[Kabar-Irian] Irian News - 3/3/06 (Part 1 of 2)
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- The West Papua Report
- One dies in Indonesian football match stampede
- Indon protest on Papua asylum bids
- Andy’s deportation submission to Vanuatu Supreme Court awaiting decision
- American Samoa's Congressman accuses the region of hypocrisy over Papua
- Papua travel ban halts abuse scrutiny: envoy
- West Irian Jaya staying out of Papua gubernatorial elections
- Protesters call off blockade of Freeport's Papua mine
- Freeport Indonesia says ops resume at mine in Papua after blockade lifted
*****************************
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights
The West Papua Report
February 2006
The following is the 24th in a series of regular reports prepared by the
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (CHR)-West Papua
Advocacy Team providing updates on developments in West Papua. The CHR has
monitored and reported on the human rights situation in West Papua since
1993 when Indonesian lawyer Bambang Widjojanto received the annual RFK
Human Rights Award.
For more information, please contact:
Emily Goldman, RFK Senior Program Officer – (202) 463-7575 ext. 235 or
1-800-558-1880
Edmund McWilliams, West Papua Advocacy Team Member – (703) 899-5285 and
(703) 237-3913
February Overview:
International attention grew to the deteriorating human rights climate in
West Papua. A senior UN official expressed concern about possible genocide
there while major human rights organizations and a US Senator visiting
Jakarta urged President Yudhoyono to end a ban on access to West Papua for
international journalists and NGOs. Human Rights Watch, noting increased
militarization and reports of human rights abuse, pointedly raised the
concern that Indonesia might have "something to hide" in West Papua. The
International Federation of Journalists described a ban on foreign media
in West Papua as "a direct attempt to conceal human rights abuses from the
world." A US Congressman, a long-time advocate on behalf of the Papuans,
publicly pressed Secretary of State Rice to address greater attention to
the plight of Papuans.
Meanwhile, Papuan civil society continued to rally behind West Papuan
governmental bodies opposed to the partition of West Papua dictated by the
central government. The latter appears determined to press ahead with
provincial elections on 10 March which will disenfranchise Papuans living
in the disputed new provincial jurisdiction.
In the Timika area, Papuans protested efforts by Freeport to prevent them
from extracting trace gold and copper from waste rock. Their demands,
which also included provision of humanitarian assistance to impoverished
Papuans in the area, were supported by demonstrations in Jakarta,
Makassar, Semarang, and Jayapura. West Papuan parliamentarians also called
for a suspension of operations at the mine. Freeport management has
refused permission for the National Human Rights Commission to visit the
site, prompting the local Commission team chief to "deplore" Freeport's
action. A Papuan independence leader had told the Indonesian media that he
is committed to avoiding human casualties in his struggle. He echoed
concerns of Papuan and international observers regarding the failure to
pursue leads indicating Indonesian military involvement in the attack in
August 2002 that left two US citizens and one Indonesian dead.
Summary/Contents
- UN Special Advisor Expresses Concern over Possible Genocide in West Papua
- US Congressman Presses Secretary Rice on West Papua
- US Senator Presses Indonesia on Access to West Papua
- Human Rights Watch Asks Indonesian President if his Government has
Something to Hide in West Papua
- International Federation of Journalists Demands End to Ban of Foreign
Journalists in West Papua
- West Papuan Civil Society Unites to Oppose Partition
- Pressure Mounts to Shut Down Freeport McMoRan Mining Operation
- Papuan Independence Fighter Speaks Out
UN Special Advisor Expresses Concern over Possible Genocide in West Papua
A senior UN official, in the context of a public warning about conflicts
in several African countries that could become genocidal, expressed
concern about developments in West Papua. Juan Mendez, a special adviser
to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, told Voice of
America on 27 January that "West Papua in Indonesia" was among "countries
of concern where indigenous populations are at risk of extinction."
The Australian media carried an interview on 1 March with Mendez in which
he expressed concern that the Indonesian government was preventing human
rights observers from monitoring the situation in West Papua amid
"worrying" reports of abuses there. He added that the UN was prepared to
step in and mediate a solution to the long-running tensions in the
province. "It's very worrying and there's evidence about violence that's
continued since 1963. It's important that we look closely at the conflict
now and make sure it's not getting out of hand," he told the Sydney
Morning Herald. Asked if he was prepared to act as a mediator between the
government and separatists, Mendez said "absolutely," although he noted
that that would require invitations from both parties.
