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West Papua Report
January 2009
This is the 56th in a
series of monthly reports that focus on developments
affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit
West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts,
other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from
sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with
the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) Back
issues are posted online at
http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions
regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams
at
edmcw@msn.com.
Summary
A major earthquake
struck near Manokwari January 4 killing at least 5 and
injuring many. The city airport was rendered unusable by
damage to the runway and electricity was also cut. An
Australian medical journal has drawn on reporting by other
peer-reviewed medical journal, media and NGO reporting to
compile a detailed account of the growing humanitarian
crisis confronting Papuans. Another report by an Australian
NGO describes an early December assault on members of a
Nabire church congregation that was engaged in a peaceful
dissent. Indonesian police have arrested another peaceful
rights advocate, Sebby Sambom, who at the time of his arrest
was calling for the release from police detention of Buchtar
Tabuni, now in custody for peaceful dissent activity. Tempo
magazine describes the limited weaponry available to the
armed resistance in West Papua, and the growth in its place
of nonviolent struggle for rights by Papuans.
Notwithstanding this development, the Indonesian military
maintains a large, unjustifiable presence in West Papua. A
report details the various groupings among Papuans
struggling for their political rights. The massive Freeport
McMoran mine has fallen on hard times with deflated copper
prices necessitating cutbacks in personnel. Notwithstanding
the cutbacks, Freeport, as noted by an Australian medical
journal, continues to have a devastating impact on West
Papua's environment and the health of Papuans. In the US,
several NGOs held meetings with US Congressional offices and
the US State Department to raise human rights and
humanitarian concerns related to West Papua, noting in
passing, that "Special Autonomy" is a failed option in the
view of most Papuans. In a final commentary, WPAT notes that
the failure of Indonesian courts to convict a retired senior
TNI officer for his central role in the 2004 murder of
leading human rights advocate Munir has dire implications
for all human rights defenders in Indonesia, especially in
West Papua.
Contents:
Major
Earthquake Strikes Near Manokwari
A 7.6 point earthquake, January 4, has killed some and
injured many in northwest West Papua. The quake, and a
subsequent one measured at 7.3 points destroyed two hotels
and other buildings in Manokwari, a city of 167,000. The
city's airport was closed because of quake damage, and
electricity service was knocked out. Also affected were the
city of Sorong and Biak Province. President Yudhoyono
dispatched the Ministers of Transportation, Public Works and
Social Affairs to West Papua on January 4 to assist in
coordinating relief for the affected area. The effects of
the quakes was felt as far away as Australia and a small
tsunami was registered on Japan's southern coast.
Australian Medical Journal
Describes Absence of Healthcare Infrastructure in West Papua
and Alarming Health Data
The Medical Journal of Australia in its
December 15 issue notes growing international focus on
the deteriorating health and human rights environment in
West Papua. It cites the Guardian newspaper and the UK
health publication the Lancet, as well as reporting by NGO Médecins
du Monde which describe the
marginalization and impoverishment of indigenous West
Papuans. The Australian report observes that health care
standards are lower in West Papua than in other regions of
Indonesia. District health data from the Puncak Jaya
district indicate that infant mortality is about 85-150 per
1000 live births, with the figure for those under 5 years of
age being 30-50 per 1000. Treatable diseases, particularly
pneumonia and diarrhea, are common causes of mortality in
children.
Data from across West Papua suggest that malaria, upper
respiratory tract infections and dysentery are the major
causes of childhood morbidity. Maternal mortality is three
times higher than for the remainder of Indonesia, standing
at 500-1000 per 100,000 births, with postpartum hemorrhage
being a major cause.
Notwithstanding claims of increased funding for West Papua
under "Special Autonomy" the journal finds that medical
facilities are understaffed and under-resourced. The ratio
of doctors to population varies according to the area,
ranging from 1:2000 to 1:23,000, with doctors being
concentrated in urban areas. A Puncak Jaya legislative board
report held by M édecins
du Monde (Puncak Jaya District Health Office, 2008)
indicated that only 8 percent of the district budget is
allocated to health services. Clinics face a shortage of
essential medications. Underfunding and lack of support have
resulted in key personnel abandoning their posts, further
undermining the already fragile district-level health
services.
