Summary of events 2

Concern about journalists alleged to be serving TNI interests 4

Australian - Indonesian relations 4

Australia’s involvement 5

Australia to sell more military equipment to Indonesia 5

Australia raises concerns with Indonesian Government 6

Dialogue with Jakarta 6

West Papua National Committee rally in May 7

Attack on the village of Honai Lama 7

15 human rights activists arrested in Jayapura 8

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People 9

Security operations 9

Crackdown on the West Papua National Committee 10

Shootings in West Papua 16

Recommendations 19

AWPA Human Rights report - West Papua 2012

This report details incidents of human rights abuses in the past year and in particular looks at the crackdown on the KNPB. It shows the continuing struggle of the West Papuan people for their right to self-determination. It is by no means exhaustive. In the report AWPA uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea. However, “West Papua” at this time is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.

Summary of events

There was no improvement in the human rights situation in West Papua in 2012. In fact, the human rights situation continued to deteriorate with the Indonesian security forces targeting human rights defenders, peaceful demonstrators and in particular members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).

The year started with the trial against five Papuan activists for treason. The trial began on the 30 January and the five men, Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Waromi, Selpius Bobii, Domingkus Sorabut and Agustinus Kraar were charged with treason because of their involvement in the 3rd Papuan People's Congress which was held between the 17 and 19 October in 2011.

In March the Jayapura District Court sentenced the men to three years in prison for subversion. At no time did these men commit violence and they have been jailed solely for peacefully expressing their political views as is their right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As opposed to the three-year sentence given to the five activists, no action was taken against the security force personal who were involved in the brutal crackdown and they received only written warnings. There were also serious doubts about the fairness of the trial proceedings. The security forces maintained a heavy presence during the trial sessions and one of the senior lawyers for the defence, Gustav Kawer, was threatened with prosecution, in violation of his right under Indonesian law and international standards to carry out his professional duties in defending clients in court. Amnesty International considers all five men to be prisoners of conscience.

The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), held its thirteenth session from 21 May to 4 June 2012. The review of Indonesia was held at the 5th meeting on 23 May 2012. A number of countries used the session to question Indonesia on the human rights situation in West Papua including questioning the Indonesian government on its handling of human rights violations, such as the torture of civilians, shootings and killings in Papua

Amnesty International in its annual report for 2012 also criticized the Indonesian security forces stating, “Security forces faced repeated allegations of torturing and otherwise ill-treating detainees, particularly peaceful political activists in areas with a history of independence movements such as Papua and Maluku. Independent investigations into such allegations were rare”

In April 2012 Amnesty released a report “Indonesia must end impunity for police violence” “Police in Indonesia shoot, beat and even kill people without fear of prosecution, leaving their victims with little hope of justice” and “despite a decade of supposed reform – officers continue to be implicated in shootings and beatings of peaceful individuals during protests, land disputes and even day-to-day arrests. Criminal investigations into human rights violations by the police are rare, punishments light and Indonesia has no independent national body to deal effectively with public complaints”.

The Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) also alleged that the National Police made widespread use of torture in their detention centers to extract information from detainees. ELSAM claimed in its quarterly report that at least 10 detainees, out of 22 cases of torture it investigated, had died in police detention. The ELSAM survey, conducted between January and April, found that 32 individuals had been tortured. “We found that 12 of the 22 cases of torture against detainees were committed by active-duty police officers. This shows that despite massive media reporting about the practice the police have not yet learned their lesson and still resort to violence to collect information,” said ELSAM researcher Wahyudi Djafar (Jakarta Post 4 June 2012)

In the past year there was a large number of shootings and clashes between armed groups throughout West Papua. Although the security forces usually tried to blame the OPM, many of the culprits of the attacks have yet to be found. However, the security forces conducted military operations in response to some of these attacks leaving the local people in fear and traumatized by the military operations. Numerous reports have pointed out that it is in the interests of the Indonesian military to provoke conflict in West Papua and every incident cannot be blamed on the OPM. There are also militia groups operating in West Papua.

