From editors at kabar-irian.info Sun Jul 1 17:04:40 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 08:04:40 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] Berita: Bulan Juni 2007 (Bahasa) Message-ID: <1921.61.94.95.16.1183331080.squirrel@www.teuton.org> Kabar Irian (Papua) S/d Juli 1 2007 Topik2 * LSM Asing Jual Isu Papua * IGSSARPRI Sosialisasi Otsus Papua di AS dan Inggris * Komisi II Tanggapi Positif Pemekaran Papua Selatan * LSM Punya Kepentingan atas Kunjungan Utusan Khusus PBB ke Papua * PBB Akan Tindak Lanjuti Hasil Diskusi HAM di Papua * Wakil Khusus Sekjen PBB Tiba di Papua * Masyarakat Papua Laporkan Pelanggaran HAM ke Perwakilan PBB * Beberkan 6 Kasus Kekerasan * Ke Papua Karena Dengar Ada Pelanggaran HAM * Kepala Poltabes Yogya Berjanji Jamin Keamanan Mahasiswa Papua * Bawa 18 Kg Emas Batangan, Dua Pria Diperiksa Polisi * Dinas PU Papua Barat Diserang Massa * Pembela HAM di Papua Butuh Perlindungan * Suku-suku di Kwamki Lama Gelar Acara Bakar Batu * Wakapolda: Belum Ada Gangguan Teroris yang Nyata * Wakili Sorong, Tiga Siswi Study ke LN * Gugatan Ditolak, Massa Ngamuk * Tidak Usah Merdeka * Mantan Anggota OPM Minta Rakyat Papua Tak Terpancing Isu Merdeka * Penyebaran HIV/AIDS Sudah Sampai di Kampung-kampung * BPN Papua Terus Diminta Verifikasi Ulang Sertifikat * Tak Perlu Ditakuti * 1 Juli, Masyarakat Jangan Terprovokasi * Belasan Warga Demo di Kantor Bupati Biak * Penjualan Gas Alam Cair Tangguh * Atasi Separatisme, Pendekatan Kesejahteraan Harus Lebih Ditonjolkan * Bendera Bintang Kejora Dikibarkan di Lapas Abepura * Kapolda Papua Antisipasi HUT OPM * Aktifis HAM Mulai di Teror * Selalu rombongan Papua dibawah oleh pihak pro Indonesia... * --- CENDRAWASIH POST Selasa, 05 Juni 2007 LSM Asing Jual Isu Papua *BIN Siapkan Tindakan Kontra Intelijen JAKARTA-Sejumlah Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat (LSM) asing memainkan isu penegakan HAM di Papua untuk kepentingan ekonomi. Sayangnya, propaganda yang dilakukan mereka selalu menjelekkan institusi pemerintah dan TNI. Komisi 1 (Bidang Pertahanan) DPR setuju dengan aksi yang dilakukan Badan Intelijen Negara untuk melakukan tindakan anti propaganda secara diam-diam dan dilakukan dengan teknik intelijen. "Tindakan itu secara prinsip dapat disetujui oleh DPR karena tujuannya positif,"ujar Ketua Komisi 1 Theo L Sambuaga usai rapat tertutup dengan petinggi Badan Intelijen Negara di Gedung DPR Senayan Jakarta kemarin. Rapat yang dimulai pukul 09.00 itu langsung dihadiri oleh Kepala BIN Syamsir Siregar. Menurut Theo, isu Papua yang diangkat LSM itu terkait dengan gerakan Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang masih eksis. "Mereka terus bergerilya mencari funding, dan bantuan dari LSM di luar negeri," katanya. Karena itu agen BIN yang bekerjasama dengan komunitas intelijen internasional terus berkoordinasi melakukan kontra propaganda. "Bentuknya bisa bermacam-macam, misalnya dengan pemberian informasi apa yang sebenarnya terjadi di bumi Cendrawasih tersebut," kata politisi Golkar tersebut. BIN juga diminta untuk terus menjalin koordinasi dengan tokoh-tokoh lokal di Papua. Misalnya, dengan dewan masyarakat adat, majelis rakyat Papua, gubernur Papua dan tokoh Papua pro-Indonesia di luar negeri. "Jangan salah, ada juga orang asli yang lahir di Papua, tapi ikut berkampanye negatif di negara lain," katanya. Komisi 1 juga meminta BIN agar tidak tergesa-gesa melakukan operasi khusus di Papua. Namun, lebih mengedepankan pendekatan wacana dan perang isu. "Tentu harus tetap menghormati prinsip otonomi khusus yang berlaku bagi Papua," katanya. Kepala BIN Syamsir Siregar tidak bersedia menjalaskan secara rinci apa yang telah dilakukan anak buahnya di luar negeri. "Yang jelas untuk kepentingan nasional," ujarnya saat dicegat wartawan.(rdl --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/6/3/igssarpri-sosialisasi-otsus-papua-di-as-dan-inggris/ 03/06/07 09:25 IGSSARPRI Sosialisasi Otsus Papua di AS dan Inggris Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Independent Group Supporting The Special Autonomous Region of Papua Within The Republic of Indonesia (IGSSARPRI), sebuah kelompok independen pendukung keutuhan Papua dalam Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI) pada 12-24 Mei 2007 berada di Amerika Serikat dan Inggris untuk mensosialisasikan UU Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus (Otsus ) bagi Provinsi Papua. "IGSSARPRI, sebagai suatu wadah LSM, yang awalnya berbasis di Papua Nugini berada di AS dan Inggris untuk mempromosikan status Otsus dan UU Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 yang dinilai sebagai solusi politik yang fair bagi rakyat Papua dalam bingkai NKRI," kata Ketua Badan Pelindung dan Penasehat IGSSARPRI, Franzalbert Joku kepada ANTARA News di Jayapura, Minggu. LSM ini sedang menunggu kehadirannya secara resmi di Indonesia setelah mendapatkan restu dari Jakarta. Dia menyatakan rasa puasnya atas keberhasilan misi yang dipimpinnya itu dalam melakukan sosialisasi Otsus Papua di mancanegara. "Saya sangat puas dengan dialog yang intens, terbuka dan produktif bersama anggota Konggres AS asal Samoa Tuan Eni Faleomavaega di Capitol Hill, Washington DC pada 22 Mei lalu," katanya. Franzalbert Joku mengakui kalau pertemuan delegasi yang dipimpinnya dengan Tuan Eni, yang berlangsung selama sekitar dua jam, mendapat sambutan sangat positif, diwarnai sentuhan-sentuhan persahabatan dan kekeluargaan. Pertemuan itu, lanjutnya, berakhir dengan lahirnya suatu konsensus yang jelas dan tegas yaitu bahwa otonomi khusus bagi Papua merupakan langkah maju yang nyata dan sangat tepat bagi masyarakat Papua dan hal itu memerlukan dukungan serta komitment dari semua pihak, baik masyarakat, pemimpin-pemimpin di Papua, Pemerintah Indonesia serta masyarakat internasional. "Kami bersepakat pula agar hubungan kerjasama antara kantor anggota Konggres AS dan IGSSARPRI dipelihara dan dilanjutkan supaya UU Otsus Papua dapat diterapkan secara konsekuen sehingga masyarakat Papua dapat merasakan adanya keterlibatan langsung dalam pemerintahan sendiri dan menikmati kesejahteraan dari hasil pembangunan yang dijalankannya," katanya. Pada pertemuan itu digagaskan usulan agar pembangunan Papua dilandasi aspek transparansi, efisiensi dan akuntabilitas pemerintahan yang bersih dan berwibawa sehingga implementasi otonomi khusus dapat berjalan secara lebih efektif dan terarah. Selanjutnya, kata Joku, pihaknya juga menyampaikan kepada masyarakat di internasional bahwa Papua akan tetap berada dalam bingkai NKRI apabila UU Otsus itu dilaksanakan secara nyata melalui penciptaan system administrasi pemerintahan yang tertib dan efektif serta berdsungguh-sungguh membangun infrastruktur, pendidikan dan kesehatan di kampung-kampung. Delegasi IGSSARPRI juga mengikutsertakan Fibiolla Ohei, deputi bidang perempuan dan pemuda dan Smion Nichalas Messet, deputi untuk kawasan Asia yang berkesempatan beraudiensi dengan penasehat politik senior dari stafnya Senator Barack Obama, seorang politisi bintang AS yang sekarang berusaha keras merebut pencalonan Presiden AS asal Partai Demokrat dalam Pilpres yang akan berlangsung tahun depan. Staf ahli Obama, dalam arahannya, mengatakan bahwa Senator yang mewakili negara bagian Illinois itu sangat mendukung proses penerapan otonomi khusus dan pembangunan di Papua serta keutuhan Papua dalam bingkai NKRI. Franzalbert Joku menyatakan rasa puasnya atas respons positif sewaktu memberikan presentase di Chatham House, salah satu forum intelektual sedunia yang berkedudukan di London, sebelum delegasinya bertolak ke AS. "Pertemuan kami dengan pejabat tinggi Deplu Inggris- Foreign and Commonwealth Office - juga sempat berlangsung dalam suasana keterbukaan dan saling mendukung," katanya. Joku mengatakan, pemerintah dan negara Inggris tetap memiliki komitmen yang kuat dalam mendukung integritas wilayah dan pembangunan di Papua sebagai daerah otonom khusus di dalam bingkai NKRI.(*) ++++ http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/5/30/komisi-ii-tanggapi-positif-pemekaran-papua-selatan/ 30/05/07 15:03 Komisi II Tanggapi Positif Pemekaran Papua Selatan Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Ketua Komisi II DPR RI, EE Mangindaan, mengatakan bahwa pihaknya memberi tanggapan positif atas usulan didirikannya Provinsi Papua Selatan sebagaimana disampaikan Ketua Tim Pemekaran Provinsi Papua Selatan, Yusak Yaluwo, Selasa (29/5) lalu di ruang kerjanya. "Mereka tentu sangat memahami kondisi dan potensi wilayahnya serta dinamika ke arah percepatan pembangunan di kawasan yang berbatasan dengan negara PNG itu," kata Mangindaan di Jakarta, Rabu. Jika proses pemekaran itu bisa berlangsung mulus dan sesuai target, maka bakal ada tiga provinsi di Papua, setelah Provinsi Papua, serta Provinsi Papua Barat. "Khusus untuk pemekaran Provinsi Papua Selatan, ada tiga persyaratan yang perlu dipertimbangkan. Pertama, syarat-syarat administratif yang ditentukan oleh undang- undang. Ini tidak bisa tidak mesti dipenuhi," kata mantan Panglima Komando Daerah Militer (Kodam) VIII Trikora di Papua itu. Syarat kedua, menurut dia, perlu mempertimbangkan faktor pelaksanaan Pemilihan Umum (Pemilu) 2009. "Ini menyangkut target waktu, karena sebelum Pemilu segera ditetapkan daerah pemilihan (Dapil) pada 2008. Kalau Dapil sudah ditetapkan, sulit untuk mengubahnya. Makanya, penentuan waktu pemekaran jangan sampai terganggu oleh jadwal Pemilu tersebut," katanya. Mengenai syarat ketiga, mantan Gubernur Provinsi Sulawesi Utara (Sulut) itu menyatakan, menyangkut revisi Peraturan Pemerintah (PP) Nomor 129 tentang Pemekaran Daerah. "Ada rencana untuk merevisi PP tersebut. Sejumlah perubahan kecil mengenai persyaratan membentuk atau memekarkan daerah baru," tambahnya. Ketiga hal ini, kata Mangindaan, harus menjadi perhatian khusus Tim Pemekaran Provinsi Papua Selatan. Sementara itu, Yusak Yaluwo (36) yang juga Bupati Boven Digoel menyatakan bahwa pihaknya kini telah merampungkan persiapan administrasi untuk pemekaran. "Sekitar 60 hingga 70 persen persyaratan sesuau aturan perundangan sudah kami penuhi hingga saat ini. Mudah-mudahan dalam satu bulan ke depan, sudah rampung 100 persen," kata Yusak Yaluwo. --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/6/8/lsm-punya-kepentingan-atas-kunjungan-utusan-khusus-pbb-ke-papua/ 08/06/07 06:45 LSM Punya Kepentingan atas Kunjungan Utusan Khusus PBB ke Papua Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Berbagai Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat (LSM), baik di tingkat nasional, regional, maupun lokal memiliki kepentingan tertentu dengan kunjungan utusan khusus Sekjen PBB yang membidangi masalah HAM, Hina Jilani, ke Papua, sehingga seluruh komponen masyarakat Papua harus mewaspadainya agar tidak tergadai oleh kepentingan orang atau kelompok tertentu itu. Hal itu disampaikan wakil para tahanan politik Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), Drs Filep JS Karma di Jayapura, Jumat, menanggapi kunjungan utusan khusus Sekjen PBB, Hina Jilani ke Papua pada 8 hingga 9 Juni untuk melihat dari dekat perkembangan pelaksanaan HAM di wilayah paling timur Nusantara ini. "Kami, para tahanan politik OPM sudah mengetahui kalau kedatangan Hina Jilani ini benar-benar dimanfaatkan oleh LSM untuk kepentingan tertentu yang kita sendiri dapat mereka-rekanya dan hampir benar rekaan itu. Dengan demikian, jika kedatangan itu untuk kepentingan orang atau kelompok tertentu maka kami menolaknya," tegas Filep. Menurut dia, para tahanan politik (Tapol) Papua khususnya yang mendekam di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Kelas II Abepura, Jayapura, telah secara terus- menerus mencermati rencana kedatangan Hina Jilani ke Indonesia khususnya Papua dan melihat betapa bersemangatnya LSM-LSM memfasilitasi kedatangan utusan khusus Sekjen PBB itu. Malahan, lanjutnya, ketika Hina Jilani sampai di Jakarta, begitu banyak aktivis dan pimpinan LSM di Papua beramai-ramai pergi ke Jakarta untuk menemuinya. Mereka bahkan dengan sangat gencar melakukan jumpa pers, baik secara berkelompok maupun perorangan. Siaran pers LSM itu dilakukan dengan bertemu langsung para wartawan maupun melalui telepon selular. "Dari gerak-gerik seperti ini, bagaimana mungkin kami tidak mencurigai maksud mereka di balik semuanya itu," katanya. Filep mengatakan, jika utusan khusus Sekjen PBB itu benar-benar ingin mengetahui perkembangan pelaksanaan HAM di Papua, maka dia sendiri bisa datang ke Papua tanpa didampingi LSM dan langsung bertemu dengan masyarakat Papua termasuk para Tapol di Lapas Kelas II Abepura, Jayapura. Selama utusan khusus Sekjen PBB itu tidak menyempatkan diri berdialog langsung dengan masyarakat Papua, selama itu juga pihaknya tetap menaruh kecurigaan terhadap berbagai orang atau kelompok orang yang dengan penuh semangat melakukan jumpa pers untuk membesar-besarkan kunjungan Hina Jilani ke Papua. "Kami menolak setiap bentuk rekayasa politik yang dilakukan pihak tertentu dalam rangka kunjungan utusan khusus Sekjen PBB Hina Jilani ke Papua dan kami menyerukan kepada semua insan pers, baik cetak maupun elektronik agar bersikap waspada, cermat dan kritis terhadap berbagai manuver politik pihak tertentu yang ingin menggadaikan rakyat Papua untuk kepentingan mereka dengan memanfaatkan kunjungan utusan khusus Sekjen PBB ke Papua," tegas Filep JS Karma.(*) --- http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=105191 Jayapura PBB Akan Tindak Lanjuti Hasil Diskusi HAM di Papua Jayapura, 8 Juni 2007 14:50 Wakil khusus Sekjen PBB untuk urusan HAM, Hina Jilani, menyatakan akan menindaklanjuti hasil diskusi kasus HAM yang dilaporkan kepadanya dengan pemerintah dan aparat keamanan di Indonesia. "Kami akan membuat laporan kasus HAM sesuai hasil diskusi dengan pemerintah dan aparat," kata Wakil khusus Sekjen PBB Jilani, kepada wartawan di Jayapura, Jumat (8/6). Dia juga mengatakan bahwa pihaknya akan membicarakan berbagai kasus HAM di Papua dan keterkaitannya dengan kepolisian, termasuk perlindungan yang di berikan pihak aparat dalam penanganan kasus HAM. Selain itu, kata Jilani, setelah diskusi dengan beberapa pihak seperti pemerintah daerah, aparat keamanan, DPR Papua, MRP dan LSM di Papua, pihaknya juga akan mengetahui tindakan apa yang bisa dilakukan untuk mendorong penyelesaian berbagai kasus HAM itu. Sementara itu, Kapolda Papua Brigjen Max Donald Aer mengatakan bahwa kepolisian sebagai pengayom dan pelindung seluruh masyarakat akan menjamin hak-hak masyarakat dalam keamanan. "Jika masyarakat merasa tidak terjamin keamanannya segera lapor saja ke Polisi," katanya. Menurut Kapolda, laporan yang diterima utusan PBB bahwa korban HAM tidak dijamin keamanannya sebenarnya tidak sesuai dengan kenyataan dilapangan. Mengenai keluhan banyaknya intel-intel di Papua, Aer menyebutkan bahwa tugas para intelejen di Papua itu untuk mengumpulkan informasi dan mencari keterangan- keterangan guna dilaporkan ke reserse dan kriminal (reskrim), jika mengandung tindak pidana. Rombongan Wakil Khusus Sekjen PBB untuk urusan Pembelaan HAM berkunjung di Papua didampingi oleh Direktur HAM dan Keamanan Departemen Luar Negeri RI Wiwiek Setyowati Firman, Kasub Hak Sipil dan Politik Direktorat HAM Departemen Luar Negeri RI Dicky Komar. Anggota rombongan lainnya adalah Kasub Direktorat Keamanan DITPL Departemen Luar Negeri RI Narwin Anwar, Paban IV Pengamanan Informasi Basis TNI Kolonel Soleman Ponto, Staf PBB Guillaume Pfeiffle, Interpreter Stefanus Elang Manendrata dan Interpreter Aulia Rahmat. [TMA, Ant] --- http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=105182 Wakil Khusus Sekjen PBB Tiba di Papua Jayapura, 8 Juni 2007 11:34 Wakil Khusus Sekjen PBB Hila Jilani, Jumat pagi pukul 07.45 WIT, dengan menumpang pesawat Garuda Indonesia, mendarat mulus di Bandara Sentani, ibukota Kabupaten Jayapura, Papua, untuk melakukan kunjungan dua hari di provinsi tertimur Nusantara itu. Hina Jilani menempuh penerbangan selama delapan jam dari Bandara Internasional Soekarno-Hatta, Jakarta Kamis (7/6) pukul 21.00 WIT atau pukul 23.00 WIT menuju Jayapura," katanya. Di Bandara Sentani, Jayapura, Jilani disambut Sekretaris Daerah (Sekda) Provinsi Papua, Drs. Sutedjo Suprapto mewakili Gubernur Papua, Barnabas Suebu,SH dan sejumlah pejabat Muspida Provinsi Papua, Muspida Kota Jayapura dan Muspida Kabupaten Jayapura serta para tokoh pemerhati masalah hak asasi manusia (HAM) di Tanah Papua dan Papua Barat. Sementara Gubernur Papua, Barnabas Suebu, tidak berada di Jayapura karena sedang melakukan kegiatan Turun Kampung (Kampung) di wilayah pantai utara (Pantura) dan sebagian wilayah di pegunungan tengah Papua selama sebulan yang dimulai 4 Juni lalu dan berakhir 15 Juli 2007 Wakil Utusan Khusus Sekjen PBB Hila Jilani ketika turun dari pesawat didampingi Ketua Komnas HAM Perwakilan Provinsi Papua, Alberth Rumbekwan,SH, Direktur LBH Jayapura Paskalis Letsoin,SH dan Koordinator Sekretariat Keadilan dan Perdamaian (SKP) Keuskupan Jayapura, Br.Budi Hermawan,OFM. Hina Jilani dikawal Patroli Polantas Polda Papua menuju Hotel Yasmin yang terletak di jantung Kota Jayapura, sebelum mengadakan pertemuan dengan berbagai elemen pemerintah sipil, TNI, Polri, DPR Provinsi Papua, Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP), tokoh agama dan lembaga swadaya masyarakat (LSM). Hila Jilani juga mengadakan pertemuan khusus dengan Komnas HAM Perwakilan Provinsi Papua yang dijadwalkan berlangsung di RM Borobudur, kawasan Ruko Pasifik Permai, jantung Kota Jayapura. Situasi Kamtibmas secara umum pada kedatangan Hila Jilani tetap aman dan tertib karena telah diantisipasi sebelumnya oleh aparat keamanan dari TNI dan Polri. --- http://www.sinarharapan.co.id/berita/0706/08/nas06.html Masyarakat Papua Laporkan Pelanggaran HAM ke Perwakilan PBB Jakarta-Puluhan mahasiswa Papua dipimpin Buckhtar Tabuni sekitar pukul 08.00 WIT, Jumat (8/6), melakukan aksi masa di depan Hotel Swissbell Jayapura. Aksi demo sehubungan dengan kedatangan Wakil Khusus Sekjen PBB bidang HRD Hina Jilani bersama stafnya Guillaume Pfeifle bersama dengan Direktur HAM dan Keamanan Deplu RI Wiwik Setyowati Firman, Kasub Hak Sipil dan Politik Ditham Deplu RI Diky Qomar yang melakukan kunjungan selama sehari di Jayapura Papua. Massa meminta kasus-kasus pelanggarana HAM di Papua harus segera diselesaikan seperti kasus pembunuhan Theys Eluay, Kematian Tom Wanggai dan penembakan Arnold Aap. "Kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM harus diselesaikan secara tuntas dan jangan terulang lagi," kata perwakilan mahasiswa yang beberapa butir tuntutan draf pernyataan sikap langsung kepada Hina Jilani. Setelah menerima pernyataan sikap tersebut, rombongan wakil khusus PBB ini langsung menuju ke kantor Gubernur Dok II Jayapura dan melakukan pertemuan tertutup selama 2 jam dengan Sekda Papua Tejo Suprapto. Tejo mengatakan, dalam pertemuan itu, intinya Wakil Khusus PBB ini menanyakan soal pelanggaran HAM di Papua dan menanyakan kebenaran itu. Utusan Wakil Khusus PBB ini juga meminta ada perhatian dari Pemda Papua untuk masalah kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM. Usai bertemu dengan Sekda rombongan langsung menujuke Kejaksaan Tinggi Papua untuk melakukan pertemuan dengan Kepala Kejati Papua Laurens sesudah itu akan menuju ke Polda Papua bertemu dengan Brigjen Pol Max D Aer.(odeodata h julia --- CENDRAWASIH POS Sabtu, 09 Juni 2007 Beberkan 6 Kasus Kekerasan SEMENTARA ITU, janji sejumlah Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat (LSM) di Papua akan membeberkan sejumlah kasus HAM kepada Ms Hina Jilani, akhirnya ditepati. Pertemuan Hina Jilani dengan LSM, tokoh masyarakat, agama dan komponen masyarakat lainnya itu berlangsung di Kantor Sinode GKI Tanah Papua dengan dihadiri sekitar 70 orang. Pertemuan tersebut sekaligus merupakan pertemuan terakhir tadi malam, setelah siang hingga sore harinya, utusan khusus Sekjen PBB itu bertemu sejumlah komponen di Papua. Dalam pertemuan yang berlangsung kurang lebih 1,5 jam (19.15 - 20.45) itu, ada enam orang perwakilan yang berkesempatan membeberkan kesaksiannya tentang apa yang mereka alami selama menjalankan tugasnya, baik sebagai pembela HAM maupun tugas-tugas pokoknya. Kasus-kasus tersebut seperti intimidasi, teror dan pelanggaran HAM lainnya yang disampaikan oleh keenam orang perwakilan ada tokoh adat, perempuan dan korban. Dalam pemberitaan ini tidak disebutkan korban dan jenis kekaran yang dialami karena sumber meminta dirahasiakan. "Kalau soal pelanggarannya dan korbanya sebenarnya tidak perlu kami beberkan ke media massa, tapi yang pasti teman-teman tadi menceritakan apa adanya dan situasi para pekerja HAM di Papua," kata Sekretaris Eksekutif Foker LSM Papua J. Septer Manufandu kepada Cenderawasih Pos via Handphone, tadi malam. Septer mengaku dalam pertemuan ini pihak LSM dan masyarakat secara umum khususnya yang hadir dalam pertemuan itu merasa puas karena sejak tahun 1969 baru pertama kali utusan PBB, khususnya yang menangani soal HAM melihat kondisi yang sebenarnya terjadi di Papua. Meski hanya diskusi sebatas memberikan informasi tentang potret kasus dan pekerja HAM di Papua, namun pihaknya merasa puas. Pasalnya, dalam kesempatan itu pihaknya mendapat kesempatan yang seluas-luasnya untuk melakukan diskusi meskipun hanya sebatas memberikan informasi kepada utusan PBB tersebut. "Tidak ada kesepakatan atau janji dalam pertemuan itu, hanya memberikan informasi dan diskusi tentang kondisi para pekerja HAM dan masalah HAM di Papua. Dan menurut Ibu Jilani hal ini akan dilaporkan nantinya, termasuk di daerah lainnya yang sempat dikunjunginya," katanya. MRP Minta Perhantian Internasional/// Sebelum bertemu para LSM tadi malam, sore harinya, Wakil Khusus Sekjen PBB yang membidangi situasi Para Pembela HAM, Ms Hina Jilani ini juga ke Kantor Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP). Pertemuan yang sedianya dijadwalkan pukul 13.00 molor hingga pukul 15.30 WIT. Hina Jilani ditemui langsung Ketua MRP Drs Agus Alue Alua, M.Th di ruang kerja dan didampingi oleh sejumlah anggota MRP lainnya. Di MRP, Jilani juga melakukan pertemuan tertutup sekitar 1,5 jam. Meski begitu usai petermuan dengan utusan PBB itu, Agus A Alua menggelar konferensi pers dengan wartawan yang memang sudah menunggu sejak pukul 12.30 WIT. Dalam kesempatan itu, Alua membeberkan kalau pihaknya sangat sulit dalam menjalankan tugasnya sebagai lembaga kultural, karena masih adanya sejumlah batasan meskipun semuanya sudah tertuang dalam UU No 21 Tahun 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus (Otsus) bagi Provinsi Papua. "Kami juga menyampaikan bahwa sangat sulit dalam menjalankan tugas dengan baik, karena masih ada batasan kewenangan dan tekanan dari pihak tertentu, pada hal dalam UU No 21 Tahun 2001 sudah memberikan ruang. Oleh karen itu, kami minta perhatian Internasional dalam implementasi soal kultural ini," kata Alua. Menurutnya, dalam pertemuan itu memang tidak terlalu banyak hal yang diungkapkan. Pasalnya Jalani sendiri nampaknya sudah banyak tahu tentang kondisi di Papua. "Dari hasil pertemuan kami terungkap kalau Ibu Jilani ini sebenarnya sudah banyak tahu tentang Papua, termasuk keberadaan MRP namun kami tetap berbicara seputar lembaga ini," tuturnya. Selain itu, kata Alua, pihaknya juga berbincang-bincang tentang bagaimana peran MRP dalam melakukan pembelaan HAM sesuai dengan fungsi kulturalnya. Hal itu dikatakan karena dalam menjalankan tugasnya pihaknya sering mengalami kendala dan tekanan di lapangan. Dalam pertemuan itu juga, MRP dikelompokan sebagai pejuang HAM orang Papua dengan memperhatikan proteksi terhadap hak-hak asasi masyarakat adat. Juga disampaikan bahwa akar permasalah di Papua adalah masalah politik. Dimana terjadi pelanggaran HAM besar-besaran, masalah kesejahteraan masyarakat khususnya masyarakat asli yang sampai sekarang belum terpenuhi. Demikian halnya dengan pembangunan yang sampai saat ini masih jauh tertinggal meskipun sudah ada di era Otsus. "Dalam menjalankan tugas kami sering mengalami kendala, sering ada batasan atau tantangan. Baik soal pelaksaan Otsus secara menyerluruh maupun dalam menjalankan tugas MRP. Dan kami tentunya berharap agar segala apa yang termuat dalam UU No 21 Tahun 2001 itu dijalankan secara menyeluruh, pemerintah pusat mestinya mendukung ini," papar Alua. Demo di Uncen /// Sedangkan rencana Hina Jilani bertemu Rektorat Universitas Cenderawasih Jayapura, mendapat reaksi dari Koalisi Mahasiswa dan masyarakat Peduli Tanah Papua, yang dikoordinir Markus Gwijangge. Mereka melakukan demo di Rektorat Uncen Perumnas III Kelurahan Yabansai, Distrik Heram. Para pendemo yang diperkirakan 30 orang tersebut, datang dengan membawa spanduk dan beberapa kertas manila yang bertuliskan," Stop genosaid of Papua, Welcame Mrs, Hina Jilani,Who Carry Fredom for all The West Papua" serta beberapa tulisan lainnya. Bahkan dalam kartas manila mereka sempat juga ada gambar Bendera Bintang Kejora. Demo itu dimulai pukul 8.30 Wit, dimana mereka berkumpul tepat di Gapura Kampus Uncen Prumnas III, dan sempat memalang Gapura yang berada di jalan naik ke Kampus Uncen baru Perumnas III, dengan menggunakan balok, namun belum lama melakukan pemalangan tersebut, polisi datang dan membubarkan aksi pemalangan tersebut,sehingga jalur menuju ke kampus baru Perumnas III, kembali lancar. Karena palang dilepaskan, para pendemo tersebut selanjutnya naik ke kantor Rektorat Uncen, dengan membawa atribut demo mereka, serta beberapa alat musik. Sesampainya di sana, mereka selanjutnya menyayikan lagu-lagu daerah Papua, serta berorasi di Kantor Rektorat tersebut, dengan maksud untuk menunggu kedatangan utusan PBB tersebut, saat bertemu dengan Rektor Uncen. Kordinator Demon, Markus Gwijangge mengatakan, maksud mereka melakukan demontrasi tersebut, adalah dalam rengka memberitahukan fakta-fakta yang terjadi di Tanah Papua, terutama tentang pelanggaran HAM, yang dilakukan oleh aparat terhadap mahasiswa baik kasus 16 Maret 2006, serta beberapa kasus-kasus sebelumnya, yang mana aparat melakukan penyisiran-penyisiran ke asrama-asrama mahasiswa dan melakukan penganiayaan-penganiayaan terhadap mahasiswa. " Kami akan menyampaikan aspirasi kami langsung kepada Ibu Hina Jilani (utusan PBB), tentang pelangaran HAM, yang dilakukan aparat terhadap mahasiswa,serta beberapa kasus pelanggaran HAM lainnya,"jelasnya. Namun saat sampai sore hari menunggu, ternyata para mahasiswa tersebut, tidak berhasil bertemu dengan utusan PBB tersebut, sebab setelah dari MRP, utusan tersebut selanjutnya ke arah Jayapura untuk beristirahat. Karena yang ditunggu tak kunjung tiba, akhirnya mereka membubarkan diri.(ito/cak) --- CENDRAWASIH POS Sabtu, 09 Juni 2007 Ke Papua Karena Dengar Ada Pelanggaran HAM *Sempat Didemo Mahasiswa di SwissbelHotel JAYAPURA- Sesuai rencana, kemarin Wakil Khusus (Special Respresentative) Sekjen PBB untuk bidang pembela HAM (Human Rights Defender) Ms Hina Jilani tiba di Jayapura. Jilani bertemu dengan berbagai pihak mulai dari Pemprov Papua yang diwakili oleh Sekda Drs Tedjo Suparapto, MM, DPRP,MRP, Rektor Uncen hingga sejumlah LSM di Papua. Hanya saja sebelum Ms Jilani menuju Kantor Gubernur, di swissbelHotel tempat ia menginap sempat didemo. Sekitar 50-an massa dari mahasiswa yang datang sekitar pukul 09.00 WIT berdiri di depan hotel tersebut sambil membentangkan spanduk yang antara lain bertuliskan 'Welcome Mrs. Hina Jilani Who Carry Freedom for All The West Papua', 'Stop Genocide of The Papua', 'Stop Killing In West Papua," dan beberapa poster dan spanduk lainnya. Pada kesempatan itu, massa yang dipimpin Buchtar Tabuni ini juga meminta penuntasan kasus HAM di Papua, seperti kasus Theys, Tom Wanggai dan kasus lainnya. Setelah Ms. Hina Jilani keluar dari hotel, iapun menemui massa pendemo dan saat itu Buchtar Tabuni menyerahkan sebuah map berwarna hijau dan diterima langsung oleh Ms. Hina Jilani. Setelah pertemuan dengan massa ini, maka sekitar pukul 09.00 WIT rombongan utusan Sekjen PBB ini menuju ke Kantor Gubernur Papua. Karena aksi demo tersebut, perempuan asal Lahore Pakistan itu baru tiba di Kantor Gubernur sekitar 09.15 WIT dan langsung menuju ruang kerja Sekda bertemu Sekda Tedjo Suprapto. Pertemuan tertutup itu berlangsung selama 1 jam lebih. "Tadi kami hanya bicara mengenai apa yang dilakukan Pemerintah Daerah untuk pemenuhan HAM rakyat Papua intinya itu" kata Sekda Tedjo Suprapto kepada Cenderawasih Pos usai pertemuan. Dikatakan, ada penilaian dari wakil khusus Sekjend PBB itu bahwa pelanggaran HAM di Papua tak ada yang tuntas dan ia juga mendengar banyak terjadi pelanggaran HAM di Papua, termasuk yang dilaporkan ke PBB. "Itu salah satu sebab kenapa mereka datang ke sini," imbuhnya. Sehingga sempat ditanyakan peran pemerintah daerah dalam menghindari konflik dengan harapan pelanggaran - pelanggaran HAM bisa dikurangi dan tidak terjadi lagi di masa depan. Ms Jilani yang juga pengacara hukum itu menilai pemerintah belum serius terhadap perkembangan HAM di Papua. Ia juga mengatakan berdasarkan laporan yang diterima pekerja HAM dihalangi-halangi dan diintimidasi bahkan diteror. Yang dijawab Sekda bahwa Otsus justru mengakui hak - hak dasar orang asli Papua dan dengan Otsus kesejahteraan orang asli Papua akan diwujudkan melalui berbagai program, utamanya pendidikan, kesehatan, gizi, pemberdayaan ekonomi. "Jadi saya menjelaskan justru Otsus sangat memihak orang asli Papua dan jutsru mengakomodir seluruh hak - hak dasar orang asli Papua," tukasnya. Dalam Otsus semua yang menyangakut hak - hak orang asli Papua termasuk masyarakat umumnya sudah diakomodir di dalamnya, termasuk penegakan HAM di Papua dan sebagainya satu persatu dibenahi. Hanya saja memang belum sepenuhnya terlaksana. Sekda mengatakan bahwa memang sempat disinggung adanya kasus pelanggaran HAM yang masih ada dan sejauh mana ditangani pemerintah. "Kami sampaikan bahwa itu perlu dikoordinasikan dengan pihak - pihak terkait lainnya. Tapi pada dasarnya pemerintah sangat terbuka untuk menerima masukan yang berkaitan pelanggaran HAM yang ada. Dan kita berkepentingan untuk menyelesaikan dan menjaga supaya tidak terjadi pelanggaran HAM lagi," tuturnya. Hanya saja, tidak dijelaskan secara eksplisit kasus pelanggaran HAM apa saja yang terjadi itu, sehingga membuat putri seorang aktivis politik asal Pakistan ini jauh - jauh datang ke Papua. "Memang disebutkan ada pelanggaran HAM, tapi mereka (Jilani red) tidak menyebutkan kasus apa saja, namun dikatakan masih ada kasus - kasus itu, tapi kami katakan bisa dikoordinasikan dengan pihak terkait dengan tujuan agar kasus pelanggaran HAM tidak terjadi lagi," urainya. Lanjut Sekda, Wakil Sekjend PBB itu mengaku mendengar banyak terjadi pelanggaran HAM di Papua, tapi tidak disampaikan dari mana saja. Ia hanya meminta komitmen pemerintah untuk menangani hal itu dengan baik. "Itu yang kita setujui komitmen itu akan kita tangani secara baik dengan koordinasi pihak terkait. Sebab selama ini pemerintah sangat terbuka tidak ingin menekan hal itu, kita juga transparan silahkan bisa komunikasi dengan kita juga," paparnya. Yang pasti misi dia kesini ingin melihat persoalan khususnya HAM dan orang-orang yang berkompeten dengan penegakan HAM agar lebih diperhatikan dengan baik dan jangan ditekan," tandasnya. Pertemuan dengan DPRP Selain bertemu Pemprov Papua, Ms Hina Jilani yang akan berakhir masa tugasnya pada 18 Juni mendatang ini juga bertemu Ketua dan Anggota DPRP yang juga berlangsung tertutup di ruang kerja Ketua DPRP. Namun usai pertemuan John Ibo sempat membeberkan isi pembicaraannya dengan Wakil Khusus PBB itu. "Tujuan utama mereka adalah untuk menyaksikan dari dekat berdasarkan isu-isu yang diperoleh tentang penegakan HAM di Papua yang cukup pincang," katanya kepada wartawan usai pertemuan. Selain itu kata John Ibo, Ms Jilani juga ingin melihat perkembangan pelanggaran HAM di Papua dari dekat, sekaligus menanyakan bagaimaan institusi HAM berdiri dan bagaimana melaksanakan tugas secara maksimal dalam menjembantani masalah pelanggaraan HAM di Papua. "Kita memang belum punya Komda (komisariat daerah) HAM dan harus dibentuk oleh Pemda, walaupun kita telah memiliki perwakilan Komnas HAM tetapi perwakilan Komnas HAM kita sedang bekerja di bawah trauma, karena itu walaupun sudah bekerja selama 3 tahun usianya, perwakilan Komnas HAM tidak ketahuan di Papua," paparnya serius. Kata John Ibo, Ms Jilani juga menanyakan bagaiman institusi HAM di Papua berjalan baik yang diterangkan dewan bahwa masyarakat datang dengan pengaduan melalui aspirasi dan itu memang lengkap di dewan. "Jadi kita katakan bahwa memang HAM di Papua sedang diwarnai dengan trauma. Karena ada interfensi dan ada kekerasan yang sedang terjadi," ujarnya. Ia berharap pelaksanaan HAM di Papua berjalan baik, karena salah satu aspek dari Otsus adalah mengakhiri pelanggaran HAM dan menghadirkan kesejahteraan bagi orang Papua di sebuah negara Indonesia, negara yang merdeka yang memberi kemerdekaan pada seluruh rakyat. "Dan kalau memang ada intervensi dan kekerasan Otsus itu fungsinya apa pada kita, itu sebabnya rakyat sendiri telah memahami dan mengembalikan peti jenazah itu pada DPRP. Jadi seputar itu saja," katanya. Ditanya kasus apa saja yang dibahas, John Ibo mengatakan bahwa Ms Jilani tidak menyebut kasus, namun hanya sebatas kebijakan HAM yang berlangsung di Papua dan bagaimana lembaga - lembaga HAM yang berjalan di Papua. "Ms Jilani memberikan respek harusnya masalah yang terjadi di Papua urgensinya ditangani oleh PBB, kalau dia datang dalam tugas khusus untuk melihat perkembangan HAM di Papua," tandasnya.( --- http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0706/10/nasional/3590311.htm Minggu, 10 Juni 2007 Unjuk rasa Kepala Poltabes Yogya Berjanji Jamin Keamanan Mahasiswa Papua Yogyakarta, Kompas - Kepala Kepolisian Kota Besar Yogyakarta Komisaris Besar Haka Astana MW berjanji akan memproses kasus pengeroyokan yang melukai salah satu mahasiswa asal Papua, Selasa (5/6) malam. Haka mengemukakan hal itu kepada sekitar 100 pengunjuk rasa mahasiswa Papua yang tergabung dalam Ikatan Pelajar dan Mahasiswa Papua di Kantor Pemerintah Provinsi DIY di Kepatihan, Sabtu sore. Menurut keterangan yang dihimpun Kompas, pada Selasa malam seorang mahasiswa Papua yang kuliah di Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Janabrada, Yohanes Kambuaya (24), dikeroyok beberapa orang di Kampung Pingit, Kelurahan Bumijo, Jetis. Saat itu korban tengah berlari dan disangka pencuri. Sumber lain menjelaskan, saat itu korban baru saja naik sepeda motor dari arah kampus (selatan) dalam keadaan oleng. Sampai di lokasi, ia menabrak mobil yang sedang diparkir di emperan toko Jalan Kyai Mojo, Yogyakarta, di dekat jalan Kampung Pingit. Setelah jatuh, korban berlari menuju jalan masuk dan terjadilah pemukulan tersebut. Akibat pengeroyokan itu, mata kiri Yohanes mengalami kebutaan. Polisi sendiri menahan tiga pelaku pengeroyokan yang terjadi sekitar 200 meter dari kantor Kepolisian Sektor Jetis itu. Anarki Unjuk rasa itu sendiri diwarnai aksi anarki. Sejumlah pengunjuk rasa tiba-tiba merusak beberapa rumah warga yang berada di sisi kiri dan kanan jalan Kampung Pingit. Dua warga, yakni Kasiman dan Wasikan, dilarikan ke RS Dr Sardjito karena mengalami luka parah di perut dan pinggang. Unjuk rasa yang bertujuan menuntut agar pelaku pengeroyokan ditindak sesuai dengan hukum itu dimulai sekitar pukul 10.00. Mereka semula berkumpul di sekitar Jalan Kyai Mojo. Sekitar pukul 11.00 warga yang bermukim di samping kiri swalayan panik karena secara tiba-tiba sejumlah orang masuk ke kampung dan merusak rumah. Kerusakan terparah terjadi di RT 8, 9, dan 10 RW III Pingit. Hampir semua kaca rumah penduduk di ketiga RT itu pecah, beberapa pintu dan perabot juga rusak. Ketua RW III Pingit Gotro Purbo mengatakan, pihaknya masih mendata kerugian material akibat penyerangan itu. Ada sekitar 135 kepala keluarga di wilayahnya. "Kami akan menuntut kerugian material akibat perusakan ini," kata Gotro. Ia menambahkan, sejak terjadi pengeroyokan terhadap Yohanes Selasa lalu, banyak warga berusia tua diungsikan untuk menghindari bentrokan dengan mahasiswa Papua. "Bagaimanapun kami tetap ingin berdamai. Kami juga berharap polisi dapat segera menyelesaikan secara hukum kasus pengeroyokan itu," katanya. Juru bicara pengunjuk rasa, Yermias Ignatius, mengatakan, kekerasan dan diskriminasi terhadap warga Papua di DI Yogyakarta sering terjadi. "Jumlahnya terus meningkat tiap tahun. Ini tindakan melanggar hak asasi manusia, tetapi tak pernah diselesaikan secara adil," katanya. Dalam aksinya, pengunjuk rasa membawa spanduk yang antara lain bertuliskan, "Stop Kekerasan bagi Orang Papua di Indonesia". Sesepuh mahasiswa Papua, Benny, menegaskan, sejak awal unjuk rasa ini merupakan aksi damai. "Kami memberi batas tali rafia di sekitar pendemo. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas mereka yang melakukan kekerasan di luar tali rafia," kata Benny. Ayah Yohanes, Maurit Kambuaya, mengaku terpukul dan kecewa dengan perlakuan terhadap putra sulungnya itu. Maurit sengaja datang dari Sorong untuk memperjuangkan nasib Yohanes. Seusai melakukan perusakan, demonstran melanjutkan aksi ke Kantor Gubernur DIY dan bertekad menginap agar bisa bertemu dengan Gubernur DIY. Namun, mereka akhirnya meninggalkan Kepatihan sekitar pukul 18.50 karena gubernur tidak berada di kantor. --- CENDRAWASIH POS Rabu, 13 Juni 2007 Bawa 18 Kg Emas Batangan, Dua Pria Diperiksa Polisi *Rencana Akan Dibawa ke Makassar BIAK-Dua orang pria masing-masing Hardi dan Beni, Selasa (12/6) kemarin menjalani pemeriksaan di Mapolres Biak Numfor terkait dengan kepemilikan 18 Kg emas batangan yang rencananya dibawa ke Makassar dengan menggunakan pesawat Garuda dari Bandar Udara Frans Kaisiepo Biak. Informasi yang diperoleh Cenderawasih Pos di lapangan, emas yang diduga berasal dari Nabire dibawa oleh Hardi yang selanjutnya diserahkan ke Beni salah satu penumpang Garuda untuk dibawa ke Makassar. Namun sekitar pukul 09.40 WIT saat akan melapor di bagian keberangkatan, pihak sekuriti bandara yang ada di Bandar Udara Frans Kaisiepo mencurigai barang bawaan Beni dan setelah diperiksa barang tersebut berisi emas batangan yang diperkirakan mencapai 18 kg. Atas temuan tersebut, kedua pria langsung diserahkan ke Pos Polisi KP3 Udara dan selanjutnya di bawa ke Mapolres Biak Numfor. Wakapolres Biak Numfor Kompol Ulung Sampurnajaya, S.Ik didampingi Kasat Reskrim AKP.Stevanus Konyep yang dikonfirmasi wartawan membenarkan adanya pemeriksaan terhadap kedua pria terkait dengan kepemilikan emas batangan seberat 18 kg. Emas batangan tersebut menurut Wakapolres Ulung Sampurnajaya dibawa oleh Hardi dari Nabire dan selanjutnya diserahkan ke Beni untuk dibawa ke Makassar dengan menggunakan pesawat Garuda Indonesia. Dikatakan, dari hasil pemeriksaan yang dilakukan menurut Wakapolres Ulung Sampurnajaya emas batangan tersebut memiliki surat ijin pengiriman emas yang dikeluarkan Pemkab Nabire melalui Dinas Pertambangan dan Energi Kabupaten Nabire. Dalam surat ijin bernomor 543/107/002.K/Distamben tertanggal 11 Juni 2007 menurut Wakapolres emas batangan itu merupakan milik Toko Emas Jaya di Nabire yang merupakan hasil tambang di Nabire dan dibawa ke Makassar untuk diproses lebih lanjut. "Dari hasil pemeriksaan yang kami lakukan, pemilik barang yaitu Beni Tope telah memiliki Surat ijin Pengiriman Emas Keluar Nabire yang dikeluarkan oleh Pemkab Nabire melalui Dinas Pertambangan dan Energi Kabupaten Nabire,"ungkap Wakapolres sambil memperlihatkan sirat ijin tersebut kepada wartawan. Terkait dengan adanya surat ijin pengiriman emas yang dikeluarkan oleh Pemkab Nabire, maka emas seberat 18 kg menurut Wakapolres bukan merupakan barang illegal. Dengan adanya kelengkapan surat ijin dari Pemkab Nabire, kedua pria tersebut langsung dibebaskan.(nat --- RADAR SORONG Kamis 14 Juni 2007 Dinas PU Papua Barat Diserang Massa MANOKWARI- Sekelompok massa, Rabu (13/6) mendatangi Kantor Dinas Pekerjaan Umum dan Perhubungan Provinsi Papua Barat. Kedatangan mereka bukan menyampaikan aspirasi. Akan tetapi mereka langsung melakukan pengrusakan kantor dan memukul beberapa pegawai yang sedang bekerja. Aksi brutal dan tak terpuji tersebut terjadi sekitar pukul 10.00 WIT. Pantauan koran ini di tempat kejadian perkara (TKP) menyebutkan, sekolompok massa tersebut datang di Dinas Pekerjaan Umum dan Perhubungan dengan menggunakan dua mobil taksi. Tanpa permisi mereka langsung masuk dan berbuat seenak hati. Sebanyak 8 lembar kaca nako dijendela depan pecah akibat dirusak dengan menggunakan kayu. Bukan hanya itu, sekolompok massa tersebut juga mengejar pegawai yang terlihat di kantor tersebut. Akibatnya mereka lari meninggalkan kantor untuk mendapat pertolongan. Selain merusak dan memukul pegawai, massa juga sempat memalang pintu-pintu kantor. Kesempatan tersebut sekolompok massa tersebut meminta Gubernur Papua Barat Abraham O Atururi dan Sekda G.C Auparay untuk membuka palang tersebut.Namun, palang-palang dari kayu tersebut akhirnya dibuka oleh anggota kepolisian yang datang mengamankan situasi. Sekitar 12 orang yang datang merusak langsung diamankan dan diperiksa di Mapolres. Sedangkan Kantor Dinas PU dan Perhubungan, khususnya di tempat kaca-kaca pecah dipasang Police Line. Kejadian tersebut sempat mengganggu aktivitas perkantoran. Kepala Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja Provinsi Papua Barat John Rumbruren yang datang di Kantor PU setelah usai aksi brutal tersebut mengatakan sangat menyayangkan kejadian tersebut yang berbuntut pada dipasangnya police line. Pihaknya meminta aparat keamanan untuk menindak tegas para pelaku. Sementara itu Kepala Dinas PU dan Perhubungan Efendi Siagian, BE yang dikonfirmasi Manokwari Pos mengatakan pihaknya tidak menerima tindakan brutal yang dilakukan sekolompok orang tersebut yang telah merusak dan bahkan memukul pegawai."Saya tidak kenal kompromi, biarkan hukum yang jalan. Penyelesaian secara kekeluargaan sudah cukup," tuturnya seraya menambahkan persoalan ini belum dilaporkan kepada pimpinan.(sr) --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/06/14/Sorotan/sorot01.htm SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pembela HAM di Papua Butuh Perlindungan Pengantar Hak asasi manusia (HAM) masih sering dilanggar di Tanah Air, khususnya di Tanah Papua. Kiprah para penggiat dan pembela HAM di Papua masih dirasakan kurang bebas dan terasa sering dibatasi. Kondisi tersebut mengundang perhatian dari Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa (PBB). Itu diwujudkan dengan pengiriman utusan khusus PBB mengenai Perlindungan bagi Pekerja Kemanusiaan, Hina Jilani, ke Papua baru-baru ini. Kedatangan Hina Jilani sesungguhnya menyadarkan mereka yang bergiat dalam pembelaan HAM bahwa para pekerja kemanusiaan/pembela HAM memiliki hak untuk dilindungi oleh negara. Kunjungan ini menunjukkan, kasus-kasus pelanggaran terhadap para pembela HAM sudah seharusnya segera diproses hukum. Untuk melihat masalah ini, koresponden SP, Gabriel Maniagasi menuliskannya dalam sorotan kali ini. SP/Ignatius Liliek Wakil Khusus Sekretaris Jenderal PBB Urusan Pembela HAM Hina Jilani menjawab pertanyaan wartawan saat konferensi pers di Gedung FAO PBB, Jakarta, Selasa (12/6). Jilani yang berkunjung ke Indonesia sejak (5/6) lalu menyampaikan keprihatinannya mengenai penanganan beberapa kasus HAM yang terjadi di Indonesia dan berharap dapat secara langsung bertemu dengan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. dara pagi demikian sejuk. Matahari belum terlalu tinggi, namun kesibukan Bandara Sentani pada Jumat (8/6) terasa sedikit berbeda dari biasanya. Di depan Gerbang VIP Room Bandara Sentani tampak sekelompok orang berdiri sambil memajang spanduk dan beberapa lembar kertas berukuran besar penuh coretan dengan berbagai tulisan, di antaranya Stop! Genocide of Papua", "Welcome Hina Jilani, Who Carry Freedom For All The West Papua". Mereka tampak antusias dan bersemangat sekali. Sekelompok orang itu menamakan dirinya Forum Komunikasi Rakyat Papua, jumlah mereka hanya puluhan orang saja. Kabarnya, mereka adalah kelompok mahasiswa yang peduli dengan masalah hak asasi manusia (HAM) di Tanah Papua. Kedatangan mereka di Bandara Sentani untuk menyambut Utusan Khusus Perserikatan Bangsa- Bangsa (PBB) mengenai Perlindungan bagi Pekerja Kemanusiaan, Hina Jilani, ke Papua. Kehadiran Hina memiliki makna tersendiri bagi masyarakat Papua. Sebabnya, hampir 40 tahun baru ada utusan khusus PBB yang kembali ke Papua, itu pun hanya untuk melihat secara langsung perkembangan para pekerja HAM dan tindakan pemerintah terhadap para pekerja HAM di Tanah Papua. Kehadiran utusan PBB ini dianggap sebagai peristiwa monumentalis setelah pelaksanaan Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat (Pepera) pada tahun 1969 yang disaksikan utusan khusus PBB. Para mahasiswa ini bermaksud menyampaikan keinginan mereka dengan cara mereka agar kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM di tanah Papua segera dituntaskan. Padahal, kedatangan utusan khusus PBB ini adalah bukan untuk menyelesaikan kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM secara umum, seperti yang disangkakan tapi kedatangannya hanya untuk kasus-kasus pelanggaran yang menimpa para pekerja HAM atau para pembela HAM. Terlepas dari itu, Hina merupakan utusan khusus PBB kedua yang secara resmi diizinkan pemerintah Indonesia masuk ke Papua yang sebelumnya dianggap "rawan". Sebelumnya ada semacam kegelisahan baik di Papua maupun di luar Papua, khususnya di Jakarta bahwa Papua tidak aman untuk seorang utusan PBB. Sementara di kalangan para pegiat LSM kalau-kalau Hina bakal tak kunjung tiba di Papua, tapi akhirnya kegelisahan LSM itu pun terobati setelah Hina menginjakkan kakinya di Tanah Papua. Kedatangan perempuan asal Pakistan ini tidak sendirian, ditemani seorang staf PBB, yakni Gullaime Pfeiffle dan rombongan lain dari Departemen Luar Negeri RI. Hina merupakan utusan khusus dari Perwakilan Sekjen PBB yang membidangi masalah pekerja pembela HAM (Human Right Defender). Dalam catatan, Hina Jilani adalah seorang pengacara hukum dan pendiri Komisi HAM Pakistan di 2002. Adanya Laporan Kedatangannya secara khusus terkait adanya laporan mengenai perlakuan di luar ketentuan yang masih sering dialami pekerja / aktivis HAM lewat ancaman dan teror. Kedatangannya di Papua juga untuk melihat kinerja aktivis HAM beserta perangkat penegakan hukum, dan memantau perkembangan penanganan kasus pelanggaran HAM yang pernah terjadi di Tanah Papua. Dalam rentetan kunjungannya di Provinsi Papua, Hina hanya dijadwalkan sehari berada di Jayapura sehingga dengan waktu yang sangat singkat dimanfaatkan untuk bertatap muka dengan pihak-pihak terkait, termasuk Pemerintah Provinsi Papua. Pada kunjungannya ke daerah Provinsi Papua, Hina berkesempatan menemui Sekretaris Daerah (Sekda) Provinsi Papua, Tedjo Suprapto karena Gubernur dan Wakil Gubernur sedang tugas keluar. Pertemuan itu berlangsung satu jam dan tertutup untuk publik. Namun, seusai pertemuan diperoleh informasi kalau pertemuan itu hanya menyoroti perihal perkembangan kasus penanganan HAM dan harapan akan konsistensi serta kesungguhan pemerintah Provinsi Papua dalam menindaklanjuti kasus-kasus pelanggaran HAM yang terjadi. Seusai bertemu dengan jajaran Pemerintah Provinsi Papua, Hina menuju Kejaksaan Tinggi Papua. Di sana pertemuan berlangsung alot karena Hina lebih banyak bertanya tentang masalah hukum dan peradilan. Terkait masalah hukum dan peradilan HAM, khususnya untuk wilayah Indonesia Timur saat ini berada di Makassar. Mengingat belum semua daerah mempunyai perangkat untuk itu (peradilan HAM). Selanjutnya, dalam pertemuan yang cukup singkat itu, Hina lebih banyak menyoalkan masalah peranan Kejaksaan dalam setiap penanganan kasus HAM. Untuk itu, Wakil Kepala Kejaksaan Tinggi Papua, Domu P Sihite SH, MH mengungkapkan bahwa selama kurun waktu 3 tahun terakhir ini tidak ada kasus pelanggaran HAM yang ditangani Kejaksaan Tinggi Papua. Meskipun demikian, dalam setiap proses penyidikan dan penuntutan perkara, Kejaksaan Tinggi Papua selalu mengacu pada UU Nomor 26 Tahun 2002 tentang Peradilan HAM. Dicontohkan, kasus Abepura berdarah pada 2000, sesuai ketentuan hukum di Indonesia, kasus itu bukanlah kasus pelanggaran HAM melainkan masuk kategori pidana umum. Terkait pemahaman akan makna HAM itu sendiri, Hina memandang perlunya pembekalan materi HAM oleh Organisasi Internasional yang memang secara khusus menangani masalah-masalah HAM. Dibatasi Gerakannya Selain itu, Hina pun berkesempatan bertatap muka dengan Kapolda Papua Brigjen Pol Max Donal Aer di Markas Kepolisian Daerah (Mapolda). Dalam Perbincangannya dengan pimpinan institusi Kepolisian di Papua, Hina menanyakan adanya informasi bahwa para pekerja HAM merasa dibatasi ruang geraknya karena selalu diawasi pihak intelijen. Max Donal menegaskan, anggotanya tidak akan melakukan sesuatu hal tanpa adanya alasan yang jelas mengingat fungsi kepolisian sebagai pengayom, pelindung, dan pelayan masyarakat. Begitu juga halnya dengan tugas intelijen sebagai pengumpul informasi dan pencari keterangan yang nantinya akan diinformasikan ke fungsi Reskrim. Dikatakan, kekhawatiran itu sesungguhnya tidak perlu ada sejauh tidak bersentuhan dengan tindak pidana. Terkait saran pembekalan masalah HAM, Markas Besar (Mabes) Kepolisian Republik Indonesia (Polri) sudah membuat Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dengan Komnas HAM untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan pemahaman HAM kepada seluruh jajarannya, bahkan mulai dari pendidikan bintara. Dalam pembicaraan dengan Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Provinsi (DPRP) Papua, Jhon Ibo, MM mengingatkan kembali akan salah satu aspek dari pelaksanaan otonomi khusus (otsus) Papua, di mana otsus merupakan komitmen untuk mengakhiri pelanggaran HAM dan berupaya menghadirkan kesejahteraan serta kemerdekaan bagi orang Papua di Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). Sedangkan dalam pertemuan dengan Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP), Ketua MRP, Agus Alue Alua menegaskan, walaupun tugas kulturalnya sudah jelas dan tertuang semua dalam UU No 21/2001, pihaknya masih kesulitan dengan adanya batasan kewenangan dan tekanan dari pihak tertentu. Oleh karena itu, pihaknya meminta dukungan dan perhatian dari dunia internasional untuk perlindungan pelaksanaan tugas membela hak-hak orang Papua dalam pemerataan kesejahteraan dan pembangunan. Di Aula Kantor Sinode Gereja Kristen Injili di Tanah Papua, Hina berkesempatan mendengar testimoni dan pengakuan sejumlah aktivis yang pernah mengalami teror dan intimidasi ketika mereka sedang melaksanakan tugasnya. Dia mendengar dengan seksama dan sesekali ia mencatat apa yang dirasanya perlu. Pertemuan yang jarang dan langka itu dimanfaatkan para aktivis dari LSM, tokoh masyarakat dan tokoh agama untuk menyampaikan laporan mereka terkait Human Right Defender (HRD). Selain mendapat sambutan yang bagus, Hina juga sempat dibuat "pening" dengan hadirnya sekelompok masyarakat yang menghalangi perjalanannya untuk meminta waktu dua-tiga menit untuk menyampaikan aspirasi mereka. Kelompok masyakarat itu dipimpin Buchtar Tabuni, menghampiri Hina Jilani ketika akan meninggalkan penginapannya di Swiss-bell Hotel untuk menyampaikan unek-unek mereka terhadap pembelaan terhadap para pekerja kemanusiaan. Sekretaris Eksekutif FOKER LSM Papua, J Septer Manufandu mengaku cukup puas dengan kedatangan Hina yang memang secara khusus membidangi masalah HAM. Kedatangan ini sesungguhnya ada harapan besar bahwa kasus-kasus pelanggaran terhadap para pembela HAM harus segera diproses hukum. Sementara itu, Direktur Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Papua, Paskalis Letsoin mengatakan, dengan kedatangan Hina Jilani sesungguhnya menyadarkan pihaknya (LSM) bahwa para pekerja kemanusiaan/pembela HAM ternyata memiliki hak-hak untuk dilindungi oleh negara. * Last modified: 13/6/07 --- http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=105310 Perdamaian Suku-suku di Kwamki Lama Gelar Acara Bakar Batu Jayapura, 14 Juni 2007 10:04 Suku-suku di Kwamki Lama, Kabupaten Timika, Papua, sejak Rabu (13/6), menggelar acara bakar batu (bara pen), menandai berakhirnya perang antarsuku, dan dimulainya sebuah kehidupan baru yang aman, damai, dan berkerabat. Berdasarkan pemantauan, Kamis, kegiatan bakar batu, sebuah pesta adat suku-asuku asli di pedalaman Papua, merupakan bakar batu pria, yakni acara memberi makan kepada kaum pria antarsuku. Menyusul pada hari berikutnya, bakar batu untuk kaum perempuan. Sejak Pagi sekitar Pkl.06.00 WIT, para anggota suku berdatangan ke Kwamki Lama. Tampak para lelaki memegang busur dan panah. Mereka mengumpulkan batu-batu dan kayu kering yang akan dibakar bersamaan dengan daging babi serta sayur-mayur dan ubi-ubian. Tampak kaum perempuan, termasuk para ibu yang menyusui bayi, sambil menggendong bayi, membawa sayur mayur dan ubi-ubian untuk diolah dan disantap bersama- sama dalam suasana penuh kekerabatan. Acara bakar batu berlangsung hingga petang. Mereka bersukacita dan bersenda gurau di antara warga sesama suku dan antarsuku. Kaum perempuan sangat sibuk membersihkan sayur-mayur dan ubu-ubian sedangkan kaum pria sibuk menyembelih hewan dan selanjutnya dimasak dengan menggunakan batu yang panas memerah. "Kami menggelar acara bakar batu, sebuah pesta adat untuk perdamaian setelah pada 23 Juli hingga 14 September 2006 lalu kami terlibat perang antarsuku," kata salah seorang panglima perang, Elminus Mom. Dia mengatakan, sebelum digelar acara bakar batu, para suku yang pernah bertikai yakni suku Dani yang bermukim di Kwamki Lama Atas dan Bawah dan suku Damal dan Amungme yang bermukim di Kwamki Lama Tengah pada Senin (11/6) menggelar acara "bayar kepala" yaitu denda adat bagi para korban perang yang sudah meninggal dunia yang diterima oleh para kepala suku. Pembayaran kepala bagi para korban perang Kwamki Lama tersebut hanya berlangsung untuk kelompok tengah dibawah pimpinan kepala perangnya, Elminus Mom dan David Wandikbo. Adapun kelompok bawah dan atas dengan kepala perangnya, Negro Wanimbo dan Jacobus Kogoya hanya melaksanakan pengumpulan dana, sedangkan pembayaran kepala akan diatur kemudian lantaran belum terkumpul seluruh dana dari anggota suku. Ketua Panitia Pembayaran Kepala Kelompok Tengah, Jhony Bulibal mengatakan dana pembayaran kepala yang terkumpul untuk kelompok tengah seluruhnya berjumlah Rp 1 milyar yang diserahkan kepada tujuh keluarga korban yang meninggal saat perang suku Kwamki Lama, 23 Juli-14 September 2006, dimana masing-masing korban menerima Rp 200-Rp 500 juta. Menurut Bulibal, dana tersebut berasal dari sumbangan para donatur dan dari hasil pengumpulan oleh warga kelompok tengah sendiri yang bekerja sebagai pendulang tradisional, mengumpulkan gaharu serta dari hasil jualan sayur dan ubi-ubian di pasar. "Ini merupakan tuntutan adat yang harus dilaksanakan. Jika tidak dilaksanakan dikhawatirkan di kemudian hari akan terjadi lagi perang suku karena ada pihak yang tidak puas," tutur Bulibal. Selain korban jiwa, di kelompok tengah terdapat 145 rumah yang rusak berat dan ringan dan 21 rumah yang hangus terbakar saat perang suku di Kwamki Lama. Rumah- rumah yang rusak tersebut kini sedang direnovasi kembali. Sementara itu Kepala Perang Kelompok Bawah, Jacobus Kogoya mengaku pembayaran kepala bagi 10 korban meninggal dari kubunya belum bisa dilakukan pada Senin (11/6) lantaran sebagian besar masyarakat kelompok bawah masih berada di Tembagapura untuk mendulang. "Pembayaran kepala belum bisa dilakukan karena keluarga korban masih berada di Tembagapura, mereka tidak bisa turun ke Timika karena tidak ada bis," tutur Kogoya yang juga Kepala Suku Lani Dani itu. Menurut dia, total dana bayar kepala per jiwa di kelompoknya sebesar Rp 300 juta. Sejauh ini, kata Kogoya, dana yang sudah terkumpul seluruhnya baru mencapai Rp 467 juta. Pihaknya juga akan menyiapkan 3 kulit bia (kulit kerang) untuk dibayarkan kepada dua korban meninggal yaitu Panglima Perang Suku Damal, Mekome Murib dan Habinus Kogoya. Kulit bia tersebut dibeli seharga Rp 100 juta yang didatangkan dari daerah Beoga Paniai. --- CENDRAWASIH POS Sabtu, 16 Juni 2007 Wakapolda: Belum Ada Gangguan Teroris yang Nyata JAYAPURA-Atase Pertahanan Kedutaan Besar Singapura di Indonesia, Kolonel Wong bersama stafnya Kapten Stenly, melakukan kunjungan kehormatan ke Mapolda Papua, Jumat (15/6) kemarin. Dalam kunjungan ini, Kolonel Stenly disambut oleh Wakapolda Papua, Brigjen Pol Drs FR. Andi Lolo, SH, MM dengan didampingi Kasat Brimob AKBP Drs I Made Wira Wibawa, SH dan pejabat lainnya. Wakapolda saat ditanya Cenderawasih Pos seusai pertemuan tersebut, menyatakan, yang dibicarakan dalam pertemuan itu adalah menyangkut kondisi keamanan di wilayah Papua saat ini. "Kolonel Wong tanya soal kondisi keamanan di Papua dan saya jelaskan bahwa saat ini kondisi Papua sangat kondusif dan tidak ada masalah-masalah yang menonjol," kata mantan Kepala Biro Umum Mabes Polri ini. Tentang ancaman teroris, mantan Kapolres Cilacap (Jateng) periode 1998-1999 ini menuturkan bahwa di Papua belum ada ancaman teroris yang nyata. "Teroris itu ibarat pencuri di malam hari. Jadi tidak ada yang tahu kapan dia datang dan kapan pergi. Namun yang pasti, hingga sekarang belum ada gangguan terorisme yang nyata di Papua ini,"terangnya. Wakapolda juga menjelaskan, situasi kerukunan umat beragama di Papua ini cukup kondusfi. "Sikap toleransi antar umat beragama sangat tinggi. Meski berbeda-beda agama, tetapi masyarakat saling menghormati dan menghargai, baik yang mayoritas kepada yang minoritas maupun sebaliknya," jelasnya. Terkait masalah kriminalitas, Wakapolda juga menyatakan, di Papua ini kondisi relatif aman. "Masyarakat dapat melaksanakan setiap kegiatannya tanpa ada rasa ketakutan akan terjadinya tindak kriminal," ujarnya. Ditambahkan, sebelum berkunjung ke Polda, atase pertahanan itu juga telah melakukan kunjungan ke Kantor Gubernur Papua dan ke Kodam XVII/Trikora. "Setelah kunjungan ke kami, rencananya besok pagi (pagi ini,red) mereka akan kembali ke Jakarta,"tambahnya. --- RADAR SORONG Sabtu 16 Juni 2007 Wakili Sorong, Tiga Siswi Study ke LN **Kantongi Beasiswa Sampoerna Foundation RASA gembira dan bangga terpancar jelas jelas di raut wajah 3 siswi berprestasi, Erin Saiof (siswi SMAN2), Falorna Amaia (siswi SMAN1) dan Desi Raturoma (siswi SMA YPPK Agustinus). Sebab tak lama lagi, ketiga siswa penerima beasiswa Sampoerna Foundation akan melanjutkan pendidikannya ke luar negeri (LN), masing-masing ke Costa Rica, Canada dan Amerika Serikat. Terkait dengan keberangkatannya untuk study ke LN, Jumat kemarin, ketiga siswa tersebut menerima beasiswa dari Sampoerna Foundation yang secara resmi diserahkan oleh Walikota Sorong Drs JA Jumame, MM dan pihak dari Sampoerna Foundation. Penyerahan beasiswa yang berlangsung di Aula Samu Siret turut dihadiri Wakil Walikota Hj. Baesara Wael, S.Sos, Kepala Dinas P dan P Kota Sorong Dra Hermin Matandung, Kepsek dari ketiga sekolah asal siswa berprestasi tersebut serta pejabat Pemkot. Seperti diketahui ketiga siswi yang mendapatkan beasiswa itu sebelumnya melalui tahap seleksi yang cukup ketat. Ketiga penerima beasiswa ini semuanya dari jurusan IPA dan juga masih duduk dibangku kelas II SMA. Erin, Falorna maupun Desi Raturoma mengaku sangat senang dan bangga karena diberikan kesempatan untuk mendapatkan beasiswa belajar keluar negeri. Awalnya mereka tidak percaya dan tidak pernah membayangkan kalau terpilih untuk menjadi penerima beasiswa keluar negeri karena mereka merasa banyak teman-teman yang sangat menonjol dan mampu dan pantas untuk menjadi penerima beasiswa. Namun prestasi itu telah digenggam dan langkah meraih masa depan yang gemilang pun telah di depan mata. Dalam sambutannya Elan Merdy , Chief Operating Officer Sampoerna Foundation mengatakan kalau UWC (United World Colleges) sendiri adalah pergerakan pendidikan global yang menyatukan pelajar dari berbagai negara dengan latar belakang yang berbeda. Elan juga mengungkapkan bahwa pendidikan UWC mengutamakan standar akademis yang tinggi, mementingkan pelayanan masyarakat, dan menanamkan sikap saling menghargai antar budaya. "Kami berharap di UWC nanti, putri-putri Sorong ini tidak hanya dapat menuntut ilmu, tetapi juga dapat menimba dan berbagi pengalaman dan budaya dengan siswa siswi dari berbagai negara, sehingga saat pulang nanti akan semakin kaya hati dan pikirannya untuk dibagi di tanah air," harap Chief Operating Officer Sampoerna Foundation. Lebih jauh Elan juga menyatakan bahwa salah satu tujuan dipilihnya Sorong untuk ikut serta dalam UWC adalah untuk meningkatkan kualitas sumber daya manusia (SDM) di Sorong dalam jangka panjang. "Semoga ketiga anak yang berangkat ini, dapat menuntut ilmu sebaik-baiknya dan kembali lagi untuk membangun Kota Sorong dan juga Papua Barat secara keseluruhan," kata Elan. Beasiswa UWC dari Indonesia dikelola secara khusus oleh Sampoerna Foundation (SF) dan Komite Nasional UWC (UWC NC) di Indonesia. Setiap tahunnya SF dan UWC NC menetapkan propinsi yang akan mengirimkan siswa-siswinya untuk mewakili Indonesia ke sekolah-sekolah UWC. Papua Barat sendiri adalah daerah yang dekat dengan SF. Sampai dengan akhir 2006, SF telah memberikan 40 beasiswa kepada siswa-siswi SD sampai SMA di Papua Barat. Walikota Sorong JA Jumame dalam sambutannya mengatakan hal ini merupakan kebanggaan bagi pemerintah dan masyarakat Kota Sorong karena ada tiga perwakilan siswi yang mendapatkan bantuan beasiswa akan melanjutkan pendidikan ke luar negeri. "Ini juga merupakan kebanggaan tersendiri bagi ketiga siswi tersebut dan juga bagi orangtua mereka. Selaku Walikota saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada SF yang telah memilih Kota Sorong sebagai sasaran seleksi penerima beasiswa SF,"ungkap Jumame. Dengan dikirimnya ketiga siswi ini juga merupakan aset sumber daya manusia yang berkualitas yang nantinya diharapkan akan dapat menjadi motivator pembangunan pada bidangnya masing-masing. Diharapkan juga Erin, Falorna dan Desi dapat menjadi pendorong bagi siswa-siswi yang lain agar mau lebih giat lagi belajar agar dapat menjadi prestasi seperti ketiga temannya yang mendapat beasiswa ini. Jumame berharap agar prestasi ini tidak berhenti sampai disini malah harus ditingkatkan lagi. "Sebagaimana diketahui menurut program Departemen Pendidikan Nasional bahwa setiap Kota akan ditunjuk untuk mempunyai satu sekolah yang bertaraf Internasional. Oleh karena itu semua SMA yang ada di Sorong untuk berlomba agar dapat menjadi sekolah yang bertaraf Internasional,"ujar Jumame yang empat hari lalu dilantik sebagai Walikota Sorong periode 2007-2012. (yan) --- RADAR SORONG Sabtu 16 Juni 2007 Gugatan Ditolak, Massa Ngamuk **Buntut Pilkada Maluku Tengah AMBON- Ribuan massa pendukung pasangan Jusuf Latuconsina-Leonard Lohy, kemarin, melakukan aksi demo di Pengadilan Negeri Ambon setelah gugatan Pilkada pasangan itu terhadap Komisi Pemilihan Umum Daerah Maluku Tengah ditolak majelis hakim Pengadilan Tinggi Maluku. Meski diguyur hujan deras, massa tak beranjak dari pelataran PN Ambon paska putusan majelis hakim. Mereka menilai majelis hakim yang memutuskan kasus tersebut tidak adil, dan terkesan memihak kepada KPUD dan pasangan calon yang ditetapkan sebagai pemenang. Ribuan massa itu sejak pukul 09.00 WIT sudah berada di PN Ambon. Mereka adalah simpatisan dari Muhammad Umarella-Johanis Beling Bahy, Jusuf Latuconsina- Leonard Lohy, Abdullah Tuasikal-Imanuel Seipala, dan ML Leleury-Lamjal Waleuru. Sidang baru dimulai sekitar pukul 09.30 Wit. Di luar sidang ribuan polisi berseragam lengkap dan berpakaian preman berjaga-jaga. Satu mobil rantis, dan dua mobil yang mengangkut kawat duri telah disiapkan di depan PN Ambon. Bahkan salah satu ruas jalan ditutup sementara. Sidang berlangsung sekitar 2 jam. Dalam putusannya majelis hakim yang menyidangkan sengketa Pilkada Malteng itu, menolak seluruh keberatan Latuconsoina-Lohy. Majelis hakim menilai, seluruh dalil-dalil yang diajukan berupa bukti-bukti dari tim kuasa hukum Latuconsina-Lohy dan keterangan para saksi, tidak mempunyai kekuatan hukum. ''Semua keberatan pemohon, seluruhnya ditolak,'' kata Ketua Majelis Hakim AH Saidi dalam amar putusannya. Mejelis hakim berpendapat, seluruh administrasi yang diajukan pemohon tidak relevan. Mejelis hakim berpendapat kesalahan administrasi yang diajukan adalah kesalahan pidana. ''Kesalahan administrasi tidak relevan dalam sengketa pilkada Malteng. Kesalahan merupakan masalah pidana,'' kata majelis hakim. Usai persidangan, Koordinator tim kuasa hukum, Latuconsina-Lohy, Herman Hattu meluapkan kekecewaannya terhadap putusan mejelis hakim. ''Majelis hakim tidak objektif dalam menangani perkara ini. Padahal semua bukti-bukti dan keterangan saksi menunjukan KPUD Malteng telah melakukan penggelembungan suara,'' tekanya. Karena itu, kata dia, pihaknya berencana mengajukan Peninjauan Kembali (PK) ke Mahkamah Agung (MA). ''Kami akan ajukan PK. Putusan ini penuh dengan rekayasa,'' pungkas Hattu. Usai majelis hakim menjatuhkan amar putusannya, ribuan massa meluapkan amarahnya. Mereka mengamuk dan mencoba merangsak maju ke dalam kantor PN Ambon, namun terhadang brigadir barisan polisi yang telah bersiaga dengan perlengkapan anti huru hara, seperti tameng dan gas air mata. Anjing pelacak juga diturunkan membantu pengamanan. Tameng yang dipakai polisi setinggi satu meter. Mereka ini ditempatkan untuk mengawal pintu masuk kantor PN. Aksi amuk massa hanya dilakukan dipelataran kantor PN. Umpatan dan caci maki yang dialamatkan kepada majelis hakim yang menyidangkan perkara itu, tak hentinya dilontarkan massa. Berulangkali massa mencoba merangsek maju ke kantor PN, tapi terhadang oleh ratusan anggota gabungan Polda Maluku yang disiagakan di PN.Massa mengatakan majelis hakim telah mengecewakan masyarakat Malteng dengan memenangkan kandidat tertentu. "Tidak ada keadilan bagi masyarakat. Kebenaran dan suara rakyat telah dibeli, hakim telah disuap," tuding massa. Massa menolak kandidat tertentu untuk kembali memimpin Malteng. "Penderitaan masyarakat semakin panjang, karena hakim telah berpihak kepada penguasa yang selama ini arogan terhadap rakyat. Malteng tidak akan maju karena kembali dipimpin oleh penguasa yang tidak ada niat untuk memikirkan masyarakat Malteng," tuding massa. Menghindari amukan massa, majelis hakim yang memimpin sidang dievakuasi oleh polisi dengan menaiki kendaraan rantis yang telah disiagakan di PN Ambon. Massa yang mengetahui itu mencoba mengejar dan melempari mobil tersebut dengan batu tapi dihalang-halangi polisi. Bukan hanya dipintu masuk, polisi juga membentuk barikade barisan sepanjang kantor PN Ambon. SITUASI MASOHI TENANG Situasi Kota Masohi ibukota Kabupaten Maluku Tengah (Malteng) hingga malam tadi pasca putusan persidangan gugatan pilkada di PN Ambon dalam kondisi aman dan tenang. Hanya saja pada titik kediaman para calon kepala daerah terlihat dipadati massa pendukung yang berkumpul. Di rumah kediaman Bupati Abdullah Tuasikal, tampak massa pendukung dan simpatisan tengah berkumpul sambil mendengarkan informasi perkembangan yang terjadi di PN Ambon. Hal yang sama tampak pula di kediaman calon lainnya Drs Jusuf Lartuconsina. Puluhan massa pendukung dan simpatisan terlihat cukup ramai di kediaman yang terletak di pusat Kota Masohi itu. Mereka juga terlihat cukup antusias dan serius mengikuti perkembangan hasil putusan gugatan tersebut. (cr7/hir/Ccr2/jpnn --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?ses=&id=524 23 Juni 2007 06:00:47 Tidak Usah Merdeka Max Demotouw: Tapi Pilih Pemerintah yang Baik JAYAPURA- Belum optimalnya implementasi Undang-Undang 21 tahun 2001 tentang Otsus bagi Papua hingga saat ini, ternyata membuat sebagian rakyat Papua masih gerah, dan bukan mustahil akan berakumulasi pada pengembalian Otsus dan menguaknya kembali aspirasi merdeka. Seperti yang terungkap pada publik hearing antara Anggota DPD- Utusan Papua Provinsi Papua, Pdt Max Demotouw dengan sejumlah stakeholder yang datang dari berbagai unsur di Gedung Sarinah kemarin. Pada kesempatan itu, sejumlah peserta mengungkapkan beberapa hal actual yang kini terjadi di Papua. Misalnya saja belum optimalnya implementasi UU 21 tahun 2001 yang indikasinya pada masih rendahnya kesejahteraan masyarakat. Akibatnya, sebagian dari mereka merasa lebih baik 'merdeka' saja dari pada Otsus tidak mampu memberikan perubahan yang berarti bagi kehidupan masyarakat Papua. "Jika memang kondisinya begini, maka lebih baik Merdeka saja. Papua hanya jadi korban," ungkap Ketua DPRD Kota Jayapura Drs Theopillus Bonay yang ikut menjadi peserta public hearing itu. Kata Bonay, selama ini Otsus belum membawa perubahan yang berarti bagi masyarakat Papua, sebaliknya masyarakat Papua masih hidup dalam kemiskinan. Ia juga melihat Papua bahkan terpecah - pecah akibat dana tersebut, sehingga akibat dana Otsus itu Papua sesungguhnya terpecah - pecah. "Jadi jangan heran kalau sekarang ini masyarakat sudah tidak percaya dengan pemerintah. Bahkan dengan Otsus," ujarnya. Tak hanya itu, Bonay juga mengkritik keberadaan MRP yang hingga saat ini belum melakukan sesuatu. Ia juga bahkan menyayangkan wewenang MRP yang hanya sebatas memberikan rekomendasi dan tidak memutuskan. "Untuk apa sebenarnya MRP ada kalau tidak jelas fungsinya, dimana Perda Agama, dimana Perda Perempuan dan dimana Perda Adat ," tukasnya serius. Peserta lainnya dari Solidaritas Perempuan Papua Theo A, juga mengungkapkan hal yang tidak jauh berbeda. Ia melihat bahwasanya belum optimalnya Otsus karena ketidakmampuan pemerintah daerah menjalankan fungsi dan tugasnya secara baik. "Saya melihat ada pembagian peran yang tidak objektif dan tidak sistematis semua orang kerja tidak ada hasil," ujarnya. Sehingga tak heran kalau pada Agustus 2005 lalu rakyat Papua ingin mengembalikan Otsus ke pusat. Pada kesempatan itu, sebagian peserta lain juga menyinggung soal genocida yang terjadi di Papua hingga aksi teror yang katanya kerap dilakukan oknum - oknum tertentu terhadap pihak - pihak tertentu di Papua. Menanggapi hal itu, Pdt Max Demotouw mengatakan, ada dua hal yang dilihat dari masalah tersebut. Di satu pihak pemerintah pusat belum melaksanakan Otsus secara murni dan konsekwen. Sebaliknya birokrasi, DPRP, MRP dan semua elemen di Papua yang menerima Otsus juga harus mampu melaksanakan Otsus dengan baik dan benar. Ia juga melihat antara pusat dan daerah harus sinergi dalam melaksnakan Otsus ini, sehingga tidak terjadi saling lempar tanggung jawab dan kesalahan. "Demi suksesnya Otsus harus ada dua sisi yang bekerja, yakni kemauan pusat atau politik will dari pemerintah pusat dan sebaliknya birokrasi baik pemda maupun DPRP, MRP dan semua komponen masyarakat lainnya harus melaksanakan UU 21 tahun 2001 dengan menyiapkan berbagai perangkat - perangkat," katanya. Misalnya saja adalah penyusunan Perda yang akan memberikan bobot pada implementasi UU Otsus secara cepat dan tepat sehingga Otsus bisa berakhir dengan kesejahteraan rakyat Papua. Menyangkut aspirasi Merdeka Pdt Max mengatakan, agar rakyat Papua tidak usah meminta merdeka, namun sebaiknya memilih yang baik yang sungguh - sungguh bekerja untuk rakyat. "Tidak usah merdeka, tapi pilih pemerintah yang baik," tukasnya. Sebab dengan pemerintah yang baik dan sungguh - sungguh bekerja untuk rakyat, maka kesejahteraan itu akan terwujud. Karena itu, semua kembali pada pemerintah, karena itu pemerintah harus bersih. Terkait dengan soal genocide dan teror yang diterima Rumbekwan dari oknum tertentu Pdt Max Demotouw mengatakan, hal itu tidak boleh terjadi lagi di Papua. Dan kalau memang saat ini terjadi harus didukung dengan data yang akurat dan benar. "Soal genocide itu isu yang sering didengar, tapi harus didukung data - data yang akurat, nanti saya tanyakan sama BIN, Polri atau TNI, hal ini bisa saja ditindak lanjut kalau didukung data dan fakta yang akurat," katanya. Begitu juga dengan teror yang diterima Perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua, Rumbekwan, pihaknya akan membicarakan hal itu dengan pihak yang berwenang. Kepada Cenderawasih Pos, Pdt Max juga menyinggung tentang 90 persen dana Otsus yang hanya habis di birokrat. Ia mengatakan, harusnya gubernur tidak hanya sebatas mengatakan ada dana yang hilang sekian, namun perlu disertai dengan data - data yang akurat. "Pertanyaannya birokrat mana, instansi mana, oknum mana yang masuk dalam indikasi itu harusnya dijelaskan secara transparan oleh Gubernur. Jangan hanya bilang ada uang hilang tapi tidak sebut oknumnya dan diberi sanksi seperti apa," katanya. Dari publik hearing itu, ia menyimpulkan bahwa agar implementasi Otsus berjalan baik, maka hendaknya ada sinergi antara pemerintah pusat dan daerah, sehingga ada kebersamaan dalam pelaksanaannya, sebab kelemahan itu belum tentu hanya dari pemerintah pusat saja tetapi juga ada kelemahan di tingkat daerah yang kurang bekerja optimal. "Jadi birokrat, legislatif masyarakat harus membangun satu sinergi yang baik, sehingga Otsus berjalan baik," tandasnya.(ta) --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/6/23/mantan-anggota-opm-minta-rakyat-papua-tak-terpancing-isu-merdeka/ 23/06/07 07:01 Mantan Anggota OPM Minta Rakyat Papua Tak Terpancing Isu Merdeka Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Masyarakat Papua diminta tidak terpancing oleh isu politik kemerdekaan seputar Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), karena hanya akan membawa malapetaka bagi diri, keluarga maupun tatanan kehidupan masyarakat di daerah paling timur wilayah Indonesia itu. Himbauan itu disampaikan oleh Mantan anggota OPM yang kini mendekam di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Abepura, Jayapura, Drs Filep Karma, Sabtu, terkait santernya kembali isu pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora menjelang peringatan lahirnya OPM 1 Juli. "Dari balik terali besi di Lapas Abepura, saya menerima banyak informasi bahwa di tengah masyarakat Papua saat ini sedang beredar isu yang santer seputar politik kemerdekaan Papua. Saya minta semua lapisan masyarakat di tanah Papua agar tidak terpancing isu tersebut demi terciptanya Papua sebagai zona damai," katanya. Isu-isu murahan tentang kemerdekaan Papua itu sengaja dihembuskan oleh oknum atau kelompok orang tertentu yang ingin "mengail di air keruh" agar mereka pun dapat meraup keuntungan politik, finansial dan material dari isu tersebut. Filep berpendapat, diskusi politik seputar kemerdekaan Papua itu bukan baru terjadi pada hari ini tetapi telah berlangsung lama malahan sejak tahun 1960-an namun sejauh pengamatan dan refleksinya yang mendalam, kemerdekaan Papua itu sangat sulit tercapai atau dapat dikatakan "mimpi yang tidak kunjung datang" karena orang Papua sendiri tidak memiliki kesamaan pandang tentang kemerdekaan itu sendiri. Ada orang Papua yang berpendapat, merdeka berarti lepas dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia sedangkan orang Papua lainnya berpikir bahwa merdeka berarti membangun dalam alam Otonomi Khusus Papua bersama saudara-saudara dari wilayah lain di Indonesia di dalam rangkulan ibu pertiwi Indonesia. Selain itu, lanjutnya kemerdekaan Papua dalam arti lepas dari Indonesia sangat sulit tercapai karena begitu banyak orang Papua yang tahu akan resiko dari perjuangan untuk kemerdekaan Papua dan karenanya tidak mau berkorban untuk itu. "Jika keinginan untuk merdeka tidak dibarengi dengan kesediaan untuk berkorban dan hanya berharap dari satu atau dua orang saja maka mustahil Papua itu dapat merdeka. Ada keinginan tetapi tidak mau berkorban, itulah salah satu ciri orang kita sehingga sebaiknya tidak perlu bermimpi untuk merdeka lepas dari Indonesia," katanya. Filep berpendapat, dirinya secara politik memperjuangkan kemerdekaan Papua karena panggilan pribadinya sendiri dengan menerima resiko dari perjuangan itu yakni harus mendekam di dalam penjara selama 15 tahun. Menurut dia, Indonesia pun memahami persoalan Papua sehingga secara sungguh-sungguh pemerintah menata pembangunan Papua melalui UU Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus untuk Papua. "Kami dengar bahwa pemberian Otsus bagi Papua merupakan salah satu jawaban atas keinginan masyarakat Papua untuk merdeka sekaligus untuk menyejahterakan rakyat Papua secara cepat, tepat dan bertanggungjawab. Jika itu yang dilakukan pemerintah Indonesia maka harapan Papua untuk merdeka semakin sirna ditelan waktu. Zaman berubah dan kita pun turut berubah di dalamnya," katanya. Tentang rencananya untuk menulis buku selama berada di penjara, Filep mengatakan, pihaknya sudah didekati seorang wartawan senior untuk menulis gagasan politiknya dan permintaan untuk itu sudah dikabulkannya. Saya dengan seorang wartawan senior di Jayapura yang telah menulis buku Duri Kemerdekaan Timor Timur sedang menyusun sebuah buku yang berisi gagasan perjuangan politikku selama ini. Saya beri judul Kemerdekaan Papua, mimpi yang tak kunjung datang," katanya. Menyadari akan semuanya ini, lanjutnya, dia meminta semua lapisan masyarakat Papua agar tidak terpancing isu-isu politik yang menyesatkan diri sendiri dan jauh lebih baik mengambil posisi yang tepat yaitu membanting tulang, menyingsingkan lengan baju untuk membangun tanah Papua yang sejahtera dan damai bagi semua suku, agama, ras dan golongan.(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=544&ses= 25 Juni 2007 04:04:51 Penyebaran HIV/AIDS Sudah Sampai di Kampung-kampung JAYAPURA-Direktur Yayasan Pelayanan Kesehatan Masyarakat (YPKM) Provinsi Papua, Drs TG Butar-Butar, M.Kes mengatakan, pola penyebaran virus HIV/AIDS sudah sampai ke tingkat kampung."Pola penyebaran virus ini sudah sampai ke kampung-kampung ," katanya kepada Cenderawasih Pos di kediamannya, Sabtu, (23/6). Dikatakan demikian, sebab sesuai hasil intervensi, advokasi, penyuluhan atau penanganan yang dilakukan pihaknya sampai di tingkat kampung-kampung seperti di Kabupaten Yapen, Kabupaten Waropen dan wilayah Pegunungan, cukup banyak masyarakat kampung yang mulai terinfeksi virus tersebut. Hal itu disebabkan dari penyebaran penduduk baik migrasi maupun urbanisasi yang bila dilihat dalam setiap tahunnya mengalami perkembangan yang sangat pesat, terutama perpindahan penduduk dari kota ke kampung dan sebaliknya. Hal lainnya adalah diakibatkan oleh perilaku kehidupan modern yang sedikit abnormal (menyimpang). Juga penyebaran virus itu mengikuti pertumbuhan pembangunan, terutama di daerah industri dan perusahaan yang mana membutuhkan tenaga kerja cukup banyak, yang notabenenya diambil dari luar Papua. "Kasus yang kami tangani, banyak orang-orang kampung yang ketika sakit, lebih banyak memilih pulang ke kampungnya. Dan kami lihat dari gejala sakitnya, disertai dengan pemeriksaan yang kami lakukan ternyata yang bersangkutan mengidap virus itu,"tandasnya. "Saya katakan, jangan main-main dengan virus ini, sebab jika kita main-main dan tidak serius dalam penanganannya, maka banyak orang akan mati karena virus ini. Penanganannya jangan monoton, tapi harus berubah polanya,"sambungnya. Menurutnya, solusinya disini, adalah, leader ship (kepemimpinan) pemerintah daerah , yang mau peduli dengan virus ini, dengan mengucurkan anggaran yang sebanyak -banyaknya, untuk penanganan kasus ini, minimal Rp 10 juta/kampung dalam satu tahun anggaran. Kemudian fasilitas harus disiapkan (terutama faasilitas pemeriksaan tes), tenaga pendamping, dan tenaga penyuluh disiapkan dalam jumlah banyak dan dilatih pengetahuannya , ketrampilannya dalam menangani virus tersebut. "Untuk kondom, bila disosialisasikan hendaknya disampaikan dalam bentuk yang tidak ditafsirkan salah, yaitu, jangan sampai orang beranggapan bahwa dengan kondom bisa lakukan seks bebas. Jadi kondom itu disosialisasikan dalam bentuk, seperti untuk reproduksi kesehatan atau bentuk lainnya," imbuhnya. Kemudian dalam penanganan virus ini, harus melibatkan ODHA untuk menyakinkan masyarakat yang disuluh itu, dan berikut, high capacity by leader, yaitu, kemampuan dan komitmen pemimpin daerah untuk melihat kasus itu secara serius.(nls) --- KOMPAS Selasa, 26 Juni 2007 BPN Papua Terus Diminta Verifikasi Ulang Sertifikat Jayapura, Kompas - Menyusul maraknya sengketa tanah, Kantor Wilayah Badan Pertahanan Nasional Provinsi Papua terus menerima permintaan untuk melakukan verifikasi ulang atas sertifikat hak atas tanah yang telah diterbitkan. Hal itu diungkapkan Kepala Bidang Survei, Pengukuran, dan Pemetaan Kantor Wilayah (Kanwil) Badan Pertanahan Nasional (BPN) Provinsi Papua Moch Effendi di Jayapura, Senin (25/6). "Verifikasi itu dilakukan jika pemegang sertifikat memohon verifikasi atau ada pihak yang mempertanyakan sertifikat yang telah diterbitkan. Proses verifikasi itu masih terus dilanjutkan karena kami ingin sesegera mungkin menyelesaikan data pertanahan yang sumir," kata Effendi. Sejak tahun 2004, yang telah diverifikasi mencapai 184.963 sertifikat. Hal itu mencakup 184.963 persil (7.473.646.201 meter persegi). Subyek hukum Maraknya sengketa tanah di Papua, menurut Effendi, terjadi karena tidak jelasnya subyek hukum atas sebidang tanah. "Khusus mengenai tanah ulayat, BPN kesulitan memastikan siapa subyek hukum persil yang bersangkutan. Bidang tanahnya tampak, tetapi subyek tanahnya sulit ditemukan," katanya. Untuk memperkecil potensi sengketa hak atas tanah, Kanwil BPN Papua telah memperketat syarat pengurusan sertifikat hak atas tanah. "Jika pihak yang mengajukan permohonan sertifikat hak atas tanah itu bukan masyarakat lokal pemegang ulayat, pemohon harus melampirkan surat bukti pelepasan hak atas tanah dari masyarakat pemangku ulayat. Persyaratan itu juga berlaku bagi orang asli Papua yang memohon sertifikat di luar tanah ulayatnya, misalnya orang Wamena mengajukan permohonan pembuatan sertifikat atas persil tanah di Jayapura," kata Effendi menjelaskan. Dalam kaitan itu, Kepala Kanwil BPN Provinsi Papua Emmiel Poluan menjelaskan, saat ini pihaknya bekerja sama dengan Pemerintah Provinsi Papua untuk menggodok peraturan daerah khusus tentang tanah ulayat. "Peraturan di tingkat provinsi itu diharapkan diikuti dengan pengaturan di tingkat kabupaten dan kota. Dari pengaturan itu, kami dapat melanjutkan proses reformasi agraria, khususnya di bidang tanah ulayat. Problem utamanya, tanah ulayat itu tampak, tetapi batas wilayahnya terus bergerak," katanya. (row --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?ses=&id=912 29 Juni 2007 08:26:41 Tak Perlu Ditakuti Thaha: Soal Rencana Kunjungan Anggota Kongres AS ke Papua JAYAPURA-Sekjen Presidium Dewan Papua (PDP) Thaha Al Hamid menilai rencana kunjungan Anggota Kongres AS dari Partai Demokrat, Eni Faleomavega ke Pupua dalam agenda kunjungnya ke Indonesia adalah suatu hal yang wajar-wajar saja. Sebab, Indonesia adalah bagian dari organisasi dunia internasional seperti PBB. Selain itu, secara defakto kondisi tentang masalah politik Papua memang ada. "Saya kira kunjungan itu tidak perlu ditakuti dan itu wajar-wajar saja. Sebab secara defakto ada masalah di Papua, sehingga perlu dilihat secara jelas," ujarnya kepada Cenderawasih Pos via handphone tadi malam. Berbagai masalah yang dimaksud itu, seperti implementasi Otonomi Khusus (Otsus) yang terkesan belum berpihak kepada masyarakat. Mulai dari malasah kesejahteraan, penyelesaian pelanggaran HAM dan masalah-masalah politik lainnya. Dikatakan selama ini, informasi tentang kebijakan pemerintah pusat terhadap pemberian Otsus dan kebijakan pembangunan di Papua hanya diperoleh dari informasi. Nah, dengan kesempatan akan berkunjung ke Papua akan melihat secara jelas apa sebenarnya yang terjadi. Termasuk bagaimana keberpihakan pembangunan bagi masyarakat Papua. Disinggung soal rencana PDP ke Amerika Serikat untuk menemui para Anggota Kongres beberapa waktu lalu, Thaha mengatakan kalau delegasi dari DPD telah kembali. Dan dalam kunjungan itu mereka telah menyampaikan perkembangan di Papua, termasuk kondisi pembangunan sejak bergulirnya Otonomi Khusus. "Sejak ada berita bahwa PDP akan ke Kongres Amerika, saat itu kami telah mengirim delegasi ke sana dan sekarang sudah pulang. Intinya menyampaikan tentang pekembangan soal Papua," katanya. Menurutnya, setelah kunjungan delegasi PDP ke Kongres Amerika, delegasi dari pusat yang dipimpin Taufik Keamas dan sejumlah perwakilan dari Papua juga melakukan hal yang sama. "Setelah delegasi kami pulang, ada juga delegasi yang dikirim Pemerintah Pusat, dan di dalam delegasi itu ada juga orang Papua. Tentunya bicara soal pekembangan politik dan kebijakan pembangunan," tandas Thaha. Hal yang hampir sama dikatakan oleh Direktur Komisi Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan (Kontras) Papua Pieter Ell, SH. Dia menilai kunjungan Anggota Kongres Amerika itu tidak perlu ditakuti. Sebab dengan kunjungan itu akan memperjelas informasi yang mereka dapatkan dari berbagai pihak. Misalnya informasi dari pemerintah atau LSM. Selain itu, dalam kunjungan itu hanya akan melihat secara jelas tentang perkembangan politik di Indonesia, termasuk di Papua. Artinya, ketidakjelasan informasi yang didapatkan selama ini dari berbagai pihak perlu dilihat secara langsung. "Saya kira kunjungan itu tidak perlu dilihat secara berlebihan, karena seperti yang diberitakan Menlu sendiri bahwa itu adalah untuk melihat situasi secara jelas. Selain itu datang atas pemberitahuan pemerintah pusat. Jadi tidak perlu ditakuti dan dipolitisir, sebab agenda kunjungannya saja belum jelas," ujarnya kepada Cenderawasih Pos via handphone tadi malam. Meski begitu, dia menilai kunjungan Anggota Kongres Amerika itu hanya berupa wisata politik. "Saya sendiri menilai kalau kunjungan itu semacam wisata politik saja. Sebab informasi tentang agendanya juga belum jelas,"tandasnya.