The Yale Law School’s Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights
Clinic concluded in an April 2004 report that there was "a strong
indication that the Indonesian government has committed genocide against
the West Papuans." (For Yale report go to:
http://www.law.yale.edu/outside/html/Public_Affairs/426/yls_article.htm.)
A 2005 University of Sydney study reached a similar conclusion.
US Congressman Presses Secretary Rice on West Papua
In an appearance before the US House of Representatives International
Relations Committee on 15 February, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice
faced criticism for what a Congressman described as the Bush
Administration's inadequate attention to the situation in West Papua. In
extended remarks, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (Democrat-American Samoa)
lamented the deteriorating human rights conditions in West Papua, and
reminded Rice that "the crisis of West Papua . . . will not go away." He
added, "We need your help."
Noting that the US government considers West Papua to be a part of
Indonesia, Rice assured Faleomavaega that US officials "tell Indonesia all
the time (of) the need for sensitivity to and protection of minorities
within Indonesia and for significant autonomy for those populations." Rice
assured that "the issue is not off of our radar screen, even though we may
not agree on the same solution."
US Senator Presses Indonesia on Access to West Papua
During a mid-February visit to Indonesia, Senator Russ Feingold
(Democrat-Wisconsin) urged Indonesia to ease a ban on access to West
Papua. Senator Feingold informed a press conference that he had told
Indonesian President Yudhoyono that "any degree of openness and ability to
examine what happened there would be helpful." He said that he explained
that granting access would demonstrate Indonesia's "dedication to trying
to solve this difficult problem." He said that he expressed concern that
the Papuans be able to "feel comfortable in their region and had the
openness and the protection from many possible abuses by the military."
Human Rights Watch Asks Indonesian President if his Government has
Something to Hide in West Papua
In a public letter to Indonesian President Yudhoyono, Human Rights Watch
(HRW) complained about the Indonesian government’s ban on the foreign
media and NGOs from the province of Papua in eastern Indonesia (to see the
letter, go to: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/02/10/indone12653.htm).
HRW also drew attention to the ongoing militarization of West Papua,
expressing concern regarding "the human rights impact of the increasing
military presence in Papua." HRW indicated that the ban had been used to
hide a deterioration of human rights observance in West Papua, including
"a significant build-up of troops [and] . . . reports of widespread
displacement of civilians, arson, and arbitrary detention in the central
highlands region." HRW said it feared "the lack of access and monitoring
by independent observers, including the media, will further create a
climate in which the armed forces and police believe they can act with
impunity and commit abuses, unreported and away from the public eye."
Referring to a recent statement by Defense Minister Sudarsono endorsing
the ban, HRW noted that Sudarsono had "admitted that some cases of
killing, rapes, and abuses by some soldiers had occurred in the province."
HRW also expressed "alarm" that the Indonesian government effort to ban or
limit press coverage of human rights violations and other issues in West
Papua "harkens back to the previous era of autocracy, not the new
democracy that your government leads." HRW Executive Director Roth
concluded: "We fear that restrictions on reporting from Papua are aimed at
making the human rights situation in Papua largely invisible to the world
and reducing international pressure to ensure respect for human rights.
But as your government has learned from its experience in Aceh, silencing
or censoring the media will only fuel misinformation and create conditions
for more abuse. These cannot be the goals of a reform-minded democratic
government. Aceh is now open to critical eyes; unless there is something
to hide, we cannot understand why Papua should not also be accessible.
Human Rights Watch urges the Indonesian government to respect press
freedom and to allow full press coverage of all issues affecting the
province."
International Federation of Journalists Demands End to Ban of Foreign
Journalists in West Papua
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), an organization
representing over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries, called
on the Indonesian government to lift its ban on foreign media in West
Papua (for letter go to: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/72301/).
In a February 17 statement, the IFJ expressed concern that the ban
constituted "a direct attempt to conceal human rights abuses from the
world." The statement noted that "greater public scrutiny of the region is
needed to minimize social, cultural, political, human rights and
environmental abuses by the military, local government or corporations."
The IFJ specifically objected to Indonesian Minister of Defense Juwono
Sudarsono’s contention that a ban on access to West Papua for all foreign
media, churches, and NGOs was necessary because their presence in West
Papua would "encourage Papuans to campaign on issues of human rights." The
IFJ also noted that the ban had prevented any foreign journalist from
having official access to the region during the past 18 months. This, the
IFJ noted, had severely restricted the media's ability to tell the West
Papua story.