There were also a large number of rallies held by peaceful demonstrators in the past year, which should confirm to the international community that the issue of West Papua is not going away.

Concern about journalists alleged to be serving TNI interests

Civil society organisations have been very successful in raising awareness of the human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua. In response to the increased awareness of the situation it appears the Indonesian security forces are using journalists as agents to gather information on activists in West Papua. An article in Bintang Papua (17 July 2012) reported that eleven journalists working in Papua are alleged to be passing on information to the Indonesian army’

and

“The fact that eleven journalists may be assisting the TNI is having a detrimental impact on those journalists who work in conformity with the ethical code because people may very well suspect these other journalists of working in the interests of certain interests or institutions”.

The Jayapura branch of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) raised concerns stating “'AJI is very concerned that a number of Papuan journalists may be agents of the military. If this is true, it would significantly damage the reputation of journalists who are neutral and who consistently serve the interests of the general public”.

The Indonesian security forces are also receiving media training from the UK Ministry of Defence. Antara News (23 July 2012) reported that “The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence will hold a training program on media operations for Indonesian military officers, starting Monday through Friday (July 27), as part of an effort to improve the defense forces` ability to work in the modern media environment. Deputy British Ambassador to Indonesia Rebecca Razavi noted that media had the power to influence people`s opinion and the way history was written. Therefore, she added, such training programs were essential for a good democracy”.

Australian - Indonesian relations

The whole island of New Guinea will always be strategically important to Australia and it is in the interests of the Australian Government to have a stable region to our north. However, in West Papua, the policies of the Indonesian Government, compounded by the actions of the Indonesian security forces will lead to the very instability the Australian Government is trying to avoid. West Papua is the one issue that could cause major friction between Australia and Indonesia and in its own interest, Australia should be addressing the question of how to solve the many issues of concern in the territory.

Although Indonesia has made great progress towards democracy in recent years, unfortunately this has not translated to an improvement in the human rights situation in West Papua. There are ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua with many recent reports documenting these abuses.

In 2013, it will be 50 years since Indonesian took over administration of West Papua from UNTEA in 1963 and the West Papuan people are still continuing their struggle for justice and self-determination. This continuing struggle by the West Papuan people should be noted by the Australian Government. It is an issue that is not going away and just by geographically alone we are involved.

Australia’s involvement

Australia helps train the Indonesian military.

The Australian Government states that “ the Australian Defence Force provides ongoing training to the Indonesian military that emphasizes human rights awareness, accountability and respect for the rule of law. We believe that our support for increased professionalism within Indonesia’s security forces will continue to result in improvements to their human rights record”.

AWPA is concerned greatly by the ties with the Indonesian security forces which the Lombok Treaty commits us to. We believe that any aid, training or the sharing of intelligence material with the Indonesian military could be used against the West Papuan people. Australia helps train Detachment 88 which has been involved in security operations in West Papua. A number of West Papuans have been killed and detained in operations in which Detachment 88 was involved.

At an Estimates hearing in October and in response to questions by Senator Di Natale, Deputy Commissioner Drennan reported that at the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC), there have been 702 students from Detachment 88. Eleven of those members of Detachment 88 have been from the Papua province and there is one member from Detachment 88 who is stationed in Papua province who has attended a course at JCLEC. There have been 6,932 students from the Indonesian National Police who have attended the JCLEC. At the hearing the Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Tony Negus said the AFP was taking precautions to ensure it wasn't supporting activities unacceptable to the Australian community And "If there was ever any taint of anyone we have trained, being involved in inappropriate activity, we would certainly have to review that level of support that we would provide," he told the hearing in Canberra.

AWPA believes it is now time for the AFP to investigate if any members of Detachment 88 they have trained has been involved in security operations in West Papua, which is outside their brief.

