P R E S S R E L E A S E
Eni F. H. Faleomavaega
Chairman
The Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment
Chairmen Faleomavaega and Payne Call on Indonesian President
to
Establish Dialogue with West Papua Leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dr. Lisa Williams (202) 225-8577
Washington, D.C.
November 9, 2009 - The Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, Rep. Eni
Faleomavaega, along with the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and
Global Health, Rep. Donald Payne sent
a joint letter
to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono today calling on
him to create an internationally-mediated commission to establish a
dialogue between the national government of Indonesia and the leaders of
West Papua.
In the letter, the Congressmen noted that dozens of prominent leaders
and organizations in West Papua, as well as key Indonesian leaders and
intellectuals support such a dialogue, which would be analogous to one
successfully held in Aceh province. The letter urges the Indonesian
President "to seize the opportunity provided by these developments to
establish a similar process for West Papua."
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We believe that such a process would build on
important steps Indonesia has taken in recent
years, such as [Indonesia's]
accession to the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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"We believe that
such a process would build on important steps Indonesia has taken in
recent years, such as [Indonesia's] accession
to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In becoming a signatory to that agreement, Indonesia clearly expressed
its commitment to establishing legal protections for indigenous
citizens, including Papuans." the letter states.
"A national dialogue initiated by an internationally-mediated commission
could work to improve enforcement of that law and better the daily lives
of average Papuans by, for example, increasing the availability of
electricity and fresh water, enhancing public health programs to prevent
malaria and other treatable diseases, and upgrading the public education
system to levels found in most of the rest of Indonesia," the letter
continues.
"A national dialogue would also present an opportunity to resolve other
important issues in West Papua long viewed with concern by Members of
Congress and the international community. These include human rights
abuses, demographic shifts leaving many Papuans as minorities in their
own land, limits on freedom of speech and peaceful assembly,
restrictions on the free movement of Papuans within Indonesia, and
constraints on international journalists, researchers, and those in
nongovernmental organizations seeking to visit or work in West Papua."
"It is our sincere hope that you will establish an
internationally-mediated commission to initiate a dialogue bringing
together nationally-respected leaders of your government and of West
Papua. We believe this is the moment to begin such a process. A serious
national dialogue will enhance the welfare of the people of West Papua,
demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to
democracy and justice for all its citizens, and enhance your country's
growing stature on the global stage," the letter concludes.
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