to hold up a mirror inside Indonesia and outside Indonesia so that everyone in the world can recognize the terrible consequences of what happens when human beings turned against one another, kill, frighten and torture one another and create a whole regime of fear," said the 41-year-old director.
"We try to capture what happens when a whole society is built on a story of lies, justifying crimes against humanity."
The nomination is also expected to draw people’s attention to human right issues.
In his acceptance speech after winning best documentary at the 2014 BAFTA Awards, Oppenheimer accused the UK and the US of "help[ing] to engineer the genocide, and for decades enthusiastically support[ing] the military dictatorship that came to power through the genocide". This part of the speech was cut by BAFTA when it posted the acceptance video online.
Oppenheimer is currently working on a petition to force the US to acknowledge its role in the 1965 violence.
At least 50,000 people, including activists from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have signed the petition.
The auteur will meet members of the US Senate in Washington DC this week, urging them to make available all documents relating to the US role in the genocide.
However, his actions will remain limited to overseas, as he is reluctant to return to Indonesia – a country where he spent 12 years making the two documentaries - in the face of threats. 
He has not returned to the country since completing the production of The Look of Silence in 2013.
The Copenhagen-based director cited "several threats" from individuals he declined to mention.
“There was one threat that said ‘Don’t come back to Indonesia, unless you want us to use your head as a football.’”
Oppenheimer has also provided guarantees of the safety of Adi, the film’s protagonist, who now lives safely with his family away from North Sumatra.
A whole network of people, from human rights activists to journalists, are monitoring Adi's safety and whereabouts.
Oppenheimer and his anonymous Indonesian codirector received the prestigious Suardi Tasrif Award in September last year from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) for The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence. The judges expressed their opinion that the two documentaries had unveiled facts relating to past human rights abuses that could help spur movement toward settlements and reconciliation.
The Tasrif award was inspired by Suardi Tasrif, considered the author of the code of ethics among Indonesian journalists.
Resolving past rights abuses
The Look of Silence trains its focus on a single protagonist – Adi – but he serves as a synecdoche for untold grieving families left without justice and without answers in the wake of the government- and military-backed brutality of 1965-1966.
Through the documentary, Oppenheimer expresses hope that the government will settle past human rights abuses, hopes given impetus by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s promise to do just that during his 2014 presidential campaign.
Jokowi's administration announced in January that it would settle past human rights cases this year, aiming for reconciliation with victims’ families.
However, the intention has been criticized by human rights activists, who disdain any reconciliation process that does not entail assigning responsibility for the crimes, and, where possible, meting out justice.
Jokowi's administration moreover gave the cold shoulder to an International People's Tribunal 1965 held in The Hague in November to shed light on the notorious yet hushed-up killings. His ministers refused to acknowledge the tribunal, citing that Indonesia had its own justice system.
The tribunal, which had no legal status to enact measures in Indonesia, stated that grave human rights abuses had taken place in 1965-1966, and called on the government to act to resolve them.
While holding out some hope in Jokowi, Oppenheimer realizes that the President is in a difficult position to keep his promise, as he “depends on power from people who have blood on their hands".
The Look of Silence was officially distributed in Indonesia through the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), but other state bodies have called for a ban on screenings of the film.
In October, the annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) was forced to cancel a series of panel discussions on the 1965-1966 violence, including screenings of The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence.
Oppenheimer believes that despite the daunting obstacles to resolving past rights abuses, new generations of young Indonesians will take on the torch of justice. "I just hope that people can come together in a non-violent way to demand justice and reconciliation, as the films have encouraged,” he said. (rin)
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1) Mappi declares state of emergency over dengue

February 10, 2016, 12:55 pm
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2) WEST PAPUAN SELF-DETERMINATION:
NEW INDIGENOUS RIGHTS OR OLD-FASHIONED GENOCIDE? 
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1) Mappi declares state of  emergency over dengue
Nether Dharma Somba, thejakartapost.com, Jakarta | Archipelago | Wed, February 10 2016, 8:45 PM - 


The Mappi administration in Papua has declared an extraordinary situation (KLB) status over a dengue outbreak. From November 2015 to February this year, the administration recorded 12 people who tested positive for dengue and this is the highest number of cases ever experienced in the regency.
“Mappi is one of the regencies and municipalities in Papua that have recorded dengue cases this year. There are only 12 dengue-positive cases, but this is the first time for the regency to record dengue,” the Papua provincial administration’s health agency head Aloisius Giay said in Jayapura on Wednesday.
“The number of dengue-infected patients had been rapidly growing so that the Mappi administration declared a KLB status over dengue,” he went on.
Apart from the 12 patients who tested positive for dengue, 24 Mappi residents were found to have suffered dengue-like fever.
Aloisious said the dengue cases in Mappi were found in two districts, namely Baa and Mambioman Babai.
He further explained that 47 dengue cases were found in other regions across Papua, but those regions did not declare a KLB status because of them.
“Of the total 47 cases, 20 dengue patients were found in Jayapura City, one of whom had died. The 27 remaining cases were found in six other areas, namely Biak Numfor, Jayapura regency, Keerom, Merauke, Sarmi and Timika,” said Aloisious. 
Citing data from the Papua administration’s health agency, he said, 29 regencies and municipalities across the province had potential breeding places for the Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue. Six regencies and municipalities, namely Biak, Boven Digul, Jayapura City, Jayapura regency, Keerom and Merauke, had been declared dengue endemic areas. Meanwhile, Timika was declared to be a regency with sporadic dengue cases.
Aloisious said the Papua administration’s health agency had dispatched medicines and mosquito fogging equipment to Mappi and prepared health workers to be ready to be deployed to the regency once they were requested by the local administration. (elf)
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2) WEST PAPUAN SELF-DETERMINATION:
NEW INDIGENOUS RIGHTS OR OLD-FASHIONED GENOCIDE? 
by
 CATHERINE J. IORNS MAGALLANES 

 FOR the Sake of Present and Future Generations: Essays on International Law, Crime and Justice in Honour of Roger Clark, edited by Suzannah Linton, Gerry Simpson & William Schabas, pp237-259 (Leiden, Brill, 2015)
Abstract:

This paper addresses the adverse effects of Indonesia’s takeover of West Papua. The author examines the human rights and environmental abuses occurring in West Papua, along with the lack of international effort to aid the people of this nation. The author accepts the increasing international awareness of this issue, along with the political, legal and practical difficulties in advancing the West Papuan, but writes to remind us of the plight of the Papuans. This paper suggests that the claims of severe human rights violations in West Papua are extremely important for the international community to address.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 37

Keywords: Indigenous rights, human rights, West Papua

JEL Classification: K00, K30, K39

Published by Victoria University of Wellington – Faculty of Law

Download full paper

 
http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/west-papuan-self-determination-new-indigenous-rights-or-old-fashioned-genocide/
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1) KNPB Denies Gun-Wielding Man its Member

February 11, 2016, 12:05 pm
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2) Three Inmates Escape from Wamena Prison 

3) YAPKEMA Introduces Local Meeuwodide Coffee to Global Market
4) Indigenous Papuans Should Decided Freeport’s Future, says Legislator 
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1) KNPB Denies Gun-Wielding Man its Member
1 hair ago Victor Mambor

Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) rejected police allegations that a student who pointed a gun at an officer was a KNPB supporter. The Police arrested the 20-year-old man for allegedly threatening Second Police Brigadier Ritonga with a gun in Sentani on Monday (1/2/2016). “What is the evidence if he is KNPB partisan? We are not a criminal organization. Rather offending KNPB, the Police better to cover the violence cases. We all knew there are many cases of violence against Papuans that have not yet revealed by the police investigators,” the KNPB General Secretary, Ones Suhuniap said on Tuesday (9/2/2016).
He added it is clear those who have guns in the town are only the Police or Military personnel. “Accusing without giving evidence is only reflecting the Police’s inability to reveal the roots of conflict and violence in Papua. I think it is connected with the attempt to criminalize the peace struggle of Papuan people, including to categorize this struggle into the act of terrorism,” said Suhuniap.
Earlier, Papua Police Spokesperson, Senior Police Commissionaire Partridge Renwarin told Antara News Agency the armed robbery was occurred when Ritonga slipped from his motorcycle at right behind the car carrying SL. SL came out of the car and pointed his gun to Ritonga who’s officer of Jayapura Police, then ran away. The Police chased him and arrested him at Sentani Airport surrounding area. To reporters, Renwarin explained the interim investigation reported SL is KNPB partisan and now is still under further investigation to determine the origin of the gun. “The type of FN gun of perpetrator had three bullets,” added Renwarin.(Victor Mambor/rom)
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2) Three Inmates Escape from Wamena Prison 
1 hair ago Victor Mambor