(ito --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?ses=&id=908 29 Juni 2007 08:24:41 1 Juli, Masyarakat Jangan Terprovokasi Yang Sebarkan Isu Sudah Diketahui Polisi JAYAPURA-Adanya isu pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora tanggal 1 Juli besok yang disebut-sebut sebagai HUT Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), rupanya tak luput pula dari perhatian Ketua Forum Komunikasi Generasi Muda Pejuang Pembebasan Irian Barat, Nico A.J Maury. Terkait dengan momen 1 Juli tersebut, Nico meminta agar masyarakat Papua tidak terprovokasi. Pasalnya, aksi provokasi yang segaja dihembuskan orang yang tidak bertanggung jawab itu hanya merugikan masyarakat sendiri. "Sebagai anak-anak pejuang kami meminta masyarakat Papua tidak terpancing dengan isu-isu provokatif. Toh masyarakat yang jadi korban jika ada kelompok tertuntu yang segaja menghembuskan isu-isu yang tidak bertanggung jawab," ujarnya kepada wartawan di Caf? Prima Garden, Kamis (28/6) kemarin. Dia menilai aspirasi di era reformasi adalah suatu hal yang wajar-wajar saja, namun konteksnya harus tetap pada keutuhan Negara Kesatuan Replik Indonesia (NKRI). Oleh karena itu, isu-isu yang dapat memecah belah persatuan dan kesatuan harus diantisipasi. Dikatakan, kebijakan pemerintah pusat dalam memberikan Otonomi Khusus (Otsus) pada dasarnya adalah untuk kesejahteraan orang Papua asli. Hanya saja implementasinya yang perlu diperbaiki, sehingga benar-benar memihak kepada kesejahteraan masyarakat. Karena itu, dia kembali mengajak masyarakat supaya melakukan aktivitas seperti biasanya pada tanggal 1 Juli nantinya. "Kami mengajak masyarakat yang ada di Papua, baik yang ada di kampung-kampung maupun di perkotaan supaya menjalankan aktivitas seperti biasanya," tandasnya. Nico Maury yang juga adalah anggota khusus gerakan Merah-Putih mengatakan aksi-aksi provoksi yang mengarah pada generakan Papua Merdeka perlu diantisipasi. Hal itu untuk menghargai jasa-jasa para perjuangan intergaris Papua ke dalam bingkaian NKRI. "Jasa para pejuang tentunya harus dihargai, jangan nodai pengorbanan mereka dengan gerakan-gerakan separatis," tegasnya. Di tempat terpisah, Kapolda Papua Irjen Pol. Drs. Max Donald Aer kembali menegaskan, masyarakat tidak perlu khawatir menghadapi momen 1 Juli yang diisukan akan ada kegiatan terkait HUT OPM. "Saya kira itu tidak perlu dibesar-besarkan dan saya kira ini juga merupakan suatu hal yang menunjukkan dinamika masyarakat. Saya tidak tahu awalnya dari mana sehingga berkembang isu itu sedemikian rupa, tapi menurut saya, hal itu biasa-biasa saja dan tidak ada yang perlu dikhawatirkan," ungkap Kapolda saat ditanya wartawan seusai melakukan ziarah di Taman Makam Pahlawan Waena, Kamis (28/6) kemarin. Menurutnya, dengan adanya indikasi masyarakat luas telah memilih gubernur, berarti mereka menyatakan komitmen untuk menjadi warga negara Indonesia di bawah kepemimpinan gubernur dan mereka juga akan mendukung kebijakan-kebijakan gubenur. "Jadi kalau ada kelompok yang mencoba ingin memisahkan diri atau mengajukan aspirasi yang lain, saya kira itu sebatas wacana dan masih dalam koridor hukum yang berlaku di Indonesia," ujarnya. Kapolda kembali menyatakan, hal itu tidak usah terlalu dibesar-besarkan. "Saya sependapat dengan komentar para tokoh-tokoh Papua, untuk tidak usah terlalu membesarkan masalah ini, karena bisa jadi yang sebetulnya tidak ada masalah, kemudian menjadi ada masalah," ucapnya. Sementara itu, Kapolresta Jayapura AKBP Robert Djoenso saat ditanya wartawan terkait isu 1 Juli, pihaknya juga menyatakan hal itu tidak perlu dikhawatirkan. "Itu hanya isu yang sengaja disebarkan. Saya sudah tahu orang-orang yang menyebarkan isu tersebut. Sehingga apabila hal itu menjadi kenyataan, maka orang-orang itu yang akan kita tindak," katanya. Oleh sebab itu, Kapolresta juga menghimbau agar masyarakat tidak perlu terpancing untuk melakukan hal-hal yang melanggar hukum, sebab hal itu akan merugikan diri sendiri. "Yang jelas kita akan tetap melakukan antisipasi, dan kami harapkan masyarakat untuk tetap melaksanakan aktifitas seperti biasa," himbaunya. Kapolresta menegaskan, apabila ada yang memaksa untuk melakukan tindakan yang anarkis atau melakukan tindakan pengibaran Bendera Bintang Kejora, maka pihaknya tidak akan ragu-ragu untuk melakukan tindakan tegas bagi oknum yang melakukan hal tersebut. Sedangan terkait rencana Konggres Dewan Adat Papua, Kapolresta Jayapura, berpendapat bahwa hal itu tidak ada masalah. "Saya salut dengan panitia yang telah memberikan surat pemberitahuan atas rencana kegiatan tersebut. Saya kira tidak ada alasan untuk mencegah atau menghalang-halangi rencana kegiatan itu. Sebab dilihat dari tujuan maupun materi kegiatan itu, tidak ada hal yang perlu dikhawatirkan," ujarnya. Terkait kegiatan itu, pihaknya juga akan melakukan pengamanan, agar kegiatan itu berjalan dengan lancar. Namun panitia juga harus kosekuen dengan apa yang disampaikan dalam pemberitahuan itu. "Jika kegiatan itu menyimpang dari apa yang telah diberitahukan, maka kita bisa meminta pertanggungjawaban panitianya. Karena jika menyimpang, maka berarti panitia telah melakukan penipuan,"tandasnya. Kapolresta Jayapura berharap, panitia juga selalu koordinasi dengan jajarannya, sehingga ketika ada hal-hal yang mengganggu keamanan bisa segera diantisipasi. "Sebab tidak menurup kemungkinan ada pihak-pihak ketiga yang ingin berbuat kekacauan dalam acara tersebut,"pungkasnya. (ito/fud) --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=876&ses= 29 Juni 2007 03:51:46 Belasan Warga Demo di Kantor Bupati Biak BIAK - Sedikitnya 13 Warga yang mengaku dari Pulau Numfor, khususnya yang berasal dari marga Sarwa siang kemarin sekitar 12.00 WIT mendatangi Kantor Bupati Biak Numfor dengan membawa dua buah spanduk dan beberapa pamflet. Setibanya di Kantor Bupati, 13 warga yang dipimpin Matius Sarwa langsung membentangkan spanduk dan pampflet yang dibawa di depan Gedung Wanita diantaranya bertuliskan "Penderitaan Masyarakat Biak Numfor adalah akibat Hak Dasar Masyarakat kecil Belum Diakui dan Dilindungi UUD". Kehadiran 13 warga dari Pulau Numfor yang datang menuntut pembayaran ganti rugi tanah dan tanamanterkait dengan pembangunan jalan di Desa Mandori Numfor tahun 2002, dikawal ketat anggota Dalmas Polres Biak Numfor dan Petugas Trantib serta Satpol PP. Tak lama berselang 13 warga diarahkan ke Gedung Sasana Krida untuk melakukan pertemuan dengan pejabat Pemkab Biak Numfor yang dipimpin Asisten III Setda Biak Numfor AD Korwa didampingi kepala Dinas PU Kostan Ronsumbre dan beberapa pejabat lainnya. Dalam pertemuan kemarin penanggungjawab aksi demo Matius Sarwa mengungkapkan, bahwa aksi demo damai yang dilakukannya merupakan langkah terakhir setelah menempuh beberapa cara untuk menyampaikan persoalan yang mereka hadapi diantaranya melalui Dewan Adat, LSM bahkan polisi namun belum mendapat tanggapan. Dihadapan para pejabat, Matius Sarwa mengaku rentetan persoalan yang mereka hadapi dalam 5 tahun terakhir berawal dari kegiatan penggusuran tanah yang dilakukan tahun 2002 terkait dengan pembangunan jalan di Desa Mandori. "Berbagai upaya sudah kami lakukan tetapi belum ada penyelesaian dan ini merupakan langkah terakhir,"kata Matius Sarwa. Sementara itu Ketua Dewan Adat Byak, Mananwir YP Yarangga yang sempat hadir dalam pertemuan kemarin meminta agar pemerintah daerah untuk segera menyikapi persoalan yang dihadapi oleh Marga Sarwa berdasarkan mekanisme yang berlaku. Dewan Adat Byak sendiri kata Mananwir juga telah berupaya menanangani masalah ini, namun hal ini sulit diselesaikan, sebab berkaitan dengan pemerintah daerah. "Penyampaian aspirasi ini murni dan tanpa adanya rekayasa. Persoalan ini sendiri latar belakangnya sangat substansial dan diharapkan masalah ini segera disikapi. Sebab ada sejumlah persoalan yang sulit diselesaikan karena berkaitan dengan pemerintah daerah,"ungkapnya. Asisten III Setda Biak Numfor AD Korwa yang memimpin pertemuan tersebut mengatakan dirinya tidak mempunyai kewenangan untuk memberikan jawaban terkait persoalan yang dihadapi. Untuk itu persoalan yang disampaikan oleh Marga Sarwa kepada pemerintah daerah akan segera disampaikan ke pimpinan daerah. Sementara itu, Camat Numfor Timur Yeremia Rumbiak saat menghubungi Cenderawasih Pos via telepon menyampaikan, bahwa setelah di cek, warga yang demo ke kantor bupati tersebut adalah penduduk dari Manokwari dan bukan dari Numfor. " Setelah kami cek secara cermat, ternyata yang melakukan demo umumnya penduduk bukan dari Numfor, tapi sebagian besar dari Manokwari," jelasnya. (nat/ito --- TEMPO Dr Kurtubi Penjualan Gas Alam Cair Tangguh Kamis, 28 Juni 2007 Pemerintah dikabarkan menawarkan separuh dari rencana penjualan gas alam cair (LNG) Tangguh, yang sebelumnya diperuntukkan bagi pembeli di Pantai Barat Amerika Serikat, untuk "dialihkan" ke Jepang, Korea, dan negara lain, termasuk untuk kebutuhan dalam negeri. Pengalihan ini dimungkinkan karena pembangunan terminal di Pantai Barat Amerika lebih cepat daripada kilang Tangguh (Koran Tempo, 12 Juni 2007). Kesediaan Sempra menerima pengurangan jumlah yang akan diterimanya diimbangi dengan kompensasi yang akan diberikan oleh BP Migas. Cuma, belum jelas benar berapa besar kompensasi yang akan diterima oleh Sempra. Sebagaimana diketahui, berdasarkan kontrak penjualan jangka panjang, Indonesia, dalam hal ini diwakili oleh kontraktor minyak Beyond Petroleum yang telah ditunjuk oleh Departemen Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral serta BP Migas selaku operator proyek LNG Tangguh, harus memasok ke Pantai Barat Amerika 3,7 juta ton LNG per tahun untuk masa 20 tahun dengan harga US$ 5,94 per MMBtu. Kontrak penjualan jangka panjang LNG Tangguh juga dilakukan dengan Cina 2,6 juta ton per tahun untuk masa 25 tahun dengan harga US$ 3,35/MMBtu. Adapun kontrak dengan SK Power dan Posco dari Korea berjumlah sekitar 1,2 juta ton per tahun untuk masa 20 tahun dan dengan harga US$ 3,5/MMBtu. Dari informasi tersebut, terlihat bahwa seluruh harga jual LNG Tangguh yang berjumlah 7,5 juta ton untuk masa 20-25 tahun sangatlah murah, karena jauh berada di bawah harga jual LNG yang wajar, termasuk di bawah harga jual LNG Badak yang notabene sudah beroperasi lebih dari 30 tahun. Kontrak ke Fujian merupakan harga yang termurah bila dibanding harga penjualan ke Pantai Barat Amerika. Meskipun diketahui bahwa harga jual ke Cina US$ 3,35/MMBtu, sebenarnya itu merupakan harga baru setelah dilakukan renegosiasi dengan pihak Cina. Pasalnya, harga sebelum negosiasi US$ 2,67/MMBtu, dengan patokan harga minyak mentah maksimal US$ 25 per bbls untuk masa 25 tahun. Setelah negosiasi, patokan harga "berhasil" dinaikkan menjadi US$38/bbls untuk masa 25 tahun. Dengan patokan harga minyak mentah US$ 38/bbls, harga jual LNG Tangguh tetap tidak wajar mengingat harga minyak mentah saat ini saja sudah sekitar US$ 70/bbls, apatah lagi untuk masa jauh 25 tahun ke depan. Naif untuk mengharapkan harga minyak mentah dunia akan stabil pada kisaran US$ 38/bbls untuk masa 25 tahun ke depan. Bahkan harga jual ke Cina ini ternyata masih lebih murah ketimbang harga jual dalam negeri. Saat ini harga jual dalam negeri US$ 4-5/MMBtu. Untuk pembangkit listrik di Muara Karang, PLN membeli gas dengan harga US$ 4,5/MMBtu. Di sini terlihat bahwa manajemen gas alam nasional sangatlah buruk, bahkan berpotensi melanggar konstitusi dan undang-undang. Penjualan LNG Tangguh ke Cina dengan harga yang tidak wajar dan lebih murah daripada harga jual dalam negeri mencerminkan bahwa pengelolaan kekayaan lama negara ini belum ditujukan untuk sebesar-besarnya kemakmuran rakyat sesuai dengan amanat Pasal 33 Undang-Undang Dasar 1945. Selain itu, persetujuan BP Migas atas harga jual yang sangat murah tersebut, di samping tidak sesuai dengan fakta bahwa Cina pada hakikatnya sangat membutuhkan gas impor--karena produksi dalam negeri yang sangat kecil, sedangkan kebutuhannya terus meningkat--hal tersebut berpotensi melanggar UU yang mengharuskan pengelolaan migas mendatangkan pendapatan negara yang maksimal. UU Migas Pasal 44 ayat 2 berbunyi, "Fungsi BP Migas dalam melakukan pengawasan terhadap kegiatan usaha hulu agar pengambilan sumber daya alam migas milik negara dapat memberikan manfaat dan memberikan penerimaan yang maksimal bagi negara untuk sebesar-besarnya kemakmuran rakyat". Ketentuan dalam pasal ini praktis dilanggar dengan alasan yang sangat sumir, yakni pasar LNG yang lemah. BP Migas dan Departemen Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral dengan a-visioner menyetujui penjualan LNG Tangguh ke Cina dengan formulasi harga jual yang merugikan negara. Kalaupun kondisi pasar LNG pada saat kontrak ditandatangani betul-betul lemah, sangatlah tidak logis apabila formulasi harga dipatok mati pada level harga minyak US$ 25/bbls untuk masa 25 tahun. Sekarang, di tengah gencarnya dua negara "raksasa baru Asia", yakni Cina dan India, mencari sumber-sumber energi guna menunjang pembangunan ekonomi mereka serta di tengah kegusaran Jepang karena kontrak pembelian LNG jangka panjangnya dengan Indonesia akan berakhir dalam waktu yang tidak terlalu lama lagi, yakni sekitar 2011, BP Migas akan mengalihkan penjualan LNG Tangguh dari Pantai Barat Amerika ke pasar Jepang dan Korea. Langkah tersebut dapat menolong keekonomian proyek LNG Tangguh. Sebab, kalau seluruh produksi LNG Tangguh tetap dijual dengan harga yang sangat murah sesuai dengan kontrak semula, negara nyaris pasti tidak akan memperoleh bagian yang wajar, bahkan boleh jadi tidak akan memperoleh bagian jika prinsip First Trench Petroleum (FTP) tidak diterapkan. FTP adalah bagian (20 persen) dari produksi kotor yang harus diambil terlebih dulu untuk dibagi sebelum produksi tersebut dipotong untuk cost recovery. Dengan formulasi harga jual LNG Badak yang tidak membatasi fluktuasi harga minyak mentah, harga jual saat ini menjadi sekitar US$ 9/MMBtu. Kalau harga minyak mentah naik menjadi sekitar US$ 70/bbls, harga jual LNG Badak menjadi sekitar US$ 10/MMBtu. Coba bandingkan dengan harga jual LNG Tangguh ke Cina yang hanya US$3.35/MMBtu untuk masa 25 tahun, tanpa sedikit pun harga bisa berubah, meskipun harga minyak mentah suatu saat nanti, misalnya, mencapai US$ 100/bbls. Harga sekitar US$ 100/bbls untuk masa 25 tahun mendatang adalah sangat mungkin. Kemungkinan ini seyogianya tidak boleh dibatasi dalam formulasi harga jual LNG Tangguh. Tentu negara akan lebih diuntungkan jika seandainya tidak hanya penjualan ke Pantai Barat Amerika yang dapat "dialihkan". Tapi penjualan ke Fujian Cina seyogianya juga dapat diusahakan "dialihkan" mengingat harga jual ke Fujian Cina justru jauh lebih murah daripada ke Pantai Barat Amerika. Pengalihan penjualan LNG Tangguh dari Cina ke Jepang merupakan salah satu alternatif agar kekayaan alam milik negara dapat dihargai secara wajar. Untuk diketahui, Cina, sejak puluhan tahun terakhir ini, laju pertumbuhan ekonomi dan pertumbuhan konsumsi energinya, khususnya minyak dan gas, sangatlah tinggi. Padahal semua orang mengetahui bahwa produksi migas dalam negeri Cina jauh di bawah yang dibutuhkan untuk konsumsi dalam negeri. Dengan demikian, Cina, sejak puluhan tahun terakhir ini, jauh sebelum LNG Tangguh dijual ke Cina, sangat bergantung pada minyak dan gas impor. Sebagai contoh, Cina saat ini diketahui sedang berusaha sekuat tenaga untuk bisa mengalirkan gas dari lapangan gas raksasa Kovykta di Siberia Timur, yang sebelumnya dikuasai oleh BP, tapi kemudian diambil alih oleh pemerintah Rusia melalui BUMN Gazprom. Alternatif lain tentu saja Cina tetap meneruskan membeli LNG Tangguh, tapi dengan formulasi harga yang wajar. Toh, yang membeli LNG Tangguh di Fujian adalah CNOOC dan BP, yang keduanya juga merupakan penjual/shareholder dari proyek LNG Tangguh. Kalau penjualan LNG Tangguh yang tidak wajar ke Cina ini tidak bisa dinegosiasikan lagi, sehingga Indonesia harus menerima harga US$ 3,35/MMBtu untuk masa 25 tahun, sudah seyogianya Presiden mengambil langkah tegas untuk mengevaluasi proyek LNG Tangguh secara menyeluruh, misalnya dengan membentuk semacam tim independen. Atau Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat dapat mengambil inisiatif membentuk tim khusus guna meneliti "keanehan" dalam penjualan LNG Tangguh ini. Sebab, kalau evaluasi diserahkan ke Departemen Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral atau BP Migas, dikhawatirkan hasilnya tidak akan obyektif (bias), mengingat justru mereka inilah yang menyetujui LNG Tangguh dijual murah ke Cina. Manajemen pengelolaan gas milik negara saat ini, yang berada di bawah Undang-Undang Migas, sangat buruk. Di satu sisi, kekayaan gas milik negara direncanakan dan direkayasa untuk dijual murah ke Cina dengan argumentasi yang sangat lemah, di sisi lain industri dalam negeri berteriak kekurangan gas. Bahkan pembeli LNG di Jepang yang sudah terbukti selama 30 tahun membeli LNG Indonesia dengan harga yang sangat bagus kini sedang mengharapkan tambahan LNG dari Indonesia. Akhirnya, marilah kita serahkan kepada Presiden dan DPR, apakah penjualan kekayaan alam milik negara dengan harga murah untuk masa 25 tahun mendatang yang berpotensi melabrak konstitusi dan undang-undang ini akan dibiarkan terus ataukah perlu segera ada langkah-langkah konkret untuk mengakhiri ketidakwajaran ini? Mari kita tunggu. Dr Kurtubi, PENGAJAR PROGRAM PASCASARJANA FAKULTAS EKONOMI UNIVERSITAS INDONESIA --- http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0706/30/Politikhukum/3644338.htm Sabtu, 30 Juni 2007 Insiden RMS Atasi Separatisme, Pendekatan Kesejahteraan Harus Lebih Ditonjolkan Jakarta, Kompas - Pemerintah diharapkan lebih menonjolkan pendekatan kesejahteraan ketimbang pendekatan keamanan, dalam mengatasi gerakan separatisme, termasuk di Maluku. Wakil Ketua Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (DPD) Irman Gusman mengungkapkan itu, menanggapi insiden pengibaran bendera Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) oleh sejumlah penari saat Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono berada di Lapangan Merdeka, Ambon, Jumat (29/6). "Masalah bangsa ini adalah kesejahteraan. Demokrasi itu harus melahirkan kesejahteraan. Reformasi belum menjawab itu," papar Irman. Ia menambahkan, "Kalau melihat Aceh dan Papua, masalah fundamental adalah kesejahteraan. Pendekatan kesejahteraan harus lebih ditonjolkan daripada pendekatan keamanan." Irman juga mengingatkan, Maluku di abad ke-16 pernah menjadi pusat perekonomian dunia karena menjadi pusat rempah-rempah. Masyarakat Maluku akan membandingkan kondisi saat ini dengan masa lalu itu. Dia khawatir apabila kasus RMS ini disikapi dengan represif, suasana menjadi kembali tegang dan lebih memperburuk kesejahteraan masyarakat di sana. "Tentu pengibaran bendera RMS ini tidak bisa ditolerir karena Presiden itu simbol negara. Aparat yang harus dievaluasi," katanya. Intelijen Sementara anggota Komisi I dari Fraksi Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, Andreas Pareira, sependapat jika pendekatan kesejahteraan harus lebih dititikberatkan dalam menangani separatisme di Maluku. Tetapi, juga penting diperhatikan pemerintah adalah pengamanan yang bersifat preventif, yaitu kemampuan intelijen. "Insiden di Ambon menunjukkan tidak berfungsinya intelijen dan pihak keamanan dalam menjaga kehormatan bangsa dan wibawa Presiden sebagai simbol negara," kata Andreas. Politisi dari Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan itu berharap Presiden menindak Kepala Badan Intelijen Negara, Kepala Polda Maluku, dan Panglima Komando Daerah Militer sebagai yang paling bertanggung jawab atas insiden itu. "Kita ingin lihat bisakah Presiden bersikap tegas," katanya lagi. Yuddy Chrisnandi dari Fraksi Partai Golkar juga menilai. pejabat intelijen dan kepolisian daerah adalah pihak yang paling bertanggung jawab atas insiden itu. Secara terpisah, Makmur Keliat, pengamat intelijen dari Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta juga menilai kegagalan intelijen dalam kasus di Ambon itu. Semestinya peristiwa ini bisa dicegah jika ada koordinasi baik antarlembaga intelijen. "Itu menandakan intelijen tidak mampu menjalankan fungsi peringatan dini. Bagaimana tidak jika masing-masing lembaga ini jalan sendiri-sendiri," ujarnya.(sut/jon) --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/7/1/bendera-bintang-kejora-dikibarkan-di-lapas-abepura/ 01/07/07 17:54 Bendera Bintang Kejora Dikibarkan di Lapas Abepura Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Sekelompok separatis Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang sedang mendekam di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, baik nara pidana politik (Napol) maupun tahanan politik (Tapol) pada Minggu mengibarkan bendera Bintang Kejora dalam rangka HUT OPM (1 Juli 1969-2007). Pengibaran bendera dilakukan oleh Yusak Pakage, yang merupakan Tapol yang pernah pula mengibarkan bendera yang sama pada 1 Desember 2005 bersama rekannya Filep Karma. Hadir pula Cosmos Yual Napol kasus peristiwa berdarah 16 Maret 2006 di depan Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen), Abepura, Jatapura. Yusak Pakage kepada wartawan mengatakan, HUT OPM yang mereka rayakan bukan merupakan hal baru, sebab telah di deklarasikan di Kamp Victoria, Kabupaten Kerom oleh Pimpinan OPM, Jacob Pray dan Zeth Rumkorem. Ia menjelaskan, apa yang dilakukan OPM bertujuan melindungi dan mempertahan ciri khas orang asli Papua. "OPM melindungi keaslian orang Papua," kata Pakage. Pantauan di tempat kejadian, pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora dilakukan di atas atap rumah Lapas Abepura yang juga dikuti beberapa Tapol/Napol lainnya, namun kejadian ini tidak berlangsung lama sebab aparat keamanan Lapas segera bertindak memerintahkan mereka menghentikan perbuatan itu dan turun dari atas atap rumah tersebut. Mereka langsung diamankan aparat keamanan Lapas Abepura untuk dimintai pertanggunjawabannya. (*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.indopos.co.id/index.php?act=detail&id=8864 Minggu, 01 Juli 2007, Kapolda Papua Antisipasi HUT OPM Muncul Isu Serang Pos TNI dan Polri Hari ini, 1 Juli, diklaim Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) sebagai hari ulang tahunnya. Tak jarang, kelompok separatis tersebut memanfaatkannya sebagai momentum pamer eksistensi. Bagaimana situasi di tanah Papua? Inilah wawancara dengan Kapolda Papua Irjen Max D. Aer. Situasi keamanan Papua menjelang 1 Juli ini? Sementara, kondusif. Kami antisipasi dengan peningkatan patroli dan kegiatan intelijen untuk memantau aktivitas mereka (OPM). Kami juga menggembosi OPM dengan menggalang dan melakukan sosialisasi kepada masyarakat supaya tidak terprovokasi. Selain antisipasi, hari-hari ini juga ada dua agenda yang kami cermati, yakni rencana kedatangan anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat dan Konferensi Dewan Adat Papua Senin lusa, 2 Juli. Jadi, dalam status siaga satu? Tidak secara formal siaga satu. Tapi, semua anggota di seluruh kesatuan kami minta waspada untuk patroli. Ada kabar yang beredar bahwa seolah-olah besok juga akan ada penyerangan pos TNI dan Polri. Jadi, kami antisipasi dengan dua pertiga kekuatan kami atau sekitar tujuh ribu dari 12 ribu personel yang kami miliki. Kami juga selalu berkoordinasi dengan TNI karena ada semacam prosedur untuk melakukan patroli gabungan sejak dua hari ini. Malam ini (tadi malam), kami tingkatkan intensitasnya. Semua anggota kami. Sebab, sekarang yang BKO dari Mabes Polri hanya 12 orang anggota Gegana yang bertugas di objek vital Freeport. Pascainsiden Ambon, ada perintah khusus dari Jakarta? Justru kami yang selama ini memberikan masukan ke Jakarta karena kami selalu menyerap informasi di lapangan. Memang tadi ada arahan dari Kapolri melalui telegram untuk lebih meningkatkan pengamanan, khususnya apabila menerima kunjungan RI 1 dan RI 2. Jadi, tidak khusus terkait besok (hari ini). Berani menjamin tak akan kecolongan seperti Ambon? Selama ini, kami sudah melakukan seperti itu. Kami harapkan demikian, tapi susah kalau nanti mereka mengibarkan bendera di ketinggian (bukit). Itu yang sulit dicegah karena wilayah kita luas. Seberapa besar kekuatan OPM saat ini? Saya tidak begitu hafal jumlahnya, tapi secara persentase sangat kecil dibanding jumlah warga Papua. Senjata (organik) dia juga tidak banyak dan lebih banyak rakitannya. Sejak 2002, (aktivitas) mereka memang sangat menurun dan lebih mengandalkan pada perjuangan diplomatis dan politis untuk mengangkat isu kemerdekaan. Selain 1 Juli, mereka juga selalu merayakan hari meninggalnya Theis Hiyo Eluay (ketua Presidium Dewan Papua, Red) tiap 11 November, lalu juga merayakan hari yang mereka klaim sebagai kemerdekaan Papua Barat pada 1 Desember, dan kemerdekaan Melanesia Barat pada 14 Desember. Semua itu selalu kami antisipasi. (naz) --- Elsham News Service, 16 Juni 2007 Sehari Setelah Hina Jilani Meninggalkan Jayapura, Aktifis HAM Mulai di Teror ENS, Jayapura Kunjungan Hilani Jilani ke Papua (11/06) diharapkan membawa perubahan bagi pekerja HAM di Papua, yang selama ini bekerja dibawah tekanan. Dalam kunjungannya ke Papua, Hina Jilani bertemu dan berdialog dengan pemerintah dan LSM, dalam pertemuan tersebut Hina banyak mendapat masukan tentang situasi HAM dan pekerja HAM di Papua. Setelah kunjungan Hina Jilani di Papua, sejumlah aktifis HAM mulai di teror, salah satu aktifis tersebut adalah Albert Rumbekwan, ketua Perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua. Menurut Albert, dia mulai di teror dengan kiriman sms (12/06) yang menghina sampai dengan teror secara nyata, Perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua mobil yang di tumpangi oleh sejumlah orang berbadan tegap dan rabut di potong cepak. Kamis sore (14/06), pukul 16 :13 WP, sebuah mobil kijang putih nomor DS 1841 A, parkir didepan kantor perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua, di jalan Angkasa Pura. Seorang staf Komnas HAM berjalan mendekati mobil tersebut, ia melihat ada 3 orang di dalam mobil itu. Ciri-ciri 3 orang itu dalah rambut lurus, kulit sawo matang, yang satunya rambut bergelombang. Beberapa anggota komnas dan staf keluar melihat mobil itu namun ketiga orang tak jelas itu tergesa-gesa menghidupakan mobil lalu pergi menghilang. Albert menjelaskan bahwa, sebagaimana schedule yang telah ditentukan, Perwakilan Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia Papua (Perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua) mendapat kesempatan bertemu dengan Special Reperture Human Rigth Defenders dari PBB, Jumat 11 Juni 2007, pukul 20.31 WP di Swiss Bel Hotel Jayapura, yang dihadiri oleh, Ketua Komnas Perwakilan Papua, Alberth Rumbekwan, SH (41), dan anggota, Abina Wasanggai, Spd (44), kepala Divisi Penanganan Kelompok Khusus (PKK), Frits Ramandey, S.SOS, (30), kepala Divisi Ekonomi, Sosial dan Budaya (EKOSOB) dan ibu Zandra Mambrasar, SH, (35) sekretaris Divisi Ekonomi, Sosial dan Budaya (ECOSOB). ?Dalam pertemuan itu Ketua Perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua menjelaskan situasi perlindungan terhadap para pekerja kemanusiaan di Papua yang kurang mendapat perhatian dan perlindungan keamanan dari Special Reperture Human Right Defenders dari PBB, kami tidak membicarakan masalah politik, ingat itu? ujar Albert. Selain itu, Albert mencontohkan peristiwa Abepura Berdara tanggal 16 Maret 2006 lalu, anggota Komnas HAM saat itu melakukan monitoring di wilayah Abepura, Kamkey, Kotaraja, mendapat ancaman fisik dari SAT BRIMOB Polda Papua, termasuk para wartawan yang meliput kejadian tersebut. Penjelasan tersebut mendapat respon positif dari special Repertur Human Rigth Defenders, Hina Jilani. Berikut beberapa SMS dari orang tak dikenal tersebut yang menggunakan nomor hp 081344034383; ? Selasa, 12 Juni 2007, pukul 22.10 Wp ?Apakah kamu bangsa Papua atau orang asli Papua ?? ? Selasa, 12 Juni 2007, pukul 22.18 Wp ?Kalau kamu bukan bangsa Papua jangan bicara soal bangsa Papua., jangan jual bangsa Papua. Setelah Papua Barat merdeka, manusia selain Bangsa Papua tidak boleh hidup di Papua?. ? Selasa, 12 Juni 2007, pukul 22.30 Wp, ?Kalian-kalian ini yang adu bangsa Papua dengan HAM untuk hancurkan torang. Ko mo bukti pembantaian pasukan kilat, ko suka, kopu maitua, kopu anak jadi tulang belulang untuk bukti ya, ada di tanah Papua zona damai. Ini serius, ko tinggal ambil itu nanti ?. ? Rabu, 13 Juni 2007, pukul 20.22 WP, ? Pahlawan Bangsa Papua selasa (12/06) pukul 02 :00 WPB, dibar idola Kampung Baru Sorong Ketua Dprd Provinsi Papua Barat Jimmi Ijie bersama ajudan dan delapan temannya dalam keadaan kontol ngaceng karena mabuk telah membantai empat pramuria + tiga karyawan, pukulan dengan tinju dan kursi penyebabnya karena pramuria tidak mau diajak ngentot dengan Jimi I ke hotel semua korban aniaya, yang alami cidera berat dan ringan (tujuh orang) dan pemilik bar, ini baru Bangsa Papua ?. ? Kamis, 14 Juni 2007, pukul 11.18, ?Orang seperti kamu itu pengecut saja sudah jelas ada pelanggaran HAM berat yang dilakukan empat pramuria bar idola dan Kapolres Sorong kenapa ko tra pucing, TOLAK CUKI dengan Jimmy Ijie sudah pelanggaran hak-hak dasar Bangsa Papua. Itu ada Perdasus MRP pada rapat dan Barnabas Suebu Gubernur Jendera Tanah Papua polisi Sorong traada hak torang pu hukum pengadilan adat dan polici adat ?. ? Kamis, 14 Juni 2007 pukul 11:42 WP, ?Bintang kejora sudah berkibar Hai Tanah Ku Papua sudah bergema burung mambruk suda berdiri dan Alberth Rumbekwan siap jadi monyet ato anjing piaraan Bangsa Papua Shalom. Pukul 12:16 WP isi SMS yang sama dikirim kembali ke hp Alberth Rumbekwan?. ? Kamis, 14 Juni 2007, pukul 12:17 WP, ?orang seperrti kamu itu pengecut saja Tanah Papua tidak ada monyet bila Papua telah merdeka lo Alberth Rumbekwan torang jadikan monyet di hutan, lo pu muka khan seperti monyet ?. ? Kamis, 14 Juni 2007, pukul 17:18, ? kita ketemu di Swiss bell Hotel jam 7 malam jangan pengecut dating sa so tau ko pu muka muka awas kalo tradatang?. ? Jumat, 15 Juni 2007, pukul 00:50, ? Daging HAM = Daging Babi, pejuang HAM = Pejuang Babi, alberth rumbekwan tokoh HAM = tokoh BABI jadi Alberth Rumbekwan babi, mulut Alberth busuk jauh dibanding panta lubang BABI ?. ? Jumat, 15 Juni 2007, pukul 00:53, ? Alberth ko anjing ko babi ko pu mulut lebih baek babi pu panta lobang nantang mau ketemu datang aja ngak berani dasar lobang puki ko pu mamak busuk ?. ? Kamis, 14 Juni 2007, pukul 16 :13 WP, ada sebuah mobil kijang putih nomor DS 1841 A, parkir didepan kantor perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua, di jalan Angkasa Pura. Seorang staf Komnas HAM berjalan mendekati mobil tersebut, ia melihat ada tiga orang di dalam mobil itu. Ciri-ciri tiga orang itu dalah rambut lurus, kulit sawo matang, yang satunya rambut bergelombang. Beberapa anggota komnas dan staf keluar melihat mobil itu namun ketiga orang tak jelas itu tergesa-gesa menghidupakan mobil lalu pergi menghilang. Teror dan ancama inii membuat ketua Perwakilan Komnas HAM Papua, anggota, dan staf dalam perjalanan ke kantor atau pulang ke rumah selalu waspada, karena merasa tidak aman dalam bekerja. at Elsham News Service *** ELSHAM NEWS SERVICE adalah suatu bagian pelayanan informasi reguler tentang situasi sosial politik dan implikasinya terhadap HAM dan demokrasi di Papua. ELSHAM NEWS SERVICE menyebarkan secara rutin laporan-laporan investigative aktual yang diperoleh secara langsung dari jaringan ELSHAM yang tersebar di seluruh pelosok Papua, nasional dan internasional. ELSHAM adalah lembaga HAM yang berdiri 5 Mei 1998 bekerja untuk mengakhiri militerisme, kekerasan dan impunitas serta melakukan pendidikan HAM dan demokrasi bagi masyarakat Papua. --- Reaction Statement Persevero on http://moderate.prikpagina.nl/read.php?f=2402&i=723&t=723 ============================================================= Auteur: Persevero Datum: 27-06-2007 05:59 Selalu rombongan Papua dibawah oleh pihak pro Indonesia ke tanah Belanda untuk apa ? 1. Belanda punja tanggun jawab atas tanah dan bangsa Papua sudah HABIS sejak 1 mei 1963. Jangan harapkan sesuatu bantuan moril atau politik dari Belanda , karena mereka punja hubungan dagang (ekonomi) dengan Indonesia lebih penting . Nederland is een land van DOMINEES en HANDELAREN berarti SURUH SEMBAJANG LANTAS DI JUAL. 2.Tentu kami jang di rantau SUDAH bersedia pulang ke KAMPUNG HALAMAN kalau orang2 ASING jang peleh kami punja pantai, pesisir, dan gunung2 SUDAH pulang ke kampung mereka di Indonesia ata juga bisa transmigrati ke tanah Belanda , karena kerajaan Belanda jang mencuri mereka punja hasil2 tanah dan kekajaan bumi selama 350 tahun penjajaan . Ini adalah satu tugas / projek murni untuk oknom2 kaki tangan Belanda/Indonesia.jang sudah biasa hidup dengan uang subsidi / bloedgeld dari DUA BELAH PIHAK. Kami bangsa Papua Barat / Melanesia hormat proklamasi SUKARNO/HATTA 17 Augustus 1945 (Wilajah RIS dar ATJEH sampai AMBON) . Bangsa Papua kotor tidak di UNDANG/TURUT HADIR waktu proklamasi. Waktu jang sama pemuka2 Papua di Kota NICA sampaikan PETISI kepada Kolonel ABDUL KADIR wakil Kerajaan Belanda (Netherlands Indisch Civil Administration ) dengan tuntutan bahwa Papua jatu langsung di bawa pinpinan Belanda sampai merdeka sendiri. Berarti SEKALI DI LUAR TETAP DI LUAR. Status politiek Papua Barat / Melanesia telah terjamin dengan dua naskah Internasional : 1.Agreement CANBERRA 6 pebruari 1947 dan ke 2. Agreement NEW YORK 15 augustus 1962 Berdasar agreement Canberra kami bangsa dan tanah Papua Barat / Melanesia turut ikut semua parkembangan di samudra Pasifik Selatan (Mecronesia, Polenesia dan Melanesia) dalam South Pacifik Commission. .Sekarang di lanjutkan oleh South Pacific Forum. Wilajah Papua Barat / Melanesia adala termasuk territory/batas internationaal dari Kebangsaan Melanesia. Oleh karna Agreement New York TIDAK DI JALANKAN MENURUT HURUF DAN JIWA OLEH KERAJAAN BLANDA, REPUBLIK INDONESIA DAN PBB Maka adajna Republik Indonesia di atas bumi Papua Barat / Melanesia sejak 25 semptember 1969 (resolusi A/Res/2504 XXIV) berdasar TIPUH MUSLIHAT berati tidak SAH dan ILLIGAL. Kami bangsa Papua Barat / Melanesia SUDAH BOSEN , SUDAH CAPEH ,SUDAH PUAS dengan semua janjian2 KOSONG BELAKA.,SEMUA PERKOSAAN, SEMUA PEMBUNUHAN, SEMUA PENCURIAN, SEMUA PELANGGARAN HAK2 AZASI DAN PRI KEMANUSIAAN TAMPAH KE ADILAN DAN KEHUKUMAN. Republik Indonesia sudah buktikan untuk bangsa Papua dan dunia International bahwa mereka TIDAK SANGGUP berarti undur teratur dan kembalikan administratie wilajah Papua Barat / Melanesia kepada PBB sebagai NON SELFGOVERNEMENT TERRITORY. Kalau adalagi delegati 2 Papua ,Blanda, Indonesia, jang ingin urus hak mutlak dari bangsa Papua (The Right of Selfdetermination) silahkan langsung ke sidang Perserikatan Bangsa-bangsa di New York. Sekarang tiba waktunja Indonesia - Papua HARUS BERPISAH. FJOR MNGO BEJA DANDE KWAR - -Persevero- / Kores --- From editors at kabar-irian.info Sun Jul 1 23:31:51 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 14:31:51 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] News: June 27-Jul 1 2007 Message-ID: <2241.61.94.95.53.1183354311.squirrel@www.teuton.org> KABAR IRIAN NEWS June 27-July 01 TOPICS * Remove indicted colonel from West Papua * Aircraft skids off runway in Papua; no causality (sic) * West Papua: Dialogue in a Harsh Reality * Scomi Engineering invests RM25m in machine shops * Freeport-McMoRan Declares Dividend * FILEP KARMA WAS TORTURED AS A RESULT OF HIS REPORT * Human rights activists from West Papua targeted * Eco-tourism at risk in Indonesia * Open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono * Our very own failed state * Indonesia?s forgotten province --- MEDIA RELEASE Embargoed to 00:01, 28 June 2007 Indonesia: Remove indicted colonel from West Papua Crimes against humanity suspect a threat to Papuans 28 June 2007 ? The presence in Papua of a senior Indonesian army officer indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor (now Timor-Leste) endangers human rights defenders and political activists and is a sign of the Indonesian government?s lack of commitment to justice and accountability a coalition of Indonesian and international human rights organisations said today. In an open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia (see http://tapol.gn.apc.org/news/files/let070628.htm), the organisations called for Col. Burhanuddin Siagian, commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command (Korem 172) in Papua, to be withdrawn immediately and suspended from active duty. They urged the Indonesian government to review all evidence against Col. Siagian and other high-level East Timor suspects to determine whether proceedings should be commenced and to extradite to East Timor those indicted by Dili?s Special Panel for Serious Crimes. ?It is shocking that a government supposedly committed to military reform and fighting impunity would appoint an indicted officer to a sensitive senior post in Papua,? said Paula Makabory, the spokesperson for the Institute for Human Rights Study & Advocacy West Papua ELS-HAM. ?Papuans will continue to have their rights trampled on until the civilian authorities exert control over military behaviour and ensure accountability for past abuses,? she added. Responding to Papuan demands for a review of their history, Col. Siagian last month reportedly threatened to ?destroy? anyone who ?betrays? Indonesia. This echoes similar statements he allegedly made when based in Maliana as military commander of the Bobonaro district of East Timor. Two indictments issued in 2003 state that he made speeches threatening to kill East Timorese independence supporters and was responsible for the deaths of seven men in April 1999 (See http://jsmp.minihub.org/indictmentspdf/Cailacoindnannexeng07feb03) and http://jsmp.minihub.org/indictmentspdf/Maliana_Burhanuddin22_7_03.pdf) The organisations pointed out that Papuans who campaign peacefully are not betraying Indonesia as alleged by Col. Siagian, but simply asserting their right to express their political views. It called upon President Yudhoyono to show his commitment to freedom of expression and support this right. Col. Siagian is not the only person accused of serious crimes in East Timor who has continue d in an active position of command responsibility. In April this year, Major General Noer Muis, former military commander of East Timor, controversially co-directed a joint military training exercise with the United States (see http://www.etan.org/news/2007/04muis.htm). In 2003, Timbul Silaen was appointed chief of police in Papua despite being indicted on charges arising from his occupation of the same position in East Timor in 1999. A number of senior suspects, including Major-General Adam Damiri former military commander of the East Timor region, were involved in military operations in Aceh. Indonesia?s ad hoc human rights court tried 18 defendants (not including Col. Siagian) on charges relating to crimes against humanity in East Timor, but the proceedings were widely regarded as a sham. Twelve defendants were acquitted and five had their convictions overturned on appeal. The only conviction still standing is that of East Timorese militia leader, Eurico Guterres. The UN-established serious crimes process in East Timor indicted 392 suspects, but Indonesia refused to co-operate and more than 70 per cent of those indicted, including all the non-East Timorese nationals, remain free in Indonesia. ?We are dismayed by Indonesia?s lack of respect for the rule of law and its apparent determination to perpetuate a cycle of impunity that encourages military personnel to believe they will escape justice for past and future violations of human rights,? said Matthew Jamieson Secretary of the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights in Australia. ?Indonesia has failed to keep its obligations under international law and Indonesian domestic law to prosecute Col Siagian for his alleged crimes.? ENDS Contacts: Australia: Matthew Jamieson, Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights; +61 418291998; matthew at hr.minihub.org UK: Paul Barber, TAPOL, +44 1420 80153; plovers at gn.apc.org US: John M Miller, ETAN, +1 917 690 4391; etan at igc.org --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20070630160626&irec=9 Aircraft skids off runway in Papua; no causality JAYAPURA, Papua Province (Antara): An airplane belonging to PT Trigana skidded off the runway at Mulia airport, Puncak Jaya district, Papua, when it was trying to take off at 3.10 p.m. local time. Citing a reliable source in the airport, Antara news agency reported that the airplane skidded some 250 meters off the runway, causing its front tires to sink in the soil. Piloted by Adi Bambang, the aircraft was to fly 21 security personnel of the Papua Regional Police, who had just finished their assignment to guard the installation of a local district head. No casualty nor injury was reported during the incident of the airplane, which in the morning was flying from Wamena's regency, taking the same security officers. (**) --- http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=6898 West Papua: Dialogue in a Harsh Reality 2007-06-27 Mr. Viktor Kaisi?po, UNPO Member representative of West Papua, gave a presentation at the UNPO Secretariat on 21 June 2007, to brief on recent developments in as well as the historical context of West Papua. West Papua is one of UNPO?s founding Members, and denotes the western part of the island of New Guinea, bordering on the Moluccas in the West, Papua New Guinea in the East and Australia in the South. Its population is composed of at least 250 different tribes, most of them Melanesian peoples with their own language and culture. Christianity was introduced in the 19th century. With the immigration of Indonesians, Islam is gaining prevalence. During his visit, Mr Kaisi?po outlined the continuous struggle against the Indonesian oppression since the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM, the Free Papua Movement) proclaimed the independence of West Papua in 1971. He emphasised in particular the way of forwarding the struggle with peaceful means, as an alternative to armed struggle. ?We have declared West Papua ?Land of Peace? because we do not use weapons or armed resistance anymore, we took our once armed resistance out of the forest and brought them into the cities to work on advocacy, diplomacy and non-violent action?, Mr Kaisi?po said. Mr Kaisi?po used the opportunity to emphasize that despite the Special Autonomy Law that came into force in 2000, there is still no real autonomy and West Papuans still suffer many forms of discrimination and disadvantages: ?It is not just a matter of gaining political independence but also to take control of your own natural resources, that is the only way to obtain means for developing infrastructure and economic progress.? West Papua is rich in natural resources such as gold, silver, natural gas, copper, timber, etc. These resources are being exploited and ever since Indonesia took over West Papua, its government has been taking full advantage of those resources, while few profits are returned to West Papua. During the last 30 years, vast areas of West Papua have been granted as concessions to multinational, transnational and Indonesian mining, oil and logging companies without consultation with, or approval of, the indigenous peoples who have inherited these lands from their ancestors who held them for 40,000 years. Mr Kaisi?po regretted to see how foreign companies make a lot of money at the expense of the local people who hardly get a single per cent of the total generated income. Emphasizing the seriousness of the political struggle for self-determination, Mr Kaisi?po noted: ?We have to understand that the challenge today is no longer the decolonisation process of the past, today our real challenge is globalization.? While sharing his views on UNPO?s aims and mission, Mr Kaisi?po warned the unrepresented peoples against any form of despair in their struggle to make their concerns properly addressed by the international community, saying that all the UNPO Members should realise that when they commit to an organisation such as UNPO they are actually committing to themselves: ?We did not create UNPO to replace us, an organisation like this will not do the work for you, UNPO is here because many Members do not have the expertise and UNPO is here to assist and provide those elements and skills needed for capacity building.? Based on the principles of protection of human, economic and cultural rights, Mr Kaisi?po insisted that Members must determine where they want to be in the upcoming years in order to move forward in the right direction. ?I have committed myself to dialogue even if, as some of my people say, I have to sit with the enemy we must go beyond the principles and become more pragmatic, this is the only way to build bridges between National States and the unrepresented peoples.? Mr Kaisi?po finally expressed his solidarity with the rest of the UNPO fellow Members which are still struggling in different arenas, acknowledging the value UNPO has for its many and diverse Members. Those attending the presentation found it an invaluable opportunity to collect first hand and valuable information from one of the UNPO founders, learning from the achievements, difficulties and overall experiences of UNPO Member West Papua and its representative in the struggle for freedom and human rights, as well as self-determination related to natural resources and socio-economic development. --- Friday June 29, 2007 Scomi Engineering invests RM25m in machine shops By SHARIDAN M. ALI LABUAN: Scomi Engineering Bhd is investing around RM25mil to open three new machine shops in the region and expand its Brunei machine shop by year-end to meet industry demand. This would bring the total number of machine shops under Scomi Engineering to 10, senior vice president Hilmy Zaini Zainal said. The company would be opening machine shops in Irian Jaya, Johor Baru and Saudi Arabia at an investment cost of between US$1.5mil and US$3mil per plant, he said after launching Scomi Engineering?s upgraded machine shop here yesterday. Scomi Engineering currently has seven machine shops in the Asia-Pacific region ? in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia. A machine shop provides plain end threading services as well as threading repair and maintenance works for upstream oil and gas pipes. ?The upgrade of the shop in Brunei will cost RM500,000. All the three machine shops would be operational this year,? Hilmy said. Hilmy said Scomi Engineering would fund the expansion via internal funds and borrowings. A view of Scomi Engineering?s upgraded machine shop in Labuan ?Our gearing is quite low, at between 0.16 and 0.17 times, as at Dec 31, 2006. We do not think we will have any trouble finding financing for the expansion,? he added. Hilmy said the company?s Irian Jaya machine shop was expected to open this month, while the Saudi Arabian and Johor Baru machine shops would be opened by October. ?The Saudi Arabian machine shop is a 70:30 joint venture with a local partner there, with Scomi Engineering holding 70% stake. ?Part of the investment would also be from our partners there,? he said. Hilmy added that Scomi Engineering had invested RM8mil in the Labuan machine shop. The facility would be adding three computerised numerically-controlled (CNC) lathe machines costing about US$400,000 each by year-end. Currently, it has six CNC machines. The new machines would increase the facility?s processing capacity to 20,000 pipes a year. Meanwhile, Labuan Corp is looking for investors to further expand its oil and gas industry and cement its role as one of the petrolchemical zones in the country. In line with the growth of the oil and gas industry on the 92 sq km island, the corporation is considering allowing the reclamation of some 500 acres for development. Labuan Federal Territory MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman said the corporation was looking for private companies to invest in the land reclamation, estimated to cost some RM400mil, and formulate an investment return plan. ?We hope the plan will take off by next year, with maybe the first 200 acres in Phase I, and the remainder extended to the 10th Malaysia Plan,? he said. He added that the federal territory was also looking for corporate entities to finance the reclamation via private finance initiatives and was willing to offer incentives. ?The incentive basis can be worked out such as 80% of the land will go back to the investors while the remaining will belong to the Government,? he said. SCOMIEN : [Stock Watch] [News] --- http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/06/28/ap3867383.html?partner=alerts Associated Press Freeport-McMoRan Declares Dividend Associated Press 06.28.07, 11:55 AM ET Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. on Thursday announced a quarterly cash dividend of 31.25 cents per common share. The Phoenix-based company will pay the dividend Aug. 1 to shareholders of record July 16. Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. --- - ----- Forwarded message from samoxen ----- A MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM WEST PAPUA ABOUT FILEP KARMA IMPRISONED BY INDONESIA FOR 15 YEARS IN ABEPURA PRISON FOR RAISING THE MORNING STAR FLAG ON 1st DECEMBER 2004. (RECEIVED ON TUESDAY, 26th JUNE 2007) FILEP KARMA WAS TORTURED AS A RESULT OF HIS REPORT THAT RECENTLY APPEARED IN THE LOCAL & NATIONAL MEDIA On the 12th June 2007, TOP TV (Papuan Local TV), Cenderawasih Post and Papua Post (newspapers) published Filep Karma's report about violence and extortion which is being committed by Indonesian prison officers. Included in the report, he reported that the prison officers receive bribes and also have stolen the prison's tools and equipment which were used by prisoners for training and practical activities. He reported that the prison officers took them and used them as their personal belongings. In addition, he reported about a list of names of the prisoners who have bribed the prison officers and who are now enjoying freedom outside the prison. As a result of Filep Karma's report which was published by the media, the prison officer named KRISTOMUS WAMUAR dragged him by the collar of his shirt. He and his son (who has recently been recruited as a new prison officer) dragged him along the ground and together with ABRAHAM FINGKREUW, they violently dragged him along the ground for about 40 meters. As a result of their action his shirt was torn , his feet were injured and his back bone and his coccyx (tailbone) which was broken/damaged [when he was arrested in 2004] are now very painful again. Until the pubication of Filep Karma's report, he had a health check regularly every Monday and Thursday at the Jayapura Regional Hospital in Dok II Jayapura C. However, since that report came out, he has not been allowed to have a health check again. The Indonesian prison officer whose name is MELKIAS MEHUESH wants him to get sick so he did not approve his permission to have the medical check-up by refusing to sign his medical approval book. This is still the situation now, up to and including Monday, 25th June 2007. Please campaign to stop these human rights abuses by the Indonesian prison officers against Free Papua political prisoners. Lord Jesus bless you. [Name witheld] --- URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME Urgent Appeal 28 June 2007 ------------------------------------ UA-209-2007: INDONESIA: Human rights activists from West Papua targeted following meetings with UN Human Rights Defenders Special Representative INDONESIA: Death threats, intimidation and attacks; human rights defenders; impunity ------------------------------------ Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received credible information of ongoing attacks, intimidation, surveillance and threats, including death threats, against human rights defenders from West Papua that occurred in mid-June 2007, following their meeting with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders. It is alleged that members of the Indonesian military (TNI) are targeting people who met with Ms. Hina Jilani during her visit to Indonesia and who informed her about human rights abuses in West Papua. Although a formal letter has been issued to the chief of the national police and the regional military commander of Papua province, no action has been taken by the authorities and the defenders continue to feel threatened while conducting their work. It must be recalled that Indonesia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, which has mandated Ms. Hina Jilani to carry out her work. Attacks on human rights defenders who have communicated with Ms. Jilani should be considered very grave, as should the Indonesian authorities’ failure to investigate such incidents, and call into question Indonesia’s credibility as a member of the Human Rights Council. CASE DETAILS: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed of three separate cases of alleged attacks, intimidation and threats by the military against human rights activists from West Papua. It is suspected that the following individuals were targeted by the armed forces shortly after their meeting with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders (for more information please see the UN Press Release concerning her visit). The first case reported involves two persons: Frederika Korain, Priest Perinus Kogoya. They all work for the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Jayapura (SKP Jayapura). They attended a public hearing with Ms. Hina Jilani in Jakarta on June 7, 2007. They returned to Jayapura on June 8, 2007. Sentani airport, where their plane landed, was being heavily guarded by the police, military and intelligence services, as Ms. Hina Jilani was scheduled to visit Papua. The afore-mentioned persons' vehicle was passing Post 7 Sentani in Ifar (about 5-10 minutes from the airport), when they were rammed by a blue Kijang car with police license plate number DS 1693 AF. As a result of the crash, the SKP car was damaged and the passengers were in shock. The SKP driver attempted to stop the car that had hit them, at which point two men got out of the car and stated that they were intelligence commanders for the military regional command of Trikora (Komandan Intel Kodam XVII Trikora). One of the men also stated in a threatening tone that his name is FX. Subangun and that he works as an intelligence commander in KODAM Trikora. He provided his cell phone number: 0811484860, following which the two men ran from the scene. The police, who saw the entire incident, allowed them to leave the scene of accident without being questioned. Local groups believe that this incident was no accident, but was for the direct purpose of intimidating the two defenders, notably as they had been being followed by the same car since they had left the airport. The second case involves Yan Christian Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari, who has reported that he is under surveillance both at his home and office. On June 8, 2007, Mr. Warinussy met with Ms. Hina Jilani in Jayapura, and he came back to Manokwari on June 9, 2007. At around 8pm that night, Mr. Warinussy noticed a black Kijang Innova car parked in front of his house for about 20 minutes. The car's windows were tinted. The car returned at around 11pm that same night. On June 11, 2007, at around 7pm, two Kijang cars parked in front of the LP3BH office on Gunung Salju street for about 30 minutes. Mr. Warinussy requested protection from Peace Brigade International (PBI) and asked them to accompany him from Friday June 15, 2007 onwards. On June 16, 2007, at around 8pm, two PBI activists and Mr. Warinussy, saw a metalic-coloured Kijang diesel car and police license plate number DD 546 PD parked in front of Mr. Warinussy's house for some 20 minutes. The car left and then passed by twice that night without stopping. On Monday, June 18, 2007, at 11pm, that same car was parked in front of the LP3BH office. The car is reportedly owned by the Manokwari Telkomsel telephone company. However, the car is reportedly often borrowed by a member of the Indonesian Navy named Hery, who is believed to be working as an intelligence officer for the Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) in Manokwari. The third case concerns Mr. Albert Rumbekwan, the head of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham) in Papua Province. On June 11, 2007, Albert received a text message from cell phone number 081344034383 that said "You who are reporting about the human rights situation in Papua are trying to destroy the people. You want evidence of people being killed, I will kill your tribe, your family and your children will become only bones to show that there is only a zone of peace in Papua." On June 14, 2007, Mr. Albert Rumbekwan received five more text messages from the same number, again containing death threats. AT around 8am on the same day, unidentified persons parked three cars some 20 meters from Mr. Albert Rumbekwan's office. The cars were a black Avanza, a Kijang LZ and a white Kijang Kapsul. The perpetrators were shouting, allegedly to get Mr. Albert Rumbekwan to come outside and see them, but he ignored them, as a result of which they remained in the area and monitored his offices until around 4pm. According to Mr. Albert Rumbekwan, the persons involved had long hair and came from two particular tribal groups, who it is thought may be being used by the authorities to conduct surveillance on their behalf. When Mr. Albert Rumbekwan left the office in a Komnas HAM Papua car, he was followed to his home by these persons. During the afternoon, Mr. Albert Rumbekwan received a telephone call from the same cell phone number, asking him to meet with the caller at Swissbell Hotel at 7pm that night. However, Mr. Albert Rumbekwan decided not to go to this meeting. On the night of June 17, 2007, a car was reportedly engaged in the surveillance of Mr. Albert Rumbekwan's house for about two and a half hours. The Commission for Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) has already issued complaint letters concerning the three afore-mentioned cases to the Chief of Police for the Province of Papua (Kapolda Papua), Regional Military Commander of Trikora, chief of National Police (Kapolri), Foreign Affairs Minister of Indonesia, and the Head of Komnas HAM in Jakarta. However, no effective action has yet been taken to investigate these incidents. The Indonesian government must immediately investigate these incidents, punish those found to be responsible and ensure that all such attacks and intimidation tactics against human rights defenders are halted. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please write to the authorities listed below expressing your grave concern regarding the attacks, death threats, intimidation and surveillance being experienced by human rights defenders in West Papua, notably those who have been in contact with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, during her recent visit to Indonesia. Indonesia is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which mandates the Special Representative to carry out her work in favour of human rights defenders, and as such, attacks on defenders who have communicated with Ms. Jilani should be treated as being extremely serious, as they exhibit a wanton disregard for Indonesia’s international human rights obligations and pledges. To support this appeal, please click here: Suggested letter: Dear __________, INDONESIA: Human rights activists from West Papua targeted following meetings with UN Human Rights Defenders Special Representative Name of the victims: 1) Frederika Korain and Priest Perinus Kogoya from SKP Jayapura. 2) Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive Director of the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari 3) Albert Rumbekwan, the head of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham) in Papua Province. Date of incidents: Mid-June 2007 Alleged perpetrators: members of the Indonesian armed forces (TNI) and the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). I am writing to voice my deep concern about the grave situation of human rights defenders in Indonesia's West Papua Province. Defenders continue to face harrasment, threats, and surveillance by the country’s security forces. I am informed that the following individuals have been subjected to such treatment following their having met with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, in which they had discussed with her about the human rights violations in Papua. It must be recalled that Indonesia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, which has mandated Ms. Hina Jilani to carry out her work. Attacks on human rights defenders who have communicated with Ms. Jilani should be considered very grave, as should the Indonesian authorities' failure to investigate such incidents, as they exhibit a wanton disregard for Indonesia's international human rights obligations and pledges. These incidents call into question Indonesia’s credibility as a member of the Human Rights Council. 1. Frederika Korain and Priest Perinus Kogoya from the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Jayapura (SKP Jayapura). On their way back from the Sentani Airport in Jayapura on June 8, 2007, Frederika and Priest Perinus Kogoya's car was rammed by a blue Kijang car with license plate number DS 1693 AF, driven by two persons who informed them that they were intelligence commanders from the Trikora military regional command (Komandan Intel Kodam XVII Trikora). It is thought the defenders' car was intentionally rammed in order to intimidate them. 2. Mr. Yan Christian Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari has reported that he has repeatedly been placed under surveillance, both at his home and at work, on 11, 16, and 18 June 2007. It is believed that he is being watched by an Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) officer named Hery in Manokwari. 3. Mr. Albert Rumbekwan, the head of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham) in Papua Province, has received several death threats in text messages to his cell phone. Unknown people have also surrounded the office of Komnas Ham Papua. Mr. Rumbekwan was also followed by a car when going home from work. Threats were also made towards his family. The threats were made between 11 and 17 June, 2007. I am gravely concerned to hear that after Ms. Hina Jilani's visit, human rights activists are being targeted for having communicated human rights issues to the UN official. As a signatory to the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Indonesian State has a responsibility to guarantee the safety of human rights defenders. The Declaration reads: "The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration." (Article 12.2). Despite the above, the Indonesian military continues to attack and intimidate human rights defenders with impunity. This is ensured by the authorities' failure to investigate such incidents and to punish those found to be responsible. As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Indonesia has pledged to uphold human rights to the highest possible standards, but these incidents are seriously undermining the country's credibility in this regard. It must be recalled that attacks against human rights defenders must be taken very seriously, as they represent many human rights victims. Attacks on human rights defenders should be seen as attempts to also silence the victims they represent and amount to attacks on human rights themselves. Although Indonesia has established a National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham), which the international community has viewed as being a positive advancement towards the protection of human rights, this institution and its members still faces hindrances to their work and even threats, as the above case shows all too clearly. I therefore urge the Indonesian government to ensure that this body is able to function in line with its mandate without constraints, so that it can properly investigate human rights violations, enabling the prosecution of the perpetrators of these acts. I urge the Indonesian authorities to ensure that all attacks, threats and acts of intimidation cease and all other barriers to the work of human rights defenders are immediately halted. The government must ensure that the afore-mentioned cases are immediately and impartially investigated and that all persons found responsible are brought to justice, with adequate reparation being provided to the victims. As a member of the Human Rights Council, the spotlight is on Indonesia, and as such it must ensure that it lives up to its international human rights obligations and pledges. In particular here, the worsening human rights situation in West Papua must be addressed without delay. I look forward to your prompt and effective response in this matter. Yours sincerely, ------------------------------------ PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: 1. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono President Republic of Indonesia Presidential Palace Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara Jakarta Pusat 10010 INDONESIA Tel: + 62 21 3845627 ext 1003 Fax: + 62 21 231 41 38, 345 2685, 345 7782 Email: presiden at ri.go.id 2. Mr. Hendarman Supandji Attorney General Kejaksaan Agung RI Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1 Jakarta Selatan INDONESIA Tel: + 62 21 7221337, 7397602 Fax: + 62 21 7250213 Email: postmaster at kejaksaan.or.id 3. Gen. Sutanto Chief of National Police Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 Jakarta Selatan INDONESIA Tel: +62 21 721 8012 Fax: +62 21 720 7277 Email: polri at polri.go.id 4. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara Chairperson KOMNAS HAM (National Human Rights Commission) Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10310 INDONESIA Tel: +62 21 3925230 Fax: +62 21 3151042/3925227 E-mail: info at komnasham.or.id 5. Ms. Hina Jilani Special Representative of the Secretary on the situation of human rights defenders Room 1-040, OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Fax: +41 22 906 8670 E-mail: urgent-actions at ohchr.org Thank you. Urgent Appeals Programme Asian Human Rights Commission (ua at ahrchk.org ) --------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list visit http://internal.ahrchk.net/phplist/?p=unsubscribe&uid=40f0c0bdaf4f4fe5b843117bc2d88cb8 To update your preferences visit http://internal.ahrchk.net/phplist/?p=preferences&uid=40f0c0bdaf4f4fe5b843117bc2d88cb8 --------------------------------------------------- Asian Human Rights Commission 19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building, 998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R. Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367 -- Powered by PHPlist, www.phplist.com -- owloon, Hongkong S.A.R. Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367 --- ----- http://www.upiasiaonline.com/economics/2007/06/18/feature_ecotourism _at_risk_in_indonesia/ Feature: Eco-tourism at risk in Indonesia HONG KONG, Jun. 18 SHAILESH PALEKAR UPI Correspondent Indonesia has announced it will stage a "Visit Indonesia Year" in 2008 - -- but tourist packages may not include visits to its once pristine tropical forests, savanna grasslands, and lowland forests, as unprecedented deforestation threatens to wipe out these magnificent habitats. The Culture and Tourism Ministry hopes to attract 6 million foreign tourists and generate around US$5 billion in foreign exchange earnings. As part of the promotion, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officiated at the opening ceremony of the annual Bali Arts Festival in Denpasar on Saturday, and the national airline Garuda sponsored a "Bali Food Festival" in Beijing. The Indonesian Arts Institute is planning an International Arts Festival in November, to draw experts in arts and culture from Europe, Australia, the United States and other Asian countries. Environmental groups hope some of this revenue will go toward protecting Indonesia's unique natural assets. Rully Sumada, forest expert at environmental group Walhi, says that 60 percent of the country's protected and conservation areas have been badly damaged by illegal logging and palm oil plantations. She believes that at the current rate of deforestation, at 2.8 million hectares a year, forests in Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi will be gone by 2012 while forests in Papua and elsewhere will be wiped out by 2022 due to the continued felling of trees. Greenpeace Southeast Asia said the Guinness World Records had accepted its proposal to include Indonesia in its 2008 record book as the country with the fastest rate of deforestation in the world. Indonesia's forests cover roughly 91 million hectares and harbor diverse life forms that include 11 percent of the world's plant species, 10 percent of mammal species, and 16 percent of bird species - -- rich resources for eco-tourism. However, revenues yielded by plantation crops like cocoa, rubber, and oil, and trading in wood and paper pulp are reportedly more lucrative than tourism, which explains the systematic exploitation and destruction of this fragile eco-system by a series of Indonesian leaders, who used revenues from the forest industry for political and personal gains. While the Suharto regime profited handsomely by trading wood, paper pulp and plantation crops like cocoa, rubber, and oil, they virtually ignored the sustainable management and development of these areas. A series of tragedies -- the Asian financial crisis in the late nineties, Bali bombing in 2002 and tsunami in 2004 -- and other external factors sent the tourism industry into a tailspin for years. However, two decades of aggressive growth in Indonesia's pulp, plywood, and paper industries strained legal supplies of wood fiber, resulting in illegal logging and poor forest management. More than 20 million hectares of forestland, cleared in 1985 for such purposes as industrial timber plantations and estate crop plantations like oil remain idle and unutilized. Though the government provides statistics on tourist spending and hotel room occupancies, no accurate estimates are available for forest areas cleared by small-scale farmers, though shifting cultivators are believed to cause up to 20 percent of forest loss, according to the "State of the Forest" report compiled by Forest Watch Indonesia and the World Resources Institute. Also, the government's transmigration program that relocated people from densely populated Java to other outer Islands is responsible for about 2 million hectares of forest clearance between 1960 and 1999. The deliberate burning of forests to make way for plantations, combined with unusual weather patterns due to climate changes, led to uncontrolled wildfires resulting in the loss of 10 million hectares of forestland between 1994 and 1998. There have been no significant efforts at reforesting the burnt scrubby areas. Continued periodic setting of forest fires has also affected tourism, flights, and closure of airports, and affected other services like hotel rooms, tours, and the food and beverage industry. The illegal felling and export of Merbau trees -- the most valuable hardwood in Southeast Asia, has benefited government officials, illegal loggers and powerful timber barons. If the inflow of tourist dollars has helped the economy, the systematic pillaging of Indonesia's forests and illegal wood exports from Aceh to Papua, to feed the global demand for wood has left the environment in complete disarray. Environmentalists warn that vast tracts of forestland cleared to meet the growing global demand for bio-fuels have aided the destruction to biodiversity through the effects of deforestation. The technique of clearing land for plantations has emitted large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere while destroying the natural habitats of endangered species like the orangutan and the Sumatran tiger. While the Indonesian government has maintained its commitment on preserving virgin forests, experts say that efforts often lack funds and resources to fight the constant threats from illegal and ruthless loggers. The Environmental Investigation agency and its Indonesian partner Telepak has called Indonesia's rampant deforestation an "environmental crime of unimaginable scale that continues to unfold across Indonesia." They have also blamed the inadequacy of a judiciary that does little to curb such activities. Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, announcing plans for the Visit Indonesia year, said, "We will be out of sight to the rest of the world if we don't take effective and immediate action to raise awareness among overseas tourists that Indonesia is a safe and attractive place to visit." With the focus on tourism and economic growth, awareness of Indonesia's declining natural habitats has fallen on blind eyes, which could have a catastrophic effect on the global environment and world economy. --- From: "Watch Indonesia!" To: "Watch Indonesia!" From: "Watch Indonesia!" Reply-To: watchindonesia at snafu.de Subject: Open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono concerning Burhanuddin Siagian, Military Commander in Papua Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:31:42 +0200 Open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono concerning Col. Cav. Burhanuddin Siagian, Commander of the Resort Military Command 172/PWY Jayapura, Papua 28 June 2007 Open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono concerning Col. Cav. Burhanuddin Siagian, Commander of the Resort Military Command 172/PWY Jayapura, Papua Dear President Yudhoyono, We are writing to express our grave concern about the tenure of Col. Burhanuddin Siagian as commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command (Korem 172/ PWY/Jayapura) in Papua. Col. Siagian has been indicted twice for crimes against humanity in East Timor (now Timor-Leste). Indonesia has not complied with its obligations under international law and Indonesian domestic law to prosecute Col. Siagian for his alleged crimes, and it has furthermore failed to extradite him to East Timor for trial. Instead he has been promoted and appointed to command a large military unit within a highly sensitive area. We are concerned that Col. Siagian represents a serious threat to Papuans and that the lives of Papuan human rights defenders and peaceful political activists may be endangered by his continued presence as commander of Korem 172. According to a report in the Cenderawasih Pos 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?. The statement was reportedly made in response to demands by students and youths for a review of Papua?s history. We are disturbed that this threat to Papuan activists echoes similar statements allegedly made by Col. Siagian when he was commander of the Bobonaro District Military Command (Kodim 1636), Maliana in East Timor. Those statements appear to have led directly to the deaths of a number of Timorese civilians. According to the indictments issued by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes of Dili District Court on 3 February 2003 (?the Cailaco indictment) and 10 July 2003 (?the Maliana indictment?), Col Siagian made public speeches threatening to kill supporters of Timor-Leste?s independence and was responsible for the death of seven men in April 19991. He is charged with individual responsibility and command responsibility for the following crimes against humanity: torture; murder; persecution; and deportation or forcible transfer of a civilian population. He is also thought to have been responsible for the creation of the Bobonaro militia system that became one of the most repressive in the whole of East Timor. Col. Siagian is named as a suspect in the report of Indonesia?s own Commission of Investigation into Human Rights Violations in East Timor (Komisi Penyelidik Pelanggaran HAM di Timor Timur, KPP-HAM), which investigated human rights abuses in Timor-Leste during the period from 1 January to 25 October 1999. We are dismayed that Indonesia?s failure to hold Col. Siagian and others to account encourages military personnel to believe they will continue to escape justice for serious crimes and seriously undermines Indonesia?s progress towards becoming a country that fully respects human rights and the rule of law. This failure of accountability, and the continued active service in positions of command responsibility of senior officers accused of serious crimes, are indicative of a structural problem of impunity within the Indonesian army (TNI, Tentara Nasional Indonesia) and a lack of political will to address the problem that have not been addressed since the TNI withdrew from East Timor. Meaningful military reform will not be possible until serious efforts are made to end this cycle of impunity. Irrespective of his record in East Timor, we believe that Col. Siagian is entirely unsuited to the sensitive position of Korem 172. Your government has stated that it is committed to the peaceful resolution of the Papua conflict. This policy is clearly undermined by belligerent statements by local military commanders. Papuans who campaign peacefully are not ?betraying? Indonesia as alleged in Col. Siagian?s statement of May 2007; they are simply asserting their right to express their political views. We strongly hope that you, as a democrat, would support their right to do this. We believe this is a crucial test case of the Indonesian Government?s ability to exert civilian control over the TNI and we urge you to: * Immediately withdraw Col. Siagian from Papua and suspend him from active duty; all military or police officers who have been indicted for crimes against humanity by the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in Timor-Leste should be suspended from active duty pending the outcome of criminal proceedings to determine whether or not they are guilty of the charges against them. * Review all available evidence, particularly in relation to high-level suspects like Col, Siagian not previously indicted in Indonesia, including evidence collected by the KPP-HAM report and by the Serious Crimes Unit, to determine whether proceedings should be commenced against suspects named therein; * Extend full cooperation with judicial proceedings being conducted in Timor-Leste, including entering into extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements. Such cooperation should include extraditing suspects against whom there are indictments. We are grateful to you for your attention to this matter. Yours sincerely, Paula Makabory, Coordinator in exile of International Human Rights Campaign, ELSHAM, West Papua Budi Hernawan Director, Office of Justice and Peace, Catholic Diocese of Jayapura, West Papua Benny Wenda Chairman of DeMMaK (The Koteka Tribal Assembly), West Papua Usman Hamid Coordinator, KONTRAS (the Commission for the disappeared and victims of violence), Indonesia Peongky Indarti, Director of External Relations, IMPARSIAL (the Indonesian Human Rights Monitor), Indonesia. Bonar Tigor Naipospos Chairman, National Solidarity With Papua (SNUP) & Solidarity Without Borders (SOLIDAMOR), Indonesia Donatus Klaudius Marut Executive Director, International NGO Forum for Indonesian Development (INFID), Indonesia Ines Martins, Coordinator, La'o Hamutuk (Timor-Leste Institute or Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis). Brad Adams Director for Asia, Human Rights Watch Matthew Jamieson Secretary, Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights, Australia Carmel Budiardjo TAPOL, UK John M. Miller National Coordinator, East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, USA Eko Waluyo Program coordinator, Indonesian Solidarity, Sydney Professor Peter King Convener. West Papua Project, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney Dr Clinton Fernandes, Australian Coalition for Transitional Justice in East Timor Paul O'Callaghan, Director, Australian Council for International Development(ACFID) Joe Collins Secretary, Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) Dr Anne Noonan, NSW Coordinator Medical Association for the Prevention of War (MAPW) Australia Ed McWilliams West Papua Advocacy Team, US Melinda Janki International Lawyers for West Papua, UK Richard Samuelson Co-Director, Free West Papua Campaign, Oxford, UK. Maire Leadbeater, Spokesperson, Indonesia Human Rights Committee, Auckland, New Zealand Gus Miclat Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) Monika Schlicher Watch Indonesia!, Germany Gabriel Jonsson Chairman Swedish East Timor Committee and Board Member Swedish Free Papua Association Chuck Warpehoski, Director, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, US William Ramsey, Coordinator, Human Rights Action Service, St. Louis, US Mary Whittlinger Treasurer, America Ecumenical Moluccan Church, US Rev. John Chamberlin, National Coordinator, East Timor Religious Outreach, US Rev. James Kofski Asia/Pacific and Middle East Issues Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Washington, D.C. Tom Ricker, Co-director, Haiti Reborn/Quixote Center, US Sharon Silber and Eileen Weiss, Co-founders, Jews Against Genocide, US Elaine Donovan Co-Founder, Concerned Citizens for Peace, Honeoy, NY Roland Watson, Founder, Dictator Watch, US -- *********************************************************************** Watch Indonesia! e.V. Arbeitsgruppe f?r Demokratie, Menschenrechte und Umweltschutz in Indonesien und Osttimor Planufer 92 d Tel./Fax +49-30-698 179 38 10967 Berlin e-mail: watchindonesia at snafu.de http://home.snafu.de/watchin Konto: 2127 101 Postbank Berlin (BLZ 100 100 10) IBAN: DE96 1001 0010 0002 1271 01, BIC/SWIFT: PBNKDEFF Bitte unterst?tzen Sie unsere Arbeit durch eine Spende. Watch Indonesia! e.V. ist als gemeinn?tzig und besonders f?rderungsw?rdig anerkannt. *********************************************************************** --- Forwarded message from mark robinson ----- In today's Crikey newsletter, Christian Kerr says "the left" is pushing for another "failed state" called West Papua. (see last sentence). If you'd like to challenge this view the address for letters to the editor is: boss at crikey.com.au ********************************************* 15. East Timor: Our very own failed state Christian Kerr writes: In a magnificent triumph for Australian foreign policy, Timor-Leste has come in at Number 20 on Foreign Policy magazine?s Failed State Index for 2007. Foreign Policy and the Fund for Peace, an independent research organisation, have used 12 social, economic, political, and military indicators, to rank 177 states in order of their vulnerability to violent internal conflict and societal deterioration. Bubbling under on the list are two more failing states in our backyard ? the Solomons on Number 30 and Papua New Guinea at Number 52. As Foreign Policy states, much of the trouble in the world has its origins in weak and failing states. "The problems that plague failing states are generally all too similar: rampant corruption, predatory elites who have long monopolised power, an absence of the rule of law, and severe ethnic or religious divisions," the report warns. "But that does not mean that the responses to their problems should be cut from the same cloth." Australia and the international community have poured billions of dollars into Timor-Leste. The result? A state that ranks just marginally better than Burundi and Ethiopia and comes in behind Sierra Leone and the Republic of the Congo. And, unsatisfied with Timor, the platitudinous left continues to push for the creation of a new nation on our doorstep that will be doomed to failure from the very start ? West Papua. http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070626-Our-very-own-failed- state.html --- http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4C457F82-87C9-4C29-9361-E55B211BD6FE.htm UPDATED ON: THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007 6:51 MECCA TIME, 3:51 GMT Indonesia?s forgotten province By Step Vaessen in Papua province, Indonesia Culturally distinct Papua is rich in resources but home to some of the country?s poorest people The governor of the remote Indonesian province of Papua is warning that the region could revive its push for independence. Barnabas Suebu has told Al Jazeera that the central government in Jakarta must act quickly to improve conditions in the province. With an area of almost half a million square kilometres, Papua has some of the richest natural resources in the world, but its people are among Indonesia?s poorest. Many Papuans feel abandoned by the Indonesian government Travelling with the governor to the remote village of Kokanao, we saw how bad the situation had become. There is no road, no electricity and not enough water. Most of the villagers here die young. Karismus, a retired village head, shares his house with four families - 18 people in total. He says he was promised a new house many years ago, but it never came. He has long lost hope in the Indonesian authorities. ?Now the governor has come he can finally see how we are paralysed,? Karismus says. ?How we are suffering here, how we all have become like blind people, I really hope he sees that.? The province of Papua makes up most of the western part of the island of New Guinea. ?Free Choice? Governor Suebu (right) says Papuans need to see the fruits of Papua?s natural wealth Once under Dutch control, it became part of Indonesia in 1969 under the so-called ?Act of Free Choice? - a controversial process which many in the province still dispute. Angry that the Papuan people weren?t seeing any benefit from the province?s natural resources, the Free Papua independence movement took up arms to demand a greater share of the province?s wealth. In a bid to end the unrest, six years ago the Indonesian government gave the province limited autonomy. But discontent is building once again and it won?t be easy to win over the Papuan people. Touring the province by helicopter, Governor Suebu is handing out $10,000 to every village The idea is to ensure the money goes directly to the people in need, rather than disappearing into the pockets of bureaucrats. Suebu says handouts are needed to keep the people of the province on side. Otherwise, he says, calls for independence will grow. Justice and welfare Some Papuans say the governor?s efforts are too little, to late ?The situation in Papua has to change,? Suebu says. ?It?s very ironic that people are poor on top of so much wealth. That?s why people are screaming for independence. The key solution is justice and welfare for the people.? Papua is the forgotten part of Indonesia. For nearly 40 years the Papuans have been left behind. Now hopes are high that finally someone will listen. But the question remains if this is going to be enough to convince the Papuans that they are part of Indonesia. The independence movement has given up its armed struggle but in their hearts many Papuans still want their own state. Human rights campaigner Mama Yosepha, who is skeptical about the governors mission. ?It?s all too little too late,? she tells us. ?We have the right to have our own state, the right to have our freedom.? The governor is unlikely to win this fight alone. Until the government in Jakarta changes its approach to Papua - many people in the province will remain reluctant citizens of Indonesia. --- From editors at kabar-irian.info Wed Jul 4 16:44:06 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 07:44:06 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] News: Jul 2 - 5 2007 Message-ID: <1961.61.94.95.23.1183589046.squirrel@www.teuton.org> KABAR IRIAN NEWS July 2-5 TOPICS * Indonesia bans US congressional delegate from visiting Papua * INDONESIA: BAN ON U.S. CONGRESSMAN A SETBACK * Human rights abuses... * State of emergency declared in Papua... * OPM says it will continue flag-raising campaign despite Indonesia * Papuan culture under threat * Group says abuse in Papua continues * US congressman barred from Papua * Papuan dancers wave Papua flag * Elsham report - Bolakme * Indonesian Military starts shooting - Bolakme * Flag raising Abepura * Jungle to church: Missionaries and the military co-operate * Rights group tells of more Papua atrocities * US Congressman’s ban a setback for West Papuan democracy * Indonesia stops U.S. congressman from going to Papua * Indonesia Struggles Against TNI Hegemony * Indonesia's Logging Fight * Congressman Eni Faleomavaega banned from West Papua * Learning from Vietnam for a Peaceful Dialogue with Indonesian People * Display of separatist flag in Papua not related to RMS flag incident * U.S regards talks on Papuan self-determination as irrelevant * Govt to permit US Congresswoman to visit Jakarta only * Justice minister to probe in to the OPM flag-raising --- http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/4/apworld/20070704182811&sec=apworld World Updates Wednesday July 4, 2007 Indonesia bans US congressional delegate from visiting Papua JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP): Indonesia barred a U.S. congressional delegate known for his criticism of Jakarta's rule over Papua province from the region, fearing his presence could spark violence, the man said Wednesday. Eni Faleomavaega, from the U.S. territory of American Samoa, said he had originally been invited by Jakarta to visit Papua as part of moves by the government to convince the U.S. Congress that its policies there were not as harsh as human rights group say. But authorities canceled the trip saying he might incite demonstrations by separatists, Faleomavaega said from Jakarta. "I am taking it in good faith that my safety was at risk,'' he said. "They (Indonesia) may have overreacted at my going, but it is difficult for me to pass judgment.'' Indonesia occupied Papua in 1963 and a low-level insurgency has simmered ever since. Tens of thousands of people have died in brutal military operations. Rights groups say abuses in the remote region continue, but most analysts say there has been an improvement in recent years. "There is no question that the people of (Papua) have been treated very poorly in the past 40 or 50 years,'' said Faleomavaega, who is a non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he heads a subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. In a related development, about 50 Papuans demanded an independence ballot and unfurled a separatist banner at a demonstration in the city of Yogyakarta, central Java province, witnesses said. The protesters dispersed peacefully after several hours. Indonesia's foreign ministry has made conflicting statements on Faleomavaega's visit, with one official Tuesday saying the politician did not want to visit Papua. Faleomavaega said he had met several Papuan leaders in the capital Jakarta and may have a meeting with the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono later Wednesday. Journalists, rights workers and diplomats need special permission to visit Papua that is frequently denied, meaning information on the province, which occupies the western half of the island of New Guinea, is hard to come by. --- http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Security&loid=8.0.431807507&par= INDONESIA: BAN ON U.S. CONGRESSMAN A SETBACK SAYS RIGHTS GROUP Jakarta, 4 July (AKI) - The decision by the Indonesian government to prevent US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega from travelling to Papua, will undermine efforts to promote human rights and democracy in the territory says TAPOL, which means political prisoner in Indonesian, a leading English language authority on the human rights situation in Indonesia and East Timor. "Greater openness and freedom of movement are essential for the achievement of peace, democracy and improved respect for human rights in Papua," said spokesperson, Paul Barber. "Unfettered access to Papua for international parliamentarians, diplomats, journalists and human rights organisations will lead to a better understanding of the situation in the territory and greater accuracy in reporting. That must be to the benefit of the Indonesian government. Restrictions on access are counter -productive and lead to the suspicion that the government has something to hide from the outside world," he added. Peace was achieved in Aceh thanks in large part to the opening up of the province to the international community following the tsunami tragedy in December 2004, pointed out TAPOL. Faleomavaega is the Representative to the US Congress of the Pacific-Island territory of American Samoa. He is a prominent supporter of self-determination for Papua and has previously pushed for the US government to review its recognition of Papua as part of Indonesia. Papua was annexed by Indonesia with a controversial UN-sponsored referendum in 1969. The region, recently split into two provinces, is theater of a peaceful pro-independence movement. The Indonesian military is accused of grave human rights abuses. Faleomavaega was due to arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday. The Indonesian foreign ministry director general for European and American affairs, Eddhi Hariyadhi, said he will not be allowed to go to Papua because his visit would be 'exploited by certain groups to create riots'. "The reason given for the ban is entirely spurious and a sign of Indonesia's uncertain commitment to fundamental freedoms," said Barber. The ban comes just a month after a visit to Papua by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary- General on Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani, led to a number of recommendations on how to improve the human rights situation in the territory. (Fsc/Aki) Jul-04-07 09:20 --- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=33435 Radio New Zealand International The Voice of New Zealand, Broadcasting to the Pacific Te Reo Irirangi O Aotearoa, O Te Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa Human rights abuses by Indonesian security forces in Papua persist, says Watchdog Posted at 08:15 on 04 July, 2007 UTC The group, Human Rights Watch, says Indonesian security forces are still killing, torturing and raping civilians in their efforts to curb separatism in Papua. In a report, the group says many serious rights violations occurred during police raids on communities believed to be harbouring separatist leaders or when security used force to break up gatherings. The report alleges that in 2005 many civilians were missing or dead and tens of thousands were displaced from their homes after paramilitary forces burnt down houses in at least 13 villages in their search for separatists. It says a culture of impunity is part of the problem in Papua where it says in the 14 incidents it documented, only one member of the security forces had faced prosecution. A spokesman for Indonesia?s national police, Sisno Adiwinoto, has denied any rights violations by police in Papua. Jakarta places restrictions on access to Papua for journalists, diplomats and human rights organisations. --- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=33359 Radio New Zealand International The Voice of New Zealand, Broadcasting to the Pacific Te Reo Irirangi O Aotearoa, O Te Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa State of emergency declared in Papua after Jakarta objects to a flag raising campaign Posted at 08:23 on 02 July, 2007 UTC Indonesian security forces have declared a state of emergency in the Wamena area of Papua province in response to a Morning Star flag-raising campaign. The flag is a symbol of West Papuan self-determination aspirations, and is historically raised by Papuans around July 1st. But while the flag is officially allowed to be displayed under the Special Autonomy law, flag raisings are routinely suppressed by the Indonesian security forces. Yesterday the Indonesian military, or TNI, started shooting in villages in Bolakme when the flag was raised. However, the Free Papua Movement, or OPM, and its aligned group, the TPN, intend to continue their current flag-raising campaign until Wednesday. A OPM/TPN spokesman, Jonah Wenda, says they are prepared to face consequences for raising their independence flag. ?The state of emregency has been declared by TNI and police in Wamena because of this issue of raising the flag and [the state of emergency will run] until fourth of July, to stop any movement against Indonesian rules.?? --- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=33371 Radio New Zealand International The Voice of New Zealand, Broadcasting to the Pacific Te Reo Irirangi O Aotearoa, O Te Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa OPM says it will continue flag-raising campaign despite Indonesian crackdown Posted at 22:53 on 02 July, 2007 UTC The Free Papua Movement, the OPM, and its aligned group, the TPN, say they will continue a Morning Star flag-raising campaign despite an Indonesian security forces crackdown. The Indonesian military, the TNI, and police have declared a state of emergency in the Wamena area of Papua province until Wednesday, forbidding the independence flag to be raised. While the flag is officially allowed to be displayed under the Special Autonomy law, flag raisings are routinely suppressed by the security forces. Yesterday the TNI started shooting in villages in Bolakme when the flag was raised. However, an OPM/TPN spokesman, Jonah Wenda, says they intend to continue their campaign, despite other Papuans previously being jailed for raising the Morning Star. ?Philip Karma and Joseph Pakage in Jayapura, they were put in jail for 15 and 10 years, and that?s why TNI and the police, they don?t want to let this thing happen again. That?s why they?re put in place the state of emergency to stop any activities for raising the flag.? --- http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E35400C2-2B65-40D7-A04B-F862D9DD9360.htm Papuan culture under threat By Step Vaessen in Papua province, Indonesia Even in Papua's remote highlands the culture is not spared from external influence The distinct culture of Indonesia's Papua province on the western part of the island of New Guinea is slowly disappearing with the increasing arrival of traders from other islands like Sulawesi and Java. For ages, Papuans have farmed small plots in the highlands, planting potatoes and vegetables - enough to feed the family and make some money. Although Indonesia has given Papua limited autonomy, many Papuans say they suffer from discrimination and feel their culture is being threatened. Magda Peke is among those who feel that her tribe's culture is under threat. Forced to wear clothes She told Al Jazeera she is forced to wear clothes if she goes to the market. She only wears the traditional Papuan costume if she is close to her home. "If we go to the town like this, Indonesian authorities are asking us questions. They ask us who our leaders are," she said. "We are afraid that we will not get any help from the government if we use our traditional dress, so we are forced to put government clothes on. "But before they really can change our culture they have to cut our throat first." The indigenous Papuans are unable to compete with the newcomers because they can sell their imported goods at a much lower price. Lack of education, economic means and also pure discrimination keep Papuans poor Yakoba Motte has seen her coconut business collapse over the years. "Now we are all poor. Before our life was fine but now we can't earn anything anymore, everyone buys their cheap goods," she said. In Enarotali, Papuans sit on the ground selling fresh produce or goods while shops are built behind them. Not a single Papuan owns a shop in this area, largely due to a lack of education, economic means and also pure discrimination. There are times when tensions flare up between Papuans and the newcomers, the most recent ending in the detention of about 10 Papuans. "If Papuans fight among each other the security forces just stand by and watch us kill each other. But when Papuans fight with newcomers the security forces will always take up arms against us," said an eyewitness who did not want to be identified. Limited autonomy Indonesia reportedly banned a US legislator from visiting the province for fear of sparking demonstrations by separatists. Eni Faleomavaega says he was originally invited by Indonesian officials who wanted to prove their policies in Papua were not violating human rights. Indonesia has a strong military presence in Papua because of what the government regards as a separatist threat, and there have been accusations of human rights abuses. However, Agus Sumule, an advisor to the Papua governor, says the situation is improving. "Of course it is too early to say that the human rights situation in Papua has improved significantly, but I can assure you that the ones who committed violations in the past can't do that so easily anymore," he said. "It's becoming more open now [with the government], we have a lot of friends from abroad working here now." 