The IFJ reminded the Indonesian government that the restrictions on
foreign media were "in direct opposition to Indonesia's obligations since
ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
Article 19 recognizes the right to "seek, receive, and impart information
and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers." "Restrictions on
foreign journalists represent a blatant violation of this right and
seriously curtail the ability of the world's media to report in West
Papua," said IFJ president Christopher Warren. "An independent and free
media is essential to ensure democracy," said Warren. He added that "the
silencing and censoring of the media will only fuel misinformation and
foster conditions for abuse, mistreatment and corruption."
The president of IFJ's affiliate in Indonesia, Alliansi Jurnalis
Independen (AJI), Heru Hendratmoko, said: "AJI will never agree with any
policy on media banning . . . We have to respect the people's rights
wherever they live, including people in West Papua, to get access for
information. So let journalists work freely there."
West Papuan Civil Society Unites to Oppose Partition
The Jakarta Post and other Indonesian media reported in February that West
Papuan civil society was rallying against plans by the central government
to partition West Papua into two or more separate provinces. The groups
explicitly supported the stand of the Papuan Legislative Council which has
indicated its opposition to the creation of West Irian Jaya province.
"I fully support the Council's decision because it is considered the best
to avoid any possible conflicts that may arise in Papua over the
establishment of West Irian Jaya province," Rev. Herman Saud, chairman of
the Papuan Injili Christian Church Synod, said in Jayapura on 18 February.
Rev. Herman Saud warned it would set a bad precedent were the central
government to ignore Article 76 of the 2001 Papua Special Autonomy Law
which states that any partition of the province must first be approved by
the MRP.
Also opposing the partition were the Indonesian Christian Students
Movement (GMKI), Association of Catholic Students (PMKRI), Indonesian
Christian Women's Association (PWKI), and the Cooperation Forum of
Non-governmental Organizations (Foker LSM). The growing Papuan consensus
against partition was reinforced by the results of a public consultation
conducted by the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) within the purported new
province which showed broad opposition to the plan.
It remains unclear how the central government will react to the strong
Papuan consensus against division of West Papua. It faces a key test of
its policies in provincial elections for governor, long delayed but now
set for 10 March. It appears that while plans to hold simultaneous
elections in the disputed "West Irian Jaya" province are on hold, voters
living in the disputed jurisdiction will not be allowed to vote in the
election set for West Papua.
Pressure Mounts to Shut Down Freeport McMoRan Mining Operation
Pressure continued to mount on Freeport McMoRan, Inc. to shut down its
massive mining operation in West Papua. The company has faced years of
accusations that it has devastated the local environment and conspired
with the Indonesian military in decades of human rights abuses targeting
local Papuans.
The new focus on the mine was prompted by demonstrations by Papuans
beginning in mid-February just outside the mine operation area. Local
citizens succeeded in closing down mining operations in a protest over
refusal of the company to allow them to work waste rock for remnant gold
and copper. They also demanded that the company address issues such as
discrimination in employment, disadvantaging Papuans, and inadequate
fundamental services in the area.
In support of these protests, hundreds of demonstrators clashed with
security forces at the Jakarta headquarters of the mining company on
February 23, 27, and 28. Police, employing tear gas and water cannon, were
able to disperse the crowd, which included Papuans and allies from
environmental NGOs. Some demonstrators were injured and a number were
arrested. Several police were also injured in the melee. NGO and media
sources contend that some of those detained were severely mistreated once
in police custody. There were also demonstrations in Maskassar in South
Sulawesi and in Semarnag in Central Java that similarly called for
Freeport to suspend operations.
In the West Papua capital of Jayapura, protesters numbering upwards of
500, succeeded in winning the support of the local parliament (DPRP)
leadership, which announced on 28 February that it was sending a letter to
the central government and to the management of the Freeport McMoRan mine
calling for a cessation of mining operations while investigations were
undertaken. The Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) has taken similar action.
For its part, Freeport McMoRan management appeared unwilling to cooperate
with investigations. The Indonesian media reported on 28 February that it
would not give permission for a team from the National Human Rights
Commission (Komnas Ham) to visit the site to investigate violence
associated with the demonstrations earlier in the month.
