AWPA_p-r-e-s-s_r-e-l-e-a-s-e-s

8 February 2008

AWPA Calls on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to raise the issue of West Papua with the Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda

Joe Collins from the Australia West Papua Association said that AWPA is still concerned about the ties with the Indonesian military that the Lombok Treaty committs us to. (The treaty came into force on Thursday at a ceremony in Perth which was attended by the foreign ministers of Australia and Indonesia.

Prime Minister Rudd will meet with the Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda in Sydney today. Joe Collins from the AWPA said that “West Papua will be one of our most pressing foreign policy issues in the future, here is the opportunity for the Prime Minister to raise the issue of West Papua with the Indonesian Foreign Minister. We all want to have good relations with our neighbours but good relations with Jakarta should not be at the expense of the West Papuan people who are struggling for their right to self-determination”.

Australian governments of all persuasions have believed that a stabilised region to our north is our best defence. Kevin Rudd gave a talk last July to the Lowy Institute on the very subject called Fresh Ideas for Future Challenges: A New Approach to Australia's Arc of Instability. In discussing Australian-Indonesian relations, however, there was no mention of West Papua. Yet it is the Indonesian military that are one of the main destabilising factors in West Papua. The activities of the military, their involvement in human rights abuses and resource extraction will lead to the very instability the government is trying to avoid.

The message that Kevin Rudd should give to the Indonesian Foreign Minister to take back to the Indonesian President is that Jakarta should dialogue with the West Papuan leadership to try and solve the many issues of concern in West Papua.

We know from history that dialogue is the beginning of the political resolution of such conflicts. To quote from Nelson Mandela, “One of our strongest weapons is dialogue”.

Joe Collins

11 January 2008

8 people dead and 35 treated in hospital in West Papua

Following a Christmas celebration in Arui village in West Papua , 8 people died and 35 suffered suspected poising with symptoms including high temperature, stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea.

Unfortunately the cause of such deaths in West Papua are never found. Autopsies are rare and as in this case the local hospital has no facility to test for the causal agent.. Given the heightened tension between the occupying Indonesian forces and the Indigenous West Papuan people, such deaths are often interpreted as deliberate tampering with and poisoning of food.

Whatever the reason in this particular tragedy , what is evident is the failure by the Indonesian authorities to provide basic health care to the West Papuan people.

This and many other similar situations explain why the West Papuan people reject special autonomy. In the six years since special autonomy was introduced, supposedly to improve the lives of the West Papuan people , health remains a major concern.

Dr Anne Noonan, MAPW member (Medical Association for Prevention of War), said

“West Papua has half of all the diagnosed cases† of HIV AIDS† in Indonesia (at 20 times the rate of the rest of Indonesia) Malaria remains endemic , and tuberculosis, including new drug resistant strains is increasing. Infant mortality rates are 50 plus per thousand live births and† are amongst the highest in the world. (Half of the infant deaths are due to Malaria). Maternal mortality rates are rising in many areas, due to malnutrition. “

The resources of the territory of West Papua earn vast revenue for Indonesia through mining, gas and logging. Yet the health of the people of West Papua is the worst in Indonesia.

Attached is a detailed report of the deaths and poisoning in Arui village.

Further info
Dr Anne Noonan (02) 99690922
Medical Association for Prevention of War
Paula Makabory Mob. 0402547517
ELSHAM/IPHAR

11 December 2007

AWPA Calls on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to raise the issue of West Papua with the Indonesian President.

Joe Collins of the Australia West Papua Association said “we congratulate Prime Minister Rudd on ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. However, if he is serious about the environment and climate change he should raise the issue of the Indonesian military's involvement in illegal logging and forest destruction in West Papua with the Indonesian President”.

A report by two conservation groups: the Environmental Investigation Agency and Telapak, revealed that the TNI are involved in illegal logging in West Papua.

The report , “The Last Frontier - Illegal Logging in Papua" reveals that the military in Papua are involved in every aspect of illegal logging. It reported that military personnel are frequently employed as security for logging operations and that the army is also used to intimidate local communities opposed to logging operations on their lands.

The rate of the deforestation in Indonesia is one of the fastest in the world which has also made the country one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.

West Papua still has some of the largest tracts of tropical rainforest left in South East Asia and the Pacific. However, the Indonesian government is looking more to the forests of West Papua to replace their own exploited forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan . The great demand for palm oil to produce biofuel and palm oil products has also caused the Indonesian Government to look to clearing the forests of West Papua for palm oil plantations. Tropical forests replaced by palm oil plantations means increased global warming.

AWPA calls on Prime Minister Rudd to raise the connection between the Indonesian military's involvement in forest destruction, human rights abuses and global warming with the Indonesian president.

Info. Joe Collins

Press release 15 October 2007

Forum leaders should raise West Papua with Indonesia

AWPA -Sydney urges the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tonga this week to discus the gravely deteriorating situation in West Papua.

There are ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua and since last year’s PIF meeting, the situation has deteriorated with increasing intimidation of human rights defenders and church leaders to stop them bringing to the world’s attention the human rights abuses being committed by the police and military in West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said “Because Australia has signed a treaty with Indonesia, The Lombok Treaty, it is to be expected that Australia will try and keep West Papua off the agenda. However, it is hoped the other Pacific leaders including the New Zealand Prime Minister will raise concerns about the human rights situation in the territory.

It should be remembered that West Papua has always been considered part of the Pacific Community. Netherlands New Guinea, as West Papua was then known, was a member of the South Pacific Commission (SPC), a forerunner to the PIF. A West Papuan representative attended the first SPC Conference and West Papuans continued to participate in the SPC meetings until the Dutch ceded their authority to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) in 1962.

It’s time for West Papua to be brought back into the Pacific community by the Forum. West Papua sould be granted observer status as has already been granted to a number of non-sovereign territories, Collins said.