Australia to sell more military equipment to Indonesia

Extract from WAtoday (6 September 2012)

Australia will begin work on selling military hardware to Indonesia as Defence Minister Stephen Smith says he has ''no concerns'' about alleged human rights abuses by Indonesian soldiers in the restive province of West Papua. After a series of meetings over two days, Mr Smith and his Indonesian counterpart, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, signed a new ''Defence Co-operation Agreement'' with commitments about future exercises and, for the first time, a focus on the trade in defence equipment. The move stems from Australia's recent decision to give Indonesia four C-130 Hercules aircraft. Mr Smith has signaled he would be prepared to sell them six more, saying talks about opening up military trade were at an early stage, but would develop over the next 12 months. (

Australia raises concerns with Indonesian Government

During the year members of the Australian Government did raise concerns about the situation in West Papua although this is probably more in response to journalists asking questions on the issue. A small step but hopefully raising concerns about the situation in West Papua will become the norm on all visits by our politicians to Indonesia.

On his trip to Indonesia in mid July, Foreign Minister Bob Carr was questioned on the human rights situation in West Papua in a doorstop with interview journalists

From the Jakarta Post, 17 July

The Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, raised sensitive issues relating to alleged human rights abuses and violence in Indonesia’s poorest province, Papua, during a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Marty Natalegawa, on Monday. Marty said that Carr told him that Australia wanted the Indonesian government to promote transparency in matters concerning Papua. “But he also reiterated the principal position of Australia: that it recognizes Indonesia’s integrity and sovereignty which includes Papua,” Marty said at his office after the meeting with Carr. The Australian media had reported that Carr was aware of the human rights issues in Papua, and would bring the issue up in his Indonesian visit. Carr arrived in Indonesia on Friday, and has since visited several projects funded by the Australian government in Yogyakarta, including a village hit hard by Mount Merapi’s eruption in 2010. “We’ve quietly worked with the Indonesians to see that there, as elsewhere, reasonable standards of human rights protection are maintained,” Carr said in Yogyakarta.

Australia's Attorney-General Nicola Roxon who was on a visit to Indonesia was asked about the crackdown on a number of peaceful rallies held in West Papua in October. She told Radio Australia (23 October) that any cases of alleged abuse by the security forces must be properly investigated. Ms Roxon said Australia's ambassador and Foreign Affairs department is looking into the latest reports of the West Papua violence. "Any incidence of conflict and violence in the Papuan province is of a real concern both to us and to the Indonesian government," Ms Roxon said. "Australia is very firmly committed to making sure that any abuses or any alleged abuses by security forces in Papua will be properly investigated and punished."

Dialogue with Jakarta

The West Papuan people have been calling for dialogue with Jakarta for years as a way of trying to solve the many issues of concern in West Papua. However, statements from members of the government in the past year have not been encouraging. Statements such as that from the deputy chairman of Commission 1, Tubagus Hasanuddin (reported in a Jakarta Globe article "House bangs drum of war in Papua”)

“To keep Papua integrated with the country we must encourage the TNI to do what they have to do in Papua"and " that the House was yet to give political support for any TNI offensive against the separatist movement in Papua, but it would not hesitate to back it if the occasion demanded".

In July President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that separatism of any kind in Indonesia must be stopped because it poses a serious threat to national integrity. "The attempts of those who want to secede from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) are best described not as the freedom of speech but as separatism. It must be stopped," the President said during his speech to the National Defence Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) cadets at the Magelang Military Academy. These statements must create fear in the West Papuan people who have already suffered so much from Indonesian military operations.

West Papua National Committee rally in May

In May the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) held a number of rallies to protest the handover of West Papua by the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) to Indonesia on the 1st May in 1963. One person was killed and 13 protesters arrested by the security forces at one rally held at the grave of Chief Theys Eluay. The Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial) condemned the shooting in Papua.

Photos of the rally that took place in Manokwari at

http://westpapuamedia.info/2012/05/01/mass-rallies-across-west-papua-challenge-anniversary-of-indonesian-invasion/

Attack on the village of Honai Lama

In June there was an attack by the military on the village of Honai Lama, a sub district of Wamena in the Baliem Valley. One person was killed and up to 17 wounded in the attack by the security forces. The head of the Jayawijaya district said that the security forces also set fire to 37 homes.