Women, Jubi – Three prisoner escaped from the Wamena penitentiary through the main gate on Thursday (4/2/2016), police said, in yet another such case to occur in Papua. Jayawijaya Police Deputy Chief Police Commissionaire Fransiskus E. Elosak visited the prison to investigate and conducted a search of the entire premises. He looked upset after he was told three people escaped, not two as initially reported. He directly instructed his personnel to do hunting and investigating the prison’s guards.
“We can not suspect there is an intention or not, but the incident was occurred too frequent and they were not escaped by the back door but the front door. It seems the prison has not proper management and it must be improved. We have told them for many times but we certainly don’t know whether they have done any change or not,” Deputy Chief told reporters at Wamena Prison on Tuesday (9/2/2016). He added this incident is possibly to be happened again if nothing improvement was set. He also asked the Wamena Prison to cooperate with the Jayawijaya Police in doing guards at Wamena Prison. He also explained when the incident was occurred; there were only two guards on duty; one to guard at front and one to guard on the back.
According to Jayawijaya Deputy Chief, when the guard wanted to enter the prison, he was pushed from inside by prisoners that ultimately escaped from the prison. “In other places, if the prisoners were escaped, the security system would immediately improved, but in here, after all these incidents, everything still remains the same,” he said. Meanwhile, Jayawijaya Crime and Investigation Department Chief, Adjunct Police Commissionaire I Wayan Laba added the escapees are troubled criminals of community. He worried they would act the same crimes as before, such as grabbing without hesitate to wound their victims. So far there is no official statement from Wamena Prison related to the incident. When it was occurred, the Wamena Prison Chief was not in his office. (Islami/rom)
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3) YAPKEMA Introduces Local Meeuwodide Coffee to Global Market
2 hair ago Victor Mambor

YAPKEMA director, Hanok Herison Pigai introducing coffee seedlings to coffee farmer – Jubi

Paniai, Jubi – YAPKEMA (Community Welfare Development Foundation) is seeking to introduce the local coffee of Meeuwodide, Paniai to national and global markets.
The Director of YAPKEMA, Hanok Horizon Pigai, said the foundation has run the program since 2006 to introduce the local coffee of Meeuwodide. “When we conducted an assessment to the community, they said we are late because they would gradually leave the coffee cultivation due to the market issue. We have worked together with the Oxfam New Zealand, they helped us to find a market,” he told Jubi in Enarotali, Paniai on Monday (8/2/2016). He said P-5 Moanemati was closed in 1996, from Makataka to Mapia. Lacking of market demands reduced the production of coffee. But due to promotion by YAPKEMA, the demands on Moanemani coffee has been popular in Jakarta. Now there are many demands for Paniai and Deiyai coffees from many parties.
“We do this promotion to sell the community’s product as well as to get buyers. Therefore we build a café in Bogor,” he said. He disagreed if the local people were said for being lazy, because the local people at Meepago region were known as persistent and hardworking farmers. “The local wisdom is still existed, but the habit to spend money unwisely is also raised. Yes, because people are now turning consumptive because they are being spoiled with cash, rice for poor program, and so on. So their hard work motivation has changes and start to fade,” he said.
According to him, YAPKEMA has provided the coffee seeds in Dogiyai and Deiyai to attract the local people to get back on coffee cultivation. “We do not use the chemical fertilizer, but the mix of organic fertilizer and rice husk from Nabire. We also trained the local people to provide the coffee seeds based on the standard of Provincial Plantation Office. The officials have already visited on the ground and stated it has fulfilled the standard. With the training as well as the certification, we will ready in Deiyai and Dogiyai,” he said. Deiyai resident Martinus expressed his appreciation on the program. He expected the international community would recognize the local coffee. (Hengky Yeimo/rom)
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4) Indigenous Papuans Should Decided Freeport’s Future, says Legislator 
1 hair ago Victor Mambor

Jayapura, Jubi – Indigenous Papuans should be given the right to determine the future of PT Freeport Indonesia, Papuan legislator from Mimika electoral district, Wilhelmus Pigai, said. He warned the Central Government against ignoring Papuans, especially the landowners in discussing Freeport’s contract extension. “The Central Government shouldn’t extend the Freeport’s contract of work without involving the landowners. People must be given the authority to agree or disagree on the extension,” Pigai told Jubi by phone on Wednesday (9/2/2016). He said furthermore what is produced by Freeport came from the Papuan natural resources. That mining company is operating on the land of customary people. Those who affected by the mining activity are the local people not residents in the other Indonesian regions. “Papua has the Special Autonomy Law. Whatever it takes in Papua must refer to the Special Autonomy Law instead of the Law on Mineral, Energy and Coal or Government Regulation Number 77,” he said.
According to him, if the government –central, provincial and regional levels—neglected the landowners, thus the councilor would conduct a protest. “There are components in Papua that should be involved by the Central Government in negotiating the Freeport’s contract of work. It couldn’t be done by chance, couldn’t be decided on one side. It has a rule,” he said. Freeport McMoran Inc has submitted its request on six months export permit for about 1 million tones of copper concentrate, “ said an official of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Tuesday (26/1/2015). Freeport Indonesia, which operates one of world biggest copper mining in Papua, has been requested to pay deposit amounted US$ 530 million to build a new smelter in Indonesia in order to renew its export permit. “Freeport requested to export about 1 million tons of copper for next six months,” the Director of Mineral Department Mohammad Hedayat cited by Reuters. “They exported only 500 thousand tons of copper for the last six months –it’s under their export quota,” he added. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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1) Regional Heads Must Not Rely on Provincial Assistance, says Legislator

February 11, 2016, 10:53 pm
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2) Minister Speaks Like an Imperialist, says Legislator
3) Papua Trade and Industry Office to Build Re-Measuring Post at Border Area
4) Sport: West Papua Warriors eye USA 
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1) Regional Heads Must Not Rely on Provincial Assistance, says Legislator
1 hair ago Victor Mambor

                        


Local traders at Jigibama traditional market in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency – Jubi
Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan legislator Pendis Enumbi warned governments at the local level not to rely on provincial assistance in carrying out economic development programs. Enumbi, who’s member of Commission II of Papua Legislative Council for economy affairs, said it is difficult to develop the community economic development program if only expecting the provincial budget assistance. “How could they develop the people centered economic program without budget? Both regional and municipal governments must have similar programs with provincial government. The governor also need to control those in the regional governments; whether their programs are connected with provincial programs,” Enumbi said on Wednesday (10/2/2016). According to him, the regional and municipal governments should not only focus to build the infrastructures, but they need to create a program to develop the people’s economy. Furthermore, the local people are mostly farmers, breeders and fishers. “The regional heads must be aware on this situation and think about community economic development program rather than magnificent buildings. 
The economic development is important,” he said. He further said the regional and municipal governments must also provide facilities for community economic agents, such as a market for selling the local commodities. “Regional and municipal programs must connect with provincial programs,” he said. Earlier, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe announced the five economic policies of Papua Province in 2016, which are (1) to endorse the good quality economic growth and to materialise the sustainable natural resources management to support the community economic development, (2) to increase the income rate of customary community, (3) to materializer the conducive climate for investment by the provision of relief and incentive to encourage the creation of equal employment, (4) to optimize the development of the sectors of marine, agriculture, cultivation and tourism, as well as the sectors of trade and services towards the independence Papua for investment, and (5) to encourage the economic development at rural levels through Prosepek Program (Government’s Program for Village Development) in synergy with the village allocated funds program by Central Government. “In addition to encourage the economic development, said Enembe, the main priority of development target as the basis for the elaboration of regional operation strategy must refer to and fulfill the ‘Nawacita’, nine points of the national development agenda,” said Governor Enembe in Papua Regional Budget 2016 on last year. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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2) Minister Speaks Like an Imperialist, says Legislator


Jayapura, Jubi – Papuan legislator Lauren’s Kadepa said remarks by Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Human Rights Affairs, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan criticizing Papuan government officials were not proper. Kadepa said although he believed Panjaitan had a good intention to warn the Papua Governor, the regents and mayor and other Papuan officials to not often leave their offices, he did not convey it wisely and came across as arrogant and authoritarian. Panjaitan reportedly said: “I have told the governor about this. You don’t only have rights but obligations as well. They want to play games? They must confront me first. I will give harsh sanctions.” “From the sentence cited, it seems describing that Papua is really under imperialism. It is part of imperialist language,” Kadepa sent short message to Jubi on Wednesday (10/2/2016).