Alberth Rumbekwan, head of Komnas Ham’s Papua office, told the media
February 28 that his organization had received the complaints by victims
of violence and sought to look into the incidents. He said he contacted
certain PT Freeport Indonesia officials in Tembagapura and Timika on 27
February, but that the company's management refused to allow a Komnas Ham
team to come to the mine site in Tembagapura because, the company
contended, no act of violence was committed against civilians. Rumbekan
noted that the investigation was necessary inasmuch as two security guards
and three civilians had been injured in the demonstration, according to
Indonesian security authorities. "We feel offended by the company's
attitude," added Rumkewan. "We strongly deplore PT Freeport management's
prohibition for a Komnas Ham team to come to listen directly to them and
the victims. We think something wrong is being covered up," he concluded.
Papuan Independence Fighter Speaks Out
In a rare interview from his jungle hide-out, Kelly Kwalik, local
commander of the Papuan resistance (OPM), spoke briefly to Indonesian SCTV
network journalists about the 2002 attack on a group of US citizens near
the Freeport McMoRan mine in West Papua. In the interview, summarized in
the weekly journal "Reformasi," he claimed that while OPM was committed to
confronting the US-run mining operation which has devastated the local
environment and enabled decades of human rights abuses by the Indonesian
military, the OPM was determined to avoid harm to "Papuans, non-Papuans,
and foreigners." He called for involvement of international NGOs to
investigate the facts surrounding the case, including the identity of
three masked shooters who many believe to have been members of the
Indonesian military. He also questioned the rationale for the sudden
removal from West Papua of Police Chief I Made Pastika after the respected
police official released a police report indicating the likely involvement
of the military in the attack.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NewKerala.com
Posted on 26 Feb 2006 # IANS
One dies in Indonesian football match stampede
Jakarta: One person was trampled to death and six others were injured
Sunday when thousands of people forced their way into a stadium in
Indonesia's Papua province, media reports said.
The incident took place when thousands of people jostled to force their
way into the stands in Papua's provincial capital of Jayapura, the Antara
news agency reported.
Around 10,000 fans of the Persiwa football club tried to watch and support
their team, but the organising committee allocated only 5,000 tickets. At
the same time, the stadium was already overcrowded with supporters of the
host club, Persipura, the report said.
Thousands of ticket-less fans of Persiwa forced their way into the stadium
and jostled against one another through a narrow gateway. It triggered
panic and the situation went out of control, the report said.
One female fan was trampled to death and six others were seriously wounded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Australian
Indon protest on Papua asylum bids
By Rob Taylor in Jakarta
February 27, 2006
Indonesia today complained that Australia's processing of asylum
applications for 43 Papuans on Christmas Island was "dragging".
In Canberra, Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said she was unable to
confirm when a decision would be made about the asylum claims.
"Domestic law in Australia takes time. It is dragging a little a bit,"
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda said after a Jakarta meeting
with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
"It is a time-consuming process," he said.
As well as signalling Indonesia's impatience over how long the cases have
run, Dr Wirayuda also made little headway with calls for face-to-face
consular access to the Papuans.
He said Indonesian official access to the group so far had been limited to
telephone conversations.
"Telephone access is not satisfying enough. We are trying again to have
direct access," he told AAP.
Mr Downer said the Papuans have not received Indonesian consular visits
because they had not wanted them.
"If they don't wish to have access we will not give them access," Mr
Downer said.
He said he explained the asylum process to Dr Wirayuda and said the
applications, regardless of the outcome, would not affect Australia's
support for Indonesia's territorial integrity and rejection of Papuan
separatist claims.
"We fully support Indonesia's territorial integrity. We fully support the
province of West Papua remaining part of the Republic of Indonesia," he
said.
"We offer no sympathy or support for succession from Indonesia."
The 36 adults and seven children arrived at Cape York earlier this year
after spending five days at sea in a rickety boat.
They were then taken to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, where their
asylum claims were now being assessed.
Refugee groups have lobbied the Government to release the independence
advocates into the community on the mainland while the claims were being
done.
But Senator Vanstone said the Papuans would go through the normal processes.
"Look, they're going through the normal process, that process can take
some time," she said.
"Getting in-country information is not always easy. That's not something
that's done by my department, that's done by the department of foreign
affairs and trade.