The attack on the village was sparked by a road accident in which a child was knocked down while he was playing by the side of the road by two soldiers on motorbikes from Kostrad, the Indonesian Army's strategic reserve. The villagers turned on the soldiers and in the melee that followed the soldiers were dragged from their motorcycles and one died after allegedly being stabbed. The national police spokesman, Saud Usman Nasution said "following the road accident soldiers from the local military arrived in two trucks and took revenge by firing gunshots toward local residents and setting a number of houses on fire." During the revenge attack local villagers were beaten up and stabbed by the military members and vehicles parked in front of houses were also burned. This attack shows how unprofessional and undisciplined the Indonesian military can be.

15 human rights activists arrested in Jayapura

In July 15 members of the Papuan Solidarity for Human Rights Victims organization (SKPHP) were arrested while they were engaged in collecting money from the general public to cover the costs of medical treatment for political prisoners and other prisoners now being held in Abepura. The police said that they had dispersed the people because SKPHP had not registered with the provincial administration. However, a member of SKPHP told JUBI that before undertaking the action they had notified the police of their intentions in both Abepura and Jayapura. One member said that this was an act of intimidation against human rights activists and that it represented an assault against their democratic rights. SKPHP is an organisation which supports political prisoners in Papua and they regularly do fund raising to buy medicines for prisoners.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

In August there was a crackdown by the Indonesian security forces on two peaceful rallies in West Papua. Both rallies were commemorating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. In Serui, on Yapen Island, the security forces consisting of a Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and military from the 1709 District Military Command blocked hundreds of peaceful protesters as they marched on the morning of the 9th of August. During the protest the security forces fired their guns into the air to disperse the protesters, causing many to flee in fear. According to Amnesty International at least seven people were arbitrarily arrested during and after the demonstration including a pregnant women and they are being held at the Yapen District police station. The Jakarta Globe (August 11) reported that in Manokwari ten people were arrested as they marched also celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. The police accused them of being involved in a seditious act because the West Papuan National flag was waved during the rally. We point out that at no time did any of the demonstrators commit violence and they were simply marching peacefully celebrating a UN proclaimed day.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 – 2004). In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005 – 2015, with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity."

Security operations

There have been a number of security operations (sweeps) in the Paniai region during the year. In August after a police officer was shot and killed the police raided homes and arbitrarily arrested innocent civilians. At least five homes were torched by police officers local activists reported and at least 15 civilians were tortured. The police denied the claims saying they were in pursuit of the suspects according to procedures. Authorities also imposed a curfew in the district. Statements from members of the government at the time are of concern as they imply the security forces can act with impunity in their sweeping operations".

The Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto said that “the government’s heavy-handed response to the recent shootings in Papua should not be misconstrued as a human rights violation, as it was a risk that had to be taken in locating the perpetrators” and “We will take all necessary action to track them down, so don’t blame us for any human rights violations”, because they are the human rights violators who terrorize members of the security forces and the people of the land,” Djoko said at his ministry, after a coordination meeting with the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman, National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Agus Suhartono on Thursday. (Jakarta Post 24 August 2012)

In September another security operations occurred in Paniai causing great concern among the local people who live in fear because of the continuous searches of their homes in villages in the region. During the operations the security forces confiscated bows and arrows, and other sharp instruments. Local people are also afraid to work in their gardens. A report in Majalah Selangkah said the local community had asked that there be no more troops sent to the region and those troops already in the area to be withdrawn. According to the police the security operations are related to shootings in the region by suspected OPM members.

Crackdown on the West Papua National Committee (KNPB)

The following is a brief summary concerning the crackdown on peaceful activists by the Indonesian security forces in West Papua. It is by no means exhaustive. One of the reasons for the crackdown on the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) is that through peaceful activism the KNPB is successfully raising awareness about the plight of the West Papuan people abroad. The last thing Jakarta wants is the international community focusing on the human rights abuses in West Papua.