'Dream of freedom' Even so, foreign journalists and observers still need a special permit to enter this territory, a sign that Jakarta has yet to take to this new openness. It's now up to the government to convince Papuans they are rightful citizens of Indonesia, otherwise they will continue to dream of independence. For Magda Peke Indonesia will always be a different country. "I had a dream that Indonesia will one day go back home. Then we will finally be free." --- http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-briefs4.1jul04,1,6175628.story?coll=la-news- a_section WORLD IN BRIEF / INDONESIA Group says abuse in Papua continues >From Times Wire Reports July 4, 2007 Indonesian security forces are still killing, torturing and raping civilians in their efforts to curb separatism in Papua, Human Rights Watch said today. . The group said in a report that many serious rights violations occurred during police raids on communities believed to harbor separatist leaders or when security authorities used force to break up gatherings in Papua, a province on the western half of New Guinea island. The report alleges that in 2005, many civilians went missing or died and that tens of thousands had been displaced from their homes after paramilitary forces burned down houses in at least 13 villages in their search for members of a separatist group. --- http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1970184.htm US congressman barred from Papua Last Updated 05/07/2007, 05:18:33 The US Congressman for American Samoa, Falemavaega Eni Hunkin, says he is disappointed the Indonesian government has prevented him from visiting the province of Papua. Falemavaega has been lobbying for the Papua province to be recognised as part of the Pacific region, rather than Indonesia, for many years. The congressman will meet with Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and the foreign affairs minister, Hassan Wirajuda during a visit to Jakarta. But he says he has been told he can't visit Papua due to concerns his presence in the region could spark violence. Falemavaega told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat he respects the Indonesian government's decision, but wants to ensure the rights of Papuans are not being ignored. "The more important thing is to consider what the Indonesian government is doing in dealing with the needs of the West Papua people," he said. "That is critical and important, as far as for me who has been following this issue for years now, and to see that there has been positive changes. "The last thing I want to be is telling them what to do. "This is a good beginning for a start for autonomy, the same way that a sense of autonomy was given to the leaders in Aceh." --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20070703183153&irec=9 Papuan dancers wave Papua flag JAKARTA (JP): A group of Papuan dancers waved Tuesday Papua flag in the Papuan Traditional Council conference in Papua days after a group of people danced and waved the flag of separatist movement Republic of South Maluku (RMS) before the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Ambon, Metro TV reported. Papua flag of Bintang Kejora means the morning star, which is a symbol for Papuan people who demanded independence from Indonesia. However, an official at the conference said that the dance was legal as the dancers did not raise the Bintang Kejora flag but only wave it. (***) --- From: tribal-melanesia at yahoogroups.com yesterday (monday) 1 july 007 12 :30 WIT in wissel meren /now named Paniai Enarotali Eduda had held ceremony west papua flag raised with peacefull ,at that time They /or free west papua movement had readed declaration demand letter to indonesia that is as : #We had refused special outonomy who had to gived to west papua #Jakarta as soon as to open Dialog international indonesia, as about west papua, because we had suffered since indonesia independent up to now. # we really hurt want free of the all intimidation that make by the indonesia Report by Lsaham paniai /wessel meren --- From: tribal-melanesia at yahoogroups.com Media release 2 July 2007 Indonesian Military starts shooting as flag raising protest start in Bolakme, Highlands, West Papua Indonesian soldiers were reported to be shooting their weapons in the villages of the Bolakme region (also spelled Bolokme) in the highlands of West Papua over the weekend. Although no-one is reported to be shot, the objective of the Indonesian military forces was reportedly to stop pro-independence flag raising. (Bolakme is 6 km north of the town of Pyramid, across the Baliem River. This area is west of Wamena the regional capital of the highlands in West Papua.) Sources in Bolakme report that Mr Wendanak who represents both the traditional Lani people from the surrounding area and the OPM/TPN (Free Papua Movement) guerrillas in Bolakme has stated an intention to continue a flag raising campaign until 4 July 2007. The flag involved is the Morning Star flag, a symbol of West Papuan self- determination and Independence. Officially allowed to be displayed under the Special Autonomy law, even peaceful flag raisings are routinely violently suppressed by the Indonesian security forces. In a statement released by Mr. Wendanak to the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights, the objectives of the OPM/TPN group were reported to be: - To show the Indonesian government and to the world that West Papua people still exist & fight for full Independence; - To protest against the UN sponsored Act of Free Choice process which ceded West Papua to Indonesian control in 1969; - To give a sign that they want to solve the West Papua issue in a peaceful way; - To ask the UN to force Indonesia government to withdraw all military forces from West Papua immediately; - To encourage the United Nations, United States and Dutch governments to respond to the demands of West Papua people to renew the Act of Free Choice, & let the West Papua people to decide their future through a fair and just Referendum; - To allow foreign journalists and other international organizations to have access to West Papua; - To appeal to the International donors to support the autonomy (independence) project. Matthew Jamieson, spokesperson for Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said today, ?Sources in Bolakme state that, on 29th June 2007, Indonesian soldiers from Battalion 756 from Wamena had entered into the Bolakme district, firing guns and intimidating local people and the atmosphere was ?tense?. Matthew Jamieson also said, ?The OPM group at Bolakme appears to want to peacefully demonstrate its opposition to Indonesian occupation of West Papua. This Bolakme area has a long history of OPM/TPN fighters. The OPM group appears to want to express their political views through nonviolent means. For the guerrillas and community involved this strategy is very risky, especially given the Indonesian security forces willingness to use violence to silence political dissent.? Matthew Jamieson went onto say ?We hold very serious concerns about this military operation of intimidation to stop what should be a free political process in ?democratic? Indonesia. We hope that the military administration in West Papua will not seek a violent solution to what is essentially a political problem.? Matthew Jamieson also said that, ?It is reported that in the past month the KOPASSUS (Indonesia?s special commando force) had collected all the chiefs in Wamena to ?brief? them on Indonesia's national integrity.? ?There is limited space given by the Indonesian government for political dissent in West Papua, when that dissent includes demands for independence. In the highlands and remote regions, in particular, the security forces rarely allow political protest. While the political issue of self-determination remains unresolved in West Papua the people will continue their protest. ? ?The troops at Bolakme are said to be under the command of Major Bambang Purwadi, from Infantry Battalion 756. The Battalion 756 is part of the Korem 172, which is in turn commanded by Col. Burhanuddin Siagian. This commander Siagian has been twice indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor (now Timor-Leste) and directly linked to the execution of civilians holding pro-independence views and the formation of para-military militias.? ?According to a report in the Cenderawasih Pos 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?. This statement was reportedly made in response to demands by students and youths for a review of the 1969 Act of Free Choice and for a new referendum on self-determination.? ?There has been a cycle of acts of local political defiance, followed by police & military operations, then civilian deaths, displacement and famine which has repeatedly occurred in this Highland region and particularly in the past 5 years. IPAHR holds grave concerns that this cycle could be repeated in Bolakme." ?During the Christmas New Year period earlier this year, a flag raising campaign in the Puncak Jaya region, which is adjacent and east of Bolakme, was the scene of military operations against the Goliat Tabuni OPM group.? ?The military operations in Puncak Jaya caused thousands of local people to leave their homes for many months and seek safety in the remote part of the Yamu River valley. During this period it was reported that a number of civilians were reported killed by Indonesian security forces and a health and famine crisis ensued amoungst the displaced people which resulted in a number of people dying from famine and disease.? ?Sources in West Papua say that now most of the people displaced from the military operations in Puncak Jaya have returned home, even though the military troops are still stationed there. For further information contact: Matthew Jamieson +61 (0) 4181291998 Paula Makabory +61 (0) 402547517 Matthew Jamieson Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia matthew at hr.minihub.org tel +61(0) 418291998 --- From: Tapol: Cendrawasih Pos, 2 July 2007: Summary only One of the men who was convicted for unfurling the Morning Star flag in 2006 and is now serving a ten-year sentence succeeded in unfurling the Morning Star flag (Kejora) above the prison where he is being held to mark the anniversary of the foundation of the OPM, Organisasi Merdeka Papua on 1 July. Yusak Pagake kept the flag aloft for five minutes. He explained later that he had been helped in the action by others in the prison. Yusak had originally planned to hold a press concerned but this was banned. Yusak came down from the roof when ordered to do so by prison staff. The prison director refused to answer questions from journalists who watched the flag raising. Cepos reported that raising the flag is a very frequent event among the prisoners. Meanwhile plans to hold a rally with public speakers in Jayapura were abandoned when the action was prohibited by the authorities. The event had been planned by Saul Bomay, secretary-general of Revolution Peace Council. Although this was now the era of democracy, he said, the Papuans were prohibited from carrying out this peaceful action. 1 July was the day in 1961 when the OPM leader Seth Sumkorem declared West Papuan independence which they regard as a de jure recognition TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign 111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon CR7 8HW, UK. tel +44 (0)20 8771 2904 fax +44 (0)20 8653 0322 tapol at gn. .org http://tapol.gn.apc.org --- Jungle to church: Missionaries and the military co-operate in converting the Asmat to Christianity. Astrid de Hontheim People often view the churches in Papua as a source of support and protection for Papuans against abuse by the Indonesian military, as they were in East Timor before independence. The history of Christian conversion of the Asmat in Papua shows that this was often ? but not always ? the case. Over the last fifty years, Christian missionaries often worked together with the authorities, first the Dutch colonial state and later the Indonesian military, to 'civilise' the Asmat. Approximately 65,000 Asmat people live in the marshy swamps on the south coast of Papua. In 1938, the first permanent Dutch post in the Asmat region was established in Agats, though it shut during World War II. The first missionary to arrive was Gerard Zegwaard of the Catholic Sacred Heart Order in 1953. The Sacred Heart mission was joined by evangelical missionaries (TEAM) in 1955 and the American Crosier fathers and brothers in 1958. In addition to proselytising, Catholic missionaries were active in the area of cultural preservation, while the Protestant missionaries mainly focused on medicine and linguistics. Missionary activity under the Dutch In the 1950s and 1960s, the Asmat were forced to give up traditional rituals ? those who did not co-operate were arrested ? which both the Dutch and Indonesian authorities and missionaries viewed as inspired by 'satanic' beliefs. During this period, many Asmat felt that by converting to Christianity, they could avoid suffering such insults, receive more respect and be seen as modern. Some Asmat believed that as Christians they would enjoy the same worldly goods as the missionaries. Dutch colonial authorities felt conversion to Christianity would restrain violent confrontation triggered by the establishment of army posts. Under Dutch colonial rule, in areas where the Asmat used bows and arrows to keep away foreigners, the missionaries often proved to be more intrepid than the Dutch soldiers. (This was also the case under Indonesian rule.) As the group which had 'first contact', missionaries were considered to have a 'pacifying' effect. Both churches and the colonial administration put pressure on south coast Papuan societies to end head-hunting, cannibalism and polygamy. Dutch colonial police shot at canoes laden with warriors ready to set out on a raid. In the first decade after contact, the Asmat people remained in awe of these rifles and guns. Asmat under Indonesian rule Since Papua's incorporation into Indonesia in 1963, the conversion of the Asmat to Christianity has also been affected by Indonesia's laws relating to religion. In 1965 President Sukarno issued a decree requiring that all Indonesian citizens belong to one of five official religions, including Catholicism and Protestantism, a law which continues until the present with minor alterations (see the article by Bush in this edition). All Indonesian citizens must possess identity cards (KTP), stating their religion. Since 1965, people who do 'not yet have a religion' can be suspected of being communists. This also contributed to some Papuans, though not the Asmat, asking missionaries to convert them to Christianity. In 1978 the Minister of Religion issued two decrees which forbade proselytising among followers of official religions. Expatriate missionaries were denied work permits if their work was mainly evangelism. The use of material incentives to induce conversion ? a practice often seen to produce 'tobacco Christians' ? was banned. Despite this, missionaries among the Asmat continued to be tolerated, in many cases actively supported, by the military. This was because their missionary work was among so-called 'animists' ? people without an 'official religion' ? and therefore complementary to the Indonesian government's aims. In line with Suharto's New Order policies, the military in Asmat began 'the reform' for ten years from 1965 1975. They established government posts in remote areas, leading to the spread of a generic 'Indonesian' way of life and progressively supplanting local customs. Large-scale Javanese transmigration, begun under Sukarno in 1963 and continued under Suharto, also contributed to cultural standardisation. Papuans were resettled into villages ? not traditional social groupings ? to control them more easily. This assisted in the government's efforts to make villagers wear clothes and placed them under the authority of a village chief (kepala desa). In the resettlement process, hunters and gatherers were encouraged to raise cattle, grow vegetables and become involved in the market economy. Contacts between Papuans and other Indonesians are still sometimes problematic, with the latter sometimes referring to Papuans as 'backward' (terbelakang) or 'not yet developed' (belum maju). At Agats, the major Asmat urban centre, several military officers told me during my stays in 2001 and 2004 that they were dedicated to the Papuans' well-being. They claimed that without a religion ? they do not consider traditional beliefs to be religions ? the Papuans are unable to manage themselves without killing each other or having sex with multiple partners. The military focus on the hygiene and clothing of Papuans: their food (eating rice, not sago and pork) ; the discarding of traditional ornaments and multiple wives; and conversion to Christianity. In this context, the military see being a Christian as humanising (the Indonesian word 'manusia' is often used), as opposed to being 'people of the forest' (orang hutan) or savages. In many cases, the Indonesian government's and the missionaries' aims coincided in their struggle against nomadism and their efforts to bring modernity to remote areas. To help the Asmat 'modernise', Crosier missionaries employed the Asmat in socio-economic development projects and coaxed them into attending training courses (kuperda) to become government-appointed village chiefs, although with limited success. Some missionaries noticed that the traditional Asmat practice of sharing everything could progressively be eliminated by teaching the Asmat competitive behaviour and sport. Particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, missionaries enforced a number of Indonesian government orders, which coincided with their own moral stances. They often reported men involved in head-hunting or one night marriages (known as 'wife exchange') to Indonesian authorities and the men were arrested. In return, the Indonesian authorities tried to get people to go to church and mission schools. Some young boys were taken away by the military, against their parents' wishes, to be educated at a Sacred Heart boarding school. From about 1964 to 1968 the Indonesian government prohibited activities which were seen to be connected to head-hunting. Dancing, drumming, wood carving, celebrations and the building of ritual men's houses were forbidden. Whereas some Catholic missionaries co-operated with the authorities, Protestant missionaries claimed in 2005 and 2006 that they had been unaware of such a prohibition in the 1960s. Catholic missionaries also became involved in political issues. The Ayam Revolt in 1974 and 1975 took place in the village of Ayam in the Asmat region, where for many years there had been fierce resistance against intense military and Christian (both Catholic and Protestant) control. The revolt began when Asmat men were beaten by police for refusing to fell lumber for a logging company, because they had not been paid for previous work. Around this time, a number of Ayam villagers, involved in an internal village conflict, killed 29 other Asmat men, using traditional ? and forbidden ? head-hunting methods. They then fled to the jungle to escape police punishment. Only when the bishop, Alphonse Sowada, spent time persuading them, did the villagers finally agree to go back home. Preservation of religion and culture After the nomination of Alphonse Sowada as bishop in 1969, Catholic missionaries showed more tolerance of cultural practices. The Crosier brothers, who had anthropological training and were influenced by the more liberal philosophy of Vatican II (1962 1965), aimed to preserve Asmat culture. They had become aware that the culture of the Asmat could be forgotten in less than a generation. They recorded the myths of the Asmat, publishing dozens of texts. They decorated churches with locally-meaningful cultural objects and designs and founded museums with Asmat collections in Agats in 1973 and in Shoreview, Minnesota, in 1994. In 1983, the Crosiers initiated an annual art auction, held in Agats, for primitive-art dealers. In 2003, Alphonse Sowada depicted the Catholic missionaries' efforts as a 'culture rescue'. The Crosiers' approach influenced the Indonesian government, which subsequently allowed the Asmat to continue carving and to maintain aspects of culture such as the men's houses, where the carvings were made. Sowada also went to Jakarta to argue for the Asmat's rights to fair salaries and ownership of their forests. While Protestant missionaries were not interested in preserving culture, they made the Bible available to the Asmat, translating it into four Asmat languages. Over the last ten years, the influence of the church has been waning. Most expatriate missionaries have left. Four Asmat pastors share the leadership of Protestant churches, but there are no Asmat priests, and people complain that Indonesian priests do not behave like the American priests did. Only a minority of Asmat regularly attend church and Asmat people increasingly prefer to marry in a traditional Asmat wedding ritual than the Christian one. In coastal areas, two families converted to Islam in 2004. Nevertheless, discussions with the Asmat people indicate that they are now generally happy with the presence of churches scattered in the Asmat territory, indicating both the Asmat people and the church have changed. Astrid de Hontheim (asdehont at ulb.ac.be) is writing a PhD about missionaries among the Asmat at the Universit? Libre de Bruxelles and the Universit? de Provence. --- http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=48309&sid=14349646&con_type=1 Rights group tells of more Papua atrocities Adhityani Arga Thursday, July 05, 2007 Indonesian security forces are still killing, torturing and raping civilians during operations to curb separatism in Papua, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday. Independence activists in Papua - which is made up of two provinces on the western half of New Guinea island - have waged a campaign for more than 30 years to break away from Indonesia, while a low-level armed rebellion has also simmered for decades. The rights group says that many serious rights violations occurred during police raids on communities believed to be harboring separatist leaders or when security used force to break up gatherings. But national police spokesman Sisno Adiwinoto denied any rights violations by officers in Papua. "Anyone found to have violated human rights will face the law," he said. "The Indonesian police ensures human rights are upheld in each of its operations; we don't violate them." The report alleges that in 2005 many civilians were missing or dead and tens of thousands were displaced from their homes after paramilitary forces burned down houses in at least 13 villages during searches for separatists. Women and children in displaced shelters and close to military posts were most vulnerable to sexual assault, it says. One woman alleged that she and a group of other women displaced by a crackdown on separatist groups were assaulted and later raped at gunpoint near a temporary shelter. "While Indonesian security forces have improved their practices in some important respects in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, the situation remains of serious concern, particularly in the highlands," the report says. "We found that both army troops and police units ... continue to engage in indiscriminate village `sweeping' operations in pursuit of suspected militants, using excessive, often brutal, and at times lethal force against civilians." The report says a "culture of impunity" is part of the problem. In 14 incidents it documented, only one security forces member was prosecuted. Jakarta took over Papua from Dutch rule in 1963. In 1969 its rule was formalized in a vote by community leaders widely criticized as political theater. Jakarta restricts access to Papua for journalists, diplomats and human rights organizations. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said he wants to end conflict in Papua and speed development in the resource-rich area. REUTERS --- TAPOL press release US Congressman’s ban a setback for West Papuan democracy 3 July 2007 The decision, announced yesterday, by the Indonesian government to prevent US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega from travelling to West Papua, will undermine efforts to promote human rights and democracy in the territory says TAPOL, the UK-based human rights organisation. “Greater openness and freedom of movement are essential for the achievement of peace, democracy and improved respect for human rights in West Papua,” said spokesperson, Paul Barber. “Unfettered access to West Papua for international parliamentarians, diplomats, journalists and human rights organisations will lead to a better understanding of the situation in the territory and greater accuracy in reporting. That must be to the benefit of the Indonesian government. Restrictions on access are counter-productive and lead to the suspicion that the government has something to hide from the outside world,” he added. Peace was achieved in Aceh thanks in large part to the opening up of the province to the international community following the tsunami tragedy in December 2004, pointed out TAPOL. Faleomavaega is the Representative to the US Congress of the Pacific-Island territory of American Samoa. He is a prominent supporter of self-determination for West Papua. He was due to arrive in Jakarta today. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry director general for European and American affairs, Eddhi Hariyadhi, said he will not be allowed to go to Papua because his visit would be ‘exploited by certain groups to create riots’. “The reason given for the ban is entirely spurious and a sign of Indonesia’s uncertain commitment to fundamental freedoms,” said Barber. Ironically, the ban comes just a month after a visit to West Papua by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani, led to a number of constructive recommendations on how to improve the human rights situation in the territory. ENDS ************************************************** Paul Barber TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, 41 Cherry Way, Alton Hampshire GU34 2AX Tel/Fax: 01420 80153 Email: plovers at gn.apc.org Internet: http://tapol.gn.apc.org Working for peace, human rights and democracy in Indonesia, 1973-2004 --- http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3341232 By Muklis Ali Jul 3, 2007 Indonesia stops U.S. congressman from going to Papua JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has barred a U.S. congressman who has been a critic of Jakarta's policies in Papua from visiting the area, but has denied the move is to cover up alleged human rights abuses in the remote region. Eni Faleomavaega, the Democrat congressman for American Samoa, has previously pushed for the U.S. government to review its recognition of Papua as part of Indonesia. "We need to know first what he is looking for," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told reporters on Tuesday. "If he wants to meet the local government, we can certainly help to arrange it here in Jakarta during his short stay," added Wirajuda. The congressman was due to arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday, according to media reports. Papuan independence activists have waged a campaign for more than 30 years to break away from Indonesia, and a low-level armed rebellion has also simmered for decades. "With or without his visit everyone can now access information on recent developments in Indonesia, including Papua," Wirajuda said. "Our embassy in Washington and parliament members have been in consultation (with U.S. lawmakers)," he added. Papua, two provinces on the west half of New Guinea island, has long been under the scrutiny of Western groups critical of how Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, treats the mainly Christian and ethnically distinct area. A foreign ministry official, Eddhi Hariyadhi, was quoted in the Jakarta Post newspaper as saying it was not the right time for Faleomavaega to go to Papua because it could provoke violence. Last month a visit by U.N. envoy Hina Jilani was greeted by protests in several cities over alleged rights abuses. Indonesia has denied any systematic violations in Papua, although human rights groups have alleged security services in the area have routinely abused their powers. Jakarta also restricts access to Papua for journalists, diplomats and human rights organizations. --- http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=370257&rel_no=1 Indonesia Struggles Against TNI Hegemony Military repression continues despite commitment to reform Benjamin Terrall (bterrall) Published 2007-07-04 13:42 (KST) Although Indonesia's government has committed to reforming the Indonesian military (TNI) territorial command structure, which allows the armed forces to maintain units down to the village level throughout the country, this apparatus has actually been reinforced in the name of "counterterrorism." In late May, Indonesian Marines killed four farmers in a land dispute. Bambang Widodo Umar, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia, argued in the Jakarta Post that the shootings show "TNI structural reform is not working. Conflicts between the military and civilians are happening everywhere. The TNI should not be involved in everything. Let law enforcement institutions, such as the police and the courts, be responsible for law enforcement." But an Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) statement "on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture," which took place on June 26, indicates that Indonesian police also lean toward excessive force with a zeal that recalls U.S. military practices at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. In discussing cases in which Indonesian police beat suspects to death, the Hong Kong-based AHRC wrote, "It is hard for victims of torture to find ways of obtaining redress, including compensation, reinstatement and punishment of the perpetrators. The conclusion one may inevitably draw, is that Indonesia is a state which allows its agents to torture persons and denies the victim the right to seek redress for such a crime." A 2004 law mandated the government's taking over TNI businesses, but that process is moving slowly at best. In February, Human Rights Watch said Jakarta's foot-dragging on the issue "undermines civilian control over the TNI and fuels human rights abuses." The Jakarta Post reports, "Almost 70 percent of TNI's annual budget is derived from its diversified business activities. This year's defense budget is set at 32 trillion rupees (US$3.63 billion) or 4.5 percent of the state budget." But though the government initially identified 1,500 businesses that could be classified as military properties, a subsequent estimate only identified six military businesses as profitable enough to qualify for takeover. Thanks to the East Timor and Indonesia Human Rights Network (ETAN), and its allies in the U.S. Congress, several provisions in the United States' new Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2764) require reporting on progress in human rights, accountability and military reform in Indonesia, and justice for East Timor, prior to release of some military assistance funds to Jakarta. Though not as tough as past legislation, ETAN helped the bill advance. The new language, at least, puts on the public record a dissent from the Bush Administration's policy of blanket support for the TNI. "Military reform in Indonesia remains stalled and human rights accountability lacking," said John M. Miller, national coordinator of ETAN. "The Bush administration's policy of nearly unrestricted military assistance to Indonesia has clearly failed. "The House appropriations bill highlights many of the most needed reforms. In contrast, the Bush administration appears to have no real strategy to promote basic reform of the Indonesian military," Miller added. "Jakarta's failure to pursue effective reform underscores the need for the U.S. to use the only real leverage it has to press for change -- strong and binding restrictions on military assistance." Miller pointed out, "Historically, the Indonesian military's worst abuses took place when the U.S. was most engaged. Only after Congress began restricting military assistance was the ground laid for Suharto's fall and East Timor's independence." A new report from the Center for Public Integrity's International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), based on more than a year of research, concluded that Indonesia is one of the largest recipients of post- 9/11 military training and assistance programs. The report also makes clear why TNI spokesman Sagom Tamboen recently commented to The Australian about possible limits on U.S. military aid in the appropriations bill: "If in fact the restrictions are put in place, we believe that the government will have other options anyway, we're accustomed to limitations." The ICIJ found that, through fiscal year 2005, Indonesia was the largest recipient of Regional Defense Counterterrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP) training. As the ICIJ wrote, "Operating since 2002 with budgets of $20 million to $25 million per year, the CTFP appears in many ways nearly identical to the U.S. government's long-standing IMET program, which also trains foreign military officers. In fact, many of the courses offered under CTFP are virtually the same as those offered under IMET." (Congress has become highly critical of ongoing Pentagon efforts to receive a blank check to fund foreign militaries, including Indonesia's, without any of the conditions which pertain to military aid programs overseen by the State Department.) The ICIJ notes, "from 2002 to 2004, the same Indonesian forces that were prohibited from receiving anything beyond the most vanilla of IMET courses on human rights were simultaneously receiving tutelage on 'Intelligence in Combating Terrorism' and 'Student Military Police Prep' under CTFP, according to Defense Department documents obtained by ICIJ under a Freedom of Information Act request. In fact, in 2002 and 2003 Indonesia pulled in close to $4 million in CTFP funding, making the troubled Southeast Asian nation the No. 1 recipient of such funds." The ICIJ also found that a U.S. military program for Jakarta dedicated to "securing strategic sea lanes" cost more than $18 million. In its 2007 country report on Indonesia, Amnesty International wrote, "The majority of human rights violations by the security forces were not investigated, and impunity for past violations persisted. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) failed to act on two cases in which the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) had submitted evidence in 2004 that crimes against humanity had been committed by the security forces." Ed McWilliams, Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta from 1996 to 1999, and now an independent human rights advocate, told me, "In a real sense the post-Suharto democratic transition never transpired in West Papua, where the military and police continue to employ terror, torture and extrajudicial killing to enforce Jakarta's rule. While TNI impunity for abuses and corruption remain a problem throughout the archipelago, it is particularly acute in West Papua. While the Suharto dictatorship is gone, its hallmarks of repression and abuse live on in West Papua." Col. Burhanuddin Siagian last month responded to West Papuan calls for self-determination by threatening to "destroy" anyone who "betrays" Indonesia. Two indictments issued in 2003 state that Siagian made speeches threatening to kill East Timorese independence supporters and was responsible for the deaths of seven men in April 1999. McWilliams commented, "Of the many dark scenarios posed for West Papua's future perhaps the most dire is the threat of communal conflict as erupted a few years ago in the Maluku's and Poso. As in those neighboring areas, the TNI in West Papua is fueling sectarian strife by recruiting largely Muslim migrants to form paramilitaries loyal to Jakarta's rule. It is also creating Papuan militias along the lines of those it created to devastating effect in East Timor. As in the past throughout the archipelago, the TNI aims to generate communal tensions in West Papua as a justification for maintaining its presence and for continuing to exploit the region's vast natural resources." But dissidents throughout Indonesia continue to struggle against military hegemony. One example is the weekly protest in Jakarta by survivors and family members of victims of TNI atrocities (including the Tanjung Priok shootings of 1984, the Lampung killings of "militants" in 1989 and the May 1998 shooting of students) who are demanding an end to impunity for "security" forces. Anti-militarist activism within Indonesia alone cannot turn the tide. Ed McWilliams argues, "The fate of real military reform and possibly the success of the democratic transition in Indonesia depends very much on the U.S. Congress's willingness to insist on real reform, especially to push for genuine civilian control of the military and an end to TNI impunity. Democrats, now in control of both houses, must understand that an unreformed TNI, one that supports and has helped create fundamentalist Islamic militias inside Indonesia, cannot be a credible partner in the so-called 'war on terror.' The U.S. Congress should heed the voices of human rights defenders in Indonesia and refuse to bankroll TNI criminality, abuses and impunity." ?2007 OhmyNews --- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118342316130456058.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Indonesia's Logging Fight Smugglers Defy Crackdown To Feed Demand in China By TOM WRIGHT July 3, 2007; Page A5 SURABAYA, Indonesia -- China's insatiable appetite for lumber and the resurgence of smuggling rings in Indonesia have undermined the Indonesian government's efforts to crack down on illegal timber exports from one of the world's biggest remaining tropical forests. Two years ago, the government took aim at the illegal logging in its rainforests, which are among the most extensive -- and most rapidly disappearing -- anywhere. Illegal timber shipments from the huge province of Papua to China nearly stopped, environmentalists say. Following the clampdown, the flow of smuggled logs from Papua -- about 600,000 cubic meters of timber a month in 2003 -- dried to a trickle. Total illegal Indonesian timber shipments fell to three million cubic meters in 2006 from 10 million cubic meters in 2003, according to some estimates. The crackdown had an immediate effect on timber prices in China, which accounts for almost half the global demand for tropical wood. In Shanghai, prices for merbau -- a rare hardwood found mainly in Southeast Asia -- doubled in six months to $500 per square meter, environmental groups say. But illicit trade in Indonesian wood is booming again as Indonesian loggers and Malaysian middlemen find new ways to feed China's demand. The revival of large-scale smuggling highlights the problems facing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in stemming what the United Nations says is the fastest deforestation rate in the world. Mr. Yudhoyono has come under political pressure from international bodies such as the U.N. and World Bank to protect Indonesia's forests. One reason: Indonesia's forest destruction, often by fires to clear land for plantations, has made the nation the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind the U.S. and China, according to a joint British government and World Bank study earlier this year. Indonesia has long been one of the biggest suppliers of wood to global markets, with some environmental groups estimating an area the size of Belgium being harvested every year, most of it illicitly. Along with Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia is one of just a few countries with still- unexploited rainforests, but it has lost huge swaths of its reserves in the past 30 years. [Stolen Forests] A U.N. report in February found that all lowland forests on Indonesia's Borneo and Sumatra islands -- an important habitat for the endangered orangutan and other animals -- could be lost by 2022 at current logging rates of 2.8 million hectares a year. The World Bank believes the illicit global trade in timber costs governments about $15 billion a year in lost revenue and taxes. Indonesia's government estimates it loses about $4 billion annually. Realizing the costs, Jakarta in 2001 banned all export of raw logs. After coming to power in 2004, Mr. Yudhoyono tightened the export ban to include all rough-sawn timber. The next year, as part of the crackdown, 1,500 police raiders seized 400,000 cubic meters of timber in Papua, an amount equal to almost 3% of the annual global trade in tropical logs. They also arrested 186 suspected illegal loggers and smugglers. In 2005, the president vowed to go after the financiers of illegal logging and their protectors in the local government, military and police. Today, only semiprocessed wood can be exported legally. But, with the crackdown faltering, Mr. Yudhoyono's standing with environmentalists is sinking. Many groups are pushing Western consumers to boycott products made from Indonesian timber. They complain that Jakarta isn't doing enough to save remaining forests from both illegal logging and from the rapid legal clearing of land for agriculture and palm-oil plantations. Krystof Obidzinski, of the Indonesia- based Center for International Forestry Research, contends that more than 70% of logs going to Indonesia's timber-processing industry have been illegally felled. Pressure on Papua's forests, in particular, is likely to increase in coming years, with projects on the drawing board to plant enormous plantations for palm oil, which is used to produce biodiesel. Seeking to exploit the rising global demand for alternative energy, China National Offshore Oil Corp. said in January it was ready to invest $5.5 billion to develop plantations and biodiesel factories in Kalimantan and Papua. Mr. Yudhoyono's attempts to get a grip on the situation face opposition from a powerful nexus of local government officials, police and military personnel who are involved in the illegal trade. The lack of effective legal sanctions is also hampering his efforts. For example, Indonesia's courts -- judged among the most corrupt in the world by Berlin-based Transparency International -- have convicted only 13 people arrested in the 2005 Papua crackdown, all of them low-level operators. The suspected ringleaders -- including a police officer accused of involvement in the affair -- were acquitted. The smuggling networks have since found new routes for getting tropical hardwoods out of the country. "After a dramatic reduction in timber smuggling from Indonesia in 2005, illicit timber is flowing out of the country again in increasing amounts," says Julian Newman, who works for the Environmental Investigation Agency, a nongovernmental organization based in the United Kingdom. One method used by illegal exporters is to ship logs to neighboring Malaysia, where they are given false certificates of origin as Malaysian wood. They are then processed in Malaysian factories, environmentalists say. Another method is to take the logs to Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, where they are roughly sawn up and hidden in containers for shipping to China and India. Smugglers often falsely mark the exports as finished wood products, which can be legally exported under Indonesian law, says Atong Sukirman, an official with the customs enforcement unit at the Surabaya port. "Illegal exports are hard to detect," he says. In December, customs officials impounded 10 containers of 61 merbau logs, a haul worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. A local company had been trying to smuggle the logs out to China in containers falsely marked as flooring, according to customs officials. Police are investigating the company and have arrested a senior Surabaya port customs official, who is suspected of involvement in the smuggling ring. But campaigners say a few high-profile busts won't help unless Indonesian courts are willing to hand down heavy sentences to those involved in illegal logging. At its end, China's failure to crack down on the trade, despite an agreement in 2002 to work with Indonesia to tackle the problem, is straining relations between the two nations. Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu wants China to turn back illegal logs and timber at its ports but hasn't threatened any sanctions. Meanwhile, China's huge demand means merbau is likely to be wiped out within the next 30 years, environmental group Greenpeace warned in a report in April. Write to Tom Wright at tom.wright at dowjones.com --- Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) 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) --- Learning from Vietnam for a Peaceful Dialogue with Indonesian People David Chan Every time Papuan raise their national flag, the reactions from the Indonesian mass media is always hostile. Such reactions influence their main audience i.e. the Indonesian people. Raising the Morning Star flag is a pieceful expression of political view. But we seem to ignore the root cause of these hostile reactions. Besides receiving negative news coverage from Indonesian mass media, most of the Indonesian people, actually, have got very little knowledge about the background history of how West Papua was coerced (the official term is "integrated") into the Republic of Indonesia. This can be seen from the official history textbook taught in 3rd grade of Indonesian high schools. There are only five pages explaining very subjective description about Papua's "integration" into Indonesia. So, it is not surprising if most of the Indonesian people see Papuan's demand for self determination as a betrayal to them, unity of the state. They still do not know how in 1969 their government violated the political rights of Papuan people. Also, many do not know how Papuan have suffered since that forced integration. Several sources said that 100,00 casualties have been killed, around 10% of the native population. Learning from Vietnam The US won in many battle fronts around the world except in Vietnam. The official figure released by Vietnam government in 1995 revealed that 5.1 million people died whereas the US troops suffered approximately 60,000 personnel. So, the US won in Vietnam but they lost in their own land. American mass media showed how American troops used napalm and chemical weapons in their campaign over North Vietnam. These sparked anti-war demonstrations. Such cruel actions could not be tolerated by American people who had seen the devastation caused by their atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Papuan - Indonesian Public Dialogue Efforts must be done to encourage Papuan intelectuals to interact more frequently with Indonesian mass media. They need to explain the background history and issues of human rights violations conducted by the Indonesian government and the military in West Papua. More and more articles are needed to explaing these issues in Indonesian mass media so that they can create Indonesian public awareness on the Papuan cause. It is not easy to penetrate into the main stream view of Indonesian mass media over West Papua. But we have to be optimistic in encouraging peaceful dialogue between Papuan and Indonesian intelectuals in Indonesia's media. The only ones who can effectively press the Indonesian government and Indonesian military are Indonesian people themselves. --- http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/4/display-of-separatist-flag-in-papua-not-related-to-rms-flag- incident/ National 07/04/07 23:21 Display of separatist flag in Papua not related to RMS flag incident Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The display of the separatist Papua Free Organization`s flag had no relation with the unferling of the banned Republic of South Maluku (RMS)`s flag on June 29, 2007, an official has said. "The meeting of the Papuan Customary Council (DAP) had been scheduled earlier and the activity should have received a permit from the local police," Secretary to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Lt Gen Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo said here Wednesday. On the possibility of hoisting the separatist flag during the planned visit of US Senator Eni Faleomavaega to Papua, Agustadi said the government had prohibited her sojourn to Indonesia`s easternmost province. On July 1, political prisoners from Abepura jail displayed the separatist flag in the framework of the organization`s anniverasry. The display of the flag on top of the jail did not last long as security officers immediately ceased the action. The flag was displayed by Yusak Pakage, a political prisoner who also hoisted the separatist flag on December 1, 2005, along with his pal Filep Karma. Cosmos Yual, a political prisoner involved in the bloody incident in front of Cendrawasih University in Abepura, Jayapura, on March 16, 2006, also appeared in the flag flying action.(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/4/us-regards-talks-on-papuan-self-determination-as-irrelevant/ National 07/04/07 23:19 U.S regards talks on Papuan self-determination as irrelevant Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The US Congress no longer regarded the talks on Papuan independence as relevant under the unitary state of Indonesia. That was one of the crucial points in a statement of US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega during his courtesy call on Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Agung Laksono who then had a closed door meeting with Chairman of the House`s Commission I, Theo L. Sambuaga, and some other House members, here on Wednesday. After the meeting with Eni who happened to be Chairman of the Asia Pacific Sub-committee of the US Congress, Andreas H Pareira of the House`s Commission I said that the US perception on Papua had changed. "This could be seen in Eni`s belief that the most important point was that the confession of the US congressman that he had ever discussed Papua`s self-determination on account of the Indonesian government`s lack of attention to Papua," Andreas Pareira said. In a closed door meeting, Eni Faleomavaega admitted that some time in the past the congressman had even tried to secede Papua from Indonesia. But now, the US Congress supported the Indonesian government in granting a special autonomy to Papua. It was then seen as a step forward that should be maintained. "In the future, Eni added, this development should be maintained in a bid to change the life of people and the economy," Andreas said. Eni Faleomavaega also said that democracy is a process and not something final. Andreas also told his visiting guest that democracy was part of a process, in which further steps must be taken. Hence he asked him to voice out economic democracy in his capacity as US congressman after being active in the past to raise the issue on political democracy. This matter, according to him, was likely accepted by Eni Faleomavaega who said that Papuans should not only become spectators of the exploitation of their natural resources or only received the fees. "But, when grilled about profound talks on the process of renegotiations on PT Freeport investment in Papua, Mr. Eni was trying to avoid the issue," Andreas said.(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/3/govt-to-permit-us-congresswoman-to-visit-jakarta-only/ National 07/03/07 18:44 Govt to permit US Congresswoman to visit Jakarta only Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said here on Tuesday the government had only issued a permit for US Congress member from the Democratic Party Enny Valio Marpega to visit Jakarta to discuss developments on people`s conditions in Papua. "The agreement we have reached is only for Enny Valio Marpega to visit Jakarta," he said after a limited cabinet meeting. He said the government`s decision was made not because the government was barring her from Papua but because the government would accommodate her need to meet with Papua regional leaders in Jakarta. "It was not made with the intention of forbidding her to visit Papua but of meeting her needs. For example, if she needs to talk with Papua regional leaders we can arrange a schedule for it in a relatively short time in Jakarta," he said. The minister said he believed the limitations would not tarnish the government`s image because explanations that had been given by the government and other institutions about conditions in Papua were already good and had changed views held so far about the region. "This is a dynamic process of consultations with various parties so Enny will have a better understanding about the situation in Indonesia, including in Papua," he said. Enny Valio is chairperson of the US Congress`s Sub-Commission for the Asia Pacific that has so far been quite outspoken about Papua.(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/3/justice-minister-to-probe-in-to-the-opm-flag-raising/ National 07/03/07 02:00 Justice minister to probe in to the OPM flag-raising Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalatta said that his side would make a better coordination with the security authorities in Papua in a bid to settle the case of OPM flag- raising by convicts in Abepura prison. "Not only in prison, but outside prison, the raising of the separatist flag is not allowed. We are coordinating efforts with the security officials to probe into the incident," the minister told the press here on Monday when asked about the raising of the Rising Star (bintang kejora) flag in the Abepura prison. Certainly his side will take action against the perpetrators. Commenting on how the flag found its way into the prison, Andi said that raising the flag outside and inside prison is forbidden. On July 1, separatists of the Free Papuan Movement who are held in Abepura prison of Jayapura, Papua, either for political or criminal offenses, on Sunday raised the rising stars (bintang kejora) flag in the framework of commemorating the separatist movement day. The raising of the rising stars flag on the roof of the prison did not last long, because the prison security officials immediately stopped the action. The raising of the flag was conducted by Yusak Pakaga, a criminal convict who raised the flag on December 1, 2006 in front of the University of Cendrawasih (Uncen), Abepura, Jayapura.(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- From editors at kabar-irian.info Wed Jul 4 22:47:43 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 13:47:43 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] Berita: Bulan Juli s/d 5 2007 (Bahasa) Message-ID: <2087.61.94.95.87.1183610863.squirrel@www.teuton.org> Kabar Irian (Papua) S/d Juli 5 2007 Topik2 * Bendera "Bintang Kejora" Sempat Dikibarkan di Jayapura * Bintang Kejora Berkibar di LP * Mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi Bertekad Pertahankan Papua * Depkumham Akan Usut Pengibaran Bendera OPM * Bahas Masalah Papua, Anggota Kongres AS ke Indonesia * Kontroversi Bintang Kejora Warnai Konferensi MAP II * Bintang Kejora Dibentang di GOR * Polisi Dan TNI Siaga * Faleomavega Batal ke Papua * Peringatan 1 Juli, Tak Ada Kegiatan yang Menonjol * Bendera OPM Berkibar Lewat Tarian * Sinyal Separatis Papua Menguat * Persepsi AS Soal Papua Telah Berubah * Kongres AS Akui RI Komitmen Nasib Papua * Kedatangan ketua sub komisi Asia Pasifik AS menuai keritik tajam * Aparat Keamanan Bersiaga di Jayapura * Bendera Bintang Kejora Dikibarkan di Lapas Abepura, Jayapura * Siaran Pers TAPOL --- http://www.pikiran-rakyat.com/cetak/2007/072007/02/0101.htm Bendera "Bintang Kejora" Sempat Dikibarkan di Jayapura BIN Keberatan Disalahkan JAKARTA, (PR).- Kepala Badan Intelijen Negara (BIN) Syamsir Siregar menyayangkan pernyataan Panglima TNI Marsekal Djoko Suyanto tentang kasus penyusupan kelompok separatis Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) dalam peringatan Hari Keluarga Nasional (Harganas). Menurut Syamsir, BIN sudah bekerja secara maksimal. "Tersenyum dan menyayangkan pernyataan Panglima TNI. Itulah ekspresi Pak Syamsir saat mendengar pernyataan Panglima TNI," kata Staf Khusus Kepala BIN Janzi Sofyan, dalam jumpa pers di Jakarta, Minggu (1/7). Diungkapkan, temuan BIN mengenai rencana aksi pendukung RMS itu sebelumnya telah dipaparkan dalam rapat internal bersama Pangdam XVI/Pattimura Mayjen TNI Sudarmaidy Soebandi, Kapolda Maluku Brigjen Pol. Gatot Guntur Setiawan sebelum kedatangan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "Sebenarnya jauh hari sebelum SBY datang, Mensesneg mengundang Gubernur Maluku, Pangdam, Kapolda untuk memaparkan kesiapan unsur-unsur untuk menyambut kedatangan SBY," ujarnya. Dalam rapat itu, menurut Janzi, dipaparkan hal-hal apa saja yang pantas ataupun tidak pantas dalam susunan acara Harganas XVI di Ambon. Susunan acara itu pun adalah tanggung jawab Gubernur Maluku Karel Albert Ralahalu. "Setelah itu mereka kembali ke daerahnya. Kemudian geladi resik terus dilaporkan lagi ke Jakarta. Pangdam dan Kapolda lalu rapat internal. Di situ ada unsur intelnya," ujarnya. Dikatakan, dalam rapat itulah, BIN sudah sampaikan tiga informasi yang harus diperhatikan secara khusus untuk menyambut kedatangan SBY. Pertama, RMS akan melakukan aksi pengibaran bendera, kedua akan ada demonstrasi dari kalangan pengungsi, dan ketiga ada demonstrasi soal lingkungan hidup. "Dari segi intelijen semua sudah disampaikan. Dari Menko Polkam juga sudah dipaparkan, tiga hal itu harus diwaspadai," ujarnya. Namun demikian, menurut Janzi, Syamsir bisa memaklumi hal tersebut. Syamsir menilai, pernyataan Panglima itu keluar karena tidak mengetahui prosedur yang berlaku. "Kalau panglima tahu prosedurnya, tentu statement-nya tidak begitu. Kami hanya ingin meluruskan seolah-olah intelijen tidak bekerja. Padahal kita bekerja siang malam," ungkapnya. Dalam jumpa pers bersama Kapolri Jenderal Pol. Sutanto di kantor Menko Polkam, Sabtu (30/6), Panglima TNI mengakui penyusupan RMS dalam puncak peringatan Harganas itu karena kelalaian aparat. "Analisis singkat kita sementara memang ada ketidakcermatan, kelalaian, dan tidak proaktif serta tidak adanya inisiatif yang tinggi untuk mencegah penyusupan ke lapangan," kata Djoko. Oleh karena itu, tambah Janzi, BIN meminta kasus ini diusut sampai selesai. Karena pengamanan Presiden sendiri terdiri atas 3 ring, ring Polri, TNI, dan Paspampres. "Tiba-tiba kok bisa masuk anggota RMS. Ini pertanyaan besar," ungkapnya. Rawan Di tempat terpisah, pengamat intelijen Soeripto mengatakan, aksi penyusupan pendukung RMS pada puncak peringatan Harganas di Ambon, tidak hanya membuktikan buruknya kinerja intelijen. Peristiwa itu juga menunjukkan rawannya keselamatan Presiden SBY. "Kerawanan itu termasuk juga kemungkinan Presiden bisa ditembak dan sebagainya," katanya di Jakarta, Minggu (1/7). Soeripto juga mengatakan, inti persoalan ini terletak pada kelemahan intelijen Polri. Sebab dalam daerah yang berstatus tertib sipil, tanggung jawab keamanan berada di tangan polisi. "Menurut saya ini kelemahan intelijen polisi. Kapolda Maluku harus bertanggung jawab atas kejadian ini. Dia harus dicopot karena peristiwa itu memalukan sekali," katanya. Oleh karena itu, aksi pendukung RMS itu juga berdampak buruk bagi citra Indonesia di luar negeri. Banyak pihak akan memanfaatkan insiden tersebut sebagai black campaign terhadap Indonesia. "Mereka akan bilang keamanan dalam negeri Indonesia sangat rawan. Di depan Presiden SBY saja RMS berani beraksi," tuturnya. Menurut Soeripto, ke depannya intelijen Polri harus lebih ditingkatkan. Polisi jangan sekadar reaktif, tetapi harus bisa bersikap proaktif. Sementara itu, anggota Komisi III DPR Almuzzammil Yusuf menyayangkan sikap pemerintah dan Polri yang dinilai telah menunjukkan sikap toleran untuk kasus upaya pengibaran bendera separatis RMS. "Tetapi sebaliknya, selalu bersikap represif untuk kasus orang atau tersangka yang dituduh teroris, sampai-sampai tidak memedulikan adanya pelanggaran KUHAP dan HAM untuk kasus teroris," katanya di Jakarta, kemarin. Dikatakan, sikap standar ganda seperti itu membuat orang bertanya di mana independensi dan objektivitas Polri sebagai aparat penegak hukum. "Apakah karena RMS didukung oleh donatur Barat," tanya Almuzzammil yang merupakan anggota Fraksi PKS. Bintang kejora Belum habis masalah RMS, manuver lainnya dari kelompok separatis kemarin muncul. Aksi itu dilakukan sekelompok separatis Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang sedang mendekam di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, baik narapidana politik (napol) maupun tahanan politik (tapol) dengan mengibarkan bendera Bintang Kejora dalam rangka HUT OPM (1 Juli 1969-2007). Pengibaran bendera dilakukan Yusak Pakage, yang merupakan tapol yang pernah pula mengibarkan bendera yang sama pada 1 Desember 2005 bersama rekannya Filep Karma. Hadir pula Cosmos Yual, napol kasus peristiwa berdarah 16 Maret 2006 di depan Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen), Abepura, Jatapura. Yusak Pakage, kepada wartawan mengatakan, HUT OPM yang mereka rayakan bukan merupakan hal yang baru, sebab telah dideklarasikan di Kamp Victoria, Kabupaten Kerom oleh Pimpinan OPM, Jacob Pray dan Zeth Rumkorem. Berdasarkan pemantauan, pengibaran Bintang Kejora di atas atap rumah Lapas Abepura i tidak berlangsung lama, sebab aparat keamanan Lapas segera memerintahkan menghentikan perbuatan itu dan turun dari atas atap rumah tersebut. Mereka langsung diamankan untuk dimintai pertanggungjawabannya. (A-78/dtc --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?ses=&id=1030 02 Juli 2007 05:24:13 Bintang Kejora Berkibar di LP Dilakukan Yusak Pakage, Hanya Berlangsung 5 Menit JAYAPURA-Isu akan adanya pengibaran Bendera Bintang Kejora tanggal 1 Juli kemarin yang diklaim sebagai Hari Ulang Tahun (HUT) Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), benar-benar terbukti. Hanya saja, tempatnya bukan di halaman kantor Mejalis Rakyat Papua (MRP) sebagaimana isu yang merebak sebelumnya, melainkan di atas atap Lembaga Pemasyasrakatan (LP) Kelas II A Abepura, Jayapura. Bintang Kejora di LP Abepura itu, dikibarkan sekitar pukul 13.00 WIT oleh terpidana 10 tahun kasus makar Yusak Pakage. Kabarnya Pakage tidak sendiri, tetapi juga dibantu dua teman Napi lainnya, Cosmos Yoal dan Simson W. Seperti diketahui, Yusak Pakage adalah terpidana makar kasus pengibaran Bintang Kejora di Lapangan Trikora Abepura sekitar dua tahun lalu bersama Filep Karma. Peristiwa pegibaran bendera Bintang Kejora kemarin memang berlangsung begitu cepat dan singkat, hanya selama lima (5) menit. Meski berlangsung singkat, namun sempat menyedot perhatian warga sekitar, termasuk aparat keamanan setempat. Dari informasi yang dihimpun Cenderawasih Pos di lapangan, sebelum pengibaran dilakukan Yusak Pakage bersama temannya di LP Abepura rencananya akan melakukan konferensi pers, terkait 1 Juli. Hanya saja niat Yusak Pakage untuk membuat konferensi itu dilarang petugas LP, sehingga sempat terjadi adu mulut antara petugas dengan Yusak Pakage Cs. Dari salah seorang sumber yang tidak mau disebutkan namanya mengatakan, Yusak Pakage dibantu oleh temannya Cosmos Yoal dan Simson W di LP itu bergegas pergi. Namun tak lama kemudian tiba-tiba mereka sudah berada di atap LP mengibarkan Bendera Bintang Kejora yang berukuran 60 cm x 120 cm. Dia mengatakan bahwa dari aksi yang dilakukan itu terkesan kalau pengibaran Bendera Bintang Kejora itu sebelumnya telah dipersiapkan. Pasalnya, setelah dilarang untuk melakukan konferensi pers, mereka tidak masuk di kedalam baraknya di LP, namun tiba-tiba sudah ada di atas atap meneriakkan "merdeka". "Saat dilarang konferensi pers oleh petugas, Yusak bersama temannya pergi. Namun dia tidak pergi lagi ke barak-barak LP, tapi langsung ke bagian samping bangunan, tiba-tiba sudah ada di atas LP bersama dua teman itu mengibarkan bendera selama lima menit," kata sumber yang tidak bersedia disebutkan namanya itu. Setelah di atap mengibarkan bendera tersebut, kata sumber itu, petugas LP dengan nada keras dan tegas meminta Yusak dan temannya turun dari atap. Tanpa banyak komentar, permintaan itu dituruti lalu mereka ke kembali ke baraknya. Sementara itu Kepala LP Abepura Johan Yarangga, SH yang dimintai komentarnya seputar pengibaran tersebut tidak bersedia berkomentar lebih jauh. Bahkan dengan nada tinggi menolak kedatangan wartawan. "Kamu siapa, saya tidak kenal kamu lagi," katanya dengan nada tinggi kepada Cenderawasih Pos sambil berlalu ke dalam ruang kerjanya, kemarin sore. Sikap Kalapas ini, terntu saja berbeda dengan hari-hari biasanya yang mudah ditemui wartawan, termasuk Cenderawasih Pos. Setelah pengibaran Bendera Bintang Kejora itu, barang bukti baru diamankan ke Polresta Jayapura sekitar pukul 19.00 WIT setelah rapat koordinasi dengan pihak-pihak terkait. Pengamanan barang bukti itu terkait dengan penyelidikan lebih lanjut. Sekedar diketahui, Pengibaran Bendera Bintang Kejora di LP kali ini, merupakan yang kesekian kalinya setelah beberapa waktu lalu terpidana 15 tahun kasus makar lainnya Filep Karma juga melakukan hal yang sama. Menariknya, pengibaran itu dilakukan di atas atap LP, tempatnya di bagian yang sama pula, yakni di dekat bagian pintu gerbang masuk LP. Tapol/ Napol Gelar Pengucapan Syukur Sementara itu, adanya rencana sejumlah eks Tapol-Napol untuk melakukan orasi dan mimbar Bebas di Taman Imbi Jayapura, urung dilaksanakan. Batalnya acara tersebut lantaran tidak mendapatkan izin dari pihak kepolisian. "Kami batal melakukan kegiatan orasi dan mimbar bebas di Taman Imbi, dan kami alihkan untuk kegiatan ibadah pengucapan syukur di salah satu gereja di Dok IX,"ungkap Saul J Bomay yang mengaku sebagai Sekjen Dewan Revolusi Damai saat bertandang ke redaksi Cenderawasih Pos, Minggu (1/7) tadi malam. Menurut Saul Boma, meski di era demokrasi ini ada kebebasan untuk menyampaikan pendapat umum, namun pengajuan surat ijin dari tokoh-tokoh Eks Tapol/Napol untuk melakukan kegiatan mimbar bebas ini, terkendala izin dengan alasan bertepatan dengan HUT Bhayangkara. Namun begitu, ibadah pengucapan syukur tersebut diakui Saul hanya diikuti 4 orang Napol, termasuknya dirinya bersama dengan Sem Yaru selaku ketua. "Banyak intel juga yang datang untuk ikut ibadah pengucapan syukur yang dimulai jam 3 sore tadi (kemarin),"ujar. Sementara itu terkait dengan peringatan 1 Juli ini, menurut Saul merupakan peringatan kemerdekaan Papua secara de jure, melalui penyataan proklamasi kemerdekaan yang disampaikan pada 1 Juli 1971 oleh Presiden Papua Barat Seth J Rumkorem. "Proklamasi ini sebagai wujud penolakan kami terhadap hasil Pepera,"terangnya. Menurut Saul, bila peringatan 1 Juli ini merupakan pernyataan de jure terhadap kemerdekaan Papua Barat, secara de facto kemerdekaan bangsa Papua ini diperingati pada 1 Desember. Dengan kemerdekaan Bangsa Papua yang sudah dinyatakan secara de facto dan dejure ini, maka sejalan dengan penolakan otsus pihaknya juga menolak adanya MRP, termasuk bendera Bintang Kejora sebagai lambang kultur budaya. "Kalau hanya bendera kultur budaya, mengapa tanggal 1 Juli ini juga tidak boleh dikibarkan,"ujarnya. Sementara itu, Staf khusus Kepala BIN Janzi Sofyan mengatakan, insiden pengibaran bendera RMS di Ambon dinilai BIN susah diikuti gerakan Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM). Strategi gerakan yang dilakukan RMS berbeda dengan OPM. "Mereka hanya butuh eksistensi diakui, kalau aktivisnya sebenarnya sudah sangat sedikit, jaringannya lebih banyak di luar negeri," ujarnya pada wartawan di Jakarta kemarin. Orang kepercayaan Syamsir itu menambahkan, OPM juga punya agenda mencari simpati. Namun, justru lebih banyak dilakukan oleh simpatisan OPM di luar negeri. "Orang Papua sendiri malah jarang demonstratif, lebih banyak melakukan penggalangan pendukung di bukit-bukit," katanya. Sofyan menilai, tindakan RMS justru mengakibatkan OPM tiarap sementara. Sebab, mereka tahu kewaspadaan aparat sedang tinggi-tingginya. "Kalau mereka nekat, justru blunder," katanya. BIN, kata Sofyan, terus memberikan laporan berkala tentang gerakan separatis di Papua. "Informasi itu selalu sampai pada presiden," katanya. Menurut Sofyan, yang harus menjadi perhatian utama justru kesejahteraan aparat TNI dan POLRI di Papua. "Karena letaknya jauh dari Jakarta, lokasi Papua juga terpencil dan akses komunikasi terbatas, karena itu harus ada supervisi yang lebih ketat dari pimpinannya," katanya. Menanggapi pernyataan BIN soal OPM, anggota Komisi 1 (Bidang Pertahanan dan Intelijen) DPR Untung Wahono meminta kinerja instansi yang dipimpin Syamsir Siregar itu lebih optimal. "Kalau ada jaringan atau pergerakan baru, harus segera dilaporkan agar aparat lain bisa mengantisipasinya," katanya.(ito/tri/jpnn) --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=992&ses= 02 Juli 2007 04:17:56 Mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi Bertekad Pertahankan Papua MERAUKE- Mantan Gerakan Separatis Politik dan Bersenjata (GSP/B) dan Repatriasi di Merauke menyatakan tekadnya yang bulat untuk mempertahankan Wilayah Papua sebagai bagian yang utuh dan tak terpisahkan dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). Tekad bulat tersebut diikrarkan para mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi pada Apel Kebulatan tekad warga Repatriasi dan mantan GSP/B, yang digelar di Lapangan Mandala, Sabtu, pekan kemarin. Bupati Merauke Drs Johanes Gluba Gebze bertindak sebagai Irup pada gelar Apel yang dilaksanakan mulai pukul 09.00 WIT tersebut. Selain para mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi, Apel tersebut dihadiri pula para mantan pejuang Trikora dam Pepera. Tercatat 3 point ikrar yang dibacakan oleh salah satu peserta mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi tersebut kemudian diikuti peserta apel. Pertama, mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi memilih menjadi bagian yang tak terpisahkan dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia. Kedua, Siap mengawal dan mempertahankan Wilayah Papua sebagai bagian yang utuh di NKRI sebagai harga mati. Dan terakhir Kitorang siap bangun Merauke menjadi Kota damai dan sejahtera dengan Motto Izakod Bekai Izakod Kai (Satu Hati Satu Tujuan). Kepada mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi, Bupati Merauke Drs Johanes Gluba Gebze minta untuk melupakan dan menguburkan seluruh masa lalu dan menatap masa depan yang lebih cerah membangun Papua khususnya Kabupaten Merauke. Pemerintah, lanjut Bupati Gebze, telah menerima dan memperlakukan dengan baik setiap warganya yang sadar dan kembali untuk bergabung dengan NKRI membangun daerah ini. Bupati Gebze mengandaikan, para mantan GSP/B dan Repatriasi itu Bagaikan Anak Hilang seperti yang diceritakan dalam Injil, namun ditemukan kembali. Dimana diceritakan bahwa setelah menghabiskan harta orang tuanya yang menjadi bagian anak tersebut di negeri orang, sang anak tersebut bukan diusir setelah kembali ke orang tuanya tapi justru diterima kembali karena mengakui kesalahan yang telah diperbuat dan mau bertobat. ''Pemerintah sudah memberi kita otonomi bahkan otonomi khusus. Nah kita tinggal menjalani itu dengan baik. Mulai dari Gubernur, Bupati dan Walikota serta para kepala dinas harus menjiwai amanat Otsus itu dengan baik, supaya dengan kekhususan itu kita juga bisa melakukan kekhususan pembenahan warga kita supaya bisa maju,'' terang Bupati. Sementara itu kepada para eks pelintas batas (Repatriasi), Bupati mengungkapkan, Pemerintah daerah akan tetap mencoba untuk memenuhi apa yang masih menjaid keluhan para Repatriasi tersebut. Namun Bupati juga minta agar para Repatriasi tersebut mulai mencoba untuk melaksanakan hidup lebih mandiri, sehingga suatu saat tidak hanya tergantung kepada pemerintahnya. (ulo --- Depkumham Akan Usut Pengibaran Bendera OPM Jakarta, 3 Juli 2007 00:34 Menteri Hukum dan HAM Andi Mattalatta menjelaskan pihaknya akan berkoordinasi dengan aparat keamanan di Papua guna menyelesaikan kasus pengibaran bendera separatis Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang dilakukan oleh narapidana yang berada di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (LP) Abepura. "Jangankan dipenjara, di luar penjara saja tidak boleh. Kami berkoordinasi dengan petugas keamanan guna mengusut kasus tersebut," kata Andi Mattalatta kepada wartawan, di Jakarta, Senin (2/7), ketika ditanya pengibaran bendera bintang kejora di LP Abepura. Tentunya, lanjut Andi, pihaknya akan mengambil tindakan. Ketika ditanya kenapa bendera bisa masuk ke dalam LP, Andi menjawab "Beredar di luar saja tidak boleh apalagi beredar di dalam suatu kawasan yang seharusnya penuh dengan pengawasan," katanya. Pada 1 Juli, separatis Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang sedang mendekam di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, baik narapidana politik (napol) maupun tahanan politik (tapol) pada Minggu mengibarkan bendera Bintang Kejora dalam rangka HUT OPM (1 Juli 1969- 2007). Pengibaran bendera di atas atap LP tersebut tidak berlangsung lama sebab aparat kemanan LP segera menhentikan aksi tersebut. Pengibaran bendera dilakukan oleh Yusak Pakage, yang merupakan tahanan politik (tapol) yang pernah pula mengibarkan bendera yang sama pada 1 Desember 2005 bersama rekannya Filep Karma. Hadir pula Cosmos Yual napol kasus peristiwa berdarah 16 Maret 2006 di depan Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen), Abepura, Jatapura. Yusak Pakage, kepada wartawan mengatakan, HUT organisasi terlarang OPM yang mereka rayakan bukan merupakan hal yang baru, sebab telah dideklarasikan di Kamp Victoria, Kabupaten Kerom oleh Pimpinan OPM, Jacob Pray dan Zeth Rumkorem. Pantauan di tempat kejadian, pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora dilakukan di atas atap rumah Lapas Abepura yang juga dikuti beberapa tapol/napol lainnya, namun kejadian ini tidak berlangsung lama sebab aparat keamanan Lapas segera bertindak memerintahkan mereka menghentikan perbuatan itu dan turun dari atas atap rumah tersebut. Mereka langsung diamankan oleh aparat keamanan Lapas Abepura untuk dimintai pertanggunjawabannya. [EL, Ant] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- URL: http://www.gatra.com/versi_cetak.php?id=105783 --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/03/Nasional/nas01.htm SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Bahas Masalah Papua, Anggota Kongres AS ke Indonesia Saya menyesal atas keputusan pemerintah tidak memberi izin kepada Eni, karena dengan berkunjung ke Papua dia bisa melihat langsung situasi Papua dan bisa menjelaskan ke dunia internasional kondisi Papua sesungguhnya. (Yorris TH Raweyai) [JAKARTA] Anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat (AS) asal Samoa Timur, Eni Faleomavaega yang beberapa tahun lalu kerap bersuara keras mendukung perjuangan rakyat Papua, tiba di Jakarta, Selasa (3/7). Selain Eni, empat anggota Kongres AS juga dijadwalkan tiba di Jakarta hari ini untuk bertemu sejumlah pejabat tinggi Indonesia. Keempat anggota Kongres itu tergabung dalam kelompok pemberi bantuan bagi negara-negara yang baru menjadi negara demokrasi. Anggota Komisi I DPR dari Fraksi Partai Golkar, Yorris TH Raweyai mengatakan, Eni tiba pagi ini menggunakan Thai Airways, maskapai penerbangan milik Pemerintah Thailand. Pada Rabu (4/7) pagi, Eni akan bertemu Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dan Menlu Hassan Wirajuda, dan pada Kamis (5/7), anggota Kongres AS itu akan menggelar pertemuan dengan Gubernur Papua dan Papua Barat, para bupati, DPRD/DPD se-Papua dan Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP). Yorris yang juga Ketua Dewan Adat Papua di Perantauan Wilayah Asia, mengatakan, Eni sebenarnya ingin berkunjung ke Papua, tapi tidak mendapat izin dari pemerintah, karena saat ini di Papua sedang berlangsung Kongres Besar Adat Papua. "Saya menyesal atas keputusan pemerintah tidak memberi izin kepada Eni, karena dengan berkunjung ke Papua dia bisa melihat langsung situasi Papua dan bisa menjelaskan ke dunia internasional kondisi Papua sesungguhnya," kata Yorris. Senada dengannya, anggota Komisi I DPR dari Fraksi Partai Amanat Nasional (FPAN) Djoko Susilo yang saat ini masih berada di Amerika Serikat, meminta pemerintah mengizinkan anggota Kongres AS asal Samoa Timur itu untuk bepergian ke mana saja selama berada di Indonesia. "Saya minta Presiden menginstruksikan semua aparatnya untuk bersikap terbuka dengan kunjungan anggota Kongres Eni, ke mana saja dia mau. Negara sebesar kita ini tidak akan runtuh dengan hanya karena kunjungan seorang Eni," kata Djoko kepada Antara di New York, Senin (2/7). Sekitar satu minggu, Djoko berada di Amerika Serikat untuk bertemu dengan berbagai pihak di New York dan Washington DC, dengan agenda membicarakan berbagai isu bilateral Indonesia-AS dan isu kawasan, terutama masalah Myanmar. Lebih jauh Djoko menjelaskan, dengan menerima Eni, Indonesia justru dapat menunjukkan diri sebagai negara yang demokratis dan transparan. "Persilakan dia ketemu dengan siapa pun dia mau. Kalau mau ke Papua, silakan juga ke Papua supaya dia bisa melihat sendiri keadaan," ujarnya. Kalaupun ada demonstrasi tentang Papua saat Eni berkunjung, Djoko melihatnya sebagai sesuatu yang tidak perlu dirisaukan. Djoko bahkan menganjurkan agar dalam kunjungannya ke Indonesia, Eni juga akan berkesempatan untuk berdialog dengan para anggota Komisi I DPR. "Saya bisa mengontak teman-teman untuk menerima dan melakukan dialog dengan Eni, baik formal maupun informal," katanya. Sementara itu, Dubes Indonesia untuk AS, Sudjadnan Parnohadingrat mengungkapkan pihaknya baru menerima permintaan Eni untuk berkunjung ke Indonesia sekitar 10 hari lalu. Dalam Permintaannya untuk datang ke Indonesia, Eni menyatakan keinginannya bertemu dengan berbagai pihak, termasuk Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Eni dilaporkan ingin mengunjungi Indonesia dalam rangka membantu Pemerintah Indonesia menangani berbagai masalah yang berkaitan dengan demokrasi dan masalah Papua. Sementara itu, Pemerintah Indonesia sendiri pada 3-6 Juli dipastikan akan menerima kunjungan empat anggota Kongres AS, yaitu Donald Payne, David Drier, Jeff Miller, dan Gilchrest. Keempat anggota Kongres itu tergabung kelompok pemberi bantuan bagi negara-negara yang baru menjadi negara demokrasi. [L-8] Last modified: 3/7/07 --- KOMPAS Rabu, 04 Juli 2007 Separatisme Kontroversi Bintang Kejora Warnai Konferensi MAP II Jayapura, Kompas - Konferensi Masyarakat Adat Papua atau MAP ke-2 yang dibuka di Jayapura, Selasa (3/7), diwarnai kontroversi tentang bendera bintang kejora. Aparat Polda Papua membubarkan Konferensi Besar MAP ke-2 yang berlangsung di Gedung Olahraga Cenderawasih, Jayapura, itu setelah pada upacara pembukaan sejumlah penari menggunakan bendera bintang kejora sebagai atribut tarian mereka. Sekitar 900 peserta konferensi sempat terkejut saat bendera itu dikeluarkan para penari. Beberapa detik kemudian, mereka memberikan tepuk tangan yang meriah. Tarian itu sempat menimbulkan histeria para hadirin. Mereka meneriakkan pekik merdeka, bersahut- sahutan. Bendera itu digunakan penari sekitar lima menit. Penggunaan bendera itu tidak terpantau, karena sejak pagi panitia melarang aparat keamanan memasuki GOR Cenderawasih. Sekretaris Daerah Provinsi Papua Tedjo Suprapto dan Wakil Ketua Majelis Rakyat Papua Hana Hikoyabi juga menyaksikan tarian itu. Tedjo yang hadir dalam acara itu mewakili Gubernur Papua Barnabas Suebu menolak mengomentari masalah itu. "Saat ini saya tidak bisa berkomentar. Silakan dikomentari sendiri," kata Tedjo. Sekretaris Umum Dewan Adat Papua Leonard Imbiri menyatakan, tarian itu menggambarkan realitas di masyarakat Papua. "Ini budaya yang ada di masyarakat, jadi jangan dipolitisir," ujarnya. Sekretaris Dewan Adat Papua Wilayah Asia, Andy Manoby, juga menyatakan, bintang kejora yang dijadikan sebagai atribut para penari Sampari itu tidak memiliki kaitan dengan aspirasi Papua merdeka. Melanggar hukum Ditemui secara terpisah, Kepala Polda Papua Irjen Max Donald Aer menyatakan, penggunaan bintang kejora melanggar hukum positif di Indonesia. "Penggunaan bendera itu melanggar hukum, karena para penggunanya selama ini menyimbolkan pengibaran bendera itu sebagai wujud kedaulatan Negara Papua Barat. Dalam derajat yang ringan, penggunaan bendera itu adalah tindakan mengganggu keamanan. Dalam derajat yang paling berat, itu adalah tindakan makar," tutur Aer. Konferensi yang merupakan forum pengambilan keputusan tertinggi dalam organisasi nonpemerintah Dewan Adat Papua itu akan berlangsung sampai 6 Juli 2007. (row) --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?ses=&id=1184 04 Juli 2007 05:47:04 Bintang Kejora Dibentang di GOR Diselipkan Lewat Tarian di Konferensi Masyarakat Adat JAYAPURA-Bendera Bintang Kejora muncul dalam acara Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua yang berlangsung di GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Selasa (3/7), kemarin. Modusnya, pembentangan bendera Bintaang Kejora itu sama dengan kemunculan bendera Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS), yakni saat tarian Cakalele di Ambon. Bedanya, bendera RMS yang muncul di hadapan Presiden SBY di Ambon disusupkan lewat tarian Cakalele. Sedangkan bendera Bintang Kejora ini dibentangkan dalam salah satu tarian resmi pada acara Masyarakat Adat Papua. Tari yang menggunakan bendera bintang kejora itu tampil di akhir acara. Penari dari Grup Sampari menggunakan kostum bercorak Bintang Kejora dan diperagakan remaja pria dan wanita. Tarian itu menggambarkan anak-anak Papua sedang bingung dan sedih mencari orang tuanya yang hilang karena dibunuh dan diculik. Pada detik-detik terakhir tarian, penari wanita membentangkan bendera Bintang Kejora sembari melambai-lambaikan dan mengitari penari lain yang bergelimpangan dengan air mata berlinang. Tiba-tiba ratusan peserta kongres yang memenuhi GOR itu secara beramai-ramai berteriak, merdeka... merdeka... merdeka.. !!! Menyaksikan bendera itu, sejumlah peserta histeris. Termasuk Tom Beanal, ketua Dewan Adat Papua. Dalam acara tersebut, hadir sejumlah tokoh masyarakat Papua. Mereka, antara lain, Wakil Ketua MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua) Hana Hikoyobi, Ketua DPRD Kota Jaya Pura Thopillus Bonay, dan Sekda Prov Papua Tedjo Suprapto. Sedangkan ribuan peserta datang dari tujuh wilayah adat. Tedjo Suprapto tampak diam menyaksikan pembentangan bendera yang berlangsung 20 menit tersebut. Wajahnya tanpa ekspresi, entah apa di benaknya. Acara yang dimulai pukul 13.00 itu dijaga superketat satgas atau nama lain Penjaga Dusun Adat Papua (PDAP). Di pintu masuk ke halaman GOR berjejer PDAP. Mereka memeriksa siapa saja yang masuk, termasuk para peserta. Bahkan, wartawan pun diperiksa, baik tas maupun barang bawaan. Setelah dirasa tidak ada yang mencurigakan, mereka baru diperbolehkan masuk. Ketua Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Tom Beanal dalam pidato politiknya mengatakan bahwa konferensi pada hakikatnya merupakan pesta demokrasi. Momen itu juga merupakan kesempatan bagi rakyat pelosok Papua datang berkumpul, saling bertukar informasi, dan menyatakan pendapat. ''Saat inilah kami pikir alangkah baik jika pemimpin datang duduk bersama rakyat. Apalagi, saat negara ini sedang dilanda situasi sulit, baik dari sisi budaya, ekonomi dan politik, maupun kemarahan alam,'' katanya. Dia juga meminta pemerintah membuka keran demokrasi di Papua. ''Saya ingin menekankan betapa pentingnya kita memberikan ruang bagi proses demokratisasi. Demokrasi yang hendak kita bangun adalah usaha memperkuat komunikasi, interaksi, dan kerja sama yang konstruktif di antara komponen masyarakat di bidang ekonomi, sosial, budaya, dan politik untuk mencapai kesejahteraan dan kemuliaan harkat hidup,'' tuturnya. Seperti diketahui, pembukaan konferensi yang sedianya akan dimulai pukul 09.00 WIT itu baru dimulai sekitar pukul 10.28 WIT, diawali dengan ibadah yang dipimpin Pdt M.Th Mawene, S.Th dengan diiringi Kelompok Paduan Suara STT GKI Jayapura. Usai ibadah, acara yang disiarkan life melalui RRI Jayapura itu dilanjutkan penyampaian sambutan, diawali sambutan Gubernur Barnabas Suebu, SH yang disampaikan Sekda Drs Tedjo Suprapto, MM. Pada sambutannya, Gubernur kembali menekankan visi dan misinya tentang Papua Baru. "Intinya bagaimana membangun Papua yang lebih baik di mana pemerintahnya adalah pemerintah yang bersih dan berwibawa serta melayani rakyat dengan sebaik-baiknya" katanya. Gubernur juga menekankan upaya dan strategi serta kebijakan dasar pembangunan di Papua yang berkelanjutan. Setelah itu sambutan politik Ketua Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Tom Beanal, lalu membuka acara itu dengan memukul tifa dan mengatakan "atas berkat Tuhan yang menciptakan Tanah Papua dan yang menciptakan leluhur dan semua orang yang telah gugur demi Tanah Papua saya membuka pertemuan ini,". Usai sambutan acara dilanjutkan pagelaran tarian dari 7 wilayah adat masing - masing dengan keunikannya sendiri. Pagelaran seni itu berlangsung semarak karena undangan begitu antusias menyaksikan. Satu demi satu grup penari tampil dan cukup berhasil memukau semua yang hadir. Mereka kemudian lebih antusias lagi ketika pada penampilan penari terakhir dari Grup Sampari maju ke depan. Penari dengan kostum bercorak Bintang Kejora dan diperagakan oleh remaja pria dan wanita ini menggambarkan tentang anak - anak Papua yang sedang bingung dan sedih mencari orang tuanya yang hilang karena dibunuh dan diculik. Konfrensi Pers Acara kemudian dilanjutkan dengan konfrensi pers oleh Ketua DAP Tom Beanal, Sekretaris Umum DAP Leo Imbiri, Ketua Panitia KBMAP Forkorus Yaboisembut, S.Pd dan Ketua DAP Biak Yan Yarangga. Terkait dengan pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora itu, Leo Imbiri menjelaskan, tarian itu adalah ungkapan real dari kehidupan masyarakat di Papua, seorang anak yang mencari orang tuanya dan orang tuanya yang dibunuh. Untuk itu katanya, agar hal itu jangan dilihat dari kerangka politik, namun sebatas ungkapan budaya masyarakat adat Papua. Ditambahkan Forkorus bahwasanya tarian itu adalah unsur budaya dan hal itu tidak perlu dipersoalkan, karena masyarakat Papua adalah masyarakat yang berbudaya dan hal itu sudah menjadi darah daging. "Kalau mereka mau jadikan bendera apa salahnya. Itu wajar. Manusia ini kan zone politikon, jadi manusia berpolitik itu biasa, tidak usah ada dusta untuk membodohi rakyat. Saya pikir kita jangan membodohi rakyat," katanya. Ia juga mengatakan, tarian itu menggambarkan sejak tahun 1961 sampai sekarang telah terjadi banyak pelanggaran HAM, karena ada tiga masalah pokok yang terjadi yakni 1, penyangkalan hak berpolitik dari bangsa Papua Barat, 2, pembangunan yang melanggar hak - hak dasar masyarakat Papua dan lingkungan hidup, 3, akibat dari semua itu maka terjadi pelanggaran HAM dan hukum. "Itu tadi yang diperagakan oleh penari mereka bahwa kami telah dibunuh karena ini, kami telah disiksa, ya tulah kami sampai hari ini," ujarnya. Lanjutnya, Bintang Kejora sudah menjadi kontroversi umum semua tahu itu, ini juga menjadi salah satu masalah yang harus diselesaikan yang mana mandat itu diberikan kepada PDP melalui Kongres rakyat Papua. "Kenapa bendera menjadi kontroversi sehingga rakyat dibunuh terus kami dari presdium sudah minta dialog kami minta ini diselesaikan supaya tidak ada lagi kata separatis. Saya pikir, begini, karena bendera dan itulah orang bilang kami separatis," katanya lagi. Menurutnya sejarah seperatis itu sendiri adalah kosa kata yang ditinggalkan oleh penjajah yakni pemerintah administrative saat itu. Sebagai anak Papua kalau ia mengatakan sudaranya separatis secara tidak sadar dirinya sudah menjadi penjajah. "Jadi saya himbau anak-anak Papua yang menjadi gubernur, bupati, jangan katakan saudara saya separatis atau menakut -nakuti supaya tidak ikut konfrensi," ajaknya. Leo Imbiri menambahkan, dalam konfrensi itu akan revitalisasi atau pengurus DAP yang baru periode 2007 - 2012 serta melakukan evaluasi terhadap DAP selama 5 tahun terakhir dan merumuskan sejumalh program DAP 5 tahun kedepan. Sedangkan untuk persoalan masyarakat adat, sampai hari ini adalah jaminan hak hidup, terus menerus terjadi kecurigaan terhadap masyarakat adat bahwa Tanah ini masih menjadi penjara. "Belum ada kebebasan bagi masyarakat adat untuk mengungkapkan atau mengekspresikan dirinya dan mendapatkan hal - hal yang seharusnya ia dapat sebagai tuan diatas negeri ini. Itu persoalan utama , karena itu kami menilai belum ada pelayanan maksimal oleh pelaku pembangunan baik oleh pemerintah dunia usaha maupun lembaga lain terhadap masyrakat adat Papua," tuturnya. Lalu ditambahkan Leo Imbiri lagi bahwasanya keliru kalau dikatakan DAP hanya mengurus hak - hak dasar dan pemerintah mengurus yang lain. Diingatkannya bahwa Papua adalah tanah bermasalah sampai saat ini DAP telah menunjukkan partisipasi efektif dalam mendorong seluruh proses pembangunan dalam menyampaikan aspirasi secara bermartabat pada semua pihak. Selama 5 tahun eksis, sudah banyak rekomendasi yang disampaikan pada Pemda. Meski ada beberapa rekomendasi yang dijawab pemerintah, namun dalam banyak hal menunjukkan jawaban pemerintah hanya terpaksa. "Antara DAP dan pemerintah secara formal belum duduk bicara secara resmi kami belum pernah bicara dalam arti mengagendakan bersama memutuskan bersama itu belum sejak DAP berdiri," katanya. DAP akan mencoba mencari dan menemukan serta menata tatanan masyarakat adat yang rusak dan membangun system lalu mengajak pemerintah dan semua pihak untuk bekejasama dalam membangun Papua dengan mekanisme dan membuat MoU.