Indonesia attends the PIF as a post forum dialogue partner. If the Forum granted observer status to West Papua, the Forum could become an excellent arena for the Indonesian and West Papuan representatives to meet and attempt to solve the many issues of concern in West Papua.

Info. Joe Collins

Press release 30 September 2007

AWPA calls on the Pacific Islands Forum leaders to grant observer status to West Papua.

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) believes it is time for West Papua to be granted observer status at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Tonga in October.

At last year’s PIF meeting in Nadi, the Forum invited the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Secretariat and Asian Development Bank to become Forum observers, joining the other Forum observers of East Timor, Tokelau and the French territories of New Caledonia (Kanaky) and French Polynesia. The Forum Leaders also approved the application of New Caledonia and French Polynesia for associate membership of the Forum.

In an open letter to PIF leaders, Joe Collins of AWPA said “ it was encouraging
to see the increasing number of non -self governing territories and organisations being invited to join the Forum as observers and believes the time has come for the territory of West Papua to be also granted observer status at the PIF. The Forum leaders talk about inclusiveness and a Pacific vision but the grand idea of a Pacific vision looks rather flat if the Forum dissociates itself from over 1.5 million Melanesian people in West Papua”, Collins said.

There are ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua and since last year’s PIF meeting, the situation has deteriorated. There appears to be a systematic campaign by the military and police to intimidate any individual or organisation whom they (the military and police) deem to be separatists.

The issue of West Papua will not disappear and AWPA believes that regional organisations such as PIF can play an important role in helping facilitate dialogue between the West Papuan leadership and representatives of the Indonesian Government to try and solve peacefully the many issues of concern in West Papua. For years the West Papuan people have been calling on the international community to support such dialogue. As Indonesia is a Post Forum Dialogue partner at the Forum, this would be an excellent arena for such dialogue to take place. We know from history that dialogue is the beginning of the political resolution of such conflicts. To quote from Nelson Mandela "One of our strongest weapons is dialogue."

AWPA urges the Forum to grant observer status to West Papua at this year’s meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. By bringing West Papua into the Pacific community the Forum will help the people of West Papua in their struggle for self determination.

Info. Joe Collins

Press release 10 September 2007

Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders should grant observer status to the people of West Papua.

In an open letter to leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) has called on the leaders of the MSG countries to grant observer status to the Melanesian people of West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said that one of the MSG’s founding principals was “to promote co-operation among independent Melanesian nations and to assist other Melanesian states that are not yet free”.

AWPA is encouraged by this statement and believe all of Melanesia should support the people of West Papua in their struggle for self-determination.

The MSG has accorded Observer status to the people of Kanaky (New Caledonia) represented by the Front de Libération National Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS). We believe its timely that the Melanesian people of West Papua be also granted similar status.

The issue of West Papua will not disappear and AWPA believes that regional organisations such as the MSG can play an important role in helping facilitate dialogue between the West Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government. For many years the West Papuan people have been calling on the international community to support such dialogue as a way of solving the grave issues of concern in West Papua.

We urge the MSG to grant observer status to the Melanesian people of West Papua at its meeting in September 2007.

Info. Joe Collins. Mob. 04077 8597

Open letter to leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group
Dear Prime Minister,

On behalf of the Australia West Papua Association (Sydney), I am writing to you concerning the issue of West Papua . We would first like to congratulate the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) on its historical meeting in Vanuatu in March,
for the signing of the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s Constitution and on the decision to build a new MSG Secretariat in Port Vila, Vanuatu. AWPA would also like to thank you as a leader of a Pacific Islands Forum country for your support for the West Papuan people in the past, including at last years Pacific Islands Forum in Nadi, Fiji where West Papua was mentioned in the official Communiqué.

In relation to the MSG, we note in a report in the Diplomat magazine in August that the officer in charge of the MSG Secretariat, Johnny Koanapo, confirmed that “a future MSG “family” would likely include East Timor and West Papua” and that

“The MSG’s founding principal was “to promote co-operation among independent Melanesian nations and to assist other Melanesian states that are not yet free”.

We are encouraged by this statement and believe all of all Melanesian should support the people of West Papua in their struggle for self-determination.

We note that observer status is accorded to the people of Kanaky (New Caledonia) at the MSG, represented by the Front de Libération National Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS). We believe the time is now right for the Melanesian people of West Papua to be also granted observer status at the MSG.

AWPA believes the situation in West Papua is deteriorating and that there is a systematic campaign by the military and police to intimidate any individual or organisation whom they (the military and police) deem to be separatists. This intimidation has increased since Col. Burhanuddin Siagian who is commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command (Korem 172) in Papua, stated that “If I meet anyone who has enjoyed the facilities that belong to the state, but who still betrays the nation, I honestly will destroy him”. Col. Siagian has been indicted twice for crimes against humanity in East Timor. There has been a call from human rights organisations from around the world for his removal.

These acts of intimidation by the security forces appear to be a return to the hard-line policy of the Suharto years and is causing increasing tension and instability in West Papua which could eventually lead to instability in the region.

The issue of West Papua will not disappear and AWPA believes that regional organisations such as the MSG can play an important role in helping facilitate dialogue between the West Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government. The West Papuan people have been calling on the international community for years to support such dialogue as a way of solving the many issues of concern in West Papua.

We urge the MSG at its upcoming meeting in September in Vanuatu to grant observer status to the Melanesian people of West Papua, as it has to the Melanesian people of Kanaky (New Caledonia).

We also urge the MSG to raise concerns about the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua with the Indonesian government and to urge the Indonesian government to dialogue with the West Papuan leadership to peacefully solve the many issues of concern in the territory.

Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)

Press release 3 September 2007

Howard should raise the issue of West Papua with Indonesian President at APEC

The Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) calls on Prime Minister Howard to raise the issue of West Papua with the Indonesian President at APEC.