"They will be handled in the normal way."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Port Vila Presse
Andy’s deportation submission to Vanuatu Supreme Court awaiting decision
By Gabriel Vusi - The ni-Vanuatu
Posted Friday, March 3, 2006
The Supreme Court of Vanuatu has notified Solicitor General, Dudley Aru,
and lawyer Felix Laumae, from Trans Melanesian Lawyers, after the hearings
over the matter of, Andy Ayamiseba’s, deportation on the 9th of February
2006 out from Vanuatu by State Internal Affaires Minister, George Andrew
Wells, that the final determination over the matter would be given on the
30th of March 2006 at 4pm, at port Vila court house.
Justice Hamilson Bulu from the Supreme Court, said because of court busy
schedule and also the court needs more time to carefully consider both
submissions submitted by the claimant (Andy Ayamiseba) represented by,
Felix Laumae, and the defendant (George Andrew Wells) who was represented
by Solicitor General, Dudley Aru, before the final determination.
The West Papuan activist, Andy Ayamiseba, has filed statements against his
deportation order, after returning to the country on the 10th of February
2006 that had been refused by authorities responsible to allow him through
Solomon Islands and Australia without proper documents. In his submission
to court for judicial review over the deportation order through, Felix
Laumae, requesting the Supreme Court of Vanuatu to “quash Andy Ayamiseba’s
deportation order, to prohibit Minister George Wells, from deporting him
out of Vanuatu again,” and for the government of Vanuatu to pay charges
for defamation when no valid reasons proven for his deportation. The
submission to court is to challenge the deportation order
constitutionally.
During the argument of the claimant before the court on February 22 & 23,
2006, Felix Laumae, told the court that the decision for deporting, Andy
Ayamiseba, by Minister George Wells, unlawful, and solely based on
political grounds and speculation. Mr. Laumae, said no evidence by the
claimant that could be proven imminent treat to Public Security, Defence
and Public order. He said the claimant alleged Minister Wells has failed
the principles of Natural Justices, and questioned if his move was in good
faith and fairness. “Whatever laws passed, Natural Justice should be
there.” Laumae said Article 17 (a) of the Immigration Act, which the
Minister’s decision based at, does not take away the Constitutional right
under Article 5 of the Constitution of Vanuatu.
Felix Laumae, said the Minister has acted in unappropriated information by
First Political Advisers namely, George Bongiri, from Prime Minister’s
Office, and Joe Bongmal Carlo, from the Ministry of Internal Affaires, and
eight other people including George Wells. He said all information
provided by them in relation to deportation order were all bias and
faithless full of opinion and political grounds, and has not proven
imminent evidence as a national treat to National Security, Defence and
Public Order. Mr. Laumae said if the court grants deportation order
lawful, it would be harder in practical sense for investors be attracted
to Vanuatu because any Minister for Internal Affaires in future may abuse
his power in accordance to article17 (a) of the Immigration Act, to deport
foreigners without notice, and at the same time allows an open door for a
minister, based in his opinion, political grounds and speculation, may
remove non-citizens out from Vanuatu whether in this government or in any
future governments. This is for the first time Article 17 of the
Immigration Act has come to scrutiny. Felix Laumae requested the court to
grant the case of the claimant.
Meanwhile the defendant Solicitor General, Dudley Aru, said before the
court, additional statements were filed on the 15th and 20th of February
2006 by ten officials from government ministries, departments and
government sections, identifying facts of the involvement of the claimant
in internal politics of Vanuatu. In some of these statements read before
court, the claimant had involved lobbying with members of parliament to
support the motion of West Papua in Parliament session to pass, but these
lobby went beyond as far as lobbying with parliament members over the
motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Vanuaroroa
Ham Lini, that could disturb the stability of the national Government.
It also been said the claimant had applied to Police authority for a
demonstration to be held in port Vila to call the Australian government to
accept West Papuans to Australia. Acting Police Commissioner Aurther
Caulton, through his professional capacity, Andy Ayamiseba, forced the
authorities to follow his interest (Public Order), according to Dudley
Aru, during defence proceedings in court. The defendant submission to
court has responded to each issue defending the Claimant claim filed
before court. The defendant said the order is lawful because the claimant
is a non-citizen and the order has been properly processed and approved
first by the Council of Ministers before the minister took action to
remove the claimant out from the country. And also the Minister has the
power to remove non-citizen from Vanuatu without notice in accordance to
article 17 (a) of the Immigration Act. The order, which now challenged is
lawful and does not preached the constitution of Vanuatu and the
principles of Natural Justice as claimed by the Claimant. Mr. Aru said the
claimant claim filed before court is for judicial review and not for
constitutional review to deal with articles inside the constitution, and
said if the claimant should file a different proceedings and this case
should be dismissed.
