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AWPA calls on Kevin Rudd to raise the human rights situation in West Papua during Indonesian visit
The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) Media release - January 9, 2012
The Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is visiting Indonesia where he will meet with his counterpart, Dr Marty Natalegawa, and other senior figures," to discuss the full breadth of shared political, security, commercial, environmental, and cultural interests".
Joe Collins of AWPA said that in light of the ongoing military operations in the Paniai region which has caused the displacement of thousands of people, villages attacked and burned and reports of villages strafed by helicopters, it is time for the Australian Government to take seriously the human rights abuses that are being committed by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua", the security forces that we help train".
According to a report in the local media in West Papua, "The military operations have been on-going ever since Brimob troops from East Kalimantan were sent to Paniai in the second week of November" (Jubi 29 December). Jubi also believes that this operation will continue as the security forces hunt for the OPM who have moved from Eduda (one of their base camps into woodland areas following an attack by the security forces. The Free Papua Organization says 14 of its members were killed during the attack (http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/opm-says-14-guerillas-were-killed-in-police-raid-on-hideout-in-paniai/485002 VIV). Anews reported that - "In the aftermath of the occupation of the OPM headquarters by Indonesia's security forces in Eduda, Paniai, the situation has become more tensed. Hundreds of villagers around Eduda were evacuated" (http://us.en.vivanews.com/news/read/272754-papua-witnesses-another-acts-of-violence).
AWPA is urging the Foreign Minister to raise the military operations in Paniai with the Indonesian Government asking that it controls its security forces in West Papua and urging the Indonesian Government to order its security forces to immediately return to their barracks as a way of avoiding further bloodshed.
AWPA has regularly raised concerns that any aid or training given to the military could be used against the West Papuan people and we again urge the Australian Government to put a moratorium on the training, funding and any ties between the Australian military and any Indonesian units found to have been involved in human rights abuses.
For more information contact Joe Collins on + 61 2 04077 85797.
Media release
Foreign Minister to visit Indonesia and the United States
Minister for Foreign
Affairs
The Hon Kevin
Rudd MP
Brisbane
http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/kr_mr_120108.html
8 January 2012
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will depart today for Indonesia and the United States.
In Jakarta, Mr Rudd will meet with his counterpart, Dr Marty Natalegawa, and other senior figures, to discuss the full breadth of shared political, security, commercial, environmental, and cultural interests.
"I look forward to discussing the East Asia Summit and ASEAN agendas for the year ahead, with a particular focus on practical ways to take forward EAS priorities, such as co-ordinated regional responses to natural disasters."
Australia and Indonesia cooperate closely in disaster management, and a joint Australia-Indonesia initiative was endorsed by leaders at the 6th East Asia Summit in Bali last November.
The Ministers will also discuss joint efforts to combat terrorism, and a range of regional challenges affecting both countries, including people smuggling.
"I will also discuss the prospects for ongoing progress and reform in Burma with my counterpart, Dr Marty Natalegawa, who visited there last week," said Mr Rudd.
Mr Rudd's meetings with trade and agriculture ministers and business leaders will also discuss the Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and cattle exports to Indonesia.
"In 2010-11, Australia's total two way trade with Indonesia reached $13.8 billion, a 14 per cent increase over the previous year. However there is still significant commercial potential in our relationship with an economy which, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, will be bigger than the Australian economy by 2023, and which if it continues its current development, will become the world's eighth largest economy by 2050."
Mr Rudd will then travel to New York where he will attend the final meeting of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability from 11 to 12 January.
The recommendations of the Panel will be a key input into the "Rio+20" UN Conference on Sustainable Development, being held in Rio de Janeiro in June this year.
Media enquiries
Minister's office: (02) 6277 7500 DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555
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