According to the Australian foreign aid organization AusAID,
the rate of HIV/AIDS in West Papua is 1.03 percent compared
with 0.17 percent in the remainder of Indonesia. AusAID
estimates that by 2025, the adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS in
West Papua could rise to 7 percent, compared with a
projected 1.08 percent for the remainder of Indonesia. Data
from Médecins du Monde
indicate a growing HIV epidemic in the highlands, with an
estimated population prevalence of 2.9 percent. Rapid social
change associated with population movements increases the
risk of spread of HIV to many areas in West Papua, including
the highlands.
Another Papuan Jailed for
Peacefully Asserting Rights
Sebby Sambom, a Papuan human rights advocate, was
arrested in Sentani-Jayapura December 17 at a gathering at
the grave of Papuan political leader Theys Eluay who was
murdered by the Indonesian military in 2001. Police
reportedly
 presented
no arrest warrant, nor explained charges against Sambom as
they bound him and took him away. Sambom had been holding a
press conference in which he called for the release of
imprisoned political activist
Buchtar
Tabuni from police custody (see
December 2008 West Papua Report for detail on Tabuni's
detention). Both men have been jailed for peacefully
asserting their civil/political rights.
There is reliable but as yet unconfirmed reporting
indicating that Sambon, like Tabuni, has been physically
abused while in police custody. Sambom is a committee member
of the Papuan branch of the London-based International
Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) that was launched in
London, October 15, 2008. (See IPWP's website:
http://ipwp.org/). Tabuni is chairperson of the Papuan
IPWP support organization.
Police Shoot and Beat Papuans
in Church Dispute
The
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) reported on
December 9 that in early December, Indonesian police
(including the militarized police or "BRIMOB") attacked
members of the GKIP church (Gereja Kemah Injil
Papua/Tabernacle Bible Church of Papua) in Nabire West
Papua. In all, 12 members were beaten, 5 students shot and
wounded.
The Association's report of the incident follows:
Indonesian police
including Brimob attacked Papuan members of the GKIP
church (Gereja Kemah Injil Papua/(Tabernacle Bible
Church of Papua)) in Nabire West Papua. 12 members were
beaten including 5 students who were shot.
The incident which occurred on the 3rd and 4th of
December was over the ownership of a church in Nabire
called the Bethesda Church which is the property of the
GKIP (Papua Kingmi Church). However the church is
claimed by a local priest, Roy Raja as the property of
GKII (Indonesia Kingmi Church).
(In 2006,the GKIP officially separated from GKII, but
following allegations that the GKIP Kingmi Church was
supporting the Papuan self determination struggle
members of GKII rejected the autonomy of the Papuan
church) .
At a proposed ceremony of the establishment of the
church which had been refurbished, the GKIP demanded
that the name of the GKIP church should be used on the
front of the church, otherwise the ceremony would be
cancelled. The Papuan congregation of the GKIP (Papua
Kingmi Church) sat in front of the church in a peaceful
protest but the Indonesian Kingmi Church (GKII) called
on the Indonesian Police to support them.
The Indonesian police including Brimob (the TNI were
present looking on) instead of trying to solve the
problem attacked the Papuan congregation shooting and
beating them resulting in 5 students been shot and
others beaten with rattan sticks.
Military Occupation of West Papua
Continues Despite Absence of Security Threat
The
December 23-30 Tempo Magazine carried a report on the armed
Free Papua Organization (the OPM) which noted the organizations
declining strength and lack of central leadership.
The report claims that following the fall of the Suharto
dictatorship the never-large OPM has weakened further. It cited
former OPM commander as acknowledging that the OPM lacks
ammunition and relies on bows and arrows. Some former leaders
have left the country.
 This
account of a debilitated OPM is contradicted by soon to be
published reporting that demonstrates OPM retains small arms.
The principal source for this reporting emphasizes however, that
TNI troop strength, armament and access to helicopters and air
to ground high performance aircraft vastly exceeds the
capability of the OPM.
Over the past decade human rights groups, working closely with
religious leaders and Papuan academics, have turned away from
armed struggle and adopted in its place a loosely coordinated
nonviolent struggle for Papuan rights, including self
determination. Key Papuan advocates of nonviolence such as John
Rumbiak persuaded those bent on violence that such efforts were
futile and would not win international sympathy. The turn from
violence has in fact led to growing international concern and
support.
