Papua Land of Peace - faith based network on West Papua
Through the 'Papua, Land of Peace' initiative Papuan, religious leaders aim to promote in Papua a culture of peace instead of a culture of violence. The Faith-Based Network is founded by faith-based organisations to support these efforts to promote peace, justice and human rights in West Papua.
The religious leaders - Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant and Catholic -want to provide a free and just living space for the Papuans. A "Land of Peace" is not merely a geographical area free of violence. It is a social condition, in which the socio-cultural, economic and political problems Papuans face today are resolved without the use of violence. "Peace" encompasses the following elements that should be part of daily reality for all people in Papua: feeling secure; being respected as a human being irrespective of differences; enough food and the fulfilment of other basic needs; a fair and just treatment; recognition as an individual; recognition as an ethnic group; the possibility to live independently and in control of one's own life; being heard and taken into account; and finally, living in harmony with nature.
West Papua Media Alerts - JUBI: The High Court in Papua has decided that Forkorus and his co-defendants should be sentenced to three years, in accordance with the verdict declared at the trial on 16 March. The defence lawyer of the five men, Gustaf Kawer said that the High Court’s decision had simply affirmed the verdict of the district court which had given the men sentences of these years each.
Prison warders beat and kick more than forty prisoners (10 May 2012)
West Papua Media Alerts - JUBI: At least 42 prisoners – both political and criminal – have been beaten by warders in Abepura Prison where they are being held, with these beatings occurring on 30 April. According to information from the Justice, Peace and Creation Secretariat (SKPKC) in Jayapura, the prisoners who were beaten included Selfius Bobii, Luis Kossay, Terianus Tabuni, Wayus Hubi, Markus Dubi, Stenly Palondong, Alfian Palendeng, Erens Apromis, Octo Ikinia and Fredy Marsyom.
West Papua Report - May 2012 (4 May 2012)
ETAN - One demonstrator was reportedly killed, two were wounded, and 13 arrested in May 1 demonstrations throughout West Papua. The protests marked the 49th anniversary of Indonesia's coerced annexation of West Papua. Indonesian government plans to continue to send settlers from outside into West Papua ("transmigration") has prompted protests from Papuan organizations who fear the further marginalization of Papuans and growing communal tensions. Several international organizations have protested continued, longstanding efforts by the Indonesian government to cover up human rights violations by preventing journalists and rights observers from traveling to or within West Papua. Following large scale peaceful demonstrations in Serui district, Indonesian security forces have launched a crackdown involving sweep operations. The shooting of a civilian aircraft as it landed at an airport in the Puncak Jaya area caused civilian casualties and has prompted unproven charges by authorities that the perpetrators were the Papuan armed resistance organization, the OPM. Papuan leaders have called on the government to conduct a transparent investigation and to engage with local civil and government organizations to put an end to ongoing tensions and conflict in the Puncak Jaya region. They note that security force resort to force in dealing with incidents harms innocent local civilians who are often driven from their homes. Despite its obligations under Indonesian and International law, the Indonesian government is refusing to fund urgently needed medical treatment for Papuan political prisoner Filep Karma. Two new reports reveal extensive "land grabbing" by corporations, backed by the Indonesian government, at the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) project in southern West Papua. Indonesia faces a quadrennial review of its human rights performance by the UN Human Rights Commission. WPAT member Dr. Eben Kirksey has authored a new book on West Papua.