(ta) --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?ses=&id=1183 04 Juli 2007 05:46:34 Polisi Dan TNI Siaga Nyaris Bubarkan Acara SEMENTARA ITU, menyusul aksi pembentangan bendera bintang kejora saat acara pembukaan Konferensi Dewan Adat Papua di GOR Cenderawasih Jayapura, Selasa ( 3/7) kemarin, sempat menyulut reaksi pihak aparat keamanan. Mereka menilai, aksi tersebut dianggap sudah menyalahi kesepakatan. Bahkan telah keluar dari koridur hukum. Karena itu, pihak aparat keamanan berencana akan membubarkan kegiatan tersebut malam itu. Terkait dengan rencana tersebut, sore kemarin langsung dinyatakan siaga satu. Bahkan, pihak kepolisian dan TNI, telah menyiagakan pasukannya masing. Untuk anggota polisi sendiri, kemarin telah disiagakan sebanyak 3 SSK, baik dari Dalmas maupun Brimob Polda Papua. Mereka telah stand by di Mapolresta Jayapura tinggal menunggu perintah. Sementara dari TNI, juga disiagakan sebanyak 5 SSK. 1 SSK disiagakan di Korem 172/PWY, 1 SSK disiagakan di Kodim dan 3 SSK disiagakan di Kodam. Terkait dengan hal itu, kemarin sore, Kasdam XVII/ Trikora Brigjen TNI Geerhan Lantara, Danrem 172/PWY Kolonel Kav Burhanuddin Siagian dan Dandim 1701/ Jayapura Letkol Kav A.H Napoleon telah mengelar rapat koordinasi bersama Kapolresta Jayapura AKBP Robert Djoenso Mapolresta Jayapura untuk menyikapi terhadap kondisi tersebut. Tidak itu saja, jelang rencana pembubaran konferensi DAP tersebut, 3 SSK anggota kepolisian yang disiagakan di Mapolresta Jayapura bahkan telah melakukan patroli, sekaligus show force melewati depan GOR Cenderawasih. Namun akhirnya, rencana tersebut dibatalkan setelah dilakukan negoisasi antara pihak panitia dengan Kapolresta Jayapura. Saat ditemui wartawan Kapolresta Jayapura AKBP Robert Djoenso menyatakan, dari hasil keterangan pihak panitia, pembentangan bintang kejora itu adalah merupakan rangkaian pertunjukan dari tarian ditampilkan saat pembukaan. " Ini hanya salah persepsi saja. Menurut mereka bintang kejora itu adalah bagian dari jalan cerita tarian mereka. Sehingga kami masih menerima penjelasan mereka. Tapi, jika nantinya mereka melakukan kegiatan yang sudah keluar dari koridur hukum dan bertentangan dengan NKRI, kami tidak segan-segan menindak tegas mereka," tegasnya. Dijelaskan, dari hasil negoisasi itu juga, pihak panitia telah menjamin tidak akan ada kegiatan yang bertentangan dengan NKRI. Tapi, jika dalam acara itu ada kegiatan yang dianggap menyimpang, maka mereka harus menerima konsekwensinya. " Apapun bentuk kegiatan itu jika sudah keluar dari koridur hukum dan NKRI, itu adalah tindakan makar. Konsekwensinya mereka harus berhadapan proses hukum," tandasnya. Kapolresta meminta kesapakatan yang telah dibuat panitia dengan pihak aparat keamanan harus dipatuhi. Jika ternyata mereka menipu, dan masih nekat melakukan kegiatan-kegiatan yang menganggu kedaulatan NKRI, terpaksa akan diambil tindakan tegas sesuai hukum yang berlaku. Di tempat yang sama Dandim Jayapura Letkol Kav A.H Napoleon mengungkapkan, TNI siap membantu pihak kepolisian untuk mengamankan setiap kegiatan yang mengganggu atau merongrong kedaulatan NKRI. " Setiap kegiatan atau agenda yang mengarah ke separatis tidak bisa ditolelir. Kami dari TNI siap menumpas setiap kegiatan yang mengarah ke separatis, karena itu sudah menjadi musuh negara," tegasnya. Ditambahkan, Papua adalah bagian sah dari NKRI dan itu sudah diakui masyarakat internasional. Karena itu, jika masih ada kelompok-kelompok yang mencoba mengganggu keutuhan dan kedaulatan NKRI, maka itu sudah jelas sebagai separatis. "Pokoknya yang namanya separatis tidak boleh mendapat tempat di wilayah ini. Tugas TNI adalah menumpas dan menghentikan kegiatan mereka. Sebab, kalau keberadaanya dibiarkan saja, jelas sekali ide-idenya akan sangat membahayakan bagi keutuhan bangsa dan negara," pungkasnya.(mud) --- ttp://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=1173 04 Juli 2007 05:41:10 Faleomavega Batal ke Papua JAYAPURA- Meski kemarin masih ada harapan bagi peserta Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) untuk bisa bertemu dengan anggota Kongres Amerika Eni Faleomavega yang diberitakan akan menghadiri Konfrensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua (KBMAP) pada 5 Juli besok, namun kemarin hampir dipastikan Eni tak akan bisa sampai ke Papua. Sekjen Presidium Dewan Papua (PDP) Thaha Al Hamid kepada wartawan mengatakan hal itu usai pembukaan KBMAP di GOR. Dikatakan, Faleomavega memang telah tiba di Jakarta pagi kemarin setelah rencana kehadirannya ke Indonesia sebelumnya dibahas melalui rapat di Kementrian Politik Hukum dan HAM di Jakarta. "Kira - kira 1 jam lalu Eni (kemarin red) Faleomavega telah tiba di Jakarta, ini yang saya sebut kegembiraaan yang menggelisahkan. Dalam rencana semula tanggal 5 Juli besok Eni akan tiba di Jayapura, setelah rapat di kantor Menkopolhukam memutuskan Eni boleh datang ke Indonesiaa tapi tidak ke Papua," katanya. Dikatakan, Faleomavega memang telah memegang visa dan boleh masuk ke Indonesia namun tidak ke Papua. "Jadi itu keputusan pemerintah dan itu saran dari pemerintah itu usul dari pemerinta," ujarnya. Kenyataan itu mengherankan semua pihak karena sejak di Thailand dua hari lalu dalam perjalanan faleomavega tidak tahu kalau kunjungannya ke Papua bakal batal. "Yang diketahui Eni dalaml e-mailnya terakhir dia punya agenda ke Papua dia bilang saya senang sekali karena disaat saya berkunjung ke Papua kepala suku se-Tanah Papua sedang berkumpul saya harap walaupun sejenak saya bisa bertemu dengan mereka," katanya menirukan isu mail Falemoavega. Namun alangkah terkejutnya dia, karena setelah tiba di Jakarta anggota Kongres Amerika itu baru tahu bahwa dia tidak boleh ke Papua. "Dia dilarang ke Papua, saya pikir bagi orang Papua ini bukan hal yang aneh, sejak tahun 1969 dan setersunya kita selalu mengalami ini," katanya. Hanya saja, Thaha mengatakan bahwa bahwa sampai kemarin pihaknya belum mendengar apa statemen dari Faleomavega. Namun yang ia ketahui, menurut rencana sore kemarin Faleomavega mengundang beberapa orang dalam acara makan malam. Besok akan bertemu dengan Presiden SBY dan hari Kamis ada ia akan mengikuti acara pertemuan dengan tokoh - tokoh Papua dan dua gubernur serta bupati diundang dan Kamis sore akan kembali ke Amerika. "Ternyata akhirnya kata kunci yang kita pegang adalah bahwa walaupun Eni sudah memegang visa, eni hanya diizinkan datang ke Indonesai tapi tidak ke Papua," tukasnya miris. Thaha menilai bahwa hal ini menunjukan bahwa Papua masih menjadi daerah yang tertutup atau daerah yang memang diproteksi dalam arti bahwa ada masalah, Jakarta mengerti bahwa ada masalah dan tidak mau menyelesaikan masalah itu. Namun ia mennaggapnya hal itu dinamika dan tidak perlu sedih ia mengajak untuk menerima hal itu sebagai keputusan. "Nanti sudah kita dengar sendiri dari Eni," ujarnya. Satu hal yang diingatkannya adalah dengan visa siapapun boleh kemana saja di dalam wilayah Indonesia. "Satu hal yang aneh, ternyata selain orang memegang visa dia juga harus punya izin artinya bahwa Papua masih tertutup masih dikontrol secara politis, orang tidak bisa bebas masuk ke Papua Hal ini menjadi satu bagi Faleomavega karena ternyata Papua tertutup dan dia mengalami itu," katanya.(ta) --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=1064&ses= 03 Juli 2007 03:53:49 Peringatan 1 Juli, Tak Ada Kegiatan yang Menonjol SENTANI - Kapolres Jayapura AKBP Drs Didi S Yasmin mengatakan, meski beberapa waktu lalu, sempat beredar isu akan adanya kegiatan terkait dengan peringatan 1 Juli sebagai peringatan proklamasi bangsa Papua, namun hingga kemarin tidak ada hal-hal yang menonjol. Bahkan di hari yang sama, justru jajaran Polri tengah memperingati puncak HUT Bhayangkara ke 61 yang digelar di setiap tingkat satuan, baik di Polres maupun polsek-polsek yang tersebar di sejumlah distrik. "Tidak ada hal yang khusus, kondisi Kamtibmas di masyarakat masih tetap terjaga dengan baik,"ungkap Kapolres saat ditemui di ruang kerjanya, Senin (2/7) kemarin. Meski tidak ada kejadian-kejadian khusus terkait dengan 1 Juli, namun sebagai aparat Kamtibmas pihaknya tetap berusaha untuk menjaga dan menciptakan suasana yang tenang dan damai, supaya masyarakat bisa beraktifitas seperti biasa. "Kondisi kamtibmas yang tenang ini, juga tergantung dari partisipasi semua warga masyarakat,"terangnya. Sementara itu, sebagaimana arahan dari Kapolda maka puncak peringatan HUT Bhayangkara ke 61 yang baru dilaksanakan secara serentak Senin (2/7) kemarin, digelar di polsek-polsek. Bahkan, Kapolres kemarin juga menghadiri upacara HUT Bhayangkara di Polsek Genyem Distrik Nimboran, di mana tampil sebagai inspektur upacara ada Kabid Propam Polda Papua Kombes Pol Drs Anang Sidanu.(tri) --- ttp://www.indopos.co.id/index.php?act=detail&id=8881 Rabu, 04 Juli 2007, Bendera OPM Berkibar Lewat Tarian Diselipkan dalam Konferensi Masyarakat Adat Papua JAYAPURA - Gerakan berbau separatis semakin berani menampakkan diri. Setelah di Ambon, kemarin giliran di Papua. Bendera Bintang Kejora yang menjadi lambang OPM (Organisasi Papua Merdeka) muncul dalam acara Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua yang berlangsung di GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura. Modusnya, pembentangan bendera OPM itu sama dengan kemunculan bendera RMS, yakni saat tarian. Bedanya, bendera RMS yang muncul di hadapan Presiden SBY di Ambon disusupkan lewat tarian Cakele. Sedangkan bendera OPM dibentangkan dalam salah satu tarian resmi pada acara Masyarakat Adat Papua. Tari yang "memboncengi" bendera OPM itu tampil di akhir acara. Penari dari Grup Sampari menggunakan kostum bercorak Bintang Kejora dan diperagakan remaja pria dan wanita. Tarian itu menggambarkan anak-anak Papua sedang bingung dan sedih mencari orang tuanya yang hilang karena dibunuh dan diculik. Pada detik-detik terakhir tarian, penari wanita membentangkan bendera Bintang Kejora sembari melambai-lambaikan dan mengitari penari lain yang bergelimpangan dengan air mata berlinang. Tiba-tiba ribuan peserta kongres yang memenuhi GOR itu secara beramai-ramai berteriak, merdeka... merdeka... merdeka.. !!! Menyaksikan bendera itu, sejumlah peserta histeris. Termasuk Tom Beanal, ketua Dewan Adat Papua. Dalam acara tersebut, hadir sejumlah tokoh masyarakat Papua. Mereka, antara lain, Wakil Ketua MRP (Majelis Rakyat Papua) Hana Hikoyobi, Ketua DPRD Kota Jaya Pura Thopillus Bonay, dan Sekda Prov Papua Tedjo Suprapto. Sedangkan ribuan peserta datang dari tujuh wilayah adat. Tedjo Suprapto tampak diam menyaksikan pembentangan bendera yang berlangsung 20 menit tersebut. Wajahnya tanpa ekspresi, entah apa di benaknya. Acara yang dimulai pukul 13.00 itu dijaga superketat satgas atau nama lain Penjaga Dusun Adat Papua (PDAP). Di pintu masuk ke halaman GOR berjejer PDAP. Mereka memeriksa siapa saja yang masuk, termasuk para peserta. Bahkan, wartawan pun diperiksa, baik tas maupun barang bawaan. Setelah dirasa tidak ada yang mencurigakan, mereka baru diperbolehkan masuk. Ketua Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Tom Beanal dalam pidato politiknya mengatakan bahwa konferensi pada hakikatnya merupakan pesta demokrasi. Momen itu juga merupakan kesempatan bagi rakyat pelosok Papua datang berkumpul, saling bertukar informasi, dan menyatakan pendapat. "Saat inilah kami pikir alangkah baik jika pemimpin datang duduk bersama rakyat. Apalagi, saat negara ini sedang dilanda situasi sulit, baik dari sisi budaya, ekonomi dan politik, maupun kemarahan alam," katanya. Dia juga meminta pemerintah membuka keran demokrasi di Papua. "Saya ingin menekankan betapa pentingnya kita memberikan ruang bagi proses demokratisasi. Demokrasi yang hendak kita bangun adalah usaha memperkuat komunikasi, interaksi, dan kerja sama yang konstruktif di antara komponen masyarakat di bidang ekonomi, sosial, budaya, dan politik untuk mencapai kesejahteraan dan kemuliaan harkat hidup," tuturnya. Salahi Kesepakatan Munculnya bendera Bintang Kejora itu membuat aparat keamanan di Papua siaga. Polisi yang berasal dari Mapolres Jayapura sudah siaga untuk membubarkan Konferensi Dewan Adat Papua di GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura, itu. Aparat keamanan menilai, aksi bendera tersebut menyalahi kesepakatan. Bahkan, itu telah keluar dari koridor hukum. Karena itu, polisi yang dibantu TNI sudah menyiapkan personelnya. Polisi menerjunkan 3 SSK (satuan setingkat kompi), baik dari Dalmas maupun Brimob Polda Papua. Mereka telah stand by di Mapolresta Jayapura, tinggal menunggu perintah. TNI juga menyiagakan 5 SSK. Satu SSK berada di Korem 172/PWY, 1 SSK berjaga di kodim, dan 3 SSK disiagakan di kodam. Menanggapi pemunculan bendera separatis itu, Kasdam XVII/ Trikora Brigjen TNI Geerhan Lantara, Danrem 172/PWY Kolonel Kav Burhanuddin Siagian, dan Dandim 1701/Jayapura Letkol Kav A.H. Napoleon langsung menggelar rapat koordinasi bersama Kapolresta Jayapura AKBP Robert Djoenso di Mapolresta Jayapura. Polisi juga berpatroli di sekitar GOR Cenderawasih. Patroli 3 SSK polisi sekaligus show force di sekitar GOR Cenderawasih. Pembubaran dibatalkan setelah dicapai kesepakatan antara panitia dan Kapolres. Saat ditemui wartawan, Kapolresta Jayapura AKBP Robert Djoenso menyatakan, dari hasil keterangan pihak panitia, pembentangan Bintang Kejora merupakan rangkaian pertunjukan dari tarian yang ditampilkan saat pembukaan. "Ini hanya salah persepsi saja. Menurut mereka, Bintang Kejora itu adalah bagian dari jalan cerita tarian mereka. Karena itu, kami masih menerima penjelasan mereka. Tapi, jika nanti mereka melakukan kegiatan yang sudah keluar dari koridor hukum dan bertentangan dengan NKRI, kami tidak segan-segan menindak tegas," tegasnya. Dia menjelaskan, dari hasil negosiasi itu juga, pihak panitia telah menjamin tidak akan ada kegiatan yang bertentangan dengan NKRI. Tapi, jika dalam acara itu ada kegiatan yang dianggap menyimpang, mereka harus menerima konsekuensinya. "Apa pun bentuk kegiatan itu, jika sudah keluar dari koridor hukum dan NKRI, itu adalah tindakan makar. Konsekuensinya, mereka harus berhadapan dengan proses hukum," tandasnya. Kapolresta meminta kesepakatan yang telah dibuat panitia dengan pihak aparat keamanan harus dipatuhi. Jika ternyata mereka menipu dan masih nekat melakukan kegiatan-kegiatan yang mengganggu kedaulatan NKRI, petugas terpaksa akan mengambil tindakan tegas sesuai hukum yang berlaku. Di tempat yang sama, Dandim Jayapura Letkol Kav A.H. Napoleon mengungkapkan, TNI siap membantu kepolisian untuk mengamankan setiap kegiatan yang mengganggu atau merongrong kedaulatan NKRI. "Setiap kegiatan atau agenda yang mengarah ke separatis tidak bisa ditoleransi. Kami dari TNI siap menumpas setiap kegiatan yang mengarah ke separatis. Sebab, itu sudah menjadi musuh negara," tegasnya. Dia menambahkan, Papua adalah bagian sah dari NKRI dan itu sudah diakui masyarakat internasional. Jika masih ada kelompok-kelompok yang mencoba mengganggu keutuhan dan kedaulatan NKRI, itu sudah jelas sebagai separatis. "Pokoknya yang namanya separatis tidak boleh mendapat tempat di wilayah ini. Tugas TNI adalah menumpas dan menghentikan kegiatan mereka. Sebab, kalau keberadaannya dibiarkan saja, jelas sekali ide-idenya akan sangat membahayakan keutuhan bangsa dan negara," katanya. (cenderawasih pos/jpnn --- http://www.gatra.com/artikel.php?id=105854 Persepsi AS Soal Papua Telah Berubah Jakarta, 5 Juli 2007 01:24 Kongres Amerika Serikat (AS) kini tidak lagi mempersoalkan Papua dalam wadah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI) dan menganggap tidak relevan lagi membicarakan Papua Merdeka. Demikian salah satu butir penting pernyataan anggota kongres AS, Eni Faleomavaega, ketika berturut- turut diterima Ketua DPR-RI, Agung Laksono, kemudian melakukan pertemuan tertutup dengan Ketua Komisi I DPR-RI, Theo L Sambuaga disertai sejumlah anggota DPR-RI, Rabu (4/7), di Jakarta. Usai pertemuan dengan Faleomavaega, yang merupakan Ketua Subkomite Asia Pasifik Kongres AS, salah satu anggota Komisi I DPR-RI dari Fraksi PDI Perjuangan, Andreas Pareira, mengatakan bahwa persepsi AS tentang Papua kini telah banyak berubah. "Itu terlihat dari cara pandang Mr Eni Faleomavaega, di mana hal yang penting dikemukakannya, ialah, bahwa dia mengakui dulu pernah berbicara dan secara tegas serta jelas ikut berbicara soal kemerdekaan Papua. Tetapi, karena dia melihat waktu itu pemerintah dan rakyat Indonesia kurang memperhatikan Papua," ungkap Andreas Pareira. Dalam pertemuan tertutup dengan Komisi I DPR-RI yang berlangsung sejak pukul 11.00 WIB itu, lanjut Andreas Pareira, Faleomavaega terus terang mengakui segala kiprahnya dulu mendukung kemerdekaan Papua, lepas dari NKRI. Namun kini, kalangan Kongres AS sebagaimana dikatakan Faleomavaega, diakui bahwa dengan pemberian otonomi khusus kepada Papua, merupakan langkah maju yang perlu dijaga. "Dan ke depan, kata Eni, hal ini perlu dijaga sehingga terjadi perbaikan dalam kehidupan kemanusiaan maupun kehidupan ekonomi," ujarnya. Faleomavaega juga mengatakan, demokrasi merupakan suatu proses, bukan sesuatu yang final. "Iya, saya juga bilang ke beliau, demokrasi itu bagian dari suatu proses, sehingaa dalam perjalanannya butuh banyak langkah. Karena itu, saya minta kepadanya, agar jika dulunya dia bicara soal demokratisasi politik, yakni terkait political independent. Artinya demokrasi dalam pengertian politik, maka sekarang waktunya dia dalam kapasitas sebagai anggota kongres AS, bicara dan suarakan demokrasi ekonomi," papar Andreas Pareira. Hal itu, menurut Andreas Pareira, agaknya diterima baik oleh Faleomavaega yang sependapat, agar Orang Papua jangan hanya jadi penonton atas eksploitasi sumber kekayaan alamnya, atau cuma menerima sisa-sisanya saja. "Tetapi, ketika saya bicara soal-soal lebih dalam, termasuk proses renegosiasi investasi PT Freeport di Papua, Mr Eni menghindar," ungkap Andreas Pareira. [EL, Ant] --- http://www.indopos.co.id/index.php?act=detail&id=8884 Kamis, 05 Juli 2007, Sinyal Separatis Papua Menguat Pejuang NKRI Minta Polisi Bertindak Tegas JAYAPURA - Sikap polisi yang tidak tegas menindak insiden pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora membuat peserta pertemuan Masyarakat Adat Papua semakin berani menampakkan simbol separatisme. Dalam pidato pertemuan itu kemarin, para peserta semakin terang-terangan menyatakan ingin lepas dari Indonesia. Ancaman disintegrasi tersebut tecermin dalam penyampaian pandangan tokoh-tokoh daerah. Beberapa ketua Dewan Adat secara implisit menyatakan ingin berdiri sendiri. "Jika Papua masih hidup dalam NKRI, berarti itu pemusnahan terhadap bangsa Papua oleh NKRI," kata utusan dari Merauke dalam acara yang berlangsung di GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura, tersebut kemarin. Lalu, Dewan Adat dari Manokwari Barnabas Mandacan meneriakkan ingin referendum. "Kami sudah berjuang puluhan tahun. Mari bersatu melaksanakan referendum," ujarnya. Apolos Mora dari Teluk Saireri meminta kepada DAP agar pelurusan sejarah dijadikan tonggak penentuan nasib sendiri. Hampir sebagian besar pidato mereka mencerminkan suara separatisme. Apalagi, di luar sidang, muncul demo yang mendukung gerakan separatis tersebut. Meski nuansa separatis itu semakin berani, ada pula suara yang pro-NKRI. Ketua Dewan Adat Sarmi Seblum Werbekai mengajak membangun kebersamaan dengan pemerintah daerah serta menata kesejahteraan masyarakat adat dan menjunjung kegiatan Dewan Adat. "Perlu adanya kerja sama dengan pemerintah daerah. Pemda harus mempersiapkan dana untuk membangun kantor DAP," ungkapnya. Ada pula sejumlah harapan lain untuk memperbaiki lembaga dan masyarakat adat ke depan. Mereka yang mencoba membangun separatis itu hanya sebagian tokoh Papua. Bahkan, pada hari yang sama, di tempat terpisah, sejumlah pejuang Papua mengecam pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora. Mereka meminta agar polisi menindak gerakan separatis itu. "Selaku orang tua dan tokoh pejuang, saya sangat prihatin atas kejadian pembentangan Bintang Kejora di GOR. Sebab, kejadian tersebut kami nilai sangat bertentangan dengan Pancasila maupun UUD 1945," tegas Ramses Ohee yang didampingi para tokoh pejuang lain dalam acara konferensi pers di Hotel Matoa, Rabu (4/7). Menurut dia, upaya pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora di GOR tersebut merupakan kegiatan yang sudah mengarah ke separatisme dan disintegrasi bangsa. "Kita harus bersatu dan tidak boleh lagi ada upaya membentangkan maupun mengibarkan Bintang Kejora. Sebab, Bintang Kejora itu diklaim sebagai lambang negara Papua Barat. Jadi, tidak boleh ada negara di dalam negara," ungkapnya. "Panitia Konferensi Dewan Adat Papua dan para penari yang membentangkan Bintang Kejora itu harus diproses sesuai hukum di negara kita," tegasnya. Pada kesempatan yang sama, tokoh Generasi Muda Pejuang NKRI Daniel Wanda menyatakan, negara ini adalah negara hukum. Karena itu, yang dilakukan masyarakat juga harus berdasar hukum. "Bintang Kejora merupakan bendera negara Papua Barat. Karena kita berada dalam bingkai NKRI, upaya membentangkan Bintang Kejora jelas-jelas bertentangan dengan NKRI dan mengarah ke separatis serta disintegrasi bangsa. Apalagi, pembentangan Bintang Kejora itu diduga kuat telah direncanakan. Itu terlihat dari pakaian para penari tersebut yang juga bermotif Bintang Kejora," katanya. Sementara itu, Kapolri Jenderal Pol Sutanto menjelaskan, kasus bendera OPM cukup ditangani Polda Papua. "Itu sudah ditangani polda setempat. Jangan sampai terjadi lagi," ujarnya setelah menghadiri korps rapor perwira menengah di Mabes Polri kemarin. Mengapa berbeda? "Itu (pengibaran) di lingkungan mereka. Tentu lain," katanya. Dia tidak menjelaskan apakah "lain" yang dimaksud tersebut termasuk kategori makar atau tidak. (n --- http://www.indopos.co.id/index.php?act=detail_c&id=292928 Kamis, 05 Juli 2007, Kongres AS Akui RI Komitmen Nasib Papua JAKARTA - Rencana kunjungan anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat Eni Faleomavaega ke Papua kemarin dibatalkan pemerintah Indonesia. "Saya sebenarnya sangat berharap bisa mengunjungi Papua. Namun, atas pertimbangan keamanan, kunjungan tersebut batal dilaksanakan," katanya seusai bertemu Ketua DPR Agung Laksono di gedung DPR kemarin. Faleomavaega adalah salah satu anggota Kongres AS dari Partai Demokrat yang memberi perhatian besar terhadap isu-isu kemanusiaan dan kesetaraan pembangunan di Papua. Untuk itu, secara khusus, dia menggagas terbentuknya "black kaukus". Satu sikapnya yang sangat kontroversial, khususnya bagi Indonesia, adalah munculnya pernyataan dukungan terhadap upaya pemisahan Papua dari NKRI. "Saya memang pernah mengatakan, kalau pemerintah Indonesia tidak bisa memperlakukan Papua secara layak, berikanlah kemerdekaan itu. Saya tidak mengingkarinya," kata ketua subkomite Asia Pasifik Kongres AS itu. "Namun, saya percaya pasti ada penyelesaian," imbuhnya. Menurut dia, saat ini Indonesia sudah menunjukkan komitmen yang cukup baik terhadap Papua. Terutama lahirnya UU No 21/2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus (Otsus) Papua. Salah satu poin penting Otsus Papua itu adalah pembentukan Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP). "Otonominya lebih luas, mirip di Aceh. Ini menjadi batu loncatan untuk memberi kebebasan kepada daerah-daerah itu," tandasnya. Faleomavaega juga menegaskan, masalah Papua sudah menjadi isu internasional. Namun, lanjut dia, secara prinsip pemerintah AS tetap mendukung Papua tetap menjadi bagian dari Indonesia. "Saya paham situasi Papua dan betapa sensitifnya isu itu bagi pemerintah Indonesia," ujarnya. Kendati batal mengunjungi Papua, dia mengaku sudah bertemu Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan Freddy Numberi dan beberapa perwakilan dari Papua. Selain itu, dia akan menemui mantan Presiden Megawati Soekarnoputri. "Kepada mereka saya sampaikan Papua sangat membutuhkan pembangunan infrastruktur," katanya. Faleomavaega sebenarnya hadir untuk memenuhi undangan Indonesia melalui Deplu. Dia tiba Selasa dan rencananya kemarin terbang ke Papua. Namun, agenda itu dibatalkan. Yorris T.H. Raweyai, anggota FPG, yang kebetulan dari dapil Papua, mengatakan sangat menyesalkan pembatalan sepihak dari pemerintah terhadap rencana kunjungan Faleomavaega ke Papua. "Kita yang mengundang. Begitu orangnya datang, malah dibatalkan. Ini soal etika saja," ujarnya. Wakil Ketua Komisi I Yusron Ihza menengarai pembatalan tersebut terkait konferensi masyarakat adat Papua yang masih berlangsung di GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura. Apalagi, dalam sebuah tarian di acara pembukaan sempat muncul bendera bintang kejora yang menjadi lambang Organisasi Papua Merdeka. "Bisa jadi memang gara-gara itu," tandasnya. --- http://web.bisnis.com/umum/1id12968.html Rabu, 04/07/2007 19:59 WIB Kedatangan ketua sub komisi Asia Pasifik AS menuai keritik tajam oleh : Maria Yuliana Benyamin JAKARTA: Kedatangan ketua sub komisi Asia Pasifik Eni Faleomavaega, yang juga anggota Kongres AS, di Indonesia menuai kritik tajam. Pasalnya, selama ini, Eni dikenal sebagai seseorang yang mendorong keras upaya Papua untuk memerdekakan diri. Namun, Eni, dalam kunjungannya ke DPR,menegaskan dirinya tidak akan mempersoalkan lagi kemerdekaan Papua karena sikapnya telah berubah. Sikap ini didasarkan atas pengamatan dan laporan yang dia peroleh bahwa pemerintah Indonesia kini telah memperhatikan Papua sebagai salah satu provinsi di Indonesia dengan baik. Eni tidak membantah jika sebelumnya dia berjuang keras untuk kemerdekaan Papua. "Pernyataan saya sebelumnya tidak akan saya ingkari. Saya memang mengatakan jika pemerintah Indonesia tidak memberikan perhatian yang layak kepada Papua, sebaiknya Papua memerdekakan diri," ujar dia kepada wartawan usai melakukan pertemuan dengan komisi I di gedung DPR/MPR. Namun, menurut Eni, dirinya kini mendukung pelaksanaan otonomi khusus seperti yang tertuang dalam UU No.21/2001 tentang otonomi khusus bagi Papua. Dia menambahkan saat ini masalah Papua merupakan masalah yang sangat penting karena telah menjadi masalah dunia. Papua, lanjut dia, saat ini membutuhkan pembangunan infrastruktur. "Kami juga mendorong pembangunan infrastruktur di Papua," lanjut Eni. Eni yang sejak hari ini tiba di Indonesia, sebenarnya dijadwalkan akan ke Papua. Namun, karena alasan keamanan, dirinya tak jadi berkunjung ke Papua. Kedatangan Eni diduga terkait erat dengan Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM). Sementara itu, Wakil Ketua Komisi I Yusron Izha Mahendra meminta agar pemerintah tidak cepat percaya pada perubahan sikap Eni. Dia bahkan meminta pemerintah untuk berhati-hati menghadapi Eni. Yusron pun menyambut baik upaya pemerintah untuk mencegah kehadiran Eni di Tanah Papua dengan dalih persoalan kemanan. (dj) bisnis.com --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/04/Utama/ut03.htm SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Aparat Keamanan Bersiaga di Jayapura [JAYAPURA] Aparat keamanan bersiaga di Kota Jayapura menyusul aksi pembentangan bendera "Bintang Kejora", dalam suguhan tarian saat pembukaan Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua, di Gelanggang Olahraga (GOR) Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Papua, Selasa (3/7). Polri telah menyiagakan tiga satuan setingkat kompi (SSK), yang terdiri dari Pengendalian Massa (Dalmas) dan Brimob Polda Papua. Mereka bersiaga di Mapolresta Jayapura. Sedangkan TNI menyiagakan lima SSK, yang disebar di Korem sebanyak satu SSK, satu SSK di Kodim dan tiga SSK di Kodam. Bahkan sehubungan dengan rencana pembubaran Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua, tiga SSK dari kepolisian telah berpatroli dan unjuk kekuatan melintasi GOR Cenderawasih. Namun, rencana tersebut batal setelah negosiasi antara panitia dan Kapolresta Jayapura. Kapolresta Jayapura AKBP Robert Djoenso menyatakan, berdasarkan keterangan panitia, pembentangan "Bintang Kejora" itu merupakan rangkaian pertunjukan dari tarian ditampilkan saat pembukaan. Dia mengaku mendapat jaminan dari panitia tidak akan ada kegiatan yang bertentangan dengan NKRI. "Apapun bentuk kegiatan itu jika sudah keluar dari koridor hukum dan NKRI, itu adalah tindakan makar," ucapnya. Kepala Kepolisian Daerah Papua Inspektur Jenderal Polisi Max Donald Aer berpendapat, pembentangan bendera "Bintang Kejora" oleh penari dari Grup Sampari asal Manokwari yang juga mengenakan kostum bercorak bintang Kejora, jelas melanggar hukum. "Karena bendera tersebut sudah dilarang digunakan dan dikibarkan. Karena selama ini bendera itu dianggap sebagai lambang kedaulatan dari suatu negara yang disebut Papua Barat," tegasnya. Sementara itu, di sela-sela kongres pada Rabu (4/7) siang, bendera berwarna putih bertuliskan "SOS" dikibarkan sekelompok pemuda yang menamakan diri Koalisi Rakyat Papua di halaman GOR Cenderawasih. Mereka meminta pemerintah memperhatikan tuntutan mereka. Tuntutan yang ditulis di atas spanduk itu adalah pencabutan UU 21/2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus bagi Provinsi Papua, dan pengusutan pelanggaran berat hak asasi manusia di Abepura. Kasus RMS Dari Ambon diperoleh informasi, menyusul investigasi Tim Mabes TNI terkait insiden pembentangan bendera "Benang Raja" simbol Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS), pada Rabu (4/7), Pangdam XVI/Pattimura Mayjen Sudarmaidy Subandi melakukan investigasi internal terhadap jajarannya yang bertugas saat peringatan Hari Keluarga Nasional (Harganas) ke-14 di Ambon, Jumat (29/6) lalu. Investigasi internal ini untuk mengetahui titik-titik rawan yang menyebabkan terkecohnya petugas keamanan di lapangan, sehingga penari cakalele liar bisa lolos dan tampil serta membentangkan bendera "Benang Raja" di hadapan Presiden. Secara terpisah, Kapolda Maluku Brigjen Polisi Guntur Gatot Setyawan mengaku curiga dengan masuknya para penari cakalele yang tidak masuk dalam susunan acara. "Saya curiga dengan kostum penari karena bukan warna hitam tapi agak belel, dan satu di antaranya menggunakan celana putih," jelas Kapolda. Dari penyelidikan diketahui, para penari liar yang adalah pendukung RMS tersebut telah merencanakan jauh hari sebelumnya. Para pelaku menggelar empat kali pertemuan, dimulai 10 Juni lalu yang diikuti 24 orang. Keputusannya, mereka siap menari cakalele saat Harganas, sembari membawa bendera "Benang Raja". Selain itu, para penari juga diperintahkan menyimpan bendera di celana dalam. "Selanjutnya pertemuan dilakukan pada tanggal 14, 19, dan 24 Juni. Tanggal 24 Juni, para pelaku berangkat dari Desa Aboru, Kecamatan Pulau Haruku, Kabupaten Maluku Tengah (Malteng) menggunakan speed boat," tuturnya. Sementara itu, Kepala Divisi Humas Mabes Polri, Irjen Pol Sisno Adiwinoto mengungkapkan, Polri kini memburu tokoh RMS, Alex Manuputy yang kabur ke Amerika Serikat. Alex diduga sebagai dalang insiden pembentangan bendera RMS saat peringatan Harganas di Ambon. [ROB/VL/G-5] Last modified: 4/7/07 --- 2 Juli 2007 Link - http://www.analisadaily.com Bendera Bintang Kejora Dikibarkan di Lapas Abepura, Jayapura Jayapura, (Analisa) Sekelompok separatis Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang sedang mendekam di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (Lapas) Abepura, Jayapura, Papua, baik nara pidana politik (Napol) maupun tahanan politik (Tapol) pada Minggu mengibarkan bendera Bintang Kejora dalam rangka HUT OPM (1 Juli 1969- 2007). Pengibaran bendera dilakukan oleh Yusak Pakage, yang merupakan Tapol yang pernah pula mengibarkan bendera yang sama pada 1 Desember 2005 bersama rekannya Filep Karma. Hadir pula Cosmos Yual Napol kasus peristiwa berdarah 16 Maret 2006 di depan Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen), Abepura, Jayapura. Yusak Pakage, kepada wartawan mengatakan, HUT OPM yang mereka rayakan bukan merupakan hal yang baru, sebab telah di deklarasikan di Kamp Victoria, Kabupaten Kerom oleh Pimpinan OPM, Jacob Pray dan Zeth Rumkorem. Ia menjelaskan, apa yang dilakukan OPM bertujuan melindungi dan mempertahan ciri khas orang asli Papua. "OPM melindungi keaslian orang Papua," kata Pakage. Pantauan di tempat kejadian, pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora dilakukan di atas atap rumah Lapas Abepura yang juga dikuti beberapa Tapol/Napol lainnya, namun kejadian ini tidak berlangsung lama sebab aparat keamanan Lapas segera bertindak memerintahkan mereka menghentikan perbuatan itu dan turun dari atas atap rumah tersebut. Mereka langsung diamankan oleh aparat keamanan Lapas Abepura untuk dimintai pertanggunjawabannya. (Ant) --- Forward: Siaran Pers TAPOL Pencekalan Terhadap Anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat Merupakan Sebuah Kemunduran Bagi Demokrasi di West Papua 3 Juli 2007 Keputusan, yang diumumkan kemarin, oleh pemerintah Indonesia guna mencegah Anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat mengunjungi West Papua, akan mengganggu usaha-usaha mempromosikan hak asasi manusia dan demokrasi di wilayah itu kata TAPOL, organisasi HAM yang bermarkas di Inggris. Keterbukaan dan kebebasan bergerak yang lebih besar adalah hal yang pokok bagi pencapaian perdamaian, demokrasi dan penghormatan yang semakin baik bagi HAM di West Papua" kata juru bicara, Paul Barber. Akses yang bebas bagi anggota-anggota parlemen internasional, diplomat, jurnalis dan organisasi-organisasi HAM akan mengarah pada pemahaman yang lebih baik mengenai situasi di wilayah itu dan pelaporan yang jauh lebih akurat. Hal ini akan menguntungkan pemerintah Indonesia. Pembatasan akses merupakan kontra-produktif dan mengarah pada kecurigaan bahwa pemerintah (Indonesia) memiliki sesuatu yang disembunyikan dari dunia luar, tambahnya. Perdamaian dicapai di Aceh terima kasih sebagian besar karena dibukanya provinsi itu kepada masyarakat internasional menyusul tragedi tsunami pada Desember 2004, sebagaimana dikemukakan oleh TAPOL. Faleomavaega adalah Wakil Kongres Amerika dari wilayah kepulauan Pasifik Amerika Samoa. Beliau adalah pendukung utama penentuan nasib sendiri (self determination) bagi Papua Barat. Dia dijadualkan tiba di Jakarta hari ini. Direktur Jenderal Kementrian Luar Negeri untuk urusan Eropa dan Amerika, Eddhi Hariyadhi, mengatakan bahwa dia tidak akan diizinkan berkunjung ke Papua karena kunjungannya akan dieksploitasi oleh kelompok-kelompok tertentu untuk menciptakan kerusuhan-kerusuhan. Alasan pelarangan itu sepenuhnya dibuat-buat dan suatu tanda dari komitmen yang tidak jelas terhadap kebebasan-kebebasan yang mendasar, kata Barber. Ironisnya, larangan tiba baru saja sebulan setelah sebuah kunjungan ke West Papua oleh Utusan Khusus Sekjen PBB mengenai Pembela-pembela HAM, Hina Jilani, yang melahirkan sejumlah rekomendasi-rekomendasi yang konstruktif bagi bagaimana memperbaiki situasi HAM di wilayah itu. SELESAI, Translated by DC --- From editors at kabar-irian.info Sun Jul 8 22:49:11 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 13:49:11 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] News: Jul 6-9 2007 Message-ID: <50089.125.162.176.213.1183956551.squirrel@www.teuton.org> KABAR IRIAN NEWS July 5-9 TOPICS * HRW Report Papua 07/07/07 * Indonesia: Police Abuse Endemic in Closed Area of Papua * Report Finds Police Kill Civilians with Impunity in Papua, Indonesia * U.S. congressman says progress in Indonesia's Papua * Indonesian police say they will investigate claims * Report pans Indonesia over Papua * West Papua: Eight arrested at Tribal Congress as Report castigates Indonesian Authorities * Papuan Tribal Council head promises to pursue independence * Police vow to look into reported Papua abuses * Police unit accused of Papua abuses * Papuan movement 'part of democracy' * Yogya police break up rally by Papuans * Forgotten Papua * U.S. rep supports Indonesia on Papua * Australia Upgrades Indonesian Travel Warning * American congressman meets with Papuan figures in Jakarta * Papua students demonstrate at US embassy * Papuan students in Yogyakarta reject OTSUS * Papuan students in Yogyakarta blockade road * Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian stated... * Eight West Papuans arrested after tribal council meeting * Media Release: * Howard should insist Jakarta halt Papuan rape and murder * West Papua abuses highlight dangers of 'Lombok' treaty --- http://hrw.org/reports/2007/papua0707/ July 2007 Volume 19, No. 10(C) Out of Sight Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua?s Central Highlands Map of Papua and West Irian Jaya ............................................................................ 1 I. Summary...............................................................................................................2 Methodology...................................................................................................... 6 II. Key Recommendations........................................................................................ 8 Human Rights Watch urges the Indonesian government to: ................................ 8 III. Background.........................................................................................................9 Roots of the Papuan conflict............................................................................... 9 Post-Reformasi: A Bumpy and Uncertain Transition to Special Autonomy........... 14 IV. Restrictions on Access to Papua........................................................................ 21 V. Human Rights Violations in the Central Highlands .............................................24 Extra judicial executions and other abuses during sweeping operations............24 Brimob operations in Tolikara......................................................................26 Brimob operations in Puncak Jaya................................................................29 Serious human rights violations by the police ...................................................34 2005 flag raising..........................................................................................34 The arrest of David Hubi ..............................................................................38 Mulia DPRD Demonstration..........................................................................44 Shootings in Waghete..................................................................................46 Police Killing of Man in Wamena ..................................................................49 Police Beating of Man in Apalapsili.............................................................. 51 TNI Abuses........................................................................................................52 TNI Beating of Two Men ...............................................................................52 TNI beating of uncle of rape victim ...............................................................53 TNI Assault in Jayawijaya ............................................................................. 55 TNI Beating of Youths in Piramid ..................................................................56 Violence Against Women and Girls and Other Violations of Women?s Rights ......58 TNI Rape of 16-year-old girl ..........................................................................61 Rape as retaliation for alleged links to the OPM ...........................................62 VI. Impunity and Lack of Accountability for Abuses ................................................64 Impunity for security forces in Papua: Prominent cases .....................................65 Mechanisms for Accountability ........................................................................ 69 Prosecuting members of the police ...................................................................70 Impact of the Human Rights Courts ................................................................... 71 Conclusion: Impunity Persists ...........................................................................73 VII. Recommendations ...........................................................................................74 To the Government of the Indonesian Republic: ................................................74 To the Government and the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (POLRI): ......................................................................................................................... 75 To Papuan community leaders: .........................................................................76 Appendix I: Glossary of Indonesian Terms.............................................................. 77 Acknowledgements................................................................................................79 1 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Map of Papua and West Irian Jaya1 ? 2006 International Crisis Group 1 On April 18, 2007, the name West Irian Jaya was changed to West Papua. Out of Sight 2 I. Summary The performance of security forces in the Central Highlands region of Indonesia?s Papua province2 is an important barometer of the success of security sector reform efforts in the country more generally. Outside scrutiny is minimal and the security challenges are pronounced?pro-independence guerrillas have long been based in the region and public resentment of Indonesian authorities and institutions continues to simmer. The Central Highlands show how security forces act when hidden from public view. For this report, Human Rights Watch investigated 14 cases of alleged human rights violations in the region, interviewing more than 50 victims, witnesses, and family members of victims. Government limits on access and the rugged terrain of the region posed unique obstacles to research and follow-up as needed what we found gives serious cause for concern. Among our key findings are that while civilian complaints of brutal treatment by soldiers continue to emerge, police officers rather than soldiers are responsible for most serious rights violations in the region today. We found that both army troops and police units, particularly mobile paramilitary police units (Brigade Mobil or Brimob), continue to engage in largely indiscriminate village ?sweeping? operations in pursuit of suspected militants, using excessive, often brutal, and at times lethal force against civilians. Another finding is that even in routine policing, officers sometimes use excessive force. 2 The Indonesian territory of Papua occupies the western half of the island of New Guinea. Originally one province in the republic, in 2003 it was controversially divided into two new provinces. The new province of West Irian Jaya now occupies the western part of the region with a new provincial capital of Manokwari. The new province in the eastern half is still called Papua, with Jayapura still serving as the provincial capital. Plans for a proposed third province named Central Irian Jaya, have been postponed. On April 18, 2007, the name West Irian Jaya was changed to West Papua. As used here, Central Highlands refers to the districts along the mountainous ?spine? of the eastern province of Papua: the districts of Jayawijaya, Puncak Jaya, Mimika, Tolikara, Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang, and Paniai. 3 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Underlying these mostly violent abuses is a culture of impunity. Members of the security forces continue to act as if they are above the law because, in fact, they rarely are prosecuted even when they commit the most serious of crimes. In the 14 incidents documented in this report?which include eight alleged killings, two rapes, and many cases of ill treatment and torture?at writing, only one member of the security forces had faced prosecution, and that was before a military court; a low ranking officer was sentenced to eight months in prison for killing a 16-year-old Papuan high school student. To our knowledge, no Brimob or regular police officers have been investigated or prosecuted for their role in the remaining seven killings. No officers have been charged in either of the two rape cases in which police were implicated. No officers have been charged in connection with the cases of alleged police ill-treatment we documented. This report thus documents what appears to be the near total absence of accountability for members of the security forces who commit abuses in the Central Highlands. * * * The Central Highlands region for years has been the site of tense confrontations between Indonesian police and military units and small cells of Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM, known in English as the Free Papua Movement) guerrillas. The proindependence guerrillas have conducted repeated low-level armed attacks against Indonesian security forces, while Indonesian security forces, fearful of a repeat of the successful movement for independence in East Timor, have conducted regular sweeping operations to search for OPM guerillas or their supporters. These operations have typically involved looting, destruction of property, and in some cases harm to civilians and displacement. Public support for the guerrillas is perhaps stronger in the Central Highlands than anywhere else in Papua. Some proponents of Papuan independence have alleged that Indonesia is carrying out genocide in the Central Highlands, while others claim that serious human rights violations are a thing of the past. The reality is that surprisingly little is known about what is happening in many parts of the region. One reason is that this region is a Out of Sight 4 large, mountainous, inaccessible, and sparsely populated area with little modern infrastructure. News can take days to reach towns if it reaches them at all. A more important reason is that journalists, human rights workers, and even diplomats are barred from entry to the area without permits, which are hard, at times impossible, to obtain. Outsiders who do visit are able to do so only very irregularly and under tight surveillance by authorities. This means that little solid information comes out, creating fertile ground for rumors and unfounded speculation. The lack of reliable factual accounts means that unfounded rumors circulate with much the same potency as accurate accounts. The prominence of misinformation has served only to magnify the Central Highlands? reputation as a hotbed of dissent and abuse. While Indonesian security forces have improved their practices in some important respects in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, the situation remains of serious concern, particularly in the highlands. Security forces often presume civilians to be linked to, or vicariously responsible for, acts by the OPM. During the course of this research Human Rights Watch documented eight confirmed and five other possible extrajudicial killings since 2005, all involving members of the police, and one for which members of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), the Indonesian military, appear to be primarily responsible. We documented two rapes, one by a TNI soldier of a child, and another by Brimob officers. In 10 of the 14 cases documented in this report, members of the police force were the perpetrators. Several victims told Human Rights Watch about their forced displacement due to sweeping operations by Brimob and army units, and were eyewitnesses to the deaths of nine civilians (two children and seven adults), most likely caused by exposure to diseases such as malaria and lack of access to medical treatment during displacement. As noted above, many of the most serious violations we documented occurred as the police conducted sweeping raids through the communities believed to have hosted OPM leaders, or in areas where the OPM had allegedly led attacks upon security forces. In 2005 the operations caused the dislocation of thousands of villagers 5 Human Rights Watch July 2007 fleeing in fear to the mountains. This displacement restricted peoples? access to food, medical treatment, and other basic services such as education and access to livelihoods. Extrajudicial killings and ill-treatment also occurred when regular police and Brimob units used disproportionate or excessive force to break up or control gatherings of people. In one of the cases, victims were individuals trying to fly the ?Morning Star,? the Papuan independence flag. The Indonesian government remains highly intolerant of even peacefully expressed pro-independence sentiment. Those involved in Morning Star flag-raisings or other peaceful expressions of aspirations for independence are dealt with harshly. Police officers appear to regularly commit abuses while carrying out ordinary police tasks, including arrest and detention of suspects for non-political crimes. This kind of daily abuse appears to be a reflection of the heavy security presence, the lack of meaningful consequences for offenders, and the general state of lawlessness in the area. Many of these violations took place when officers were not on official duty but in pursuit of private business or other ventures. Human Rights Watch found that rape and other sexual violence against women and girls by security forces is a continuing problem. Such attacks, as well as the broader fear such attacks generate, shape the daily lives of women and girls in the Central Highlands region. Many of the ordinary yet disturbing abuses we have documented arise primarily due to the impunity extended by the state to human rights violations by security forces in Papua and Indonesia more generally. Confidence of impunity is enjoyed by members of the security forces when they can abuse basic rights knowing that the risk of being held to account is negligible. The vast majority of suspected perpetrators identified in this report are police officers (the majority are non-Papuan). This is a perceptible change from previous eras when members of the military committed the vast majority of serious human rights violations in Papua. Out of Sight 6 It appears that police and military members commonly abuse their power because they can do so, confident that no sanction or penalty will follow. They are, for all intents and purposes, above the law. When agents of the state, responsible for human rights protection, become its violators, there is a serious breach of public trust. Failure to rein-in abusive police and soldiers undermines the rule of law and the legitimacy of the state itself??in this case a state that still has much work to do to persuade Papuans of the benefits of citizenship. Much more attention needs to be paid to ensure that police re-direct their resources and energies to effective community protection and service. Methodology Conducting research for this report posed unique challenges. Researchers endured difficult conditions and visited many communities accessible only by foot and via rugged terrain. In all, we were able to conduct in-depth interviews with 56 eyewitnesses, victims, and family members of victims, focusing on cases from 2005 and 2006. We also met with many other villagers, local community officials, and civil society leaders. In our research, we prioritized allegations of particularly serious violations such as killings of unarmed people, rapes, and violent beatings. We examined a number of original documents relating to legal proceedings and autopsy reports where available. We also used secondary sources such as newspaper articles, reports by human rights and advocacy organizations, and other human rights archival sources to corroborate information provided through primary sources. We found that witnesses were generally eager to tell their stories. However, as all of the alleged perpetrators are serving members of the police or military, witnesses remain understandably fearful of reprisal for participating in the research. Due to the high risk of reprisal we have omitted the names of sources, as well as the specific dates and locations of the interviews. In advance of and during the course of the research, Human Rights Watch made several written and verbal requests to Indonesian authorities for formal access to the province. A request from Human Rights Watch was made in person to President 7 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Yudhoyono in September 2005 for official access. A letter was sent to President Yudhoyono in February 2006 raising concern at the lack of access to the province for the media and international human rights organizations. In March 2006 Human Rights Watch issued a press release calling for access to the province to investigate rising tensions in the area. In January 2007 Human Rights Watch wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs requesting access to Papua. Human Rights Watch has also requested permission for access to Papua during several meetings held with Indonesian government officials over the course of 2006 and 2007 in Jakarta, Washington D.C., and London. At this writing, such permission had not been granted despite official indications that it would be forthcoming. Because our queries and requests for official access were denied, we have not been able to include here the perspectives of local police, military, and government officials. In May 2007 Human Rights Watch wrote to both the police and TNI commanders in Papua asking for clarification and responses to specific cases raised in this report. To date we have received no reply Such denial of access is shortsighted. We believe that the production of factually based and balanced reporting on the human rights situation will only improve governance in Papua and West Papua. It would also contribute to strengthening both the will and capacity of the Indonesian government to properly hold its security forces accountable where allegations are substantiated. Out of Sight 8 II. Key Recommendations Human Rights Watch urges the Indonesian government to: ? Allow unfettered access for diplomats, journalists, and human rights organizations to all parts of the two Papuan provinces. Increased access to information will ensure more balanced and accurate reporting and allow problems such as police abuse to be identified and tackled rather than fester and contribute to continuing tensions in Papua; ? Investigate all cases, including those presented here, involving allegations of abuses by the police or soldiers. Where the information justifies prosecution, the cases should be brought before civilian courts under the criminal law and not be dealt with solely as disciplinary offences to be resolved by internal police or TNI mechanisms; ? Suspend from active service all police officers being investigated for human rights violations, pending the final determination of any legal proceeding. Authorities should dismiss officers found responsible for human rights violations; ? Provide victims of sexual violence with appropriate and timely health services. These services should include counseling, emergency contraception, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIVtransmission, voluntary testing, and treatment for those affected with HIV/AIDS. 9 Human Rights Watch July 2007 III. Background The tensions and complexities that characterize policing in Papua are difficult to appreciate without understanding the context of the conflict in the province. For this reason, the next section of the report will go into some detail on the roots of security force operations in the area, and the history behind the ongoing tensions. Roots of the Papuan conflict The provinces of Papua and West Papua are in the most eastern part of Indonesia. The indigenous population in this region is ethnically quite different from any other in Indonesia, and boasts over 300 distinct ethno-linguistic groups. Recent years have seen a growing sense of ?pan-Papuan? identity in response to the process of decolonization, Indonesia?s military presence, and the recent history of transmigration of non-Papuans from other Indonesian territories. The arrival of overseas missionaries has engendered a large part of the indigenous population turning away from traditional animist practice and converting to Christianity. Churches and church communities have become important focal points in modern Papuan life.3 Some Papuan peoples in Indonesia claim they are victims of an historical injustice, robbed of the independence promised to them by their former Dutch colonizers. While the rest of Indonesia gained independence in 1949 following a war of independence, the Dutch retained control in Papua into the 1960s. In the later years of Dutch rule, colonial officials in the region had been preparing Papua for independence by encouraging Papuan nationalism and by allowing the establishment of political parties and nascent institutions of state.4 3 R. Chauvel ?Constructing Papuan Nationalism; History, Ethnicity and Adaptation,? Policy Studies 14, East-West Centre, Washington, http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2006/March/papua-nationalism.pdf (accessed June 25, 2007). 4 Kees Lagerberg, ?West Irian and Jakarta Imperialism,? (London, Palgrave Macmillon, 1979), pp. 58-72; Nonie Sharp ?The Rule of the Sword: The Story of West Irian,? (Victoria, Kilford Books, 1977); J. Saltford ?The United Nations and the Indonesian Takeover of West Papua, 1962-1989: The Anatomy of Betrayal,? (London, Routledge, 2003), pp. 9-10. Out of Sight 10 However, rather than handing over control of the territory to Papuans, the Dutch instead agreed in 1962 to transfer authority over the territory to a United Nations Temporary Executive Authority, and then to Indonesia within a year,5 on condition that by end of 19696 an ?Act of Free Choice? would be conducted to determine Papua?s future status. Every adult Papuan would be eligible to participate in this act of self-determination.7 Instead of creating a process of universal suffrage, the Indonesian authorities decided to conduct the referendum through ?representative? assemblies. With the agreement of the Dutch and the United Nations, the Act of Free Choice was conducted by Indonesia in April 1969, with United Nations assistance.8 The assemblies chose just 1,026 Papuans to participate.9 The majority of the 1,022 who actually did participate were nominated by the Indonesian authorities and then voted on behalf of the rest of the population through eight regional councils.10 According to one historian?s account, the Indonesian military used intimidation and coercion against the delegates.11 The result was a unanimous vote for continued integration with Indonesia. Indonesia has always maintained that, as a former part of the Netherlands East Indies, West New Guinea (as it was then named) was a legitimate part of Indonesia. 5 Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning Western New Guinea (West Irian), signed at UN Headquarters, New York, August 15, 1962 (New York Agreement), Article XII, http://www.freewestpapua.org/docs/nya.htm. 6 Ibid, art. XX. 7 Ibid, art XVIII (d). 8 The UN team only witnessed 195 out of 1000 of the ?elections,? due to obfuscation by the Indonesian Government; See also J. Saltford ?The United Nations and the Indonesian Takeover of West Papua, 1962-1989: The Anatomy of Betrayal,? (London, Routledge, 2003), pp. 143-148; S. Blay ?Why West Papua Deserves Another Chance,? Inside Indonesia, Issue 61, Jan-Mar 2000. 9 1,026 were selected but four were unable to participate due to illness or other reason on the day; See J. Saltford ?The United Nations and the Indonesian Takeover of West Papua, 1962-1989: The Anatomy of Betrayal,? (London, Routledge, 2003). 10 J. Saltford ?The United Nations and the Indonesian Takeover of West Papua, 1962-1989: The Anatomy of Betrayal ?(London, Routledge, 2003), pp. 129-140; See also S. Blay ?Why West Papua Deserves Another Chance,? Inside Indonesia, Issue 61, January-March 2000. 11 Some diplomats reported open threats were made against delegates ?a council member asked what would happen to him if he opted for Independence; the reply was that he would be shot.? On May 24, the Tjenderawasih newspaper reported that Major Soewondo addressing 200 village chiefs stated that ?I am drawing the line frankly and clearly. I say I will protect and guarantee the safety of everyone who is for Indonesia. I will shoot dead anyone who is against us-and all his followers.? See J. Saltford ?The United Nations and the Indonesian Takeover of West Papua, 1962-1989: The Anatomy of Betrayal? (London, Routledge, 2003), p. 147. 11 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Indonesia further argued that the level of education was so low in the territory that the ?one man, one vote? principle could not be applied. The Act of Free Choice is widely considered by Papuans to be a fraudulent basis for Indonesian annexation of the territory, and fuels the continuing demand for ?historical rectification,? and a new act of self determination. The OPM (the Free Papua Movement), established in 1965,12 has since maintained a low?level, armed guerrilla war targeting mainly members of the Indonesian security forces, but has also on occasion targeted Indonesian transmigrants,13 foreign workers, and journalists.14 Despite the dubious bona fides of the Act of Free Choice, the OPM has never succeeded in garnering much international support15 with only a handful of small Pacific states16 officially supporting the OPM?s key demand for a new vote of self-determination. In the Soeharto period, Indonesia?s strategy to deal with the OPM was typically through military operations which sought, often brutally, to repress the OPM and its supporters. During the 1970s and 1980s a series of military campaigns against the OPM resulted in large-scale civilian deaths through execution-style killings in village sweeping operations, aerial bombardments, and malnutrition caused by forced displacement.17 Campaigns targeted communities and relatives of OPM members 12 R. Osborne ?Indonesia?s Secret War: The Guerilla Struggle in Irian Jaya,? (Sydney, Allen and Unwin, 1985), p. XIV. 13 Transmigration was an Indonesian government policy to alleviate overpopulation in some parts of the country, by moving large communities to other areas of the archipelago. Most transmigrants originated in Java and Bali and were moved to places like Papua, East Timor, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. 14 For example, the kidnapping and killing of 8 Javanese students in 1986, and the kidnapping of an international research team of 12, including the killing of two of them during a military rescue operation in 1996; See U.S. State Department ?Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Indonesia 2001,? Washington DC, U.S. State Department, March 2002; See also the kidnapping of two Belgian journalists for two months in 2001; See U.S. State Department, ?Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Indonesia 2001,? Washington DC, U.S State Department, March 2002. 15 R. Osborne ?Indonesia?s Secret War: The Guerilla Struggle in Irian Jaya,? (Sydney, Allen and Unwin), 1985, p. XIV. 16 Tuvalu, Nauru and Vanuatu called for Papuan independence in September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York; See Nic Maclellen, ?Self determination or territorial integrity?? Inside Indonesia, Issue 67, July-September 2001; Australia and Papua New Guinea have prioritized strengthening relations with Jakarta, as has the newly independent Timor- Leste; See interview with then Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta in which he urges Papuans to relinquish their struggle for independence, ?Timor-Leste Foreign Minister & 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Jose Ramos-Horta Talks West Papua,? Scoop independent News, October 31, 2005, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00344.htm. 17 Allegations have been made of the use of napalm and other chemical weapons; See ?Indonesian Human Rights Abuses in West Papua: Application of the Law of Genocide to the History of Indonesian Control,? Indonesia Human Rights Network, Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic, Yale Law School, April 2004, pp. 19-26; R. Osborne ?Indonesia?s Secret War: The Guerilla Struggle in Irian Jaya,? (Sydney, Allen and Unwin), 1985. Out of Sight 12 and many were arbitrarily detained, tortured, raped, and, in some cases, killed. Most detained Papuans were not formally charged and tried, but those who were brought to courts did not receive fair trials. Small scale attacks on military and police posts by the OPM were met with disproportionate retaliatory operations which often arbitrarily targeted civilians.18 In the mid-1980s Indonesian government policy supported ?transmigration,? the transfer of typically poor families from other islands to Papua in large numbers. This program, together with increasing spontaneous migration by people seeking economic opportunities in resource-rich Papua, drastically altered the demographic composition of Papua. The Government appropriated, usually without compensation, large tracts of land from traditional owners to support the new arrivals. For example ?Operation Clean Sweep? in June 1981 was reportedly used to force Papuans off their lands in the border regions to vacate land for incoming transmigrants. This resulted in entire Papuan communities being displaced and increased feelings of marginalization by the indigenous population, especially in the mining towns where non-Papuans sometimes vastly outnumbered Papuans. Non-Papuans also dominated government bureaucracies and had better access to higher education and employment. By 2000 when government-supported transmigration programs ended, non-ethnic Papuans made up around 35 percent of the population.19 The struggle for control of Papua?s abundant natural resources has contributed significantly to the conflict. Concessions given to mining companies without consideration for the rights of local people, and the involvement of state security forces in guarding mining sites, has provided fertile ground for conflict. The direct involvement of senior members of the police and army in resource extraction, such as where members of the military hold logging concessions themselves or receive payment from mining companies for security services, combined with the lucrative 18 For example in April 2003 rebels broke into a military armory and stole a number of rifles. In an army campaign responding to this attack Komnas HAM found that at least seven Papuans were killed, 48 tortured and some 7,000 others forced to flee. See ?Papuan Leaders want rights findings revealed,? The Jakarta Post, July 17, 2004. 19 According to UN figures around 35 percent of the Papuan population are non-Papuan migrants, S. Jones ?Papua Shrouded by Misperception,? The Australian Financial Review, August 29, 2006. For the year 2000 census figures indicated for the province of West Papua a population of 1,460,846 indigenous people and 772,684 non-indigenous people; See Statement to UN Working Group on Minorities, Commission on Human Rights, 12-16 May 2003, http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/minorities/docs/westpapua.doc; ?Papua: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions,? Asia Briefing no. 53, International Crisis Group, September 5, 2006. 13 Human Rights Watch July 2007 taxes which flow to the Indonesian state, provide powerful motives for the state to retain tight control.20 Civilians who protest against the impact of these activities upon their environment, livelihoods, and communities are often repressed by security force members who have frequently responded to community protest with disproportionate and fatal force.21 The US owned Freeport copper and gold mine has a particularly long history of troubled relations with local communities who, despite the mine?s development programs, feel excluded from the economic benefits of the mine yet bear the brunt of its environmental impact. Mining towns have been centers of HIV/AIDS transmission in Papua. A survey of more than 600 sex workers in Timika (location of the Freeport mine) showed that Timika has the second highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Papua,22 which again is the highest throughout Indonesia.23 High rates of migration among mining workers, poor literacy, and inadequate education campaigns and HIV/AIDS-specific services all contribute to the spread of the disease. Women in the region are particularly vulnerable, having higher illiteracy rates, lower knowledge of sexual health, and a low status in Papuan culture vis-?-vis men, which restricts their ability to negotiate safe sex with their partners.24 Papuan women suffer from the poorest health in Indonesia. For maternal mortality in Indonesia per 20 ?Indonesia: Resources and Conflict in Papua,? International Crisis Group, Brussels, September 2002; Human Rights Watch, Indonesia-Too High a Price: The Human Rights Cost of the Indonesian Military?s Economic Activities, vol. 18, no. 5(C), June 21, 2006. 21 ?Indonesia: Resources and Conflict in Papua,? International Crisis Group, Brussels, September 2002. 22 N. Silitonga, A. Roddick, and FS. Wignall ?Mining, HIV/AIDS and Women Timika, Papua Province, Indonesia? McDonald I, Rowland C (eds); ?Tunnel Vision: Women, Mining and Communities,? Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, (Melbourne, Oxfam, November 2002). 23 In 2002, 20.4 people per 100,000 were infected by HIV in Papua, compared to only 0.42 cases per 100,000 in the rest of Indonesia. Approximately 40 percent of HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia have been reported in Papua which has approximately 1 percent of the population; Leslie Butt et al., ?The Smokescreen of Culture: AIDS and the Indigenous in Papua, Indonesia,? Pacific Health Dialog, September 2002. 24 Leslie Butt et al., ?The Smokescreen of Culture: AIDS and the Indigenous in Papua, Indonesia,? 1, Pacific Health Dialog, September 2002. Out of Sight 14 100,000 live births the rate was 450 in 1,986, falling to 334 in 1995 and 307 in 2000. However, in Papua in 1995 the rate was 1,025 per 100,000 live births.25 Post-Reformasi: A Bumpy and Uncertain Transition to Special Autonomy Since the fall of Soeharto in 1998, the Indonesian government has engaged in an uneven set of reforms to address the political situation in Papua. One reform was to rename the province. Previously known as ?Irian Jaya,? on January 1, 2000 President Wahid announced a name change for the province to ?Papua.? The change was formalized in September 2002.26 In 2003 the government of Megawati Sukarnoputri announced far more controversial plans to split Papua into three provinces: Papua, West Irian Jaya, and Central Irian Jaya.27 The creation of Central Irian Jaya was shelved in August 2003 after violent clashes in Timika over the partition resulted in five deaths. Central Irian Jaya remained part of Papua. West Irian Jaya was created in November 200328 and on April 18, 2007, this name was changed to West Papua. Many Papuans opposed the splitting of Papua, and in particular the creation of West Irian Jaya, as it was seen as a divide and rule tactic of Jakarta. The division of the province was deemed to be aimed at undermining Papuan efforts to unite behind a common goal of self-determination. Others feared new provinces would herald new provincial military command posts, with attendant increased troop levels in the area. There were also fears that the split would exclude West Irian Jaya from Special Autonomy status (a question that remains unresolved). Among others, local Papuan officials favored the split, believing that it would improve local services and 25 ?National human Development Report 2004 - The Economics of Democracy: Financing Human Development in Indonesia,? BPS-Statistics Indonesia, Bappenas and the United Nations Development Program, Indonesia, 2004. 26 See ?President Changes Irian Jaya?s Name to Papua,? The Jakarta Post, January 4, 2000; ?Indonesia?s Irian Jaya Province Officially Renamed Papua,? Agence France-Presse, October 1, 2002. 27 Formation of Central Irian Jaya Province, Western Irian Jaya Province, Paniai kabupaten, Mimika kabupaten, Puncak Jaya kabupaten, and Sorong City, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Law 45, 1999; In January 2003 President Megawati issued a Presidential Instruction on the Acceleration of the Implementation of Law 45/1999; P. Stockman ?Constitutional Court?s Ruling on the Partition of Papua? Watch Indonesia, Information and Analyses, November 24, 2004, http://home.snafu.de/watchin/papuapartition_24.11.04.htm. 28 P. Stockman ?Constitutional Court?s Ruling on the Partition of Papua? Watch Indonesia, Information and Analyses, November 24, 2004, http://home.snafu.de/watchin/papuapartition_24.11.04.htm; ?Pemekaran yang Menyulut Perang,? Tempo Magazine, September 1-7, 2003, p. 35; On April 18, 2007, the name of West Irian Jaya was officially changed to West Papua. 15 Human Rights Watch July 2007 governance. The division would make administering the vast region easier, through two or three provincial offices, rather than just one.29 But the centerpiece of the Indonesian government?s strategy for reaching an accommodation with Papuans has been the offer of Special Autonomy which, as the name implies, involves the devolution of many political and fiscal powers to the province. The strategy is aimed at encouraging pro-independence supporters to work within the state and to build robust Papuan institutions.30 Fears of Papua becoming the next ?East Timor? and the then-failing peace process in Aceh provided the context for the November 2001 law on Special Autonomy (otonomi khusus or otsus). 31 However lack of consensus within the Indonesian government, with nervousness that any concession would fan and strengthen demands for independence,32 has resulted in the protracted and half-hearted implementation of the law. At the core of this governance model is the MRP, the Papuan People?s Council, made up of religious leaders, women, and customary representatives.33 It was to be established within two years of enactment of the Special Autonomy law34 and was mandated to protect and defend the rights of indigenous Papuans, especially in the areas of customary law, religion, and women?s rights. The negotiation process dragged on and it became increasingly clear that President Megawati Sukarnoputri was not supportive of giving Special Autonomy any real substance. Not long after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took office in October 2004, the regulation enacting the MRP was finally issued and the body was established. 29 Indonesia ? ?Dividing Papua: How Not to Do it,? International Crisis Group, Brussels, April 9, 2003. 30 R. McGibbon ?Secessionist challenges in Aceh and Papua: Is Special Autonomy the Solution?? East -West Centre, Policy Studies No 10, http://www.eastwestcenter.org/res-rp-publicationdetails.asp?pub_ID=1523. 31 Special Autonomy for Papua Province, Peoples Representative Assembly and the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Law no. 21, 2001, art. 19, http://www.papuaweb.org/goi/otsus/files/otsus-id.html. 32 J. Timmer ?Papua,? The Contemporary Pacific, 17.2 (2005), pp. 448-456, http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/contemporary_pacific/v017/17.2timmer.html. 33 Special Autonomy for Papua Province, Peoples Representative Assembly and the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Law no. 21, 2001, art. 19, http://www.papuaweb.org/goi/otsus/files/otsus-id.html. 34 Ibid, art. 75, chapter XXIII. Out of Sight 16 Controversy then commenced about the composition and voting procedure for the new body with the powerful Papuan Dewan Adat (Customary Council), already disillusioned by the faltering process, refusing to support and participate in the new body.35 Key religious bodies also boycotted the selection process until the last minute. Nonetheless, representatives for the MRP were selected, albeit not through direct elections. Irregularities in the selection process occurred in patches but monitors concluded that they were not sufficiently widespread to impugn the overall results.36 MRP members were inaugurated on October 31, 2005. One of the first blows dealt to the MRP was the government?s refusal to consult with it on the creation of West Irian Jaya, as is required under the Special Autonomy law. This was exacerbated by the decision of the Indonesian government to push ahead with provincial elections in the new West Irian Jaya Province before its legal status in relation to Special Autonomy was finally resolved.37 A decision of Indonesia?s Constitutional Court in November 200438 further confused the new province?s status. The court ruled that while the Special Autonomy law superceded the 1999 law creating the new province of West Irian Jaya, the new province should be recognized nonetheless as its existence was already a political fait accompli, the authorities having, for example, already conducted elections for a regional parliament.39 No new regulations reconciling the status of West Irian Jaya with Special Autonomy have followed and uncertainty remains.40 However, the two governors of the provinces in Papua, as well as local parliamentary and MRP leaders, signed an agreement on April 35 Dewan Adat Papua, (Papuan Customary Council) ?Communique by the Papua Indigenous Peoples,? August 12, 2005, http://www.nieuwsbank.nl/papua-lobby/DAP12Aug05.pdf. 36 ?Papua: The Dangers of Shutting Down Dialogue,? International Crisis Group Briefing No 47, March 23, 2006, p.5; ?The West Papua Report September 2005,? Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (CHR)- West Papua Advocacy Team, http://www.rfkmemorial.org/human_rights/1993_Bambang/WPReport_Oct_05.pdf; ?Papuan Protest Puppet Government,? The Jakarta Post, October 29, 2005. 37 ?Irate Papuans Threaten to Boycott Election,? The Jakarta Post, October 10, 2003; ?West Irian Jaya Governor Sworn in Despite Dispute,? The Jakarta Post, November 15, 2003. 38 Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia, Putusan Perkara Nomor, 018/PUU-I/2003, http://www.mahkamahkonstitusi.go.id. 39 With 70 percent of eligible voters turning out, adding substantially to its legitimacy; See ?Papua: The Dangers of Shutting Down Dialogue,? International Crisis Group, Asia Briefing No 47, March 23, 2006. 40 Despite around 25 percent of MPR members being from West Irian Jaya, and the province being in receipt of Special Autonomy funds, the Provincial elections were governed under the general Law on Regional Governance suggesting the jurisdiction of Special Autonomy does not extend to West Irian Jaya. 17 Human Rights Watch July 2007 18, 2007, that West Papua will come under Special Autonomy, and the two provinces will share the funds provided for it.41 Despite the difficulties experienced in establishing the MRP and implementing Special Autonomy, substantial decentralization of power has occurred. The central government in Jakarta has effectively devolved itself of control over most policy areas, though it retains control over foreign affairs, defense and security, fiscal and monetary policy, religious affairs, and justice.42 Given that the governors of both Papuan provinces, all district heads, and all members of the MRP are indigenous Papuans, and that Special Autonomy has brought substantial financial resources to local coffers,43 there is a new opportunity to address some of the Papuan people?s longstanding grievances. Unfortunately, despite the reforms, poor governance remains the norm in Papua with corruption and neglect of duty by indigenous Papuans on par with what had existed prior to the influx of Papuans into civil service leadership positions.44 A lack of skilled civil servants and the overall limited human resource capacity restrict efforts to effectively implement and monitor development programs. The new post-Special Autonomy political elite in Papua commonly use their positions and influence to play out regional, ethnic, and tribal tensions.45 Lack of attention to the poor performance of some local leaders by the central government has left many ordinary Papuans increasingly disillusioned with Special Autonomy, having seen no improvements to 41 Email correspondence with an International Crisis Group Indonesia analyst, May 29, 2007. 42 Special Autonomy for Papua Province, Peoples Representative Assembly and the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Law No 21, 2001, http://www.papuaweb.org/goi/otsus/files/otsus-id.html, chapter IV Regional Authority, Article 4(1). 43 The annual budget for Papua in 2006 was 4 trillion rupiah, making it one of the wealthiest provinces per capita in Indonesia. S. Jones ?Papua Shrouded by Misperception,? Australian Financial Review, August 26, 2006; A. Sumule ?Social and Economic Changes in Papua since the Law on Special Autonomy Came into Effect,? paper presented at conference: ?Autonomy for Papua ? Opportunity or Illusion,? June 4, 2003, Berlin, Germany, http://home.snafu.de/watchin/AfP2003sumule.htm. 44 See, for example the case of former Jayawijaya Bupati, David Hubi, the first Papuan administration to be tried for corruption. On August 29, 2006, Hubi was found guilty and sentenced to five years imprisonment for embezzling 13,6,01,780,000 (approx US$1.5million) from the State; ?Hubi Dihukum 5 Tahun Penjara,? Cenderawasih Pos, August 30, 2006; ?Bupati Mimika Sudah Tiga Bulan Tak Masuk Kantor,? Kompas, August 8, 2006. 45 R. Chauvel ?Constructing Papuan Nationalism; History, Ethnicity and Adaptation,? Policy Studies 14, East-West Centre, Washington, http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2006/March/papua-nationalism.pdf; J. Timmer ?Decentralization and Elite Politics in Papua,? Discussion Paper 2005/6, State, Society and Governance in Melanesia,? Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, http://www.papuaweb.org/dlib/lap/ssgm/2005-d6-timmer.pdf, p.8; ?Regional Autonomy ?fuelling tribalism,? The Jakarta Post, August 31, 2006. Out of Sight 18 their standard of living, despite much greater local management of the wealth of the Papuan provinces.46 The 2004 Human Development Report for Indonesia noted that Papua was ?ranked 26 places lower in the Human Development Index than in Gross Domestic Product, a clear indication that the income from Papua?s natural resources has not been invested sufficiently in services for the people.?47 While the Special Autonomy process has been marred by long delays and wavering commitment on the part of the Indonesian government, the latter cannot be blamed for all of Papua?s continuing problems, and an increasing proportion of responsibility must rest with Papuan maladministration. In late July 2006 the media reported that OPM leaders, meeting in Papua New Guinea, had decided to end their armed struggle and to continue their demands for independence using peaceful means. They did, however, maintain their right to defend themselves if attacked.48 In response, TNI Commander in Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto stated that the military would remain ?vigilant? but that they would no longer conduct offensive operations to pursue OPM separatists.49 It remains to be seen whether these developments will usher in a new commitment to peace and restraint on both sides. A series of attacks on security officers in Punjak Jaya in December 2006 allegedly by the OPM cell led by Goliat Tabuni (the attacks included two fatal shootings of TNI soldiers (one retired) on December 8 in the Yamok mountain area, 2 kilometers from the old city Mulia; one non-fatal shooting of a Brimob officer on December 13; and the brief kidnapping of a TNI officer on December 24) was a major setback. 46 J. Timmer ?Decentralization and Elite Politics in Papua,? Discussion Paper, State, Society and Governance in Melanesia, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, June 2006, http://www.papuaweb.org/dlib/lap/ssgm/2005-d6-timmer.pdf; J. Timmer ?Papua,? The Contemporary Pacific, February 17, 2005, pp. 448-456, http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/contemporary_pacific/v017/17.2timmer.html. 47 ?National human Development Report 2004 - The Economics of Democracy: Financing Human Development in Indonesia,? BPS-Statistics Indonesia, Bappenas and the United Nations Development Program Indonesia, 2004. 48 ?Papua Fighters Promise Non-Violent Future,? ABC, Lateline, July 27, 2006. 49 ?Suyanto: TNI still keeping on guard against OPM,? Tempo Interactive, August 1, 2006. 19 Human Rights Watch July 2007 The Indonesian government remains intolerant of even peaceful expressions of proindependence sentiment. Those involved in Morning Star flag-raisings or other peaceful expressions of pro-independence sentiment are dealt with harshly.50 The most recent example concerns two men, Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage, who were found guilty on charges of rebellion51 and expressing hostility towards the government52 by the Jayapura District Court. They were sentenced on May 27, 2005, to 15 and 10 years of jail, respectively. The men had participated in a peaceful gathering on December 1, 2004, in Abepura to commemorate Papuan ?Independence Day? at which the Morning Star flag was unfurled. Police violently broke up the gathering and arrested several, later releasing all but the two men. The sentence far exceeded the five years sought by the prosecution. In February 2007 Human Rights Watch published the report, ?Protest and Punishment: Political Prisoners in Papua,? detailing arrests and convictions for those peacefully campaigning for independence in the region.53 In 2006 Indonesia took some steps towards protecting human rights but has yet to take decisive measures to end impunity by its security forces. In May 2006 Indonesia acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In the same month, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) took legal effect in Indonesia.54 Indonesia had earlier ratified the Convention Against Torture, (CAT, 1998), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1984), the International 50 It has not always been this way. At the height of government tolerance to pro-independence aspirations, President Wahid had permitted the raising of the Morning Star flag providing it was flown below the Indonesia flag. See, for example ?Dividing Papua: How not to do it,? International Crisis Group, Asia Briefing Paper, April 9, 2003; Human Rights Watch, Indonesia- Human Rights and Pro-Independence Actions in Papua, 1999-2000, vol. 12, no. 2, May 2000, http://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/papua/Pap004.htm. With the demise of President Wahid the Reformasi political space in Papua greatly contracted. Under the administration of President Megawati, then Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned that any commemoration of the independence declaration would be regarded as an ?act of treason? and tough measures would be taken against perpetrators. See ?West Papuans to ignore warnings,? Sydney Morning Herald, November 24, 2000. 51 Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), Articles 110 and 106. 52 Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), Articles 154 and 155. 53 For more information, see Human Rights Watch, Indonesia ? Protest and Punishment: Political Prisoners in Papua, vol. 19, no. 4 (C), February 21, 2007. 54 Indonesia is yet to ratify the first Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (CAT) or the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, all which include mechanisms for individual victims to make complaints to treaty oversight bodies. Out of Sight 20 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1999), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990).55 Indonesia is also in the process of implementing its second national human rights plan (2004-2009). In May 2006 Indonesia was elected to the UN Human Rights Council, a step which was cynically received in many quarters, but which may create some pressure on Indonesian officials to ensure more consistent adherence to international standards. Indonesia is also currently a member of the UN Security Council. The real test of the significance of these developments will be the willingness and ability of the Indonesian government to implement the newly ratified human rights standards both in law and in everyday practice. Indonesia has long paid lip-service to international institutions and treaties but, with only a few exceptions, has failed to create effective mechanisms for implementation. For example, despite ratifying the Convention Against Torture (CAT) in 1998, Indonesia has failed to incorporate the term ?torture? into its legislative vocabulary or create any mechanism for systematically translating CAT principles into practice.56 55 Indonesia has also signed but not ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW (2000), International Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (2004), and the First and Second Optional Protocols to the CRC (2001.) 56 Indonesia has within the past 6 years created in rapid succession a Constitutional Court, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, National Law Commission, Judiciary Commission, Ombudsman Commission, Prosecutorial Commission, Police Commission, Corruption Eradication Commission and the Special Court for Corruption. The effectiveness of these new bodies is yet to be tested. The Constitutional Court has in numerous decisions shown substantial independence in decision making. A promising recent decision was when the Constitutional Court found the criminalization of insulting the President and Vice President unconstitutional; Charmain Mohamed (Human Rights Watch), ?A Court Ruling on Human Rights that Deserves Presidential Support,? commentary, The Jakarta Post, December 15, 2006, http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/12/15/indone14876.htm; A commitment to the rule of law was also shown in the decision to annul Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) Law 15/2001, July 26, 2004, making retrospective its application to the Bali bombing; ?Indonesia?s Constitutional Court blocks Anti-Terrorism Law? Asia News, July 26, 2004, http://www.borrull.org/e/noticia.php?id=37322; On the other hand, in August 2006 the Constitutional Court emasculated promising efforts by the Judiciary Commission to monitor judges, claiming a conflict with the constitution and limiting the Commission to its role in screening applicants for Supreme Court vacancies. Davidson, Soren, Juwono, Vishnu and Timberman, ?Curbing Corruption in Indonesia,? 