West Papua Report January 2012 is out

Read it here: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2012/1201wpap.htm

Summary: Indonesian security forces, including the U.S. and Australian supported Detachment 88, conducted "sweeping operations" in the Paniai area of West Papua that destroyed churches, homes and public buildings, and forced hundreds of civilians from their homes. The Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) urged the Police Commander to remove forces from the region, echoing civil society leaders in Paniai. Jakarta's failure to provided basic health services to Papuans has led to a high rate of death among mothers at child birth according to a recent report. An unconfirmed report claims that President Yudhoyono has committed to withdraw non-organic troops from West Papua and to suspend the operations of a special unit proposed to address fundamental Jakarta-Papua problems. The cost in human life for Papuans of Jakarta's decades of neglect of the Papuan population is well documented. Amnesty International met with a senior official in Jakarta to press for release of political prisoners, particularly in West Papua and Maluku. The three-month old strike by workers at the Freeport McMoRan mines appears to be headed toward resolution.

Contents:

• Brutal "Sweeping Operation" Continues to Displace Civilians in Paniai
• Indonesian Human Rights Commission Calls for Withdrawal of Security Forces from Paniai
• Inadequate Health Care Responsible for High Rate of Death of Mothers at Child Birth
• President Yudhoyono Reportedly Offers Pledge to Withdraw Non-Organic Troops from West Papua
• Amnesty International Appeals for Political Prisoners Release
• Freeport Strike Grinds Toward Resolution