In one horrific incident the security forces killed Mako Tabuni, deputy chairman of the KNPB on the 14 June. The police claimed he was armed and resisting arrest but witnesses said he was not armed when shot by the security forces which included members of the Australian trained Detachment 88.

On the 29 of September eight members of KNPB were arrested by the security forces (including by members of Detachment 88). They were arrested during a raid on the KNPB Regional Secretariat in Wamena and were accused of having been involved in a bomb incident in Wamena. The KNPB claim the explosives were planted and that they were being framed to justify the squads (Detachment 88) activities. Victor Yeimo of the KNPB said “We are the non-violent activists in West Papua. We will fight for our right of freedom according to the peaceful means in West Papua. We demand our right of self-determination to a referendum to be held in West Papua by UN peacefully and democratically”.

On the 16 of October a group of Indonesian intelligent agents raided a boarding house to arrest Danny Wenda and Fanny Kogoya who is a human rights defender from the Papuan women’s network TIKI. This is part of the security forces strategy to intimidate human rights defenders and civil society organisations in West Papua

On the 18 October the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released an urgent action concerning the arbitrary arrest of five Papuan activists in Jayapura on the 12 October 2012. The five activists were arrested on the allegation of involvement in importing or distributing explosive materials. Several weeks before the arrest, two bombs were found at the secretariat of the West Papuan National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) in Wamena and the police suspected Yasons along with his friends to be linked to it. The allegation, however, could not be proven and the police later released the activists after their 24 hours of arrest

On the 23 October the security forces cracked down on peaceful rallies that were held in a number of towns throughout West Papua including in Timika, Sorong, Biak, Merauke, Yahukimo Jayapura and Manokwari. The rallies were organised by the KNPB to draw attention to the UN the human rights abuses suffered by the West Papuan people and in support of the IPWP meeting in London.

During the rallies on the 23rd, a Jakarta Globe stringer and SuaraPapua.com reporter

Oktovianus Pogau was choked and beaten

by police as he attempted to report on the protest. Oktovianus was videotaping

the scene when he was approached by a plainclothes officer and told to leave. When he refused a second officer attacked him from behind and in Manokwari 11 people were arrested.

Amnesty International raised concerns about the crackdown on the rally in Manokwari

“It is unacceptable that people who have gathered for a protest should have to fear for their lives. The indiscriminate use of firearms and excessive force against protesters by the security forces has to stop – it is a violation of international law.” said Isabelle Arradon, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director

At the end of October a security operation involving members of Detachment 88 caused Villagers from Kampung Maribu, West Sentani to flee into the jungle in fear of their lives. A KNPB report said Detachment 88 had invaded the house of Terrianus Sato who is a member of the National Parliament of Tabi region. Terrianus family and other residents in the village fled into the woods and were for calling international protection.

On the 30 October six activists were arrested by a combined team of police, Detachment 88 while in a rented house in Jalan Merpati, Gang Merpati III, Youtefa Market, Village Awiyo, Abepura District, Jayapura. The police said they found hundreds of rounds of ammunition which is why the activists were arrested.

On the 4 November a traffic officer found a leader of KNPB in the Fak-Fak regency, Paul Horis dead by the roadside and another member of the KNPB, Klisman Woi who was critically injured. Klisman Woi died the following day. A member of the executive of KNPB sent the following account of the attacks. “The two activists had hired a motorcycle and were later found by a member of the traffic police who realized that the two men were both in a critical condition. They were lying on the road in terrible shape but the motorcycle they had been riding on was not damaged, there were no scratches or signs of damage of any kind”. Victor Yeimo believes they were victims of an attack by the Indonesian Special Forces.

Paul Horis ……………. Klisman Woi

On the 16 December two members of the KNPB were killed by the security forces during a security operation in Wamena. Hubertus Mabel and Natalis were shot in Kurulu and later died. Police also arrested five other members of the KNPB.