Notwithstanding the limited capacity of the armed Papuan
resistance to what is widely seen as Indonesian occupation, the
Indonesian military (TNI) maintains a large force of tens of
thousands of personnel, backed by intelligence operatives and
contingents of the brutal militarized police (BRIMOB). Jakarta's
persistence in pursuing what is known in Indonesian as the
"security approach" to a non-existent threat is a principle
source of the continuing violations of human rights in West
Papua. The TNI for example periodically stages "sweep
operations" purportedly targeting the OPM, which in reality
cause great harm to civilians, destroying villages and forcing
villagers into life-threatening flight to the surrounding
jungles. Military exploitation of Papuan natural resources,
especially illegal logging and extortion of legitimate foreign
and domestic businesses, meanwhile, brings great wealth to TNI
coffers.
One Star or Fourteen?
 For
many years Papuans have drawn on the Morning Star flag as a
symbol and an inspiration in their struggle for cultural and
political rights. The one-star flag was first flown by Papuans
on December 1, 1961 at the beginning of the brief interlude
between Dutch control and Indonesian annexation. With the
exception of the period of rule by President Abdurrahman Wahid
(Gus Dur), Jakarta has banned use of the flag, even as a
cultural symbol, imprisoning for many years Papuans who
peacefully display the banner.
A
December report by Tempo notes that there are a number of
organizations in West Papua that now acknowledge the Morning
Star as the symbol of independence. These include the Papuan
Traditional Council, the Papuan Presidium Council, and some
student groups.
The Papuan Traditional Council and the Papuan Presidium Council
grew out of the Papuan People's Congress which convened from May
29 through June 4, 2000 under the leadership of the prominent
Papuan Theys Eluay. He was murdered in 2001 by the military
(four Kopassus or "special forces were convicted and received
light sentences after being described as "heroes" by the TNI
commander).
After Theys's murder one of the movement's figures, Tom Beanal,
a prominent human 'rights campaigner from the Amungme tribe who
has long challenged Freeport's assault on local peoples' rights
was chosen leader. He assumed the role of Chairperson of the
Papuan Traditional Council serving concurrently as the
Chairperson of the Papuan Presidium Council from 2002 to 2007.
The current chairperson of the Papuan Traditional Council,
Forkorus Yoboisembut, told Tempo that Council is represented in
seven customary regions, among which are the bordering area with
Papua New Guinea, Saireri, Animba and Jayawijaya.
Less well known is a fourteen star flag which some Papuans have
employed as their symbol for civil, cultural and political
rights. A
December 23-30 Tempo report describes the "14 Stars group"
as celebrating Papuan independence day as December 14, 1988. The
14 stars group was led by Thomas Wainggai who died in 1996 in
Cipinang Prison, Jakarta, under unexplained circumstances. Tempo
notes that the successors of 14 Stars movement are, among
others, Jacob Rumbiak and Herman Wainggai, who was later granted
asylum in Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Tempo describes the 14 stars movement of seeking independence
for Papuan people and their unification with the Melanesian race
which is spread throughout the southwest Pacific.
A derivative of 14 Stars movement founded by Jacob Rumbiak, is
the West Papua National Authority which is preparing a congress
of West Papua National Authority, in 2009. "We want to unite
various elements of organizations aspiring independence for West
Papua," said President of Congress Authority, Rev. Teriyoku.
There is also a West Papua National Coalition for Liberation
that is oriented toward 14 Stars. This organization was founded
on December 20, 2005 by Richard Yoweni.
Freeport McMoran, Facing Dire
Financial Straits, Nevertheless Continues Its Grave Damage to
West Papua
Bloomberg, in late December, described the giant copper
and gold mine Freeport McMoran as "trapped" in the
international "copper collapse." The Bloomberg report said
that after enduring the status of the worst performing stock
among the North American mining companies in 2008, it may
not fare much better in 2009. Freeport shares have fallen 79
percent, the biggest loss in the 16-member Philadelphia Gold
and Silver Index and the steepest decline since the shares
started trading in 1996. The company cut its U.S. workforce
by 20 percent and trimmed production plans for next year by
5 percent after delaying production at two mines in
November.
A separate Reuters report earlier in December noted that
it had cut 75 jobs from its Jakarta headquarters but that it
continues to employ approximately 12,000 workers at the main
Grasberg site in West Papua.