AWPA believes that West Papua will be one of our most pressing foreign policy issues in the future.

Joe Collins of AWPA said that “the situation in West Papua is deteriorating and that there is a systematic campaign by the military and police to intimidate any individual or organisation whom they (the military and police) deem to be separatists. These acts of intimidation by the security forces appear to be a return to the hard-line policy of the Suharto years and is causing increasing tension and instability in West Papua which could eventually lead to instability in the region”.

APEC is the perfect opportunity for the Prime Minister to discuss West Papua with the Indonesian President. He should raise concerns about the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua and urge President Yudhoyono to dialogue with the West Papuan leadership to peacefully solve the many issues of concern in the territory.

The issue of West Papua will not disappear. It will only become the pebble in our shoe if it is ignored, Collins said.

Info. Joe Collins.

Press Release 21 August 2007

Australian Coalition of West Papua Support Groups

The 4th National Gathering of the Australian Coalition of West Papua Support Groups met in Sydney over the weekend of the 11-12 August to discuss and formulate campaigns to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses occurring in West Papua. The gathering also affirmed their support for the peaceful struggle of the West Papuan people to achieve their right to self-determination. (Article 1. The United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights).

Delegates at the gathering expressed great concern about the deteriorating situation in West Papua and at the systematic campaign by the military and police to intimidate any individual or organisation whom they (the military and police) deem to be separatists. The gathering also called for the removal and suspension from active duty of Col. Burhanuddin Siagian who is commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command (Korem 172) in Papua, Col. Siagian has been indicted twice for crimes against humanity in East Timor and according to a report in the Cenderawasih Post on 12 May 2007, Col Siagian threatened to destroy anyone who betrays Indonesia: “If I meet anyone who has enjoyed the facilities that belong to the state, but who still betrays the nation, I honestly will destroy him”. Since Col. Siagian made his statements there has been a marked increase in intimidation throughout West Papua and Indonesia and an increase in the number of civilian killings by security forces. There has also being an increase in (and reappearance of) civilian militias and an escalation in the intimidation of human rights defenders and church workers.

Lombok treaty,
In relation to the Lombok treaty, the gathering also condemned the ties with the Indonesian military to which this treaty commits us . The military are the core of the problem in West Papua and it is in the interest of the military to provoke and prolong conflict in in order to prove that they are needed to maintain law and order and control so called separatists groups. As the Indonesian military receive approximately only 45% of their budget from the government, they must raise the rest themselves. Much of this is done through illegal means such as illegal logging, mining, prostitution and offering to provide so called security to international companies such as the Freeport copper and gold mine.

However, the gathering has noted that the treaties committee has recommended that there be “an increase in transparency in defence cooperation agreements to provide assurance that Australian resources do not directly or indirectly support human rights abuses in Indonesia” and “The Committee recommends that the Australian Government encourage the Indonesian Government to allow greater access for the media and human rights monitors in Papua. However, unless these recommendations are actually incorporated into the treaty it will just be paying lip service to these concerns. We note that no mention was made of exchange of health information in the treaty e.g. in case of bird flu or similar epidemics nor of medical support.

Health
Health in West Papua continues to be a matter of major regional and international concern. West Papua has half of all the diagnosed cases of HIV AIDS in Indonesia (at 20 times the rate of the rest of Indonesia) Malaria remains endemic , and tuberculosis, including new drug resistant strains is increasing. Infant mortality rates are over 100 per thousand live births and are amongst the highest in the world. (Half of the infant deaths are due to Malaria). Maternal mortality rates is rising in many areas, due to malnutrition and increasing HIV AIDS infections. The WHO states that female literacy is the greatest protector against maternal mortality . However Papua has the seventh highest rate of illiteracy in Indonesia, with 200,000 people aged 12 to 45 years unable to read. In addition, more than 350,000 people over the age of 45 and living in rural areas in Papua cannot read and write.

TNI has not reformed
Numerous reports including the US State Department's 2005 Human Rights report has stated that “Security forces continued to commit unlawful killings of rebels, suspected rebels, and civilians in areas of separatist activity, where most politically motivated extrajudicial killings also occurred”, and an article in the Jakarta Post “military remains above the law, says rights watchdog” dated 27 December 2006, also reports that the military have made no progress in reforming itself. There have been a number of military operations in the highland regions of West Papua in the past year and particularly in the Puncak Jaya region. These operations caused thousands to flee to the bush for their safety and seriously disrupted the livelihood of the local people.

Militia groups
The increase in activity of militia groups in West Papua and Indonesia is of particular concern. At the beginning of July West Papuan students held protests in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta rejecting special autonomy and protesting the Indonesian government's decision to ban Congressman Faleomavega from visiting West Papua.
In response to these demonstrations the Indonesian police, military and local government in Yogyakarta teamed up with Islamic militias and hardline nationalist groups to intimidate West Papuan activists. According to local West Papuan activists, statements issued by the Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defenders Front) and Front Anti-Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Anti-Communist Front) have been made threatening West Papuan students.

These acts of intimidation of West Papuan students and NGO organisations by the security forces is causing increasing tension and instability in West Papua. It signifies a systematic campaign to target what appears to be separatists groups by the security forces and a return to the hardline policy of the Suharto years.

Other militia groups operating in West Papua including the Laskar Jihad group. Although it was reported that they disbanded after the Bali bombings members of the group have remained in West Papua. Other groups include the Satgas Merah-Putih (Red and White Task Force) and the Front Pembela Merah Putih (Red and White Defenders Front). None of these groups could operate with out the knowledge and consent of the military. They military have also created a false OPM (Free Papua Movement) to instigate incidents so the military can use such incidents to crack down on so called separatists groups.

