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Letter to Winston Peters on human rights situation in West Papua

Indonesia Human Rights Committee - March 18, 2008

Rt Hon Winston Peters,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Parliament Buildings,

Wellington 18 March, 2008

Dear Winston Peters,

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee continues to be deeply concerned about the human rights situation in West Papua.

You may be aware that over a period of about ten days (3-13 March) a number of peaceful demonstrations were held in Manokwari Jayapura, Serui and Sarong. The demonstrations were in support of a referendum the political status of West Papua, and those demonstrating expressed their opposition to the 2001 Special Autonomy Law which they claim has failed to bring improvement to the lives of Papuan people.

During the course of the demonstrations the "Morning Star" flag was raised and several people have subsequently been arrested and are now understood to face potentially serious charges.

We understand that 11 people are currently in detention in Manokwari because of their participation in a demonstration held there on March 13. They have been named as follows Yakobus Wanggai (Jack Wanggai), Frans Kareth,.

Markus Solig Umpus, Edy Ayorbaba, Daniel Sakwatorey, Marthinus Luther, Noak AP, George Risyard Ayorbaba, Amd T,. Ariel Werimon, Leonardus Decky Bame and Silas Carlos Teves May, who is a schoolboy aged only 16 years old.

You will understand that our concern for these young people is in the context of earlier lengthy -up to 15 years- jail sentences meted out to others who have raised the 'Morning Star" flag in West Papua. In Maluku recently a 17 year jail sentence was imposed on Daniel Malawauw and Hermanus Daseran who were charged with making several South Maluku Republic flags

The UN Special Representative Hina Jilani recently presented the report of her 2007 visit to West Papua. This report documents continuing intimidation and abuse of human rights defenders by the Indonesian military. Ms Jilani referred to a 'climate of fear' which prevails in West Papua affecting all those who speak out for democratic change or against militarisation and resource exploitation. Tragically, the military and police responsible for human rights violations are not held to account and there are now documented cases reprisals and ongoing intimidation against those who provided testimony to the UN representative.

There have also been recent disturbing reports of ongoing harassment of Church leaders and of journalists. Reverend Socratez Yoman, who leads the Baptist Churches in West Papua has described how five heavily armed soldiers insisted on imposing their presence throughout the proceedings of a Church conference held in the Jayawijaya regency in the Highlands. It is reported that the journalists who attempted to report on the recent pro-referendum demonstrations were themselves threatened and ordered to hand over the photos they had taken of the actions.

This year the world will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration guarantees fundamental freedoms including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The Government of Indonesia is currently a member of UN Human Rights Council and must be held to account for grave breaches of these rights in West Papua.

New Zealand has a particular responsibility to speak out about this situation given its current involvement with projects in West Papua including a project to assist with training the police in human rights and community policing.

We also call on the New Zealand Government to suspend all defence training ties with Indonesia. New Zealand's defence ties serve to give legitimacy to a military force which is manifestly responsible for deepening repression and ongoing violence in West Papua.

Instead New Zealand should support the call of US Congressional leaders, Eni Faleomavaega and Donald Payne for internationally mediated dialogue to help resolve the ongoing crisis in West Papua before there is further bloodshed.

We look forward to your specific response to this appeal, as we are often asked by West Papuan leaders what response New Zealand will make to the needs of the people who are our Pacific neighbours,

Yours sincerely,

Maire Leadbeater
(for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee)

Indonesia Human Rights Committee is a solidarity organization which aims to build links between the people of New Zealand and Indonesia by developing network with the groups in Indonesia and around the world who are working for human rights and democracy in Indonesia.

Website: http://www.ihrc.revolt.org/
IHRC, P.O. Box 68 419
Newton, Auckland.
Phone/fax: 64-9-8159000
Email: maire@clear.net.nz

See also:

West Papua Links

Indonesia News Digest

Statements/press releases on West Papua