Police claim Hubertus was resisting arrest and they shot him when he tried to escape. He died from loss of blood in hospital. There have been reports that the Australian trained Detachment 88 was involved in the security operation in which the KNPB members were killed. During the security operation the sound of gunfire was heard by local people and was believed to be clashes between the TPN (the military wing of the OPM) and the Indonesian security forces. In protest at the killing of the KNPB members the local population set fire to a small empty police station in Wamena. A spokesman for the KNPB said that Hubertus had been immobilized by being shot in the legs and when he was arrested along with Natalis Alua, the two of them did nothing to resist arrest yet nevertheless they were shot and 'that Hubertus was severely beaten and stabbed in the chest.

Shootings in West Papua

The incidents below are just a small number of the cases of shootings in West Papua in the past year. The situation in the territory is very complex with many actors involved. Many of the cases of shootings go unsolved. Perpetrators are regularly referred to as unknown gunmen or armed gangs although the security forces usually try to blame the OPM. Analysts believe some incidents are turf wars between the police and army over resources. However, combined with regular military operations they are creating a people traumatized and living in fear.

Jan. 9. Two employees of a PT Freeport Indonesia’s contractor, PT Kuala Pelabuhan Indonesia, Thomas Bagensa and Nasyum Simapoiref, were shot dead at Mile 51 and their bodies set on fire.

2 Feb. A motorcycle taxi driver is in hospital after being shot by an unidentified man for no apparent reason. Police said that the victim, Daeng Yonri, was being treated in hospital. “Daeng Yonri has been severely wounded. Now we are trying all we can to save him,” Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said on Thursday. He said a team of police officers and army soldiers were hunting the perpetrators. Wachyono said Yonri was the third shooting victim so far this month. The other shooting victims, both killed, are a civilian identified as Kismarovit and First. Brig. Sukarno, a member of the Papua Mobile Brigade.

9 Feb. Two employees of mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia’s subcontractor, CV Yawapu, Benny Yamamo and Phiter Tumoka, were shot on Thursday by an unidentified person at Mile 37 while driving from Nayaro village to Timika. Four other people in the car were injured by glass fragments,” Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said in Jayapura. Wachyono did not mention the condition of the two victims or whether they survive the ambush.

7 Feb. A shooting occurred Tuesday morning at mining company PT Freeport Indonesia’s Mile 37 in Tanggul Timur. Papua Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit member First Brig. Ronald Sopamena was killed in the gunfight.

8 March. An Indonesia soldier shot Thursday morning during a firefight in Puncak Jaya, Papua has died, Indonesian Military (TNI) officials said. First Pvt. Laode was rushed to Mulia Hospital in critical condition earlier today after a group of armed men opened fire on a military truck heading to Mulia, the capital of Papua’s Puncak Jaya district. The soldiers exchanged fire with the attackers. Laode suffered a gunshot wound in the attack. The men then took his rife. Doctors at Mulia Hospital transfered the soldier to Jayapura’s Marthen Indey Military Hospital for further treatment. But doctors were unable to save the man.

26 March. An army officer died on Sunday in Skamto, Jayapura, after he was stabbed by an unidentified man. Antara news agency reported that the incident had taken place at 5:20 p.m. local time when Pfc. M. Ikhsan, with the Yon 751 BS platoon, called out in front of his guard post. Suddenly, a car stopped and someone from the car stabbed him in the chest. Ikhsan was rushed to Koya community health center and then to Dian Harapan Hospital, which is located 15 kilometers away. He died at the hospital because of the severity of his wound. (The Jakarta Post, 26/3)

8 April. Gunmen fired on a small plane as it landed at Mulia Airport, Puncak Jaya. One passenger was killed and four people wounded including both pilots. The management of Trigana Air said they would suspend services to the regency until the authorities could guarantee security at the airport. The military accused the OPM for the attack but the OPM has denied they were responsible. More than three weeks after the attack airlines are still not flying to the destination

14 April. A convoy of Freeport Indonesia cars was attacked twice on the road linking Tembagapura and the company’s Grasberg mine although no one was injured. The Jakarta Globe reported that “A group of unidentified men shot the convoy at mile 26. The bullets hit the back windows of cars. The mobile brigadier and the Indonesian military were quick to aid the convoy. The cars, however, were shot again a second time at mile 36. (Jakarta Globe 16/4)

17 May. A motorcycle taxi driver was shot dead by an unknown person in Mulia, Puncak Jaya. The victim was identified as Arkilaus Refwutu.