Being aware of the Indonesian military's appalling human rights abuses and their involvement in illegal resource extraction, the National Gathering of the Australian Coalition of West Papua Support Groups calls on the Australian government to urge the Indonesian government to control its military who are one of the major causes of conflict in West Papua and order them to return to barracks where in a true democracy, they belong.

Further info:
Joe Collins 04077 85797
Neil Sullivan (08 ) 9328 1970

Groups in attendance supporting statement
Australia West Papua Association- Newcastle
Australia West Papua Association -South Australia
Australia West Papua Association- Sydney
Australia West Papua Association- WA
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
Indonesia Human Rights Committee-New Zealand
West Papua People's Representative Office-Vanuatu

Not in attendance but supporting statement
Australians for a Free West Papua-NT
Australia West Papua Association - SW Victoria

Press Release -24 July 2007

West Papuan political prisoner on hunger strike

Filep Karma a West Papuan political prisoner has been on hunger strike in prison in Jayapura. He went on hunger strike after receiving a letter from the authorities saying that he and fellow prisoner Yusak Pakage, would be moved from prison in Jayapura to a prison in Jakarta. His hunger strike imitates other political prisoners such as Gandhi who used it to protest British rule in India, Nelson Mandela who with other prisoners used it to improve prisoners’ treatment. In so doing they alerted the world to the injustices being perpetrated in their countries.

Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage received jail terms of 15 and 10 years for simply raising the West Papuan National Flag, The Morning Star at a peaceful celebration in Jayapura on the 1st December 2004. Filep Karma is a 45-year-old civil servant and Yusak Pakage, a 26-year-old student.

The Red Cross has been called and Filep Karma is at present in hospital in Jayapura. This is not the first time that Filep Karma has gone on hunger strike. Human Rights watch in its report ‘Protest and Punishment :political prisoners in Papua stated that

“While in pre-trial detention, Karma went on hunger-strike and took a vow of silence. He symbolized this by tying a white cloth around his mouth. When questioned by reporters as to why he was undertaking the hunger strike and vow of silence, Karma replied (in writing) that it was form of protest against the fact that he was being held as a political prisoner”

AWPA is concerned for the safety of both men if they are moved to Jakarta away from their family and friends.

AWPA believes there is a systematic campaign by the military and police to intimidate any individual or organisation whom they (the military and police) deem to be separatists. The removal of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage from West Papua should be seen in the light of removing two West Papuans who are a rallying point for those fighting injustice in West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said “that not only should the authorities allow Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage to remain in West Papua but they should be immediately released with all other West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people and as a way of easing tension in the territory”.

Info Joe Collins
-------------------------------
Background
Protest and Punishment: Political Prisoners in Papua Human rights Watch report
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/papua0207/

PRESS Release -8 July 2007

Eight West Papuans arrested after tribal council meeting

Eight West Papuan men and women have been arrested at the conclusion of a four-day Papuan Tribal congress meeting in Jayapura. They have been taken to the police station where they are being interrogated.

The reason the police gave for the arrest of the eight men and women is that the West Papuan national flag, the Morning Star was used in the opening ceremony of the conference. The flag was waved by a group of traditional dancers from Manokwari named "Sampari" which means Morning Star in the Biak language.

The newly elected head of the council, Forkorus Yoboisembut in a speech after his election, said his main job would be to fight for independence from Indonesia.

"This is the voice of the kampong people and we should fight for it together," he said to the cheers of the some 500 congress participants. "We do need better living standards, but (the ongoing) development or forced special autonomy that is underway should not stop West Papua's independence, since it is our right to determine our future and those who oppose this are violating our human rights." The congress was attended by participants from seven tribal regions in Papua and West Papua provinces.

Paula Makabory, Elsham representative in Australia said " These people have been arrested as part of a campaign to intimidate any group or organisation discussing self-determination which in a democratic country, like Indonesia claims to be, should be their right and it is a right guaranteed under the United Nations. These people were simply discussing the human rights situation and how to improve the lives of the people.

Joe Collins of the Australia West Papua Association said "a report released last week by the New York-based Human Rights Watch, details abuses by the Indonesian military in West Papua including the beating, rape and murder of people accused of belonging to the OPM, the Free Papua Movement. There is real fear about the safety of any West Papuan arrested or accused of being involved in so called separatist activity".

Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian who is commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command, Korem 172, is reported in the Cendrawasih Post, of the 7 July 2007, stating “that it is the duty of the TNI to crush any struggle or activity undertaken by any group in the community which tends towards separatism” and “'What is absolutely certain? is that anyone who tends towards separatism will be crushed by TNI”.

(An open letter to President Yudhoyono from a number of human rights organisations calling for the removal of Colonel Siagian from West Papua can be found at http://tapol.gn.apc.org/news/files/let070628.htm)

This report was released in the same week as the Australian Defense Minister, Brendan Neslon visited Jakarta to discuss ties with the same Indonesia military committing these abuses.

There should be no cooperation with the Indonesian military until it can be be proven that they have been reformed and in fact the international community should be isolating the TNI until such a time, otherwise the human rights abuses will continue, Collins said.

There is also concern for the safety of students who held a protest in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Wednesday where they held a demonstration rejecting special autonomy. The students unfurled a large banner with the picture of the Morning Star with the words "Referendum Yes" written on it.

Further info
Welem Bonay (for interviews in Indonesian)
Executive board of the traditional council
mob+ 852 80252669

Paula Makabory
Coordinator in exile of
International Human Rights Campaign, ELSHAM, West Papua
Mob. +61. 2. 0402 547 517

Joe Collins
Australia West Papua Association
Mob. + 61. 2. 04077 857 97
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Press release 19 April 2007

No ties with the Indonesian military.

Joe Collins from the Australia West Papua Association said there should be no ties with the Indonesian military until it can be proven that the TNI has been reformed.

