The New York Agreement

The October 2012 issue of the West Papua Report had a perspective article on the 50th anniversary of the August 15 signing of the "New York Agreement," a watershed agreement, undertaken without Papuan participation, which sealed the Papuan people's fate as subject to annexation by Indonesia. Read the article here.

Papuans protest at U.S. embassy in Jakarta, August 15,2012 on 50th anniversary of signing New York Agreement. Photo from UCANews.

An excerpt: "The New York Agreement made provision for the Papuans to vote for an independent future or to stay under Indonesian rule. The provision for the Papuans to vote was a crucial aspect of negotiations in the agreement which stipulated the vote should be "the freely expressed will of the population", but it was not. Leading up to the "Act of Free Choice" in 1969, many prominent Papuans were arrested and killed in the process of "culling", and this policy remains unchanged even today."

Statement on Human Rights Abuses in Papua and West Papua

Human Rights Abuses in Papua and West Papua 

Submitted by:
VIVAT International and endorsed by ETAN among others.

Read the whole statement and list of signers here: http://etan.org/news/2014/07vivat_etal_on_papua.htm.

The statement begins: 

"We, the undersigned organizations, are concerned about the serious and ongoing violations of Human Rights that are taking place with impunity in the easternmost provinces of Indonesia Papua and West Papua. The violations of Human Rights have been well-documented and have been brought to the attention of Indonesia during the second round of the UPR process. Thirteen nations made recommendations to Indonesia with regard to the obligation to respect human rights in Papua and West Papua."

Read the West Papua Report 
(monthly news and analysis co-published by the West Papua Advocacy Team and ETAN)

The May 2014 West Papua Report is now out!

Read it here

CONTENTS

This edition's PERSPECTIVE by Dr. Budi Hernawan examines Vanuatu's efforts to place West Papua on the international human rights agenda. 

In UPDATE, Indonesia was questioned by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Indonesian military want to purchase additional U.S. assault helicopters. New violence creates tension on the PNG border near Vanimo; more arrests and torture of peaceful Papuan student protesters; the anniversary of transfer of West Papua to UN control in 1963; the establishment of a new Free West Papua office in Perth, and the sentencing of the former Merauke District chief for graft.

In CHRONICLE: A photo project by Rohn Radheya draws attention to West Papuans struggle for respect of their political and other human rights. David Robie questions why South Pacific nations have not supported Vanuatu's efforts to draw international attention to Indonesia's human rights violations in West Papua. Craig Harris highlights Papuans criticism of mining giant Freeport McMoRan at a U.S. environmental conference. Oil palm plantations in West Papua and elsewhere face growing scrutiny.

Photo by Rohan Radheya.

Timorese groups call for right to justice for victims of Indonesia occupation

Read whole statement here: Joint Statement on International Day for the Right to the Truth and Justice for Victims: ANTI demands for the State of Timor-Leste to not ignore the rights of victims

excerpts:

The demand for victims’ rights to truth and justice is not only aimed at satisfying victims, but also for the current generation and future generations. The truth is a historical treasure of a country that prevents the reoccurrence of such incidents in the future. History does not just concern heroism displayed during a violent struggle, but it should also encompass the suffering of victims, so that we can all understand this human suffering to prevent further suffering.

...

“This principle of justice must be firmly upheld and cannot be modified in accordance with the desire of the ‘elite’ and especially not because of authority wielded by perpetrators. The problem that there is no capacity to achieve justice is not a reason to ignore and violate these principles. The capacity to achieve justice is relative and it is the responsibility of the entire international community”; said  Sisto dos Santos, Coordinator of ANTI.   

Read the rest here 

West Papua Report December 2012

December 2012 Issue

This is the 104th 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://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. For additional news on West Papua see the reg.westpapua listserv archive or on Twitter.