29 May. Anton Arung Tambila, an elementary school schoolteacher in Puncak Jaya was fatally shot by an unknown person on Tuesday evening, May 29, 2012.

On the same day a German tourist, Dietmar Pieper was shot by an unknown person while walking with his wife Eva Medina at Base G beach near Jayapura. Dietmar was evacuated to a Singapore hospital on Saturday morning. He was transported by a Medivac aircraft that also stopped in Denpasar, Bali, to pick up portable oxygen needed by Helmut during the flight.

5 June. A university student was stabbed and beaten to death by a group of men on his way home in Jayapura, Papua, late on Sunday 5 June. The victim, identified as Jimi Ajudh Purba, 19, was driving his motorcycle heading to his boarding house in a neighborhood in Abepura, Jayapura, when a convoy of men driving motorcycles was heading in the opposite direction. Seeing the group, Ajudh pulled over, but the gang suddenly attacked him, stabbed him in the ribs and left hand several times. The convoy immediately fled the scene.

7 July Three people were killed, one soldier and two civilians on Saturday 7th July. The latest killings took place at Ndeotadi village in Bogobaida district, Paniai regency. The three victims have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer Sunaryo, 51, a member of Paniai Military District Command; Rosmini, 28, and Aco, 18. They were found dead with wounds all over their bodies and the case is still being investigated.

29 August. There was an attack on a convoy of trucks In the Puncak Jaya district. Two trucks carrying building materials and staple goods were stopped in the Tingginambut area of Puncak Jaya by armed men, who opened fire on the vehicles before setting them ablaze

10 September. A police officer guarding a road project in Jayapura was gunned down by unknown assailants. He was shot 14 times.

14 September. Gunmen fired on a Freeport Indonesia car in Mimika. Members of the Indonesian Military were riding in the car and one soldier was injured from broken glass in the attack. No one was killed

17 September. Two Freeport cars were also attacked by unknown gunmen on the road between Timika and the Grasberg mine. No casualties were reported.

28 Dec. Bintang Papua report. Seven Papuan fisherman were shot by members of the TNI (Indonesian army) near Pulau Papan district, Misol Perairan Raja Apat, West Papua. It is not clear why they were shot, but one TNI soldier is now being questioned by POM, the military police in Puncak Rafidin. The commander of 1704/Sorong, Lieut-Col. Rachman Zulkarnain refused to make any comment about the incident but he did not deny that a TNI solider was being interrogated by the military police. They were still trying to find out more about those responsible for the shooting. 'I want the process to continue , until we can decide who should be charged for the incident,' said Zulkarnain.

West Papua -one of our nearest neighbours

West Papua is one of our nearest neighbours. The West Papuan people face great challenges including ongoing human rights abuses, the exploitation of their natural resources with little benefit for themselves, the danger of becoming a minority in their own land as the result of migrants arriving daily and a HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Recommendations

To the Australian Government

In light of the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua, AWPA urges the Australian Government

to raise concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President and to urge the Indonesian Government to release all West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

to re- think its policy of ties with the Indonesian military until such time that Indonesian military personnel involved in past human rights abuses are brought to justice and the culture of the Indonesian military becomes of an acceptable standard to both the Australian people and Australian military.

to urge the AFP to investigate if any members of Detachment 88 they have trained has been involved in security operations in West Papua, which is outside their brief.

to urge the Indonesian Government to dialogue with genuine representatives of the West Papuan people who have been calling for dialogue with Jakarta for years. AWPA believes the Australian Government can play an important role in encouraging the Indonesian Government to dialogue with representatives of the West Papuan leadership to try and solve all the issues of concern in West Papua.

to request permission from the Indonesian Government to allow a cross-party parliamentary fact finding mission to West Papua to not only investigate the human rights situation in the territory but to see how Australia can help the West Papuan people in capacity building in the fields of health and education.