2004-06; A survey of National Policies and Approaches,? The United States-Indonesia Society, Centre for Strategic and International Studies p. 40, www.usindo.org/pdf/korupsi_web.pdf. While the Prosecutorial Commission, Police Commission and Judiciary Commission are all separate from the bodies they are intended to provide oversight to, they are not independent bodies as they are still controlled by the Government. ?Building Capacity from Within and Advocating Pressures from Without, to Combat Systemic Corruptions in Indonesia,? Piet Soeprijadi, Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia, http://www.kemitraan.or.id/data/pdf/building-capacity-from-within_piet -soeprijadi.pdf. 21 Human Rights Watch July 2007 IV. Restrictions on Access to Papua Severe restrictions on access to Papua for human rights monitors mean that reliable information on conditions is hard to come by. Word of mouth is the most common means of transmitting news of alleged human rights abuses, and independent corroboration can be difficult. National human rights monitors are frequently harassed or intimidated.57 Human rights workers from Elsham, Legal Aid, Kontras, the Catholic Office for Justice and Peace, and other NGOs work under an atmosphere of intimidation.58 Members of international monitoring groups such as Human Rights Watch are routinely denied visas to conduct visits.59 While tourists can freely visit Papua and are not restricted to the capital, visitors with other purposes must apply and provide detailed itineraries and plans to the police for permission. Those granted permission to travel to Papua are likely to be subject to surveillance to ensure their true purpose is not political or related to human rights. In June 2006 two Americans working for an indigenous land rights group traveling on visas which permitted tourism, cultural, business, or government activities, were deported from Indonesia after attending a meeting of the Dewan Adat (Papuan Customary Council) a body committed to peaceful advocacy for independence.60 While Indonesian journalists can somewhat openly report on developments in Papua, authorities have largely denied international journalists access to the region since 2003, although some exceptions have been made for known Jakarta-based international journalists working on themes deemed non-political. However, even 57 Most recently, Paula Makabory, a staff member from ELSHAM Institute for the Study and Advocacy for Human Rights in West Papua, has been accused by BIN (National Intelligence Agency) of involvement in organizing the flight of a group of 43 Papuans who were granted temporary asylum in Australia in March 2006. 1000 PeaceWomen Update, October 20, 2000, http://www.1000peacewomen.org/typo/index.php?id=74&L=1. 58 Aloysius Renawin from Elsham, October 20, 2006; 1000 PeaceWomen Update, October 20, 2000, http://www.1000peacewomen.org/typo/index.php?id=74&L=1. 59 As detailed in the ?Methodology? section above, Human Rights Watch has made several written and verbal requests to the Indonesian government for official access to Papua. These requests have, to date, not been answered. See also TAPOL Briefing on the Current Situation in West Papua, March 14, 2005, p.1. 60 ?Two U.S citizens questioned over visa violations in Papua,? Associated Press, June 27, 2006; ?Indonesian Government to deport 2 U.S citizens for Papua action,? Associated Press, June 28, 2006. Out of Sight 22 those granted permission assert that Papuan police continually harass them and interfere with their work.61 In February 2006 Indonesia?s Defense Minister, Juwono Sudarsono, defended restrictions on foreign media access to West Papua. He was quoted as saying ?Indonesian unity and cohesion would be threatened by foreign ?intrusion and concern,? and that reporters could be ?used as a platform? by Papuans to publicize the alleged abuses.62 Academic freedom also has its limits. In 2006 Australian National University?s Chris Ballard, an anthropologist whose main focus is Papua, said he had been unable to visit the province since 2001.63 May of 2006 the Indonesian government boycotted cooperation with two Australian universities (RMIT and Deakin Universities in Victoria) on the basis that they employ academic staffs who have been critical of the Indonesian government?s policies in Papua.64 The work of international organizations, including the UN, is hampered by restricted access. In May 2006, UNHCR Regional Representative Neil Wright expressed concern that the organization had been denied access to Papua despite repeated requests to the Indonesian government.65 In his 2005 report to the Commission on Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak expressed his ?regret? that the longstanding request of his office to visit Indonesia, initially made in 1993, was still being ignored.66 In response Indonesia finally extended him an invitation and at this writing he was due to visit Indonesia at the end of 2007, though it was unclear whether he would visit Papua. In January 2006, the UN Secretary-General?s special envoy on the prevention of genocide, Juan Mendez, expressed concern at the 61 ?Journalists Face Difficulties in Papua, Even with Work Permits,? The World Today, September 26, 2006, http://www.kabaririan. com/news/msg03592.html (accessed June 25, 2006). 62 ?Foreign media ban in Papua to be maintained: Juwono,? Agence France Presse, February 6, 2006. 63 ?Papua Travel Ban Halts Abuse Scrutiny: Envoy,? Sydney Morning Herald, March 1, 2006. 64 ?Indonesian Government Attempts to Silence Foreign Critics of its Policies in West Papua,? The Age, May 22, 2006. 65 Transcript of Inquiry into the provisions of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill 2006, Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, May 26, 2006, UNHCR Regional Representative, p. 7; Neil Wright, ?I can confirm that, despite repeated requests, UNHCR has not been given permission by the government in Jakarta to have access to West Papua. So we do not have direct information from there. We do of course have information coming from those that cross into Papua New Guinea and are interviewed by us.? 66 Manfred Nowak, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, UN Commission on Human Rights, sixtysecond session, E/CN.4/2006/6, December 23, 2005, http://daccess-ods.un.org/TMP/4598847.html. 23 Human Rights Watch July 2007 government?s prevention of human rights monitors from observing the situation in Papua.67 67 ?UN Expert Says Action Needed to Prevent Genocide in Several African Countries? Voice of America, January 27, 2006. Out of Sight 24 V. Human Rights Violations in the Central Highlands This report consists almost entirely of first-hand testimony covering cases of human rights violations from across the Central Highlands in 2005 and 2006. During the course of this research Human Rights Watch documented eight confirmed and five other possible extrajudicial killings since 2005, all involving members of the police, and one of which members of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), the Indonesian military, appear to be primarily responsible. We documented two rapes, one by a TNI soldier of a child, and one by Brimob officers. In 10 of the 14 cases documented in this report, members of the police force were the perpetrators. Several victims told Human Rights Watch about their forced displacement due to sweeping operations by Brimob and army units, and were eyewitnesses to the deaths of nine civilians (two children and seven adults), most likely caused by exposure to diseases such as malaria and lack of access to medical treatment during displacement. Extra judicial executions and other abuses during sweeping operations The passing of the Soeharto era and the transition to Special Autonomy has brought about some gradual easing of tensions between Papuans and the central government in Jakarta, resulting in some decrease in military crackdowns and sweeping operations of the Papuan population. The main reason for the recent reduction in these types of sweeping operations in Papua appears to be reduced armed activity by the OPM. While the number and scale of sweeping campaigns in Papua as a whole has decreased since Soeharto stepped down, such operations still occur periodically, most often in the Central Highlands, where OPM activity and support remains strongest. While such operations typically are triggered by alleged OPM attacks, the security forces continue to respond with disproportionate and often lethal force, with surrounding communities subject to harsh collective punishment. Greater numbers of civilian lives are lost when communities, forced from their homes to set up 25 Human Rights Watch July 2007 makeshift shelter in the forests, succumb to illnesses caused by poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and lack of access to health services. Widespread destruction of private and community property?including crops, livestock, and schools?looting, and desecration of churches by security forces are common occurrences and make it very difficult for returning communities to rebuild and sustain themselves, protracting the experience of displacement. Many of the testimonies we gathered, presented below, focus on the consequences of displacement that follows abusive behavior by security forces. Known sweeping operations were undertaken by security forces in the Kiyawage area in 2003, in Puncak Jaya during 2004, and in the Tolikara regency from January-March 2005;68 in August-October 2005 Puncak Jaya was targeted again in villages throughout Tinginamput District. The 2004 and 2005 operations in Puncak Jaya were triggered by authorities? efforts to find Goliat Tabuni, an OPM leader who heads one of the more active OPM cells in the Mulia region. In both operations, religious leaders were killed. In September 2004 Rev. Elisa Tabuni was killed by members of the military after he denied knowing the OPM leader?s whereabouts.69 His son, also a pastor, managed to escape with his hands cuffed.70 During the same operation, thousands were forcibly displaced to the mountains. The London-based human rights organization TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, received a list of 53 names of civilians who reportedly had died as a consequence of the displacement.71 Other groups reported that up to 15,000 people had been displaced and 20 people, mainly children, had died.72 In the 2005 Puncak Jaya operation, another pastor, Apreke Tabuni, was 68 ?Indonesian military reacting brutally in Wunin,? Wurineri District, West Papua News, January 24, 2005. 69 ?Alleged murder to be probed,? The Jakarta Post, October 29, 2004. 70 TAPOL Briefing on the current situation in West Papua, TAPOL - The Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, March 14, 2005, http://tapol.gn.apc.org/reports/r050315wpbriefing.htm; John, King and Peter Wing ?Genocide in West Papua? The role of the Indonesian state apparatus and a current needs assessment of the Papuan people,? Report prepared for the West Papua Project at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney; ELSHAM, Lembaga Study dan Advokasi Hak Asasi Manusia, Jayapura, Papua, August 2005, p.19. 71 TAPOL Briefing on the current situation in West Papua, TAPOL - The Indonesian Human Rights Campaign, March 14 2005, http://tapol.gn.apc.org/reports/r050315wpbriefing.htm. 72 ?Thousands of Papuans Flee Troops,? Courier Mail, November 27, 2004; Solidarity South Pacific, http://www.ecoaction. org/ssp/news/07120402.html (accessed June 25, 2007); ?Papuan Protesters Present Plea Calling for Jakarta to End Punjak Jaya Military Action,? Radio New Zealand International, December 17, 2004. Out of Sight 26 executed by members of Brimob in circumstances similar to those under which the Rev. Elisa Tabuni had been killed the previous year.73 Brimob operations in Tolikara In March 2005 a Brimob police unit was air-dropped from Jayapura into Tolikara Regency, marched the approximately 6o kilometers to Wunmi District, and conducted an aggressive sweeping operation. This was in response to the burning of several schools in late February 2005, allegedly by the OPM. On March 13, 2005, en route to Wunmi, a member of Brimob shot and killed a civilian named Lele Jikwa. Although we were unable to find any eyewitnesses to the killing, a man who came across Lele shortly after he had been shot reported that Lele was unarmed at the time. As the witness told Human Rights Watch: That morning I heard the sound of a gunshot but did not know that Lele Jikwa had been shot. After Brimob had continued marching in the direction of the District of Wunmi, I went to the area from where I had heard shots. I saw blood spreading along the length of the road. Because of all the blood I began looking for an injured person, and then I heard him crying out from the side of the road to Ponim. I found Lele Jikwa seriously injured by a gunshot wound and, because of his condition, I offered him help standing up. As we went I felt very sad. He said to me ?I was shot by members of Brimob.? I could see he was shot to the right hand side of the back of his chest and I could see all the bones were shattered. The road to Ponim became red. I helped him to sit down and a number of friends came, bringing wood and rope, and we carried him on our shoulders to the house of his family. There were seven of us who carried the victim.74 73 Human Rights Watch Interviews (names and locations withheld), 2006. 74 Human Rights Watch interview (name and locations withheld), 2006. 27 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Another person recounts: Around 8 a.m. I heard the sound of a single gunshot. I did not know who was shooting; the TNI or police, and I did not know until later that he [Lele Jikwa] had been shot by them I prepared to go to the garden. I was outside of the house when a large number of fully uniformed Brimob members marched past the yard. I do not know how many people. I felt scared and I returned to the house. They were wearing complete uniforms with guns and were marching in the direction of Wunmi district. After they had passed, at around 9 a.m. several community members brought Lele from the place of the incident I couldn?t think and didn?t know what had happened they had shot him on the right side of his back. I asked [name withheld] ?Who shot him?? and in the words of [name withheld] ?Those who shot him were members of Brimob from Jayapura.? After several hours, at 3 p.m., he died after that incident, other community members fled as refugees to the jungle.75 Members of Brimob continued on to Wunmi, where community members report that officers burned 10 houses and shot and consumed dozens of chickens and pigs as well as large quantities of fruit from private houses in two villages, Honai and Inanagai, before returning to Tolikara on March 15. Following this incident, frightened villagers fled to the mountains where they remained until the end of April 2005. Witnesses claimed that seven displaced persons within their group died from malaria, diarrhea, or pneumonia they had contracted due to unhygienic conditions. One witness told Human Rights Watch: After seeing this shooting incident and the burning of the houses we feared the same treatment so we decided to run to the mountains. At that time we wanted to take revenge on them but we felt we didn?t have enough strength. 75 Human Rights Watch interview with (name and locations withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 28 The refugees lived together in one complex. We didn?t struggle with food because the garden was close to the mountains. We had the women gather food in the garden and we were always close by accompanying them. After two months in the mountains, a number of people became sick and died Seven refugees died. There were three women, three men, and one child. One woman who died was Karetina Wenda, aged 29 years. She was sick with malaria and had pneumonia. She was sick for five days beginning on April 10, and on April 15 she died. One other woman by the name of Tegina Wantik, aged 28, also died due to malaria. Her illness lasted for one month, from May 12 until June 10 when she died. Another woman, Memenauge Murub, also died due to malaria. She was only sick for two days from May 1 and then on May 3 she died. She was around 50 years old. The three men who died were Yununggen Wandik, aged around 31 years. He was sick from diarrhoea. He was sick for one week beginning May 7. Another man, Bimbin Weya, aged around 45 years old, died from pneumonia. He was sick for two days commencing on March 9. Yunus Wantik also died from diarrhea. He was around 45 years and his illness began on June 7. The child who died, Paiserah Relak, was only one-year-old, she was sick for only three days.76 A health officer staying with the displaced community told Human Rights Watch: The community?s living conditions were very unhealthy and, as a consequence, seven people died, six adults and one small child. I tried to provide them with medical treatment but it didn?t help and I feel great sorrow that they died. They suffered from malaria, diarrhea, coughing up blood and pneumonia so I gave them medicines that I had brought from outside of the jungle.77 76 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 77 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 29 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Brimob operations in Puncak Jaya The sweeping operation undertaken by Brimob in Puncak Jaya in August 2005 occurred after Brimob officers from Mulia responded to a report that OPM leader Goliat Tabuni was present in the village of Kuragi visiting his ailing parents. Early in the morning of August 17, 2005, a number of Brimob officers arrived in Kuragi village and questioned villagers. Villagers told Human Rights Watch that they denied that Tabuni was in the area and, to placate Brimob members, had offered them meat. Later, however, the Brimob officers arrested three people in the local church, after which the situation deteriorated. At some point a Brimob member was shot in the right rib, although the circumstances of the shooting remain unclear. The officer was evacuated to Jayapura for medical treatment. The remaining Brimob members redoubled their search for Goliat Tabuni and his OPM followers. On August 18 and 19 more Brimob reinforcements were air-dropped from Jayapura by helicopter and commenced sweeping operations across at least 13 villages in the district of Tinginamput. One witness told Human Rights Watch: On August 17, at 9 p.m., a number of Brimob officers arrived by truck. They stayed in several churches there and planned their fighting strategy on the 18th and 19th troops began dropping from Jayapura by helicopter to Puncak Jaya and they spread through several districts including Pigiragi, Brime, Ngalume, Erumugun, Limajari, Monia, Wonaluka, Poruageneri, Pawagarau, Kekung, Erimuli, Kuragi, and the city of Mulia. In all the places they shot their weapons but no community members were shot because they had already fled.78 Villagers in the area told Human Rights Watch that they estimate as a consequence of these deployments 16,000 civilians fled to the mountains or to other regions. Local residents? fears were stoked by reports that Brimob officers had tortured an OPM member they had caught. As one witness told us: 78 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 30 [The OPM member] was shot in the chest, with the bullet entering through his back. At that time he was holding an M16 weapon which was taken by Brimob. After he was shot [dead] his hair was drenched with cooking oil and set alight.79 During the sweeping operation, Brimob troops reportedly destroyed houses and buildings, and looted or burned gardens and fields. The widespread destruction and lack of assistance in re-building, many villagers did not return to their houses for several months.80 Describing the fear the sweeping operation induced, a villager told Human Rights Watch: After the shooting [of the Brimob member] on August 17, many more Brimob came from the city of Mulia to the village of ?Five Fingers? where the Brimob member had been shot. As soon as they arrived they started shooting. I heard the shooting and began running in the direction of the jungle. I did not even have the opportunity to collect my belongings, which all remained at the house. Nor could I even collect my young child who at that time was being cared for by someone else, but was taken by them. Thereafter I, together with my child, and a number of members of the community from the village Monia began life as refugees close to Yamo. There we made a shelter...we could not get good food.81 Brimob established roadblocks and patrols through the area, preventing displaced persons from returning to collect food from whatever gardens were not destroyed. Many displaced people remained in the jungle for four months until the end of December 2005. It is not known how many died. All suffered acute privations. One of those displaced told Human Rights Watch: 79 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 80 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 81 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 31 Human Rights Watch July 2007 After the shooting [of the Brimob officer], many troops were parachuted in by helicopter to the villages of Tingginamput and Kuragi...After hearing the sound of the shots I immediately ran to the jungle. The distance was approximately 10 kilometers. There I met with a number of families who had also fled because they did not feel safe. We were seven adults?four men, three women?and two children aged around five to six years old. For four months we lived as refugees in the jungle. There we stayed but did not feel safe as we often heard the sound of gunfire and were very nervous and traumatized. On August 18 at 8 a.m., a number of members of Brimob and TNI began coming from Punjak Jaya in trucks to the villages of Tinginamput and Kuragi. They opened fire in many directions including in the direction of the jungle. After we heard the sound of shooting we ran deeper into the jungle. After four days and nights of sleeping in the jungle I fell ill with malaria. At that time there were no medical staff and it was difficult to obtain medicine all the roads were guarded by members of Brimob and TNI who stopped members of the community seeking access to the community clinic or hospital in Puncak Jaya. At the time I was sick I took only traditional medicine collected from the jungle. At the end of December 2005 I was able to get to the hospital in Mulia and was provided with medical treatment until I had recovered. During the time I spent in the jungle I wasn?t able to get good food. We could only collect a little food from the farms but it was very difficult because Brimob members guarded the roads to the gardens day and night.82 Another internally displaced person shared a similar story with Human Rights Watch: For four months we lived in the jungle, from August until November 2005. During this time we were refugees. We could not get any good food as we were in the middle of the jungle and it was difficult to go to 82 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 32 the gardens for food as all the pathways leading to and from the villages were guarded by members of Brimob and TNI. So for four months we ate only nettles and bananas. We were a group of eight adults?three women, five men?and three children...Two of our members died in the jungle as they could not be helped. Naniamban Wenda, a 45-year-old man who was sick for four months, died in December. The other was a two-month-old infant, Letera Tabuni, who died in September. During the time they were sick there were no health professionals to give them medicine and this caused their very sad deaths. We all suffered immensely. We did not sleep well and we ate little. Now and then we had food, but when there was none we just had to endure due to our situation we did not eat well and our bodies became weak. If we found bananas in the jungle we gave them to the young children. It was especially hard on the children and so we made special efforts to look after them.83 Another man who was displaced from Kuragi and living with a different, larger group in the jungle similarly reported: Amongst the refugees were many children who died because they did not have good food and good sleeping conditions. Mosquito bites made many people ill. The lack of medical treatment meant that many community members who became ill then died.84 Due to continuing prohibitions on media and NGO access to Papua, no reliable figures exist concerning the number of deaths caused by these operations or the total numbers of civilians displaced. Forced displacement also prevents children from attending school and the burning and destruction of government buildings often includes schools, guaranteeing that 83 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 84 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 33 Human Rights Watch July 2007 such interruptions in education have long-term consequences. One villager told Human Rights Watch: At the time, schools were shut down. School children were also victims and fled to the jungle with their parents we have not yet returned to our village of Tinginamput because we remain very traumatized by all the things done by Brimob and TNI. We are still living in Mulia. A number of villages are overgrown, and the conditions in villages are now very poor.85 Many residents independently told Human Rights Watch that Brimob officers used churches for accommodation in their 2005 Puncak Jaya operation and sometimes desecrated them upon their departure. This caused ongoing disruption to religious activities and dampened the morale and emotional recovery of local communities. Many churches remain badly damaged.86 As was the case during the Brimob operation in Tolikara (detailed above), religious leaders were not spared the direct brunt of human rights violations. One community member reported: At the time of the Brimob operation the troops stayed in the church of Tanobaga. When they left all the sacred items in the church were burnt, and even the pulpit was destroyed. During the military operation the community could not enter the church for prayer and religious service. After the shooting started on August 17, 2005, all the church worship activities stopped until 2006. There are 10 church buildings that are still empty. The congregation is scared because a church leader, Anton Tabuni, was killed hiding in the church. During the four months we were displaced in the jungle from August until the end of December, the congregation worshipped in the jungle. After returning to the village we could not resume our worship properly until 2006.87 85 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 86 Human Rights Watch interviews (names and locations withheld), 2006. 87 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 34 Similarly, another victim reported: Brimob and TNI used various churches including at Wurigele and Yogonik. They used them as places to sleep and eat, and when they were ready to leave they destroyed them. Glass was smashed, the sacred cloths and pulpit were burnt. Until this time, the churches remain damaged and the activities of the church disrupted.88 The destruction and looting of houses, gardens, crops, and the theft of livestock during sweeping operations ensure ongoing suffering even once displaced communities are able to return. Livelihoods are easily destroyed overnight but can take months and years to rebuild, especially when an entire community?s financial capital has been destroyed. Such widespread destruction limits the ability of community members to help each other and further increases the hardships suffered by vulnerable groups, especially already marginalized people such as femaleheaded families with few or no resources to tide them over. One man told Human Rights Watch: After four months we returned to our village at the end of December 2005. Our village was badly damaged. The yards were totally overgrown, houses in a number of villages had been burnt by Brimob, all our gardens were destroyed... all the belongings we had left behind such as machetes, spades, axes, frying pans were all gone. Our pigs, more than three, were shot by Brimob and were used as their food for their operations.89 Serious human rights violations by the police 2005 flag raising Ceremonies at which the Morning Star flag is raised, symbolizing independence aspirations, remain a common expression of Papuan nationalism and defiance. 88 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 89 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 35 Human Rights Watch July 2007 While such flag raisings are in themselves peaceful, they frequently are met with brutal repression by Indonesian authorities, who view them as a dangerous and illegal form of separatist activity. One early morning in 2005 [exact date withheld], 12 members of TPN (Tentara Papua Nasional, Papua National Army) and OPM conducted a peaceful flag-raising ceremony in a field near a village in Bolakme [exact date and location withheld]. In response, Brimob arrived at the scene equipped with fire arms and in full uniform. They immediately opened fire aiming at the flag, into the air, and violently accosted those present. One witness told Human Rights Watch: It was around 5 a.m. From out of the forest many people came. I also went down there. And there we raised the Morning Star flag. We stayed on the edge of the field until 7 a.m. and then we raised the flag. Brimob came there that morning. They pointed their guns at us. There were 12 members there. They asked ?Who is in charge here?? But we were all silent. All our bows and arrows were collected together. They ordered us to take off our shirts and they took away our bracelets and chicken feathers [head decorations of the Dani people]. After that they hit us using the end of their guns. They kicked us using their military boots. My teeth fell out. Blood flowed out. I was hit. I was kicked twice and then in the stomach twice again. I was kicked in the nose, the mouth and the teeth. More kicks were ordered and this was repeated. I could not count the number of times. I saw all my friends given the same treatment. Blood was flowing from them and they were forbidden from going to the toilet. They ordered us to swallow our blood. My nose was bleeding. They ordered us to swallow the blood again. I do not know the name of the officer in command. They all punched us, taking turns. We were given one cigarette and all ordered to suck it. One packet of noodles was given to us and we were ordered to share this for all of us. They ridiculed us saying, ?You?ve already eaten Papuan bread.? Out of Sight 36 The flag pole was yanked out. The flag was wrapped up. We were ordered to carry on our shoulders the heavy wood. There were 12 of us in total who had raised the flag. Once we reached the Brimob post [we] were still receiving blows. Brimob questioned us again about who was in charge. We were all silent and closed our mouths a Brimob officer lit a lighter then placed it in our mouths. But we were still silent. They lit the lighter and put it on our tongues, then on our ears. They burnt my ear and my tongue. This was very painful. They beat us with their gun butts they ordered us to eat blood. I didn?t want to. They punched and kicked me continuously until I ate that blood. That morning they beat us with rifle butts and barbed wire. Until 8 a.m. they were still beating us. After that they threw us in a truck. The truck took us to the police station. That morning was very cold. They turned on the water and drenched us one by one with a bucket. My head was drenched. We were quivering and shaking and still we did not answer. Then they beat us with their boots, aiming for our hearts. Each of us, two times. We were all dizzy. I was wanting to die. With their feet they kicked my head again.90 Another victim told a similar story: The police came and we were arrested immediately by 12 members of Brimob. I was kicked by eight members of Brimob, to my back five times and to my ribs 10 times, five times on the right and five on the left. They beat me taking turns. They were all wearing complete uniforms, but I did not see their names and ranks clearly. They were Brimob, coming from Jayapura. Eight members of Brimob guarding me kicked me five times on the left and right with their boots, cracking my face until it was full of blood the beating continued by them including 90 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 37 Human Rights Watch July 2007 with knives until my head was cut and face bloodied. One member of Brimob threatened me with a knife held to my neck, ?I will kill you, so you can pray first?. He also said ?You all will be taken by us to Wamena where you will be killed.? We were very scared by these threats and thought we were going to be killed there.91 Another man recounted his experience: Brimob came and started shooting. They were wearing complete uniforms with guns, and they shot in the direction of the flag. The flag tore down the middle. We were arrested, hit, and kicked. We were ordered to squat and walk squatting to the Brimob post. We were tied together and ordered to carry the flag pole on our shoulders. On the road we were continually kicked. I was kicked twice by one member of the police to my eyebrow which was bleeding. I was hit again with the gun in the back three times, and then with the gun butt three times to my face. A Brimob member hit me with truncheon on my head twice after that we were tied again into twos and thrown into a truck. But a number of women boarded the truck and they cut the ties binding us with a knife, and we escaped.92 A fourth man described how he was mistreated at the Brimob watch post: On the long road we were continually kicked until we arrived at the watch post. I was guarded by a member of the police armed with a knife. My face was swollen by the assaults inflicted on me. I could not count the number of strikes as there were too many. My lips and nose were bleeding. My blood was mixed with chicken meat and I was ordered to eat it. I didn?t want to and they forced me to. I was silent and didn?t say anything. At their post they prepared cold water in a bucket and we were drenched one by one. We were given one cigarette 91 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 92 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 38 stump and one packet of uncooked noodles and were ordered to eat, one by one, taking turns.93 The arrest of David Hubi On March 15, 2006, police appeared at the house of former district head (Bupati) David Hubi in Wamena, Jayawijaya. Hubi had been suspended from office on corruption charges and had four times failed to appear in court to face charges.94 In preparation for his arrest, police had conducted surveillance of his house on March 14, and then blocked roads leading to his residence on March 15. Supporters, including family members, children, and women, along with some male supporters, armed with traditional weapons such as bows and arrows, spears, and machetes, flocked to Hubi?s house to demonstrate their support, and to obstruct the authorities? access to the area. >From 6 a.m.-11 a.m. a standoff took place between Hubi and his supporters and the Jayawijaya special reserve police, alongside prosecutors from Wamena. Hubi?s supporters refused to open the door to his house and Hubi continued to deny his surrender. Negotiators for Hubi said that the arrest warrant was not accompanied by a final order from the District Court and that the arrest was therefore unlawful. Negotiations broke down.95 According to Indonesia?s national Human Rights Commission, KOMNAS HAM members of the reserve police asserted that members of the crowd started to attack them, with one officer reportedly injured by an arrow to his leg. The police then opened fire on the crowd, killing two men, Sodeman Hubi, the younger brother of David Hubi, and Mokarineak Kossay. They also seriously injured a third man, Hali Matuan, who later died from his injuries. Newspapers reported that some 143 other people were injured.96 93 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 94 ?Terdakwa Drs, David A. Hubi Sudah Dipanggil 4 Kali?, Cenderawasih Pos, May 16 2006. 95 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 96 ?Komnas HAM Papua Laporkan Tindakan Kekerasan Polisi Jayawijaya,? Republika, June 16, 2006. 39 Human Rights Watch July 2007 According to witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch, police broke down the door to Hubi?s home and discharged tear gas into the house, beating those in the way and forcing them into the yard. Police armed with rifle butts and rubber batons assaulted unarmed civilians. All those present on the property, including children as young as nine years old, were herded into police vehicles and tear gas was discharged nearby. Those detained were taken to Jayawijaya police station where victims say they were further mistreated and neglected by the police. One eyewitness told Human Rights Watch: On May 15 after 10 a.m., the prosecutor and police from Jayawijaya, guided by detective Nur Bakti, together with the head of operations, Naharudin, came to negotiate with us the negotiations were not successful and the detective, Nur Bakti said, ?We will carry out the order using force and we will count to 10 but if you don?t surrender to us, we will then use force.? The police then began to shoot tear gas. I wanted to take pictures of them but the gas was affecting me Police shot tear gas inside the hall and other rooms. Because my eyes were feeling hot I immediately went to the bathroom to wash my eyes. I was coming out of the bathroom when the agents entered. I wanted to use my camera but two police quickly grabbed me and arrested me. They took my camera and pulled at my clothes. At the same time they punched me and accused me of being a provocateur. I didn?t have the chance to see who was punching me because my eyes were affected by the gas and my face had filled with blood. I was beaten with the end of a gun on my back, and with fists to my face. My mouth and eyes were smashed and bleeding. I felt dizzy and fell. Straight away I was kicked by five members of the police and Brimob. They were all wearing complete official uniforms with guns...then, a member of the police, Daud Matuan, ordered them to stop. I was barely conscious when five members of the police took me into the car. As they were taking me, Out of Sight 40 they punched me in the back three times with rifle butts and then in the car I was beaten with a truncheon.97 Another witness told Human Rights Watch: [When the violence began] I was sitting [in David Hubi?s house] together with Sodeman Hubi who was later shot glass began breaking. I stopped some small children from entering the room. Brimob troops began shooting left and right. Before they began shooting they released tear gas. I couldn?t resist because I couldn?t see much the children and I were inside the house at that time we were treated as though we were terrorists. The door was shot down. I was very scared. I looked for shelter under the table on the floor. Left and right I could see troops with guns looking for me.?Mana Ibu [name withheld]? [?Where is name withheld?] were their words. I raised my hand. Brimob punched me my nose was puffy and swollen. My eyes were injured they hit using their hands; so many times I could not count. One police detective defended me my face was distorted and full of blood. One Brimob member insulted me, calling me a ?whore.?98 Young children present at the former district chief?s house were not spared. One 9- year-old boy told Human Rights Watch: The day before the incident I hadn?t been playing there but others told me that they wanted to arrest David and that we had to keep watch, so I went along. I didn?t know there would be an incident that morning we had finished our cake and I was playing with my friends. I saw that there were many police coming. I didn?t know what they were coming for. I wanted to leave the area. But my older brother was angry. He said ?Don?t go out or later police will beat you.? So I stayed where I was. I was always together with my brother. At around midday the police said 97 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 98 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 41 Human Rights Watch July 2007 that they wanted to arrest Mr. Hubi, I did not expect that they would beat us. But they immediately fired tear gas. My eyes were burning painfully and I could not see. I struggled for air but couldn?t get it. They punched my brother. I felt very sorry for him. I cried and yelled ?Don?t hit my brother,? but the police immediately hit me on my right cheek then held onto me with his right hand and threw me into the garden bed. I fell and was in a lot of pain. We young children gathered. The police were shooting to the left and right. I wanted to run but I was scared. Not long after, three police came and beat the young children one by one. I was held and beaten again. It was very painful. The police ordered us to get into the police car. When I was close to the car, police threw me onto the car. He held my neck and threw me above. The car was full of tear gas. I was immediately dizzy and I couldn?t see. They took us to the police station. We were thrown out of the car. Some other children were beaten as they got down...Police ordered us to line up in the sun. They ordered us to lie down. After that they didn?t beat us but we didn?t have food. We were held there until night-time. The small children were all told to leave at around midnight.99 A 13-year-old boy told a similar story: Quickly the police entered into the yard of the [former] Bupati?s house. They came complete with guns. There were many Brimob. I wanted to run but I couldn?t. I did not expect them to attack and hit the children. But immediately the police used their tear gas. My eyes were burning. I couldn?t see anything. We were crying, not only me, but all the small children. We were ordered to gather at the front. I wanted to run but was chased by police. The police officer hit me on my head twice. I was immediately dizzy. I cried. A Brimob officer kicked me and threw me to the front. They kicked me once. I fell. Police pulled me by my arm. 99 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 42 When we were close to the police car, I was thrown on top with many other small children. When we were in the car Brimob again used tear gas. We could not see. Our eyes were burning. After we arrived at the Polres Jayawijaya, police grabbed us and threw us down from the car. After that we were ordered to line up in the sun. While we were doing that, a policeman came and was angry with us. He said ?You small children should not be going along to demonstrations.? We stayed at Polres until 12 p.m. We didn?t eat. Finally a number of women pleaded for us to be released, and we were released. There were many small children there. I couldn?t count them all. I was sick so I couldn?t count. After we left to go to my house, I felt sick. Afterwards I was still sick so I didn?t go to school for five days.100 Similar brutality was shown to a woman who was six months pregnant: At that time of the incident there were discussions continuing inside among police, Ms. [name withheld] and [name withheld]. But I could see that the atmosphere was already very serious. I stood close to the fence at the back of the building where many women were standing. Not long after that, we heard the sound of shooting and the main section of the door opened. Brimob burst in, shooting into the air. I thought they were only firing warning shots. I was startled to see them begin to use tear gas. At first I was not affected but then they shot the tear gas in our direction and it immediately affected my eyes. My eyes were in pain. I saw the Bupati?s children being kicked. I became very scared. I wanted to run to the back but Brimob had already surrounded the place. They opened fire, shooting everywhere. We could not run and we bent down in submission. At that time I was 6 months pregnant. I was short of breath. My heart wanted to explode. I was confused because of the tear gas and then quickly I was threatened with a gun. Two members of Brimob did this. One member kicked me 100 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 43 Human Rights Watch July 2007 twice. I was stamped on and pulled up to stand. I was hit with a rifle butt to my nose and it immediately began bleeding. After that I was ordered to climb into a police vehicle but the vehicle was high, so they had to push me up. While they were holding me, a policeman kicked me in the stomach. I thought my baby would die. I could not get up. But I was kicked again in the back so I got in. After that many others were put in and they closed the door. At the police station, my baby was heavy so I wanted to get out slowly but I was immediately pushed outside. Three police climbed on top of the vehicle to push us out. While getting out I was hit again to my left calf. This was very painful as the blow was with a truncheon. After we arrived at the police station we were all ordered to line up in the yard. We were told to lie out in the sun for around one hour. I felt very sorry for the small children. They were also beaten and forced to lie in the sun. There were also many women, approximately 20 although I do not know precisely how many. There were many children. We were punished all afternoon in the yard. At 8 p.m. that night I vomited twice. One police guard abused me saying, ?Whore, Woman working for the enemy.? At midnight we were released. When I got back to my house I was very sick and vomited three times.101 In total around 200 people were detained in relation to this incident.102 Most were released late on the night of March 15, 2006 or the following day. Eight people, including three women, were charged with offenses of threatening violence and 101 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 102 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 44 obstructing arrest.103 The three women who were detained were interrogated by the police for three days and then conditionally released.104 The five men were detained at Polres for 60 days and then transferred to cells at the Wamena prosecutor?s office and detained for a further month.105 After several hearings, at which seven members of the police and the prosecutor gave evidence against the charged group, the court issued a final decision in November 2006 sentencing the five men to three months of imprisonment. As they had already spent three months in jail they were immediately released.106 Human Rights Watch has been unable to confirm whether any police officers have been investigated or charged for their roles in this incident. We wrote to the head of the police in Papua asking for information on this case but did not receive any response. The police have consistently defended their behavior, claiming that the force used was both reasonable and proportionate.107 Although some of the people surrounding Hubi?s house did have spears and bows and arrows, the majority were unarmed. The testimony above strongly suggests that police used excessive force with respect to persons present who were not offering any serious resistance, including women and children. Several victims from this incident have filed a complaint with Komnas HAM Papua, who then reported it to the Komnas HAM office in Jakarta. To our knowledge, however, there have been no further developments in the case. Mulia DPRD Demonstration There is also some evidence suggesting that police may have used excessive and disproportionate force on September 29, 2006, in the city of Mulia, the regional capital of Puncak Jaya. In this case, the protesters were residents who had been 103 ?Tiga tersangka dan BAP Diserahkan ke Kejaksaan,? Cenderawasih Pos, July 11, 2006. 104 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 105 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 106 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 107 ?Terdakwa Drs, David A. Hubi Sudah Dipanggil 4 Kali,? Cenderawasih Pos, May 16, 2006. 45 Human Rights Watch July 2007 denied a government fuel subsidy (compensating for fuel price hikes) on grounds that they were not originally from the Puncak Jaya region. The disgruntled members decided to conduct a peaceful protest at the office of the Provincial Legislative Assembly (the DPRD) in New Mulia City. At 12p.m. that day they gathered in the old city and began a 10 kilometer march towards the DPRD office. Witnesses recount that, as the crowd moved forward, marchers began throwing rocks breaking the windows of houses lining the main road.108 Brimob was called to back up the police to prevent the protestors from entering the DPRD office compound. Under conditions that remain unclear and require additional public investigation, police opened fire upon the crowd, wounding three civilians, two men and a woman. One eyewitness described the events as follows: [When the march arrived at the] DPRD office where the protesters wanted to deliver their demands, the group was prevented by the police from entering. The crowd then became emotional, threatening to burn down the DPRD office. Iri Telenggen, a member of the DPRD, and Henok Ibo, a caretaker, summoned the police. The police opened fire. Three people were shot at that time: Lele, Iterina, and Mondin. Brimob had approximately four members using guns. After Lele was shot, Iterina Teleggen came forward wanting to assist, but Iterina was then shot in her left leg. The two were taken by ambulance to the Puncak Jaya hospital. At that same place, Mondin was shot by a member of Kopassus. After the shooting the crowd started to disperse.109 A second witness who assisted the victims at the scene told Human Rights Watch: Police blocked the demonstration. The crowd continued marching towards their goal, the DPRD office, and finally Brimob opened fire 108 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 109 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 46 shooting three civilian community members in the yard of the office of DPRD Puncak Jaya. Those shot were two men and one woman, Iterina Telenggen, Mondin Teleggen and Lele Tabuni Iterina was shot in the left leg. Mondin Telenggen was shot twice in the back, twice in the right flank and once on his right arm between his armpit and elbow members of Brimob were ordered to load the injured in an ambulance. That day I also went straight to the public hospital in Mulia. In Mondin?s body were five bullets so he was later evacuated to Jayapura. On the same day Lele was also evacuated to Jayapura for an operation to remove bullets but they were not removed. The reason given by the doctor was that the injured men didn?t have enough money for the costs of the treatment. It is not clear where the two patients are located today Later Iterina had an operation to repair damaged muscle tissue and was given medical treatment at the public hospital in Mulia for one month. During this time she was under tight police security day and night. After she was released she was picked up at the hospital by a member of the police and immediately taken to the police station for the process of investigation...she was detained at Polres Puncak Jaya for more than a month in late 2006. On December 8, she was taken to Paniai for investigation and a court hearing.110 Shootings in Waghete In Waghete, Paniai, on January 20, 2006, police shot and seriously injured two young men while undertaking a routine policing matter. The TNI also became involved and are believed responsible for the shooting death of a third victim, a 16-year-old child. While key facts in the case remain unclear, a soldier subsequently was convicted of shooting the 16-year-old but received a sentence of only eight months of imprisonment. As the account below indicates, the case warrants more thorough investigation. 110 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 47 Human Rights Watch July 2007 In this case, some local youths had established a roadblock and were demanding small sums of money from drivers of vehicles, ostensibly to fund repairs to that stretch of road. A police officer from Polsek Waghete demanded that they present to him the following day a letter from the village chief authorizing them to collect a toll. Early the following morning, two of the youths, [names withheld], obtained the letter from the village chief and departed for Waghete together with an unknown number of others to have it authorized by the military (Koramil) and police (Polsek) who shared adjoining compounds. Upon presenting the letter to the relevant officer, other police arrived and ripped the letter to pieces. The youths then attempted to flee and the police pursued them. One of the youths was captured and beaten. Hearing the commotion, members of Koramil, Timsus 753 emerged from their barracks and joined the police in beating the youth. Precisely what happened next is not clear. Eyewitnesses told Human Rights Watch that, shortly after the beating began, a police officer fell into a sewage ditch, got up, drew his pistol and shot two bullets, hitting one of the youths in the right side of the stomach, and another youth in the right foot, and that TNI members and other police also opened fire. Mozes Douw, a 16-year-old school student was shot and killed at the scene. From the accounts, it is unclear how many youth were present at the time and whether or to what extent they may have physically threatened police. One eyewitness told Human Rights Watch: On January 20 at 7:30 a.m., I was with some of my friends at the Waghete terminal to load things onto a truck to Nabire. At that time I saw a youth being beaten by police along with members of Timsus 753 [TNI] on the roof of the police station. When we saw police and TNI members beating another youth outside the Waghete police station, I said to my friends, ?Let?s go and see who they?re attacking. Let?s see if he is one of us.? In the commotion, Danton Budi Arif Situmean [police officer], was hit and fell. He took out his pistol and fired two shots, the first straight in front of me and the other towards a person standing behind me. I didn?t know who that person was, but the distance Out of Sight 48 between me and him was just around 50 centimetres. At the time of the second shot it was around 8 a.m. So I didn?t know who had been shot because they were behind me.111 Danton Budi Arif Situmean chased but did not catch one of the youths who was a victim of the shooting and who fled the scene. The same witness to the initial shooting assisted this youth with shooting injuries. Although [name withheld] suffered a bullet wound, he managed to get away from the area. [Name withheld] also suffered a bullet wound and ran soaked [in blood] onto the road to Wakai. We took him directly to the community health clinic in Waghete. After we had taken him, we saw members of the community throwing rocks and sticks in the direction of the Timsus 753 troops who had opened fire on the youths who were fleeing the police station. I returned to the police station and by standing on a bridge at the entry to the station could see through the window. I saw three people, one wearing a white T-shirt with the number 14 on it. I turned to look at the road and saw a youth, Mozes Douw, walking along. Then I heard the sound of shooting coming from the police station. I heard Mozes Douw say ?I have been shot with bullets? and clasp his waist, bending down. Then I heard the sound of two more shots from the same direction, which hit him in the shoulder. Mozes Douw immediately fell, without calling out this shooting occurred at 9 a.m.112 An independent autopsy upon the body of Mozes Douw confirmed that he was killed by gunshot wounds fired from a range of 10-75 meters.113 111 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 112 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 113 Autopsy Report of Mozes Douw by Dr. Jhon Manangsang, Enaroltali, January 25, 2006. 49 Human Rights Watch July 2007 The killing of Mozes Douw and the shooting of the two other youths drew an angry response from local residents. On January 24, 2006, members of the community confronted a joint delegation of DPRD members, TNI officers, and the police at the Timsus TNI office in Enarotali.114 The response of the authorities was initially promising. The DPRD announced that two teams would be established to investigate the shootings, one to investigate the site, the other to liaise with TNI in Jakarta. The police and TNI conceded responsibility for the shooting incident, promising that action would be taken against those culpable. Statements from the head of Kapolres and Timsus 753 provided promises that the case would be investigated and responsible personnel charged. The following day two officers believed responsible were named; TNI officer Second Lieutenant Situmeang, who was alleged to have shot two of the youths, and police officer Ronald Isac Tumena, at that time believed to be responsible for shooting Mozes Douw. However, since then no police have been disciplined or charged in relation to the incident. Second Lieutenant Situmeang, subsequently identified as the officer responsible for the shooting of Mozes Douw, was sentenced by a military tribunal to eight months in prison.115 Komnas HAM Papua also conducted an investigation into the incident and reported it to their central office. However, no further public actions have yet resulted. Police Killing of Man in Wamena This case occurred in 2006 [exact date withheld], also in the Jayawijaya Region, in a village [name withheld] in Wamena. The victim had been drinking with two friends at his house for several hours. His wife asked him to buy something from a local shop. On the way back from the shop, the victim reportedly made a lewd and suggestive comment to three women returning to their houses, one of whom was the wife of a police officer. She called her husband and informed him of the victim?s insulting 114 ?Enraged Papuans Protest Shooting?, the Jakarta Post, January 24, 2006. 115 ?Papua: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions? International Crisis Group Briefing Paper, 53, September 5, 2006, p. 9. Out of Sight 50 behavior. That police officer and two other officers immediately drove to the victim?s house, broke down the door, and searched for him. The victim?s wife recounts what she saw and heard: I saw the police come to the house. I knew my husband was drunk and thought that was why they wanted to arrest him. I warned my husband and he went to another room. There were three police. Their names are [withheld]. They arrived by motorcycle. At the time there were three of us in the house; Robi, my husband, and me. One of the police wore police uniform and held a gun. The other two wore civilian clothing. Robi [a friend of the victim?s present at the house] escaped from the house, leaving just myself and my husband. One of the police questioned ?Mrs. is your husband here?? I didn?t respond. After that they broke the door to the house and began looking for my husband. They locked the door from the inside so I could not enter the house. In a state of uncontrolled anger they looked for my husband but they did not find him. They then searched from room to room. They found him underneath the bed. They yanked him out and punched and kicked him without control. The police officer holding the gun beat him on the left side of his chin using the rifle butt. They continued kicking his chin and face. Blood came out from his nose and mouth and wouldn?t stop. >From outside I heard him yelling out ?Please Mama.? His left jaw was broken and he died right there at the house. After the torture that caused his death, the three police came out of the house and their words to me were, ?We will take him to the police station and detain him in a cell.? One member of the police went to the police station in Jayawijaya to rouse a mobile patrol and the other two members of the police guarded the victim. They saw that [my husband] had died and his body was taken to the hospital for certification.116 116 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 51 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Police Beating of Man in Apalapsili In 2006 [exact date withheld] in a village located in Apalapsili District, Jayawijaya, [exact location withheld] police officers sought to enforce a civil debt of two pigs owed by a farmer, to another man. The farmer received a summons from the police to appear at the police station. On August 22, 2006, he went to the police station, as did the other party. A police officer, named Mufti [name changed to protect the victim] ordered him to bring two pigs to pay the other man the following day. The farmer complained that he did not have two pigs to pay, but his protest was not accepted. The following day the farmer went to the police station with some close family members, but without the pigs. Negotiations with the police and the other party were proceeding when Mufti arrived in civilian clothing with a number of other police and asked where the pigs were. When it was apparent that the farmer had not brought the pigs, Mufti assaulted him and threatened his family at gunpoint. The farmer told Human Rights Watch: He said three times, ?Do you want to pay now or not?? He pointed his gun at my family again. He ordered me to put my hands on the table. He used a rubber baton to beat my hands repeatedly until they were all broken. I did not have strong bones, and all my fingers were broken. All were smashed. I was immediately dizzy. After that my family took me to the medical clinic for treatment, but they could not handle my serious case and so I went to Wamena for treatment. There they had to amputate some of my fingers. Now I only have three fingers left on my left hand that still function. My right hand is useless. I can no longer work in the garden. I am confused about what will become of me now.117 The farmer reported his mistreatment to the police in Apalapsili. Human Rights Watch has not been able to confirm whether the authorities had taken any action on his complaint at the time of this writing. 117 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 52 TNI Abuses Human Rights Watch?s research in the Central Highlands also uncovered several cases of abuses by TNI forces, some in their official capacity, and others in their private capacity but with reason to believe that their status as TNI members would protect them and give them immunity. The cases suggest that brutality is still all too common among soldiers in the Central Highlands and that soldiers who abuse civilians continue to feel confident that they are above the law and will suffer no adverse consequences for their actions. TNI Beating of Two Men A man in Wamena was involved in a private dispute with two drivers concerning payment for the delivery of rice to him. After earlier threatening to report him to the police if he did not pay, in 2005 [date withheld], the two drivers went to a house in Wamena where the man was visiting a friend, bringing some intelligence officers to ?assist? them in enforcing the debt. The intelligence officers reportedly hit both the victim and his friend with an iron bar, despite the fact that the friend was not party to the dispute. The victim told Human Rights Watch: I opened the door and before I had a chance to say anything, immediately the Intel Kodim [military intelligence] member threatened me with a weapon. I said ?Sit first please sir and let us talk and resolve this problem well.? However, he continued threatening me with the weapon and then hit me with an iron bar which was approximately one meter long. Then the other Intel police officer wearing civilian clothes joined in. I was against the wall and they kicked me with their boots all over my face until I could not get up. They continued threatening and insulting me calling me words such as ?pig? and ?idiot.? I couldn?t count the number of hits. I tried to call the Jayawijaya police station but my mobile phone was confiscated by a member of the military intelligence. I was continually beaten on my back with the bar. Finally we were 53 Human Rights Watch July 2007 taken to the police station. There we were not beaten and were able to resolve the matter by paying Rp500, 000 [US$57].118 The two men were released from police custody at around 12p.m. The friend, who was attacked by the police only because he was present, required 18 stitches to his head. He told Human Rights Watch: I was sitting there and the military intelligence officer asked, ?you are friends with him [pointing at victim], no?? I said this was true. After hearing that, six people immediately started kicking me, two members of Jayawijaya police intelligence, one member of the military intelligence from battalion 1702, and the two drivers. That occurred on Friday, [date withheld] at night. The one with the pistol kicked me in the face everywhere until my eyes were damaged. Blood was flowing from my face...the ground was covered in blood. They did not want to stop. They continued punching my ears and nose until they bled. From this beating I became dizzy. While I was still dizzy they continued to stomp on me. After that I was taken outside to the garage. There I was beaten again. They beat me so many times that I could not count the number of blows. We were taken to the police station. In the police cell I was still dizzy from the beatings I was beaten around my eyes until I needed stitches, 18 in total, nine on the inside and nine on the outside.119 TNI beating of uncle of rape victim In May 2005 a soldier raped a 16-year-old girl in Jayawijaya. (The case is described in detail in the subsection: ?Violence against women and other violations of women?s rights,? below). The victim?s teacher then told the victim?s uncle about the attack and he traveled from Wamena to assess the incident and take action against the reported perpetrator. For his efforts, he too was beaten by the same perpetrator. 118 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 119 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 54 The uncle told Human Rights Watch: [Rape victim?s name withheld] is my niece. I was very angry when I heard the story. I wanted to raise the case with the head of the village in [location withheld] but I was scared that later the soldier [rape suspect] would hear, so I remained silent at the time I was on leave and departed for the village. I caught a plane there the problem had occurred in May and I went there in August. When I got to [location withheld] I asked the teacher for information. Evidently the information I had heard was true and that night I met with the village chief. The suspect and the village chief were close friends. After hearing that I wanted to raise the case the village chief reported this to the suspect. Very early, at around 5 a.m. the next day, I was sleeping when I heard kicking at the door and a voice ordering me out of the house. I was initially confused and wanted to run, but couldn?t. The suspect pulled me by the arm outside. He kicked me. He punched me. He put his gun to my ear and eyes. He said, ?If you?re so brave, then you can deal with me!? I was bleeding heavily and the people whose house I was staying in came out but they were scared too, so they all disappeared. Two friends of the soldier stood on the road near the yard of the house. They had heard the news and wanted to support their army friend. No other people came to the house. He beat me until I was almost dead. After I was beaten, the suspect repeated his threat, saying ?If you are brave enough to take me on, then I will murder you.? I was sick for more than one week...I did not want to tell my story because I was afraid I would be murdered there. In [location withheld] people can?t blame the military even if they are wrong. If they accuse them they come and beat them. .I was scared to report him to his commander in case he killed members of my family. I left my family there and remained silent.120 120 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 55 Human Rights Watch July 2007 TNI Assault in Jayawijaya In 2005 [date withheld] in a village in Jayawijaya, a man was hurrying to the medical clinic to get eye medication for his newly born child when he met with a uniformed TNI member [name withheld to protect victim?s identity] he was already acquainted with, based at the Koramil. The soldier immediately asked the victim to contribute a pig to help pay for his upcoming wedding ceremony. The victim told Human Rights Watch: I responded ?Why marry so fast? Try to be patient.? Immediately upon hearing these words, the TNI slapped me five times across the face. I was angry and responded ?Brother, why did you hit me?? and he responded ?I am a member of TNI. I do what I like.? He then picked up a heavy rock and threw it at my arm. I then said ?Yes, you?re right, if brother is part of the army then I don?t want to prepare for war with you.?121 The officer then threw another heavy rock at the victim, knocking him to the ground. The officer then yanked him up again and then threw him back down on the ground before hitting his head with a rock three to four times. Blood was gushing out of my head. He stood me up and again hit me in the face with the rock. I could not count the times he hit me. My bleeding face made a pool of blood. He then threatened, ?I will kill you and I will report to Kostrad that I have evidence you go to Wamena to receive information from TPN/OPM and provide it to LSM [NGOs]. So, this day I can kill you here. You will report to Kostrad and they will kill you there and take away your body this afternoon.?122 A friend of the victim arrived at the scene and wanted to take him to the local police station, but he was not confident of his ability to help and so returned to his home. That night at around 8 p.m. the victim was given a letter summoning him to go to the 121 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 122 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 56 local Koramil. He went that evening, not wanting to risk having an unresolved problem with a member of the military, but left after he was further threatened by the officer that if he disclosed what had occurred he would be killed. The victim continues to live in fear but did report the incident to several human rights organizations in the area. TNI Beating of Youths in Piramid Yet another case occurred in Piramid, Asologaima district, in 2005. A group of youths had repaired a road and were collecting a toll from drivers of passing vehicles. A disgruntled taxi driver reported this to the military checkpoint, Infantry Battalion Kostrad 411. Fourteen armed and uniformed members of Kostrad set out to accost the youths. When Kostrad arrived approximately five youths were collecting the toll. When they saw the Kostrad members approaching they ran. Some of the Kostrad members opened fire but did not hit or succeed in capturing any of the young men. They then turned on two men who happened to be passing by the scene at that moment. They were walking back from buying groceries in town. One of them told Human Rights Watch: At the time Kostrad members arrived, the five youths who had been collecting money for the repair of the road had already seen the military and fled towards the jungle. Army members did not catch a single one. I do not know why. I was only going down that road when I saw army members start shooting in the direction of [name withheld], but they did not hit him. When they weren?t successful in arresting those young people, suddenly they had their weapons pointed at us and arrested us. Then Kostrad members immediately started kicking me in the face and assaulting me with their rifle butts. My face began to bleed and I could not see. I had an injury close to my eye which was bleeding. At that time I had community members working in my garden and had taken the chance to go to Piramid to buy salt and cooking oil, and as I was walking on the road to the village. I was arrested by Kostrad. At that time I was with my friend and we were smoking. We were confused as to why Kostrad had turned up and then confronted us with their guns. We could not move at all. We stayed silent because 57 Human Rights Watch July 2007 we couldn?t understand what was happening or why we were attacked.123 After being badly beaten, the pair, under tight guard, was forced to march about one kilometer to the Piramid bus terminal. En route they claim they were threatened and beaten. Upon arrival they were forced to board a vehicle which took them to the Kostrad Kimbim headquarters, all the while being beaten. Upon arrival they were ordered to crawl on the ground. They claim they were then stomped on and beaten with a piece of wood. The two were separated and detained under guard in separate cells and interrogated about whether they were members of OPM. One of them explained: During these questions they beat my face with their gun butts until it was covered in blood. If I did not answer their question, they quickly beat me they put cooking oil on my head and set my hair alight with matches. One TNI member took a bite of my right arm, tearing my skin. I do not know his name. Then the soldier drank my blood from this torn piece of flesh. I do not understand the purpose of this. They threatened me with a knife to my neck and a razor blade to my ears, left and right. They said, ?If you don?t confess we will cut your ears off with this razor blade.? Then they beat me with a piece of wood on my back until my shoulder was badly injured...they took us both into the yard and submerged us in a pool of water.124 While they were in the yard, the two men attempted to escape. One of them succeeded, but one was recaptured and tortured again. They beat me, stripped me naked, and tied my hands and feet with raffia cord. Then they ordered me to lie down facing up. The cord tied to my left hand was tired to a piece of wood and that tied to my right tied to another piece of wood then they assaulted me behind until I 123 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 124 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 58 bled. A number of Kostrad members burnt my back with a torch of flaming long grass.125 Perhaps responding to an alert from the escaped friend, at around 6 p.m. a police mobile patrol vehicle arrived containing police and the head of the village. The victim, still tied and naked, was thrown by military and police into the vehicle and transported to Wamena police station, where he arrived at around 7:30 p.m. Later that night, due to the absence of any evidence of any wrongdoing, he was released.126 Violence Against Women and Girls and Other Violations of Women?s Rights While entire communities suffer the consequences of conflict, Papuan women and girls are particularly at risk of certain human rights abuses, including sexual violence. The rationalization for their abuse varies from discrimination, limited mobility, and restricted access to resources, decision making power, and information.127 The risks of living in highly militarized areas are compounded by women?s low status in indigenous culture, and marginality within contemporary political movements, including the nationalist movement. All of these factors affect the ability of women and girls to assert their rights and participate in society as full and equal citizens. Rape, sexual slavery, and other sexual violence against women and girls by the Indonesian security forces have previously been documented throughout the Central Highlands, with female victims ranging from 3 to 60 years old.128 This situation is 125 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 126 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 127 B. Sorensen ?Women and Post-Conflict Reconstruction: Issues and Sources.? WSP Occasional Paper, no.3, June 1998, http://wsp.dataweb.ch/wsp_publication/op3-09.htm. 128 ?Incidents of Military Violence Against Indigenous Women in Irian Jaya (West Papua) Indonesia,? Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Centre for Human Rights and the Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy, May 1999, http://stats.utwatch.org/corporations/freeportfiles/rfk-rape.html. 59 Human Rights Watch July 2007 exacerbated by the lack of training for police, judges, and medical personnel in responding to allegations of gender-based violence.129 In 1995, Amnesty International reported, ?Non-governmental organisations complain that if a woman who is raped by members of the security forces does feel confident enough to report the incident, little action, if any, is taken against those believed to be responsible.?130 In her 1999 report to the Commission on Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women stated: Before May 1998, rape was used as an instrument of torture and intimidation by certain elements of the Indonesian army in Aceh, Irian Jaya and East Timor. Since May 1998 the policy appears to be different. The Army Commander of East Timor assured us that rape by soldiers will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will be prosecuted. Nevertheless, the rapes continue torture of women detained by the Indonesian security forces was widespread...A thorough and impartial investigation into the use of rape as a method of torture and intimidation by the military in Irian Jaya is imperative.131 She also concluded that no perpetrators had been brought to trial and no victims had been compensated, stating that ?human rights abuses continue to occur even under the new regime.?132 Violence against women by police and TNI forces is a continuing problem today. Rapes and other forms of gender-based violence have continued to occur during military or police operations and when women or girls are en route to or from 129 In November 1998 the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women planned to visit Papua but was denied access by the government, which cited a lack of time. See Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, including its causes and consequences, ?Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective: Violence Against Women,? no.4, December 1998; UN Commission on Human Rights 55th session, E/CN.4/1999/68/Add.3, January 21, 1999, http://www.icescolombo.org/unvaw/facts.htm. 130 ?Women in Indonesia and East Timor: Standing Against Repression? (London, Amnesty International, 1995), p. 15. 131 Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, ?Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective: Violence against women,? no.4, December 1998, UN Commission on Human Rights 55th session, E/CN.4/1999/68/Add.3, January, 21, 1999, http://www.icescolombo.org/unvaw/facts.htm. 132 Ibid. Out of Sight 60 gardens, schools, markets, or wells, or when soldiers? demands for payment in livestock or in kind cannot be met. The opportunistic and arbitrariness of these attacks has fuelled an overall atmosphere of insecurity that has restricted women and girls? freedom of movement as they modify or abstain from daily activities to reduce the risk of rape and other forms of violence. This can in turn reduce their access to livelihoods and basic services such as education and health. Victims are punished not only by the attack itself and subsequent restrictions upon freedom of movement, but also by the ongoing stigma of having being raped and the suspicion that they in fact consented, both of which can restrict future opportunities such as marriage and reduce their value in the eyes of some community members. Survivors of attacks may also have to contend with unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and other health consequences. Aside from cases involving allegations against security forces, ordinary law enforcement can be patchy and based on dubious notions of when and how traditional justice should apply. Measures to improve government response to sexual violence implemented in other parts of Indonesia have not yet been comprehensively introduced in Papua, such as improved training for police and judges, and the introduction of one-stop crisis centers and hotlines. Indonesia has introduced Special Service Units (RPK) at police precincts that help deal with sexual violence cases. However, according to Government records there is only one of these for both Papua and West Papua.133 As detailed below, women and girls may be forced to provide sex to members of the security forces upon demand. Refusal to comply can bring about fatal consequences. Security forces in some cases have alleged that women and girls have connections with the OPM and perpetrate acts of sexual violence against them as retaliation and intimidation. Perpetrators have also threatened rape survivors and their families with reprisals if they try to report the assault, and commit further acts of violence, as in 133 ?The Elimination of Trafficking in Persons in Indonesia,? Co-ordinating Ministry for Peoples Welfare, Government of Indonesia, Criminal Investigation Body of the National Police Headquarter, Jakarta, 2005, http://www.menkokesra.go.id/pdf/deputi3/human_trafficking_eng.pdf (accessed June 4, 2007). 61 Human Rights Watch July 2007 the case of the uncle of a rape victim discussed earlier. The absence of confidential and accessible complaints mechanisms for sexual assault cases, appropriate protocol to collect forensic evidence, and the overall atmosphere of impunity make it almost impossible for victims to seek redress. TNI Rape of 16-year-old girl In one clear case of opportunistic rape, a 16-year-old girl who lived far from her school boarded with a female teacher in a village in Jayawijaya district, returning to her own village only on Saturdays. One Saturday in May 2005, on her way home to the village, she was confronted by a member of the TNI from the local barracks. He offered her a packet of instant noodles and then dragged her into the jungle and raped her. The soldier threatened to kill her, her family members, and to tell her teacher (the perpetrator is related to the teacher) that she had consented to sex if she refused or disclosed the perpetrator?s identity. The girl told Human Rights Watch: Close to the TNI post I met a member of the Indonesian army. He was returning to the barracks after showering. As I was going, he said hello. I wasn?t suspicious. But straight after passing by the mountain, I heard a voice from behind me. He was wearing his army uniform and carrying a gun. He said, ?Here, take this packet of Super Mi.? I was pleased to receive the noodles so I stopped. After that he said, ?I want to know you better.? He said, ?Don?t talk on the road as many people will be coming past on their way to the jungle.? I became scared because he was big and strong. I wanted to run but he grabbed my arm. Then he pulled me into the jungle. He wanted me to touch him but I refused. I resisted but he was angry. Then he threatened to assault me. He threatened me with various things, threatened to assault my parents and tell my teacher so that she would expel me from school. I believed him because my teacher is related to him. I wanted to scream but he had his hand over my mouth and then he forced me. I resisted but he still forced me. Then he carried out the act on me. I couldn?t walk. I was in so much pain. Out of Sight 62 After that he ordered me that if I told anyone what had happened he would come and kill me. I was very scared. After I left I cried. I felt too ashamed to go to my house or to my teacher?s house. I very slowly went to her place later that night. I couldn?t walk and so the following day my teacher asked me why I couldn?t walk. I was scared so I told her that the day before I had fallen on my way to the village. She demanded that I show her my injury but I didn?t show her. She was suspicious of me and took me to the clinic. I refused but she forced me there. The nurse asked me where I was injured. I told her, my foot. They couldn?t see any injury and so questioned me slowly about what happened. I just cried because I felt so ashamed. When we got back to the house I told my teacher what had happened. She and her husband went to the head of the village to discuss what should be done. But the village chief advised not to make a problem with the military or they would come and assault community members. So there was no process to address the problem. From that time I did not go outside the house. I only stayed inside.134 Rape as retaliation for alleged links to the OPM Women and girls can also be at heightened risk of sexual or gender-based violence if they are suspected of being members, supporters, or related to members of the OPM. This was the experience of a woman displaced by a sweeping operation by security forces in Puncak Jaya at the end of 2005. She was returning to her refugee camp after collecting vegetables from a garden with a few other women. She told Human Rights Watch: At around 10 a.m. we left the garden to return to our camp. We met five members of Brimob on the road who immediately stopped us and detained us there for two hours. They all wore uniforms and carried guns. When they arrested us, they immediately threatened us at gunpoint. They threatened that they would rape us and that if we resisted then, ?We will shoot you also,? were their words. We did not 134 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. 63 Human Rights Watch July 2007 answer them but started crying. We do not know the soldiers? names. We were asked many times, ?Where are you from?? I said that we were coming from the garden. Two of my friends [names withheld] could not speak Indonesian. The soldiers accused us of being wives of OPM members. ?So you?re looking for food for OPM?? We did not answer. They demanded that we tell them the location of OPM members but we did not answer because we didn?t know where they were. They said ?If you do not answer, we will shoot or rape you here.? In fear, we cried. To try to stop them raping us I opened my shirt and showed them the milk that I had for my child, pleading with them not to rape me because I had a child who still drinks milk and was still small, only 3 years. And I pleaded that they not rape us in view on the road. They took all of the food we had collected at the garden such as sweet potatoes, red fruits, bananas, and vegetables. Our blouses and skirts were torn and we were left by the soldiers in a state of emptiness [indicating that the rape took place] afterwards we returned to the refugee camp on the edge of [location withheld]. But after this incident, for four months we did not come looking for food in the garden again until the end of December 2005. We were refugees and never felt safe but always lived in fear.135 135 Human Rights Watch interview (name and location withheld), 2006. Out of Sight 64 VI. Impunity and Lack of Accountability for Abuses The experiences of the victims and their families involved in the cases documented in this report strongly suggest that the Indonesian government is not yet serious about addressing human rights violations by its security forces, at least in regions such as the Central Highlands of Papua, where there is little if any press coverage of alleged abuses. Until it starts investigating all allegations of serious human rights violations and criminally prosecuting the perpetrators, the government will continue to be seen as tolerant of, and complicit in the human rights violations committed by its security forces. Until victims and their families see concrete and positive developments in accountability, they will, understandably, continue to be reluctant to report abuses and demand justice through the established institutions, and may be tempted to act unlawfully by taking justice into their own hands. Of the 14 incidents detailed in this report, in only seven did victims or their families report the abuses to either the authorities or human rights organizations. In the remaining eight cases, victims or their families explained that either they had been specifically threatened by perpetrators not to make reports, or that they were too scared of reprisals by members of the security forces to do so. Others expressed deep disillusionment, believing that there was no utility in complaining because nothing could be changed. Neither of the two rape victims whose cases we documented reported the incident to the authorities, fearing reprisals from the perpetrators and stigmatization from the local community. Victims will have much greater confidence to report abuse when they see credible processes of investigation and prosecution in place, and feel secure that, if they are threatened, authorities will provide effective protection. To better address cases of sexual violence, authorities need to institute confidential complaints mechanisms to help avoid social stigma, provide increased training to officers, and create referral systems to ensure that victims receive appropriate and timely health care. 65 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Investigation and prosecution of human rights violations, of course, should not need to rely upon victim-initiated complaints. In almost all of the cases we investigated, police were aware of the existence of the alleged violations but did not initiate any investigation or process to ensure perpetrators were held to account. ?Ignore it and it will go away,? appears to be the dominant strategy of the police in dealing with security force violations. While cases certainly seem to disappear (or rather, have nowhere to go), the impact of impunity crushes individuals, accumulate in communities, and reverberates more broadly, exacerbating the anger and sense of injustice that fuels the regions continuing conflict. Impunity for security forces in Papua: Prominent cases There has been little sustained effort by post-Soeharto governments to address past or contemporary human rights violations in the Central Highlands or anywhere else in Papua and West Papua. This neglect has had a significant impact on public sentiment towards Jakarta, as many abuses remain fixed in the public consciousness. The official response to the assassination of prominent Papuan independence leader Theys Eluay in 2001 has greatly deepened cynicism. In 2003 seven low-level special forces (Kopassus) soldiers were found guilty, not of murder, but of mistreatment and battery leading to Eluay's death. The stiffest sentence was only three-and-a-half years. The chief of staff of the army, General Ryamizard Ryacudu, called the men heroes for the killing of a ?rebel.?136 No further investigations have been undertaken into who ordered or financed the killing in the first place. The September 2005 acquittal of two senior police officers accused of command responsibility for the killing of three Papuan University students and torture of many others in Abepura in December 2000 by the human rights court in Makassar, Southern Sulawesi,137 also drew condemnation from victims and human rights organizations. To many, the verdict highlighted the continuing ineffectiveness of measures to combat the impunity enjoyed by members of the security forces. 136 M. Rizai Maslan ?The Theys Murder Verdict: The TNI View,? www.detik.com (accessed April 23, 2003). 