International Parliamentarians for West Papua Papua New Guinea Chapter Launched on 7th November 2009. The official launch of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua: www.IPWP.org PNG Chapter took place at the University of Papua New Guinea on the 7th November 2009. Hosted by the Governor of the National Capital District Powes Parkop MP and deputy governor of Western Province Mr Buka Kondra MP the day was a huge success.
Genocide
Let the bird of paradise go free
The theft of West Papua's mineral wealth must end. The province's courageous resistance movement deserves nothing less
When General Suharto, the west's man, seized power in Indonesia in the mid-1960s, he offered "a gleam of light in Asia", rejoiced Time magazine. That he had killed up to a million "communists" was of no account in the acquisition of what Richard Nixon called "the richest hoard of natural resources, the greatest prize in South-east Asia".
In November 1967, the booty was handed out at an extraordinary conference in a lakeside hotel in Geneva. The participants included the most powerful capitalists in the world, the likes of David Rockefeller, and senior executives of the major oil companies and banks, General Motors, British American Tobacco, Imperial Chemical Industries, American Express, Siemens, Goodyear, US Steel. The president of Time Incorporated, James Linen, opened the proceedings with this prophetic description of globalisation: "We are trying to create a new climate in which private enterprise and developing countries work together for the greater profit of the free world. The world of international enterprise is more than governments . . . It is a seamless web, which has been shaping the global environment at revolutionary speed."
Forgotten Bird of Paradise - trailer
British filmmaker Dominic Brown travelled without the knowledge or authority of the Indonesian authorities in order to film Forgotten Bird of Paradise. THe documentary provides a rare and moving insight into the forgotten struggle for independence that has gripped West Papua for over 45 years. It includes never before seen footage of OPM rebel fighters at their stronghold deep in the Papuan jungle, as well as interviews with human rights victims of the Indonesian regime.
113 Papuan villagers die of starvation because of Indonesian Government neglect
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from human rights groups working in Yahukimo that since January 2009 till now approximately 113 villagers in Yahukimo, Papua, died of hunger associated with diseases. The harvest failure this year caused by climate change resulted in deaths which aggravated lack of food in the villages. It affected seven districts including Suntamon, Langda, Bomela, Seradala, Walma, Pronggoli and Heryakpini and 26 sub-districts. The affected areas had already suffered the deaths of 55 villagers from starvation due to harvest failure in 2005.
Shocking images emerge of Papuan villages burnt down by the Indonesian military
Shocking images have emerged showing the devastation caused by an Indonesian military sweeping operation last week at the village of Bolakme, close to the West Papuan highland town of Wamena.
Over 500 Indonesian troops stormed the village and surrounding area, burning down houses, killing livestock and raping women. Those that managed to flee remain in hiding in the jungle.
These photos were taken by some of the brave few that returned.
Bows, arrows and a dream of liberation
For 40 years, they've fought a jungle war for freedom. Alexander Groom meets one of the world's most isolated rebel armies.
A sound of gunshots filled the air as we clambered through thick undergrowth to a clearing. There, perched on a a steep mountainside surrounded by lush rainforest, was a breathtaking sight. Villagers charged around chanting in a state of high excitement.
The village leader, dressed in little more than a wooden penis koteka and a feathered hat, solemnly called everyone to attention. Then two men stepped forward to raise the outlawed national flag.
A wild pig had been slaughtered, and we settled down to a feast with spinach and sweet potatoes. Around us, a ragged bunch of men sat watching, smiling and looking on as they smoked the locally grown tobacco.
Armed with bamboo spears, bows and arrows, (as well as a few old AK47 assault rifles) 400 rebel fighters are hidden here in one of the remotest places on earth, the jungle highlands of West Papua. Some of the soldiers were dressed in old T-shirts and combat fatigues, but most wore little more than wooden kotekas (penis gourds), their hair and limbs decorated with garlands of leaves.
Brimob exposed as perpertators of Freeport killings
A series of shootings this month near Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc's (FCX.N) massive Grasberg mine in West Papua has raised questions once again about Indonesia's occupation of West Papua.
Here are some questions and answers about the situation:
WHAT'S BEHIND THESE ATTACKS?
Probably money.
With its vast natural resources -- copper, gold, timber -- Papua has long been regarded as a honeypot, and Freeport is Indonesia's top tax contributor, paying $1.2 billion in royalties and other taxes in 2008.
OPM resist in West Papua highlands - BBC2 Newsnight pt1
This news report shows, the extremely committed West Papuans, in their desperately brave efforts to resist the brutal & illegal Indonesian occupation of their ancestral homeland.
Filmed undercover in West Papua 2008.
A film made with fPcN interCultural: assistance & co-operation.
Respect BBC2 for broadcasting this.
PAPUA MERDEKA (2003, 43.06)
This film shows; the extremely brutal history the native population of West Papua have endured for many decades under the oppressive Indonesian Military.
How, to this day they continue to struggle for independence from Indonesia, with historical pieces showing the UN Shame vote: Act of 'NO' Choice which lead to their colonisation and the continued thief, of the West Papuan's natural resources.
Filmed undercover in West Papua 2000/1 with historical footage obtained from various sources.
A film was made by fPcN interCultural:
Links for: PAPUA MERDEKA. (2002, 43.06) (720x576 4:3)
West Papua Report - March 2009
Summary
The US State Department's just-published Annual Human Rights Report for Indonesia candidly describes repression of Papuan rights including security force murder, beatings and torture of peaceful dissenters and security force collusion in people trafficking and theft of Papuans' traditional lands. Notwithstanding her Department's strong report, Secretary of State Clinton failed to discuss human rights or not meet with Papuans. Her failure to publicly raise human rights concerns prompts concern that the Obama administration may proceed with Bush Administration plans to pursue ties with Indonesian Special Forces and intelligence agencies notwithstanding their egregious human rights records. An ETAN spokesperson urged the Obama administration to utilize its leverage to spur reform of the Indonesian military. Buchtar Tabuni faces charges of subversion because of his peaceful dissent. An Indonesian Human Rights Commission official has accused the Yudhoyono government of failure to prosecute Indonesian military officers for "widespread abuses in Papua." A Jakarta human rights official has criticized Jakarta's "Special Autonomy" as failing to make a difference in the lives of Papuans. A Papuan, also commenting on "Special Autonomy" observed that funds intended to be made available to assist Papuans have been used to "build the military" and spur migrant displacement of Papuans.
Recent comments
4 days 11 hours ago
3 weeks 1 day ago
6 weeks 2 days ago
7 weeks 5 hours ago
7 weeks 6 hours ago
12 weeks 1 day ago
15 weeks 51 min ago
18 weeks 4 days ago
19 weeks 3 days ago
21 weeks 5 days ago