This is the 118th 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 by the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com. If you wish to receive the report directly via e-mail, send a note to etan@etan.org. Link to this issue: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2014/1402wpap.htm

The Report leads with "Perspective," an analysis piece; followed by "Update," a summary of some developments during the covered period; and then "Chronicle" which includes analyses, statements, new resources, appeals and action alerts related to West Papua. Anyone interested in contributing a "Perspective" or responding to one should write to edmcw@msn.com. The opinions expressed in Perspectives are the author's and not necessarily those of WPAT or ETAN. For additional news on West Papua see the reg.westpapua listserv archive or on Twitter.

CONTENTS

This edition's PERSPECTIVE examines the decision of the Melanesian states, minus Vanuatu, to endorse Jakarta's control of West Papua and to forego criticism of its repression there. In UPDATE the report describes continued "sweeping operations" in the Puncak Jaya region, Papuan criticism of the Melanesian Spearhead Group's visit to Indonesia, Jakarta's linking of "Special Autonomy Plus" to repression, and testimony about human rights in West Papua before the European Parliament. In CHRONICLE, we report planning for another plantation project in West Papua along the lines of Merauke Integrated Fuel and Energy Estate (MIFEE). A prominent Papuan criticized both the substance and process of "Special Autonomy Plus" planning. Human Rights Watch, in its annual report, notes the continued trampling of rights in West Papua. Noted analyst and activist Noam Chomsky says conditions in West Papua amount to genocide. A report in the Guardian describes a travesty of justice in the prosecution of six Papuans for peaceful dissent.

PERSPECTIVE

MSG Sells Out
by Ed McWilliams

Foreign Ministers from the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), with the important exception of Vanuatu, have betrayed their fellow Melanesians in West Papua.

Following meetings with senior Indonesian officials in Jakarta and an abbreviated visit to West Papua, the delegation capitulated to Indonesia's insistence that the neighboring Melanesian states acknowledge Indonesian control of West Papua. In its January 17 statement in Jakarta, the Foreign Ministers said:

"We respect Indonesian's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as well as the non-intervention principle into a country's domestic affairs as stated in the United Nation's Charter."

The language employed by the Melanesian diplomats rejects longstanding appeals by Papuans for respect for their the right of self determination, as recognized by numerous international covenants and agreements (including the United Nations Charter).

In voicing support for a so-called "non-intervention principle," the Melanesian diplomats also appear to have abandoned their right (and obligation) to speak out regarding the violation of human rights suffered by their fellow Melanesians in West Papua at the hands of Indonesia, notably from its security forces and intelligence operatives. As if to underscore their abandonment of any sense of obligation to support human rights, the Melanesian states have ignored the arrest of 47 Papuans who sought to meet with them during their brief visit to Jayapura (see report below).

MSG delegation meets with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) in his office in Jakarta on Jan. 15. Photo: Antara/Andika Wahyu

The embarrassing capitulation by the Melanesian  governments (minus Vanuatu) to Indonesian pressure is a demonstration of the power of realpolitik in international affairs. Papua New Guinea's long undefended border with Indonesia, Indonesian trade and development blandishments, perhaps inevitably, led to the Melanesian's cynical betrayal of the West Papuans.

The MSG's July 2013 summit meeting agreed to send a delegation to Indonesia and West Papua as part of the organization consideration of the application for full membership from the West Papua National Council for Liberation (WPNCL). The summit also "fully" supported "the inalienable rights of the people of West Papua towards self-determination" and endorsed raising concerns about "human rights violations and other forms of atrocities against the West Papuan people."

Given this disheartening turn of events, it is all the more interesting to consider the singular courage of Vanuatu which asserted its principled objection to the course chosen by its Melanesian Spearhead Group partners.

Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Edward Natapei told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that he believed the agenda for the foreign ministers' meeting had been "hijacked" by Indonesia. He added that Vanuatu could only participate in the MSG delegation visit if the it was given the opportunity to meet Papuan civil society groups, pro-independence groups, church leaders and other groups concerned with human rights violations in West Papua. Such a stand is not only logical and fair, in the context of Indonesian pressure, it is courageous and noble.

It remains a painful reality that Papuans must look first to their own courage and secondly to the growing support they are earning among solidarity groups around the world as they seek to assert their rights, including the right to self-determination.

UPDATE

Criticism of MSG Delegation Visit to West Papua

The Vanuatu Daily Post (January 29) underscored West Papuan disappointment with the results of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) delegation (see above). Andy Ayamiseba of the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation told the Vanuatu Daily Post that (MSG) fact-finding mission to Indonesia and West Papua fell far short of its mandate. "To me and the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL), the so- called Melanesian Spearhead Group ministerial delegation visit to Indonesia and West Papua was a conflict of interest for Fiji and the Solomon Islands," Ayamiseba said.

Demonstrators greet MSG delegation in Jayapura.

"I condemn the spirit of the visit and I salute Vanuatu for her stand in boycotting the so-called MSG ministerial delegation mission, he added.

He accused Fiji and the Solomon Islands of using the delegation to promote economic ties with Indonesia.

On January 13, the Indonesian police arrested 47 Papuans who were gathered at the office of the Papuan Legislative Council (DPRD) to welcome and meet with the MSG delegation. Demonstrations also took place in Jakarta.