137 Four regional Human Rights Courts were created under Law 26/2000. The Makassar Southern Sulawesi Human Rights Court has jurisdiction over Papua. Out of Sight 66 On December 7, 2000, unknown persons attacked a local police station in Abepura. The attack left a police officer and a security guard dead. Following the killings, the police, assisted by Brimob, raided three student dormitories in Abepura. During the raids one student was shot dead, and more than 100 others taken into custody and subjected to ill-treatment, including torture. Two students died while in police custody and another died later as a result of injuries he sustained while in custody. Another student suffered permanent paralysis as a result of injuries inflicted by police officers.138 There was no evidence that any of the more than 100 students taken into custody were involved in the attack on the police station and they were all later released.139 Pursuant to its role under Law 26/2000 on Human Rights Courts, Komnas HAM investigated the violations and 25 suspects were named.140 However, Indonesia?s Attorney General?s office only proceeded with charges against two of the suspects.141 Rather than being charged under ordinary Indonesian law, Brimob commander Brig- Gen Johny Waismal Usman and Jayapura police commander Superintendent Daud Sihombing were charged with command responsibility for crimes against humanity under Law 26/2000 which, in addition to other elements, requires proof of the violation occurring as part of a ?systematic and widespread? attack on the civilian population.142 Despite finding evidence of Brimob abuse and torture, the court was not satisfied that it was systematic or ordered by the defendants. The court declared, ?We found that the defendant's [Brig-Gen. Johny Waismal Usman] actions at the time were his response as a superior. His action was in accordance with standard operational procedures thus we have decided to set him free of [sic] all charges.?143 138?V The Abepura Case and its Aftermath,? (New York, Human Rights Watch, 2001), http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/papua/PAPUA0701-05.htm. 139 L. Withers ?To end impunity: How Indonesia responds to human rights abuses in Papua is a measure of reform elsewhere,? (Inside Indonesia, July-September 2001), http://insideindonesia.org/edit67/lucia1.htm. 140 ?Human Rights Watch World Report,? Indonesia, (New York, Human Rights Watch, 2002), http://hrw.org/wr2k2/asia7.html. 141 TAPOL, Indonesian Campaign for Human Rights, Bulletin, 180, October 2005. 142 TAPOL, Indonesian Campaign for Human Rights, Bulletin, 180, October 2005. 143 ?Cop cleared of rights abuse charges,? The Jakarta Post, September 7, 2005. 67 Human Rights Watch July 2007 We are unable to judge whether this ruling was legally sound; however, the verdict caused dismay amongst Papuans and victims groups. Other concerns were raised regarding the legal process, such as lengthy delays in conducting the trial and the promotion and continued active duty service of both defendants while they were on trial.144 The police also refused to cooperate with the Komnas HAM investigation and some of the investigation team members were intimidated and threatened by the police.145 Furthermore, no new investigations were initiated, or new charges filed, resulting in no judicial accountability for the Abepura incident. Another significant case involved students in Abepura in March 2006. Protesting students had blocked a road, demanding the closure of the Freeport mine and withdrawal of Indonesian security forces from the vicinity. They refused to negotiate with several delegations from the local parliament and ultimately refused police orders to disperse. After several hours of failed negotiations the police used force against the protestors, commencing with tear gas and then opening fire, reportedly after students bombarded them with rocks and bottles.146 In the ensuing melee, protesters stabbed and beat to death three Brimob officers and an air force intelligence officer. Another police officer later died from injuries sustained at the protest. Twenty five people were treated for injuries including five with gunshot wounds. Videotape broadcast of police officers being beaten to death with pieces of concrete caused outrage around Indonesia. In the aftermath, police from the same unit as those killed were among those who conducted raids on student dormitories, first firing warning shots and then beating students. One student died as a result of injuries sustained while in custody.147 Twenty three men, including many university students, were arrested for the attacks on the police. Twenty were charged and prosecuted. In August 2006 two were sentenced to fifteen years each for murder, while 11 others were sentenced to 144 ?Acquittal of Senior Officers Condemned,? The Jakarta Post, September 10, 2005. 145 ?Indonesia: Killing and torture acquittals demonstrate failure of justice system,? Amnesty International, (AI Index: ASA 21/018/2005, September 8, 2005), http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA210182005? open&of=ENG-2S3. 146 SKP report quoted in TAPOL Bulletin, 183, July 2006, ?Executive Summary of the Preliminary Report of the Abepura Case 16 March 2006,? Jayapura, September 29, 2006, No. : 002/PGGP/06/2.1; ?Papua: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions,? (International Crisis Group, Asia Briefing 3, Brussels, September 5, 2006), p.10. 147 Letter from TAPOL to British Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, August 31, 2006. Out of Sight 68 between five and six years for lesser offences. 148 By the end of 2007 at least eight of the other defendants had been sentenced to between 4 and 15 years' imprisonment.149 While Indonesian authorities have an obligation to prosecute those believed responsible for murder, credible allegations were made that the suspects were tortured in custody to extract confessions and mistreated before and after court appearances.150 One of the defendants reported that a senior police officer threatened to shoot him if he did not disclose certain information. The defendants also reported that, two hours before their trial in May, they were kicked by police officers, who also beat them around the head and body with rifle butts and rubber batons in order to compel them to admit their guilt in court. Those who refused to do so were allegedly beaten and kicked by police when they returned to detention. 151 One suspect, Nelson Rumbiak, after complaining in court in late August that he had been tortured, was severely beaten by police upon his return to the prison. Nelson Rumbiak told the court that statements he had made earlier against three of the accused were false, and that the police had coerced him into making these statements. On return to Abepura prison, three other accused men and Nelson Rumbiak were confronted by dozens of police officers outside the front gate. The police reportedly started beating Nelson Rumbiak's head with a rattan stick. When he fell to the ground, several police officers kicked him in the ribs and stomped on his body. Several police officers then chased the three accused men into the prison, and threatened to beat prison officers who were trying to keep the police officers out of the prison. Nelson Rumbiak was taken by prison officers to Abepura hospital for treatment for the injuries he had sustained in the attack. But as police and 148 ?Indonesia: Fear of torture or ill-treatment/Unfair trial,? Amnesty International, AI Index: ASA 21/013/2006, August 31, 2006. 149 Human Rights Watch email correspondence with Amnesty International campaigner, May 31, 2007. 150 Ecumenical Council of Churches in Papua, ?Executive Summary of the Preliminary Report of the Abepura Case 16 March 2006,? Ecumenical Council of Churches in Papua, 002/PGGP/06/2.1, para. 2, p.5, Jayapura, September 29 2006; ?Indonesia: Further information on Fear of torture or ill-treatment/Unfair trial,? Amnesty International, AI Index: ASA 21/015/2006, September 5, 2006. 151 ?Indonesia: Fear of torture or ill-treatment/Unfair trial,? Amnesty International, AI Index: ASA 21/013/2006, August 31, 2006. 69 Human Rights Watch July 2007 intelligence officers, as well as military personnel entered the hospital, they took him back to prison and doctors reportedly were unable to examine him fully.152 Defendants also complained that they had no access to their defense counsel before the commencement of the trial in May 2006. Court monitors also reported that the presumption of innocence was compromised by the trial judges who denied defendants the opportunity to examine hostile witnesses.153 In September 2006, seven lawyers and human rights defenders involved in defending the accused reported that they had received death threats from unknown persons. In response to a submission made by them to the court that the police had initiated the violence against the suspects at the demonstration, some members of the defense team were then charged with insulting the state.154 No investigations or prosecutions have been launched into the allegations of death threats against the lawyers. Mechanisms for Accountability In Indonesia there are three fora where prosecution of human rights violations can take place. The first is in the courts of general jurisdiction, which apply the KUHAP (Criminal Procedure Code) and the KUHP (the Penal Code). The second is in the human rights courts created under Law 26/2000 to prosecute cases of genocide and crimes against humanity. The third is in the military courts for cases leveled against members of the military, which apply the KUHP and the Military Penal Code. While in theory there are provisions in Indonesian law which allow for members of the military to be tried in civilian courts where there are civilian co-defendants,155 in practice almost all cases involving members of the military are prosecuted in a military court. The exception is where a member of the military is charged with 152 ?Report of the Maltreatment of a Person Convicted in the Abepura Case of 16 March 2006,? by Team of Lawyers for March 16, 2006 case; Justice and Peace Commission, Jayapura, ELSHAM Papua, GKI Synod LP3A3 Papua, PBHI Jakarta, August 28, 2006, http://infid.be/papua_maltreatment.htm. 153 ?Indonesia: Fear of torture or ill-treatment/Unfair trial,? Amnesty International, AI Index: ASA 21/013/2006, August 31 2006. 154 Ibid; Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), sections 311 and 335. 155 See Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), Chapter XI, the 'koneksitas' procedures. Out of Sight 70 crimes against humanity or genocide, in which case they can be tried in the civilian human rights courts. As some of the cases investigated in this report reveal, it is not uncommon for members of the military to intimidate and threaten victims and witnesses to prevent them from lodging complaints or pressuring them to withdraw existing complaints.156 Prosecuting members of the police Since the fall of Soeharto and the partition of the military and police (until 1999 they were united under a single command structure), the police are no longer afforded special legal protection and can be tried under civilian law in courts of general jurisdiction.157 When police conduct amounts to a crime, it becomes a case for the Police Bareskrim (Badan Reserse Kriminal, Criminal Investigation Bureau). However, in the course of our research we failed to learn of even one recent case in the ordinary civil courts where police had been indicted or prosecuted for human rights violations under any theory. There are, however, several new developments that may improve the overall accountability of the police. One is that Indonesia?s office of the inspector general, IRWASUM (Inspektur Pengawasan Umum), is undergoing changes aimed at strengthening its oversight capabilities, in particular with regards to the police. There is an ongoing effort to assume PROPAM (Profesi dan Pengamanan, Professionalism and Security) into their division, which would then consolidate the entire inspection and internal investigation component under their command. Under Indonesia law PROPAM is responsible for the internal investigation of police who violate internal policies and who are involved in corrupt activities that are not a violation of the Indonesian Penal Code.158 156 The rape case of the 16-year-old girl and the beating of her uncle (detailed at p.61) is an example. 157 People?s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree VII/MPR/2000, 2000, clause 3.4.a and 7.4 provides that the police should be subject to the civilian courts. The decree was implemented by Law Number 2 of 2002 on the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (POLRI). 158 Human Rights Watch email correspondence with foreign diplomat in Jakarta, June 8, 2007. 71 Human Rights Watch July 2007 The new KOMPOLNAS (National Police Commission), just over a year in existence, has an office within PROPAM. This new office has a twofold responsibility; to assist the President in determining policy directions for the police and to provide input to the President with regard to the appointment and dismissal of the national police chief. The office has the authority to collect and analyze information for making recommendations to the President on matters of budgeting, human resources development and equipment and infrastructure development of the police force. They may also provide information and recommendations to the President with the aim to improve the professionalism of the police, and are responsible for receiving recommendations and complaints from the public concerning police performance and conveying them to the President.159 Neither of these developments, however, will compensate if political will is not mustered to investigate and indict police officers in the regular civilian court system when they commit human rights abuses that constitute common crimes such as murder and assault. Impact of the Human Rights Courts The establishment of human rights courts in Indonesia gave rise to hopes that at last Indonesia would make significant progress in combating entrenched impunity for human rights violations in Indonesia. However, these hopes have faded in the six years since the first human rights court was established. The record of the courts to date includes a string of acquittals which has left victims without remedy and human rights advocates thoroughly disillusioned. As already explained, in September 2005 the Makassar Human Rights Court acquitted two senior police officials who faced command responsibility charges for the killing of three Papuan students and the torture of around 100 others. This has meant that no one has been held to account for the killing and ill-treatment of the students in Abepura. 159 Human Rights Watch email correspondence with foreign diplomat in Jakarta, June 8, 2007. Out of Sight 72 In July 2005 the convictions of 14 serving and former members of the military for the 1984 massacre of demonstrators in Jakarta (the ?Tanjung Priok? case), were overturned on appeal and to date, no one has been held accountable. The ad hoc Human Rights Court for East Timor (set up by Presidential decree in 2000), acquitted all but one of the defendants, a Timorese civilian.160 While it is beyond the scope of this report to examine in detail the reasons for the ineffectiveness of the human rights courts, the causes are legislative, procedural, and political. Some of the key legislative weaknesses include deficiencies in the definitions of the elements of crimes which, while similar in many respects to those contained in the Rome Statute, have been significantly narrowed.161 This substantially raises the bar needed to secure convictions. One of the most glaring deficiencies is that only the crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity fall within the court?s jurisdiction,162 excluding other very serious human rights violations, such as singular cases of extrajudicial killing, torture, or enforced disappearances. The burden of proving the elements for crimes against humanity is extremely steep, especially the requirement that the violation occurred as part of a ?widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population.? Finally, under the procedures of the human rights court, Komnas HAM conducts a preliminary investigation and makes recommendations to the Attorney General?s office regarding who should be indicted. The Chair and Commissioners of Komnas HAM are appointed by Indonesia?s parliament and are ordinarily experts in law, human rights, or other relevant professions. A notable pattern has developed of the Attorney General?s office rejecting recommendations by Komnas HAM to indict particularly senior military members,163 with no apparent reasons for the decisions. 160 Indonesia- Justice Denied for East Timor: Indonesia's Sham Prosecutions, the Need to Strengthen the Trial Process in East Timor, and the Imperative of U.N. Action, Human Rights Watch, December 20, 2002, http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/timor/etimor1202bg.htm. 161 For example, war crimes are not included, a general ?catch-all? provision to cover "acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health" is notably absent, command responsibility provisions have been watered down, and ancillary crimes of complicity, attempt, and incitement are not included. 162 Special Autonomy for Papua Province, Peoples Representative Assembly and the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Law no. 26, 2000, art. 4 and 7, http://www.indonesiamission-ny.org/issuebaru/HumanRight/uud26.htm 163 For example Komnas HAM recommended the indictment of General Wiranto, chief of Indonesia?s armed forces at the time of the violence, in the East Timor trials, but the Attorney General declined to indict him. Similarly, Komnas HAM recommended 73 Human Rights Watch July 2007 The greatest impediment to the effectiveness of the human rights court and other accountability mechanisms in Indonesia remains the lack of political will to confront high level police and military culpability for human rights violations. Despite some reform efforts,164 in important respects the military continues to resist the supremacy of civilians. The police, with its historical orientation towards cooperation with the military and focus on internal security operations, also occupy a privileged position and wield substantial influence. Reform of both institutions will remain slow and difficult as many entrenched personal and institutional interests conflict with reform agendas and, critically, the public interest. Conclusion: Impunity Persists In the cases documented in this report, only one member of the security forces to date has faced prosecution, and that was before a military court (a TNI member was sentenced to eight months in prison for killing 16-year-old Mozes Douw). To our knowledge, no Brimob or regular police officers have been prosecuted for their role in the remaining killings by police that we researched. No officers have been charged in the two rape cases described above. No officers have been charged in connection with the approximately 218 cases of alleged police ill treatment we documented. This is a snapshot of what appears to be the near total absence of accountability for members of the security forces who commit abuses in the Central Highlands. the indictment of Try Sutrisno, then-Jakarta military commander (and later vice-president), and Benny Moerdani, then-armed forces commander, however they were not indicted. 164 For example, the military no longer enjoys separate representation in Parliament. In 2004 a law was passed obliging the military to relinquish its commercial interests within five years, however little progress has been made in implementing the law and the Indonesian military continues to raise money outside the government budget through corruption and a sprawling network of legal and illegal businesses. See, Human Rights Watch, Indonesia-Too High a Price: The Human Rights Cost of the Indonesian Military?s Economic Activities, vol. 18, no. 5(C), June 21, 2006, http://hrw.org/reports/2006/indonesia0606/. Out of Sight 74 VII. Recommendations To the Government of the Indonesian Republic: ? End the impunity enjoyed by members of the security forces by prosecuting and/or dismissing individuals who are found to commit human rights abuses. ? Ensure that all credible allegations of criminal misconduct by security forces are investigated in an independent and professional manner. ? Ensure all human rights violations committed by the military are dealt with in civilian courts and not in military courts. ? Prosecute all criminal acts rather than allowing some to be dealt with through disciplinary procedures. ? Suspend all active service members of security forces who are subject to credible allegations of human rights violations, pending final determination of internal investigations or legal proceedings. Dismiss such individuals if they are found responsible for a human rights violation. ? Discontinue sweeping operations that target civilians for abuse in the course of hunting OPM members and adopt more targeted approaches that do not collectively punish communities. ? Release all persons arrested or imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their political views. ? Ensure inclusion of the international definition of torture as a crime in the KUHP. Develop mechanisms to ensure that torture victims have effective means of redress. ? Require the Attorney General?s office to provide written and public reasons for decisions rejecting Komnas HAM recommendations to indict members of the security forces for criminal human rights abuses. ? Grant unfettered access to diplomats, journalists, and human rights organizations to all parts of the two Papuan provinces to improve the balance and accuracy of reporting. ? Provide victims of sexual violence with appropriate and timely health services. These services should include counseling, emergency contraception, post75 Human Rights Watch July 2007 exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV-transmission, voluntary testing, and treatment for those affected with HIV/AIDS. ? Cooperate with donors in their efforts to provide coordinated and professional medical and psychological assistance to victims of sexual violence. ? Train police, prosecutorial, and judicial staff in handling sexual violence complaints and gathering and analyzing evidence, including forensic evidence. Ensure personnel have adequate funds to carry out their duties effectively. ? Increase the number of Special Service Units (RPK) in both Papua and West Papua provinces and provide adequate training for the staffs of those units. ? Implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Minister of Women?s Empowerment, other government ministries, and the Chief of Police to create and manage one-stop crisis centers for victims of gender-based violence. Introduce a hotline and other mechanisms for victims to seek help confidentially. To the Government and the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (POLRI): ? Investigate all cases involving allegations of abuses by the police. Where there is sufficient evidence, prosecute relevant individuals in the Courts of General Jurisdiction, and subject them to disciplinary procedures. ? To improve community relations, recruit and deploy more indigenous Papuan police officers to the Central Highlands area and promote appropriately qualified Papuan police officers into senior leadership positions in the two Papuan provinces. ? Require police officers to file reports of police misconduct where they become aware of human rights violations committed by police or security forces instead of waiting for complainants to come forward. ? Prosecute all police behavior which constitutes criminal conduct before the Courts of General Jurisdiction under the criminal code (KUHP)--and not as disciplinary offences. ? Dismiss police officers found responsible for human rights violations. Out of Sight 76 ? Routinely inform victims of the status of investigations into their complaints and notify them of final court or disciplinary decisions. Make public and available all decisions concerning allegations of misconduct against members of the security forces. ? Provide a written explanation to a complainant for a decision not to prosecute a police officer. Provide a process for that decision to be independently reviewed. ? Provide all police regular training on ethical conduct and implementation of use of force policies, including practical scenario-based exercises to assist in formulating judgments about the proportionate and reasonable use of force. To Papuan community leaders: ? Work with the police and security forces to provide security at public demonstrations and gatherings. ? Encourage Papuans to develop legal strategies for holding their elected representatives accountable to strengthen civil society?s capacity to peacefully demand for improved governance. 77 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Appendix I: Glossary of Indonesian Terms ?Act of Free Choice:? 1969 United Nations sponsored plebiscite resulting in Papua?s integration into the Indonesian Republic BIN: Badan Inteligen Negara, Indonesian State Intelligence Body Bintang 14: Fourteen Stars, pro-independence group that advocates for Papua to become ?West Melanesia? Brimob: Brigade Mobil, Mobile Brigade, paramilitary elite corps for emergencies Bupati: District Head Dewan Adat Papua: Papuan Customary Council DPRD: Provincial Legislative Assembly ELSHAM Papua: Lembaga Studi, Advokasi dan Hak Asasi Manusia, Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy in Papua FORERI: Forum for Reconciliation for the People of Irian Jaya Front Pepera Papua Barat: United Front for the West Papuan People?s Struggle, radical pro-independence student network Kejora Flag: ?Morning Star? Flag: Papuan nationalist symbol Kodam: Komando Daerah Militer, Regional Military Command Kodim: Komando Distrik Militer, District Military Command Komnas HAM: National Human Rights Commission Kopassus: Komando Pasukan Khusus, Special Forces Koramil: Komando Rayon Militer, subdistrict military command Korem: Komando Resort Militer, sub-regional military command Kostrad: Komando Strategis Angkatan Darat, army strategic reserve command KUHAP: Kitab Undang-undang Hukum Acara Pidan, Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code MRP: Majelis Rakyat Papua, Papuan People?s Council. Institution mandated under Special Autonomy Law to protect and defend Papuan values, culture and human rights OPM: Organisasi Papua Merdeka, Free Papua Movement Otonomi khusus/Otsus: Special Autonomy Otoritas Nasional Papua Barat: West Papuan National Authority. Umbrella group established to advocate for Papuan independence through peaceful means Out of Sight 78 PBHI: Perhimpunana Bantuan Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia, Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association Pemekaran: Administrative decentralization process Polda: Polisi Daerah, provincial level police Polres: Polisi Resort, district level police Polri: Indonesian National Police Polsek: Polisi Sektor, subdistrict level police SKP: Sekretariat Keadilan dan Perdamaian, Catholic Peace and Justice Office TPN: Tentara Pembebasan Nasional, National Liberation Army, armed wing of the OPM TNI: Tentara Nasional Indonesia, the Indonesian military Wenda, Matius: Commander in Chief of OPM 79 Human Rights Watch July 2007 Acknowledgements Consultants for the Asia division of Human Rights Watch researched and wrote this report in 2006 and 2007, for security reasons none of the consultants can be named. Charmain Mohamed, Indonesia and Timor-Leste researcher, Brad Adams, executive director of the Asia Division, and Joe Saunders, deputy director of the Program Office at Human Rights Watch, edited the report. Dinah PoKempner, general counsel, provided legal review. Dominique Chambless, associate in the Asia division, helped format the report. Fitzroy Hepkins, Grace Choi, and Rafael Jimenez provided production assistance. Human Rights Watch would like to recognize the help of Paul Barber from TAPOL, The Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, and Francesca Lawe-Davies from the International Crisis Group for editorial help and comments. Human Rights Watch kindly thanks Cordaid for their generous financial support. Above all, the invaluable assistance extended to its consultants is especially acknowledged, with help from witnesses and victims of human rights violations during their several research trips to the central highlands. We would also like to give thanks to the many human rights organizations based in Papua who assisted our consultants during their research. Due to the high risk of reprisals against these individuals we are unable to name them, but remain deeply indebted for their help and hard work. --- http://www.mediaforfreedom.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=1468 Indonesia: Police Abuse Endemic in Closed Area of Papua By: Human Rights Watch Posted on: 7/6/2007 Indonesia: Police Abuse Endemic in Closed Area of Papua Government Should Open Central Highlands to Independent Observers (Jakarta, July 5, 2007) - In the Central Highlands of remote Papua province, a region closed to outside observers, police appear to be routinely committing serious abuses, such as extrajudicial executions, torture and rape, with impunity, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Endemic police abuse is deepening mistrust of the national government in Jakarta and potentially inflaming separatist tensions. The 93-page report, "Out of Sight: Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua's Central Highlands," is the product of more than a year of research. The report documents daily abuses by police officers and other security forces in the mountainous and isolated Central Highlands area of the Indonesian province of Papua, located on the western half of the island of New Guinea. A key finding of the report is that the police, particularly BRIMOB officers (Mobile Brigade police, the elite paramilitary corps used for emergencies), are responsible for the most serious rights violations in the region today, although some reports of brutal treatment by Indonesian soldiers continue to emerge. "Conditions in Papua's Central Highlands are an important test of how Indonesia's security forces perform when political tensions are high and regions are closed to outside observers," said Joseph Saunders, deputy program director at Human Rights Watch. "The police are failing that test badly." The new report follows Human Rights Watch's report in February, "Protest and Punishment: Political Prisoners in Papua," which documented severe restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association in Papua. Many of the police abuses documented in the report were particularly cruel. One man told Human Rights Watch what happened when 12 BRIMOB officers arrested him and some friends for a peaceful independence flag raising: My teeth fell out. Blood flowed out. I was hit. I was kicked twice and then in the stomach twice again. I was kicked in the nose, the mouth and the teeth. More kicks were ordered and this was repeated. I could not count the number of times. I saw all my friends given the same treatment. Blood was flowing from them and they were forbidden from going to the toilet. They ordered us to swallow our blood. My nose was bleeding. They ordered us to swallow the blood again. I do not know the name of the officer in command. They all punched us, taking turns. Another man reported being beaten by the police while witnessing the arrest of another person: I was beaten with the end of a gun on my back, and with fists to my face. My mouth and eyes were smashed and bleeding. I felt dizzy and fell. Straight away I was kicked by five members of the police and BRIMOB. They were all wearing complete official uniforms with guns ... I was barely conscious when five members of the police took me into the car. As they were taking me, they punched me to the back three times with rifle butts and then in the car I was beaten with a truncheon. Human Rights Watch wrote to both the head of the police and the head of the military in Papua asking for information on all of the cases documented in the report, but received no response. A lack of internal accountability and a poorly functioning justice system mean impunity for perpetrators of abuses is the norm in Papua. "No one is being prosecuted for the crimes we documented," said Saunders. "The police are acting as a law unto themselves." The Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua are closed to outside human rights observers. Journalists have extremely limited access. Many diplomats have told Human Rights Watch that they have little understanding of the situation in the provinces since there is not much independent reporting on conditions there. Reliable information on the remote Central Highlands region is even harder to come by. Human Rights Watch called on the Indonesian government to open the provinces to independent observers in order to increase the amount and quality of information about conditions there and to allow independent and transparent investigations to take place. "By keeping the region closed to outside scrutiny, officials in Jakarta are receiving biased and partial accounts of what is taking place," said Saunders. "Reliable information is essential if officials are genuinely interested in identifying problems and finding lasting solutions." For years, the Central Highlands region has been the site of often tense confrontations between Indonesian police and military units and small cells of guerrillas from the separatist Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or OPM). The pro-independence guerrillas have conducted repeated low-level armed attacks against Indonesian security forces, which continue to conduct "sweeping" operations in civilian areas, spreading fear and panic and leading many villagers to flee their homes. "Out of Sight: Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua's Central Highlands" is available in English at: http://hrw.org/reports/2007/papua0707/ For more information, please contact: In Jakarta, Charmain Mohamed (English, Bahasa Indonesia): 813-8987-5495 In Cambodia, Brad Adams (English): 12-341-386 **The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility of Human Rights Watch** Copyright mediaforfreedom.com --- http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-07-05-voa12.cfm Report Finds Police Kill Civilians with Impunity in Papua, Indonesia By Nancy-Amelia Collins Dili 05 July 2007 A report by Human Rights Watch says the Indonesian police are killing and abusing civilians with impunity in the central highlands of Indonesia's Papua province where they have been fighting a separatist insurgency for decades. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins in Dili has more. Human Rights Watch says the Indonesian police "appear to be acting routinely" in killing, raping, and torturing civilians in the remote central highlands of Papua. The province in the eastern most part of the sprawling Indonesian archipelago is extremely poor and isolated. Few outsiders, including journalists, diplomats, or rights workers, have been to the region because Jakarta requires them to get special permission, which is usually denied. Because of the lack of outside scrutiny and accountability, Charmain Mohamed, from Human Rights Watch, says the police are able to act with impunity. "There are almost no repercussions for perpetrators whether they be internal administrative sanctioning or whether they be criminal prosecution. There is no precedent for that," Mohamed said. A Papuan protester during a demonstration demanding an independence referendum in the province, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 4 Jul 2007 The central highlands have long been an area of conflict between the police and members of the Free Papua Movement, which has been fighting for independence from Indonesia for over three decades. The report says the security forces displaced thousands from their homes in 2005 while searching for the separatists. The Human Rights Watch report was released after more than a year of research, some of it done secretly. Government officials deny that rights abuses happen routinely in Papua and say President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is committed to achieving peace in the province and to improving living standards there. Rights groups, however, say that without independent witnesses in Papua, there is no way to trust what the government says. Mohamed says Jakarta needs to open up the province to outsiders. "A very key, concrete first step would be to open up access not just to Human Rights Watch, but also to members of the foreign media, to members of the diplomatic community in Jakarta, and also to other independent observers," Mohamed said. On Wednesday, the government barred a United States congressman known for his criticism of Jakarta's policies in Papua from visiting the region. Indonesian officials said there were concerns that a visit would lead to unrest. --- http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSJAK28240320070705 U.S. congressman says progress in Indonesia's Papua Thu Jul 5, 2007 7:58AM EDT By Muklis Ali JAKARTA (Reuters) - A visiting U.S. congressman said on Thursday Indonesia had made progress in how it treats the people of Papua, as a rights group accused security forces of killing, torturing and raping civilians in the remote area. Eni Faleomavaega, the Democrat congressman for American Samoa, has previously criticized Jakarta's policies in Papua and was barred by Indonesia from visiting the area this week. "I am relieved to see there has been a complete change in the commitment and priorities that the government of Indonesia has taken towards the need of the people of Papua," the congressman told reporters after meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Independence activists in Papua -- which is made up of two provinces on the western half of New Guinea island -- have waged a campaign for more than 30 years to break away from Indonesia, while a low-level armed rebellion has also simmered for decades. "The fact that the Indonesian government passed special autonomy laws and Papuan leaders were very instrumental in drafting the laws gave Papuans the feeling that they were given more by the government," said Faleomavaega, who chairs an Asia Pacific U.S. sub-committee in Congress and was dressed in traditional Samoan clothing. A 2001 law gives Papua, with a population of 2 million, a bigger share of revenue from its rich mineral and natural resources and more freedom in running its own affairs. The congressman has previously pushed for the U.S. government to review its recognition of Papua as part of Indonesia. After being denied a visit to Papua, Faleomavaega met Indonesian lawmakers, Papuan leaders and government officials in the capital Jakarta on his four-day visit. Separately, Human Rights Watch said in a report that in 2005 paramilitary forces burnt down houses in at least 13 villages in a search for members of a separatist group. It said many Papuans were missing or dead and tens of thousands displaced. The report said a "culture of impunity" was part of the problem in Papua where it said in the 14 incidents it documented, only one member of the security forces had faced prosecution. "I think it's a reflection of the lack of serious accountability mechanism within the police and within the justice system towards the police," Joseph Saunders of Human Rights Watch told a news conference to mark the launch of the report. National Police spokesman Sisno Adiwinoto has denied any rights violations by police in Papua. "Anyone found to have violated human rights will face the law. No one in the police is immune to the law," Adiwinoto said. "The Indonesian police ensures human rights are upheld in each of its operations; we don't violate them." Indonesia took over Papua from Dutch colonial rule in 1963. In 1969 its rule was formalized in a vote by community leaders which was widely criticized as political theatre. Jakarta places restrictions on access to Papua for journalists, diplomats and human rights organizations. ? Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. --- http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1972351.htm Last Updated 06/07/2007, 22:27:57 Indonesian police say they will investigate claims made by the international rights watchdog, Human Rights Watch, that their forces routinely rape, torture and abuse people in the province of Papua. The Human Rights Watch report alleges that police have carried out widespread abuse in the region, in the purported hunt for separatists. National police chief Sutanto says the report will be examined for objectivity and if its allegations are found to be true, action will be taken. Human rights activists have long accused Indonesian police and soldiers of abuses in the Papuan region, and Human Rights Watch says none of the abuses it has documented has resulted in a prosecution. Separatists in Papua have been fighting against the Indonesian military since 1969, when Indonesia assumed sovereignty over the province in a vote widely condemned as a sham. --- http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2007/07/06/2003368299 Report pans Indonesia over Papua AFP, JAKARTA Friday, Jul 06, 2007, Page 5 Papuan protesters wearing traditional dresses dance as they march at a rally demanding an independence referendum outside the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. Indonesian security forces killed and beat unarmed civilians and raped women during recent operations against separatists in Papua Province, Human Rights Watch said in a report released yesterday. PHOTO: AP Indonesian police routinely torture, rape and kill with impunity in Indonesia's easternmost Papua where they risk fanning separatism, an international rights group said in a report released yesterday. Human Rights Watch warned that endemic police abuse in the isolated Central Highlands region was deepening mistrust of Jakarta and called on the government to open the region to independent observers. A long-running but low-level separatist movement has simmered in the region since the 1960s, and the Indonesian government does not permit journalists or rights workers to travel there without special permission. The HRW report found that Indonesia's feared paramilitary Brimob were responsible for the most serious violations in the region today, though some reports of brutal treatment by Indonesian soldiers persisted. Indonesia's military has for decades been accused by Papuans of committing human rights abuses in the isolated, resource-rich region, but the police have been gradually taking on more of their former security role. "We found that both army troops and police units ... continue to engage in largely indiscriminate village `sweeping' operations in pursuit of suspected militants, using excessive, often brutal, and at times lethal force against civilians," the report said. HRW documented 14 cases of abuse -- in which only one security officer was prosecuted and jailed for eight months -- and the report contains graphic first-hand accounts from the victims. "I wanted to scream but he had his hand over my mouth and then he forced me. I resisted but he still forced me," a 16-year-old rape victim said. "Then he carried out the act on me. I couldn't walk. I was in so much pain. After that he ordered me that if I told anyone what had happened he would come and kill me," said the girl, whose village chief advised her not to report the attack, afraid it would cause trouble with the military. The head of the police and military in the region did not respond to requests by HRW for information on the cases they documented, the group said. A lack of internal accountability and an abysmal justice system meant impunity for perpetrators, the report said. "The police are acting as a law unto themselves. This is a serious breach of the public trust necessary for effective policing," Joseph Saunders, deputy program director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, told a press briefing. Indonesia won sovereignty over Papua, formerly a Dutch colony in 1969 after a referendum widely seen as a sham. A poorly armed separatist group, the Free Papua Organisation, has conducted a low-profile armed resistance since before Indonesia took over and the Central Highlands has seen tense confrontations erupt. Asked whether researchers had found separatist sentiment was increasing, Saunders said this was the first HRW report in the region so they could not identify trends, "but in terms of the distrust and the fear, it was palpable." HRW called on the Indonesian government to open Papua and West Papua provinces to independent observers. The UN envoy for human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, called for better protection for activists in West Papua during a visit to Indonesia last month, saying she was concerned about police and military harassment. --- http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/07/07/18433905.php West Papua: Eight arrested at Tribal Congress as Report castigates Indonesian Authorities by Takver (Oceania Indymedia) Saturday Jul 7th, 2007 10:51 PM 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. This comes just as Human Right Watch has released another damning report on human rights violations in West Papua. westpapuaflag.jpg westpapuaflag.jpg 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 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. Names of men arrested in Jayapura: Forkoryus Yaboisembut, Leonard Imbiri, Thoha M Alhamit, Astriks Rumbonde, Yakop Kasimat, Willem Rumasep, Alfrida Faidiban, Asmirah. The following were Called to report to police on Monday the 9 July for questioning: Thom Beanal, Willi Mandowen, W. Bonay, Fadal Alhamid, plus 5 others. West Papua: Indonesian police Accused of Endemic Abuse and Violence A new report by Human Rights Watch has accused Indonesian police in West Papua of endemic abuse and violence particularly in the remote Central Highlands region. The region is effectively closed to outside observers, including journalists and human rights observers. The 81-page report, ?Out of Sight: Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua?s Central Highlands,? is the result of more than a year of research that documents daily abuses by police officers and other security forces in the mountainous and remote region. Many Papuans continue to call for independence from Indonesia and attempt to raise the Morning Star flag at regular ceremonies and events throughout Papua. Police and Military authorities have not responded to requests for information on documented cases in the report, according to Human Rights Watch. Joseph Saunders, deputy program director at Human Rights Watch, said ?No one is being prosecuted for the crimes we documented,? said Saunders. ?The police are acting as a law unto themselves.? He said that there is a lack of internal accountability and a poorly functioning justice system that mean impunity for perpetrators of abuses is the normal state of affairs in Papua. Human Rights Watch has called for Indonesia to open access to the region to journalists and independent observers ?By keeping the region closed to outside scrutiny, officials in Jakarta are receiving biased and partial accounts of what is taking place,? said Saunders. ?Reliable information is essential if officials are genuinely interested in identifying problems and finding lasting solutions.? A key finding of the report is that the police, particularly BRIMOB officers (Mobile Brigade police, the elite paramilitary corps used for emergencies), are responsible for the most serious rights violations in the region today, although some reports of brutal treatment by Indonesian soldiers continue to emerge. The report recommends: * unfettered access for diplomats, journalists, and human rights organizations to all parts of the two Papuan provinces, * Investigation of all cases involving allegations of abuses by the police or soldiers and prosecutions should be brought before civilian courts under the criminal law and not be dealt with solely as disciplinary offences. * Suspension from active service all police officers being investigated for human rights violations, and dismissal of officers found responsible for human rights violations, * Provision of timely health services to all victims of sexual violence. This report follows Human Rights Watch?s report in February 2007, ?Protest and Punishment: Political Prisoners in Papua,? which documented severe restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association in Papua. The Central Highlands region of West Papua is mountainous and remote with confrontations between pro-independence guerrillas of the Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or OPM) and Indonesian military and police. Indonesian military forces regularly conduct military operations resulting in the spread of fear and panic amoung civilians forced to flee their villages. Background Indonesia invaded West Papua in 1962. Then in a tangled web of deceit, the Indonesian authorities sought to justify their invasion and occupation to the United Nations by the "Act of Free Choice" in 1969. Rather than institute an open referendum on independence, the Indonesian authorities selected 1025 Melanesian men under threats of violence against their families and communities to make the choice. Unsurprisingly, these people voted for Papua to join Indonesia. There was no United Nations or independent supervision of this process. Britain, the USA and Australia shamefully conspired with Indonesia in this process to make sure the West Papuans were denied their right to take part in a proper democratic "one person-one vote" referendum. In return foreign multinationals have been allowed into West Papua to exploit the rich natural resources of gold, copper, oil & timber. Since the invasion and "Act of Free Choice", Indonesia has murdered or starved to death over 100,000 Papuan men, women & children. Countless others have been tortured, raped, imprisoned, terrorised & racially abused by Indonesian soldiers & police. It is illegal to display or raise the Morning Star flag in Papua - a potent symbol of the call for Papuan independence from Indonesia. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070707.G02 Papuan Tribal Council head promises to pursue independence National News - July 07, 2007 Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura The four-day Papuan Tribal Community congress has elected Forkorus Yoboisembut as the new Papuan Tribal Council leader, replacing Tom Beanal. Forkorus, formerly the council's tribal governing chief, was elected Friday on the last day of the congress at the Cendrawasih sport complex in Jayapura city. He will hold the post until 2012. In a brief speech after his election, Forkorus said his main job, in line with the results of the congress, 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. Forkorus said the goal of independence would not be easy to achieve, warning it would require hard work and sacrifice. "This (goal) is something we must do together. Independence will not be easy to reach, but let's work together to fight for the messages of this second congress," he said. Not everyone was pleased with the outcome of the congress. Participants from the Pegunungan Tengah tribal region expressed their displeasure with the makeup of the tribal council's new executive board. "The list of executives fails to represent the seven tribal regions in Papua. None of the executives come from the southern and central regions or Mimika. They are only from the coastal area. "So, this list of new executives fails to represent us," said Dominikus Sorabut. He said the makeup of the executive board would hamper the tribal council from achieving its goals. "If we, the representatives of the regions, are not being represented in the executive board, it means if we propose a program it might be rejected. "So, we doubt the council's work in the future will bring about any progress," he said. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070707.A04 Police vow to look into reported Papua abuses National News - July 07, 2007 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The police said Friday they would look into allegations of abuse contained in a Human Rights Watch report released the previous day, and respond appropriately if the allegations were found to be true. National Police chief Gen. Sutanto, speaking at police headquarters in Jakarta, said the police would take action in response to the report that accused police officers in Papua of raping, killing and beating unarmed civilians. "Please hand us the information because the National Police want to protect (the people). If the information is proven true, we will deal with the cases," Sutanto said. He said he expected the information to be objective and match conditions in the field. "We first have to check the objectivity of the report," he said. The New York-based group claimed the police's paramilitary unit, or Brimob, was responsible for grave human rights violations in the Central Highlands of Indonesia's easternmost province. It documented 14 cases of abuse, but said there were dozens more that lacked sufficient first-hand accounts from victims and witnesses. Human Rights Watch program director Joseph Saunders said Thursday several women in Papua had detailed sexual harassment and rape by police officers. The rights group said it also received a report that Brimob officers, searching for members of the separatist Free Papua Movement, or OPM, entered a village and burned down 10 houses, stole dozens of chickens and food, and forced villagers to flee into the mountains, where seven people died from malaria and other diseases. Chairman of Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) Neta S. Pane told The Jakarta Post that human rights abuses committed by police officers were a "public secret". "Police officers tend to be abusive, including intimidating and terrorizing people," said Neta. He suggested the public be proactive when faced with abusive officers, in order to force police change. Neta said the IPW had seen evidence that some high-ranking police officials were willing to change. "This is a good thing and the public has to respond to that," he said. He also urged non-governmental organizations to file reports with the House of Representatives, the police's internal affairs division or the media if they discovered evidence of rights violations committed by police officers. Neta said officers in the regions tended to be more abusive and did not "serve and protect" the public in accordance with the National Police slogan. The National Police celebrated their 61st anniversary on July 1. The anniversary theme was: "The National Police (as) society's partner". President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in a speech to mark the anniversary that the police must uphold the law and become a modern and moral institution that could be loved by the people. (08) --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070706. at 01 Police unit accused of Papua abuses National News - July 06, 2007 Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Human Rights Watch on Thursday released a report in which it accuses police of raping, killing and beating unarmed civilians in Papua. The New York-based group claims the police's paramilitary unit, or Brimob, is responsible for grave human rights violations in the Central Highlands of Indonesia's easternmost province. It documented 14 cases of abuse but said their were dozens more that lacked sufficient first-hand accounts from victims and witnesses. The group said a lack of accountability and a poorly functioning justice system meant impunity for the culprits was the norm in Papua. "With one exception, no one is being prosecuted for the crimes we documented. The police are acting as a law unto themselves," said a program director for the group, Joseph Saunders. Several women, said Saunders, told the group of threats of sexual violence and harassment. "A woman told us she had been accosted by Brimob members when she and other women were returning to camp after gathering food. Brimob officers accused them of gathering food for the OPM and when the woman refused to answer, she was raped, left with her blouse and skirt torn," he said. The separatist OPM, or Free Papua Movement, has been cited by authorities as a source of security problems in the province since the 1960s. Another documented case involved Brimob officers who entered Wunmi, Tolikara regency, in search of OPM members. The officers allegedly burned down 10 houses, stole dozens of chickens and food, forcing villagers to flee to the mountains where seven died from malaria and other diseases caused by unhygienic conditions. Despite the low intensity of its campaign, the OPM has been branded by the police as a serious threat to security. As a result, authorities have severely restricted access to the region. Many observers believe the police are simply trying to ensure their continued presence in the area, where they guard mining firms for significant amounts of money. The heads of the police and military in the region did not respond to requests for information on the documented cases, Human Rights Watch said. Police have said reforms are taking place within Brimob and has promised any abuses will not go unpunished. Saunders said the lack of reliable factual accounts of what is happening in Papua means unfounded rumors circulate with much the same potency as accurate accounts. "The prominence of misinformation has served only to magnify the Central Highlands' reputation as a hotbed of dissent and abuse," he said. The government says Papua is prone to external provocation and allowing in outsiders could worsen the security situation. It recently barred visiting UN envoy Hina Jilani and U.S. congressman Eni Faleomavaega from entering Papua. The government split Papua into two provinces in 2002 and enacted an autonomy law to boost the local economies, but progress has been minimal. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised in April last year to issue a decree to improve infrastructure and the economy in one of the country's most disadvantaged region. However, the President has yet to act on that promise. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070706.H07 Papuan movement 'part of democracy' National News - July 06, 2007 M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Visiting U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega asked the Indonesian government Thursday not to take harsh measures against the Free Papua Movement (OPM), insisting it does not pose a threat to the country's integrity. Speaking after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Presidential Office in Central Jakarta on Thursday, Faleomavaega, a Democratic congressman from American Samoa, said governments that uphold the principals of democracy, such as in Indonesia, should respect differences of opinion. "The rebels? I think in a democracy everybody is entitled to their opinion to the extent that there are factions, some who seek independence, others who seek another status. We should not take it to the extent that this is going to cause a revolution," Faleomavaega told a press conference. Also present at the meeting with Yudhoyono were Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Freddy Numberi, Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu, West Papua Governor Abraham Atururi and U.S. Embassy Charge d'affairs John Heffern. Faleomavaega, who is also the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' sub-committee on the Asia Pacific and global environment, once again reiterated his support of Indonesian sovereignty over Papua. He said the Indonesian government under Yudhoyono has done much to empower Papuans, a radical departure from policies of past administrations. "I honestly feel that what has developed now in the course of recent years is the commitment on the part of President SBY to seriously address the economic and social needs of the Papuan people," he said. Jakarta granted special autonomy status to Papua in 2001 to counter an escalating independence movement launched by the OPM. West Papua, previously a part of Papua province, was declared a new province in 2003. Initially named West Irian Jaya, it was renamed upon the issuance of a government regulation on April 18 this year. Earlier Thursday, Yudhoyono held talks with several other U.S. congressmen currently visiting Jakarta. The congressmen -- Republicans David Drier and James Moran and Democrat Donald Payne -- held a 30-minute discussion with Yudhoyono. Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said the congressmen praised the work of the Indonesian security authorities in tackling terror networks in the country, as indicated by the recent arrests of alleged members of Jamaah Islamiyah. During the meeting, Yudhoyono called on members of the U.S. Congress to visit Indonesia to improve their understanding of the country, the world's largest Muslim democracy. "More Congress members should see the sweeping changes in the country. As quoting former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell, Indonesia is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world," Dino said. --- Yogya police break up rally by Papuans National News - July 05, 2007 Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta Police in Yogyakarta broke up a rally Wednesday by about 50 Papuan students after they unfurled a Bintang Kejora flag, the symbol of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM). The students set out from their boardinghouse on Jl. Kusuma Negara, marching in the direction of Yogyakarta's central post office. They carried banners, some of which read "Referendum Yes" and "Autonomy No", and wore headbands and masks with the Bintang Kejora symbol. The students also unfurled a banner depicting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla as American puppets, and demanded an investigation of alleged rights abuses in the province. Eventually the march was halted by about 200 police officers. Representatives of the students attempted to negotiate with the officers to be allowed to continue their rally, but to no avail. Police were forced to detour traffic along Jl. Kusumanegara. "We, the Papuan people, do not want and do not expect any promises like the ones contained in the special autonomy regulations," one of the students said. The protesters demanded the central government hold a thorough national dialog involving representatives from all segments of Papuan society. Head of the Yogyakarta Police's operational division, Comr. Zaenal Arifin, who is in charge of security in the city, offered the protesters two options. The first was that the students would be allowed to continue their rally, but without the banners. The second was to return to their boardinghouse. The students chose the second option. A political observer from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Ari Sujito, said more protesters were publicly displaying separatist symbols, including the OPM and South Maluku Republic (RMS) flags. He said this was a byproduct of the flagging public legitimacy of the President. "If the government does not take concrete action to curb this deteriorating legitimacy, the situation will be utilized by the President's political opponents," he said. He said this problem would only get more complicated if it was not resolved as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Jayapura Police in Papua stepped up security Wednesday following the raising of a Bintang Kejora flag at a conference of the Papuan Tradition Council at Cendrawasih Sports Stadium in Jayapura a day earlier. The situation in the city was tense after the incident with a much larger police presence than usual on the streets of the city, Antara reported. Residents expressed fear the authorities would disrupt the conference, which is scheduled to end on July 6. "We hope the conference participants abide by existing regulations so as not to cause a political disturbance in which all parties would lose," said resident Yesayas B. Kambu. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070705.E01 Forgotten Papua Opinion and Editorial - July 05, 2007 How influential is a U.S. congressman that he could disrupt security in Papua or, in an extreme case, lead the province to break away from the republic? The fear of this, however, seems so prevalent among our top policy makers that the government barred Democratic congressman Eni Faleomavaega from Papua. Whatever the government's reason for denying Faleomavaega an entry to Papua, it reminds us only of the security approach adopted during the militaristic New Order era. Hopefully this comparison is inaccurate. But even if the old mindset does persist, any attempt to keep controversial issues such as the Papua problem from the public, both domestic and international, will be fruitless and counterproductive. Faleomavaega, who held talks with House of Representatives leaders here Wednesday, is a figure the country's decision makers are reluctant to deal with. He was behind a bill asking Washington to review its recognition of Papua as part of Indonesia in 2005, which failed. His planned trip to Papua was much awaited in the easternmost province, where the second customary congress is underway. The international community, including the United States, has frequently expressed its recognition of Indonesia's territorial integrity and its blossoming democracy. There have been some questions, however, pertaining to alleged human rights abuses in Papua, which must have prompted the UN secretary general to send his special representative to verify the reports last month. The administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, with considerable support from international donors, has done a lot to accelerate development in Papua in a bid to address the myriad problems that many believe are seeds of separatism in the province. Whether these initiatives are enough is a different matter. With the world's faith in Jakarta's commitment to eradicating poverty, illiteracy and backwardness in Papua still intact, there should have been no cause for concern in welcoming Faleomavaega to the province. He should have been allowed to see and hear for himself the real problems facing Papuans and what the central and provincial governments have done to tackle them. The fact that Papua's customary congress was marked with a female dancer unfurling a Morning Star separatist flag Tuesday provided further evidence that disenchantment with the central government is genuine. The disappointment was there long before foreign parties advanced the local people's cause. It seemed to be a coincidence that the display of a separatist flag at the customary congress in Jayapura came on the heels of the controversy surrounding the ban imposed on Faleomavaega from visiting the province. However, the two serve as strong indicators that Papua remains an issue Indonesia has not yet settled, despite the brave moves in 2000 to grant the province special autonomy status. Over Rp 15 trillion in special autonomy funds has poured into the province since then, but no major changes have taken place. Seven years after the inception of special autonomy, over 84 percent of Papua's population remain poor. The province is among the 10 most illiterate in the country, not to mention the horrifying statistics that place Papua on top in terms of HIV prevalence. Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu admits that separatist aspirations will not die if Papuans do not see the fruits of the province's rich natural resources. That's why he has handed out Rp 100 million to each village across Papua and neighboring West Papua, to ensure the secessionist mood does not get out of hand. Papua is one of the major ironies of Indonesia. Blessed with huge natural resource reserves, development there has lagged behind the rest of the nation since Indonesia officially stamped its sovereignty over the land in 1969. Human rights abuses have frequently been reported against those opposing the exploitation of the resources, done at the expense of the Papuans. Suebu, who was directly elected governor, has kick-started a herculean effort to lead Papua to prosperity. But many doubt he can do it alone. The central government, smarting from its mistake of imposing its will in 2004 which divided Papua into two provinces, will have to show its support for Papua's development through action. The calls for independence in Papua are just a reminder that there are still people who need to be taken care of after so many years of being forgotten. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070705. at 04 U.S. rep supports Indonesia on Papua World News - July 05, 2007 Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Visiting U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega on Wednesday expressed support for Indonesia's efforts to empower Papuans, stressing a tangible developmental outcome and more autonomy to Papua. After meeting with Indonesian lawmakers, Faleomavaega, a Democratic congressman from American Samoa, praised the Indonesian government for passing the 2001 local autonomy law and its commitment to provide resources and financial assistance for better infrastructure for the people of Papua. "The autonomy law passed by the Indonesian government in 2001 was a real milestone" he said at a press briefing. Faleomavaega, who is also the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' sub-committee on the Asia-Pacific and global environment, said he witnessed the total commitment of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and lawmakers in providing assistance to the people of West Papua. "I praise and support the commitment that President Yudhoyono and the House of Representatives have made. This is a good indicator in terms of how leaders and the government of Indonesia treat the people of West Papua." He said he made no denial of his past statements -- that if the Indonesian government did not want to do anything to help Papua, then it should grant the Papuan people independence. "Since that time things have changed and democracy doesn't stand still. Things happen." Chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission I on security and international affairs Theo Sambuaga welcomed Faleomavaega's new stance, saying the congressman was no longer talking about Papuans independence but about how to empower Papuans. Faleomavaega was invited by the Indonesian government to directly observe the latest situation in Papua. However, worried that his presence could spark riots and encourage violence, the government canceled his planned visit the region and instead limited his stay to Jakarta. "I anticipated traveling to West Papua, as was been extended to me in the invitation, but for security reasons I've been advised that it is not the best time to visit the region. But that's OK, I met with (Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister) Freddy Numberi and other national leaders, including two members of parliament representing Papua." International groups have often accused Indonesia of human rights violations in Papua, which Jakarta has repeatedly denied. In an effort to manage foreign involvement in Papua, the government has limited the entry of foreigners into the province. Faleomavaega, however, said human rights issues were only a part of the overall Papua matter. Later in the day, Faleomavaega met with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda. He was scheduled to meet with officials from Papua on Thursday morning in Jakarta before paying a courtesy visit to Yudhoyono on Thursday afternoon, and to Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Friday. --- http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=381721&catid=16 Australia Upgrades Indonesian Travel Warning 7:32 pm, 08 Jul 2007 Australia has upgraded its travel advice to Indonesia, warning of a threat of imminent terrorist attacks in the country, including Bali. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says terrorists are actively planning attacks and is warning its citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Indonesia. New Zealand has not upgraded its current warning, which already says tourists should stay away from Indonesia. It says there is a high risk in travel generally and an extreme risk in several places including Maluku, Irian Jaya and parts of Sulawesi. ? NewsRoom 2007 --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070704.K02 American congressman meets with Papuan figures in Jakarta World News - July 04, 2007 Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Visiting U.S. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega met Tuesday with leading Papuan figures in Jakarta after the government failed to grant him permission to enter the province. Legislator Yorris T.H. Raweyai, one of several Papuan figures invited by Faleomavaega to attend a dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel on Tuesday evening, said he would like to hear what the congressman had to say as well as conveying his own opinion on the situation in the province. "Some of us have been invited to a dinner. I hope we can get something useful out of the meeting," Yorris, who represents Golkar in the House of Representatives, told The Jakarta Post before the dinner. Yorris, a member of the House's Commission I on security and foreign affairs, said the U.S. congressman will meet with the commission on Wednesday morning to discuss Papua and Indonesia's human rights situation in general. Robert Joppy Kardinal, another lawmaker from Papua invited to the dinner, welcomed Faleomavaega's visit as a chance to clarify the current situation in the province. "Rather than receiving information from unqualified sources, the congressman has a chance to talk directly to lawmakers who represent the Papuan people," he said. Faleomavaega, a Democratic Party congressman from American Samoa, initially wanted to attend a conference being held by the Papuan Traditional Council in Jayapura this week. However, the government prohibited him from entering the province, saying his presence there could spark riots and encourage violence. The Papuan Traditional Council has announced that more than 500 representatives from 250 tribes in the Papua and West Papua provinces will attend its second conference being held from Tuesday to Friday. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry director general for European and American affairs Eddhi Hariyadhi said a recent incident in Maluku may also be behind the rejection of the congressman's application to enter Papua. Last Friday a group of people tried to wave the South Maluku Republic flag in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the Maluku provincial capital of Ambon. After the incident, which many said exposed the country's weak intelligence service, more than 30 people were arrested. Foreign Ministry Director for American Affairs Harry Purwanto said another group of Papuan figures would travel to Jakarta to meet Faleomavaega on Thursday. "If the congressman wants to meet with Papuan figures, it can be arranged in other parts of the country," he told the Post. Robert said that Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Freddy Numberi will also host a meeting between Faleomavaega and officials from Papua's two provinces this week. The congressman is also scheduled to meet with President Yudhoyono, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda and several other ministers during his visit. International groups have often accused Indonesia of human rights violations in Papua, which Jakarta has repeatedly denied. In an effort to manage foreign involvement in Papua, the government limits the entry of foreigners into the province. Jakarta granted special autonomy to Papua in 2001 in a national consensus to counter a mounting independence movement launched by the Free Papua Movement. West Papua, previously part of Papua province, was declared a new province in 2003. Initially named West Irian Jaya, it was renamed as West Papua upon the issuance of a government regulation on April 18, 2007. --- ----- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Papua students demonstrate at US embassy, call for referendum Detik.com - July 5, 2007 Dikhy Sasra, Jakarta -- Around 100 people who said they were students originating from West Papua demonstrated in front of the United States Embassy on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta on Thursday July 5. Some of the demonstrators wore traditional clothing and T-shirts with pictures of the Morning Star. As of 12.24pm the action was still continuing with protesters giving speeches calling for justice saying that they felt colonised by Indonesia. "We ask for justice, we are colonised", they shouted. A number of banners were also unfurled with messages such as "Stop killing the Papuan people". They also brought posters and photographs of military operations in Papua and voiced their demands for a referendum. Interestingly, three of the protesters appeared wearing T-shirts with the picture of the Morning Star. The symbol of the Morning Star is often referred to as the symbol of the Free Papua Organisation. However it is also used as a traditional West Papuan symbol. Although the action did not disrupt the flow of traffic it was closely guarded by police. (asy/nrl) Police sweep In a separate article on the same day Detik.com, reported that following the display of the Morning Star in West Papua, Tanah Abang sectoral police launched a sweep for native Papuans living at the Papua Mess on Jl. Jl KH Mas Mansyur in Central Jakarta. The sweep of some 40 households began at 12noon but not one Morning Star flag or other types Free Papua Organisation paraphernalia were found. Tanah Abang sectoral police chief Joni Iskandar confirmed that police were conducting a sweep of the area. "We found absolutely nothing, so we didn't arrest any residents", said Iskandar when contacted by Detik.com. [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com --- ----- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Papuan students in Yogyakarta reject special autonomy, call for dialogue Detik.com - July 4, 2007 Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta -- Accompanied by the beat of drums, West Papuan students danced and sang following a protest in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Wednesday July 4 in which they rejected special autonomy saying it had failed. Before disbanding, students were seen arguing with security personnel who were asking them to reopen a road they had blockaded. "Please open the road, at least one half", pleaded Police Commissioner Junaedi. The protesters however strongly objected and two of the students even became angered by the request. "We have the right to use this road. Leave us to demonstrate here", one of the students said angrily while pointing his finger in the direction of security personnel. "I also have rights. This is a public road. So give others a chance to pass. You can't just do whatever you like", answered Junaedi. The students however continued giving speeches. Towards the end of the action they read out a statement rejecting six years of special autonomy saying it had failed, rejecting the splitting of Papua into two provinces and calling on the government to open a national dialogue. Satisfied after giving speeches and reading out the statement, one by one the students returned to their dormitory after which the front gate was closed. Inside, the students who were wearing headbands with the symbol of the Morning Star, danced and sang accompanied by the sound of small drums. A banner that had been put up with the Morning Star symbol was also left in place. Security personnel meanwhile carried the tables and chairs that the students had earlier used to blockade the road back onto the sidewalk in front of the dormitory. After which the flow of traffic returned to normal. After some fifteen minutes the hundreds of police that had been guarding the action turned to the right. Dis... miss! (aan/sss) [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com --- ----- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Papuan students in Yogyakarta blockade road, call for referendum Detik.com - July 4, 2007 Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta -- The Morning Star continues to be used as a symbol of struggle by West Papuan students in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. Students and police were also involved in an argument after students refused a police request to remove the symbols. Students even blockaded the road. The students, who came from the United West Papua Popular Struggle Front (F-Parera-PB), ignored police and continued to wear headbands with pictures of the Morning Star. They also unfurled a large banner with the picture of the Morning Star with the words "Referendum Yes" written on it. When the students began to move off from the Papua Dormitory on Jl. Kusuma Negara, they were intercepted by some 200 uniformed but unarmed police who were waiting in front of the Handicraft and Skin Building some 500 meters from the dormitory. Action coordinator Daud Kulba intervened and began negotiating with the Yogyakarta municipal police chief Deputy Police Commissioner Ngadino who was assisted by Police Commissioner Junaedi. Kulba requested permission for them to be allowed to proceed to the central post office. The negotiations were tough with police refusing to give them permission to proceed because they were carrying the symbol of the Morning Star. In the end police said that they could continue the action on the condition that the symbol of the Free Papua Organisation be removed. Students however refused the offer outright on the grounds that the Morning Star is a cultural symbol of the Papuan people. They also promised that the action would be peaceful. The 100 or so students meanwhile continued to shout "Referendum Yes... Autonomy No". In the end the protesters turned back and returned to the dormitory to hold the action. Upon arriving at the dormitory, the students brought out tables and chairs and placed them in a row in the middle of Jl. Kusumanegara. As a result of the road being blockaded, security personnel were forced to redirect traffic. As of 11.35am, the students were still giving speeches while scores of local residents looked on. Hundreds of security personal remained on alert. (aan/sss) [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com --- Forwarded message from Paul Barber ----- [Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian has shown again by his belligerent threats against the Dewan Adat and human rights defenders that he poses a grave threat to innocent Papuans. His position as commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command, Korem 172, is untenable. We repeat our call for his immediate withdrawal and suspension from active duty in accordance with the statement and letter to President Yudhoyono of Indonesia referred to below. TAPOL] Cendrawasih Post, 7 July 2007 Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian stated once again 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. 'We regard the conference of the Dewan Adat as being illegal because that organisation is not registered at the Office of a United Nation. It is highly regrettable that an organisation that is going in the direction of separatism has been granted facilities such as being allowed to meet at the Sports Stadium (GOR) which belongs to the government.. If they are just dealing with traditional matters, they should not mixed this up with political affairs. But the fact is that although they say it is just about traditional affairs, in practice they are getting involved in politics. 'What is absolutely certain is that anyone who tends towards separatism will be crushed by TNI. In the interests of NKRI, we are not afraid of human rights. We are quite prepared to imprison anyone, or dismiss them from their posts, whenever such is in the interests of the NKRI,' he said --- 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 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. Names of men arrested in Jayapura Forkoryus Yaboisembut Leonard Imbiri Thoha M Alhamit Astriks Rumbonde, Yakop Kasimat Willem Rumasep Alfrida Faidiban Asmirah Called to report to police on Monday the 9 July for questioning Thom Beanal Willi Mandowen W. Bonay Fadal Alhamid Plus 5 others 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 --- orwarded message from John M Miller ----- Indonesia Human Rights Committee Box 68-419 Auckland 8 July, 2007: Media Release: NZ Foreign Minister must take action on the grave human rights abuses in West Papua and call for Indonesia to lift the cordon preventing outside access The Indonesia Human Rights Committee has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs calling for NZ action following the recent rash of disturbing revelations about West Papua. These include a graphic report from Human Rights Watch detailing gross abuses, including killings, torture and rape committed by the security forces against people in the remote central highlands of West Papua. Other recent accounts are of police threats and intimidation against human rights defenders and church leaders. Moreover a climate of tension and fear is being exacerbated by the belligerent statements of the new Jayapura military commander Colonel Siagian who is a veteran of the 1999 Indonesian military operation against the people of East Timor. Col Siagian has declared he will 'destroy' anyone who 'betrays' Indonesia and has told his soldiers that they should 'crush' those who tend towards 'separatism'. "In the light of these black developments we are calling on our Government to revive its 2004 call for an International War Crimes Tribunal for Timor Leste so that the case against indicted military officers such as Col Siagian can be considered," said Maire Leadbeater speaking for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee. "We also appeal to our political leaders urge an immediate end to the closure of West Papua and to allow free access to human rights organisations and the international media. Last week US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega was denied access and was unable to fulfill his invitation to attend the West Papua Tribal Council meeting. This ban leads to a strong suspicion that there is much to hide in West Papua." "The Human Rights Watch report stressed that the security forces in West Papua enjoy near total impunity for all their actions which has led to underreporting of crimes and to an ongoing climate of fear, tension and simmering anger." New Zealand must act now and not repeat the mistakes of the past East Timor foreign policy when we stood passively by as a grave human rights situation developed into a deadly crisis. For further information: Maire Leadbeater 09-815-9000 or 0274-436- 957 Letter follows: Indonesia Human Rights Committee Box 68 419 Auckland Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Parliament Buildings, Wellington Dear Winston Peters, The Indonesia Human Rights Committee is deeply disturbed about recent revelations concerning West Papua, which we detail below. We appeal to you and the New Zealand Government in the strongest terms to take action against impunity for human rights abuses and against the ongoing closure of the region to outside observers. We note as follows: 1.Human Rights Watch has just released a very disturbing 96-page report detailing serious human rights abuses, including killings, in the central highlands of West Papua which have taken place since 2005. The report documents widespread abuses by police especially the BRIMOB (Mobile Brigade Police) in this remote area and the authors conclude that impunity prevails in the absence of any outside observers. There are first hand accounts of many vicious beatings, torture and of rape cases. There are also accounts of military 'sweeping' operations during which villagers were forced to flee their homes and crops to go into the mountains, where they tried to survive on foods such as nettles and bananas. Informants reported that several people have died from lack of food and medicine following their forced displacement. Only one low ranking soldier has faced prosecution for any of the abuses and he served a mere 8-month prison term for killing a 16-year-old boy. 2. In the same week that the Human Rights Watch Report was released there was news that US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega had been denied permission to visit West Papua despite having an invitation to attend a Tribal Council/Dewan Adat meeting there. Congressman Faleomavaega chairs a Congressional subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. Congressman Faleomavaega has a long and deep interest in West Papua and we believe this ban confirms a suspicion that Indonesia has much to hide from the outside world. 3. Following the Dewan Adat Conference Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, Commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command, has made inflammatory and belligerent threats to the Tribal Council after the new Council Chairperson expressed support for independence. Last month Col. Siagian was reported as declaring that he would 'destroy' anyone who 'betrayed' Indonesia. Col. Siagian has been indicted twice in absentia by the UN backed Special Panel in East Timor for crimes against humanity. His responsibility for organising militia forces in Bobonaro in 1999 prior to the independence referendum has been well documented. The indictments include detailed witness evidence of Col Siagian's responsibility for the murders of 7 people, 4 of whom were disposed of in the sea after being transported there in his car. Col Siagian has also been implicated in the bloody massacres, such as the massacre at the Maliana police station, that followed the referendum vote. As exiled human rights activist and Elsham Coordinator, Paula Makabory has said that it is shocking that Indonesia would appoint an indicted officer to a sensitive post in West Papua. Over 30 Papuan, Indonesian and international human rights organizations (including our own) have recently called for Col Siagian to be withdrawn immediately. 4. We have been deeply concerned to hear credible reports from West Papua of ongoing attacks, intimidation, surveillance and death threats against human rights defenders. These threats occurred in mid June 2007, following the visit of Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders. It is believed that members of the Indonesian military (TNI) are targeting people who met with Ms. Hina Jilani during her visit to Indonesia and who informed her about human rights abuses in West Papua. The victims of these intimidatory attacks, which include police tailing of a vehicle resulting in a crash, are members of the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Jayapura (SKP Jayapura), Yan Christian Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) and Mr. Albert Rumbekwan, the head of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham) in Papua. These events have all been reported to the chief of the national police and the regional military commander of Papua province, however no action has resulted. 