Despite these arguments, Ni-Vanuatu paper understands that there is a
wording-loophole on article 17 of the Immigration Act, which amended in
2004, to “Prohibit” non-citizens, for involving in activities that would
disturb the National Security, Defence and Public order in the republic of
Vanuatu. The first prime minister of Vanuatu, Walter Hyde Lini, had
deported, Andy Ayamiseba, at one time for involving in internal politics
of Vanuatu.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Radio New Zealand International
American Samoa's Congressman accuses the region of hypocrisy over Papua
Posted at 7:53am on 27 Feb 2006
American Samoa's congressman has criticised governments in the region for
turning a blind eye to the issue of the right to self-determination by the
people of Papua.
As a member of the US House International Relations committee,
Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin raised the issue of Papua with the secretary of
state Condoleeza Rice earlier this month.
He said Dr Rice's response was that the US policy remains not to question
Indonesia's territorial integrity.
Faleomavaega says the United Nations, the US and Pacific countries like
Australia and New Zealand, should give the people of Papua the same
opportunity that they gave to the people of East Timor - the right to
self-determination.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sydney Morning Herald
Papua travel ban halts abuse scrutiny: envoy
By Tom Allard
March 1, 2006
The Indonesian Government is preventing human rights observers from
monitoring the situation in Papua amid "worrying" reports of abuses in the
troubled province, says the United Nations' special envoy on the
prevention of genocide, Juan Mendez.
In an interview with the Herald, Mr Mendez also said the UN was prepared
to step in and mediate a solution to the long-running tensions in the
province.
"It's very worrying and there's evidence about violence that's continued
since 1963. It's important that we look closely at the conflict now and
make sure it's not getting out of hand," he said.
"We certainly have it under our inquiry but it's hard to assess the
situation on the ground … it's hard to know what is going on in West
Papua."
Asked if he was prepared to act as a mediator between the Government and
separatists, Mr Mendez said "absolutely", although that would require an
invitation from both parties.
Indonesia has been tightly restricting human rights experts from the UN,
academia and non-government organisations from visiting Papua for years, a
ban on unfettered access that has extended to foreign media for at least
the past 18 months.
Chris Ballard, an expert on Papua from the Australian National University,
said he had been banned from entering the province since 2001.
In the absence of independent scrutiny, he said the assurances from
Indonesian leaders had to be treated with caution.
"When the [Indonesian] foreign minister makes a statement that there
aren't human rights abuses in Papua, there's absolutely no way of telling
if it's the truth," he said.
Senior Indonesian ministers have vehemently denied that indigenous Papuans
are being repressed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Jakarta Post.com
National News
March 02, 2006
West Irian Jaya staying out of Papua gubernatorial elections
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura
West Irian Jaya, at the center of a dispute about its status as a
province, is the notable absentee from the direct gubernatorial election
on March 10.
It was confirmed by deputy chairman of the General Election Committee
(KPU), Ramlan Surbakti, on Wednesday after installing Papua Election
Commission (KPUD) member Urbanus Sianti, the replacement for Muhammad
Musa'ad who resigned last year.
"The KPUD upholds and implements the law. If the law says there is a West
Irian Jaya province, we'll hold elections there, but for Papua, (the
election) will cover 19 regencies and a mayoralty, and (later) in West
Irian Jaya involve nine mayoralties and cities," Ramlan said.
He said the committee was still awaiting a report from West Irian Jaya's
KPUD about its elections.
"But one thing is for sure, they're ready to hold the election there, and
are only awaiting the (central) government decision," he said.
West Irian Jaya's absence goes against the views of the Papuan People's
Assembly (MRP) and the Papua provincial council, which have been opposed
to what they call the partitioning of the province by Jakarta.
Despite efforts by Vice President Jusuf Kalla to mediate the dispute last
month, a satisfying solution for both parties has yet to be reached. The
Constitutional Court also said that a 1999 regulation establishing West
and Central Irian Jaya was valid.