According to Papuans Behind Bars: "While protestors targeting the MSG delegation in Jayapura were manhandled, arrested and dispersed, protests targeting the delegation in Jakarta were not subject to these repressive tactics, despite getting far closer to members of the delegation than their colleagues in Papua."

The visit was originally designed to assess the plight of Papuans living in West Papua and to provide a basis for these Papuans application to join the MSG which was presented at the July MSG summit meeting (see July 2013 West Papua Report).

Simeon Daby, Chairn of the National Committee of West Papua, mountain region, called on the “Military/ Police, please do not blindly fight against ordinary people. Your enemy is clearly TPN/OPM and not the ordinary people or civil society.”

The Chief of Puncak Jaya Police, Marselin Sarimin and Pangdam, and Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua, Commander of Cenderawasih Military Area XVII , denied the report of violence at the church. The authorities did confirm that there had been two arrests of persons in the church.

The ongoing sweeps in Puncak Jaya have included casualties to Indonesian security forces. On January 24, First Private Sugianto was killed in a battle between TNI personnel and "armed civilian men." A few days later, Indonesian police reportedly arrested one of those involved in the shooting. National Police Chief General Sutarman said that the suspect was "strongly believed to be a member of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM)."

Earlier in January there were also violent incidents in the Mulia area of Puncak Jaya. Jubi reported on January 18 that a "string of shootings" and the theft of state security force arms. In the attack, unknown elements struck the Puncak Jaya Military Command Post in Kota Lama, Mulia. Two security force members were injured in the attack.

"Special Autonomy Plus" Tied to Success of Repression

The assessment was offered by Legal and Security Affairs minister Doko Suyanto after a meeting involving President Yudhoyono, senior ministers, and the Governors of Papua and West Papua provinces on "special autonomy plus." Djoko stressed to the media that while the proposed law would "yield improvements in forestry, maritime, energy and transportation sectors," it was important to suppress armed movements. "The two efforts must be parallel," he said.

WPAT Comment: As noted in January's West Papua Report, failure of Jakarta authorities to address the real West Papuan problems and demands, particularly related to self-determination, renders Jakarta's efforts to resurrect "special autonomy" moribund. The Indonesian government attempt to criminalize OPM resistance and to contend that such armed resistance is related to "local issues" fundamentally misunderstands the nature of the challenge Jakarta faces in West Papua.

Human Rights Advocates Testify Before European Parliament about Rights Denial in West Papua

Several activists testified before the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights on West Papua: Zely Ariane from the Jakarta-based National Papua Solidarity (NAPAS), Victor Mambor from the Jayapura chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and Norman Voss from the Human Rights and Peace for Papua: International Coalition for Papua (ICP). Indonesia's Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union Arif Havas Oegroseno also addressed the subcommittee.

The human rights advocates detailed unresolved in West Papua and the restrictions enforced on foreign journalists and NGO's seeking to visit the region. The parliamentarians also heard appeals for the release of political prisoners and calls for a dialogue between Papuans and Jakarta.

According to the ICP, "Members of the European Parliament stressed that the situation in West Papua had too long been ignored in discussions and called for closer involvement."

The activists also criticized restrictions imposed on foreign diplomats who want to assess the situation in West Papua, citing the recent closed visit of foreign ministers from Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) member nations as an example.

CHRONICLE

New Plantation Project Similar to MIFEE Planned for FakFak

According to a January 29 report from Awas MIFEE planning is underway to establish a major plantation project in FakFak on the southern coast of West Papua. The plan is similar in vision and scope to the Merauke Integrated Fuel and Energy Estate (MIFEE) now being implemented in the Merauke area. The new plan includes a transmigration component where non-Papuans will be brought into Papuan lands. The transmigration areas will be in sections identified as "SP 1 to SP7, in and around the Tomage area.

A Prominent Human Rights Advocate Opposes "Special Autonomy Plus"

Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive Director LP3BH Manokwari, speaks out in opposition to "Special Autonomy Plus" or "enhanced Special Autonomy" (see January 2014 West Papua Report). Warinussy raised specific objections to both the substance of the plan. He calls the process through which the plan is being developed illegal, because it is taking place outside the appropriate legislative process.

Human Rights Watch Annual Report Underscores Plight of Papuans

Human Rights Watch in its World Report 2014 described conditions in the easternmost province of Papua as characterized by state security force excesses. HRW writes that:

 "Conditions in Papua, still virtually off-limits to foreign journalists, remain volatile, with security forces enjoying virtual impunity for abuses, including excessive and at times lethal use of force against peaceful proponents of independence."

Noam Chomsky Speaks Out on West Papua

In a video interview activist and scholar Professor Noam Chomsky talks about West Papua, a cause he supports. He calls the situation there "genocide."

The Guardian Reveals Corruption of Justice in West Papua

The Guardian describes the repression of West Papuans' civil and political rights in the case of the prosecution of six Papuans who engaged in peaceful political dissent. On May 1, 2013, Indonesian security forces responded with violence to a peaceful flag raising ceremony in Biak. One of the six defendants was so badly beaten in the security force assault, he is no longer mentally competent to stand trial. The others face jail terms of 15 to 18 years. See also Tapol's Urgent Appeal: Release Biak prisoners

Link to the is issue: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2014/1402wpap.htm