Meanwhile, the Medical Journal of Australia, in December,
published an overview of the health and human rights
environment in West Papua (see above).
It drew upon reporting in the UK "Guardian" which claimed
that mining operations in West Papua are not complying with
adequate health and safety standards, resulting in the
release of toxic waste into rivers, destruction of natural
vegetation, deforestation and flooding. These charges have
been credibly leveled against Freeport for many years,
particularly with regard to its destruction of the Ajkwa
river system which it uses as a tailings dump.
The Guardian report, cited by the Medical Journal, notes
that as a consequence of the environmental damage, local
communities are facing the loss of their traditional
livelihoods and mass displacement from their lands. In
addition, the influx of large numbers of migrants from other
parts of Indonesia to work in the mines (such as to the
largely migrant city of Timika which services the Freeport
mine) is leading to fundamental changes in the demography
and culture of affected regions.
Unchecked migration continues to displace the poorest people
from jobs and land, invariably the indigenous Papuans.
According to the Guardian report, the risk is that Papuans
will become a minority group in their own homeland. Whereas
indigenous Papuans comprised 96 percent of the population in
1971, they accounted for only 59 percent in 2005.
ETAN Calls on Obama Administration to
Press Jakarta on Human Rights
The East
Timor and Indonesia Action Network,
ETAN, has urged the incoming Obama administration in the
U.S. to put more pressure on Indonesia to address human
rights violations in Papua region. ETAN's John M. Miller
says that the U.S. could help encourage Indonesia's security
forces to improve their conduct in Papua by threatening to
restrict military assistance again. Miller says that since
the U.S. began incrementally to reinstate military
assistance to Indonesia in 2002, the process of reform has
stalled within the army which still enjoys widespread
impunity in Papua for crimes against humanity. He hopes that
the new U.S. Democratic administration will engage with
Indonesia in a different manner from how the Republicans
did. "That's not clear yet. it will probably take a lot of
public pressure and, I think, a realization that this
strategy of engagement hasn't really worked and the Bush
administration always said they were for human rights
accountability, they wanted to see military reform. They
claimed they shared the same goals as we did, but we very
much disagree and have disagreed with the Pentagon all along
about the way to do that."
see also Foreign Policy in Focus - Obama: Stand Up to the
Indonesian Military -
http://etan.org/news/2008/12fpif.htm.
NGO's Meet with Congressional Offices
and State Department Regarding West Papua
Representatives of Amnesty International, Save America's
Forests, ETAN, and the West Papua Advocacy Team met with
Congressional staff and with State Department officers over
a three day period in early December. The groups briefed
Congressional and Senate staff regarding recent developments
in West Papua, including the plight of prisoners of
conscience Yusuf Kalla and Filep Karma; the devastating
impact of illegal logging; continued human rights abuse,
especially by the Indonesian security forces and the failure
of "Special Autonomy" to provide basic health and other
humanitarian services to the Papuan people.
Meetings in the State Department afforded the groups the
opportunity to explain the failure of Special Autonomy and
the need for the US Government to seek a new formula for
addressing pressing needs among Papuans, including respect
for their fundamental human rights, protection of Papuan
resources and provision of essential services.
Comment: Failure to Convict A
Senior Retired Military Figure in Munir Killing Has
Implications for All Human Rights Advocates
The December 31 South Jakarta District Court's
failure to convict Major General (retired) Muchdi for
his role in the 2004 murder of Indonesia's leading human
rights advocate Said Thalib Munir underscores that the
Indonesian military retains impunity within the Indonesian
justice system. The case against Muchdi, as developed in
part by an independent Presidentially-appointed panel, was
poorly prosecuted.
The state prosecutors failed to prosecute the case as a
conspiracy which would have focused on Muchdi's lead role in
the killing. Muchdi was at the time the deputy chief of the
state intelligence agency, "BIN." The failure to effectively
prosecute and convict Muchdi betrays President Yudhoyono's
2004 pledge to make prosecution of this crime a "test of
justice" in his administration. More profoundly, it
represents a clear warning to human rights advocates and
those pressing for their political rights that in Indonesia,
exercising political rights, especially if that exercise
entails criticizing the military poses grave risks. If even
as prominent a rights advocate as Munir can be murdered with
impunity, less well-known figures, particularly in places
like West Papua which is shrouded in travel restrictions and
endemic intimidation, are especially vulnerable.
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