The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Marshal Djoko Suyanto is on a visit to Canberra to strengthen military relations between the two nations.

Yet starting last December the TNI have being conducting a military operation in the Highlands of West Papua. This operation caused thousands of local people to flee to the bush where many faced starvation because they were afraid to return to their villages to work in their food gardens.

Also, numerous reports have shown that the Indonesian military are involved in illegal resource extraction in West Papua including illegal logging. It must be remembered that the TNI receive less than 50% of its budget from the government and must raise the rest themselves. AWPA said that it should be realized that any such institution would be open to corruption”. Joe Collins said that“ while such entrenched practices continue, it is highly unlikely that the professionalism of the Australian military will have any influence on the TNI”,

Many of the submissions into the recently signed Lombok treaty (yet to be ratified by parliament) also raised concerns about the Indonesian military. AWPA believes that any training or aid given to the Indonesian military could be used to oppress the West Papuan people.

Info. Joe Collins (+ 61 2 04077 857 97.

Press release 9 November 2006

Security treaty with Indonesia premature

The Australia West Papua Association spokesperson Joe Collins expressed grave concerns at the new security treaty with Indonesia.

AWPA is concerned that there is too much secrecy surrounding this security treaty. We do not know the full terms of this agreement or what the government is committing us to.

AWPA is particularly concerned that the treaty contains clauses that commits us to suppress Papuan independence supporters and activists What does this actually mean? And in conducting joint border protection patrols with Indonesia do we turn back West Papuan asylum seekers fleeing persecution? Collins said.

Mr Downer implies that the first security treaty with Indonesia failed because the agreement had not been subject to any public debate and had not proved to be a sustainable document. In discussing the proposed treaty last June, Mr Downer stressed that "there will be no secret treaty" -"This whole process will be very transparent," and "People will be able to make public submissions long before this treaty is formally ratified.

Yet we have not seen any call for submissions concerning this treaty. If the government is so sure of the publics support why not publish the full seven pages of the treaty?

A Newspoll commissioned on the treaty by businessman Ian Melrose and released yesterday, showed 64 per cent of Australians supported a clause which guaranteed access to foreign journalists to areas of Indonesia such as West Papua and 72 per cent of respondents supported free access for human rights monitors.

“The West Papuan people have a right to choose their own future and Australia appears to deny this right to the West Papuan people. While human rights abuses continue in West Papua, Australia should not be negotiating a security agreement which will restore military relations with Indonesia in any form”.

Further information. Joe Collins Mob. 04077 857 97

Press release July 5th 2007

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega banned from West Papua

The banning of US American Samoan Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, from visiting West Papua, strengthens the suspicions of the international community that Indonesia has something to hide in its territory of West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said” we are continuously told that Indonesia is a democratic country and human rights abuses are a thing of the past, yet by banning Congressman Faleomavaega it only confirms to the world that democracy does not apply to West Papua”.

In the Samoa Observer dated 3rd July 2007, Congressman Eni has criticised both Australia and New Zealand for leaving the Papua issue up to Indonesia.

The Australian government hopes the issue of West Papua will go away Collins said, but in fact it will become a major foreign policy issue for Australia in the future.

Australia and the international community should be encouraging the Indonesian government to sit down and talk with the West Papuan leadership to solve the many issues of concern in West Papua.

Dialogue with Jakarta is what the West Papuan leadership is asking for.

Info. Joe Collins (Mob. + 61. 2. 04077 857 97

25 March 2006

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) welcomes the Department of Immigration’s decision to grant temporary protection visas to 42 of the West Papuan asylum seekers although AWPA believes permanent visas are warranted.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in its rush to reassure Jakarta that they recognise Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, is again burying its head in the sand as it did over East Timor. The issue of West Papua will not go away because DFAT wishes it would.

1n 1969, after seven year of Indonesian administration, just over 1000 West Papuans were chosen to vote in a so called act of free choice and under coercion voted to remain with Indonesia. The West Papuan people call this the “Act of no choice”.

A recent repor commissioned by the Dutch government concluded that the so called ‘act of free choice’ was a sham. This is exactly what the West Papuan People have been telling the international community for years and why the issue of West Papua will not disappear. The West Papuan People want a true act of self–determination.

West Papua is our nearest neighbour and under Jakarta’s rule, the West Papuan people suffer human rights abuses, the exploitation of there natural resources and are in danger of becoming a minority in their own land and tragically, face a possible HIV Aids epidemic.

There is increased tension in West Papua as Indonesian security forces continue to hunt for students who fled to the bush after the demonstrations last week against the Giant Freeport copper and gold mine which has become a symbol to West Papuans of the exploition of the natural resources of West Papua.

Joe Collins of AWPA said that “ Instead of wishing that the issue of West Papua would disappear, the Australian Government should be encouraging the Indonesian government to dialogue with the West Papuan leadership to help solve the many issues of concern in West Papua and urge the Indonesian government to control its military and police asking that they be returned to their barracks”.

Info. Joe Collins Mob. 04077 857 97

29 March 2007

Help West Papua with forest fund.

Joe Collins of the Australia West Papua Association said if the Prime Minister is serious about forming a global fund to fight illegal logging and forest destruction in the region, he should start by refusing to support the Indonesian military in any form .

A recent report by two conservation groups: the Environmental Investigation Agency and Telapak, revealed that the TNI are involved in illegal logging in West Papua.

The report , “The Last Frontier - Illegal Logging in Papua" reveals that the military in Papua are involved in every aspect of illegal logging. It reported that military personnel are frequently employed as security for logging operations and that the army is also used to intimidate local communities opposed to logging operations on their lands. They are favoured in logging concessions.

Yet the Australian Government has signed a treaty with Indonesia which commits us to ties with this same Indonesian military.