Contents:

Perspective: Reflections on The New York Agreement by Dr. John Saltford

Update:

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Expresses Concerns about West Papua During Jakarta Visit
• Indonesian Security Authorities Disrupt Peaceful December 1 Rallies
• US Ambassador Visits West Papua - Lauds Indonesian Military
• Papuans Marginalized in Employment
• Sweep Operations Drive More Papuans into Forests
• Security Forces Target Peaceful Dissidents
• Calls for Security Force Accountability in West Papua Multiply

Chronicle:

• Article Reveals Absence of Government Services in Much of West Papua

Displaced Papuans flee security sweeps in Keerom District. Photo from Elsham Papua.

What does Timor-Leste need after UNMIT?

RSVP on Facebook

Adapted from http://laohamutuk.blogspot.com/2012/10/public-mtg-what-does-tl-need-after-unmit.html

Tetum iha kraik.  You can download this invitation in English and Tetum from http://www.laohamutuk.org/reports/UN/KonviteEnkPub23Oct2012.pdf .
 
La’o Hamutuk Public Meeting
What does Timor-Leste need from the International Community after UNMIT’s mandate ends?

Tuesday 23 October 2012.    9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Dili University (UNDIL), Mascarenhas, Dili
Uphill from the Alola Foundation, across from the former CNE office

La’o Hamutuk invites the public to participate in a discussion about the mandate of UNMIT in Timor-Leste which will finish this December.

During the mandates of the UN in Timor-Leste since 1999, UN assistance has helped achieve some good results, such as the creation of a democratic state under rule of law, with peace and security. Unfortunately UNMIT has not yet implemented some important commitments, including ending impunity for crimes against humanity committed during the Indonesian occupation. In addition, the UN and the State of Timor-Leste have not yet chosen a sustainable and inclusive development path.

The people of Timor-Leste, together with our leaders, must take responsibility for these gaps after UNMIT leaves.

Speakers: 

• Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Shigeru Mochida: Reflections on the successes of UN missions in Timor-Leste and what remains to be achieved 
• RDTL Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Luis Guterres: Reflections on hopes for what the UN Missions were not able to do during their time in Timór-Leste 
• Representative, ETAN, Jill Sternberg: International solidarity from ETAN now and in the future after UNMIT ends 
• Director, Fundasaun Mahein, Nelson Belo: The Security Sector after UNMIT’s mandate finishes 
• Researcher, La’o Hamutuk, Inês Martins: Sustainable development after UNMIT finishes 

This public meeting will be in Tetum and English. We are grateful for your attention and participation.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Enkontru públiku La’o Hamutuk nian
Saida mak Timór-Leste presiza husi Komunidade Internasionál hafoin mandatu UNMIT remata?
Tersa feira 23 Outubru 2012,  tuku 09:00 dadeer to’o 01:00 lokraik
Fatin: Universidade Dili (UNDIL) Maskariñas, Dili
Fundasaun Alola nia leten ba, Ex. Edifísiu CNE nia oin

La’o Hamutuk konvida públiku atu mai partisipa diskusaun relasiona ho mandatu UNMIT iha Timór-Leste nia ne’ebé sei remata iha fulan Dezembru tinan ida ne’e.

Durante mandatu Nasoins Unidas iha Timór-Leste dezde 1999, ONU nia asisténsia ajuda atinje rezultadu balu di’ak, hanesan kriasaun estadu direitu demokrátiku, ho dame no seguransa. Infelizmente, UNMIT seidauk implementa kompromisu importante balun, inklui hakotu impunidade husi krime kontra umanidade ne’ebé akontese durante okupasaun Indonézia. Ida seluk, UN no estadu Timór-Leste seidauk hili polítika ba dezenvolvimentu ho diresaun ida ne’ebé sustentável no inklusivu.

Lakuna hirak ne’e povu Timór-Leste hamutuk ho nia ukun na’in sira mak tenke simu responsabilidade hafoin UNMIT sai.

