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Letter to Australian minister for foreign affairs on Puncak Jaya
Australian West Papua Association (Sydney) - July 19, 2011 (see reply from DFAT below)
The Hon Kevin
Rudd MP
Minister for
Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra
ACT 2600
19 July 2011
Dear Mr Rudd
I am writing to you concerning the Indonesian military operation that is occurring in the Puncak Jaya regency of West Papua. Media reports have indicated that up to 600 TNI personal are involved in "sweeping " operations in the region. In the latest incident four civilians, one women and 3 children were wounded when Indonesian troops from the Infantry Battalion 753, who are based in Nabire fired into huts in the villiage of Kalome while searching for members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). The incident occurred on the 12 July.
These aggressive military operations in pursuit of the OPM leave the local people traumatised and in fear for their lives. Many reports have pointed out the the security forces have great difficulty distinguishing between what the term separatists and the general public. During these military operations villages are destroyed as well as gardens and livestock. While the OPM are committed to peaceful dialogue, the retain the right to self defence and protecting the local people if attacked. Although the security forces try to blame all incidents in the area on the OPM, many attacks on the TNI are by unknown attackers.
Tensions are always high in the Puncak Jaya regency because of the regular military operations that occur in the area. Suspecion between the local people and the TNI remain high with the security forces accusing locals of supporting the OPM while the local people accuse the Indonesian military of human rights abuses.
In May the military began a "socialising programme " in Puncak Jaya involving up to 300 Army, Air Force and Navy personnel. The programe is proposed to run for four months and is to include the renovating of homes, churches and markets. However, local people believe it is simply a shield and a cover-up of the violation of human rights abuses that have occurred in the region. It is all reminiscent of the US programme to win the "hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people.
The problems in West Papua won't be solved by Jakarta deploying more troops to the region or conducting more military operations. In September last year the House of Representatives (DPR) Law Commission deputy chairman Tjatur Sapto Edy commenting on a report by Komnas HAM on past military operations in the PUNCAK Jaya Rregion said "there should be no more military operations and such approaches are no longer suitable in a democracy".
We urge you to
use your good offices with the Indonesian Government to
call on the Indonesian
President to halt all military operations in West Papua and return all
military personal to their barrack as a way of easing tension and saving
lives.
Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)
CC. The Hon Stephen
Smith MP, Minister for Defence
Various human
rights organisations
Reply from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to AWPA letter on Puncak Jaya
Australian Government
Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade
25 July 2011
Dear Mr Collins,
Thank you for your letter dated 19 July 2011 about troubles in the Papuan district of Puncak Jaya. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Rudd.
The Australian Government follows closely developments in the Papuan provinces, including the recent conflict in the highlands to which you refer. The report of civilian injuries following the most recent clashes between Indonesian troops and the OPM is indeed disturbing. Such violence -regardless of the protagonists-does nothing to improve the safety and prosperity of the Papuan people.
The Australian Government welcomes all efforts to build a better future for the Papuan people and to address peacefully their legitimate concerns. To that end, it is pleasing that the senior military commander responsible for the Papua provinces, Major General Erfi Triassunu, was this month preparing to engage in a dialogue with the OPM, mediated by the respected Komnas HAM, to address the Puncak Jaya violence. Peaceful talks there are the best way to resolve differences and stop the violence that has claimed the lives of four civilians, 11 military personal and an unknown number of OPM members since May.
The Australian Government has long supported Indonesia's territorial integrity, including its sovereignty over the Papua provinces. Under President Yudhoyono, Indonesia's human rights situation has improved markedly. Nevertheless, Australia has a strong track record of raising with the Indonesian Government our concerns about allegations of human rights abuses when they occur. We will continue to register with the Indonesian Government the importance of ensuring the rights of all Indonesians are respected.
Thank you for bringing your views to the attention of the Minister.
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