The best way to protect the forests of West Papua is to call on the Indonesian government to halt the military's illegal activities in such resource extraction.

Joe Collins said "until a genuine effort is made by the Indonesian Government to reform its military , the treaty between Australia and Indonesian should not be ratified".

Joe Collins . AWPA (Sydney) Mob. 04077 857 97

14 September 2006

The Indonesian government tells us that human rights abuses have occurred in the past in West Papua but not at the present time as Indonesia is now a democratic country.

Joe Collins secretary of AWPA (Sydney) said, “if this is the case why is there a media ban on journalists visiting the territory? The possible deportation of the Channel 7 media crew from West Papua shows that the Indonesian authorities do not want the outside world to see what is going on in the territory”.

Earlier this year the United Nations' special envoy on the prevention of genocide, Juan Mendez said that “The Indonesian Government is preventing human rights observers from monitoring the situation in Papua amid "worrying" reports of abuses in the troubled province”. It's very worrying and there's evidence about violence that's continued since 1963

The United Nations refugee agency was also refused entry to West Papua. The UNHCR's regional representative who appeared before the Senate inquiry into Australia's planned changes to its immigration law said to the hearing that .

"I can confirm that, despite repeated requests, the UNHCR has not been given permission by the Government in Jakarta to have access to West Papua,"

Joe Collins said “that if Jakarta has nothing to hide then they should invite fact finding missions to the territory. The Australian government should urge the Indonesian Government to allow a parliamentary delegation from Australia to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory.

Contact
Joe Collins (04077 857 97)

Australian Coalition of West Papua Support Groups

West Papuan Asylum seekers should be allowed to stay

The Australian Coalition of West Papua Support Groups in Australia call on the Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone to allow the 43 West Papuan asylum seekers to remain in Australia. Joe Colliins of AWPA Sydney said he had no doubt that the 30 men, six women and seven children who sailed from Merauke West Papua and reached the mainland at Mapoon in Cape York are genuine asylum seekers fleeing Indonesian oppression.

Joe Collins said the West Papuans should be released into metropolitan communities where their applications can be processed quickly and that they will have immediate access to translators and medical assistance.

Joe Collins said that the West Papuans should be treated the way the East Timorese were treated before they achieved their independence by granting them bridging visas with full rights and allowing to live in the community while their claims are assessed. John Collins an Australian soldier who fought in Merauke alongside another 8,000 Australians during WW11 says we owe it to the Papuans to treat them with dignity and respect

There is increased tension in West Papua with more troops being sent to the province. Coincidentally as troops are apparently been withdrawn from Aceh.

Last week 12 West Papuans where arrested, four later released and the remaining eight taken to Jakarta against their will. Demonstrations where held in Jayapura to protest their removal.

Joe Collins said that the military use situations like this to crack down on those they term separatist.
Although West Papua earns huge amounts of money for Indonesia because of its mine and mineral resources it has a developing epidemic of HIV –AIDS., as well as high rates of malaria and tuberculosis .
Info.

Joe Collins 04077 857 97
Jason Macleod 0438 503 532Louise Byrne (03) 95102193

Press release 29 Jan 2006

Re: resumption of ties with the Indonesian military.

The Australia West Papua Association calls on the new Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, to re-think the plan to renew ties or train with the Indonesian military and in particular the Indonesia special forces Kopassus. Without going into any great detail of its past history, Kopassus has been notorious for its role in human rights abuses in East Timor and West Papua.

In light of the recently released UN report about the activities of the Indonesian military in East Timor,   where the TNI used napalm and chemical weapons against the East Timorese people, AWPA believes that it is untimely for our military to recommence co operation with the Indonesian military.

Another recent report on West Papua titled “Genocide in West Papua?” from the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney, also documents the military’s involvement in illegal activities including illegal logging, rigged construction projects and theft of aid.

Joe Collins of AWPA said that “ while such entrenched practices continue, it is highly unlikely that the professionalism of the Australian military will have any influence on the TNI”,   and also “as the Indonesian military receive only 30% of their budget from the government and must raise the other 70% themselves, it should be realised that such an institution is open to corruption”.

We understand that the Australian government encourages the Indonesian Government , and the Indonesian military, to enhance its human rights awareness and accountability programs, but this human rights component of training on the Indonesian military had no effect on its behaviour in East Timor and will not in West Papua.

Joe Collins said “that by their very nature, Special Forces troops such as Kopassus will always be used in conflict areas such as West Papua”.

Dr. John Ondawame of the West Papuan Peoples Representative Office in Vanuatu   said “that he believes that if the Australian military decide to train the Indonesian Kopassus troops , it will only increase the danger to the West Papuan People”.

AWPA also notes that Australia and Indonesia are signing a new defence treaty and urges that the 43 West Papuan asylum seekers who fled to Australia be assessed solely on their claims to be genuine asylum seekers and not on any foreign policy decisions to do with the new treaty with Indonesia.Info. Joe Collins (+ 61 2 99601698) 04077 857 97. John Ondawamw (+ 678 42601)

11 December 2005

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) calls on the Australian Government to offer to supply food aid to the famine stricken areas of West Papua.

Media reports indicate that at least 55 people have died in the last month from starvation in West Papua. News reports indicate that between 15,000 and 200,000 could be at risk throughout the region affected, because of food shortages of sweet potato, the local peoples’ stable diet.

The Papua opposition figure Fadel Al Hamid said in a report in the Jakarta Post, 11 Dec. that

‘the famine showed that the government had failed to properly implement regional autonomy in Indonesia's easternmost province. "The funds transferred as part of regional autonomy are huge, but still there is famine," said Fadel, the secretary of the Papuan Tribal Council” and , “ Papua is rich in natural resources and yet people still die of famine. It's like mice dying of hunger inside a rice barn," said Fadel

Joe Collins of AWPA said “the Australian Government has shown it can respond quickly to disasters as it did after the tsunami in Aceh last year. Australia has the equipment, the transport planes and helicopters that would be required to reach the more remote areas where no roads are available.