He said during the time, Papuan people were always suppressed in many ways. Now it is the time for Papuan officials. He was wondering about the Central Government’s intention. “What does Jakarta want? The minister’s intention was good, but he shouldn’t give impress of arrogant in his sentences,” he said. However, he wasn’t actually opposing the minister to instruct the Papuan leaders to be more focus in their regions, but as State official, he shouldn’t use those words. “There are sentences that more polite and proper to be used to remind the officials in Papua, instead of arrogant words. Moreover, the Minister of Political, Legal and Human Rights Affairs is State Official,” he said. Earlier, the Minister Luhut B. Panjaitan said he would give strict sanction over the regional heads in Papua and Papua Barat provinces concerning to their travel habits. He said he found those regional heads –governor, regents and mayors—in both provinces were often out of their office travelling to other places. “How do they notice about the problems occurred in Papua if they were not living there,” said the minister as cited in media 
He also would apply special regulation towards regional heads in Papua and Papua Barat provinces that those officials must report to the Minister of Internal Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo if they were planning to travel out of their regions. “I have told to the governor about this. You have not only a right but obligation as well. They want play games? They must confront me. I give strict sanction,” said the minister who was former Special Force personnel. “I have told to the governor, you dare playing games with me, you got me,” said Panjaitan. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
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3) Papua Trade and Industry Office to Build Re-Measuring Post at Border Area

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Provincial Trade and Industry Office plans to build a re-measuring post at Skouw Border Market in Muaratami Subdistrict, Jayapura Municipality. The Acting Head of Papua Trade and Industry Office, Elsye Pakade on Wednesday (10/2/2016) said the post is aimed to ensure that the purchased goods are according to declared sizes. “It is to encourage the accountability of market to be in order or on proper scale,” she said. The office thus plans to do pilot on Skouw Border Market, therefore it will provide measurement facility to materialize the program. “Because the proper scale equipment is becoming a form of optimum services to the community,” she said. 
Further, the office encourages traders in Skouw Border Market to pack their commodities in the labeled packages with the appropriate scale of quantity. “We can not ensure when the program will be implemented, but the office keep pushing it to be implemented in 2016,” she said. However, she was not certain about the funds whether it would be installed in 2016 or 2017. “But we hope it could be started in 2016,” she said. (*/rom)
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4) Sport: West Papua Warriors eye USA 
Updated at 2:11 pm today
The West Papua Warriors are hoping to spread their message to new frontiers.
The rugby league team, made up of players from Papua New Guinea and West Papua, was formed to raise awareness about the on-going human rights abuses in the Indonesian province.
They have competed in a handful of Nines tournaments in PNG and Australia in recent months and last week thrashed a Philippines development side 54-8 in a full 13-a-side match.
Captain Tala Kami said the team had received an invitation to compete in the USA Nines in May.
"We are seriously considering taking the team over there. It will just come down to funding and all that kind of stuff - if we can get all the sponsorship in time then it looks like USA Nines should be the next target. It's only an eight-team competition so four of them are the national clubs in America and the other four are international invitational teams: Canada, Jamaica, an Indigenous side in Australia and then we are the fourth. It should be a good level of competition."
Tala Kami said the team also planned to continue playing nine-a-side tournaments in PNG over the coming months, until the domestic competition began in winter.
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Senator Ludlum on West Papua

February 12, 2016, 10:29 pm
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Senator Ludlum on West Papua

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
 Proof Committee Hansard SENATE
pages 112 -114
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http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/estimate/130f253d-cd51-4682-a6ea-4da3fcda08d0/toc_pdf/Legal%20and%20Constitutional%20Affairs%20Legislation%20Committee_2016_02_09_4132.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Proof Committee Hansard SENATE
LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE Estimates (Public) 
TUESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2016 CANBERRA

Senator LUDLAM: I have a couple of follow-up questions. These refer to question on notice No. 2794, which remains unanswered—I think it is about 40 days overdue. Specifically, it is in regard to the AFP's support, or otherwise, to Detachment 88, which is a counter-terrorism unit within the Indonesian National Police. I have asked your predecessor questions about this in years past, but I do not think we have had this discussion before. So, in the absence of a response to the question that I put on notice can you tell us whether the AFP, financially or otherwise—training, capacity building, mentoring, equipment—provides assistance to the Detachment 88 unit specifically, or indirectly through INP?

Mr Colvin: I will ask Deputy Commissioner Phelan to come to the table. In terms of the unanswered question on notice, we have answered all of our questions on notice. I am not sure if perhaps it was a question to the department—

Senator LUDLAM: It might be held up a bit further up the line, but the parliament does not have an answer yet.

Mr Colvin: I understand that. I know we have put material on the record before. Yes, we still continue to work with Detachment 88, the counter-terrorism arm of the Indonesian National Police, in a range of matters.

CHAIR: I am told by the secretariat that you are referring to a question on notice in the Senate and not a question on notice through the estimates process.

Senator LUDLAM: Yes, that is correct.

Mr Wood: Which is why we do not have it with us.

Senator LUDLAM: In the absence of a response, though, do you want to just sketch very briefly—because we obviously are expecting a more detailed written answer down the track—in what capacity we assist this unit?

Mr Colvin: We will say what we can, and we will check the status of that question. I will hand over to Deputy Commissioner Phelan.

LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Tuesday, 9 February 2016 Senate Page 113

Mr Phelan: I think I have answered this question before this committee in the past in this place—almost exactly. I will try to remember the details. Over the years, effectively since the Bali bombings, we have provided consistent training on and off to Detachment 88. The question specifically put to us before was whether we had been involved in tactical training to their tactical alarm. The answer to that is no. But Detachment 88 has an investigative component as well. We work very closely with their investigative component. We work with them in relation to cybercrime exploitation. We work with them with investigative training. They have a hand in forensic investigations, as well, and we work very closely with them on that. We have provided them with training both in Indonesia, primarily at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation, in Semarang, which is a joint Australian and donor-funded training facility in Indonesia. That is the extent of our training with Detachment 88, and it ebbs and flows. Over some years we have given a large amount of equipment and so on, and in some years it is next to nothing.

Senator LUDLAM: We have asked on notice for a bit of detail about what kind of equipment, so I will not hold us up tonight on that. I think Detachment 88 has in past times played a very important role in counter- terrorism work, so it is obviously in Australia's interests that they are well-trained and supported.

Mr Phelan: They do. They are one of our key partners in Indonesia. There is no doubt about that.

Senator LUDLAM: How does it work when the same unit—and this is going to start sounding grimly familiar, I am afraid—is then implicated in gross human rights violations in West Papua; same guys, same unit, same training, same equipment, different mission?

Mr Phelan: We certainly do not get involved in their operations in West Papua, and—

Senator LUDLAM: We do not get involved in their operations, but we have helped build their capacity and
their training.

Mr Phelan: Not the capacity in terms of the tactical capacity we are talking about. We do talk about their investigative capacity, forensics and social media exploitation, which is relatively new.
Senator LUDLAM: I am presuming we are not then simply washing our hands if these very same individuals, and this very same unit, are then implicated in some kind of terrifying conduct in West Papua.

Mr Phelan: A very similar answer to what the commissioner gave: we do not wash our hands of anything. We are very cognisant of the equipment we deliver. We provide the training for it and it has a very specific nexus back to Australia for a specific purpose.

Senator LUDLAM: I am sure you can tell why I am raising these questions. It must be reasonably obvious where am I heading. What kind of due diligence do you do to make sure that the equipment, the training and the capacity building that we are providing to these individuals are not being thrown outside a counter-terrorism role—which I do not think there would be a person in this room who would oppose—to a role of cracking down on, torturing and disappearing pro-democracy campaigners in West Papua? It is some of the same people.

Mr Colvin: I think some of these questions are best directed towards Foreign Affairs, because they are questions that Foreign Affairs deal with on a regular basis, in terms of allegations of this nature. We are as specific and as careful as we can be, as the deputy commissioner has said, about the types of training that we provide and the equipment that we provide, to minimise the ability for it to be diverted and used in any other way. We train to our standards. We constantly work with our partners to have a standard that is very similar to what we have here in this country. We cannot be held accountable for what they are alleged to have done. It is something that we are acutely aware of and it is something that we have answered in this chamber many times.

Senator LUDLAM: There are reasons that it comes up over and over again.

Mr Colvin: Yes.

Senator LUDLAM: Are you able to engage in any kind of vetting process for members of the Indonesian police, or specifically Det 88, given that they are in receipt of Australian public funding, or is that out of scope?

Mr Colvin: To the extent that we can, yes, we are tailoring our efforts and our capacity building to those members and those areas we feel are operating in Australia's interest.

Senator LUDLAM: Is there anybody, for example, that we have simply refused to train, on the basis of their record?

Mr Colvin: I might take that on notice, because I want to give the committee a proper answer to these questions. They are very serious allegations and they are proper questions for us. I need to be very careful about the way we answer them. I want to try and give the committee the confidence that the AFP is not acting rashly in the way that we cooperate with these units.

LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Page 114 Senate Tuesday, 9 February 2016

Senator LUDLAM: Rashly?

Mr Colvin: Yes. I am trying to give you confidence that we are not acting rashly.

Senator LUDLAM: The last question is equally applicable to those that I put to you not that long ago about the Sri Lankan CID. There are these due diligence processes that you engage in when you are first establishing a mission in another part of the world. I am interested to know how that process is iterated over time and, if there are particular allegations of human rights abuses, whether anything happens or whether, unless AFP individuals directly witness this kind of conduct, it just goes through to the keeper?

Mr Colvin: It does not just go through to the keeper. If we witness that kind of conduct, there is a very strict guideline, protocol, that we must work through with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about that activity. At the same time, if our presence in a country—in my mind or in my senior officers' minds—became untenable because of allegations of misconduct or because of a lack of trust in officers that we were working with, then we would have to reconsider, but we are not in that situation.

Senator LUDLAM: How bad does it have to get in West Papua before we would reconsider? What are your threshold questions?

Mr Colvin: We are not operating in West Papua—

Senator LUDLAM: But the people that we are training are operating there, Commissioner, with respect.

Mr Colvin: I do not know that that is the case. Det 88 is a very large organisation, and I have not seen any evidence to suggest that somebody that we have provided training to has been directly implicated in allegations. As I said before, you need to ask some of these questions to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator LUDLAM: I do intend to do so, if there is any of those individuals in the room. I do intend to do so; they are likely though to refer me right back to you because you have the people on the ground, actually providing the training.

Mr Colvin: I am in no position to make a comment about allegations of human rights abuses in West Papua.

Senator LUDLAM: It is the people that we train, and the capacity that we are building, and the equipment we are providing, that I am trying to understand how we can possibly do ongoing due diligence and track those people or that gear.

Mr Colvin: Senator, we work and train with a fairly small, select group of individuals. Can I categorically say that I always know where those individuals are, deployed across the archipelago of Indonesia, and what duties they are involved in? No, I cannot, but our officers are very conscious of making sure we work with people who serve in the interests of Australia.

Senator LUDLAM: You have taken a fair number of matters on notice so I might leave it there. 
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1) Call for Media to Advocate on West Papua Issue

February 13, 2016, 12:01 pm
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1) Call for Media to Advocate on West Papua Issue

on Saturday, 13 Feb 2016. Posted in Home

By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The media has been challenged to advocate more on the West Papua issue.
Mathew Hassor, President of the Sarang Burung Mambruk Project, says little attention has been given by the media 
to the genocide in West Papua. And there are many stories that remain unreported.
The Sarang Burung Mambruk Project movement has been advocating for West Papua and observed that the
 international media over time have been silent on the everyday West Papua genocide.
However, whatever little is reported comes from social media sites like Facebook, and Hassor has criticised the 
mainstream media for not giving West Papuans a voice.
“There has not much coverage given to the West Papua issue by the mainstream media. If the stories can be told, 
than the people and the rest of the world would know what is happening to our people.”
“In terms of accessibility, there has been no foreign journalist on ground, because they too might fear the government 
authorities.”
The Sarang Burung Mambruk Project thanked the Papua New Guinea Government, and the Melanesian Spearhead 
Group for addressing the West Papua issue as a global agenda.
His hope is one day all West Papuans will unite, raising up the morning star flag up high.
“At the end of the day, the West Papuans, we want freedom. We are calling on all West Papuans to unite and work 
together for our tomorrow.”
While acknowledging Indonesia’s relations with other countries like Papua New Guinea, a grave concern is the 
inhumane treatment of the people.
“It’s a bit scary because of the genocide. We are strongly believed that our human rights have been violated.”
Meanwhile Oro Province Governor, Gary Juffa, speaking to EMTV News this week echoed the same sentiments.
“There have been killing and it’s sad to see that our media in Papua New Guinea have no reports.”
Juffa a strong supporter for West Papua challenged the media to advocate for change.


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2) New Vanuatu PM good choice, says think tank
Updated at 3:35 pm on 12 February 2016
Vanuatu's new prime minister is an accomplished and well respected figure in the country's politics, according to the head of a Pacific think tank.
Charlot Salwai was yesterday elected unopposed in the first sitting of parliament following January's snap election.
He leads a majority coalition made up of mostly opposition members of the last parliament and several independents.
Executive director of the Pacific Institute for Public Policy Derek Brien said the coalition had put careful consideration into its decision to put forward Mr Salwai, who was a former finance and education minister, as its candidate.
He said Mr Salwai's 13-member cabinet was a combination of fresh faces and experienced MPs as it tried to push forward promised political reform.
"His election yesterday was a comprehensive victory and a comprehensive sign from the parliament to tackle the issue of unity and reform and to deliver the demand for change that the electorate signalled in the election in January," said Derek Brien.
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UNHCR notes PNG progress on West Papuan refugees

February 15, 2016, 12:43 am
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UNHCR notes PNG progress on West Papuan refugees
Updated at 4:55 pm today
                        Cross border flow between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says good progress is being made by Papua New Guinea on registering all West Papuan refugees in the country.
With UNHCR assistance, PNG's government last year embarked on a project to locate all of the West Papuans, as well as regularise the legal status of them.
It was estimated there are around ten thousand West Papuans in PNG seeking refuge, many of whom had been in the country since a mass exodus from Indonesia in 1984.
Around 2000 of the Papuans residing in Western Province were granted permissive residency some time ago.
The remaining 7000 - 8000 in other parts of the country have long lived in a kind of limbo as stateless people.
UNHCR associate legal officer Mike Clayton said previous attempts to register the West Papuan population were not comprehensive but that the current process offered a resolution.
“And that will give us a much better idea of exactly who is there, how long they've been there and hopefully provide a pathway for some of the people who have been refugees for decades to finally obtain proper, lasting legal status, the protections, the rights and obligations that go along with citizenship of a host country and finally cease to be refugees."
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1) Who is this expedition for?

February 15, 2016, 1:53 pm
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2) Expedition in West Papua, State Efforts To Build Military Base in Papua
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1) Who is this expedition for?
From the Executive Director of the LP3BH

  During the last few days here in the Province of West Papua, Manokwari, there has been a great deal of
information about an expedition organised by the NKRI (United State of the Republic of Indonesia) about which the majority of the Papuan
people know very little about regarding what its purpose is. People are wondering what this expedition is all about.   Nor can the people 
here imagine what the purpose of the expedition is for or how long it will last.

   According to the remarks by the Commander of the Sorong Regency 1704, Lieutenant  Colonel Aulia  Dalimunto S.Sos to the mass media  a
few days ago, namely that the main purpose of the expedition is to collect data and draw up a map of the natural resources and the
availability of people  as well as various other things here in West Papua, regarding which the people here know almost nothing about.

  This would seem to mean that the purpose of the expedition is to gather  as much information as possible about the natural resources
here in the Province of West Papua , in particular information about which the people here  know almost nothing about.

  This seems to mean that the expedition is intended to gather as much information as possible about the riches here in the Province of
West Papua that would appear to be based on the stipulations in Articles 38 and 43 of Law 21/2001 regarding the Special Autonomy Law
as amended by Law 35/2008.

   This should surely mean that there should have been consultations with all the component parts of the communities in the two indigenous
peoples districts, that is to say, Domberay and Bomberay, as well as with all the tribes that have the right to possession of the natural
resources within the territory of the administration of the Province of West Papua.

  This also means that at this stage of investigating, the aim and purpose of gathering information about resources  in the Province of
West Papua should at the very least have been done with the recommendation and the knowledge and agreement of the Minister of
State for Research  and Technology.   Does the Indonesian Institute of Sciences   (LIPI) know anything
about all this? Or what about other institutions such as UNCEN of UNIPA (universities in West Papua) whose task it is to know about all
this. And does the Ministry of Mining or the Head of Mining Services in the Province of West Papua know about the aim and purpose of this
expedition?

  In my opinion, as a lawyer  and Defender of Human Rights here in the Land of Papua, it is very important for all the component parts
here in the Province of West Papua, both at the government level, the regional administrations as well as the universities, and the
indigenous people  and other civil organisations’  The fact is that the impact  of this expedition will be felt by the
people here, now and into the future.

