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West Papua Report
April 2009
This is the 59th 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 legendary Papuan nationalist
visits Indonesia and West Papua, stirring controversy by reminding the
international community of West Papua's forced annexation by Indonesia. A
military/police buildup is underway in West Papua. A Papuan Parliamentarian has
appealed for a non-security approach in West Papua. The BBC has presented a rare
documentary focused on those pressing for West Papua's separation from
Indonesia. The Governor of West Papua has criticized the expulsion of Dutch
journalists from West Papua. Thousands of Papuans have demonstrated in support
of a referendum on Papuan independence. Senior Indonesian Defense officials have
postured disingenuously, feigning concern about Papuans freedom of speech. India
has announced a plan to assist in meeting vast educational deficits among
Papuans. Environmentalists protesting illegal logging and land clearing in West
Papua and West Kalimantan were beaten at the targeted corporation's
headquarters.
Contents:
Papuan Nationalist
Founder Returns Home after over Four Decades in Exile
What was apparently intended as a show of support for Papuan integration into
Indonesia backfired as one of the first generation of Papuan nationalists told
reporters that he still considered Papua to be a separate country from
Indonesia.
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Nicolaas
Jouwe |
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Nicolaas Jouwe, now 85,
returned to Papua for the first time since the beginning of Indonesian rule in
1963. He also traveled to Jakarta at the invitation of Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The return of Jouwe after so long was as if Thomas
Jefferson had stepped off a plane. It focused the spotlight on the history of
Papua's still-disputed integration into Indonesia.
Jouwe was elected in 1961 as a member of the first New Guinea Council, an
embryonic parliament for what was then still a Dutch colony, and immediately
become one of the key leaders in the Papuan independence movement. He designed
the Morning Star flag that is still the emblem of Papuan independence
aspirations, and was active internationally in a nonviolent, globally-focused
campaign for recognition of Papuan self-determination. This campaign built up
considerable support in the Pacific islands and among African countries, and won
a majority of support at the UN General Assembly, but the Kennedy administration
decided for reasons of cold war strategy to back the Indonesian claim. The
result was a U.S.-brokered agreement in 1963 to hand the territory to Indonesian
rule, which left the basis of the conflict intact. The perceived denial of
self-determination for Papuans lies at the root of continued conflict, with
Papuans feeling robbed of their right to self-determination and still keenly
aware of the U.S. government role in stage-managing an agreement reached with no
Papuan participation. A continued Papuan call is for a dialogue that will, among
other things, set straight the historical record. This is one element missing
form the special autonomy granted to Papua, and its omission is one reason that
there continues to be rejection from many Papuans of the autonomy package.
Nonviolence and international diplomacy and dialogue were among the key themes
of the Papuan independence leaders of Jouwe's generation. They remained on
display as Jouwe visited his homeland. Invited by the Indonesian president,
Jouwe said the time had come for dialogue, since "Indonesia remains our big
neighbor." Alongside dialogue was the call for a nonviolent approach: "Even if
we have to talk a thousand times, it is better than violence." To date Papuans
have been denied the same sort of dialogue that led to a peace settlement in
Aceh, perhaps because the Indonesian army sees Papuan nationalists as less of a
military threat.
It is not clear whether the "encounter of heart and mind" (in the Indonesian
president's words) with Jouwe signals any willingness for expanded dialogue.
Signs are that the visit was designed to show a prominent historical figure
endorsing integration, with the Jakarta Post speculating that Jouwe would
seek Indonesian citizenship and call for an end to independence demands. Instead
the visit was dominated by what Jouwe's son called on his
twitter report "the
pincident." Jouwe arrived wearing a Papuan flag lapel pin. At a press conference
in Jakarta, Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands Yunus Habibie pressed Jouwe
to pin an Indonesian flag to his lapel. Jouwe declined, repeating the need for
dialogue between "neighbors." Reports on this incident and the trip led to the
detention of four Dutch journalists, two of whom were slated for deportation
(see below).
Jouwe's visit was in some ways reminiscent of the
November 2007 trip by Congressman Eni Faleomaveaga. Invited by the
Indonesian president to back the Special Autonomy Law, Faleomavaega saw his trip
slashed from three days to two hours and was not permitted to meet Papuan
nationalist leaders or even to travel to Jayapura. In that case, it was support
for autonomy (as opposed to independence) that the Indonesian government seemed
to be seeking. The "pincident" indicated the same possible goal for Jouwe?s
trip.
