Join #openpapua demonstration in 5 cities: NYC, London, Darwin, Perth, Edinburgh

Join #openpapua demonstration in 5 cities: NYC, London, Darwin, Perth, Edinburgh

Wednesday, April 29

Links are to each protest Facebook page

Darwin, Australia protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/l3yqseh
April 29 2015, 12:00 noon, outside the Indonesian embassy. For us here in Perth the address is 134 Adelaide Terrace East Perth.

Perth, Australia protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/ohfcqnp
April 29 2015, 12:00 noon, outside the Indonesian embassy. For us here in Perth the address is 134 Adelaide Terrace East Perth.

New York, USA protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/khcw8nu
Wednesday, April 29,  6:00 pm,
Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia
5 E 68th St, New York, NY 10065, New York, New York 10065

London, UK protest details here: http://tinyurl.com/nvkwqqg
Wednesday, April 29, at 12:00 noon
Indonesian Embassy 38 Grosvenor Square London W1
W1K 2 London, United Kingdom

Edinburgh, Scotland details protest here: http://tinyurl.com/nshfyrv
Wednesday, April 29, 12:00 noon at the Scottish Parliament, EH99 1SP

It's back! April 2015 West Papua Report

West Papua Report  April 2015

Read it here: http://etan.org/issues/wpapua/2015/1504wpap.htm 

CONTENTS

This edition's Perspective is an interview with Octo Mote, General Secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, on the prospects for MSG membership.

In UPDATE (covering February and March) the West Papua Advocacy Team announces that it has awarded its 2015 "John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award" to the people and government of Vanuatu. Security forces in Yahukimo District have fired on civilians who were raising funds for humanitarian relief in cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu, killing one and wounding four. Indonesia's Foreign Minister was dispatched to three Pacific island states to try to dampen growing support for West Papua's application to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Archbishop Tutu urged the United Nations to investigate the fraudulent "Act of Free Choice" through which Indonesia forcibly annexed West Papua. Rights groups have called for Indonesia to address outstanding human rights cases in West Papua. Four youths were beaten by security forces in Jayapura. Plans by Freeport to construct a smelter in Papua have not involved the Kamoro on whose land the smelter will be located. The Kamoro have long suffered from the effects of Freeport's mining operations.

In CHRONICLE, we note upcoming demonstrations in London and New York; an in-depth analysis of Jakarta's security approach to West Papua; an argument that human rights violations fuel Melanesian support for West Papuans, and a look at ongoing media restrictions.

Demonstrations to Call for Open Access to Papua #openpapua

Demonstrations to Call for Open Access to Papua

End 50 years of isolation and Support free and open access to Papua.

April 29, 2015, 6 p.m.

Indonesian Consulate, 5 E 68th St. (near 5th Ave.) in Manhattan
(take #6 train to 68 St.-Hunter College stop; N, R, Q to 5th Ave/59th St.)

On April 29, demonstrations will be held in London and New York calling for an end to 50 years of isolation and free and open access to Papua. (The London protest will take place at noon, outside the Indonesian embassy, 38 Grosvenor Square) the New York protest will begin at 6 pm at the Indonesian consulate in Manhattan. 

Tapol, which initiated the protests, is organizing the London demonstration. ETAN is organizing the one in New York. Additional events may be organized elsewhere.

West Papua is one of the world’s most isolated conflict spots. For decades, indigenous activists campaigning for their rights have been arrested, disappeared, tortured and killed. Local journalists who uncover the truth face lethal risks. Foreign journalists trying to report on Papua have been arrested, deported and even imprisoned. One by one, international humanitarian organizations have closed their Papua offices. Access for UN human rights observers has been closed for eight years. Until Indonesia lifts the repressive restrictions on access to Papua, Indonesian security forces and paramilitaries are free to act with total impunity, and indigenous Papuans will continue to be killed.

Demonstrators will be wearing all-black clothing to protest the media blackout in Papua. They will be carrying placards, some of which will be ‘censored,’ and have their mouths taped shut.

Contact ETAN (etan@etan.org) or 917-690-4321 for more info.

• Facebook page for this event
• Facebook page for London event

ETAN Interview with Allan Nairn on Justice, Indonesia, Timor, West Papua and more.

ETAN Interview with Allan Nairn on Justice, Indonesia, Timor, West Papua and more.: "Stopping the Killers From Killing An Interview With Allan Nairn on Justice, Indonesia, West Papua, Timor-Leste, and Guatemala"

West Papua Report for January 2105

Read the latest issue of the West Papua Report! 

CONTENTS

This edition's Perspective is part two of Made Supriatma's overview of Indonesian security force deployments in West Papua. This looks at the police and intelligence agencies. In the UPDATE: A report on the brutal killing of five Papuan civilians and wounding of many more by security personnel in the Paniai area in early December. Papuan leaders gathered in Vanuatu launched a new coalition to apply for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. President Widodo pledged during a Christmas visit to West Papua to launch a joint investigation of the killings in Paniai. His administration also promised to "listen" to Papuans and to direct more resources to West Papua to develop railroad infrastructure. A minister contends that money flowing from the Freeport mine will finance development plans.  December saw more violence in the vicinity of the mine. The discovery of gold in protected forests in West Papua does not necessarily auger well for Papuans. In Chronicle, Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive-Director of the LP3BH, opposes plans to create a new military command in West Papua.

Jokowi vists Papua in December 2014.