   With so many military personnel (TNI) being involved in this expedition, this should have the attention of all forces here. What is
the purpose of the this expedition? Is it aimed at gathering data  and if so,who will this information be used by? Is it not aimed at  making
preparations for new-style military operations here in the Land of Papua?
Peace.
Yan Chriistian Warinussy, Executive Director of the LP3BH [Institute
for Research, Investigation ] and Recipient of the John Humphrey
Freedom Award, 2005, Canada and Defender of Human Rights in the Land of Papua.
-----
Translated by Carmel Budiardjo, Recipient of the Right Livelihood  Award, 1995]

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A google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa link at
http://suarapapua.com//read/2016/02/14/3162/ekspedisi-nkiri-di-papua-barat-upaya-negara-untuk-bangun-basis-militer-di-papua

2) Expedition in West Papua, State Efforts To Build Military Base in Papua





Homeland expedition team with students in West Papua who participated in the Homeland Corridor Expedition West Papua, 2016. (Photo



JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com --- Ones Suhuniap, general secretary of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) said the expedition undertaken by colonial Indonesian military in West Papua is the country's efforts to strengthen the basis of Milite r in West Papua are being targeted in 2016.

"Homeland is carried Expedition West Papua include Tambrauw district, Sorong, South Sorong, South Manokwari, Bintuni, Wondama, Fak-Fak and Kaimana. The purpose of this expedition is not clear yet the Papuans should not be silent. People of Papua should be aware of the various kinds of tactic that is being built by the State. Besides the most important is the people of Papua should remain focused and solid in the struggle for self-determination for the people of West Papua, "said Suhun to suarapapua.com, Saturday (02/13/2016) from Jayapura.
 
According to him, this expedition should not just be seen as a regular activity, because the political status of Papua Merdeka is no longer hidden things to be discussed by the national and even international public.
 
"We can not see this as a regular activity by the State Indonesia, because the political status of Papua Merdeka is now a serious problem in the International towards the final solution" he said.
 
Meanwhile, as reported previously tabloidjubi.com not long ago, in Jakarta Civil Society Groups Reject Expedition Homeland express their aspirations through the action conducted in front of the State Palace on Tuesday (09/02/2016) afternoon.

The action was held to express rejection of the mission initiated by the Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture (PMK) Puan Maharani, as judged smelled militarism and held solely for dredge Natural Resources (SDA) Papua alone in the future.
 
"Since when TNI / Polri could be researchers? If this true sole purpose of research kok delivered more personnel TNI / Polri than the research team? It's very militaristic! "Said Veronica Koman, public defenders LBH Jakarta.
 
According to Veronika, to record and map natural resources and socio-cultural is not the duty and authority of the Ministry of PMK, especially TNI / Polri. Mapping of natural resources and natural resources as the main purpose of the expedition was the Homeland can also be interpreted that the expedition aims to simplify and expedite the process of foreign investment into Papua. Customary land seizures, environmental damage, entry of the military as the guardian of the company; is a bit of a wide range of impacts that will result from the entry of large-scale investors.
 
"The delivery of the Homeland expedition team was ironic that the death of 66 babies and toddlers in Nduga. Papua needs to be doctors and teachers is urgent, but again sent by the government is the army, "added Veronika.
 
This action is supported by various civil society groups. Among Student Papua, Papua Students Alliance (AMP), LBH Jakarta, Papua That We, the National Student Front (FMN), the Federation of Student Democracy (FMK), Federation of Trade Unions of Indonesia (FSBI), Indonesia Without Militarism (ITM), Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), the Urban Poor Network (JRMK), Confederation of Indonesian People's movement (KPRI).
 
Vicky Tebay, demanding Papuan students in his speech to the President Jokowi, Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture, and the TNI Commander to immediately cancel the Homeland Expedition to West Papua and do not let other more expeditions to Papua.
 
"Our people do not need Expedition Papua Homeland. We need doctors and teachers, "said Vicky Tebay.

Previously been delivered by the TNI that the purpose of the Homeland Expedition to West Papua will work to record and map natural resources and human resources as well as existing problems in West Papua.
 
Homeland expedition to the West Papua in 1200 dispatched personnel consisting of 670 personnel of the military / police and 530 civilian personnel.
 
Harun Rumbarar



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1) 5000-PEOPLE ATTEND OPENING AN OFFICE IN Wamena ULMWP

February 15, 2016, 10:06 pm
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2) West Papuan Liberation movement opens office in Wamena

3) Impact of forest fires on Papua on climate change agenda

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http://tabloidjubi.com/2016/02/15/5000-an-orang-hadiri-peresmian-kantor-ulmwp-di-wamena/

A Google translate. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. original bahasa link at
5000-PEOPLE ATTEND OPENING AN OFFICE IN Wamena ULMWP


Victor MamborFeb 15, 2016

Installation nameplate ULMWP office in Wamena by one announcer ULMWP, Edison Waromi - Jubi / Victor Mambor


Jayapura, Jubi - About five thousand people gathered at the Indigenous Council Office Lapago,
Grave Complex in Jalan Lama, Wamena town to attend the inauguration of the office of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Monday (15/02/2016). These communities come from different cultural regions Lapago.

Honai shaped office was built on the efforts of society. They raise money by selling agricultural produce, pork or vegetables. Total costs used to build this office reached 350 million.

"This office was once just a regular honai. Which is then burned by bad people. Now people can prove that they can build their own offices for tribal councils and ULMWP. This is incredible, "said Father John Jonga who lead worship of thanksgiving for the establishment of indigenous honai used as office ULMWP together Lapago Tribal Council offices.



people who had gathered to attend the inauguration of the office ULMWP - Jubi / Victor Mambor


The inauguration of this ULMWP office, according to Markus Haluk, one high-ranking ULMWP, to provide answers to the Indonesian government statement said ULMWP just a bunch of people who are outside Papua. ULMWP, continued Mark, is the people of Papua, West Papua nation itself.

"People are waking up this office. They provide the land, they have to pay, to be this office. That is evidence that ULMWP in the Land of Papua. Those outside Papua is simply the person appointed to carry out the task of liberating the people of West Papua, "said Markus.



Three chief of the indigenous Lapago received reports of ULMWP - Jubi / Victor Mambor



ULMWP office in Papua, as stated by the Chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Manasseh Sogavare, is very important. Sogavare in a meeting with leaders of West Papua in Honiara in late January, the Chairman of MSG ULMWP welcomed plans to build an office in West Papua. He said ULMWP presence in West Papua, is strategically important.

"People criticize MSG MSG when receiving ULMWP as observers. They say ULMWP are people who live outside of West Papua and do not represent the people of West Papua. This is wrong thinking that must be confronted, "said Sogavare.


Community generously contributed to the office ULMWP - Jubi / Victor Mambor


The same is conveyed Octovianus Mote, Secretary General ULMWP.
"ULMWP not katifitas group of people abroad. ULMWP are a nation of Papua itself. ULMWP there in the Land of Papua, in seven indigenous territories of Papua, "said Oktovianus Mote.

ULMWP office in Wamena is the result of an agreement ULMWP in Honiara, last January.
"We agree ULMWP office we have placed in the community, in the heart of the Land of Papua," said Oktovianus Mote.

Other ULMWP office, according to ULMWP Secretary General, will be opened in several regions in Papua. But the position of these offices later as a liaison office. (Victor Mambor)

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2) West Papuan Liberation movement opens office in Wamena
Updated at 1:37 pm today

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has opened an office in the town of Wamena in the Highlands of Indonesia’s Papua province.
The Movement comprises leading West Papuan political organisations, representing the indigenous people of Indonesia's Papua region at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
A spokesman for the OPM National Liberation Army for West Papua, Sebby Sambom, said the Wamena office was opened with the support of the current MSG chairman, Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.
After being granted observer status at the MSG last year, the Movement continues to build its international network lobbying for Papuan self-determination.
It also has offices in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
Mr Sambom said he hoped the presence of a ULMWP office in Wamena would strengthen international support for Papuan independence.
Meanwhile, Kompas reports the Regional Military Commander, Major General Hinsa Siburian, as saying he has not received a report about the inauguration of the ULMWP office, but that the unitary republic of Indonesia remains firm.

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3) Impact of forest fires on Papua on climate change agenda

Updated at 1:31 pm today


Impact of forest fires on Papua on climate change agenda

Forest and peatland fires across Indonesia, especially Papua region, have created an ecological disaster, health problems and economic losses in the past half year.
The effects have also been felt in neighbouring Papua New Guinea with village communities near the border reporting increased respiratory health problems due to pervasive fire haze.
The issue, in relation to the marginalisation of West Papuans under Indonesian rule, was the subject of a session at this week's In the Eye of the Storm: Pacific Climate Change Conference.
A specialist on indigenous rights in international law Catherine Iorns said while there was not a lot of ways to stop Indonesia's burning of rainforest, the trans-boundary air pollution may provide a way in.
"That has been recognised. Trans-national boundary environmental effects had been recognised as illegal under international law.
"And so yes, there is a duty not to do that. The question is what other state is going to take them to court under just that?
"But it's not a climate change thing as such. It's like getting a symptom, you tackle a little piece of a symptom and hope to stop it at the root."
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1) NZ film ‘Run It Straight’ addresses issues in West Papu

February 16, 2016, 11:37 am
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2) Indonesia to ease mineral export ban from 2017

3) Enabling Storytelling

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1) NZ film ‘Run It Straight’ addresses issues in West Papua
By Online News Team 


Run It Straight is a short film set in a rugby league club room. It tells the story of a community that opens their hearts to the story of West Papua.


