Today on TV Papua news:
- Growing international support for Free West Papua campaigns.
- Rising of People Power in West Papua
- Indonesian terrorism at the start of 2013
In view of the continuing terrorism in West Papua by the Indonesian
military during the past 50 years, we must wonder why most people in the
Western world are oblivious to the indigenous Melanesians’ plight, and
what factors are contributing to the continuation of such abuse. The
exploitation of natural resources by extractive industries results in
catastrophic harms to human and environmental health. Mainstream global
media fail to report on such military&corporate injustices. There
for independent solidarity groups are growing in numbers
internationally.
For example The Free West Papua Political Prisoners Team in Washington
DC which is a group of academics and human-rights activists. Who work
together with Herman Wainggai, a papuan refugee living in Washington.
Human Rights Watch reports that Indonesia has imprisoned nearly 100
activists from Maluku and Papua for peacefully voicing their patriotism
and political views.
in Los Angeles, California, Harold Green persistently creates awarenes
on the West Papuan freedom struggle and the role of the US government in
the Indonesian suppression. "what I'm painfully made aware of, said
Harold, is that since Barack Obama has been president, things seemingly
have gotten worse for our brothers and sisters in West Papua as his
administration continues to arm and train the Indonesian military
forces, which now includes the promise to sell to Indonesia, the Apache
Helicopters which we know will be used in West Papua."
Solomon Islands for West Papua chairman, Rexy Roses, held a speech
highlighted that it is now time for dialogue and negotiations to end the
violence in West Papua and to allow a peaceful referendum. This year
will be a challenging one, and we will ensure that the cries of the
indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua be heard in every corner of
the Pacific and beyond. Rexy said "It is not difficult to imagine the
impact that tens of thousands of Indonesian troops have on the daily
lives of the West Papuan people. This new action by the Indonesian
military raises the question: Why would Indonesia send so many troops to
West Papua?"
Officials from the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation have
submitted an application for the MelanesianSpearheadGroup membership on
30th of january. The officials had a one hour meeting with a delegation
of the MelanesianSpearheadGroup. They were accompanied by former Prime
Minister and advocate for West Papuan independence, Barak Sope and a
Representative from the FLNKS of Kanaky/New Caledonia. The Vice Chairman
of West Papua NAtional Coalition for Liberation Dr. John Ondawame
thanked the Director General and Staff for making the submission
possible. He stated that this is a historic occasion that also marks the
beginning of the efforts this year to advance the cause. They hope this
will encourage Indonesia to take necessary steps to resolve the issue.
In The Netherlands Working group Papua Solidarity Days held an meeting
in Amersfoort, about the process of democracy in Indonesia and the
position of Papuans in this process.
There is a variety of political parties, there are free elections and
critical media. But not all benefit from these positive developments.
The Indonesian government disregards the rights of indigenous peoples.
Distressing the situation with regard to land rights, The Indonesian
state sees itself as the owner of the land unless written papers are
owned (which are rare). The Government sets widespread land belonging to
the natives available to large enterprises.
With the consequences residents are left without access to their own
land and without any means of support, this way many people fall into
poverty. The traditional cultures are destroyed, and the basic human
rights are violated. Forests are cut down and replaced by a monoculture.
While resources as copper, gold, nickel, gas and oil are exploited. The
solidarity day was ended with singing the Papuan national anthem.
In London Benny Wenda announced his first official overseas Freedom Tour
in Februari and March. Having successfully fought an Interpol Red
Notice against him, he is free to travel again. Free to take the message
of the West Papuan people around the world. He will visit political
leaders, lawyers, activists and supporters in the USA, Australia, New
Zealand, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea… to build
support and awareness of the campaign for self-determination for the
people of West Papua.
The Rising of People Power in West Papua
As international awareness and support grows Papuans stand up and show
there expressions of self determination. With peaceful actions they
recognize that the power of the people can now be stronger then the
people in power. A trend seen across the world with movements like the
the Spanish Indignados, the Arab Spring, Occupy movement and most
recently the world wide indigenous movement IdleNoMore.
Well over 1000 people engaged in a colourful and vibrant demonstration
calling for West Papuan independence in Manokwari,January 17, despite
Indonesian police banning the march. Which was organised by activists
from the former Federated Republic of West Papua. The Manokwari protest
saw several groups of singers, dancers and drummers converged at the
Sanggeng sports stadium when they started marching for a few hours.
They were shadowed at all times by excessive police and military forces
to secure the demonstration. The demonstrators felt that a scenario was
being created to disrupt the peaceful demonstration and provoke
violence. However field coordinators were able to ensure massa
discipline. The Rally dispersed peacefully in the afternoon.
A day before Police arrested 7 Papuans in Mantembu, Yapen. The arrests
came the day before the large demonstrations in Manokwari. The raid on
the heavily targeted village of Mantembu was carried out in the early
morning when they arrested the seven people for allegedly “supporting
Papuan independence”. The following people where arrested: ..1. Yohan
Ayum,..2… Lamkiur Ayum,..3.Penina Pangkurei,..4. Oki Warkawani,..5.
Mambiwa Wandamani,..6. Simeon Ayum,..7. Isak Warkawani…. No information
was received yet if those arrested were subjected to mistreatment during
their arrest, however Mantembu has been long targeted with extreme
brutality by the same local Indonesian security forces .
Later in Januari also the West Papua Melanesian Solidarity Women under
the State of Doberay held on march in Manokwari In the celebration of
the gospel entering Papua 158 years ago ..on the island of Mansinam.
Indonesian terrorism at the start of 2013
Nationally and internationally more calls for anti terrorism law in West
Papua by Indonesian government are being made. While most Papuans
consider the Indonesian military, police, security and special forces as
terrorists. All the ingredients seem to create an confusing Image war
in a clear situation of colonial occupation and suppression of the
people of West Papua.
KNPB urges the rRegional Police Chief to Wipe Clean the ‘Wanted Persons’
list on a press conference in Jayapura January 6th. A spokesperson for
the West Papua National Committee (KNP
has claimed that the detention of a number of KNPB activists and the
addition of more KNPB members’ names to the Wanted Persons List has been
done purely in the interests of the Papuan political elite. KNPB’s
spokesperson Wid Medlama said during the press conference: “Papuan
police are suppressing democracy in order to favour the Papuan political
elite. It is in the elite’s interest that the people of Papua are being
victimised. Many members of society and of KNPB have had their names
added to the Wanted Persons List,”. KNPB are urging the Regional Police
Chief to free a number of KNPB activists and remove their names from the
Wanted Persons List.
Buchtar Tabuni released unexpectedly from Abepura prison after
completing his sentence on January 19. Buchtar Tabuni is the Chairman of
the pro-independence National Parliament of West Papua. He was
sentenced to prison after the charge “for having allegedly inflicted
damage on the Abepura prison in December 2011,” and “for exchanging
harsh words with prison warders.”
We now show you a video of Jennifer Robinson on ABC news about peaceful
Papuan activism, which gives you a clearer vision on the freedom
activists now Indonesia images them as terrorist in order to apply Anti
terrorism law on West Papua.
For the viewers who are interested to get a deeper view on the history
and current situation of the freedom struggle of West Papua, we
recommend to watch the new AlJazeera documentary People&Power -
Goodbye Indo. You can find and watch this documentary on the website of
AlJazeera: www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower.
If you have any news, images or video's about the struggle of West Papua
please send this to
Otto Ap & Serko Mico Mamoribo
TV Papua news of january 2013
- Details