Worldwide Solidarity

Source: westpapuamedia.info

Opinion

August 17, 2010

Peter Woods

The conclusion of the Pacific Islands Forum has left a great sense of disappointment. There was every reason to think that Vanuatu would be the prominent voice in the forum for the West Papuan demand for a seat at the table. As recent as June 19 the Vanuatu Parliament passed a motion to bring the matter of West Papua to the UN this year.

All the public reports leading up to the forum, and the private assurances to the lobbying being done by the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association even up to the Prime Minister, gave every indication that West Papua would be high on the agenda, and even that the representative West Papua delegates would at least be given observer status.

West Papua appeals to MSG and PIF

Six representatives speaking for the people of West Papua have appealed to the Melanesian Spearhead Group and South Pacific Islands Forum currently meeting in Port Vila to go public to say what their position is on the West Papua issue. Their appeal reads, “We the undersigned, members of the West Papuan Independence Movement currently in Port Vila, the Capital of the Republic of Vanuatu to lobby the MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group) and the PIF (Pacific Islands Forum)( highly valued the decision taken by Vanuatu to take West Papuan Issue to the United Nations.

“Recalling the MSG’s support and PIF endorsement that resulted in the re-inscription of Kanaky with the UN Decolonization Committee and further recalling the regional wisdom and support that resulted in the peaceful resolution of the Bougainville conflict.

“Calling upon, Excellencies and Hon. Leaders of MSG and PIF to, to support Vanuatu’s initiative to take the West Papuan case to the United Nations.

Dear Friends,

Please help us help humanity by reading and encouraging other adults to read the graphic novel at www.papuanvoices.com. (Does not yet work on mobile phones.)

The Illustrator and I have chosen to release the first three chapters (60 pages) now, given the urgency of the content but also because we can update and add to this "flip book" over time. (Try your scroll wheel to flip pages.)

If you care about disappearing cultures and biodiversity, you can help raise the world's awareness of West Papua by forwarding this appeal to your friends and colleagues, or by letting them know about this through Facebook, Twitter or word-of-mouth.

If you enjoy the beautiful illustrations in this book and you come to appreciate the global significance and dire urgency of its story, please tell others about papuanvoices.com.

The Author

TAPOL press release, 9 July 2010

Dialogue a must for Papua

Papua is in a state of heightened tension following a series of events that culminated in a mass rally yesterday by thousands of Papuans at the provincial parliament, the DPRP, in Jayapura.

The demonstration and similar actions in other locations across the territory were intended to increase pressure on the DPRP to support a recommendation by the Papuan People's Assembly, the MRP, to 'return' Papua's 2001 special autonomy law to the central government in Jakarta.

By S. EBEN KIRKSEY

source: http://www.counterpunch.org/kirksey06242010.html

President Obama turned his back on Indonesia recently — canceling his visit there for the second time this year. His mother, Ann Soetoro, was a cultural anthropologist who spent much of her adult life helping economically-marginalized people of Indonesia. If she were still alive, she might well be disappointed in her son.

(Klik di sini untuk versi bahasa Indonesia)

Indonesia: Stop Prosecuting Peaceful Political Expression

EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue Should Take up Cases of Imprisoned Activists

June 22, 2010

(Jakarta) - The Indonesian government should immediately release the more than 100 Papuan and Moluccan activists imprisoned for peacefully voicing political views, and change laws and policies to protect freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The government should act now to ensure that a European Union-Indonesia dialogue on human rights scheduled for June 29, 2010, in Jakarta will get off to a successful start, Human Rights Watch said.

The 43-page report, "Prosecuting Political Aspiration: Indonesia's Political Prisoners," is based on more than 50 jailhouse interviews with political prisoners conducted between December 2008 and May 2010. It describes the arrest and prosecution of activists for peacefully raising banned symbols, such as the Papuan Morning Star and the South Moluccan RMS flags. The report also details torture that many say they have suffered in detention, especially by members of the Detachment 88/Anti-Terror Squad in Ambon, as well as police and prison guards in Papua, and the failure of the government to hold those responsible to account.

‘Indonesian democracy stops in papua’

Autonomy isn't Independence

by Philippe Pataud Celerier
Le Monde Diplomatique, June 2010

Indonesian nationalists deny all ethnic and religious claims for separatism in the vast archipelago that makes up their country. But in Papua, people feel exploited, and threatened with cultural, and demographic, annihilation

Journalists Raise Voices in Protest Over French Colleagues Detained in Papua
Nivell Rayda
source: Jakarta Globe - May 25, 2010

Local members of the media have condemned Tuesday’s detention of two French journalists in Papua, saying the move undermined freedom of the press. Victor Mambor, chairman of the Papua chapter of the Independent Journalist Alliance (AJI), said the government had crossed the line. “We are condemning the government move to keep the journalists from doing their work. There should not be any limitation to what the reporters can or cannot cover as long as it does not violate press laws,” he said.

P R E S S R E L E A S E
Nov. 9, 2009

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega
Chairman
The Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment

CHAIRMEN FALEOMAVAEGA AND PAYNE CALL ON
INDONESIAN PRESIDENT TO ESTABLISH DIALOGUE WITH
WEST PAPUA LEADERS

The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment,

West Papua Report September 2009

Source: West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT)

This is the 64th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm. Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com.