The film was written and directed by Tere Harrison who was inspired by a protest rally by the Hunters Rugby League Club Wellington in support of West Papua.
Harrison says, “It’s rare to see a sports club protest but I saw league players, their whānau and Pacific Island students in the rain outside the Indonesian Embassy demanding freedom for West Papua. It was powerful.
I was also surprised at how little the public knew, how little Māori knew of the issue of West Papua. The Pacifica community had turned out but Māori, known for protest action, were notably absent. It was a clear indication that we didn’t know enough about this and I wanted to change that.”
Featuring Māori and Pacific commentators Dr Maria Bargh, Dr Teresia Teaiwa and Dr Pala Molisa, Run It Straight is a mash up of drama, poetry and documentary footage wrapped in a large dose of Māori humour and emotion.
Renowned Māori rights activist, Hone Harawira also makes an appearance.
Harrison says, “It made sense to invite someone who has stood up for peoples around the world. It made sense to invite Hone Harawira and he didn’t hesitate he was on set within a few weeks of asking him and drove from Kaitaia to Wellington knowing we had no budget to pay him.
Most of those who contributed to the film did so without payment. This was the level of support I received when we approached people. The support from everyone was overwhelming.”
Advance Screenings of Run It Straight are being held throughout the country before it is released online on 20 February 2016. 
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2) Indonesia to ease mineral export ban from 2017
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The government of Indonesia will relax next year its ban on partially processed minerals exports, including copper, nickel, zinc and bauxite ore order to prop up its economy.
According to the country's mining minister Sudirman Said, the review of the metal exports rule is part of a wider revision of the 2009 mining law that led to the export edicts and other regulations, Reuters reports.
Indonesia imposed the polemic ban on metal ore exports in early 2014, in an attempt to improve returns on resources shipped out of the country by developing smelters that would add value to resources and create jobs.
But the curbs cost billions of dollars in lost revenue to the nation, which is southeast Asia's largest economy and — at the time — a top nickel ore exporter and a major supplier of bauxite.
The ban has also been a bone of contention between the government and companies operating in the country, which include Phoenix-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE:FCX) who operates the world’s fourth largest copper mine at Grasberg in the West Papua province, and Denver's Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE:NEM). Together the two U.S. miners account for 97% of Indonesia's copper exports.
The withdrawal of the ban would be a serious setback for these companies, as they were forced — against their will and existing contracts — to comply with the regulation and to develop smelting facilities.



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https://www.engagemedia.org/blog/enabling-storytelling

3) Enabling Storytelling

by EM News — February 16, 2016
Today, video has quite possibly become the strongest conveyor of stories. Considering the power of storytelling, its potential to leave you hanging by the edge of your seat, change minds and force audiences to see things differently, it is no wonder video is so popular within human rights work. Nonetheless many organizations have a rather simplistic view, or approach, on using of video. It’s often something like: go to a site of injustice and record the activities and people there. Let people tell their stories, illustrating the injustice taking place. Take the recorded footage home, edit it and post the results online. The video(s) then become part of an already existing, or perhaps newly created advocacy campaign hoping to influence both public and policy makers. Sound familiar? Parts of it perhaps?
Through a real-life story I would like to illustrate a different way in which video and the power of storytelling can be used. In 2011 Asrida Elisabeth, a young Indonesian woman originally from Flores, an island in the eastern parts of Indonesia, joined an activist pastor in Papua, a huge island at the most eastern end of Indonesia. For decades the Papuan people live in oppression. As a primitive society living on a land incredibly rich in natural resources they have become an easy target for big mining companies, whom facilitated by the Indonesian government simply take, take and take. Everyone profits from Papua except for Papuans, as a Guardian journalist put it.
In her activist work, trying to educate and empower the Papuan people, Asrida noticed that using video was very effective. People would gather easily to watch and audio-visual media resonated strongly, provoking discussions on issues addressed in the videos. As most of the videos used are produced outside of Papua, often even outside Indonesia, Asrida wondered: Wouldn’t it be great if we could make our own videos and show them here?



EngageMedia, a non-profit working with video in South-East Asia, was active in the region through a project called Papuan Voices. Besides producing videos Papuan Voices has a strong empowerment aspect. Asrida got involved and learned a thing or two about filming through workshops and engaging with the local Papuan Voices team. Later on she joined with filming and also managed to produce two of her own videos independently.
When an opportunity presented itself through Project Change to get funding for a video on women living in marginal communities, Asrida grabbed it. By now she knew how to film plus she had a network and access to a region in Papua where she had been actively working for quite some time. The idea for the documentary was simple: follow one mother (Mama) in her struggle to survive in her own land (Tanah). The resulting documentary film, Tanah Mama (2015), was a big success. It opened many Indonesian viewers’ eyes about the oppression of the Papuan people. It is still screened in an effort to empower Papuan communities, providing exactly the type of locally produced videos Asrida had wished for back in 2011. On top of it all, Tanah Mama won the prestigious best documentary film award at the December 2015 Yogyakarta Documentary Film Festival.

It’s not so much the winning of this award that illustrates my point, although I hope it opens up new opportunities for Asrida. It is the way video was used within Papuan Voices that’s most interesting. While it produced someamazing videos, Papuan Voices’ greatest impact is achieved during the process and in the way the project was set up. From the onset the goal was to provide Papuans with the means to tell their stories.
Human rights activists or organizations will achieve greater impact if they can go beyond letting people tell their own stories and move towards actually enabling people to tell their own stories. A much more long-term and process orientated approach, acknowledging not all outputs can be predicted from the start. Video projects then are initiated by listening and engaging and aim to let go as much and as soon as capacities and circumstances allow. Thereby opening up a space where video making becomes a collective creation and learning process, filled with creativity. Only then will more Asrida’s be given the opportunity to surface and address the world in more meaningful and impactful ways than any human rights organization can. Their job is “simply” to enable the impact to happen and capture it in order to inspire.
Egbert Wits, Project Manager Video for Change Impact Cookbook at EngageMedia. This blog first appear on newtactics website. 
Please join New Tactics in Human Rights and EngageMedia for a conversation on Video for Change & Impactfrom February 22-26, 2016.
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1) Papua Plantation Office Encourages More Cacao Production