AWPA calls on the Australian Government to offer the Indonesian government help in supplying food aid and medical supplies to the West Papuan People in the affected regions.

Joe Collins said this would not be the first time the Australian military have helped in West Papua. During a prolonged drought in 1997 and 1998, Australian military based in Wamena in the West Papuan highlands, helped coordinate drought relief supplies in the region.

AWPA congratulates the Australian Government on its recent statement that it would commit funds to help combat HIV/AIDS in West Papua and in other parts of the archipelago. AWPA believes Australia should commit more funds specifically in the fields of health and education and in capacity building for local NGO and community groups.

_________________________________________
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO BOX 28 Spit Junction Sydney Australia 2088
Tele/fax 61.2. 99601698 Mob. 04077 857 97
Email: bunyip@bigpond.net.au
__________________________________________

18 November 2005

22 October 2005

AWPA calls on the Pacific Islands Forum leaders to grant observer status to West Papua.

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) believes it is now time for West Papua to be granted observer status at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum in PNG.

AWPA congratulates the Forum leaders for admitting French Polynesia as a Forum observer at last year’s meeting in Apia, Samoa

West Papua has always been considered part of the Pacific Community. Netherlands New Guinea, as West Papua was then known, was a member of the South Pacific Commission (SPC). A West Papuan representative attended the first SPC Conference and West Papuans continued to participate in the SPC meetings until the Dutch ceded their authority to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) in 1962

Joe Collins of AWPA said that “if the non-sovereign territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia can be granted observer status at the Forum, I cannot understand why it is not also applicable to West Papua?”

It was disappointing that for the first time in a number of years , the human rights situation in West Papua was not mentioned in last years Forum communiqué,.

Since last year’s PIF, human rights abuses have continued to occur in West Papua. One major example is the military operation undertaken by the Indonesian military in the Puncak Jaya district in West Papua's central highlands. During this military operation a large number of villages were destroyed, including livestock and food gardens. More than 6000 people have fled to the bush in fear of their lives.

As recently as 26th May 2005, two West Papuan men, Philep Karma and Yusak Pakage received jail terms of 15 and 10 years respectively, for so-called "treason against the state". However, the reality is that the men simply organised a meeting where the Morning Star flag was raised as a peaceful symbolic act of protest at the injustices faced by the West Papuan people, the human rights abuses and the exploitation of the rich natural resources of the province.

The grand idea of a Pacific vision and plan looks rather flat if the Forum dissociates itself from over 1.5 million Melanesian people in West Papua. The Forum has the potential to be a EU’ of the Pacific region and as well as being involved in the development of the region, the Forum should also concern itself with the human rights situation of the people of the region. The West Papuan People need the support of the international community now more than ever.

AWPA calls on The Forum leaders to help the West Papuan people by seeking support from the Indonesian Government for a Forum fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory, and by granting observer status to West Papua. Joe Collins said that “by granting observer status to West Papua, the Forum would be constituted as an appropriate arena to facilitate talks between the West Papuan leaders and Indonesian representatives to work towards peacefully solving the many issues of concern in the territory”.
Info. 61.2. 9960 1698. Mob. 04077 857 97 emai bunyip@bigpond.net.au

Australian Coalition of West Papua Support Groups

The UN should list West Papua as a non-governing territory requiring self-determination plebiscite

NGOs and public figures join Australian initiative petitioning the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization to get advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice concerning arrant irregularities in the administration and annexation of West Papua. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has written to add his full support to this effort already endorsed by US Congressman Faleomavaega, Prof Noam Chomsky, Bishop Hilton Deakin, and others.

The letter asks the International Court of Justice if it agrees with the authors that :
1) Indonesia is required to continue obligations under United Nations charter Article 73 as an administrating power ;
2) that the 'New York Agreement' to transfer the administration of West Papua to Indonesia without the West Papuans people's concent violates international law and the United Nations Charter ;
3) that the Agreement violated UN Resolution 1514 by delaying transfer of administration in accordance with the people's will ;
4) that the 'Act of Free Choice' was invalid in light of multiple violations of the terms of the 'New York Agreement', the United Nations Charter and UN GA Resolution 1541 ; and that
5) apart from historical issues, West Papua now qualifies as a non-governing territory as defined by UN GA Resolution 1541.

Full text of letter can be found at.
http://www.unpo.org/news_detail.php?arg=56&par=4283

Joe Collins from AWPA Sydney said
“It is internationally accepted that the 1969 ‘act of free choice’ was flawed and not a true act of self- determination . A Dutch government commissioned report by Pieter Drooglever concluded that the ‘act of free choice’ was a sham, as have a number of former UN officials who have stated the that the UN simply wanted to get rid of the problem as quickly as possible”.

Its time that the UN excepted responibility and looked at its involmemt not only in its handiling of the act of free choice but also at the New York agreement itself.

2 September 2006

Human Rights Defenders/Lawyers threatened in West Papua

The lawyers for Nelson Rumbiak and other accused West Papuans have been intimidated by the attorney general who has reported them to the police. The attorney general has accused the legal team of behavior that was insulting to the state.

Paula Makabory of the West Papuan human rights organisation, ELSHAM (Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy) says “it seems there is no guarantee for human rights defenders or legal people in West Papua even though they are simply trying to defend people as is their right under the law.

The lawyers have been defending accused Papuans who are being charged with involvment in the demonstrations which took place in Abepura in March of this year against the Freeport mine.

On Monday 28 August a number of the accused were attacked by police when they were returned from a hearing at the local court. Nelson Rumbiak was beaten and suffered injuries to his face and ribs.