We thank the Australian Government for the funding it has already given to aid projects in West Papua but urge more aid-funding to support health programs and medical organizations (local and international) working on the ground in West Papua and in the long term to support the training of the West Papuan people themselves as health professionals. There are a number of Indigenous human rights NGOs in West Papua and the Australian Government can strengthen the human rights situation in West Papua by supporting these organisations with financial aid, capacity building and education.

To the Indonesian Government

It is now 50 years since Indonesia took over administration of West Papua from UNTEA in 1963. They are ongoing human rights abuses, military operations and the exploitation of the national resources of West Papua with little benefit for the West Papuan people. The problems in West Papua wont be solved by sending more troops or by more military operations.

We urge the Indonesian Government to take up the offer of dialogue from genuine representatives the West Papuan people to try and solve the issues of concern in the territory.

to release all West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

to ensure that all cases of human rights violations committed by the security forces in West Papua are investigated and those found guilty of human rights abuses are prosecuted.

to improve the health services for the West Papuan people by more funding to support health programs and medical organizations (local and international) working on the ground in West Papua and to support the training of the West Papuan people themselves as health professionals.

To the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders

to raise the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President and to urge the Indonesian Government to release all West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

to request permission from the Indonesian Government to allow a MSG fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory.

We note that the MSG has granted observer status to Indonesia at the MSG and AWPA urges the MSG to now support full membership for the Melanesian people of West Papua at the next MSG Summit to be held in New Caledonia (Kanaky) in 2013.

To Pacific Islands Forum leaders

to discuss the human rights situation in West Papua at the 44th Pacific Islands Forum to be held in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in 2013.

to raise the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President and to urge the Indonesian Government to release all West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.

to request permission from the Indonesian Government to allow a PIF fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory.

to grant observer status to genuine representatives of the Melanesian people of West Papua who are struggling for their right to self-determination . We note that the PIF has granted observer status to Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank, the Word Bank, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States Secretariat. New Caledonia and French Polynesia, previously Forum Observers are now Associate Members with Timor Leste having Special Observer status. We believe that the time is now right to bring representatives of the Melanesian people of West Papua back into the Pacific community.

The issue of West Papua will not disappear and AWPA believes that it should be of great concern to the Forum that the situation in West Papua could deteriorate further. The West Papuan people have been calling for dialogue with Jakarta for years (under third party mediation) and AWPA believes the PIF can play an important role in helping facilitate such a dialogue between genuine representatives of the West Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government.

Individuals. Various human rights organisation put out urgent actions in relation to West Papua. If you would like to be added to a list for U/A’s on West Papua which people can responded to, contact AWPA or subscribe to lists below. See further information.

Sources

The information in the report is based on the many urgent actions and reports released by civil society organisations and human rights defenders in West Papua and from reports from international NGO’s. AWPA also monitors the Indonesian and the local media in West Papua. Photos in the section on the KNPB are from the organisations own web site. Photos of the attack on the village of Honai Lama are on the West Papua Media web page. http://westpapuamedia.info and have appeared in a number of urgent actions on the incident.

Further information.

Contact, Joe Collins. AWPA (Sydney) email: bunyip@bigpond.net.au

There are a number of email lists available to receive information on West Papua which can be subscribed to. A few below.

AWPA-Australia@yahoogroups.com

freewestpapuacampaign@lists.riseup.net ,

reg.westpapua@lists.riseup.net

About the Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

The Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) is a human rights organisation focusing on the territory of West Papua. AWPA’s role is to lobby both the Australian Government and the International Community to raise concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua. The West Papuan people face great challenges including ongoing human rights abuses, the exploitation of their natural resources with little or no benefit to themselves, the danger of becoming a minority in their own land and a HIV/AIDS epidemic. AWPA raises awareness in the international community about the historical wrongs and history of West Papua and supports the right of the West Papuan people to self-determination.

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au

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