In their seven-point recommendation, the MRP and the council said they did
not oppose the formation of West Irian Jaya province outright, but
emphasized the local population was not ready to separate from Papua at
this time.
The recommendation, which was made following a survey of West Irian Jaya's
eight regencies and a mayoralty, also called for the gubernatorial
election to include West Irian Jaya.
Five pairs of candidates have started campaigning for votes of the 1.4
million eligible voters in the province's 20 regencies and mayoralties.
The campaign will end next Monday.
The contenders are Constant Karma-Donatus Mote, who have been endorsed by
a coalition of eight parties; Dick Henk Wabiser-SP Inaury, supported by a
coalition of four political parties; Lucas Enembe-Arobi Achmad Aituarauw,
also nominated by four parties; Barnabas Suebu-Alexander Hessegem, who are
supported by five parties; and John Ibo-Paskalis Kosay, who is endorsed by
the Golkar Party.
"There's no reason to postpone Papua's election, everything is ready,"
Papua KPUD chairman Marthen Ferry Kareth said in Jayapura on Wednesday.
Marthen said nothing could prevent the election from going ahead because
the home affairs minister issued a decree which set March 10 as an
official holiday in Papua for the election.
Papua's election has been postponed twice, most recently on Feb. 16 due to
incomplete preparations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Protesters call off blockade of Freeport's Papua mine
Sat Feb 25, 2006pm ET
Jakarta (Reuters)
Protesters obstructing access to a huge mine owned by a unit of U.S. firm
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. in Indonesia's remote Papua province
called off their blockade on Saturday, but it was unclear whether the mine
had resumed operations, a senior police official said.
Operations at the Grasberg mine, believed to have the world's
third-largest copper reserves and one of the biggest gold deposits, were
suspended on Wednesday after illegal miners armed with bows and arrows
clashed with security officers, soldiers and police the day before.
"All of the protesters left after conducting a tribal ceremony. There is
no more blockade and all access to the mine is normal," said deputy
national police spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam.
He said details of any agreement were not known and it was not clear if
the mine had resumed operations.
John Meyer, an analyst at Numis, said this week that the suspension could
cost around 1,800 tonnes of copper and 9,000 ounces of gold production per
day.
The violence erupted after security officers and government officials
tried to force out the illegal miners, who then blockaded access to the
heavily-guarded mine.
Indonesia had put its military in charge of security there. The Indonesian
military has often been criticized for harsh tactics and human rights
abuse, especially in restive areas like Papua, although efforts at reform
have been made in recent years.
The Freeport Papua operation has been a frequent source of controversy in
Indonesia on issues ranging from its treatment of the environment to the
legality of payments to Indonesian security forces who help guard
operations.
Illegal miners often enter mining areas in Indonesia, the world's fourth
most populous country and a sprawling archipelagic nation, rich in mineral
resources such as copper, gold and tin.
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AFX News Limited
Freeport Indonesia says ops resume at mine in Papua after blockade lifted
02.26.2006, 06:50 AM
Jakarta (AFX) - Freeport Indonesia said mining operations at the world's
largest gold and copper mine in Papua province resumed today after a
five-day blockade by alleged illegal miners.
'We are happy to say that since the blockade was lifted yesterday at
around 6.00 pm, our people have been able to resume mining operations,'
Siddharta Moersjid, the spokesman for Freeport Indonesia which operates
the mines, told Agence France-Presse.
He said that operations returned to normal today.
A group of some 500 protesters agreed to end the blockade after a
closed-door meeting with local religious leaders and administrative
officials Friday evening in the town of Timika near the huge mine.
A stand-off near the massive Freeport-McMoRan mine began late Tuesday
after security forces attempted to evict small-scale miners who look for
gold in the mine's waste deposits, claiming they were acting illegally.
Mine officials said the tailings could contain hazardous chemicals.
Police yesterday said that Freeport had allowed the miners to continue
prospecting through the waste tailings.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono directed the minister earlier in the
week to coordinate with the security minister to resolve the dispute,
fearing a loss of national income if the mine stays shut.
The mine blockade was the latest headache for Freeport-McMoRan Inc in
Indonesia.
The company's payments to the military to provide security have been under
intense scrutiny amid allegations that they amounted to corruption, while
the environment ministry is investigating pollution allegations against
it.
International media are banned from travelling freely in the easternmost
province of Papua, where a simmering separatist conflict persists.
-- bs/ag/swp
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