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Letter to President Yudhoyono on sentencing of Papuan 'separatists'

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) - May 29, 2005

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Presiden RI, Istana Merdeka Jakarta Pusat 10110 Indonesia

29 May 2005

Dear President Yudhoyono,

I am writing to you concerning the two West Papuan men, Philep Karma and Yusak Pakage who have just received jail terms of 15 and 10 years respectively, for so-called "treason against the state".

However, the reality is that the men simply organised a meeting where the Morning Star flag was raised as a peaceful symbolic act of protest at the injustices faced by the West Papuan people, the human rights abuses and the exploitation of the rich natural resources of the province.

These extremely harsh sentences for such a peaceful act, are seen by the rest of the world as the act of a totalitarian regime and not that of a democratic country. Such harsh penalties merely serve to prove to the West Papuan People that there is no justice for them under Indonesian law.

Footage of the clash between protesters and police outside the Jayapura District Court at the trial on May 10, which showed images of police brutality against protesters, was shown on our news networks here in Australia.

We also note the build up of troops in the territory and believe this build up will only lead to more tension and instability in the region.

We urge you to use your good offices to have these men released as a sign of good faith towards the West Papuan People.

to control the military and police in the province and to remove all non-organic troops.

And to dialogue with the West Papuan leadership, to work towards creating a zone of peace in West Papua and to work towards peacefully solving the many issues of concern in the territory.

Yours sincerely
Joe Collins AWPA (Sydney)

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28
Spit Junction
Sydney, Australia 2088
Ph/fax 61.2.99601698
Email: bunyip@bigpond.net.au

It can be very difficult to get faxes through but don't forget hard copies.

Address and send your appeals to:

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Presiden RI
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta Pusat 10110
Indonesia
Fax +62.21.345.2685 or 526.8726 or 345.7782.

Salutation: Dear President

Copies to

1) Chief of Police -- Kapolda Papua/Head of Regional Police Papua Brig. Gen.. Dody Sumatyawan., Jl. Sam Ratulangie No.8 Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia Tel: + 62 967 531014(w)/+ 62 21 31015(h) Fax: + 62 967 53717(w) Form of address: Brigadier General -- , /Dear Brigadier General-,

2) Chairman, Komnas HAM, Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia, Jl Latuharhary No. 4B, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat 10310, INDONESIA, Fax: 00 62 21 392 5227 Salutation: Dear Chairman

3) Hon Alexander Downer MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600 Fax: (02) 6273 4112 email. A.Downer.MP@aph.cov.au

4) His Excellency Mr Imron COTAN Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia 8 Darwin Avenue Yarralumla ACT 2600 Fax: (02) 6273 6017 Email: indonemb@kbri-canberra.org.au Salutation: Your Excellency
 

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