November 2015 West Papua Report

November 2015 West Papua Report is out: TNI embeds, fires and smoke, transmigration, Freeport, Melanesian gambit, more

CONTENTS

This edition's Perspective discusses the implications for West Papua for the Indonesian military's continuing effort to re-involve itself in civilian affairs.

Update summarizes the grave problems of toxic smoke from massive fires set by palm oil plantation developers and others across the Indonesian archipelago. For the first time, fires are taking place on a large scale in West Papua. Transmigration continues to undermine West Papuans. The lack of Papuan involvement in the controversial plan to extend Freeport's mining concession in West Papua is raising concerns. The Indonesian government'sMelanesian gambit meets resistance.

Chronicle announces two important new reports and calls attention to the special problems posed by military repression for Papuan women, We link to Democracy Now! coverage by  of President Widodo's visit to the U.S.  The Indonesian Perss Council derends press freedom in West Papua. Maire Leadbetter sees hope for West Papua.

Want to receive issues of the West Papua Report via email: send us a note.

Cartoonist's depiction of Indonesian government restrictions on media freedom and rights monitoring in Papua. Copyright 2015 Toni Malakian for Human Rights Watch.

Cartoonist's depiction of Indonesian government restrictions on media freedom and
rights monitoring in Papua. Copyright 2015 Toni Malakian for Human Rights Watch.

July 2015 West Papua Report - exclusive interviews on #papuaitukita and #wp4msg

West Papua Report July 2015

This edition's PERSPECTIVE is an exclusive interview with Zely Airane of the #PapuaItuKita on creative ways they are raising issues involving West Papua in Indonesia. 

In UPDATE: This Issue highlights the recent Melanesian Spearhead Group summit in the Solomon Islands where the United Movement for the Liberation of West Papua (ULMWP) was given observer status. ULMWP's Secretary General Octo Mote talks about the implications of the decision for West Papua. WPAT's interview with Mote is followed by Indonesian and other reactions to the summit, which also upgraded Indonesia's status to associate member of the regional group. The report then analyzes oversights in the State Department's recent human rights report. Also in this issue, Papuans Behind Bars report on a new high in arbitrary detentions; the Indonesian parliament blocked plans to release more Papuan political prisoners; and confusion continues on foreign journalist travel to West Papua

In CHRONICLE: A retired Indonesian General says TNI actions in West Papua violate human rights. An NGO criticized plans for a new military command (Kodam) in West Papua. A highly-regarded Australian journalist has described "ignorance, corruption and racism" in West Papua in a series of articles, and a long-term observer analyzes President Widodo's recent visit to the region.

Read the whole issue here

February 2014 West Papua Report

Read here

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.

Demonstrators greet MSG delegation in Jayapura

West Papua Report November 2013: Divesting Freeport, MIFEE, MSG, New Provinces, Travel Restrictions, 1970s Massacres

West Papua Report
November 2013

CONTENTS

This month's PERSPECTIVE covers the growing international movement for divestment in Freeport-McMoran. This reflects growing international concern on the mining operation's violations of human rights and ecological destruction in West Papua.

UPDATE looks at a new report that details the Indonesian military's use of U.S. and Australian provided aircraft to devastating effect on Papuan civilians in the 1970's. A plan to create new Papuan provinces will further disenfranchise West Papuans. Despite claims by the governor of Papua province, severe Indonesian government restrictions on journalists and other international visitors to the region remain in place. An Indonesian military-linked businessmen reportedly bribed Solomon Island officials in advance of Melanesian states consideration of a Papuan application for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). International NGOs and others have written to the MSG urging the regional Melanesian organization to accept the application. Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) continues to face criticism.

In CHRONICLE we note the publication of two important books dealing with West Papua; new statements by ETAN and WPAT, and a new report on the impact of the proliferation of new political districts in Papua.

Read full issue here: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2013/1311wpap.htm