Incidents and April 9 Elections Prompt
Military/Police Buildup
The killing of two civilians and one solider, allegedly by armed
pro-independence Papuans associated with the Papuan armed resistance group the
OPM, has prompted calls for a military buildup in the area. TNI spokesperson
Brig. Gen. Christian Zebua told the Indonesian media mid-month that the troops
would be "organic" personnel, i.e., troops drawn from units already stationed in
West Papua. He made clear that the TNI had already launched a retaliatory
operation, in conjunction with the police to hunt down those purportedly
involved in the March 14 shooting of a solider and two civilians (see
March West Papua Report for details). A police
spokesperson told the media that the security forces would launch "sweep
operations." Papuans have alleged that some of the armed Papuan groups involved
in recent incidents are in fact provocateur elements sponsored by the Indonesian
military.
The buildup coincides with stepped-up police monitoring of what police described
a "conflict-prone areas" in anticipation of possible disruptions associated with
the national April 9 parliamentary elections. The Jakarta Post reported that
Indonesia's "most feared mobile brigade (BRIMOB) has sent hundreds of additional
personnel to West Papua for the political campaign leading up to the April 9
vote.
In that past, TNI-led "sweep operations" have
displaced thousands of Papuan civilians who have fled their villages for refuge
in surrounding forests. Cut off from food and medical services, many have died.
Those who returned sometimes found that their homes, churches and schools had
been burned and their gardens destroyed by the security forces.
Plea By Papuan Parliamentarian for
Different Security Approach in West Papua
A Papuan parliament member (DPR) has called on the Government to pursue a
different approach in dealing with security concerns in West Papua. The Papuan
member of the Indonesian parliament, Dr John Manansang, on March 14 told the
Cenderawasih Pos that in responding to recent security incidents, the
Government should take into account the concerns that lay behind this violence.
He decried the typical attitude of the Government which he noted "sees the
Papuans as having no right to the land and therefore has decided to hunt them
down, and brand them as 'separatists'. He described this "security approach" as
"very distressing" for local people, explaining that according to Papuan
tradition, everyone on a piece of land feels that they have entitlement to that
land. "Branding them as separatists and forcing them to flee and live in the
forest, means that they are denied the right to live on their own land." He
called on the Government to use a "social-cultural" approach that would bring
genuine security to the region.
BBC Presents Rare Inside View of West Papua
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Raising the
Morning Star flag. BBC |
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In a highly unusual focus on West Papua,
the BBC on March 13 presented a compelling account of the extraordinary
challenges faced by Papuans. The BBC's announcement set the scene for this
documentary footage with great candor. It noted that West Papua became part of
Indonesia in 1969 through what it described as a "controversial and very limited
vote." Since the "vote," the BBC continued "there have been calls from some
Papuans for independence and for decades a low-level armed resistance has been
rumbling on, largely unnoticed by the outside. "Many Papuans feel their culture
and identity is slowing being eroded," the BBC explained. The BBC also placed
the Papuans plight in its racial/ethnic context. "Papuans don't look like other
Indonesians, they are Melanesian, closer to Aboriginals than Asians. But
migrants from other Indonesian islands now make up about half the local
population. Some of these in-comers consider the traditional Papuan way of life
backward and uncivilized. Layers of grievance have built up over the decades."
Accounting for the broad international ignorance of the Papuans' plight, the BBC
explained that "international journalists are severely restricted from working
in the province where a special permit is required (note
report below of the expulsion of Dutch journalists who possessed valid
visas). The BBC explained that the footage it presented was shot by a UK citizen
who had to travel undercover, aided by local activists who remained anonymous
for their safety. (The video can be seen at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7942026.stm )
Papuan Governor Laments
Actions of Security Forces and Intelligence Units in West Papua
Papuan Governor Barnabus Suebu has sharply criticized Indonesian officials for
the arrest of three Dutch journalists. The journalists had come to West Papua to
cover the visit of Papuan nationalist figure Nicholas Jouwe (see
report above on this historic visit.) The three were arrested for observing
a peaceful Papuan protest at the office of the Governor. After being subjected
to questioning by officials of the immigration office, two of the three
journalists were deported purportedly for violation of immigration statues.
Governor Suebu, as reported in a March 27 Cenderawasih Pos article
translated by TAPOL, described the action against the journalists as
regrettable. He added that such a security approach was not appropriate in the
present era.