February 16, 2016, 11:42 pm
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2) Papua Government Asks Freeport for Free Stake
3) Jayawijaya Regent Affirms Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Wamena
4) Crew Missing After Cargo Ship Sinks off Papua
5) Number of Job Seekers in Mimika Sharply Increases
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1) Papua Plantation Office Encourages More Cacao Production
Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Provincial Plantation Office continues to encourage local farmers to cultivate cacao plants, a primary commodity in the 1990s that have reclaimed its popularity recently. “One of efforts implemented by the Papua Provincial Plantation Office to restore the glory of cacao  is through the mass movement campaign of pest extermination and cacao planting and growing,” the head of Papua Provincial Plantation Office, Jhon Nahumury, said in Jayapura City on Monday (15/2/2016). The program, he said, was piloted in Kleist Village, Gresik Selatan Sub-district of Jayapura Regency recently. “We also asked both regional and municipal government to allocate budget for cacao’s pests exterminating in regional budget, because the provincial budget in this case, Plantation Office, is limited,” he said. With respectively regional budget, the expected improvement in cacao production could be achieved, because if the production was increased, it automatically improves the welfare of cocoa farmers. “Therefore the regional/municipal governments provide cacao plantations could improve their income,” he said. Nahumuri admitted to revitalise the triumph era of Papua cacao is not easy because it needs supports from relevant stakeholders, including the regional stakeholders, local people or local farmers as well as the third parties who engage with plantation sector, in particular cacao. In 1990s, Nahumur explained, cacao from Papua had triumphed due to its high quality, therefore it help to increase the economy of cocoa farmers. However, along with alteration of times, their cacao plants infected by pest and vascular streak dieback (VSD) disease. “Plantation Office recorded a decline of cacao production since 2004, including the quality reduction occurred due to the pest and VSD, while Indonesia is the third world supplier after Ivory Coast and Ghana,” he said. Papua, he added, is one of cacao suppliers in Indonesia because it becomes one of community’s commodities in addition to other plants that able to give the added value to family economic improvement. “That’s why we are now trying to resonate and encourage, that are to revitalize the cacao production back to 1990s. Although it’s not easy, but I am sure we can, because the farmers in Papua had the experience with its economic value,” he said. (*/rom)
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2) Papua Government Asks Freeport for Free Stake
Victor Mambor 1 Day ago  Jakarta, Jubi – Papua Provincial Government asked Freeport for a stake in the company free of charge, arguing the US mining company had benefited from the region. “We just asked for free shares. No need to pay because it already took our wealth,” said Papua Governor Lukas Enembe when met at the compound Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Building in Jakarta on Monday (15/2/2016). Enembe said the Provincial Government is currently hold discussion with the Central G overnment concerning to his proposal of taking over the Freeport Indonesia’s shares and if it’s possible for free.Meanwhile, Director General of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Bambang Gatot when met at the same location admitted he was acknowledged the proposal of Papua Provincial Government concerning to Freeport’s shares divestment. Nevertheless, according to him, although the Central Government has no intention for taking over the Freeport’s shares, it doesn’t mean to hand over to Papua Government. “It’s up to them, but divestment has a mechanism,” he said. Based on Government Regulation 77/2014, Freeport Indonesia obliged to divest 30 percent of its shares to the government. But, until now the Indonesian Government only obtain 9.36 percent of Freeport’s shares, it means this US company has yet to divest 20.64 percent of shares. The divestment process would be conducted in two stages. In the first stage by October 2015, Freeport management must divest 10.64 percent of shares, whereas in the previous stage it already divested 9.36 percent and would be divest 10 percent in 2019. (*/rom)
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3) Jayawijaya Regent Affirms Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Wamena
Women, Jubi – Jayawijaya Regent John Wempi Wetipo confirmed that the local government would build the Mobile Brigade headquarters in Wamena to anticipate violent crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft. He declared it according to the meeting agreement with the Jayawijaya Police Chief, local leaders, regional group leaders, tribal chiefs and customary institution held in the meeting room of Jayawijaya Police Headquarters on Monday (15/2/2016). “Like or not, we must place the Mobile Brigade personnel in Jayawijaya Regency no later in May 2016, while we would place them in Jayawijaya Regent’s Official House,” he said. In 2015, some parties including students and activists rejected the Mobile Brigade Headquarters in Jayawijaya Regency, but the Regent Wetipo said that rejection would later be considered. “Those who run the protest are not local residents living in Wamena, don’t know where they live, where they come from. So, do not let these people making us to say the people have rejected the plan, I think my people don’t ever reject it,” he said. Jayawijaya Police Chief, Adjunct Police Commissionaire Ronny Thabaa also supports the action taken by the regent. Police personnel replacement, especially the Mobile Brigade personnel, was considered supporting the current police personnel, which only consisting of 496 members deployed in jurisdictional territory of four regencies. “Therefore, we need longer time and higher cost to convey the incidents occurred in Jayawijaya Police’s jurisdiction territory due to our limited number of personnel,” he said. However, he further said, related to the implementation of plan, the regent would ask the Papua Police Chief to temporarily deploy 100 Mobile Brigade personnel from Papua Police and to plan the construction the Mobile Brigade Headquarters. “100 Mobile Brigade personnel from Papua Police would stay in Jayawijaya until the headquarters in Wamena is settled, precisely to be built at the ex-Baliem Cottage as revealed by the regent in the meeting,” said the Chief. (Islami/rom)

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4) Crew Missing After Cargo Ship Sinks off Papua
By MarEx  2016-02-16 18:07:12 
Fourteen people are missing after the cargo vessel KM Azula capsized off the coast of Papua last weekend. Indonesia’s Mimika Search and Rescue spokesman said the organization received notice of the casualty on Saturday evening local time. The rescue team located the heavily listing vessel around 20 kilometres from Asmat, but none of the 14 crewmembers were found. KM Azula was reportedly carrying building materials from Surabaya, and the vessel is believed to have capsized due to the heavy load and poor weather conditions. The search continues with at least three SAR vessels deployed as well as police and naval support.
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5) Number of Job Seekers in Mimika Sharply Increases
Timika, Jubi – The number of job seekers dominated by high school graduates in Mimika has sharply increased in the past year.
The head of Job 
Placement and Training of Mimika Labor, Transmigration and Housing Office, Jehuda BB Akobiarek, said on Monday (15/2/2016) that the increase was due to the higher number of high school and university graduates in the area. The presence of private companies of Freeport’s subcontractors triggered the flow of job seekers from many regions coming to Mimika. “If compared with 2014, the number of job seekers in Mimika is significantly raised in 2015. We are monitoring the number of job seekers through registration of yellow card files that is part of through the yellow card files which is one of prerequisites to apply for a job,” he said. Mimika Labor, Transmigration and Housing Office’s data reported the number of job seekers in 2014 has reached 9,369 and increase to 10,443 in 2015. Mimic Regional Government quite concerned on the increasing number of job seekers without job replenishment by private companies and government institutions. One of private companies accepted most job applications recently is PT Petrosea. Within only two weeks, the contractor company which entrusted to tackle the Freeport’s infrastructure has accepted more than 4,000 job applicants. Akobiarek further said his office would continuously to make coordination with the private company in this region for providing the information about the labor market for the job seekers. “Most companies have announced job vacancies with required qualifications through the Labor Office. The provision is required, but in practice there are companies to not being open concerning to job recruitment,” he said. Earlier, the Head of Mimika Labor, Transmigration and Housing, Dionysius Mameyau, has reminded several private companies affiliated to Freeport to terminate their policy in recruiting workers from outside of Timika and to prioritize the local job seekers. Mamayau warned to give punishment to the companies secretly bringing workers from other regions without local government’s acknowledgement. (*/rom)
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West Papuan leaders and students congratulate election of PM Charlot Salwai

February 17, 2016, 12:31 pm
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https://vanuatudaily.wordpress.com/2016/02/17/west-papuan-leaders-and-students-congratulate-election-of-pm-charlot-salwai/
West Papuan leaders and students congratulate election of PM Charlot Salwai
 Vanuatu Daily Digest, 17th February 2016

                                    “We the students of West Papua say thank you to the Republic of Vanuatu for 
                                       choosing the government of PM Charlot Salwai". Photo: Abeth You/tabloidjubi.com

Papuan students and leaders of West Papua’s Free Papua Movement have sent their congratulations to the newly-elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Charlot Salwai.
The Student Forum Cooperation Groups of Melanesia (FMKRM) congratulated the new Prime Minister of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, elected at the first parliamentary session in Vanuatu on 02/11/2016.
Mael Alua, administrator of Cenderawasih University (Uncen) Students Consultative Assembly Jayapura said it also congratulates the election of PM Salwai. “We the West Papuan students congratulate the success of Hon. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas”, said Alua on Monday in Jayapura.
According to Alua, the students take pride in the new Vanuatu PM because the country is one of the Melanesian nations that publicize the repression and human rights violations occurring in West Papua.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Uncen Jayapura, Yali Wenda, said Papuans should convey a greeting to the new PM, since he will help stabilize the political crisis in Vanuatu.
“We hope that new Prime Minister Salwai and Solomon Islands PM (Manasseh Sogavare) can re-invigorate MSG’s efforts to push the West Papua issue at the international level”, said Wenda, who went on to say that he is pleased that the new Prime Minister is a person who understands the Papuan struggle, along with his Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) hopes Vanuatu will return to its position as a traditional supporter of the Free Papua Movement. “Congratulations to Charlot Salwai. We knew he was a good man. He and his cabinet are the ones who are always close to us, supporting Papua Merdeka, “said Secretary General ULMWP, Oktovianus Mote last Thursday, shortly after Salwai was elected. Mote added that Papuans should celebrate PM Charlot Salwai and the people of Vanuatu for the smooth and peaceful general election in Vanuatu.
Source: tabloidjubi.com
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1) MSG chair on tour of Melanesia

February 17, 2016, 11:14 pm
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2) New FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN AUSTRALIA webpage
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1) MSG chair on tour of Melanesia
Updated at 5:50 pm today
The chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and prime minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, has embarked on a tour of Melanesia.
Mr Sogavare arrived in Vanuatu for the first leg of a tour which will also take him to Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia.
In the capital Port Vila, he met with Vanuatu's newly elected prime minister Charlot Salwai.
Mr Sogavare said he welcomed the emergence of Mr Salwai and his new-look government after the recent turmoil in Vanuatu politics.
"This is no different from the other Melanesian countries. We've had our own problems and we have full confidence in the leadership of the new prime minister, that he will provide the stability that is much needed here in Vanuatu.
"And once we are stable, we can advance the objective of MSG together. Vanuatu is a very important partner in that regard."
Mr Sogavare has also been supporting moves by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua to open offices around Melanesia, including in Indonesia's Papua province.
The Liberation Movement was last year granted observer status at the MSG during its leader summit in Honiara when Mr Sogavare become chairman.
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2) New FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN AUSTRALIA webpage
About Us

We aim to raise awareness about the situation in West Papua throughout Australia and getting Australians to lobby the government to act for West Papua.


you can learn more about our work in Australia by following our page on facebook.

FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN AUSTRALIA

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1) Papua Police Detain 2 People for Setting Up OPM Office in Wamena

February 18, 2016, 12:37 pm
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2) Signs of strong support for Liberation Movement in Papua
3) Govt Denies Opening of OPM Office in Wamena

4) Police investigate attempt to open separatist office in Papua

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1) Papua Police Detain 2 People for Setting Up OPM Office in Wamena
By : Robert Isidorus & Alin Almanar | on 9:47 PM February 18, 2016
Jayapura/Jakarta. Police in Papua have detained two people deemed "mainly responsible" for allegedly establishing an office for the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) in Wamena, a police official said.
The Free Papua Organization (OPM) announced the "secret" establishment on Monday of the office, which it said was "aimed at seeking international support for Papuan independence," and "initiated by the Melanesian community."
Police have since taken down the signage on the Wamena office and arrested two people identified only as M.H. and E.W., Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said late on Wednesday (17/02).
"They are the brains behind this," the police chief said. It is alleged that the initials M.H. refer to Markus Haluk, leader of the ULMWP.
"They are being questioned to establish who installed the signage outside the offices. If they are proved to have established an organization that tends to run contrary to the state's vision, they will be prosecuted," Paulus said.

He added that Monday's event was actually an official announcement of the establishment of the Papua Customary Council (DAP).
"It was just an installation of signage [outside the office] by those who wanted to take advantage of the moment. They used the event for propaganda purposes," he said. "Thus there was no ULMWP office."
In his response to the police's action to remove the signage, Markus Haluk, once a chairman of the Central Highlands Papuan Student Association, said: "The name sign may be brought down, but ULMWP will never stop."
The Jakarta Globe has tried to contact Markus by phone but he was not immediately available for comment on Thursday. "I'm a bit busy, please contact me later," Markus said.
The Indonesian government earlier denied the OPM's claims of the opening an office in Wamena, saying there was "no such 'supported' establishment."

The OPM has mounted a low-level insurgency for decades in the far-eastern province of Papua, claiming that the central government has given the resource-rich region an unfairly low share of the state's wealth after becoming part of Indonesia in 1969.
Ever since, the OPM has pleaded for international support from the Melanesian community in the South Pacific.
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2) Signs of strong support for Liberation Movement in Papua
RNZI Updated at 8:01 am today

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has opened its new office in Wamena, Indonesia. Photo: ULMWP

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says the opening of its new office in Wamena reflects its strong support among the indigenous people of Indonesia's Papua region.
The Movement, which was last year granted observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group, this week opened an office in the Highlands of Papua province, a building shaped as a circular traditional Melanesian house.
Thousands of Papuans attended the opening which, according to Markus Haluk, a ULMWP official in Papua, serves as an answer to the Indonesian claim that the Movement is only made up of Papuans living outside the region.
The Movement's secretary general Octo Mote said the ULMWP is everywhere in Papua, in all seven of the Papuan customary regions.
Under the Movement, all the major pro-independence Papuan political groups have united to advance their cause and campaign against alleged human rights abuses in their homeland by Indonesian state and security forces.
Following the opening, Mr Mote condemned the move by local Indonesian authorities to subsequently demand the removal of the ULMWP plate in front of the building.
The authorities summoned the Movement's local organisers, concerned about the display of symbols or slogans that could be not in accordance with the principles of the unitary state of Indonesia.
Mr Haluk said they removed the sign but that the Movement's functions will carry on regardless.
Meanwhile, the MSG chairman and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has welcomed the opening of the office, saying the “ULMWP's presence in West Papua is strategically important."
Another office of the Movement had been the target of Indonesian harassment in July last year, when three ULMWP local representatives for the West Papuan region of Fakfak faced charges regarding their local secretariat.
Indonesian authorities at the time said the ULMWP was considered an illegal organisation due to activities considered rebellion under Indonesian law. The three Movement executives were charged with causing public unrest.
Octo Mote said that it was disappointing that the Indonesian system was still using laws directly inherited from the Dutch colonial era, to enable police and government officials to disrupt ceremonies and meetings, and violate the West Papuans' right to freedom of expression and their right to gather peacefully.
Secretary General Mote said he expected that other ULMWP offices would be opened in other towns of West Papua.

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http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/govt-denies-opening-opm-office-wamena/

3) Govt Denies Opening of OPM Office in Wamena
By : Jakarta Globe | on 10:12 AM February 18, 2016
Jakarta/Jayapura. The Free Papua Organization, or OPM, has announced the set up of an office in Wamena, Papua, in an effort to find international support for Papuan independence, a claim which the central government has denied according to local media.
The secret establishment on Monday of the office for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) was initiated by Solomon Island Prime Minister Manasye Sovagare, Sebby Sambom, spokesman for OPM, said.
"The leader of the Melanesian Spearhead Group [MSG] hopes that the presence of the Wamena office will strengthen international support for Papuan independence."
The ULMWP had earlier established offices in the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila and Solomon Island's Honiara.
"This is proof of MSG's support for our struggle," Sebby said.
But the Indonesian government has denied the OPM's claims, with presidential spokesman Johan Budi saying the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs found "no such 'supported' establishment."
OPM media outlet tabloidjubi.com reported that the name sign of the ULMWP office in Wamena has been taken down by local police, hours after the official announcement.
"The name sign may be brought down but ULMWP will never stop," Markus Haluk, a ULMWP leader, said.
Jakarta-based rights group Imparsial said ULMWP's representative offices are legitimate as the Indonesian government consider them a representation of Papuan people living overseas.
"I think it's better for the government to embrace them to make peace in the land of Papua," Imparsial Director Poengky Indarti told the Jakarta Globe.
The OPM has mounted a low-level insurgency for decades in the far eastern province of Papua, complaining the central government has given resource-rich region and unfairly low share of the state's wealth after becoming part of Indonesia in 1969.
Ever since, the OPM has pleaded for international support from the Melanesian community in the South Pacific.


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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/103202/police-investigate-attempt-to-open-separatist-office-in-papua

4) Police investigate attempt to open separatist office in Papua

Kamis, 18 Februari 2016 14:35 WIB | 665 Views

Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The Jayawijaya Resort Police officers are questioning three witnesses on the alleged attempt to open an office of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (UMLWP) in Wamena, Papua, on Tuesday.

Papua Regional Police Chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw stated here on Thursday that the three individuals were being questioned as witnesses related to an attempt to open the UMLWP office in Wamena.

The UMLWP is a forum of a group of separatists who are trying to secede from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). Therefore, the authorities have banned their existence and will seek clarification from the coordinators MH and EW over the alleged attempt to open the UMLWP office, Waterpauw stressed.

Waterpauw said he had received reports that no inauguration ceremony was held for the UMLWP office in Wamena on Tuesday, and only a nameplate was installed beside the office of the Papua Customary Council (DAP) in Wamena.

"Earlier, on Monday (Feb. 15), the new office of the DAP in Jalan Trikora Maplima, Wamena, Jayawijaya District, was inaugurated as its old office was razed by fires in 2014," Waterpauw remarked.

He said the event was used by the separatists to install a nameplate of the UMLWP office.

"There was no ceremonial event held in that case and was not attended by five thousand people contrary to what was disseminated through social media networks. After negotiations, the nameplate was finally removed and was confiscated by the Jayawijaya police in Wamena," the Papua Police chief explained.

In the meantime, President Joko Widodo, through his special staff for communication Johan Budi, denied rumors that the Free Papua Movement had opened a representative office in Wamena, Papua Province.

"I have confirmed it to the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs and have found that the rumors regarding the establishment of a representative office of the Free Papua Movement (reportedly with the support of several countries) are not true," Johan stated at the State Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Johan, the office of the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs is now coordinating with the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) to implement a persuasive approach.

The presidential spokesman expressed hope that the rumors would not trigger chaos in Papua.

He affirmed that the government disagreed with the separatist movement opening a representative office on behalf of a certain group.

"What is sure is that no representative office of the Free Papua Movement has been opened. There is no such a thing," Johan clarified.

Earlier, rumors were circulating about the Free Papua Movement having opened its representative office in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, Papua.

The movement is supported by several countries in the Melanesian region and has established an office in Vanuatu.

Moreover, ten former members of the Free Papua Movement returned to embrace the NKRI and met Papua Regional Police Chief Brig. Gen. Rudolf A. Rojak who was accompanied by Puncak Jaya District head Hanock Ibo.

The government is now continuing to develop Papua to improve the local economy and welfare of the people. The development of the Sorong-Manokwari railway route is one of the initiatives being taken.(*)
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