Oradór sira:

• Vice-Reprezentante Espesiál Sekretáriu Jerál ONU, Shigeru Mochida: Reflesaun kona ba susesu ne’ebé Misaun ONU halo iha Timór-Leste no saida mak seidauk atinje 
• Ministru Negósiu Estranjeiru, RDTL nian José Luis Guterres: Reflesaun kona ba esperansa ba buat ne’ebé misaun ONU la konsege halo durante nia misaun iha Timór-Leste 
• Reprezentante ETAN, Jill Sternberg: Solidariedade Internasionál husi ETAN agora no ba futuru hafoin UNMIT remata 
• Diretór Fundasaun Mahein, Nelson Belo: Analiza setór seguransa hafoin mandatu UNMIT remata 
• Peskizadór La’o Hamutuk, Inês Martins: Dezenvolvimentu sustentável hafoin misaun UNMIT remata 

Enkontru públiku ne’e la’o iha lian Tetum no Inglés. Mak ne’e de’it ami nia konvite ba ita boot sira nia atensaun no partisipasaun la haluha hato’o obrigadu barak.

ETAN and WPAT on death of Rep. Donald Payne

[ETAN is deeply appreciative of Rep. Payne's efforts on behalf of East Timorese, West Papuan and Indonesian people during his service in Congress. We mourn his passing. In addition to his actions on behalf of West Papua, Rep. Payne was supportive of ETAN's efforts to support self-determination for the now independent Timor-Leste and to restrict U.S. security assistance to Indonesia in order to support human rights and justice. - John M. Miller, National Coordinator.]

West Papua Advocacy Team on Rep. Donald Payne 1934-2012

March 10, 2012 - The West Papua Advocacy Team deeply regrets the passing of Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ), one of the greatest champions of West Papuan human rights in the U.S. Congress. Working closely with Congressmember Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), Representative Payne regularly appealed to the Indonesian Government to end repression in West Papua and urged the United States government to use its significant influence with the Indonesian government to encourage an end to the systematic human rights violations by the Indonesian security forces targeting West Papuans.

Representative Payne used his important role in the U.S. House of Representatives' international affairs committee and his leading role in the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus to advocate for Papuan rights. The following recalls only part of that impressive record of human rights advocacy:

In December 2005, as ranking member of the House International Relations Committee's Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights & International Operations, Payne joined Congressmember Faleomavaega to call on African nations to request the United Nations to review the "Act of Free Choice," the widely discredited subterfuge through which the Indonesian government, then led by the dictator Suharto, forcibly annexed West Papua. The "Act" was "noted" by the United Nations in 1969. The call for African nations to initiate a review of the fraudulent "Act" was a follow up to a March 2005 Congressional petition organized by Reps. Faleomavaega and Payne and addressed to then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. That petition called for a review of the "Act."

In March 2008, Faleomavaega and Payne called on the Indonesian government to end restrictions on access to West Papua by international observers. That message also noted the failure of the Indonesian Government's "Special Autonomy" policy, then five years old, to address the fundamental needs in West Papua.

In a November 18, 2011 appeal published in the Jakarta Post, Faleomavaega and Payne urged the Indonesian Government to end "systematic abuse in West Papua."

In a formal statement on the loss of his long time friend and ally Congressmember Faleomavaega said of Representative Payne: "He advocated for and on behalf of the people of West Papua and many other unrepresented peoples across the globe and throughout America. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him well."

WPAT joins in mourning the loss of this consistent friend of the Papuans and of all those suffering repression and denial of their democratic rights.

see also 

• The West Papua Report (monthly)
• Congressional Action and Statements

Additional links to Rep. Payne's work on West Papua, Indonesia and East Timor.

October 2011 West Papua Report

Read the new West Papua Report here


Summary: Papuans will convene a third "National Congress," an historic convocation that follows congresses in 1961 and 2000. Military and police forces have attacked civilian homes, purportedly in pursuit of those responsible for an August incident that may have been staged. In the wake of growing violence, leading human rights organizations have called on the Indonesian government to "re-assess" its resort to military measures to address dissent in West Papua. The giant mining firm Freeport McMoran is facing growing pressure from labor and the government. The attention focused on Freeport has once more brought to light the enormous profits and tax revenues flowing from the mining operation. These riches stand in stark contrast to the grinding poverty endured by Papuans whose resources Freeport is exploiting. The UN Secretary General has publicly retreated from comments in which he appeared to recognize the need for the UN Decolonization Committee and the Human Rights Council to take up the denial of Papuan rights to self-determination and other violations of human rights.