'I don't know why they were questioned. If they have visas they should be able
to travel anywhere. This is the strange thing about this country. When you go
abroad and have a visa, you can travel everywhere. ''Why were they arrested? Did
they commit a crime? I have been an ambassador. When someone has a visa they can
stay for as long as specified in the visa.
The Governor described the arrest as indicative of a broader problem, noting,
"The state apparatus is suspicious of everything, what are they trying to hide?"
He continued, "The chief of police possibly doesn't want such things to happen.
This is probably the work of the intel. If things like this keep on happening,
there will never be any progress in Papua" He concluded that the "security
approach" was "all wrong."
Thousands Demand Referendum
Thousands of Papuans gathered in the Papuan capital, Jayapura, on March 24
according to a Reuters report. The demonstrators demanded a referendum on
independence from Indonesia. This would constitute the referendum denied Papuans
40 years ago when Indonesian authorities rigged an "Act of Free Choice," a
purported act of self determination that has been broadly attacked as rigged by
scholars and even by UN personnel who monitored the charade.
Reuters reported that the protesters carried banners with the words "Election
no, referendum yes", "Stop genocide for Melanesian race in West Papua", and
demanded the withdrawal of troops from the province.
There were no reports of violence associated with this protest.
Senior Defense Officials
Posture Regarding The Importance of Freedom of Speech in West Papua
During March, Senior Indonesian defense officials spoke
uncharacteristically about West Papua. Armed Forces Chief General Djoko Santoso
on March 11 contended that the TNI believed that separatist movements in Papua
could be minimized by a better government approach to Papuan welfare. Djoko also
said the military would fully support the process of democracy in Indonesia,
including in Papua, saying it would view any demonstration calling for
independence as an act of freedom of speech. This comment is particularly
confounding inasmuch as Papuans who call for independence continue to suffer
beatings and worse at the hands of the military and police, as well as
conviction and imprisonment for subversion.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said the government would not use
an ?iron-fist? approach in dealing with separatists, but would always try a
persuasive and soft approach through dialogues within communities. ?I believe
our police and military understand the situation and would tolerate any voice of
dissatisfaction." It should be noted that the Defense Minister has no real
authority over the military. The Chief of the Armed Forces (Santoso) reports
directly to the President, not through the Defense Minister.
Indian Government Plans to Improve Education
in West Papua
India intends to provide direct assistance to the Papuan people, according to a
March 31 Jakarta Post report. "We - Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu and I -
have agreed to promote Indian education here and to promote Papua in India. We
aim to better Papuan human resources for the future," Ambassador Nanda
explained. The ambassador met Suebu on March 25 and leaders of Cendrawasih
University, offering the university students scholarships for postgraduate
studies at universities in India.
In his visit to Biak Numfor regency earlier in the day, Nanda also proposed
similar cooperation with the local administration.
"He said the scholarships offered to Cendrawasih University students were part
of a capacity building program aimed at enhancing human resources capability in
Papua. "The program would ultimately support economic development in the
province.."
The Indian assistance may serve as a model for other governments seeking to
address failures of the Indonesian government over four decades to address
educational needs of Papuans. A similar plan recently proposed by a member of
the U.S. Congress failed to get off the ground due to reluctance on the
part of Indonesian officials to support the plan
Environmentalists Beaten as They Protest
Illegal Forest Destruction.
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LEFT: Merbau logs are loaded onto barge in Kaimana, West Papua, despite
the company's permit being suspended © Greenpeace/Rant. RIGHT:
Greenpeace activists deployed banners at the
Sinar Mas building in Jakarta on March 19, 2009.© Greenpeace / Ardiles
Rante |
Security guards belonging to one of
Indonesia's largest logging and palm oil corporations, Sinar Mas, have assaulted
NGO personnel outside the corporation's headquarters in Jakarta.
Greenpeace activists were punched and kicked as they attempted to protest
illegal land-clearing in West Papua and in West Kalimantan.. Greenpeace activist
told Radio Australia that Sinar Mas had cleared peat land and forests near the
West Papuan town of Laereh as well as a site in a national park in West
Kalimantan.
The wholesale destruction of forest lands in West Kalimantan, including the
burning of valuable high grade old growth forests by Indonesian and foreign
corporations, has long been the hallmark of "development" in West Kalimantan.
Papuans and others concerned about the destruction of land in West Papua view
the destruction in West Kalimantan as an ominous harbinger of similar
government-promoted "development" in West Papua.
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