Joe Collins of the AWPA said that Australian Government should be calling on the Indonesian President to control his police and military in West Papua. The Australian government who talks about instability in the region should reflect on its causality . It is the police and military acting with impunity in West Papua which is causing instability . This latest provocation proves yet again to the West Papuan people that they can receive no justice under Indonesian rule.

Contact
Paula Makabory (0409 945 482)
Joe Collins (04077 857 97)

18 November 2005

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) calls on the Australian Government to follow the Dutch governments example and commission a study into our own involvement in the so called ‘act of free choice” in West Papua.

AWPA congratulates the author Pieter Drooglever on the release of his report "An Act of Free Choice', commissioned by the Dutch government which concludes that the so called ‘act of free choice’ was a sham.

This is exactly what the West Papuan People have been telling the international community for years. The West Papuan People refer to this 'act' as the 'act of no free choice". (Only 1,022 hand-picked voters - one representative for approximately every 800 West Papuans - were allowed to vote, and under coercion, voted to remain with Indonesia)

Joe Collins of AWPA said “the Australian Government should follow the Dutch governments example and commission a study into our own involvement in this so called ‘act of free choice”.

One example of Australia’s involvement: In the then Australian administered colony of PNG, Australian officials removed two West Papuan leaders, Clemens Runawery and Willem Zonggonao, from a plane (just weeks before the UN supervised vote) at the request of Indonesia. They were on their way to New York to lobby the UN on behalf of the West Papuan people and were carrying testimonies from many West Papuan leaders calling for independence.

Joe Collins said one way the Australian Government could make up for its past mistakes in relation to West Papua, is by using its influence with the Indonesian Government to help facilitate talks between the Indonesian government and the West Papuan leadership to help solve the many issues of concern in the territory.

Its also time that the UN itself looked into its own handling of the “act’ which is what the international solidarity movement for West Papua is calling for. As one UN official, a retired Undersecretary General, Chakravarthy Narasimhan (who handled the takeover) said rcently,

Nobody gave a thought to the fact that there were a million people who had their fundamental human rights trampled …’
and

‘It was just a whitewash. The mood at the United Nations was to get rid of this problem as quickly as possible.’

Info. AWPA (Sydney) Joe Collins 61.2. 99601698

Background
In the 1880s the island was partitioned by three Western powers. The Dutch claimed the western half, while the Germans and British divided the eastern half into German New Guinea in the north and British Papua in the south. Eventually the Eastern half became the independent nation of Papua New Guinea in 1975. The Republic of Indonesia was created in 1949 when the Indonesian people won their struggle for independence against their former colonial masters, the Dutch.

West New Guinea, due to its distinct Melanesian population, was retained as a colony by the Dutch and during the 1950’s, the Dutch government prepared the territory for independence. President Sukarno however, consistently maintained Indonesia’s claim to all the former territory of the Dutch, and when his demands were not met, armed conflict ensued in 1962.

Under pressure from the United States to come to terms with Indonesia, the Dutch agreed to secret negotiations and in August 1962, an agreement was concluded in New York between the Netherlands and Indonesia. Under this agreement, the Dutch were to leave West New Guinea and transfer sovereignty to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA).

After seven months the United Nations (UN) transferred power to Indonesia with the provision that a referendum be held to determine Papuan preference for independence, or integration with Indonesia.

The 1969 ‘Act of Free Choice’
From the moment Indonesia took over the administration from UNTEA, the oppression of the West Papuan people began. A sham referendum called the ‘Act of Free Choice’ was held in 1969, under UN supervision. Only 1,022 hand-picked voters - one representative for every 800 West Papuans - were allowed vote, and under coercion, voted to remain with Indonesia. Nor were there any women representatives in this referendum. The West Papuans call this the ‘act of no choice.’

The UN representative sent to observe the election process, produced a report which raised concerns about serious violations of the New York Agreement and, in spite of this ‘duly noted’ report, West Papua was handed over to Indonesia in November 1969.

The West Papuan People have been asking for their right to a true act of self- determination ever since.

Press release 21 May 2006

AWPA condemns proposed security treaty with Indonesia

Australia West Papua Association spokesperson Joe Collins expressed grave concerns at the proposed new security treaty with Indonesia and in particular at the Indonesian demand for a clause in the treaty urging Canberra to reject West Papuan claims for independence.

“The West Papuan people have a right to choose their own future. The UN states that “all peoples have the right to self-determination” and Australia appears to deny this right to the West Papuan people.

Joe Collins said “there is too much secrecy about this proposed security treaty. We do not know the terms of this agreement or to what extent we may be pulled in”.

Recent human rights violations include the killing of two unarmed demonstrators in Wamena.

“While West Papuans are continuing to be killed , Australia should not be negotiating a security agreement which will restore military relations with Indonesia in any form”.

Info. Joe Collins (+ 61 2 99601698) 04077 857 97.

Press release 28 May 2007

AWPA calls on Premier Morris Iemma to raise the issue of human rights in West Papua with visiting Indonesian delegation.

AWPA urges the Premier of NSW , Morris Iemma to raise the issue of the human rights situation in West Papua with the visiting Indonesian delegation who are here to reactivate a sister province cooperation between Jakarta and New South Wales.

AWPA supports local government and people to people contacts with the people of West Papua and Indonesia but we should also be raising our concern about the human rights situation in West Papua , one of our nearest neighbours”

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “the West Papuan people feel that they are being ignored by the international community and are always calling for fact finding missions to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory.

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 as the result of migrants arriving daily and an HIV/AIDS epidemic

One way of helping the West Papuan people is for local government in Australia to form relations with local government in West Papua and support aid projects in the territory. The human rights situation can only be improved by visits from community groups and local governments to West Papua where international scrutiny may help control the behavior of the Indonesian military.

Info. Joe Collins + 61 2 04077 857 97.

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