Puncak Jaya

WARNING: THESE IMAGES OF INDONESIAN BRUTALITY ARE HIGHLY GRAPHIC AND DISTRESSING

Submitted by manukoreri on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 19:10

Photographs have emerged of the brutal extrajudicial murder of civilians in Mulia, Puncak Jaya regency during a sweep by a joint Indonesian military (TNI) and BRIMOB police patrol. A brief text message arrived from unknown source said the killings were of civilians as a result of a sweep against alleged TPN/OPM members, and that the bodies were deliberately mutilated, burnt and hidden to prevent identification. More information is being compiled on exact location, victims identity and chronology of events, and will be provided as soon as if available and confirmed. The Identity of the original sender is being protected. Due to size restrictions, the full set of images cannot be displayed here. The full set of 12 distressing photos can be downloaded at http://rapidshare.com/files/284410599/photos_killings_PUNCAK_JAYA_sep09.rar

Nick Chesterfield - West Papua Media Alerts - www.Manukoreri.net

West Papua Report - September 2009

Submitted by rains on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 10:37

Summary: There were Indonesian security force attacks on Papuan civilians in August with reports of continuing assaults in Puncak Jaya and a new report from Yapen island where security forces terrorized villagers following security force murder of a tribal leader and former political prisoner. Amnesty International-recognized prisoner of conscience Filep Karma has been hospitalized after a week's delay in medical attention at the notorious Abepura prison. The Australian Senate has called for a return of the International Committee of the Red Cross to West Papua after Indonesian officials closed its offices there in the wake of an ICRC visit to Abepura prison this Spring. Despite the jailing of several Papuans alleged to have been behind July attacks in the area of the Freeport mining concession, attacks continued in August. Amnesty International has issued a public statement decrying the lack of progress in the investigation of the murder of Papuan activist Opinus Tabuni. Officials of the Home Affairs Ministry have met with Papuans in a rare dialogue. The discussion falls far short of the senior-level, internationally mediated dialogue that Papuans have been seeking for several years. More than a dozen international organizations meeting in Dili have urged an end to impunity for Indonesian security forces operating in West Papua and for a positive Jakarta response to Papuan calls for dialogue. Senior Papuans, in a late August conference, have emphasized the failure of "special autonomy" to address Papuan needs. Conservation groups have joined together to create a protected region in the waters off West Papua's "bird's head" region.

Contents:
*Security Forces Burn Homes and Churches in Puncak Jaya Region and Terrorize Civilians in Yapen Island
*Inadequate Medical Response to Illness of Papuan Prisoner of Conscience
*Australian Government Voices Concern Over Banning of ICRC in West Papua
*Attacks on Freeport Vehicles Continue in August Despite July Arrests
*Amnesty International Statement Decries Lack of Progress in Investigation of Murdered Peaceful Papuan Protester
*Low-Level Dialogue Between Papuans and Indonesian Government Officials
*At Conference in Dili International Call for End to Impunity in West Papua
*Addressing the Moribund "Special Autonomy" Policy
*Prominent NGO's Join Forces to Protect "Bird's Head" Region

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LETTER TO MEMBERS OF INTERNATIONAL PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR WEST PAPUA

Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:20
International Parliamentarians for West Papua - www.IPWP.org

Dear Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP and All Members of IPWP Around the World.

First we want to thank you on behalf of the people of West Papua for your support of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua. This is a very significant step on the road to justice and freedom in West Papua. This is the first time the people's voices in West Papua have been heard at this level and as a result spontaneous demonstrations broke out across West Papua celebrating the formation of the group.

We are however sad to have to inform you of the deteriorating human rights situation in West Papua over the last six months and we hope you will be able to help us in bringing attention to this issue.

As a result of the demonstrations in support of the launch of the IPWP, two students have been arrested and mistreated. One of them, Bucthar Tabuni has just been sentenced to three years in prison. Fifteen people are being detained and face possible life sentences for demonstrating in support of the launch of the International Lawyers for West Papua. We are currently aware of over fifty political prisoners being held across West Papua for voicing their opinions in support of West Papuan independence and attending peaceful demonstrations. A recent Human Rights Watch report has raised serious concerns about the systematic torture of prisoners. To add to this, the Indonesian military are currently carrying out sweeping operations in the highlands, burning houses, raping and displacing people into the jungle. Attached is a document summarising the current situation with links to further information.

West Papua Report - July 2009

Submitted by rains on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 13:32
Summary: WPAT's annual "John Rumbiak Human Rights Defender's Award for 2009 has been awarded to the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) and its National Coordinator John M. Miller. Despite the remoteness of the area and Indonesian restrictions on access, reports are emerging of a new "sweep" operation in Puncak Jaya which has already led to mass civilian displacement and some civilian deaths. U.S. Representative Eni Faleomavaega has at the last minute pulled language from a key House of Representatives Bill. The language would have required State Department reporting to Congress about West Papua. Human Rights Watch in June issued two compelling reports: one on continued human rights violations in West Papua by Indonesia's "Special Forces' (KOPASSUS) and one on prisoner abuse in West Papua.Freeport shareholders fail in a vote to get an Environmentalist on the Freeport board but collect a significant percentage of shareholder votes. A new report implicates President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and U.S. officials in a miscarriage of justice concerning the 2002 murder and wounding of U.S. and Indonesian citizens at Timika in West Papua. An academic reviews the historic-diplomatic connection between West Papua and Africa. Indonesian academics have echoed calls by Papuans for several years for a Jakarta-Papuan dialogue.
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