News & Updates

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) Media release

As the US Congress debates a human-rights crisis in West Papua, the Australia West Papua Associations (AWPA) refute TIME Magazine and NGO reports purporting human-rights concerns have been driven by impoverishment in the territory.

In a statement issued today AWPA asserts Papuan protests have been driven by Indonesian administration and denial of self-determination since a US drafted contract in 1962. The association refutes Indonesian assertions that West Papua is a domestic matter.”

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.

Tapol Reports from West Papua
12:36 August 14, 2010

Press Release – Scoop Coverage of West Papua

At the end of a trial that went on for five months, the court on Wednesday announced its verdict for the two defendants Semuel Yaru and Luther Wrait. They were both sentenced to one year minus the time already served in detention.Via Tapol Reports from West Papua [In some cases, the items are abridged in translation.]

Bintang Papua, 12 August 2010

[Note: Judges rejected charge of rebellion.]

One year sentence for two ‘makar’ defendants

1) Indonesia tries to gag Papuan lecture

2) 144 Soldiers at Papua Base Infected With HIV: TNI

3) Penalties promised for illegal wood sales

4) ‘Smooth’ start for polls in Merauke, Asmat

Source: the Economist

Aug 9th 2010, 9:40 by Banyan

SLOWLY but surely, Papua is emerging as a serious international problem for the otherwise well-liked Indonesian administration of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The latest report on the region by the International Crisis Group (ICG), a think-tank, shows how the government’s own missteps are escalating tensions, which, in turn, will draw increasing foreign attention. The specific issue the report focuses on is the fate of “SK14” , a decision taken last November by the Papuan People’s Council, or Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP). This recommended that elections for some senior local-government posts be reserved for indigenous Papuan candidates—ie, migrants from Java, the most populous island, and other parts of Indonesia would be excluded.

West Papua warns of intifada against Jakarta

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, August 7 2010

WEST PAPUAN leaders are warning of a "total intifada" in their Indonesian-ruled homeland, saying the failure of the Pacific Islands Forum to discuss their independence may mean the end of its diplomatic attempts to resolve their plight peacefully. They are disappointed that Vanuatu, as the new chair, did not address the matter as promised but they have also singled out Papua New Guinea for "betraying" them with its insistence on Indonesian sovereignty. "We feel betrayed by Papua New Guinea and its grand thief - not chief - Sir Michael Somare," said Dr John Ondawame, a spokesman for the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation.

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.

PRESS RELEASE

4 August 2010

WEST PAPUA CALLS FOR DIALOGUE AND ACTION FROM THE FORUM.

“We are the most vulnerable community in the Pacific”

West Papua welcomes the opening statement today from the Forum Secretary General, Mr. Tuiloma Nerom Slade highlighting that one of the themes of this year's Forum is to “Protect the most vulnerable communities within the Pacific”.

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

AWPA update. July 2010

The 41st Pacific Islands Forum will be held in Port Vila, Vanuatu between 3-6 August. A number of organizations including AWPA have called on the PIF leaders to put West Papuan on the agenda and raise concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian government (press releases/letters below).

‘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