5. It has been reported that prisoner of conscience Filep Karma has been the victim of prison officer violence following the publication in the Cenderawasih Post and Papua Post of his account of prison officer abuses and corrupt practices. We therefore call on the New Zealand Government to: * Revive its call for an International Crimes Tribunal to seek justice for the crimes committed in East Timor in 1999. (Phil Goff, Minister of Foreign Affairs: 8 August 2004) This Tribunal must be tasked with hearing the indictments painstakingly prepared for the UN Special Panel for Serious Crimes. It should be extended thereafter to consider the pre-1999 human rights abuses detailed in the Report of the Timor-Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation. * Urge Indonesia to carry out independent investigations into the human rights abuses detailed in the Human Rights Watch report and other recent documents. Those found responsible for abuse must be held to account. * New Zealand should call upon Indonesia to lift the cordon of secrecy which is hiding West Papua from the outside world. The province should be immediately opened up for visits from international human rights organisations, UN and other fact-finding missions and the international media. We believe that these steps would go someway towards meeting New Zealand's obligations as a neighbour to the suffering people of West Papua. Please do not let us repeat the mistakes of our past East Timor foreign policy by standing by as a grave human rights situation reaches a crisis point, Yours sincerely, Maire Leadbeater (for the Indonesia Human Rights Committee --- Forwarded message from ETAN ----- Also West Papua abuses highlight dangers of 'Lombok' treaty Friday, 6 July 2007 Howard should insist Jakarta halt Papuan rape and murder Prime Minister John Howard should insist that Jakarta intervene to halt the reported rape and murder of Papuans in West Papua by military forces, Greens Leader bob Brown said today. "Human Rights Watch has reported a culture of opportunistic brutality and military impunity and cites cases of deaths, including children, as a result of military action against Papuan communities suspected of harbouring rebels," Senator Brown said. "Mr Howard should insist that Jakarta end the military criminality and open Papua to free movement and the rule of civilian law," Senator Brown said. Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Ebony Bennett Media Adviser Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown Mobile: 0409 164 603 Ph: (02) 6277 3170 Fax: (02) 6277 3185 ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au - -- West Papua abuses highlight dangers of 'Lombok' treaty Senator Natasha Stott Despoja Democrats Senator for South Australia Australian Democrats spokesperson for Foreign Affairs The report released yesterday by Human Rights Watch on abuses by Indonesian security forces in West Papua is more evidence that the Australian Government needs to seriously review security cooperation with Indonesia, according to the Australian Democrats. "In quick succession we have seen the release of this report and the Indonesian Governments ban on travel to West Papua by US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega. There are clearly activities in that region that Indonesia does not want the world to see," Democrats' Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said. "The Democrats have serious concerns about the Lombok Security Treaty signed with Indonesia. "This Treaty says nothing about easing restrictions on access to West Papua by media and human rights monitors, and potentially leads to Australian military and police units cooperating with Indonesian security personnel who have carried out abuses of human rights," Senator Stott Despoja said. Senator Stott Despoja has lodged Questions on Notice seeking clarification from the Government on how it intends to ensure that security cooperation does not include Indonesian military personnel who are the subject of an Interpol Red Notice or who were indicted by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes in East Timor. The Government has not yet responded. "I acknowledge that Indonesias democratic government has been making some important progress towards a greater respect for human rights but the Indonesian security apparatus still holds enormous power and influence," Senator Stott Despoja said. "The Australian Government needs to be more pro-active in ensuring that any security cooperation with Indonesia does not in any way aid and abet abuses against the West Papuan people and the sacrifice of values that are fundamental to Australians." To view this Press Release, follow this Link http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=5979&display=1 etanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetanetan ETAN welcomes your financial support. For more info: http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm John M. Miller Internet: fbp at igc.org National Coordinator East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097 Mobile phone: (917)690-4391 Skype: john.m.miller Web site: http://www.etan.org From editors at kabar-irian.info Wed Jul 11 19:21:53 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:21:53 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] News: Jul 9 -12 2007 Message-ID: <50767.125.162.176.221.1184203313.squirrel@www.teuton.org> KABAR IRIAN NEWS July 5-9 TOPICS * Police quiz officials on OPM flag waving * Government must change its approach in Papua, says forum * Indonesian police query Papuans over raising banned flag * NKRI Defenders Front to conduct sweeps * Foreign intelligence agencies accused * Flag-raising incidents an attempt * Why the Flap Over a Maluku Flag? * West Papuan Student Activists Targeted * Papuan presidium council to hold congress * Lion Air now also serving Jakarta-Jayapura route * Government should refuse entry * The West Papua Report - July 2007 * Flag politics and the fallacy of separatism --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20070710.H08&irec=7 Police quiz officials on OPM flag waving JAYAPURA: Police have questioned 14 witnesses in connection with the unfurling of a separatist Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag during the opening of the Papua Customary Community Congress here last week. They included two local government officials, a National Sports Committee (KONI) official and members of the event's organizing committee, Papua provincial police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Paulus Waterpauw said Monday. Police are also questioning the event's organizers. Lawmakers said Monday the probe was questionable due to the fact former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid approved the use of the flag as a form of tribal identity and the approval is yet to be revoked. -- JP --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20070711.B07&irec=6 Government must change its approach in Papua, says forum M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A forum on Papua has called on the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to thoroughly change its approach to the country's easternmost region. The Forum for Papua said that it was time for the government to shift its policy on Papua, which has been dominated by a security approach, to one that catered more to the people's welfare. "The approach to Papua has to be fundamentally changed from security-oriented to human security- oriented, which means that the government should respect the human rights of the people there and meet the demands for their well-being," said forum member Tommy Legowo of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in a discussion Tuesday. The forum agreed that the security-oriented approach to Papua had resulted in the prevalence of insecurity among the people in the region. "In the wake of the implementation of regional autonomy, the intimidation of civilians continues to persist," forum member Zoemrotin K. Susilo said. He said many activists who had spoken out on human rights abuses in the region had come under threat from security forces there. "A number of people were subject to intimidation after they spoke to Hina Jilani during her visit recently. You can see that such an intimidation was not carried out in a tactical way," she said, referring to the visit of the special representative of the UN secretary general on human rights defenders. The forum also noted that another indication of Jakarta's preference for old security methods was the decision to increase the number of soldiers assigned to the region. The forum said that the number of soldiers had increased in recent years from three to five battalions. It also warned the government against taking action against those who were responsible for flying the Morning Star flag of the separatist Free Papua Movement during a conference of the Papuan Tribal Council. "It's just a cultural expression of their frustration with the blatant injustices that they have suffered," forum member Wiryono Sastrohandoyo said. Wiryono said that the flag-waving incident was merely the pinnacle of their frustration with the lack of economic improvement, despite the billions of funds allocated by the Central Government to bail Papua out of poverty. Economist H.S. Dillon criticized the central government for not doing enough to ensure that the special autonomy fund went to the needy. "All this time, the money only goes to those who are already empowered, migrants from other provinces. The government should change its strategy, the money should go to the people in the villages first," said Dillon, of the Partnership for Governance Reform. --- Indonesian police query Papuans over raising banned flag RNZI Posted at 04:06 on 09 July, 2007 UTC More Papuans are being questioned by Indonesian police in Jayapura over a flag-raising incident. This follows the arrest of eight Papuans at the end of the four-day Papuan Tribal Congress meeting in Jayapura last week. Police made the arrests after the West Papuan independence flag, the Morning Star, was used at the opening ceremony by a group of traditional dancers from Manokwari. A spokesperson for the international human rights group ELSHAM, Paula Makabori, says the eight have been released. Ms Makabori says the Papuan Tribal Council�s chairman Welem Bonay and other executive members are now being questioned over what she describes as a cultural event. �The reason is because there is a group called Sampari during that congress who used the West Papuan flag in their traditional dancing. But that is actually cultural. This is the way the Papuans sometimes use traditional dancing or music or songs to present their information to people.� Paula Makabori --- ----- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== NKRI Defenders Front to conduct sweeps for separatist supporters in Yogyakarta Detik.com - July 7, 2007 Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta -- The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia Defenders Front (FP-NKRI) will be conducting sweeps of people who support separatist movements in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas. This will be done because the TNI (Indonesian military) and the police are no longer capable of dealing with the movements supporting separatism in the student city. This was conveyed by FP-NKRI chairperson Gandung Pardiman at the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives on Saturday July 7. "If the TNI and police are no longer capable of dealing with it, we together with members of the FP-NKRI will conduct sweeps against those who clearly want rebellion and support separatism", he said. Pardiman said that the unfurling of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the commemoration of National Family Day in Ambon, Maluku, was a slap in the face against the Indonesian state. This was compounded by the flag raising incident of the Morning Star in Papua. "We as supporters of the NKRI Defenders Front were truly hurt by the incidents in Ambon and Papua. We cannot remain silent", threatened Pardiman. Pardiman said that his group also regrets the use of the symbol of the Morning Star during a demonstration by Papuan students in Yogyakarta on Wednesday July 4. Although Yogyakarta residents did not react to the incident, it does not mean that they will just stay silent and take no action. "The tolerance of Yogyakarta residents has its limits. We don't want Yogyakarta to be turned into a place for supporters of separatist movements", asserted the chairperson of the Golkar Party's Yogyakarta regional leadership board. Pardiman added that as the chairperson of a political party, he associates closely with various groups and communities from different parts of Indonesia that are studying in Yogyakarta and knows that not all Maluku and Papuan people support the separatist movements. During a meeting of FP-NKRI members on Friday night attended by several other mass organisations, it was agreed that the sweeps would not be carried out in a haphazard fashion. If there is concrete evidence of people supporting separatism the thousands of FP- NKRI in the Yogyakarta area will arrest them and hand them over to police. "We will also track down student supporters of separatism through the tertiary education campuses", said Pardiman who has been the chairperson of FP-NKRI since 1999. (bgs/sss) [Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** --- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Foreign intelligence agencies accused of being behind separatist incidents Detik.com - July 7, 2007 Muhammad Nur Hayid, Jakarta -- Foreign intelligence [agencies] are believed to be playing a significant role in the recent emergence of separatist movements. Rather, the people of Maluku and West Papua are satisfied and do not want these movements. "The people of Maluku are satisfied with Indonesia. In Papua the people also don't understand separatism. What is happening is that certain people in these two regions are being used by foreigners for their own interests", said the former chief of staff of the Trikora regional military command retired Brigadier General Rustam Kastor. Kastor conveyed this during a discussion on the theme of "Beneath the Shadow of Separatism" that was held at Mario's Place on Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta on Saturday July 7. Similar concerns were expressed by House of Representatives Commission I member Ali Muchtar Ngabalin. "I am 100 percent convinced that these [foreign] actors exist", he said. The politician from the Star Crescent Party added that aside from foreign interests, separatism is also a consequence of the poor performance of the government in bringing prosperity to these conflict areas. The politician from the Star Crescent Party added that aside from foreign interests, separatism is a consequence of the government's poor performance in bringing prosperity to these regions. "If [the government] want's to resolve it, provide the same treatment to the people of Papua and Ambon as the peoples of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi", he said. (irw/ana) Notes: According to Detik.com, following the signing of the Malino peace accord in Maluku on February 12, 2002, several hardline groups voiced their opposition to the deal through demonstrations in the provincial capital. They included the Maluku Front of Muslim Defenders under Husni Putuhena, the Special Task Force of Amar Maruf Nahi Munkar under Muhamad Attamimi, Kastor, Ustad Bahasoan and Laskar Jihad's Ahlussunah Wal Jamaah. In early March 2002, in an interview broadcast on Voice of Maluku Muslim Movement Radio -- which is run by Laskar Jihad -- it quoted Putuhena and Kastor as saying they entirely opposed the peace pact. [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** ---- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Flag-raising incidents an attempt to paint government as weak on separatism Detik.com - July 5, 2007 Arfi Bambani Amri, Jakarta -- Following on the heals of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag-raising incident, there have been cases of the Morning Star flag being raised in West Papua. It seems like there is an effort to shape public opinion that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is week on separatism. "There are efforts in that direction. Wanting to give the public the impression that the SBY administration is weak on separatism", said the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Person and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Usman Hamid during a discussion with Detik.com on Thursday July 5. Hamid is convinced that the Yudhoyono government is aware of the real strength of RMS supporters and the Free Papua Organisation (OPM). Currently, neither organisation poses a real threat to the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. "At any rate, the people who displayed the flags of the Morning Star and the RMS did so non-violently, in a peaceful manner, no violent actions materialised. It did not appear to a real threat", said Hamid. Meaning the police shouldn't use a violent approach in responding to peaceful actions by the two groups. The government could resolve the issue in a prudent manner, which is through dialogue as was carried out in dealing with the Free Aceh Movement in Aceh. "The government shouldn't get caught up in these issues of [national] disintegration. The flag raising cases are only a minor issue. There are lots of bigger issue that the government needs to resolve, such as the price of cooking oil that keeps going up", asserted Hamid. (aba/sss) Notes: Separately, Hamid told Tempo Magazine that he believed that security agencies were aware that that a protest was planned during the president's visit but that they intentionally allowed the incident to occur. Rumors are also circulating that an officer from the military police corps intentionally allowed the dancers (who were not part of the official agenda) to enter the venue. This has raising speculations that elements within the military or police intentionally sought to embarrass Yudhoyono in order to push the government give them a freer hand in dealing with separatism. [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** --- The Straits Times (Singapore) Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Why the Flap Over a Maluku Flag? John McBeth, Senior Writer JAKARTA - THE separatism that bedevilled Indonesia in the early days of the republic has left an indelible mark on the national psyche. But how to explain the near-hysteria that broke out after a troupe of dancers unfurled the flag of the Republic of South Maluku in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit to Ambon on June 29? Aides described Dr Yudhoyono as 'livid' and say it was the reason why he personally issued instructions forbidding US congressman Eni Faleomavaega from visiting Papua, another province with separatist tendencies. Inevitably, that reinforced perceptions that Indonesia has something to hide by restricting access to its long-neglected easternmost territory. But to the government, it made a lot of sense. A non-voting Samoan who chairs the House Foreign Relations Sub-committee on Asia and the Pacific, the congressman has been an active proponent of Papuan independence. Dr Yudhoyono and his advisers were clearly worried that his visit could spark embarrassing civil unrest. Flags other than Indonesia's red and white national flag have always been anathema to Indonesians. In Papua's case, former president Abdurrahman Wahid made the decision to allow the Morning Star to fly on special occasions in an effort to defuse some of the emotion surrounding it. Perhaps a better solution would be for the government to permit all of Indonesia's 33 provinces to fly their own flags. But given the over-reaction to the Maluku incident, that is unlikely to happen - at least not until the country gains a little more confidence in its own unity. It has always been difficult to understand why such a fuss has always been made over the Maluku independence movement, which has degenerated over the past half-century into a handful of activists who persist in keeping the issue alive. But what they also do is provide ammunition for hardline Islamic groups to voice alarm over the so-called 'threat' posed by the mostly Christian separatists. It was only five years ago that Muslims and Christians were locked in a bitter sectarian war that cost thousands of lives across the once-tranquil Moluccan islands, turned the heart of the southern city of Ambon into blackened ruins, and largely segregated the population. That was serious stuff. But flag-raising? Part of the problem with the incident in Ambon is that the image-conscious Dr Yudhoyono has a reputation for wanting all his activities to be carefully scripted - right down to elaborate talking points that include opening and closing pleasantries. To have a group of imposters suddenly materialise in front of him waving the forbidden flag not only mortified the President personally, but also led to a full-scale investigation into the security lapses that allowed it to happen. This was not the first time it happened and it probably won't be the last. In April 2004, 40 people died and 270 were wounded in a resurgence of violence sparked by a rally celebrating the 54th anniversary of South Maluku's short-lived independence. Even today, not everyone in Ambon believes there will continue to be peace in their time, given the amount of blood that was spilled in 1999-2003 and an underlying desire for revenge among those who lost family members in the violence. For all the subsequent misgivings over his visit, Mr Faleomavaega proved to be a lot more positive than most Indonesian officials expected after a round of engagements that included meetings with the President, senior parliamentarians and selected Papuan political leaders. Indonesia's progress towards democracy has played well in the US Congress, along with its success against the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network. But the congressman made it clear that unless more was done to empower the Papuans, he would continue to call for the territory's independence. Interestingly, Mr Faleomavaega made no public mention of endemic human rights abuses in Papua, the focal point of three different reports this year by the New York-based Human Rights Watch and the University of Sydney's Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. All three tend to regurgitate old facts and old allegations. But the latest Human Rights Watch report, timed for Mr Faleomavaega's visit, documented eight 'confirmed' new cases of extra-judicial killings, most of them allegedly carried out by the notoriously ill-disciplined Police Mobile Brigade since 2005. The University of Sydney report, released last March, made much of what it called a 'continuing crisis' in Mulia, the Puncak Jaya district capital 325km south-west of Jayapura, where Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels killed a special forces soldier and a retired army officer last December. The ambush and feared reprisals led to many residents evacuating the remote valley town - but only for a week or two. Sources who fly into Mulia on almost a daily basis say that apart from the heightened presence of police and military, any tension there has long since evaporated. They also note that when the OPM subsequently raised a Morning Star flag on the mountain overlooking the airport, it remained there for nearly three weeks before security forces took it down. ---- Source ?: West Papuan Student Activists Targeted by Indonesian Security Forces and Islamic Militias Only days after the Indonesian Government banned U.S Congressman Eni Faleomavega from visiting West Papua, the Indonesian police, military and local government in Yogyakarta have teamed up with Islamic militias and hardline nationalist groups to crack down on West Papuan activists. According to local West Papuan activists, forty-five student leaders in Yogyakarta have fled their dormitories, left their studies and gone into hiding following statements issued by hardline Islamic and nationalist organisations, Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defenders Front) and Front Anti-Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Anti-Communist Front). Since late last week e, xtremist elements have been threatening West Papuan student activists involved in recent demonstrations protesting the Indonesian government?s decision to ban Congressman Faleomavega from visiting West Papua. The statements appeared in Yogyakarta newspapers Suara Karya and Kedaulatan Rakyat on the 7th of July and were repeated again on Indonesian TV news stations, Metro TV, SCT, RCTI and Trans TV. On the same day (7th July 2007) Indonesian military officer Col. Burhanuddin Siagian currently serving in West Papua, was quoted in the West Papua daily, the Cendrawashi Pos as saying ?For the sake of the NKRI [The Unitary Republic of Indonesia] we are not afraid of human rights. It is the TNI?s duty to destroy any group wanting to separate from Indonesia, irrespective of what methods they are using to struggle.? Col. Siagian was indicted by East Timor?s serious crimes units for the murder of seven East Timorese men in April 1999. Col Siagian has never been brought to justice. West Papuan leader Mr. Jonah Wenda from the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation who has been in communication with the students said that ?intelligent, local government and national security forces ? TNI and police ? want to arrest and kill those who support the movement of West Papua.? One of the students in hiding, who spoke to the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights on the condition of anonymity, said that ?the Indonesian constitution guarantees our right to freedom of expression. Why is the DPRD [local government], military and police who should be protecting our rights, saying they will hunt us down and crush us? What we want is simply for the central government to allow Congressman Eni Faleomavega to visit West Papua so he can see the situation with his own eyes. What is the central government hiding?? IPAHR urges the Indonesian government to guarantee the students safety and uphold their right to freedom of expression. ?These students were conducting peaceful protests. In a democratic country they should not be harassed and intimidated by the government, security forces and their militia proxies simply for peacefully expressing a political opinion? said Paula Makabory from the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights. For more information or interviews contact: Jonah Wenda: +62 852 4452 5489 Paula Makabory: +61 (0)402 547 517 --- Editors note: The Papuan Presidium Council refered to below should not be confused with the PDP headed by Thom Beanal. http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/10/papuan-presidium-council-to-hold-congress/ National 07/10/07 18:27 Papuan presidium council to hold congress Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Papuan Presidium Council (DPMPI) is preparing to hold its first ever congress in August in an effort to maintain the land of Papua in the framework of the Indonesian Unitary State of the Indonesian Republic (NKRI), its spokesman Heemskercke Bonay said here on Tuesday. "DPMPI is planning to stage the first ever congress after it was set up a year ago in Jayapura," Heemskercke, one of the DPMPI initiators, said adding that various preparations had been made for the meeting. The oldest daughter of the former first governor of the then West Irian (now Papua) Eliezer Yan Bonay said the purpose of was to maintain to soil of Papua in the NKRI, in addition to telling the whole people of Indonesia that the former fighters from Papua for NKRI remained united for one Indonesia. She said the congress would be a precious momentum for the continuity and perpetuity of Papuans spirit for unity in the framework of NKRI. Heems, as she was popularly called, noted that all members of DPMPI, its cadres and sympathizers had a determination to perpetuating the spirit of nationalism on May 1, 1963 which marked the return of the then Irian Barat into the administration of Indonesia. (*) --- http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/9/lion-air-now-also-serving-jakarta-jayapura-route/ National 07/09/07 01:50 Lion Air now also serving Jakarta-Jayapura route Jakarta (ANTARA News) -- One of Indonesia`s private airline company, Lion Air, is now also serving the Jakarta- Jayapura route via Makassar by its 737-900 ER. "This new air route covered by Lion Air is expected to boost economic growth in Papua, which now still relying on air transportation," Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu said when dedicating Lion Air`s new Jakarta-Jayapura service at Sentani airport in Jayapura on Saturday. He said that vast investment would be needed to boost the economic development in Papua -- roughly three times the size of Java island -- for which trustworthy and reliable investor are needed, both local and foreign. Papua is known as the most expensive province in Indonesia because of its lack of roads, and therefore is still relying on relatively expensive air transportation, Barnabas said, while adding that the total number of 430 airfields in Papua are still wide open to more flights services. In this context, he said, the government will in the long run extend Sentani airport`s runway from 2,150 meters to 2,500 meters, and build roads to isolated and remote areas in the province. He said the more the airline companies flying to and within Papua, the easier it would be to reach the far away areas. This, in turn, he added, would boost the economic growth of the remote places, and encourage investors to invest in the province which is rich in natural resources, Barnabas said. Lion Air would be the second low-cost airline company flying to Jayapura after Batavia air. Six airlines stationed in Sentani airport are ready to fly to different destinations. Spokeswman for Lion Air Hasyim said the company has placed an order with Boeing in the United States for a hundred 747-400s for delivery until 2010. One of the aircrafts being ordered arrives in Indonesia every month, including this month. (*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Government should refuse entry to foreign rights monitors if necessary Detik.com - July 10, 2007 Ken Yunita, Jakarta -- The government is being asked to be on guard against the arrival in Indonesia of human rights representatives from foreign institutions. This is related to the reemergence of separatist movements in various parts of the country. “We must be on guard against those who arrive. Such as the US Congressperson [Eni Faleomavaega] the other day”, said the governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), Muladi, after joining Vice President Jusuf Kalla in receiving the Lemhannas class of XV graduates at the Vice Presidential Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta on Tuesday July 10. If necessary explained Muladi, it would be better for the government to refuse entry guests who could have a bad influence on Indonesia. “We don’t need to be courteous if it will cause us confusion. If necessary just refuse [them entry]”, he said in an outburst of emotion. In relation to the illegal cakalele dancers that unfurled the South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag during a commemoration of National Family Day on June 29, Muladi said that there is no need to be concerned about the RMS. “I don’t think the RMS is of any significance”, he said. Conversely continued Muladi, Aceh and West Papua represent two regions that the government must continue to pay attention to. “The RMS doesn’t have a strong human resource base. Aceh and Papua meanwhile, they have a strong human resource base, are rich in natural resources, and have international connections”, he said. (bal/sss) [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** --- The West Papua Report - July 2007 This is the 38th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This reporting series is produced by the West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. The West Papua Advocacy Team is a non-profit organization. Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw at msn.com Summary: The US House of Representatives has called for cuts in US assistance to the Indonesian military (TNI) and has insisted on genuine reform within the TNI. A UN human rights official has expressed concern about the human rights enviornment in West Papua. Her visit prompted Papuans to demonstrate peacefully in suppor to UN action to protect fundamental Papuan rights. In the wake of the UN visit, security forces have cracked down on human rights defenders. A prominent Papuan political prisoner/prisoner of conscience has been beaten in prison following his revalation of criminal behavior by guards. Thirty Papuan, Indonesian and international human rights organizations have written to President Yudhoyono calling for removal of a TNI official indicted by the UN-supported Dili special crimes unit who, as a senior commander in West Papua, has threatened to "destroy" Papuans who press for their rights. End Summary. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega Barred from Visiting West Papua As the July edition of the West Papua Report was being finalized for publication we learned that the Indonesian Government has reneged on its invitation to Congressman Eni Faleomavaega to visit West Papua. An Indonesian spokesperson claimed the visit was canceled over fear that it could provoke riots. The Indonesian government has offered no evidence for this purported concern. In fact Papuans were preparing a warm welcome for this consistent champion of human rights in West Papua. For over one year the Indonesian government has engaged in a massive international propaganda campaign aimed at convincing critics that its policies in West Papua are benign. Its refusal to allow Congressman Faleomavaega to see the situation for himself speaks volumes about the mendacity of the Indonesian propaganda campaign and about the urgent need for the international community to address the plight of Papuans. U.S. Congress Demands Indonesian Military Accountability for Human Rights Crimes in West Papua and Elsewhere On June 22, the U.S. House of Representatives renewed its past statements of concern about human right abuse and corruption in the Indonesian military (TNI). Specifically, it inserted requirements into legislation funding U.S. assistance to the Indonesian military that demand military reform and accountability. Several provisions in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2764) require reporting on progress in these areas prior to the release of certain military assistance funds. The provisions include reporting on the impact of U.S. assistance on Indonesian security forces and any connections between US assistance and human rights violations by these forces. The bill would cut the administration's request for Foreign Military Finance (FMF) funds nearly in half from $15.7 million to $8 million and would delay the release of $2 million of those funds until the State Department reports on: "steps taken by the Government of Indonesia" to prosecute and punish, "in a manner proportional to the crime," members of the Armed Forces who have been credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human rights; cooperation with "civilian judicial authorities and international efforts to resolve cases of gross violations of human rights in East Timor and elsewhere"; and military reforms "to increase the transparency and accountability of their operations and financial management." In addition to reflecting the Congress's exasperation with the continued failure of the Indonesian military to end corruption, submit to civilian direction and end human rights abuses, the Congress also renewed expressions of concern about developments in West Papua. Among these, the legislation would delay provision of International Military Education and Training (IMET) until the Secretary of State reports on steps taken by Indonesia to "to deny promotion to and to remove from service military officers indicted for serious crimes." This provision reflects growing concern in Congress and elsewhere that Jakarta continues to promote those indicted for war crimes. For example, Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, regional military commander in West Papua, recently threatened to "destroy" any Papuans seeking their political rights. He has been twice indicted for crimes against humanity by the UN-supported serious crimes court in East Timor. The congressional initiative also renewed calls for West Papua to be opened to unimpeded travel by U.N. and diplomatic personnel, journalists, researchers and non-governmental organization personnel. The Senate has yet to take up its version of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. Before becoming law, any differences between the House and Senate bills must be reconciled. UN Human Rights Official Visits West Papua And Expresses Concern Over Human Rights There A June 12 UN report described the visit earlier in June of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, Hina Jilani. The report, issued by the Secretary General's office, noted that the purpose of the June 5-7 visit was to assess the situation of human rights defenders in the light of the principles set forth in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1998. During the mission, the Special Representative visited Jayapura in West Papua. The visit was important and welcome as Jakarta has heretofore often blocked visits by UN and other human rights-focus people to West Papua. In general, the Special Representative observed that prospects for the promotion of human rights had been considerably improved in the recent past. She also however observed shortcomings including a lack of interagency cooperation and coordination among institutions created to address human rights concerns. She also described resistance to changing attitudes and institutional culture which has made it difficult for these institutions to make a full commitment to eliminate impunity for human rights violations. She observed that there was "even less commitment to removing impunity for past abuses." In this context, she said she was mindful of the several cases she has communicated to the government in the past six years on which there is still no progress. The Special Representative was particularly concerned by developments in West Papua on which the June 12 report focused: "The Special Representative is deeply concerned by the testimonies that she has heard indicating the continuing activities of the police, the military and other security and intelligence agencies that are aimed at harassment and intimidation of defenders or to restrict their access to victims and to sites of human rights violations." "She found this trend more pronounced in the Province of West Papua. She has heard credible reports of incidents that involve arbitrary detention, torture, harassment through surveillance, interference with the freedom of movement and in defenders' efforts to monitor and investigate human rights violations. She was also informed of cases where human rights defenders were threatened with prosecution by members of the police and the military. It was alleged that when defenders have attempted to register their complaints, this has been denied and the defenders threatened. She is also concerned about complaints that defenders working for the preservation of the environment and the right over land and natural resources frequently receive threats from private actors with powerful economic interest, but are granted no protection by the police. She is particularly disturbed by allegations that when defenders expose abuse of authority or other forms of human rights violations committed by the security apparatus, they are labeled as separatists in order to undermine their credibility. The Special Representative believes that this trend places human rights defenders at greater risk and must be discouraged by the concerned authorities." "The concerns of the Special Representative regarding the situation of human rights defenders in West Papua persist despite the assurance to her by the Military Commander and the Chief of police in Papua that there was no institutional policy to target defenders. She has recommended improvement in the mechanisms in order to ensure more credible oversight and accountability of police, the military and the intelligence apparatus. She has also recommended the creation of special complaint cells for registering and redressing incidents of harm or threats to human rights defenders." The Special Representative will present her report on this mission to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and will make detailed recommendations for the consideration of the government. She called for a sustained dialogue with the Indonesian government, and expressed hope that there would be "more uniform progress on the protection of human rights defenders in all parts of the country". Papuans Rally to Win UN Support for Political Rights An Agence France Press report noted that Hundreds of people rallied June 8 in West Papua, to urge the United Nations to press Jakarta to overturn a 1969 referendum that Jakarta has used to justify its annexation of West Papua. The rally transpired during a visit by UN envoy Hina Jilani (see separate reports above regarding the UN official's visit). The demonstrators call on the UN to reconsider the 1969 "Act of Free Choice" in which 1,022 Papuans, chosen by the Indonesian Government and operating under military pressure "voted unanimously" for annexation. Independent international observers, including UN monitors from the period, have labeled the act a sham and a fraud as do recently declassified US and UN documents. "We urge the United Nations to accept the Papuan people's aspiration to review the Act of Free Choice," rally organizer Jek Wanggai told AFP by phone. "The United Nations must register Papuan areas as colonized zones and organize an immediate referendum vote," Wanggai said. According to the AFP report, Wanggai said about 900 people took part in the rally in Manokwari, located 500 miles from the provincial capital Jayapura, where UN Special Representative Jilani was meeting with officials. Wanggai called on her to meet representatives of his movement while in West Papua. "We no longer believe in the corrupt Indonesian justice system and hope an international court will deal with human rights violations in Papua," he said. Wanggai's comments and actions place him in danger. A senior Indonesian military official in West Papua who was indicted by the UN-supported Special Crimes Unit publicly threatened to "destroy" Papuans who spoke out for their rights, including political rights (see separate report in June edition of the West Papua Report). Following report documents security force pressure on Papuans in wake of UN official's visit. Papuans Face Threats and Intimidation in Wake of UN Official's Visit On June 28 the Asian Human Rights Commission issued and "urgent appeal" on behalf of Papuan human rights defenders who were targeted by the Indonesian security forces and intelligence units in the wake of a visit by a UN human rights official to West Papua (see above). In its appeal, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said it has received "credible" information of ongoing attacks, intimidation, surveillance and threats, including death threats, against human rights defenders from West Papua that occurred in mid-June 2007, following their meeting with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders." The appeal stated that members of the Indonesian military (TNI) appeared to be targeting people who met with Ms. Hina Jilani during her visit. The appeal added that although a formal letter has been issued to the chief of the national police and the regional military commander of Papua province, no action had been taken by the authorities and that the defenders continue to feel threatened while conducting their work. The appeal cited the following cases: The first case reported involves two persons: Frederika Korain, Priest Perinus Kogoya. They all work for the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Jayapura (SKP Jayapura). They attended a public hearing with Ms. Hina Jilani in Jakarta on June 7, 2007. They returned to Jayapura on June 8, 2007. Sentani airport, where their plane landed, was being heavily guarded by the police, military and intelligence services, as Ms. Hina Jilani was scheduled to visit Papua. As their vehicle departed Sentani airport they were rammed by a vehicle bearing a police license plate. As a result of the crash, the SKP car was damaged and the passengers were in shock. The SKP driver attempted to stop the car that had hit them, at which point two men got out of the car and stated that they were intelligence commanders for the military regional command. The police, who saw the entire incident, allowed them to leave the scene of accident without being questioned. Local groups believe that this incident was no accident, but was for the direct purpose of intimidating the two defenders, notably as they had been being followed by the same car since they had left the airport. The second case involves Yan Christian Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari, who has reported that he is under surveillance both at his home and office. On June 8, 2007, Mr. Warinussy met with Ms. Hina Jilani in Jayap ura, and he came back to Manokwari on June 9, 2007. Beginning that evening he was surveiled from a vehicle both at home and at his office. Mr. Warinussy requested protection from Peace Brigade International (PBI) and asked them to accompany him from Friday June 15, 2007 onwards. The third case concerns Mr. Albert Rumbekwan, the head of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham) in Papua Province. On June 11, 2007, Albert received a text message "You who are reporting about the human rights situation in Papua are trying to destroy the people. You want evidence of people being killed, I will kill your tribe, your family and your children will become only bones to show that there is only a zone of peace in Papua." On June 14, 2007, Mr. Albert Rumbekwan received five more text messages from the same number, again containing death threats. AT around 8am on the same day, unidentified persons parked three cars some 20 meters from Mr. Albert Rumbekwan's office. The perpetrators were shouting, allegedly to get Mr. Albert Rumbekwan to come outside and see them, but he ignored them, as a result of which they remained in the area and monitored his offices until around 4pm. These telephonic threats have continued as have surveillance. The Commission for Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has already issued complaint letters concerning the three afore-mentioned cases to the Chief of Police for the Province of Papua (Kapolda Papua), Regional Military Commander of Trikora, chief of National Police (Kapolri), Foreign Affairs Minister of Indonesia, and the Head of Komnas HAM in Jakarta. However, no effective action has yet been taken to investigate these incidents. Papuan Prisoner of Conscience Beaten for Revealing Guards' Criminality Reliable reporting from inside West Papua indicates that in June, Filep Karma, recognized by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations as a "political prisoner" and prisoner of conscience" in June was attacked by guards as a consequence of his reporting of criminality by local guards. On the 12th June 2007, TOP TV (Papuan Local TV), Cenderawasih Post and Papua Post (newspapers) published Filep Karma's report about violence and extortion which is being committed by Indonesian prison officers. Included in the report, he reported that the prison officers receive bribes and also have stolen the prison's tools and equipment which were used by prisoners for training and practical activities. He reported that the prison officers took them and used them as their personal belongings. In addition, he reported about a list of names of the prisoners who have bribed the prison officers and who are now enjoying freedom outside the prison. As a result of Filep Karma's report which was published by the media, two prison officers dragged him by the collar of his shirt. As a result of their action his shirt was torn , his feet were injured and his back bone and his coccyx (tailbone) which was injured when he was arrested in 2004 are now very painful again. Until the publication of Filep Karma's report, he had twice weekly health checks. Prison authorities ended this practice following publication of the report sourced to Karma. International Groups Expose Criminal Past of TNI Officer Now Issuing Threats against Papuans On June 28 30 Papuan, Indonesian and international human rights organizations called attention to the the presence in West Papua of a senior Indonesian army officer indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor (now Timor-Leste). The groups underscored that the officer's presence in West Papua endangers human rights defenders and political activists and is a sign of the Indonesian government's lack of commitment to justice and accountability. In an open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia (see http://tapol.gn.apc.org/news/files/let070628.htm), the organizations called for Col. Burhanuddin Siagian, commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command (Korem 172) in Papua, to be withdrawn immediately and suspended from active duty. They urged the Indonesian government to review all evidence against Col. Siagian and other high-level East Timor suspects to determine whether proceedings should be commenced and to extradite to East Timor those indicted by Dili's Special Panel for Serious Crimes. A June 28 Tapol media release quoted Paula Makaboury as stating "It is shocking that a government supposedly committed to military reform and fighting impunity would appoint an indicted officer to a sensitive senior post in Papua." said Paula Makabory, the exiled coordinator of the International Human Rights Campaign for the Papuan rights group, ELSHAM. "Papuans will continue to have their rights trampled on until the civilian authorities exert control over military behavior and ensure accountability for past abuses," she added. As reported in the June issue of the West Papua Report, Siagian publicly threatened to "destroy" anyone who "betrays" Indonesia. His threat was targeted at those Papuans demanding their political rights. His statements ominously echoed statements he made when serving as Maliana as military commander of the Bobonaro district of East Timor in 1999. Two indictments issued in 2003 state that he made speeches threatening to kill East Timorese independence supporters and was responsible for the deaths of seven men in April 1999 (See http://jsmp.minihub.org/indictmentspdf/Cailacoindnannexeng07feb03) and http://jsmp.minihub.org/indictmentspdf/Maliana_Burhanuddin22_7_03.pdf). The organizations in their letter underscored that Papuans who campaign peacefully are not betraying Indonesia as alleged by Col. Siagian, but simply asserting their right to express their political views. They called upon President Yudhoyono to show his commitment to freedom of expression and support this right. The organizations concluded their letter as follows: "We are dismayed by Indonesia's lack of respect for the rule of law and its apparent determination to perpetuate a cycle of impunity that encourages military personnel to believe they will escape justice for past and future violations of human rights," said Matthew Jamieson Secretary of the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights in Australia. "Indonesia has failed to keep its obligations under international law and Indonesian domestic law to prosecute Col Siagian for his alleged crimes." Indonesian Government in West Papua Replicating Infamous East Timor Strategy Reliable accounts from West Papua report Indonesian agents are suborning Papuans along the lines of efforts in East Timor a decade ago aimed at creating pro-Jakarta elements in support of a propaganda campaign. As with militia and pro-Jakarta Timorese, those recruited will wear T-shirts printed with pro-integration logo's. More ominously, Indonesian security officials will train these recruits to "defend" Indonesia against "separatists." Similar militias in East Timor and Aceh were employed by the military and police to terrorize local critics of Jakarta. It is not clear whether these Papuan militias will be armed, although in the past, the Indonesian military has armed migrant-based units, raising communal tensions. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20070711.E02&irec=1 Flag politics and the fallacy of separatism Aboeprijadi Santoso, Jakarta State responses and the row over flag incidents in Maluku and Papua suggest little has been learned from Indonesia's rich experience with conflicts in East Timor and Aceh. Some 60 years ago Ibu Soed, one of Indonesia's most respected nationalists who composed the popular song Berkibarlah Benderaku (Fly My Flag), captured the significance that could emanate from the symbolism of a flag for an independence struggle and its meaning for nationhood. Her lyrics went: "Fly, fly my flag, the symbol of holiness, heroism and courage." (Berkibarlah benderaku, lambang suci, gagah perwira ....) A flag can even be intimately linked to blood, another powerful symbol of common cause, since only by politi From editors at kabar-irian.info Wed Jul 11 19:23:39 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:23:39 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] News: Jul 9 -12 2007 Message-ID: <50769.125.162.176.221.1184203419.squirrel@www.teuton.org> KABAR IRIAN NEWS July 5-9 TOPICS * Police quiz officials on OPM flag waving * Government must change its approach in Papua, says forum * Indonesian police query Papuans over raising banned flag * NKRI Defenders Front to conduct sweeps * Foreign intelligence agencies accused * Flag-raising incidents an attempt * Why the Flap Over a Maluku Flag? * West Papuan Student Activists Targeted * Papuan presidium council to hold congress * Lion Air now also serving Jakarta-Jayapura route * Government should refuse entry * The West Papua Report - July 2007 * Flag politics and the fallacy of separatism --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20070710.H08&irec=7 Police quiz officials on OPM flag waving JAYAPURA: Police have questioned 14 witnesses in connection with the unfurling of a separatist Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag during the opening of the Papua Customary Community Congress here last week. They included two local government officials, a National Sports Committee (KONI) official and members of the event's organizing committee, Papua provincial police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Paulus Waterpauw said Monday. Police are also questioning the event's organizers. Lawmakers said Monday the probe was questionable due to the fact former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid approved the use of the flag as a form of tribal identity and the approval is yet to be revoked. -- JP --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20070711.B07&irec=6 Government must change its approach in Papua, says forum M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A forum on Papua has called on the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to thoroughly change its approach to the country's easternmost region. The Forum for Papua said that it was time for the government to shift its policy on Papua, which has been dominated by a security approach, to one that catered more to the people's welfare. "The approach to Papua has to be fundamentally changed from security-oriented to human security- oriented, which means that the government should respect the human rights of the people there and meet the demands for their well-being," said forum member Tommy Legowo of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in a discussion Tuesday. The forum agreed that the security-oriented approach to Papua had resulted in the prevalence of insecurity among the people in the region. "In the wake of the implementation of regional autonomy, the intimidation of civilians continues to persist," forum member Zoemrotin K. Susilo said. He said many activists who had spoken out on human rights abuses in the region had come under threat from security forces there. "A number of people were subject to intimidation after they spoke to Hina Jilani during her visit recently. You can see that such an intimidation was not carried out in a tactical way," she said, referring to the visit of the special representative of the UN secretary general on human rights defenders. The forum also noted that another indication of Jakarta's preference for old security methods was the decision to increase the number of soldiers assigned to the region. The forum said that the number of soldiers had increased in recent years from three to five battalions. It also warned the government against taking action against those who were responsible for flying the Morning Star flag of the separatist Free Papua Movement during a conference of the Papuan Tribal Council. "It's just a cultural expression of their frustration with the blatant injustices that they have suffered," forum member Wiryono Sastrohandoyo said. Wiryono said that the flag-waving incident was merely the pinnacle of their frustration with the lack of economic improvement, despite the billions of funds allocated by the Central Government to bail Papua out of poverty. Economist H.S. Dillon criticized the central government for not doing enough to ensure that the special autonomy fund went to the needy. "All this time, the money only goes to those who are already empowered, migrants from other provinces. The government should change its strategy, the money should go to the people in the villages first," said Dillon, of the Partnership for Governance Reform. --- Indonesian police query Papuans over raising banned flag RNZI Posted at 04:06 on 09 July, 2007 UTC More Papuans are being questioned by Indonesian police in Jayapura over a flag-raising incident. This follows the arrest of eight Papuans at the end of the four-day Papuan Tribal Congress meeting in Jayapura last week. Police made the arrests after the West Papuan independence flag, the Morning Star, was used at the opening ceremony by a group of traditional dancers from Manokwari. A spokesperson for the international human rights group ELSHAM, Paula Makabori, says the eight have been released. Ms Makabori says the Papuan Tribal Council�s chairman Welem Bonay and other executive members are now being questioned over what she describes as a cultural event. �The reason is because there is a group called Sampari during that congress who used the West Papuan flag in their traditional dancing. But that is actually cultural. This is the way the Papuans sometimes use traditional dancing or music or songs to present their information to people.� Paula Makabori --- ----- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== NKRI Defenders Front to conduct sweeps for separatist supporters in Yogyakarta Detik.com - July 7, 2007 Bagus Kurniawan, Yogyakarta -- The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia Defenders Front (FP-NKRI) will be conducting sweeps of people who support separatist movements in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas. This will be done because the TNI (Indonesian military) and the police are no longer capable of dealing with the movements supporting separatism in the student city. This was conveyed by FP-NKRI chairperson Gandung Pardiman at the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives on Saturday July 7. "If the TNI and police are no longer capable of dealing with it, we together with members of the FP-NKRI will conduct sweeps against those who clearly want rebellion and support separatism", he said. Pardiman said that the unfurling of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the commemoration of National Family Day in Ambon, Maluku, was a slap in the face against the Indonesian state. This was compounded by the flag raising incident of the Morning Star in Papua. "We as supporters of the NKRI Defenders Front were truly hurt by the incidents in Ambon and Papua. We cannot remain silent", threatened Pardiman. Pardiman said that his group also regrets the use of the symbol of the Morning Star during a demonstration by Papuan students in Yogyakarta on Wednesday July 4. Although Yogyakarta residents did not react to the incident, it does not mean that they will just stay silent and take no action. "The tolerance of Yogyakarta residents has its limits. We don't want Yogyakarta to be turned into a place for supporters of separatist movements", asserted the chairperson of the Golkar Party's Yogyakarta regional leadership board. Pardiman added that as the chairperson of a political party, he associates closely with various groups and communities from different parts of Indonesia that are studying in Yogyakarta and knows that not all Maluku and Papuan people support the separatist movements. During a meeting of FP-NKRI members on Friday night attended by several other mass organisations, it was agreed that the sweeps would not be carried out in a haphazard fashion. If there is concrete evidence of people supporting separatism the thousands of FP- NKRI in the Yogyakarta area will arrest them and hand them over to police. "We will also track down student supporters of separatism through the tertiary education campuses", said Pardiman who has been the chairperson of FP-NKRI since 1999. (bgs/sss) [Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** --- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Foreign intelligence agencies accused of being behind separatist incidents Detik.com - July 7, 2007 Muhammad Nur Hayid, Jakarta -- Foreign intelligence [agencies] are believed to be playing a significant role in the recent emergence of separatist movements. Rather, the people of Maluku and West Papua are satisfied and do not want these movements. "The people of Maluku are satisfied with Indonesia. In Papua the people also don't understand separatism. What is happening is that certain people in these two regions are being used by foreigners for their own interests", said the former chief of staff of the Trikora regional military command retired Brigadier General Rustam Kastor. Kastor conveyed this during a discussion on the theme of "Beneath the Shadow of Separatism" that was held at Mario's Place on Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta on Saturday July 7. Similar concerns were expressed by House of Representatives Commission I member Ali Muchtar Ngabalin. "I am 100 percent convinced that these [foreign] actors exist", he said. The politician from the Star Crescent Party added that aside from foreign interests, separatism is also a consequence of the poor performance of the government in bringing prosperity to these conflict areas. The politician from the Star Crescent Party added that aside from foreign interests, separatism is a consequence of the government's poor performance in bringing prosperity to these regions. "If [the government] want's to resolve it, provide the same treatment to the people of Papua and Ambon as the peoples of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi", he said. (irw/ana) Notes: According to Detik.com, following the signing of the Malino peace accord in Maluku on February 12, 2002, several hardline groups voiced their opposition to the deal through demonstrations in the provincial capital. They included the Maluku Front of Muslim Defenders under Husni Putuhena, the Special Task Force of Amar Maruf Nahi Munkar under Muhamad Attamimi, Kastor, Ustad Bahasoan and Laskar Jihad's Ahlussunah Wal Jamaah. In early March 2002, in an interview broadcast on Voice of Maluku Muslim Movement Radio -- which is run by Laskar Jihad -- it quoted Putuhena and Kastor as saying they entirely opposed the peace pact. [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** ---- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Flag-raising incidents an attempt to paint government as weak on separatism Detik.com - July 5, 2007 Arfi Bambani Amri, Jakarta -- Following on the heals of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag-raising incident, there have been cases of the Morning Star flag being raised in West Papua. It seems like there is an effort to shape public opinion that the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is week on separatism. "There are efforts in that direction. Wanting to give the public the impression that the SBY administration is weak on separatism", said the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Person and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Usman Hamid during a discussion with Detik.com on Thursday July 5. Hamid is convinced that the Yudhoyono government is aware of the real strength of RMS supporters and the Free Papua Organisation (OPM). Currently, neither organisation poses a real threat to the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. "At any rate, the people who displayed the flags of the Morning Star and the RMS did so non-violently, in a peaceful manner, no violent actions materialised. It did not appear to a real threat", said Hamid. Meaning the police shouldn't use a violent approach in responding to peaceful actions by the two groups. The government could resolve the issue in a prudent manner, which is through dialogue as was carried out in dealing with the Free Aceh Movement in Aceh. "The government shouldn't get caught up in these issues of [national] disintegration. The flag raising cases are only a minor issue. There are lots of bigger issue that the government needs to resolve, such as the price of cooking oil that keeps going up", asserted Hamid. (aba/sss) Notes: Separately, Hamid told Tempo Magazine that he believed that security agencies were aware that that a protest was planned during the president's visit but that they intentionally allowed the incident to occur. Rumors are also circulating that an officer from the military police corps intentionally allowed the dancers (who were not part of the official agenda) to enter the venue. This has raising speculations that elements within the military or police intentionally sought to embarrass Yudhoyono in order to push the government give them a freer hand in dealing with separatism. [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** --- The Straits Times (Singapore) Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Why the Flap Over a Maluku Flag? John McBeth, Senior Writer JAKARTA - THE separatism that bedevilled Indonesia in the early days of the republic has left an indelible mark on the national psyche. But how to explain the near-hysteria that broke out after a troupe of dancers unfurled the flag of the Republic of South Maluku in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during his visit to Ambon on June 29? Aides described Dr Yudhoyono as 'livid' and say it was the reason why he personally issued instructions forbidding US congressman Eni Faleomavaega from visiting Papua, another province with separatist tendencies. Inevitably, that reinforced perceptions that Indonesia has something to hide by restricting access to its long-neglected easternmost territory. But to the government, it made a lot of sense. A non-voting Samoan who chairs the House Foreign Relations Sub-committee on Asia and the Pacific, the congressman has been an active proponent of Papuan independence. Dr Yudhoyono and his advisers were clearly worried that his visit could spark embarrassing civil unrest. Flags other than Indonesia's red and white national flag have always been anathema to Indonesians. In Papua's case, former president Abdurrahman Wahid made the decision to allow the Morning Star to fly on special occasions in an effort to defuse some of the emotion surrounding it. Perhaps a better solution would be for the government to permit all of Indonesia's 33 provinces to fly their own flags. But given the over-reaction to the Maluku incident, that is unlikely to happen - at least not until the country gains a little more confidence in its own unity. It has always been difficult to understand why such a fuss has always been made over the Maluku independence movement, which has degenerated over the past half-century into a handful of activists who persist in keeping the issue alive. But what they also do is provide ammunition for hardline Islamic groups to voice alarm over the so-called 'threat' posed by the mostly Christian separatists. It was only five years ago that Muslims and Christians were locked in a bitter sectarian war that cost thousands of lives across the once-tranquil Moluccan islands, turned the heart of the southern city of Ambon into blackened ruins, and largely segregated the population. That was serious stuff. But flag-raising? Part of the problem with the incident in Ambon is that the image-conscious Dr Yudhoyono has a reputation for wanting all his activities to be carefully scripted - right down to elaborate talking points that include opening and closing pleasantries. To have a group of imposters suddenly materialise in front of him waving the forbidden flag not only mortified the President personally, but also led to a full-scale investigation into the security lapses that allowed it to happen. This was not the first time it happened and it probably won't be the last. In April 2004, 40 people died and 270 were wounded in a resurgence of violence sparked by a rally celebrating the 54th anniversary of South Maluku's short-lived independence. Even today, not everyone in Ambon believes there will continue to be peace in their time, given the amount of blood that was spilled in 1999-2003 and an underlying desire for revenge among those who lost family members in the violence. For all the subsequent misgivings over his visit, Mr Faleomavaega proved to be a lot more positive than most Indonesian officials expected after a round of engagements that included meetings with the President, senior parliamentarians and selected Papuan political leaders. Indonesia's progress towards democracy has played well in the US Congress, along with its success against the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network. But the congressman made it clear that unless more was done to empower the Papuans, he would continue to call for the territory's independence. Interestingly, Mr Faleomavaega made no public mention of endemic human rights abuses in Papua, the focal point of three different reports this year by the New York-based Human Rights Watch and the University of Sydney's Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. All three tend to regurgitate old facts and old allegations. But the latest Human Rights Watch report, timed for Mr Faleomavaega's visit, documented eight 'confirmed' new cases of extra-judicial killings, most of them allegedly carried out by the notoriously ill-disciplined Police Mobile Brigade since 2005. The University of Sydney report, released last March, made much of what it called a 'continuing crisis' in Mulia, the Puncak Jaya district capital 325km south-west of Jayapura, where Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels killed a special forces soldier and a retired army officer last December. The ambush and feared reprisals led to many residents evacuating the remote valley town - but only for a week or two. Sources who fly into Mulia on almost a daily basis say that apart from the heightened presence of police and military, any tension there has long since evaporated. They also note that when the OPM subsequently raised a Morning Star flag on the mountain overlooking the airport, it remained there for nearly three weeks before security forces took it down. ---- Source ?: West Papuan Student Activists Targeted by Indonesian Security Forces and Islamic Militias Only days after the Indonesian Government banned U.S Congressman Eni Faleomavega from visiting West Papua, the Indonesian police, military and local government in Yogyakarta have teamed up with Islamic militias and hardline nationalist groups to crack down on West Papuan activists. According to local West Papuan activists, forty-five student leaders in Yogyakarta have fled their dormitories, left their studies and gone into hiding following statements issued by hardline Islamic and nationalist organisations, Front Pembela Islam (Islamic Defenders Front) and Front Anti-Komunis Indonesia (Indonesian Anti-Communist Front). Since late last week e, xtremist elements have been threatening West Papuan student activists involved in recent demonstrations protesting the Indonesian government?s decision to ban Congressman Faleomavega from visiting West Papua. The statements appeared in Yogyakarta newspapers Suara Karya and Kedaulatan Rakyat on the 7th of July and were repeated again on Indonesian TV news stations, Metro TV, SCT, RCTI and Trans TV. On the same day (7th July 2007) Indonesian military officer Col. Burhanuddin Siagian currently serving in West Papua, was quoted in the West Papua daily, the Cendrawashi Pos as saying ?For the sake of the NKRI [The Unitary Republic of Indonesia] we are not afraid of human rights. It is the TNI?s duty to destroy any group wanting to separate from Indonesia, irrespective of what methods they are using to struggle.? Col. Siagian was indicted by East Timor?s serious crimes units for the murder of seven East Timorese men in April 1999. Col Siagian has never been brought to justice. West Papuan leader Mr. Jonah Wenda from the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation who has been in communication with the students said that ?intelligent, local government and national security forces ? TNI and police ? want to arrest and kill those who support the movement of West Papua.? One of the students in hiding, who spoke to the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights on the condition of anonymity, said that ?the Indonesian constitution guarantees our right to freedom of expression. Why is the DPRD [local government], military and police who should be protecting our rights, saying they will hunt us down and crush us? What we want is simply for the central government to allow Congressman Eni Faleomavega to visit West Papua so he can see the situation with his own eyes. What is the central government hiding?? IPAHR urges the Indonesian government to guarantee the students safety and uphold their right to freedom of expression. ?These students were conducting peaceful protests. In a democratic country they should not be harassed and intimidated by the government, security forces and their militia proxies simply for peacefully expressing a political opinion? said Paula Makabory from the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights. For more information or interviews contact: Jonah Wenda: +62 852 4452 5489 Paula Makabory: +61 (0)402 547 517 --- Editors note: The Papuan Presidium Council refered to below should not be confused with the PDP headed by Thom Beanal. http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/10/papuan-presidium-council-to-hold-congress/ National 07/10/07 18:27 Papuan presidium council to hold congress Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Papuan Presidium Council (DPMPI) is preparing to hold its first ever congress in August in an effort to maintain the land of Papua in the framework of the Indonesian Unitary State of the Indonesian Republic (NKRI), its spokesman Heemskercke Bonay said here on Tuesday. "DPMPI is planning to stage the first ever congress after it was set up a year ago in Jayapura," Heemskercke, one of the DPMPI initiators, said adding that various preparations had been made for the meeting. The oldest daughter of the former first governor of the then West Irian (now Papua) Eliezer Yan Bonay said the purpose of was to maintain to soil of Papua in the NKRI, in addition to telling the whole people of Indonesia that the former fighters from Papua for NKRI remained united for one Indonesia. She said the congress would be a precious momentum for the continuity and perpetuity of Papuans spirit for unity in the framework of NKRI. Heems, as she was popularly called, noted that all members of DPMPI, its cadres and sympathizers had a determination to perpetuating the spirit of nationalism on May 1, 1963 which marked the return of the then Irian Barat into the administration of Indonesia. (*) --- http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/7/9/lion-air-now-also-serving-jakarta-jayapura-route/ National 07/09/07 01:50 Lion Air now also serving Jakarta-Jayapura route Jakarta (ANTARA News) -- One of Indonesia`s private airline company, Lion Air, is now also serving the Jakarta- Jayapura route via Makassar by its 737-900 ER. "This new air route covered by Lion Air is expected to boost economic growth in Papua, which now still relying on air transportation," Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu said when dedicating Lion Air`s new Jakarta-Jayapura service at Sentani airport in Jayapura on Saturday. He said that vast investment would be needed to boost the economic development in Papua -- roughly three times the size of Java island -- for which trustworthy and reliable investor are needed, both local and foreign. Papua is known as the most expensive province in Indonesia because of its lack of roads, and therefore is still relying on relatively expensive air transportation, Barnabas said, while adding that the total number of 430 airfields in Papua are still wide open to more flights services. In this context, he said, the government will in the long run extend Sentani airport`s runway from 2,150 meters to 2,500 meters, and build roads to isolated and remote areas in the province. He said the more the airline companies flying to and within Papua, the easier it would be to reach the far away areas. This, in turn, he added, would boost the economic growth of the remote places, and encourage investors to invest in the province which is rich in natural resources, Barnabas said. Lion Air would be the second low-cost airline company flying to Jayapura after Batavia air. Six airlines stationed in Sentani airport are ready to fly to different destinations. Spokeswman for Lion Air Hasyim said the company has placed an order with Boeing in the United States for a hundred 747-400s for delivery until 2010. One of the aircrafts being ordered arrives in Indonesia every month, including this month. (*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- =================^================================== I N D O L E F T - News service > > =================^================================== Government should refuse entry to foreign rights monitors if necessary Detik.com - July 10, 2007 Ken Yunita, Jakarta -- The government is being asked to be on guard against the arrival in Indonesia of human rights representatives from foreign institutions. This is related to the reemergence of separatist movements in various parts of the country. “We must be on guard against those who arrive. Such as the US Congressperson [Eni Faleomavaega] the other day”, said the governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), Muladi, after joining Vice President Jusuf Kalla in receiving the Lemhannas class of XV graduates at the Vice Presidential Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta on Tuesday July 10. If necessary explained Muladi, it would be better for the government to refuse entry guests who could have a bad influence on Indonesia. “We don’t need to be courteous if it will cause us confusion. If necessary just refuse [them entry]”, he said in an outburst of emotion. In relation to the illegal cakalele dancers that unfurled the South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag during a commemoration of National Family Day on June 29, Muladi said that there is no need to be concerned about the RMS. “I don’t think the RMS is of any significance”, he said. Conversely continued Muladi, Aceh and West Papua represent two regions that the government must continue to pay attention to. “The RMS doesn’t have a strong human resource base. Aceh and Papua meanwhile, they have a strong human resource base, are rich in natural resources, and have international connections”, he said. (bal/sss) [Translated by James Balowski.] **************************************************** The INDOLEFT news service is produced by the Institute of Liberation, Media and Social Studies (LPMIS) and Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific. INDOLEFT News Service Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam VIII No. 6A Jakarta Selatan 12820 Indonesia E-mail: jamesbalowski at yahoo.com **************************************************** --- The West Papua Report - July 2007 This is the 38th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This reporting series is produced by the West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. The West Papua Advocacy Team is a non-profit organization. Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw at msn.com Summary: The US House of Representatives has called for cuts in US assistance to the Indonesian military (TNI) and has insisted on genuine reform within the TNI. A UN human rights official has expressed concern about the human rights enviornment in West Papua. Her visit prompted Papuans to demonstrate peacefully in suppor to UN action to protect fundamental Papuan rights. In the wake of the UN visit, security forces have cracked down on human rights defenders. A prominent Papuan political prisoner/prisoner of conscience has been beaten in prison following his revalation of criminal behavior by guards. Thirty Papuan, Indonesian and international human rights organizations have written to President Yudhoyono calling for removal of a TNI official indicted by the UN-supported Dili special crimes unit who, as a senior commander in West Papua, has threatened to "destroy" Papuans who press for their rights. End Summary. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega Barred from Visiting West Papua As the July edition of the West Papua Report was being finalized for publication we learned that the Indonesian Government has reneged on its invitation to Congressman Eni Faleomavaega to visit West Papua. An Indonesian spokesperson claimed the visit was canceled over fear that it could provoke riots. The Indonesian government has offered no evidence for this purported concern. In fact Papuans were preparing a warm welcome for this consistent champion of human rights in West Papua. For over one year the Indonesian government has engaged in a massive international propaganda campaign aimed at convincing critics that its policies in West Papua are benign. Its refusal to allow Congressman Faleomavaega to see the situation for himself speaks volumes about the mendacity of the Indonesian propaganda campaign and about the urgent need for the international community to address the plight of Papuans. U.S. Congress Demands Indonesian Military Accountability for Human Rights Crimes in West Papua and Elsewhere On June 22, the U.S. House of Representatives renewed its past statements of concern about human right abuse and corruption in the Indonesian military (TNI). Specifically, it inserted requirements into legislation funding U.S. assistance to the Indonesian military that demand military reform and accountability. Several provisions in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2764) require reporting on progress in these areas prior to the release of certain military assistance funds. The provisions include reporting on the impact of U.S. assistance on Indonesian security forces and any connections between US assistance and human rights violations by these forces. The bill would cut the administration's request for Foreign Military Finance (FMF) funds nearly in half from $15.7 million to $8 million and would delay the release of $2 million of those funds until the State Department reports on: "steps taken by the Government of Indonesia" to prosecute and punish, "in a manner proportional to the crime," members of the Armed Forces who have been credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human rights; cooperation with "civilian judicial authorities and international efforts to resolve cases of gross violations of human rights in East Timor and elsewhere"; and military reforms "to increase the transparency and accountability of their operations and financial management." In addition to reflecting the Congress's exasperation with the continued failure of the Indonesian military to end corruption, submit to civilian direction and end human rights abuses, the Congress also renewed expressions of concern about developments in West Papua. Among these, the legislation would delay provision of International Military Education and Training (IMET) until the Secretary of State reports on steps taken by Indonesia to "to deny promotion to and to remove from service military officers indicted for serious crimes." This provision reflects growing concern in Congress and elsewhere that Jakarta continues to promote those indicted for war crimes. For example, Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian, regional military commander in West Papua, recently threatened to "destroy" any Papuans seeking their political rights. He has been twice indicted for crimes against humanity by the UN-supported serious crimes court in East Timor. The congressional initiative also renewed calls for West Papua to be opened to unimpeded travel by U.N. and diplomatic personnel, journalists, researchers and non-governmental organization personnel. The Senate has yet to take up its version of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. Before becoming law, any differences between the House and Senate bills must be reconciled. UN Human Rights Official Visits West Papua And Expresses Concern Over Human Rights There A June 12 UN report described the visit earlier in June of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, Hina Jilani. The report, issued by the Secretary General's office, noted that the purpose of the June 5-7 visit was to assess the situation of human rights defenders in the light of the principles set forth in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1998. During the mission, the Special Representative visited Jayapura in West Papua. The visit was important and welcome as Jakarta has heretofore often blocked visits by UN and other human rights-focus people to West Papua. In general, the Special Representative observed that prospects for the promotion of human rights had been considerably improved in the recent past. She also however observed shortcomings including a lack of interagency cooperation and coordination among institutions created to address human rights concerns. She also described resistance to changing attitudes and institutional culture which has made it difficult for these institutions to make a full commitment to eliminate impunity for human rights violations. She observed that there was "even less commitment to removing impunity for past abuses." In this context, she said she was mindful of the several cases she has communicated to the government in the past six years on which there is still no progress. The Special Representative was particularly concerned by developments in West Papua on which the June 12 report focused: "The Special Representative is deeply concerned by the testimonies that she has heard indicating the continuing activities of the police, the military and other security and intelligence agencies that are aimed at harassment and intimidation of defenders or to restrict their access to victims and to sites of human rights violations." "She found this trend more pronounced in the Province of West Papua. She has heard credible reports of incidents that involve arbitrary detention, torture, harassment through surveillance, interference with the freedom of movement and in defenders' efforts to monitor and investigate human rights violations. She was also informed of cases where human rights defenders were threatened with prosecution by members of the police and the military. It was alleged that when defenders have attempted to register their complaints, this has been denied and the defenders threatened. She is also concerned about complaints that defenders working for the preservation of the environment and the right over land and natural resources frequently receive threats from private actors with powerful economic interest, but are granted no protection by the police. She is particularly disturbed by allegations that when defenders expose abuse of authority or other forms of human rights violations committed by the security apparatus, they are labeled as separatists in order to undermine their credibility. The Special Representative believes that this trend places human rights defenders at greater risk and must be discouraged by the concerned authorities." "The concerns of the Special Representative regarding the situation of human rights defenders in West Papua persist despite the assurance to her by the Military Commander and the Chief of police in Papua that there was no institutional policy to target defenders. She has recommended improvement in the mechanisms in order to ensure more credible oversight and accountability of police, the military and the intelligence apparatus. She has also recommended the creation of special complaint cells for registering and redressing incidents of harm or threats to human rights defenders." The Special Representative will present her report on this mission to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and will make detailed recommendations for the consideration of the government. She called for a sustained dialogue with the Indonesian government, and expressed hope that there would be "more uniform progress on the protection of human rights defenders in all parts of the country". Papuans Rally to Win UN Support for Political Rights An Agence France Press report noted that Hundreds of people rallied June 8 in West Papua, to urge the United Nations to press Jakarta to overturn a 1969 referendum that Jakarta has used to justify its annexation of West Papua. The rally transpired during a visit by UN envoy Hina Jilani (see separate reports above regarding the UN official's visit). The demonstrators call on the UN to reconsider the 1969 "Act of Free Choice" in which 1,022 Papuans, chosen by the Indonesian Government and operating under military pressure "voted unanimously" for annexation. Independent international observers, including UN monitors from the period, have labeled the act a sham and a fraud as do recently declassified US and UN documents. "We urge the United Nations to accept the Papuan people's aspiration to review the Act of Free Choice," rally organizer Jek Wanggai told AFP by phone. "The United Nations must register Papuan areas as colonized zones and organize an immediate referendum vote," Wanggai said. According to the AFP report, Wanggai said about 900 people took part in the rally in Manokwari, located 500 miles from the provincial capital Jayapura, where UN Special Representative Jilani was meeting with officials. Wanggai called on her to meet representatives of his movement while in West Papua. "We no longer believe in the corrupt Indonesian justice system and hope an international court will deal with human rights violations in Papua," he said. Wanggai's comments and actions place him in danger. A senior Indonesian military official in West Papua who was indicted by the UN-supported Special Crimes Unit publicly threatened to "destroy" Papuans who spoke out for their rights, including political rights (see separate report in June edition of the West Papua Report). Following report documents security force pressure on Papuans in wake of UN official's visit. Papuans Face Threats and Intimidation in Wake of UN Official's Visit On June 28 the Asian Human Rights Commission issued and "urgent appeal" on behalf of Papuan human rights defenders who were targeted by the Indonesian security forces and intelligence units in the wake of a visit by a UN human rights official to West Papua (see above). In its appeal, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said it has received "credible" information of ongoing attacks, intimidation, surveillance and threats, including death threats, against human rights defenders from West Papua that occurred in mid-June 2007, following their meeting with Ms. Hina Jilani, the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders." The appeal stated that members of the Indonesian military (TNI) appeared to be targeting people who met with Ms. Hina Jilani during her visit. The appeal added that although a formal letter has been issued to the chief of the national police and the regional military commander of Papua province, no action had been taken by the authorities and that the defenders continue to feel threatened while conducting their work. The appeal cited the following cases: The first case reported involves two persons: Frederika Korain, Priest Perinus Kogoya. They all work for the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Jayapura (SKP Jayapura). They attended a public hearing with Ms. Hina Jilani in Jakarta on June 7, 2007. They returned to Jayapura on June 8, 2007. Sentani airport, where their plane landed, was being heavily guarded by the police, military and intelligence services, as Ms. Hina Jilani was scheduled to visit Papua. As their vehicle departed Sentani airport they were rammed by a vehicle bearing a police license plate. As a result of the crash, the SKP car was damaged and the passengers were in shock. The SKP driver attempted to stop the car that had hit them, at which point two men got out of the car and stated that they were intelligence commanders for the military regional command. The police, who saw the entire incident, allowed them to leave the scene of accident without being questioned. Local groups believe that this incident was no accident, but was for the direct purpose of intimidating the two defenders, notably as they had been being followed by the same car since they had left the airport. The second case involves Yan Christian Warinussy, the Executive Director of the Institute of Research, Analysis and Development for Legal Aid (LP3BH) in Manokwari, who has reported that he is under surveillance both at his home and office. On June 8, 2007, Mr. Warinussy met with Ms. Hina Jilani in Jayap ura, and he came back to Manokwari on June 9, 2007. Beginning that evening he was surveiled from a vehicle both at home and at his office. Mr. Warinussy requested protection from Peace Brigade International (PBI) and asked them to accompany him from Friday June 15, 2007 onwards. The third case concerns Mr. Albert Rumbekwan, the head of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham) in Papua Province. On June 11, 2007, Albert received a text message "You who are reporting about the human rights situation in Papua are trying to destroy the people. You want evidence of people being killed, I will kill your tribe, your family and your children will become only bones to show that there is only a zone of peace in Papua." On June 14, 2007, Mr. Albert Rumbekwan received five more text messages from the same number, again containing death threats. AT around 8am on the same day, unidentified persons parked three cars some 20 meters from Mr. Albert Rumbekwan's office. The perpetrators were shouting, allegedly to get Mr. Albert Rumbekwan to come outside and see them, but he ignored them, as a result of which they remained in the area and monitored his offices until around 4pm. These telephonic threats have continued as have surveillance. The Commission for Disappeared Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has already issued complaint letters concerning the three afore-mentioned cases to the Chief of Police for the Province of Papua (Kapolda Papua), Regional Military Commander of Trikora, chief of National Police (Kapolri), Foreign Affairs Minister of Indonesia, and the Head of Komnas HAM in Jakarta. However, no effective action has yet been taken to investigate these incidents. Papuan Prisoner of Conscience Beaten for Revealing Guards' Criminality Reliable reporting from inside West Papua indicates that in June, Filep Karma, recognized by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations as a "political prisoner" and prisoner of conscience" in June was attacked by guards as a consequence of his reporting of criminality by local guards. On the 12th June 2007, TOP TV (Papuan Local TV), Cenderawasih Post and Papua Post (newspapers) published Filep Karma's report about violence and extortion which is being committed by Indonesian prison officers. Included in the report, he reported that the prison officers receive bribes and also have stolen the prison's tools and equipment which were used by prisoners for training and practical activities. He reported that the prison officers took them and used them as their personal belongings. In addition, he reported about a list of names of the prisoners who have bribed the prison officers and who are now enjoying freedom outside the prison. As a result of Filep Karma's report which was published by the media, two prison officers dragged him by the collar of his shirt. As a result of their action his shirt was torn , his feet were injured and his back bone and his coccyx (tailbone) which was injured when he was arrested in 2004 are now very painful again. Until the publication of Filep Karma's report, he had twice weekly health checks. Prison authorities ended this practice following publication of the report sourced to Karma. International Groups Expose Criminal Past of TNI Officer Now Issuing Threats against Papuans On June 28 30 Papuan, Indonesian and international human rights organizations called attention to the the presence in West Papua of a senior Indonesian army officer indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor (now Timor-Leste). The groups underscored that the officer's presence in West Papua endangers human rights defenders and political activists and is a sign of the Indonesian government's lack of commitment to justice and accountability. In an open letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia (see http://tapol.gn.apc.org/news/files/let070628.htm), the organizations called for Col. Burhanuddin Siagian, commander of the Jayapura sub-regional military command (Korem 172) in Papua, to be withdrawn immediately and suspended from active duty. They urged the Indonesian government to review all evidence against Col. Siagian and other high-level East Timor suspects to determine whether proceedings should be commenced and to extradite to East Timor those indicted by Dili's Special Panel for Serious Crimes. A June 28 Tapol media release quoted Paula Makaboury as stating "It is shocking that a government supposedly committed to military reform and fighting impunity would appoint an indicted officer to a sensitive senior post in Papua." said Paula Makabory, the exiled coordinator of the International Human Rights Campaign for the Papuan rights group, ELSHAM. "Papuans will continue to have their rights trampled on until the civilian authorities exert control over military behavior and ensure accountability for past abuses," she added. As reported in the June issue of the West Papua Report, Siagian publicly threatened to "destroy" anyone who "betrays" Indonesia. His threat was targeted at those Papuans demanding their political rights. His statements ominously echoed statements he made when serving as Maliana as military commander of the Bobonaro district of East Timor in 1999. Two indictments issued in 2003 state that he made speeches threatening to kill East Timorese independence supporters and was responsible for the deaths of seven men in April 1999 (See http://jsmp.minihub.org/indictmentspdf/Cailacoindnannexeng07feb03) and http://jsmp.minihub.org/indictmentspdf/Maliana_Burhanuddin22_7_03.pdf). The organizations in their letter underscored that Papuans who campaign peacefully are not betraying Indonesia as alleged by Col. Siagian, but simply asserting their right to express their political views. They called upon President Yudhoyono to show his commitment to freedom of expression and support this right. The organizations concluded their letter as follows: "We are dismayed by Indonesia's lack of respect for the rule of law and its apparent determination to perpetuate a cycle of impunity that encourages military personnel to believe they will escape justice for past and future violations of human rights," said Matthew Jamieson Secretary of the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights in Australia. "Indonesia has failed to keep its obligations under international law and Indonesian domestic law to prosecute Col Siagian for his alleged crimes." Indonesian Government in West Papua Replicating Infamous East Timor Strategy Reliable accounts from West Papua report Indonesian agents are suborning Papuans along the lines of efforts in East Timor a decade ago aimed at creating pro-Jakarta elements in support of a propaganda campaign. As with militia and pro-Jakarta Timorese, those recruited will wear T-shirts printed with pro-integration logo's. More ominously, Indonesian security officials will train these recruits to "defend" Indonesia against "separatists." Similar militias in East Timor and Aceh were employed by the military and police to terrorize local critics of Jakarta. It is not clear whether these Papuan militias will be armed, although in the past, the Indonesian military has armed migrant-based units, raising communal tensions. --- http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20070711.E02&irec=1 Flag politics and the fallacy of separatism Aboeprijadi Santoso, Jakarta State responses and the row over flag incidents in Maluku and Papua suggest little has been learned from Indonesia's rich experience with conflicts in East Timor and Aceh. Some 60 years ago Ibu Soed, one of Indonesia's most respected nationalists who composed the popular song Berkibarlah Benderaku (Fly My Flag), captured the significance that could emanate from the symbolism of a flag for an independence struggle and its meaning for nationhood. Her lyrics went: "Fly, fly my flag, the symbol of holiness, heroism and courage." (Berkibarlah benderaku, lambang suci, gagah perwira ....) A flag can even be intimately linked to blood, another powerful symbol of common cause, since only by political struggle, including physical fighting, can the ideal of nationhood be achieved -- as was the case with Indonesia and many other nations. Thus a flag can represent powerful national identities and aspirations. However, not every use of a flag can be assumed to have such profound significance. For flag symbolism to be able to have such powerful meaning, it obviously has to inspire a common cause. A flag, in short, is an instrument of collective imagining. In other words, some idea of nationhood has to be rooted first in the collective consciousness of the group that feels symbolically represented by the flag. But the symbol can only be effectively used, exercised and manipulated as long as the group is able to provide some real infrastructure of nationhood, i.e. political leadership, organization, networks and resources. It's doubtful, though, that these aspects can be inferred from the simple flag flying attempt before the presidential entourage that happened in Ambon recently. The so-called RMS (South Maluku Republic) has long ago ceased to exist as an effective political body, both in Maluku and in the Netherlands, where a few thousand of its supporters have lived since the early 1950s. A half century on, thanks to the Dutch's false promise, the RMS legacy in Holland has been transformed from political diaspora to settled, peaceful, law-abiding migrants. Meanwhile there is little evidence that the FKM, Forum of Maluku's Sovereignty, reportedly associated with the RMS, has taken root in Maluku. Quite the opposite has been the case with Papua and Aceh, as past incidents, war and violence demonstrated. Typically in both places the rebel movements rejected being marked as "separatists", denying that they legitimately originated from or have ever been part of the republic against which they rebelled. The groups' ethnic perspective was further strengthened as both their hymns and flags were partly associated with religious sentiments; Christian-inspired lyrics and the Bintang Kejora flag for Papua and the Islamic crescent and the adzan (call for prayer) for Aceh. Yet in both cases the flag symbolism did not always lead to panic responses and the blame game among the authorities, as with the RMS's Benang Raja flag incident recently. It's important to remember that the flag issue was once resolved by then president Abdurrachman "Gus Dur" Wahid's instruction in 2000 to consider the flag a cultural symbol devoid of any political implications. This is why in Papua -- and the current authorities should have been aware of this -- the local customary council MRP (Papuan People's Council) and the local parliament have since been allowed to use the Bintang Kejora symbol. In the case of Aceh, it's instructive to recall how the dangerous stand-off between the central military leaders and GAM (Free Aceh Movement) on the matter of GAM flag raising was resolved in late-1999. The issue came to a head as GAM planned to commemorate its anniversary on Dec. 4. As the date drew closer and president Wahid rejected a military emergency suggested by then military chief Gen. Wiranto, the Army top brass was evidently in a panic and threatened to prohibit the GAM flag raising. A behind the scenes dialog bore fruit as GAM commander the late Abdullah Syafei's message urging the public not to raise the flag was responded to with a reconciliatory call by the then local troika, governor Mahmud Syamsuddin, local military chief Col. Syarifuddin Tippe and local police chief Manggaberani, who allowed the raising of the GAM flag except at government offices. Without this, blood would have spilled in Pidie, North and East Aceh, where many people, this writer recalls, celebrated the day with GAM flags. Thus, although Jakarta lost the political battle, compromise and dialog at some level were clearly possible. Nationalist hardliners might argue it was precisely such tolerance and implied weakness that led to the Aceh war. Nonsense. In fact, that compromise contributed to a better climate and led to the first dialog between the government and GAM in early 2000. Needless to say the case of Maluku, and Papua for that matter, is very different from that of Aceh. But state-sponsored nationalism -- sometimes termed "black nationalism" -- tends to aggressively swallow growing nationalism in the regions of the periphery -- this has been demonstrated by the cases of Serbs versus Bosnia and Croats, Russia versus Chechnya, but also Indonesia versus Papua, Aceh and East Timor. Now one symptom is already visible, as following the Maluku incident one retired general in an exaggerated fashion warned that "Kalimantan and Sulawesi are ready to quit the republic". However, most worrying with Maluku, perhaps, is not an emerging local nationalism, but the rise of the RMS myth that may easily be manipulated by local interests by linking it to religious rivalry and sectarianism in the region. It has been demonstrated that the bloody conflict in Ambon and Central Sulawesi in recent years has been aggravated by associating the RMS with one religious group allegedly supporting separatism. The historic truth, though, is that the RMS was from its very inception a Dutch patronized aspiration supported by both Christians and Muslims. Just two days after the flag incident, one local paper, Harian Fajar, complained that the incident was handled softly compared to other cases. One political party, the PKS, even compared, with deep regret, the incomparable case of Abu Dujana's arrest and the "relaxed" hunting of alleged RMS supporters. Some hardliners apparently want "to maintain the full integration of the unitary state" with panic and warning myths rather than by winning hearts and minds with a human face. The author is a journalist with Radio Netherlands. From editors at kabar-irian.info Wed Jul 11 19:25:16 2007 From: editors at kabar-irian.info (Admin-Editors Kabar-Irian) Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:25:16 +0900 (EIT) Subject: [Kabar-Irian] (no subject) Message-ID: <50771.125.162.176.221.1184203516.squirrel@www.teuton.org> Kabar Irian (Papua) S/d Juli 12 2007 Topik2 * Pendemo Pakai Artibut Bintang Kejora * Polres dan Kodim 1710 Siaga Satu * Jangan Lepaskan Papua (opini) * Antisipasi Gangguan Keamanan, Rasia Gabungan Digelar * Anggota Kongres AS Pro Papua Merdeka, Berubah Pikiran * Meningkat, Pelanggaran HAM di Pegunungan Tengah Papua * Deplu: Faleomavaega Punya Akses ke Tokoh Papua * Polda Papua Mulai Periksa Kasus Bintang Kejora * Kesejahteraan Papua Tanggung Jawab Pemda * Waspadai Dana Otsus Papua * Setelah Tari itu Dimainkan.. * RMS dan OPM Cemburui GAM * Mengatasi Separatisme di Indonesia * Pembentangan Bintang Kejora * Menilik Hak-Hak Ekonomi Masyarakat Papua * Konkernas PWI di Papua Dibuka Malam Ini * Separatisme dalam NKRI * Umat Beragama Diminta Tidak Terprovokasi * Banyak WN Papua Nugini Berladang di Wilayah Perbatasan Papua * Pemerintah Tidak Akan Represif Tangani Gerakan Separatis * Dewan Presidium Masyarakat Papua Indonesia Siapkan Kongres * Polisi Periksa Saksi Pembentangan Bendera Bintang Kejora * Warga Papua Dukung Adang-Dani * Lemhanas Usulkan Perlunya Penunjukan Dubes Asal Papua * Separatisme Harus Ditumpas Secara Yuridis dan Persuasif * Pembentangan Bintang Kejora Ekspresi Protes Rakyat Papua * Provinsi Papua Barat Tak Pernah Rasakan Dana Otsus * Presiden : Transportasi Kebutuhan Mendesak di Papua dan Irjabar * Gus Dur: Bintang Kejora Itu Lambang Kultural * Wapres: Otsus di Papua Sukses Tergantung Pengelola Daerah * Barnabas Suebu Kecewa Dana Otsus Belum Sentuh Masyarakat Miskin * Akses di Papua Perlu Diperluas * Persoalan Perempuan Papua Dibahas dalam Komisi Tersendiri * Polisi Tangkap 7 Pengurus DAP * Komandan Korem 172 Mengumpulkan Milisi Merah Putih * Panitia Konbes Masyarakat Adat Papua 2 Diperiksa Polisi * Konbes Masyarakat Adat Papua tidak Boleh Campuri Masalah Politik --- http://www.balipost.com/balipostcetak/2007/7/5/p3.htm Pendemo Pakai Artibut Bintang Kejora Nyaris Bentrok dengan Aparat --- Yogyakarta (Bali Post) - Puluhan mahasiswa Papua, Rabu (4/7) kemarin melakukan aksi demo menuntut kemerdekaan rakyat Papua Barat. Aksi massa yang nyaris bentrok dengan aparat kepolisian ini diwarnai dengan pemakaian atribut Bintang Kejora oleh pengunjuk rasa. Wartawan Jogja TV melaporkan, bentrok antara aparat kepolisian dan massa pengunjuk rasa nyaris terjadi tatkala para demonstran yang tergabung dalam Front Persatuan Perjuangan Rakyat Papua Barat (F-Pepera-PB) menolak membubarkan diri. Massa yang semula berniat berunjuk rasa di perempatan Kantor Pos Besar Yogyakarta urung melakukan aksinya karena dicegat puluhan aparat kepolisian. Akhirnya, massa pun berbalik arah dengan tetap melanjutkan aksinya menuntut kemerdekaan bagi rakyat Papua Barat, sekaligus mengecam pemerintah saat ini. Saat itu mereka berdemo di depan asrama mahasiswa Papua. Ketegangan kembali terjadi ketika salah seorang aparat kepolisian meminta massa melepas atribut separatis Bintang Kejora, yang dipakai para demonstran. Pihak aparat akhirnya mengizinkan para demonstran ini berorasi selama 15 menit. Aksi sempat memacetkan arus lalu lintas sepanjang Jalan Kusumanegara. Jangan Terulang Sementara itu, Kapolri Jenderal Pol. Sutanto menilai kasus pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora di Papua, Selasa (3/7) lalu tidak dapat disamakan dengan kasus pembentangan bendera Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) di Ambon (Maluku). Oleh karena itu, penanganan terhadap aparat kepolisian yang bertugas mengamankan kedua peristiwa itu pun dipastikan akan berbeda. ''Kalau di Papua kan terjadi di lingkungan mereka (acaranya berlangsung tertutup - red), tentu lain (dengan kasus pengibaran bendera RMS),'' katanya. Meski Kapolri tidak menjelaskan maksud pernyataannya lebih lanjut, namun kasus pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora di Papua memang tidak dilakukan di acara yang dihadiri oleh masyarakat umum. Pengibaran bendera itu dilakukan di acara Konferensi Dewan Adat Papua II yang digelar di Jayapura. Dalam acara itu pun, aparat keamanan dilarang masuk oleh panitia dan hanya diamankan oleh Satuan Tugas Papua (BP, 3/7). Kata Kapolri, meskipun kasusnya berbeda, dirinya tetap tidak menginginkan peristiwa serupa terulang di masa mendatang. Untuk itu, Polri telah melakukan langkah-langkah penindakan untuk mencegah terjadinya insiden yang sama. ''Itu sudah dilakukan Polda setempat, jangan sampai terjadi lagi,'' tegasnya. (kmb5/kmb --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=1209&ses= 05 Juli 2007 04:42:55 Polres dan Kodim 1710 Siaga Satu Antisipasi Pengamanan Wilayah Terkati Aksi Pengibaran Bendera di Jayapura TIMIKA- Tindaklanjut dalam mengantisipasi Kamtibmas, jajaran Polres serta jajaran Kodim 1710 Mimika sejak Selasa (3/7) langsung melaksanakan rapat koordinasi dan menetapkan protap siaga satu. Siaga satu yang direncanakan hingga besok, Jumat (6/7) itu menyikapi aksi pembentangan bendera bintang kejora oleh massa pada kegiatan Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua (KBMAP) di GOR Cenderawasih Jayapura, Selasa (3/7) lalu. Termasuk aksi pegibaran bendera serupa yang dilakukan oleh Yusak Pakage di lapas Abepura, Minggu (1/7) yang diklaim sebagai hari ulang tahun (HUT) Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM). Untuk itu, menyikapi situasi dan kondisi tersebut, aparat gabungan Polres Mimika dan Kodim 1710 Mimika telah melaksanakan patroli gabungan sesuai dengan protap yang ditetapkan dalam mengantisipasi gangguan potensial yang akan terjadi. Hal ini ditegaskan Kapolres Mimika AKBP GC Mansnembra saat dikonfirmasi Radar Timika (group Cenderawasih Pos) di Mapolres Mimika, Rabu (4/7) kemarin. Menurut Kapolres antisipasi terkait hal tersebut telah dilakukan melalui koordinasi dengan jajaran Polsek termasuk Pospol yang ada. Karena diakui di wilayah Mimika ada indkasi keterlibatan oknum masyarakat dalam aliran keras OPM. Akan tetapi kata Mansnembra indikasi dari kelompok tersebut sudah diamati dan diawasi sebelumnya, sekalipun terlihat adanya masyarakat secara berkelompok berkumpul, seperti laporan yang diterima dari wilayah Banti Tembagapura, namun masyarakat tidak melakukan hal-hal atau gangguan potensial tidak terjadi. Antisipasi tersebut dilaksanakan bukan hanya melalui patroli akan tetapi juga lewat pendekatan kepada masyarakat. Sementara menyangkut adanya sweeping atribut dari aliran keras, sejauh ini tidak dilakukan karena yang dicegah jangan sampai ada kejadian serupa seperti yang terjadi di Jayapura," tukas Kapolres. Sementara itu, hal serupa juga diungkapkan Dandim 1710 Mimika Letkol Inf. Trie Soeseno. Saat dikonfirmasi di ruang kerjanya, Rabu (4/7), Dandim menegaskan bahwa tindakan separatis yang dilakukan oleh masyarakat yang dinilai mengganggu keutuhan wilayah NKRI. Termasuk oknum warga yang sampai mengikuti kejadian pengibaran bendera di Jayapura akan dicegah dan ditindak tegas. Karena itu dihimbau kepada masyarakat untuk tidak ikut terprovokasi akan hal-hal yang dapat menggangu keamanan dan ketertiban di wilayah Mimika. Dandim dalam protap telah menyiagakan 1 pleton personil Kodim, termasuk Den Kavaleri, dan Yonif 754 ENK. Sementara itu, Kabagops Polres Mimika Kompol Muhamad Yusuf TH, SH telah mengerahkan sebanyak 220 personil ditambah personil dari Brimob den B. Dari jumlah tersebut, ada yang disiagakan di tempat-tempat atau titik-titik tertentu, ada juga yang mobilisasi melaksanakan giat patroli," tukas Kabagops. (eng) --- http://members.tripod.com/ISLAMIKA/aj/papua.htm Jangan Lepaskan Papua ! Kongres Rakyat Papua yang berlangsung tanggal 29 Mei-4 Juni 2000, menggugat penyatuan Papua dalam Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI) yang dilakukan pemerintah Belanda, Indonesia, dan PBB di masa Presiden Soekarno. Menurut kongres, bangsa Papua telah berdaulat sebagai sebuah bangsa dan negara sejak 1 Desember 1961. Selanjutnya kongres meminta dukungan internasional untuk kemerdekaan Papua (Kompas, 05/06/2000). Pemerintah tidak mengakui hasil Kongres Rakyat Papua (KRP) karena panitia dinilai telah menyalahi janji. "Tadinya saya membantu (kongres) supaya terlaksana dengan bantuan keuangan karena panitia kongres menjanjikan dua hal, yakni tidak ada orang asing di dalamnya (kongres) dan semua orang (Papua) boleh ikut," kata Presiden Abdurrahman Wahid kepada wartawan di Bina Graha, Jakarta, Senin (5/6) (Kompas, 06/06/2000). Menanggapi hal itu, ketua DPR Akbar Tanjung, Ketua Fraksi Reformasi Hatta Radjasa, dan Ketua Fraksi Kebangkitan Bangsa Taufiqurrahman meminta Presiden bertindak tegas terhadap pernyataan pemisahan Propinsi Papua dari Republik Indonesia. Tanjung bahkan mengatakan, Presiden tak perlu ragu menggunakan tenaga TNI untuk menjaga kesatuan RI (Kompas, ibidem). Bagaimana pandangan Islam tentang lepasnya sebuah wilayah dari kesatuan negeri kaum muslimin? Juga apa bahaya lepasnya Papua bagi kaum muslimin penghuni negeri Islam Indonesia? Tulisan ini mengupasnya agar kaum muslimin dapat berhati-hati terhadap perangkap maupun rekayasa musuh- musuh Islam. Tinjauan Historis Papua Sejarah Papua tidak bisa dilepaskan dengan sejarah kepulauan Maluku, sebab selama berabad-abad wilayah pesisir kepala burung Papua selalu menjadi kawasan yang menyatu dengan kekuasaan kerajaan -kerajaan yang ada di Maluku. Saat itu Maluku dikuasai oleh empat kerajaan Islam; Ternate, Tidore, Bacan dan Jailolo. Pada abad XV Islam masuk ke Ternate dan Tidore. Raja Ternate yang pertama memeluk Islam adalah Gapi Baguna (1465-1486). Sedangkan raja Tidore yang pertama masuk Islam adalah Cirililiati yang kemudian berubah nama menjadi Sultan Jamaluddin. Berikutnya menyusul raja Jailolo (Sultan Hasanuddin) dan raja Bacan (Sultan Zainul Abidin). Dari Ternate dan Tidore, Islam berkembang ke Selatan sampai di Ambon dan Banda, ke Timur masuk ke Papua yang saat itu berada di bawah kekuasaan Tidore, ke Utara sampai di Mindanau dan Sulu, Philipina. Bangsa kafir penjajah berusaha masuk ke kepulauan Maluku setelah Portugis mengalahkan Sultan Malaka (1511). Setahun kemudian mereka menemui Sultan Sirullah di Ternate. Pada tahun 1521 Spanyol masuk ke Kesultanan Tidore. Dengan taktik devide et impera Portugis dan Spanyol menyulut permusuhan antara Kesultanan Ternate dan Tidore hingga terjadi pertempuran antara dua kesultanan itu pada tahun 1529. Pada tahun 1549 seiring dengan makin kuatnya penjajah Portugis di daerah itu masuk pula missionaris Kristen untuk pertama kalinya dan Indonesia Timur menjadi basis pertama pusat Kristenisasi di Indonesia. Belanda sejak tahun 1824 mengakui kekuasaan Kesultanan Tidore di wilayah kepala burung Papua hingga Mimika dan Kepulauan Schouten. Namun tahun 1828 Belanda mengklaim sebagian wilayah Papua menjadi bagian dari jajahannya. Meskipun pos administrasi secara permanen baru didirikan di Fakfak dan Manokwari pada tahun 1898 (lihat Departemen Agama RI, Tarikh Islam/Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Islam, 1986). Selama PD II Jepang menguasai bagian Utara pulau Irian, namun setelah PD II Belanda mengambil alih kembali daerah-daerah yang ditinggalkan bala tentara Jepang. Pada tanggal 27 Desember 1949 Belanda mengakui Kemerdekaan RIS tanpa memasukkan Irian Barat ke wilayah RIS. Tanggal 1 Desember 1961 Belanda memerintahkan bendera Papua Barat dikibarkan berdampingan dengan bendera Belanda. Akan tetapi tanggal 19 Desember 1961, Presiden Soekarno mengumandangkan Trikora yang berisi, gagalkan pembentukan negara Papua, kibarkan bendera merah putih di Irian, dan kerahkan semua kekuatan termasuk para sukarelawan. Setelah persetujuan Indonesia-Belanda di New York, AS, melalui resolusi PBB no. 1752 Belanda menyerahkan Irian Barat kepada Indonesia melalui United Nation Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA). Resolusi itu juga melegalisir apakah Irian Barat tetap dalam kesatuan RI atau memisahkan diri dari Indonesia melalui plebisit pada tahun 1969. PBB pada tanggal 19 November 1969 lewat resolusi no. 2504 mengesahkan Pepera (Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat), yaitu Irian Barat menyatakan bergabung dengan NKRI. Dari uraian sejarah di atas jelas bahwa Irian sebelum dikuasai Belanda adalah di bawah pemerintahan Islam Sultan Tidore. Oleh karena itu, wilayah Papua menjadi milik kaum muslimin. Manakala kekuasaan itu dirampas oleh orang asing, kaum muslimin harus menuntut mereka mengembalikannya. Rasulullah saw. bersabda: "Tangan yang merampas sesuatu terkena tuntutan hingga ia mengembalikannya" (HR. Muslim). Satunya Negeri-negeri Islam, Wajib ! Kaum muslimin adalah ummat yang satu, yang berbeda dengan ummat-ummat lainnya. Allah SWT telah menyatukan kaum muslimin karena kesamaan aqidahnya (keimanannya kepada Allah dan RasulNya). Rasulullah saw telah berhasil menerapkan sistem dan hukum Islam dalam seluruh aspek kehidupan sejak berdirinya Negara Islam yang pertama kalinya di kota Madinah, kemudian penerapan sistem dan hukum Islam di bawah kekuasan Islam itu berlanjut di masa Khulafa Rasyidin, lalu Kekhilafahan di masa Umayyah, Abasiyah, hingga akhirnya masa Khilafah Islamiyah Utsmaniyah. Kaum muslimin saat itu memiliki hanya satu pemimpin (Khalifah), memiliki satu sistem dan hukum, yaitu sistem dan hukum Islam, mempunyai satu wilayah yang amat luas yaitu Daulah Khilafah Islamiyah, memiliki kekuasaan politik dan militer yang siap menjaga penerapan sistem dan hukum Islam, yang siaga memelihara kesatuan wilayah Islam yang saat itu memanjang dari wilayah Maroko hingga Merauke melindungi jiwa, harta dan kehormatan kaum muslimin dimana saja mereka berada, menghancurkan kebathilan dan kekufuran yang diemban oleh musuh-musuh Islam, merendahkan kemusyrikan dan kekafiran, meninggikan Islam dan memuliakan kaum muslimin. Pada masa Khilafah Islamiyah Utsmani itulah Kesultanan Islam Ternate, Tidore, Bacan dan Jailolo bergabung dalam naungan Daulah yang satu. Pada zaman itu pula wilayah Papua berada di bawah kekuasaan Kesultanan Islam Tidore. Artinya daerah yang ada di Kepulauan Maluku maupun Papua adalah negeri-negeri Islam yang bergabung dengan kekuasaan Islam tanpa peperangan hingga tanahnya dikelompokkan menjadi tanah ???usyriyah (Ardlu al Usyriyah). Sama dengan wilayah Maluku dan Papua, juga daerah-daerah di Aceh, Minangkabau, Riau, Malaka (Malaysia), Jawa, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Lombok dsb. Semua itu tergabung dalam tanah usyriyah, karena penduduknya pada masa dahulu memeluk Islam tanpa peperangan/kekerasan dan bergabung dengan Kesultanan Islam lainnya, seperti Kesultanan Islam Pasai, Malaka, Banten, Demak, Gowa dll, hingga datang kaum Imperialis dari Eropa seperti Portugal, Spanyol, Inggirs, Belanda ke negeri-negeri Islam di kawasan Asia Tenggara. Saat itu kaum muslimin amat memahami pentingnya kesatuan wilayah Islam, sebab Rasulullah saw telah melarang seorang muslim untuk melepaskan diri dari Jama???ah kaum muslimin (Daulah Khilafah slamiyah), sebagaimana hadits yang diriwayatkan melalui Arfajah: "Siapa saja yang datang kepada kamu sekalian sedangkan urusan kalian berada di tangan seseorang (Khalifah) kemudian dia hendak memecah belah kesatuan jamaah (Daulah Khilafah Islamiyah ???red) kalian, maka bunuhlah dia." (HR. Muslim no. 3443). Hadits ini melarang seorang muslim untuk melepaskan keterikatannya dari Khilafah Islamiyah, sekaligus memerintahkan kepada Khalifah untuk memberi hukuman yang amat keras, yaitu dibunuh (apabila tidak bertobat dan kembali bersama Jamaah kaum muslimin). Perpecahan Wilayah Bukan Ajaran IslamDalam sebuah hadits Rasulullah saw. bersabda: "Jika dibai'at dua orang khalifah, maka bunuhlah yang kedua". Secara manthuq, hadits itu melarang adanya lebih dari satu kekuasaan yang memerintah kaum muslimin. Dan mafhum hadits itu adalah tidak boleh adanya lebih dari satu negara bagi kaum muslimin. Atas dasar itu, negeri-negeri Islam yang berada di bawah satu negara wajib tetap berada dalam satu kekuasaan itu, yakni menyatu menjadi satu negeri. Dengan demikian, pemisahan negeri kaum muslimin, sekalipun mayoritas penghuni negeri itu adalah orang-orang non muslim, tidak bisa dibenarkan karena itu bukanlah ajaran Islam. Lebih dari itu, setiap upaya memisahkan negeri Islam yang satu dengan yang lain adalah rekayasa imperialis Barat sebagaimana yang terjadi di berbagai negeri Islam. Setelah mengalahkan Khilafah Utsmaniyah, Barat mencaplok negeri-negeri kaum muslimin. Kemudian mereka membuat peta baru, membagi negeri-negeri Islam menjadi dunia Islam dan Dunia Arab. Dunia Arab yang kurang lebih seluas Indonesia mereka pecah belah menjadi lebih dari 23 negara. Duna Islam mereka pecah belah pula. India menjadi India dan Pakistan, lalu Pakistan menjadi Pakistan dan Bangladesh. Tanah Jawa Melayu mereka pecah menjadi Indonesia dan Malaysia, lalu Malaysia menjadi Malaysia dan Singapura. Dan kini Indonesia siap mereka buat menjadi berkeping-keping. Tahun lalu Timor-Timur mereka pisahkan. Kini Papua dan Aceh masih bergolak. Berkaitan dengan pemisahan wilayah yang banyak orang Nasraninya, kita tentu tidak lupa bagaimana mereka memprovokasi wilayah Balkan agar terlepas dari Khilafah Utsmaniyah pada akhir abad 19 dan dengan rekayasa busuk memecah wilayah Syam menjadi propinsi Siria dan Lebanon. Sejak itu Lebanon dikuasai oleh orang-orang kafir (lihat Shabir Ahmad dan Abid Karim, Akar Nasionalisme di Dunia Islam). Dari dulu hingga kini kita tahu bahwa yang dicari oleh para penjajah Barat adalah kekayaan. Terkenal slogan imperialis, Gospel Gold Glory. Maka, apakah kaum muslimin saat ini masih juga dapat ditipu oleh rekayasa mereka menguasai bumi kaya Irian? Selama ini mereka sudah mengeruk tembaga, perak dan emas di lokasi tambang PT. Freeport, Timika. Mungkin mereka ingin lebih save dalam mengeksploitir bumi kaya itu? Tentulah mereka sudah meneliti berbagai kekayaan lain (di luar lokasi Freeport) yang akan lebih susah kalau masih tetap bersatu dengan Indonesia? Ya, demokratisasi yang mereka pompakan di negeri ini tak lain dan tak bukan adalah demi kepentingan mereka yang kapitalistik. Marilah kita perhatikan ucapan salah seorang penasehat keamanan nasional Bill Clinton dalam sebuah pidatonya, 21 September 1993: "Kita harus menyebarkan Demokrasi dan ekonomi pasar bebas, karena hal ini akan dapat menjaga kepentingan-kepentingan kita, memelihara keamanan kita, dan sekaligus mendemonstrasikan nilai-nilai anutan kita, nilai-nilai Amerika yang luhur." Dominasi dan kekuatan ekonomi serta perdagangan AS mampu mengguncang dan menghancurkan ekonomi maupun perdagangan suatu negeri atau bahkan suatu kawasan tertentu. Melalui IMF, Bank Dunia dan lembaga internasional lainnya, AS begitu juga negara-negara Barat lainnya mengeruk kekayaan negeri-negeri miskin yang mayoritasnya terdiri dari negeri-negeri Islam. Dengan dalih Demokratisasi, Globalisasi, Pasar Bebas, Transparansi, HAM, dan Pluralisme, mereka menebar racun yang mengakibatkan instablitas politik di banyak negeri-negeri muslim, termasuk Indonesia. Khatimah Berdasarkan hal ini, secara syar'i kaum muslimin wajib mencegah upaya negara-negara kapitalis Barat yang kafir dalam merampas kekayaan alam kaum muslimin serta memecah-belah wilayah Islam menjadi keratankeratan kecil yang tak berdaya, dengan dalih HAM dan demokratisasi seperti yang sudah mereka lakukan atas Timtim. Dan kaum muslimin tidak akan pernah mampu menghadapi penghinaan dan penindasan ini kecuali dengan berjuang untuk mengembalikan kehidupan Islam, dengan berdirinya negara Khilafah Islamiyah. Jadi, tidak ada alasan bagi seorang muslim untuk berdiam diri dari kewajiban yang telah dibebankan Allah SWT kepada mereka untuk mendirikan sistem dan syariat Islam, apalagi ketika tidak ada lagi Daulah Khilarfah Islamiyyah yang menegakkan Undang-undang Allah SWT untuk memelihara jiwa, harta, kehormatan dan keamanan kaum muslimin dengan hukum Islam. Ya Allah, kami telah sampaikan! --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=1208&ses= 05 Juli 2007 04:42:25 Antisipasi Gangguan Keamanan, Rasia Gabungan Digelar NABIRE- Untuk mengantisipasi ganguan kemanan di kota Nabire, digelar razia gabungan di Selasa (3/7) sore. Razia gabungan ini melibatkan seluruh unsur aparat kemanan yaitu Polres Nabire, Kodim 1705/Paniai, Batalyon 753/AVT dan sub Den POM XVII/2-1 Nabire. Pada razia kemarin, diadakan di tiga titik, masing - masing di Taman Gizi Oyehe, Pasar Karang Tumaritis dan Depan Pendopo Bupati Nabire. Razia gabungan di taman gizi oyehe, untuk satuan Polres dipimpin Kasat Samapta Polres Nabire AKP Hasan Oisma,il, sementara dari Kodim oleh Lettu inf Asis Thaher,Yonif 753/AVT oleh Lettu Inf Condro Edy,dan Sub Den POM dipimpin serma Deny Panggabean. Di karang Tumaritis untuk satuan Polres Nabire dipimpin oleh Kasat Lantas Polres Nabire Iptu Heru Hodayanto dan Yonif 753/AVT oleh Letda Inf .Agung Setyo.Sementara itu di pendopo Bupati Nabire,Satuan Polres dipimpin oleh Kasat Reserse AKP Musthofa,S.Ik dan Yonif 753/AVT oleh Serda Peno. Data yang dihimpun, seluruh personil yang tergabung dalam razia itu berjumlah 232 personil dan dibawah pimpinan Kabag Ops Polres Nabire,AKP Agus Purwito,S.Ik. Sementara itu dari pantauan Cenderawasih Pos di lokasi razia, seluruh unsur aparat kemanan, di tiga titik lokasi razia bahu - membahu dalam melakukan pemeriksaan setiap kendaraan baik roda dua maupun roda empat atau lebih. Menurut Kabag OPS Polres Nabire,AKP Agus Purwito,S.Ik, razia gabungan tersebut dimaksudkan dalam rangka menciptakan iklim kemanan dan ketertiban yang kondusif diwailayah hokum Polres Nabire. " Dalam razia kali ini, semua satuan dari Polres Nabiredi turunkan di back-up oleh seluruh unsure aparat kemanan dari TNI yakni Kodim 1705/Paniai dan Batalyon 753/AVT serta Sub Den POM XVII/2-1 Nabire," jelasnya. Terkait razia yang juga melibatkan semua unsure aparat kemanan di Nabire, kata Agus, hal ini merupakan bukti kepada masyarakat bahwa diantara semua unsurkemanan yaitu TNI dan Polri terjalin hubungan dan koordinasi yang baik dalam melaksanakan tugas dalam bidang kemanan dan ketertiban di wilayah polres Nabire. jon) --- HARIAN KOMENTAR 05 jULI 2007 0055 Juli 2007 5 Juli 200 Faleomavaega temui Theo Sambuaga Cs Anggota Kongres AS Pro Papua Merdeka, Berubah Pikiran Keinginan sekelompok masyarakat yang menginginkan Papua Merdeka, harus gigit jari. Pasalnya, dukungan yang diharapkan datang dari anggota Kongres AS, Eni Faleomavaega, gagal diperoleh. Eni sendiri saat diberi penje-lasan oleh Theo Sambuaga cs di Jakarta, berubah pikiran dan berbalik mendukung Papua dalam wilayah NKRI. Eni yang berasal dari Partai Demokrat dan menjabat Ke-tua Sub Komisi Asia Pasifik mengatakan, lebih mendu-kung Papua mendapatkan otonomi khusus, dibandingkan harus memerdekakan diri. Hal ini disampaikannya saat bertemu dengan Ketua DPR Agung Laksono, Ketua Komisi I DPR Theo L Sambuaga, dan sejumlah anggota Komisi I DPR lainnya. "Sebenarnya saya berencana akan berkunjung ke Papua. Tapi karena masalah keama-nan, kunjungan itu dibatal-kan," ujar Eni di Gedung DPR, Senayan, Jakarta, Rabu (04/07). Dalam pertemuannya de- ngan sejumlah anggota DPR tersebut, Eni menegaskan, masalah Papua menjadi so-rotan di Kongres AS. Diakui dia, memang ada salah persepsi tentang Papua. "Seperti yang sudah saya sampaikan kepada Presiden SBY dan kepada Pak Theo, yang paling penting di Papua saat ini adalah pembangunan infrastruktur bagi masyarakat Papua dan penegakan HAM," katanya. Ia tidak memungkiri dulu dirinya merupakan sa-lah satu anggota Kongres AS yang mendukung kemerdekaan Papua. Namun sikap itu karena melihat pemerintah Indonesia tidak memperhatikan rakyat Papua. "Pernyataan-pernyataan saya yang lalu tidak saya ingkari. Namun itu didasari karena kami melihat kurangnya perhatian dan komitmen dari pemerintah Indonesia terhadap rakyat Papua," katanya. Setelah pemerintah Indonesia menerapkan otonomi khusus di Papua, Eni menyambut baik hal tersebut. "Saya percaya ada penyelesaian-penyelesaian tentang masalah itu. Papua merupakan bagian dari Indonesia. Perhatian saya sekarang lebih pada bagaimana membangun masyarakat Papua," tandasnya yang dilansir situs detik.com. Seperti diketahui, kedatangan Eni ke Indonesia ini atas undangan dari pemerintah Indonesia. Eni merupa-kan perwakilan dari American Samoa. Samoa merupakan negara kepulauan di Samudera Pasifik bagian selatan. Sementara itu, di sela-sela kedatangan Eni, aksi menarik perhatian masih dilakukan sejumlah warga Papua yang pro kemerdekaan. Bintang kejora yang menjadi simbol separatis OPM (Organisasi Papua merdeka), Turut dikibarkan ketika 100 mahasiswa Papua yang tergabung dalam Front Persatuan Perjuangan Rakyat Papua Barat (F-Perera-PB) menggelar demo di Yogyakarta. Lambang-lambang bintang kejora tampak terlihat menco-lok dalam aksi itu. Lambang itu tampak di ikat kepala dan spanduk sepanjang empat meter. Di spanduk itu terda-pat gambar bendera Papua di bagian kanan dan kiri. Di tengahnya bertuliskan 'Referendum Yes'. Aksi dimulai pada pukul 10.15 dari asrama Papua, Ja-lan Kusuma Negara. Koordi-nator aksi, Long Yunus, dalam orasinya mengatakan, rakyat Papua tidak ingin hanya diberi janji-janji dengan otonomi khusus oleh pemerintah pusat. "Yang kita inginkan adalah kemerdekaan. Yakni dilakukan referendum terlebih dulu bagi rakyat Papua. Karena Pepera (Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat) yang dilakukan pada tahun 1969 adalah tidak sah," ucap Yunus. Setelah berorasi di asrama, massa kemudian bergerak ke Kantor Pos besar di Jalan Senopati. Saat melintas di Jalan Kusuma Negara, tepatnya di depan Balai Besar Kerajinan dan Batik, massa dihadang oleh 100-an aparat dari Poltabes Yogyakarta. Mereka diminta untuk tidak melanjutkan aksi karena membawa lambang-lambang bintang kejora. Secara terpisah, Ketua DPR Agung Laksono menuntut ada langkah-langkah yang kon-kret dari pemerintah terhadap pengibaran bintang kejora. "Saya berpendapat untuk hal ini harus ada langkahlangkah yang tuntas dari peme-rintah," kata Agung usai menerima anggota Kongres AS Eni Faleomavaega. Menurut dia, gerakan separatis harus ditentang karena dapat me-rusak NKRI.(dtc/zal --- ttp://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/05/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Meningkat, Pelanggaran HAM di Pegunungan Tengah Papua [JAKARTA] Human Rights Watch (HRW) dalam laporan hasil penelitian hak asasi manusia (HAM) di Papua menemukan adanya peningkatakan pelanggaran HAM yang dilakukan aparat keamanan dalam bentuk eksekusi di luar proses hukum, penyiksaan hingga pemerkosaan yang dilakukan terus-menerus. Pelanggaran HAM itu masih dilakukan oleh polisi, yang mengakibatkan tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap pemerintah pusat menurun dan berpotensi menyulut ketegangan-ketegangan separatis. Laporan HRW itu disampaikan oleh Joseph Saunders, Deputi Direktur Program HRW di Jakarta, Kamis (5/7). Menurut dia, laporan setebal 93 halaman yang berjudul "Out of Sight: Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua's Central Highlands" tersebut merupakan hasil penelitian selama lebih dari satu tahun. Berbagai bentuk pelanggaran yang dilakukan sehari-harinya oleh aparat kepolisian dan pasukan keamanan lain di Pegunungan Tengah Papua didokumentasikan di dalam laporan tersebut. Pegunungan Tengah Papua, yang mencakupi sejumlah kabupaten mulai Kabupaten Paniai, Jaya Wijaya, Yahukimo, Tolikara, Bintang, serta Mimika, merupakan wilayah bergunung-gunung dan terisolasi. Temuan kunci dalam laporan ini menyebutkan, polisi khususnya aparat Brigade Mobil (Brimob) bertanggung jawab atas sebagian besar pelanggaran berat HAM di wilayah Pegunungan Tengah Papua saat ini, kendati sejumlah laporan tentang perlakuan brutal oleh TNI masih terus bermunculan. Untuk menyusun laporan ini, kata Joseph Saunders, HRW melakukan investigasi atas 14 kasus dugaan pelanggaran HAM di wilayah Pegunungan Tengah Papua, mewawancarai lebih dari 50 korban, saksi mata, serta keluarga korban. Meskipun dihadang kendala lokasi yang sulit dijangkau, namun peneliti HRW berhasil melakukan wawancara mendalam terhadap 56 saksi mata, korban dan keluarga korban, dengan difokuskan pada kasus-kasus yang terjadi pada 2005 dan 2006. "Gigi saya copot. Darah mengalir. Saya ditinju. Saya ditendang di bagian hidung, mulut, dan gigi. Saya tidak dapat menghitung berapa kali itu terjadi. Saya melihat seluruh teman saya mendapat perlakuan yang sama. Darah mengalir dari tubuh mereka," kata pria yang tidak disebutkan identitasnya dalam laporan itu. Tertutup HRW kemudian mengirimkan surat kepada pimpinan polisi maupun militer di Papua untuk meminta penjelasan atas seluruh kasus yang terdokumentasikan di dalam laporan "Out of Sight", namun tidak ada tanggapan. Pada Mei 2007, surat dikirim lagi meminta klarifikasi dan respons atas kasus-kasus spesifik yang diangkat dalam laporan ini. Tetapi sampai sekarang tidak ada jawaban. Provinsi Papua dan Papua Barat, kata Joseph Saunders, sejauh ini tertutup bagi kedatangan para pemantau HAM asing. Akses bagi para jurnalis juga benar-benar terbatas. Banyak diplomat mengatakan kepada HRW, mereka tidak punya pemahaman yang memadai tentang dua provinsi di ujung timur Indonesia tersebut karena tidak banyak laporan independen tentang kondisi di wilayah itu yang bisa diperoleh. Selain mendesak dibukanya akses tak terbatas kepada para diplomat, jurnalis, dan organisasi-organisasi HAM di Papua, HRW dalam laporan itu merekomendasikan digelarnya penyelidikan atas semua kasus pelanggaran HAM di Pegunungan Tengah Papua yang melibatkan polisi atau tentara. Kasus-kasus itu juga hendaknya dapat diadili di pengadilan sipil mengacu KUHP dan tidak dianggap semata-mata sebagai pelanggaran disipliner untuk diselesaikan melalui mekanisme internal Polri maupun TNI. Aparat kepolisian yang sedang diperiksa atas dugaan pelanggaran HAM juga diusulkan untuk dibebastugaskan. Bahkan, mereka yang terbukti bertanggung jawab atas kasus pelanggaran HAM seharusnya dipecat. [E -9] --- ttp://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/05/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Meningkat, Pelanggaran HAM di Pegunungan Tengah Papua [JAKARTA] Human Rights Watch (HRW) dalam laporan hasil penelitian hak asasi manusia (HAM) di Papua menemukan adanya peningkatakan pelanggaran HAM yang dilakukan aparat keamanan dalam bentuk eksekusi di luar proses hukum, penyiksaan hingga pemerkosaan yang dilakukan terus-menerus. Pelanggaran HAM itu masih dilakukan oleh polisi, yang mengakibatkan tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap pemerintah pusat menurun dan berpotensi menyulut ketegangan-ketegangan separatis. Laporan HRW itu disampaikan oleh Joseph Saunders, Deputi Direktur Program HRW di Jakarta, Kamis (5/7). Menurut dia, laporan setebal 93 halaman yang berjudul "Out of Sight: Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua's Central Highlands" tersebut merupakan hasil penelitian selama lebih dari satu tahun. Berbagai bentuk pelanggaran yang dilakukan sehari-harinya oleh aparat kepolisian dan pasukan keamanan lain di Pegunungan Tengah Papua didokumentasikan di dalam laporan tersebut. Pegunungan Tengah Papua, yang mencakupi sejumlah kabupaten mulai Kabupaten Paniai, Jaya Wijaya, Yahukimo, Tolikara, Bintang, serta Mimika, merupakan wilayah bergunung-gunung dan terisolasi. Temuan kunci dalam laporan ini menyebutkan, polisi khususnya aparat Brigade Mobil (Brimob) bertanggung jawab atas sebagian besar pelanggaran berat HAM di wilayah Pegunungan Tengah Papua saat ini, kendati sejumlah laporan tentang perlakuan brutal oleh TNI masih terus bermunculan. Untuk menyusun laporan ini, kata Joseph Saunders, HRW melakukan investigasi atas 14 kasus dugaan pelanggaran HAM di wilayah Pegunungan Tengah Papua, mewawancarai lebih dari 50 korban, saksi mata, serta keluarga korban. Meskipun dihadang kendala lokasi yang sulit dijangkau, namun peneliti HRW berhasil melakukan wawancara mendalam terhadap 56 saksi mata, korban dan keluarga korban, dengan difokuskan pada kasus-kasus yang terjadi pada 2005 dan 2006. "Gigi saya copot. Darah mengalir. Saya ditinju. Saya ditendang di bagian hidung, mulut, dan gigi. Saya tidak dapat menghitung berapa kali itu terjadi. Saya melihat seluruh teman saya mendapat perlakuan yang sama. Darah mengalir dari tubuh mereka," kata pria yang tidak disebutkan identitasnya dalam laporan itu. Tertutup HRW kemudian mengirimkan surat kepada pimpinan polisi maupun militer di Papua untuk meminta penjelasan atas seluruh kasus yang terdokumentasikan di dalam laporan "Out of Sight", namun tidak ada tanggapan. Pada Mei 2007, surat dikirim lagi meminta klarifikasi dan respons atas kasus-kasus spesifik yang diangkat dalam laporan ini. Tetapi sampai sekarang tidak ada jawaban. Provinsi Papua dan Papua Barat, kata Joseph Saunders, sejauh ini tertutup bagi kedatangan para pemantau HAM asing. Akses bagi para jurnalis juga benar-benar terbatas. Banyak diplomat mengatakan kepada HRW, mereka tidak punya pemahaman yang memadai tentang dua provinsi di ujung timur Indonesia tersebut karena tidak banyak laporan independen tentang kondisi di wilayah itu yang bisa diperoleh. Selain mendesak dibukanya akses tak terbatas kepada para diplomat, jurnalis, dan organisasi-organisasi HAM di Papua, HRW dalam laporan itu merekomendasikan digelarnya penyelidikan atas semua kasus pelanggaran HAM di Pegunungan Tengah Papua yang melibatkan polisi atau tentara. Kasus-kasus itu juga hendaknya dapat diadili di pengadilan sipil mengacu KUHP dan tidak dianggap semata-mata sebagai pelanggaran disipliner untuk diselesaikan melalui mekanisme internal Polri maupun TNI. Aparat kepolisian yang sedang diperiksa atas dugaan pelanggaran HAM juga diusulkan untuk dibebastugaskan. Bahkan, mereka yang terbukti bertanggung jawab atas kasus pelanggaran HAM seharusnya dipecat. [E -9] --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/7/6/deplu-faleomavaega-punya-akses-ke-tokoh-papua/ 06/07/07 21:23 Deplu: Faleomavaega Punya Akses ke Tokoh Papua Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Sekalipun Ketua Subkomite Asia Pasifik Kongres Amerika Serikat Eni Faleomavaega hanya berkunjung ke Jakarta, tidak berarti pemerintah Indonesia menutup aksesnya ke tokoh Papua. Pernyataan itu dikemukakan juru bicara Departemen Luar Negeri Kristiarto Legowo di Jakarta hari Jumat. "Meskipun hanya berkunjung ke Jakarta, bukan berarti beliau tidak memunyai akses untuk bertemu dengan berbagai kalangan tokoh dari Papua. Saya kira dia telah bertemu dengan berbagai tokoh Papua kemarin," katanya. Jadi, katanya, tempat bukan menjadi soal penting, karena Eni Faleomavaega tetap bisa mendapatkan laporan perkembangan tentang berbagai peristiwa di Papua. Dikatakannya, ketika Faleomaveaga menyatakan maksudnya untuk ke Indonesia, pemerintah secara intensif melakukan komunikasi dengan yang bersangkutan dan menyampaikan bahwa pada tahapan ini, kunjungan difokuskan ke Jakarta. "Fakta bahwa dia juga menerima undangan kita untuk tetap berkunjung ke Jakarta menunjukkan dia bisa memahami dan tidak menyatakan keberatan bahwa kunjungannya hanya difokuskan ke Jakarta," katanya. Dia juga mengatakan, munculnya ekspresi mengenai referendum di Papua tidak ada hubungannya dengan kedatangan Faleomavaega. Semnetara itu, pada Jumat, Wakil Presiden Jusuf Kalla menerima Eni Faleomavaega dan DPRD Papua secara terpisah. Dalam pertemuan dengan Faleomavaega, wakil presiden menjelaskan kebijakan pemerintah Indonesia dalam penanganan masalah Papua. "Kita diskusi saja, sekaligus mempertegas sikap Indonesia dalam penanganan Papua," katanya. Menurut Jusuf Kalla, pandangan Faleomavaega tentang Papua sebagai bagian dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia berubah setelah melihat langsung dan tidak sekadar membaca dari berbagai sumber.(*) --- http://www.sinarharapan.co.id/berita/0707/07/sh01.html Polda Papua Mulai Periksa Kasus Bintang Kejora Oleh Soehendarto Jayapura - Kepolisian Daerah (Polda) Papua hari ini (Sabtu, 7/7) mulai menyidik kasus dibentangkannya bendera Bintang Kejora di dalam Gedung Olahraga (GOR) Cendrawasih Jayapura pada saat pembukaan Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua (KB MAP) II Selasa lalu, melalui atraksi tarian adat Papua. Direktur Reserse dan Kriminal Polda Papua Kombes Paulus Waterpauw yang dihubungi SH siang tadi mengatakan, Polda Papua telah menyiapkan tim untuk penanganan kasus pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora yang terdiri dari 12 anggota yang dipimpin langsung oleh dia. Menurut Waterpauw, dari sebelas orang dari pihak panitia yang telah dipanggil tadi malam oleh penyidik secara tertulis untuk menjalani pemeriksaan, yang telah datang di Mapolda delapan orang, yang belum datang tiga orang, dan tetap akan dilakukan pemanggilan untuk menjalani pemeriksaan selanjutnya. "Kedelapan orang yang sudah datang tersebut langsung diperiksa. Tentang nama-namanya nanti akan diberitahukan," jelasnya. Sebelumnya, Kapolda Papua Irjen Max Donald Aer mengatakan pihaknya akan terus melakukan pengusutan dan penyelidikan, serta dan selanjutnya akan dilakukan penyidikan, dan bilamana ada unsur makarnya akan segera diproses hukum. Selain itu pihak Polda Papua akan minta keterangan dari para saksi ahli di bidang Budaya. Sementara itu sumber SH mengemukakan bahwa sangat dilematis bagi penyidik Polda Papua yang menangani kasus ini. Bilamana kasus pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora lolos dan dianggap sebagai suatu lambang "kultural", maka yang terjadi adalah suatu legitimasi setelah proses ini yang kemudian di seluruh tanah Papua setiap pemunculan atraksi budaya, tarian adat bisa saja terjadi pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora. Sementara di sisi lain, bendera Bintang Kejora selama ini merupakan simbol perlawanan gerakan separatisme Papua Merdeka untuk memisahkan diri dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). Sementara saat ini Bintang Kejora juga telah dirancang oleh Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP) untuk ditetapkan dalam Peraturan Daerah Khusus (Perdasus) namun masih belum juga terwujud. n --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/07/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Kesejahteraan Papua Tanggung Jawab Pemda [JAKARTA] Wakil Presiden (Wapres) Muhammad Jusuf Kalla membantah bahwa pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora oleh simpatasian Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) di Papua dilakukan karena pemerintah gagal menyejahterakan rakyat. Kalaupun penyebabnya itu, yang paling bertanggung jawab adalah pemerintah daerah karena dalam era otonomi daerah seperti sekarang ini, pemerintah pusat diwakili gubernur di daerah dan pengelolaan dana, termasuk dana otonomi khusus (otsus) di Papua dilakukan pemerintah daerah. Wapres menyampaikan hal itu kepada wartawan di kantornya di Jakarta, Jumat (6/7), untuk menjawab pertanyaan tentang pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora, menyusul pengibaran bendera Benang Raja oleh simpatisan Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) di Ambon beberapa waktu lalu. Menurutnya, pada era otonomi daerah, pemerintah pusat tidak bisa lagi menjangkau pelosok-pelosok daerah. Yang bisa melakukan itu adalah pemerintah daerah (pemerintah provinsi, Red) yang dibantu oleh aparat-aparatnya di berbagai tingkatan. "Dana otsus itu kan tidak dikelola pusat lagi. Itulah esensi otonomi. Otonomi itu sangat tergantung pengelolaan pemerintah di daerah. Tentu ada juga kelemahan- kelemahan di pusat. Mungkin harus ada PP (Peraturan Pemerintah, Red) yang harus dikeluarkan. Tetapi secara prinsip pengelolaan anggaran tergantung cara di daerah. Di Papua, karena sulit infrastruktur, tidak mudah seperti daerah lain, tetapi itulah tantangannya. Itu sebabnya, anggarannya lebih besar," ucap Kalla. Lebih jauh dikatakan, bila dana otonomi khusus itu tidak sampai ke masyarakat berarti pengelolaan dananya yang harus diperbaiki. Sebab, tujuan otonomi, termasuk otonomi khusus, adalah untuk kemakmuran rakyat. Tentang pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora itu sendiri, menurut Kalla, kalau itu bertendensi untuk memisahkan diri dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI), sudah pasti melanggar hukum. Tentu saja, kata Kalla, kepala kepolisian di daerah itu akan memeriksa semua pelakunya, tetapi soal hukuman yang diberikan sangat tergantung pada derajat perbuatan mereka. [A-21] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last modified: 7/7/07 --- http://www.indopos.co.id/index.php?act=detail&id=8900 Minggu, 08 Juli 2007, Hendropriyono: Waspadai Dana Otsus Papua JAKARTA - Tudingan lemahnya aparat intelijen di balik "bobolnya" gerakan separatisme RMS dan OPM kemarin dijawab mantan Kepala Badan Intelijen Negara (BIN) A.M. Hendropriyono. Purnawirawan jenderal berbintang empat itu menegaskan bahwa BIN tidak bisa disalahkan dalam kasus tersebut. Menurut dia, sebagai mata dan telinga negara, BIN seharusnya punya sistem yang kuat agar bisa bekerja maksimal. Namun, yang terjadi, saat ini BIN tidak punya sistem, undang-undang, atau dasar pijakan yang pasti tentang hal yang boleh dan tidak boleh. "UU Intelijen tak kunjung jadi. Orang-orangnya (orang BIN, Red) sama dengan dulu. Yang ganti-ganti presidennya," ujarnya dalam diskusi bertajuk Mengungkap Eksistensi Separatisme di Menara Kebon Sirih kemarin. Dibandingkan zaman Orba, kata dia, orang BIN sekarang memang jauh berbeda. Sebelumnya, BIN terkesan kuat. Namun, saat ini, lembaga yang pernah dia pimpin itu terpojok (gamang). "Dulu, segala cara bisa dipakai. Kalau reformasi, kita (BIN, Red) harus tunduk pada the rule of law," ujarnya. Yang memprihatinkan, ujar dia, saat ini, untuk mendapatkan informasi, BIN harus mendapatkan izin provider (penyedia layanan, Red) guna menyadap telepon seluler. "Masak kegiatan intelijen harus izin sama orang swasta," ungkapnya. Soal gerakan separatisme yang saat ini mulai berani unjuk gigi, kata Hendro, itu menjadi warning bagi pemerintah Indonesia untuk mengantisipasi. "(Kemungkinan maraknya) gerakan separatisme lima tahun ke depan perlu kita antisipasi," tegasnya. Gerakan tersebut, jelas dia, bersifat separatisme periferal yang timbul akibat turunnya kepercayaan daerah terhadap pemerintah pusat. Bukan hanya Maluku dan Papua, daerah lain seperti Kalimantan pun berpeluang berusaha melepaskan diri dari Indonesia. "Itu disebabkan adanya kesalahan berturut-turut dari pemerintahan yang satu ke yang lain," ungkapnya. Daerah mana yang paling berpotensi berontak? "Yang paling dekat Papua. Papua lebih siap maju mendahului daerah-daerah yang kesusupan ide separatisme," ujarnya. Kelebihan Papua, jelas dia, mereka punya sponsor. Tidak sampainya dana otonomi khusus yang setahun mencapai Rp 17 triliun ke masyarakat diduga merupakan kesengajaan agar anggaran itu bisa mendanai gerakan separatis. Tampil sebagai pembicara sebelumnya, Ketua DPP Partai Hanura Suadi Marassabesi menyatakan, insiden bendera RMS di Lapangan Merdeka Ambon seharusnya sudah dideteksi aparat intelijen. Menurut informasi, kata dia, sejak H-2 atau H-3, intelijen sebenarnya diberi tahu soal adanya persiapan tarian cakalele (tarian perang, Red) yang diindikasikan bakal dipentaskan dalam acara tersebut. "Ada sekelompok orang yang membeli celana panjang hitam dan parang. Kalau kami orang Maluku langsung tahu itu untuk tarian cakalele," ujarnya bernada tinggi. Sayangnya, bukannya bertindak, aparat intelijen justru terkesan mengabaikan informasi tersebut. Suadi menduga ada ketidakberesan koordinasi aparat intelijen di daerah dengan pusat, sehingga indikasi kuat adanya gerakan separatis itu tak ditindaklanjuti. "Yang mengherankan, mereka punya ID-card dari panitia. Masalah itu seharusnya didalami intelijen sebelum acara dimulai," tegasnya. Senada dengan itu, anggota Komisi I DPR Yorris Raweyai mengungkapkan, kinerja intelijen bukannya semakin baik, namun justru terlihat semakin tak akurat dan sistemnya lemah. "BIN tidak punya visi nasional, sehingga misinya pun bias. Jadi, bergantung interpretasi orang yang pegang," katanya. Pria asal Papua tersebut mengusulkan perlunya perbaikan sistem dan SDM. Bukan hanya itu, BIN juga harus menerima konsekuensi reformasi dengan mengubah paradigma dari intelijen militer menjadi intelijen sipil. "Pendekatannya pun harus berubah," ujarnya. (ein --- TEMPO, Edisi. 20/XXXIIIIII/09 - 15 Juli 2007 Nasional Setelah Tari itu Dimainkan... Insiden itu terjadi juga meski ribuan tentara dan polisi dikerahkan untuk menjaga Presiden Yudhoyono: 28 penari cakalele liar mendekati Presiden dan hampir saja membentangkan bendera Republik Maluku Selatan. Aparat keamanan saling tuding. Di Los Angeles, Amerika Serikat, Presiden RMS Alexander H. Manuputty mengklaim aksi anggotanya itu telah lama direncanakan. Katanya, "Itu hak politik rakyat Maluku." DARI Los Angeles, Amerika Serikat, sesumbar itu dikumandangkan. "Sudah saatnya Indonesia mengembalikan negara kami," kata Alexander H. Manuputty, Presiden Republik Maluku Selatan. Empat tahun sudah ia bermukim di Amerika, setelah melarikan diri karena dituding aparat mengibarkan bendera disintegrasi. Alex, kini 60 tahun, meminta pemerintah Indonesia membebaskan mereka yang ditahan akibat insiden cakalele. Ia pun meminta mereka yang luka diobati. Yang lain, "Tidak perlu mereka dikejar-kejar." Katanya, tarian cakalele telah lama disiapkan RMS-organisasi yang diklaim Alex beranggota 1,5 juta orang. Tujuannya, "Mengumumkan kepada dunia internasional tentang keadaan Maluku yang sebenarnya." Alex pun mengajak pemerintah Indonesia berunding. Insiden cakalele yang disebut Alex adalah penari liar yang berhasil mendekati Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jumat dua pekan lalu. Ketika itu Presiden hadir di Ambon untuk menghadiri peringatan Hari Keluarga Nasional. Hujan mengguyur Ambon ketika 28 penari cakalele itu datang membawa parang dan tombak kayu. "Mau apa?" kata Kepala Satuan Brigadir Mobil Kepolisian Daerah Maluku, Komisaris Besar Rahmat Hudail, yang sedang berpatroli, kepada salah seorang dari mereka. "Mau menari, Pak," kata mereka. Polisi itu berlalu. Presiden tiba pukul 09.30 waktu setempat. Ambon dijaga sangat ketat sejak pagi. Lebih dari 2.500 polisi dan tentara diturunkan, 355 orang di antaranya berjaga di sekitar Kepala Negara. Mereka yang keluar- masuk mesti menunjukkan identitas khusus, yang ditandatangani pejabat provinsi dan Komando Daerah Militer Maluku. Rombongan "pria penari" itu terus bergerak. Karena dianggap mengganggu lalu lintas, mereka hendak dibubarkan seorang tamtama polisi. Mereka lalu dibawa ke area parkir Lapangan Merdeka. Tapi mereka terus mencari peluang masuk ke lapangan. Lalu kesempatan itu datang: para penari katreji, tarian penyambut Presiden, selesai beraksi. Mereka hilir -mudik di pintu lapangan. Penari tak diundang itu memanfaatkan kesempatan tersebut. "Mereka mengikuti penari katreji melalui pintu di dekat kantor gubernur," kata Kepala Polda Maluku, Brigadir Jenderal Guntur Gatot Setiawan. Maka, terjadilah insiden itu. Dua puluh delapan pria melepas baju di kantor Sinode untuk menarikan cakalele di depan Presiden. Mereka melompat-lompat dan mengacungkan senjata kayu. Baru 10 menit kemudian, Presiden, para menteri, undangan, dan aparat keamanan menyadari ada yang tak beres. Tarian itu ternyata tak masuk daftar acara. Apalagi para penari mencoba membentangkan bendera Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS)-kain biru, putih, hijau, merah yang kerap disebut Benang Raja. Guntur Gatot dan anak buahnya plus Pasukan Pengamanan Presiden menggiring mereka ke luar lapangan. Detasemen Khusus 88 Antiteror kemudian menangkap para penari itu di luar lapangan. Polisi menyita bendera RMS dan selebaran berisi tuntutan penarikan TNI dan Polri dari Maluku. l l l TARIAN cakalele di Ambon itu membuat pejabat keamanan di Jakarta saling tuding. Kantor Kementerian Koordinator Politik, Hukum, dan Keamanan menurunkan tim investigasi ke Ambon, Senin pekan lalu. Mereka terdiri dari sekretaris kementerian Letnan Jenderal Agustadi Sasongko; Asisten Operasional Kepala Staf Umum TNI Mayor Jenderal Bambang Darmono, dan Deputi Kementerian Bidang Pertahanan Negara Brigjen R. Simbolon. Tim investigasi, menurut Agustadi, menyimpulkan adanya koordinasi yang buruk antara bagian acara dan bagian pengamanan. Pasalnya, "Tarian cakalele tidak ada dalam daftar acara tapi bisa masuk," kata mantan Panglima Kodam Jaya itu. Menurut dia, aparat terkecoh karena pemimpin penari itu mengenakan tanda pengenal resmi dari panitia. Namun kurangnya koordinasi itu agak aneh. Kunjungan Presiden ke suatu daerah-apalagi di wilayah yang dianggap rawan seperti Ambon-pasti disiapkan jauh-jauh hari. Sebelum Presiden tiba, paling tidak ada dua tim pendahulu yang dikirim untuk menyiapkan berbagai hal, terutama masalah pengamanan. Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono, mantan Kepala Badan Intelijen Negara, menuturkan tim pendahulu pertama biasanya terdiri atas sekretaris militer, kepala protokoler istana, dan komandan pasukan pengamanan presiden. "Sekretaris militer menjadi koordinatornya," katanya. Tim pendahulu itu membawa skenario yang telah disusun di Jakarta. Skenario itu lalu diperbaiki berdasarkan hasil peninjauan pertama. Tim pendahulu kedua tiba beberapa hari sebelum kedatangan Presiden. Selain tim pendahulu itu, menurut Hendropriyono, petugas dari Badan Intelijen Negara juga dikirim secara terpisah. Seorang perwira yang pernah berpengalaman mengamankan presiden menuturkan, menjelang kedatangan kepala negara, panitia menggelar gladi kotor dan gladi bersih. Dua gladi itu melibatkan semua pengisi acara dan petugas keamanan. Di situlah mereka mengetahui detail acara demi acara, rute yang akan dilalui presiden, tempat para pengisi acara berganti pakaian, juga petugas di setiap pos penjagaan. "Pada hari H, para petugas itu harus berada di tempat sesuai dengan saat gladi bersih," katanya. "Tidak boleh ada yang berpindah." Pada hari H, penjagaan lebih diketatkan. Semua barang yang hendak dibawa masuk lokasi acara harus diperiksa. Untuk mencegah kemungkinan buruk, anggota Komando Wanita Angkatan Darat (Kowad) atau polisi wanita (polwan) bahkan ditugasi menjaga tempat perempuan berganti pakaian. Sebagian dari tentara menanggalkan baju seragamnya. Mereka bersalin rupa menjadi warga biasa. Ada yang disiapkan untuk ikut mengelu-elukan presiden. "Kadang-kadang, petugas ikut merekayasa agar lalu lintas menuju lokasi acara presiden menjadi macet. Tujuannya agar gerak rombongan demonstran terhambat sehingga tidak bisa mendekati presiden," katanya. Persiapan semacam itu bukannya tak dilakukan saat Presiden Yudhoyono berkunjung ke Ambon. Menurut Panglima Kodam XVI/Pattimura, Mayor Jenderal Sudaimady Subandi, persiapan sudah dilakukan sejak awal Mei lalu. Bersama Kepala Polda, ia pun berkoordinasi dengan Menteri Sekretaris Negara Hatta Rajasa di Jakarta, sepekan sebelum kunjungan Presiden (lihat Parang Kayu dari Pintu yang Lain). Dalam rapat itu, menurut Janzi Sofyan, staf khusus Kepala Badan Intelijen Negara, lembaganya memberi sinyal adanya tiga hal yang harus diwaspadai selama kunjungan Yudhoyono. "Yaitu aksi pengibaran bendera RMS, demonstrasi pengungsi korban konflik, dan aksi aktivis lingkungan hidup," katanya. Presiden pun mengakui adanya peringatan dari para pembantunya beberapa hari sebelum berkunjung ke Ambon. "Atas informasi itu, saya meminta acara ini dipersiapkan baik-baik agar jangan ada yang mengganggu," katanya, beberapa saat setelah para penari cakalele digiring ke luar lapangan. Dengan persiapan yang gegap-gempita itu, kemungkinan buruknya koordinasi sebenarnya bisa dikecilkan. Usman Hamid, Koordinator Komite untuk Orang Hilang dan Tindak Kekerasan (Kontras), mengungkapkan kemungkinan lain: potensi kekacauan itu sudah diketahui sebelumnya tapi dibiarkan dengan maksud tertentu. Ada kabar, seorang perwira dari korps polisi militer sengaja membiarkan para penari masuk. Tapi informasi itu dibantah Letjen Agustadi. "Jangan berburuk sangka," katanya. l l l MASA jaya RMS terjadi pada pertengahan 1970-an. Di Belanda, mereka melakukan beberapa aksi. Di antaranya pada 4 Desember, ketika sejumlah anggota kelompok itu menyerbu kedutaan Indonesia di Den Haag. Seorang pegawai konsulat tewas dalam insiden itu (lihat Naik-Turun Benang Raja). Sejak penyerangan itu, pemerintah Belanda mengizinkan kantor diplomatik Indonesia dijaga prajurit Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus). Padahal, lazimnya aparat lokallah yang bertanggung jawab atas keamanan misi diplomatik negara asing. "Dulu anggota Kopassus di sini sampai 15 orang, tapi kini tinggal empat," kata Mulya Wirana, konsuler masalah politik kedutaan RI di Belanda. Kini aktivitas RMS di Belanda tak lagi terdengar meski di sana bermukim sekitar 45 ribu orang Maluku. Baru setelah aksi penari cakalele, mereka muncul lagi. Pada Rabu pekan lalu, sebagian dari mereka mendatangi kedutaan RI di Tobias Asserlaan, wilayah perkantoran diplomatik di Den Haag. Para aktivis RMS itu membentangkan poster di luar pagar kantor kedutaan yang rimbun. Di antaranya bertulisan tuduhan bahwa pemerintah Indonesia telah melakukan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia. Spanduk lain berbunyi: "Kemerdekaan adalah hak asasi manusia yang paling fundamental". Di luar itu, simpatisan RMS di Belanda tak banyak lagi: jumlahnya bisa dihitung dengan jari, beberapa di antaranya bahkan sudah lanjut usia. Budi Setyarso, Faisal Asegaaf, Mochtar Touwe (Ambon), Kusmayani Rini (Brussel) --- Senin, 09 Juli 2007 NASIONAL RMS dan OPM Cemburui GAM JAKARTA- Upaya menunjukkan eksistensi diri yang kini dilakukan pendukung Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) dan Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), merupakan bentuk kecemburuan terhadap sikap pemerintah yang memperlakukan mereka berbeda dengan Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM). Demikian dikatakan analis intelijen Dr Wawan Hari Purwanto SH menjawab Suara Merdeka, belum lama ini. ''Yang jelas RMS dan GAM menginginkan perlakuan yang diberikan kepada GAM juga mereka rasakan. Soalnya pemerintah sangat mengakomodasi GAM sampai ada penandatanganan MoU di Helsinki.'' Pemerintah, kata dia, jangan sampai meladeni permintaan RMS dan OPM, karena level mereka berbeda. Cukup Pemda Maluku dan Papua yang diberi otonomi khusus yang menyelesaikannya. ''Penduduk Papua kan hanya 1,5 juta-an dan yang ikut OPM sangat sedikit sekali. Begitu juga RMS. Janganlah diperlakukan seakan mereka itu besar,'' ujarnya. Wawan mengatakan, munculnya gerakan separatis karena adanya aspirasi yang tersumbat atau tidak sampai ke pemerintah pusat. Juga ketidakadilan di bidang ekonomi dan pembangunan. Oleh karenanya perlu dibuat katup pengaman sosial dan ini tugas Depdagri. Selain itu, perlu dibuat counter yang sistematis dari Deplu untuk menghadapi gembar-gembor OPM dan RMS di luar negeri. ''Jadi jangan sampai seperti saat kita menghadapi Ramos Horta. Dia getol teriak-teriak di luar negeri, tapi Deplu saat itu kurang memberikan counter yang seimbang,'' tandasnya. Wawan juga menyayangkan aparat pemerintah yang sering bersikap 'hangat-hangat tahi ayam' dalam menyikapi RMS dan OPM. ''Ketika sudah sepi, mereka malah tidak melakukan apa-apa. Padahal mereka kan bisa dikatakan masuk bahaya laten. Ketika ada kejadian seperti di Ambon, mereka baru kaget, dan akhirnya saling menyalahkan.'' (F4-48) --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/09/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Mengatasi Separatisme di Indonesia Oleh Tony Wardoyo Belum usai kontroversi pengarakan bendera Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) dalam tarian cakalele yang dihadiri Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, masyarakat kembali digoncang pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora di Papua. Perkembangan ini mengisyaratkan potensi gejolak separatisme di Indonesia masing sangat besar. Kondisi ini memperlihatkan persoalan separatisme yang muncul sejak 1950-an belum juga bisa diatasi sepenuhnya hingga kini. Padahal upaya mengatasi separatisme telah juga lama dilakukan. Upaya pengokohan integrasi nasional telah banyak digunakan baik bersifat militer, persuasi bahkan insentif. Tapi sejauh ini belum sepenuhnya berhasil. Bahkan ada kecenderungan potensi separatisme menjadi kian meningkat bila melihat frekuensi konflik dalam negeri. Hasil temuan United Nations Support Facility for Indonesian Recovery (UNSFIR), lembaga di bawah payung United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) menunjukkan, angka kematian akibat konflik sosial di Indonesia tahun 1990 hingga 2003 mencapai 10.758 jiwa, sementara insiden yang terjadi akibat kekerasan kolektif sebanyak 3.608 kasus. Pemerintah hampir selalu disibukkan dengan gerakan separatisme, sehingga Samuel Huntington pernah berkomentar Indonesia bisa bernasib seperti Yugoslavia dan Uni Soviet (almarhum), menjadi negara yang pecah akibat kegagalan menjaga integrasi nasional. Pandangan itu barangkali dilandasi kenyataan Indonesia merupakan negara keempat terbesar di dunia dan masyarakatnya paling plural ini selalu dihantui oleh gerakan separatisme. Struktur masyarakat Indonesia yang heterogenitas etnik, secara horizontal ditandai oleh kenyataan adanya kesatuan- kesatuan sosial berdasarkan perbedaan suku bangsa, agama, adat istiadat, dan primordialisme. Secara vertikal, struktur masyarakat Indonesia ditandai oleh adanya perbedaan vertikal antara lapisan atas dan bawah. Dengan struktur sosial yang sedemikian kompleks, sangat rasional Indonesia selalu menghadapi permasalahan konflik antaretnik, kesenjangan sosial, dan sulit membangun integrasi secara tetap. Hambatan demikian semakin nampak jelas, jika diferensiasi sosial berdasarkan suku jatuh berhimpitan dengan faktor lain (agama, kelas, ekonomi, dan bahasa), sehingga sentimen-sentimen yang bersumber dari faktor sosial yang satu cenderung berkembang saling meningkatkan dengan sentimen-sentimen yang bersumber dari diferensiasi sosial berdasarkan faktor yang lain. Faktor struktur sosial yang kompleks tumpang-tindih, menurut Peter Blau, merupakan kendala terbesar bagi terciptanya integrasi sosial. Sementara itu, secara sosiologis diferensiasi sosial yang melingkupi struktur sosial kemajemukan masyarakat Indonesia adalah; pertama adalah diferensiasi yang disebabkan oleh perbedaan adat istiadat. Hal ini karena perbedaan etnik, budaya, agama, dan bahasa. Kedua adalah diferensiasi yang disebabkan oleh struktural. Hal ini disebabkan oleh perbedaaan kemampuan untuk mengakses ekonomi dan politik sehingga menyebabkan kesenjangan sosial di antara etnik berbeda. Faktor Penghambat Dengan demikian, faktor sosiologis kultural dan struktural merupakan penghambat penting dalam integrasi nasional di masyarakat yang sangat plural seperti Indonesia. Sebenarnya kondisi itu bukannya tidak dipahami oleh para pemimpin Indonesia. Mereka sebenarnya telah memberikan perhatian terhadap upaya menjembatani kesenjangan multidimensi yang terjadi di masyarakat. Di antaranya dengan mengakomodasi aspirasi masing-masing kelompok yang berbeda ini, terutama di daerah yang memiliki potensi mengalami disintegrasi seperti Papua dan Aceh, dengan memberi otonomi khusus. Sebagian upaya sebenarnya sudah lumayan berhasil. Tetapi kemudian mencuat menjadi gejolak ke permukaan karena faktor kekuatan asing. Di Papua fakta peran Amerika Serikat dalam mendorong ketidakstabilan provinsi itu hampir tak bisa ditutupi, yang secara terbuka melakukan intervensi seperti kunjungan anggota Kongres AS pertengahan Juli ini yang mengungkit masalah Papua. AS jelas memiliki kepentingan agar bisa mengeruk kekayaan Papua. Demikian pula dalam kasus bendera RMS baru-baru ini di Ambon, faktor kekuatan asing atau Belanda banyak disebut terlibat. Dengan persoalan seperti itu maka lengkap sudah kompleksitas ancaman disintegrasi nasional di Indonesia. Ini bukan berarti kemudian tidak bisa dipecahkan sama sekali. Upaya mengatasinya, menurut Weiner, memerlukan kebijakan yang lebih sistematis untuk mengintegrasikan masyarakat kepada satu negara nasional. Integrasi adalah proses sosiologis yang tidak bisa dilakukan dan ditempuh dalam waktu singkat. Hal ini memerlukan proses pembudayaan dan konsensus sosial politik diantara suku bangsa (etnik) di Indonesia. Kalau kita menggunakan pendekatan konflik sebagaimana diilustrasikan oleh Lewis C Coser dan George Simell, maka kerangka masyarakat yang akan kita dapatkan adalah integrasi yang selalu berada dalam bayang-ba- yang konflik antaretnik berkepanjangan. Kalau kita mengikuti pandangan penganut fungsional struktural dari Auguste Comte, melalui Durkheim sampai dengan Parsons, maka yang akan menjadi faktor mengintegrasikan masyarakat Indonesia tentulah sebuah nilai umum tentang kesepakatan bersama antarmasyarakat. Nilai-nilai umum tertentu yang disepakati secara bersama itu tidak hanya disepakati oleh sebagian besar orang (etnik), namun harus dihayati melalui proses sosialisasi, akulturasi, asimilasi, dan enkulturasi. Proses ini pernah dibuktikan oleh kesepakatan bersama dalam Sumpah Pemuda yang menghasilkan nasionalisme dan menyatukan rakyat Indonesia secara sosial dan politik. Mengikuti pemikiran R William Liddle, konsensus nasional yang mengintegrasikan masyarakat yang pluralistik pada hakekatnya mempunyai dua tingkatan sebagai prasyarat bagi tumbuhnya suatu integrasi nasional yang tangguh. Pertama, sebagian besar anggota suku bangsa bersepakat tentang batas-batas teritorial dari negara sebagai suatu kehidupan politik dalam mana mereka sebagai warganya. Kedua, apabila sebagian besar anggota masyarakatnya bersepakat mengenai struktur pemerintahan dan aturan-aturan dari proses politik yang berlaku bagi seluruh masyarakat di atas wilayah negara yang bersangkutan. Integrasi Nasional Dalam konteks Indonesia, maka proses integrasi nasional haruslah berjalan alamiah, sesuai dengan keanekaragaman budayanya dan harus lepas dari hegemoni dan dominasi peran politik etnik tertentu. Proses integrasi harus melalui fase-fase sosial dan politik. Mengikuti alur pemikiran Ogburn dan Nimkof (penganut fungsionalisme struktural) bahwa integrasi merupakan sebuah proses : akomodasi-kerja sama -koordinasi-asimilasi. Kendati aspek persuasif dan konsensus harus tetap dikedepankan menjaga integrasi nasional, bukan berarti mengabaikan daya koersi negara. Sebab salah satu cara untuk mengintegrasikan masyarakat agar menyatu dengan negara bangsa adalah dengan cara tetap menjaga kekuatan koersif untuk mengatasi separatisme, karena dalam angkatan bersenjata yang kuat membuatnya menjadi lebih berwibawa. Pendekatan ini bisa mendorong kekuatan asing segan mengacak-ngacak kedaulatan Indonesia dengan isu separatisme. Padahal sebagaimana yang telah dipaparkan, faktor kekuatan asing dalam masalah separatisme di Indonesia cukup besar. Untuk mengatasinya dibutuhkan upaya diplomasi yang canggih. Setidaknya dalam masalah ini perlu belajar dari kasus Aceh. Sejak 12 Mei 2000, tatkala Pemerintah Indonesia menerima tawaran dari suatu organisasi kemanusiaan, Henry Dunant Center di Bavoir, Swiss, yang tujuan utamanya adalah untuk menciptakan rasa saling percaya ke arah terciptanya suatu penyelesaian damai konflik di Aceh. Pemerintah RI berupaya terus dengan menandatangani Persetujuan Penghentian Permusuhan (COHA) hingga penandatanganan MoU antara GAM dan Pemerintah Indonesia pada 15 Agustus 2005 di Helsinski. Kesepakatan itu ternyata bermakna penting bagi peredaan ketegangan di Aceh yang telah berlangsung 30 tahun. Kendati begitu bukan berarti mendorong internasionalisasi masalah dalam negeri, yang bukan saja dapat merugikan kepentingan nasional tetapi juga bisa membuat masalahnya menjadi kompleks, dan menimbulkan implikasi yang luas baik dari segi politik maupun hukum internasional. Oleh karena itu, penggunaan saluran internasional di sini lebih dimaksudkan membuat faktor internasional yang semula berpihak ke separatis beralih menentang separatisme di Indonesia. Dengan pendekatan aspek domestik dan internasional dalam menghadapi isu separatisme, nampaknya Indonesia ke depan akan semakin kukuh dan kuat. Penulis adalah alumnus Universitas Johanesburg Mainz Jerman dan anggota Komisi II DPR-RI dari pemilihan Papua. Last modified: 9/7/07 --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/09/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Pembentangan Bintang Kejora Panitia Konferensi Dipanggil Polisi [JAYAPURA] Kepolisian Daerah (Polda) Papua mulai menyidik kasus pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora (2/7) dalam Konferensi Musyawarah Besar Masyarakat Adat di GOR Cenderawasih Jayapura. Mereka yang diperiksa, Senin (9/7) pukul 10.30 WIT adalah Ketua II Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Sayid Fadhal Alhamid, Willem Bonay yang saat konferensi sebagai pimpinan sidang dan anggota panitia, Piet Mansawan. Kuasa Hukum yang mendampingi mereka bertiga adalah Paskalis Letsoin SH dari LBH Papua, Latifa Anum Siregar dari Aliansi Demokrasi Untuk Papua (ALDP), dan Piter Ell dari Kontras. Ditemui di sela-sela pemeriksaan Paskalis Letsoin kepada SP, mengungkapkan mereka dipanggil sebagai panitia kegiatan konferensi. "Mereka diperiksa sebagai saksi kegiatan tersebut," ujarnya. Saat disinggung apa ada kaitannya dengan pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora? "Ya, namun kita lihat saja nanti," ujarnya singkat. Sebelumnya, delapan panitia Konferensi Musyawarah Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua, seusai melakukan kegiatan yang berlangsung 2-6 Juli, Sabtu (7/7) pukul 10.45 WIB memenuhi pemanggilan polisi. Mereka adalah Asmira, Astrid Rumbondi, Leonard Imbiri, Yakob Kasimat, Willem Rumaseb, Alfrida Faidiban, Forkorus Yoboisembut. Sedangkan yang diluar panitia, Thaha Al Hamid untuk dimintai keterangannya. Tiga orang yang tidak memenuhi panggilan yakni Willy Mandowen, Tom Beanal, Benyamin Yeresetouw. [ROB/M-11] Last modified: 9/7/07 --- Pacific Post, Senin, 9 Juli 2007 (Jayapura) Menilik Hak-Hak Ekonomi Masyarakat Papua Oleh : G. Muabuay Dalam kunjungannya di Jakarta akhir pekan lalu Anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat (AS) asal Kepulauan Samoa yang bergugusan di Mikronesia Island itu, usai bertemu Presiden SBY, mengatakan "lega melihat komitmen SBY memperhatikan kondisi ekonomi serta kehidupan sosial rakyat Papua. Selain itu, SBY juga bertemu dengan tiga anggota Kongres AS, yakni David Drier dari California, James Moran dari Virginia, dan Donald Payne dari New Jersey. Hasil simak-an berita-berita mass media nasional menyimpulkan, Kongresman AS yang pernah pada masa kecilnya tinggal di negara tentangga Papua New Guinea dan getol menyuarakan masalah Papua ini, rupanya telah mendapatkan penjelasan secara lengkap dari Presiden SBY dan anggota kabinet Indonesia Bersatunya disertai tokoh-tokoh Papua seperti Gubernur Bass Suebu, Gubernur Bram Ataruri, Freddy Numberi, Yorris Raweyai, dan Willy Mandowen. Faleomavaega juga sempat bertemu dengan Komisi I DPR-RI, Rabu (4/7). Usai pertemuan itu, salah satu anggota Komisi I DPR-RI dari Fraksi PDI Perjuangan, Andreas Pareira, mengatakan bahwa persepsi AS tentang Papua kini telah banyak berubah. Kunjungan anggota Kongres AS ke Jakarta dalam zone politik hubungan luar negeri untuk peningkatan citra RI di mata AS ini diarahkan dengan menjelaskan soal peningkatan dan pemberdayaan ekonomi bagi perwujudan kesejahteraan sosial Rakyat di Provinsi tertimur nusantara ini. Persepsi AS terhadap Papua melalui ke empat anggota Kongres AS ini sempat diubah oleh kemampuan komunikasi politik dan persuasi politik pemerintahan SBY dan kalangan parlemen RI dalam kunjungan singkat tersebut. Ini menunjukkan keterhubungan kecerdasan politik dari Presiden SBY dan Komisi I DPRI yang kompak, terbuka, dan sangat-sangat berani untuk mengundang ketokohan orang yang disegani dari kalangan dalam sistem parlementer negara super power AS. Dimana maksud dan tujuan digelarnya pertemuan ini untuk membangun komunikasi dengan Kongres AS melalui pertemuan pisik dan berbicara dari hati ke hati. Hal ini juga menunjukkan prestasi politik presiden SBY dan Komisi I DPR-RI dalam misi membangun hubungan luar negeri. Di sela-sela isu Papua selama ini menjadi kerikil tajam bagi Jakarta di dunia Internasional. Kini yang menjadi pertanyaan adalah apakah dengan Jakarta berhasil mengundang para senator Amerika itu datang ke Jakarta dan mengubah image mereka atas Papua, lantas Presiden SBY dan DPRI-RI sudah merasa yakin bahwa cerita seluruh isu Papua telah berakhir di mata parlemen Amerika Serikat? Yang dapat menjawab pertanyaan itu adalah pemerintah Jakarta dan pemerintah di Tanah Papua dalam strategi mempertahankan telah berubahnya persepsi sementara AS terhadap Papua ini. Sebab yang namanya politik itu dapat berubah hanya dalam perhitungan detik berdasarkan berkembanganya isu politik dan dapat mengubah lagi persepsi yang telah dicapai sebelumnya. Hal ini mesti didukung dengan piranti-piranti sosial ekonomi plus hak-hak azasi manusia yang mesti lebih kokoh dan diberdayakan bagi orang-orang Papua. Sebab semua orang sudah tahu bahwa anggota- anggota Kongres AS negara adidaya yang diundang ke Jakarta oleh pemerintah dan DPR-RI itu dikarenakan mereka selalu ribut dengan menyuarakan masalah Papua di Amerika Serikat. Jadi dengan diundang-datangnya empat anggota Kongres AS itu dalam pengertian politik adalah bertujuan halus untuk membungkam mereka agar tidak lagi mempersoalkan masalah Papua. Nah sesuai dengan strategi itu, dimana vocalis-vocalis politik asal AS itu dipengaruhi pikirannya oleh Jakarta dengan sajian nyanyian-nyanyian ekonomi dan sosial bagi kesejahteraan rakyat Papua. Maka hak-hak ekonomi dan sosial orang-orang di Papua yang hingga kunjungan Kongres AS ke Jakarta ini yang terlihat masih belum maksimal di tengah masa Otonomi Khusus ini. Mesti diimbangi dengan perwujudan nyata program-program ekonomi sosialnya bagi kepuasan orang-orang Papua. Walaupun kini sudah ada program-program pemerintah daerah yang telah berjalan dan didukung dengan gebrakan baru Gubernur Papua untuk mulai membangun segala dimensi kebutuhan rakyat yang dimulai dari kampung-kampung di Tanah Papua. Tapi masih belum maksimal seperti yang diharapkan semua pihak. Disamping Gubernur Barnabas Suebu dengan konsep pemikiran baru yang visioning dan konstruktif ini pun masih perlu didukung oleh kapasitas kinerja aparaturnya yang handal dan cepat tanggap di segala level sehingga dalam kepemimpinan lima tahunannya akan mulai terlihat orang Papua itu merasa sejahtera secara ekonomi dan sosialnya. Sebab masih banyak orang Papua yang secara porsi hak-hak ekonomi tergeserkan tanpa bisa mampu bersaing dengan orang-orang dari luar Papua. Sebagai contoh paling sederhana adalah berdagang hasil bumi dan berwiraswasta pun orang Papua masih tersisih. Coba lihat di pasar-pasar umum di seluruh Tanah Papua. Orang Papua masih terpinggirkan di luar los-los Pasar. Salah satu contoh fakta peminggiran hak-hak ekonomi orang pribumi Papua misalnya di Pasar Swadaya di pusat kota Timika Kabupaten Mimika. Setiap harinya mama-mama asli Papua ini berjualan di atas tanah dan ruas jalan aspal dimana kendaraan hilir mudik hanya beberapa centimeter saja dari ban-ban kendaraan roda dua dan empat di sisi barat dan utara dari Pasar Swadaya Timika. Mama-mama Papua di pertigaan dan perempatan jalan-jalan di lokasi-lokasi Satuan Pemukiman (SP) Transmigrasi dan beberapa lokasi di dalam kota Timika yang juga berbarengan dengan transmigran asal luar Papua yang berjualan di atas tanah-tanah tanpa pasar yang memadahi. Contoh pemadangan ini menunjukkan bahwa pemerintah di tingkat kabupaten seperti Mimika atau pun kabupaten lainnya di tanah Papua tidak mempunyai kepekaan sosial dan ekonomi terhadap persoalan ini. Melihat dengan mata luar tapi buta pandangan. Mata hati yang berdekatan dengan perasaan hati itu pun mati rasa. Orang-orang yang duduk di pemerintahan sebagai aparatur negara-pelayan masyarakat ini kebingungan dalam bekerja menetapkan program prioritas dan tidak prioritas. Berpikir hal-hal besar untuk isi perut sendiri dan tidak sadarkan diri terhadap persoalan-persoalan kecil yang ada di depan mata dan berserakan nyata di masa-masa pemerintahan mereka. Ada roh-roh setan, roh-roh ketidakbijaksanaan yang mengganggu jalan pikiran dan kehidupan pemerintahan mereka. Sehingga untuk melaksanakan wujud program pembangunan saja sulitnya bukan main. Hingga sulit merealisasi berbagai program bagi peningkatan hak-hak ekonomi untuk kesejahteraan warga asli Papua. Dalam bidang dunia usaha atau kewiraswastaan pun hingga saat Otonomi Khusus berjalan 6 tahunan ini, belum terdengar ada pengusaha asli Papua yang termasyur namanya sebagai seorang pengusaha menengah dan atas yang dibanggakan oleh pemerintah dan rakyatnya. Yang ada hanyalah isu dimana orang Papua tidak mampu dalam berwiraswasta. Padahal yang namanya pemerintah, tidak perlu harus menyerah dan mengeluh dengan kondisi persoalan pembangunan yang wajar dihadapinya. Untuk itu, maka penulis ingin memberikan solusi. Pertama, "jika pemerintah ingin menghapus image negatif atas fakta kehidupan ekonomi dan sosial masyarakat Papua ini, maka dirasakan perlu adanya campur tangan pemerintah pusat dalam pengawasan pelaksanaan Otonomi Khusus dalam seluruh dimensi di seluruh Tanah Papua. Campur tangan ini dimaksudkan terbatas pada pengawasan secara serius dan sungguh-sungguh dalam bentuk penerimaan laporan hasil pembangunan dan turun lapangan untuk cek langsung pencapaian pembangunan yang dihasilkan pemerintahan daerah-daerah di Papua. Sedangkan kreatifitas pelaksanaan program pembangunan adalah menjadi tugas dan tanggungjawab langsung pemerintahan di daerah-daerah Papua. Kedua, "dalam bidang ekonomi dan sosial, orang- orang Papua perlu diberi kesempatan tanpa batas dan diawasi penuh oleh pemerintah pada seluruh kegiatan ekonomi orang-orang Papua. Pemerintah harus menyiapkan sarana-sarana penunjang kegiatan ekonomi orang-orang Papua seperti membangun pasar jualan sendiri yang memadahi dan diawasi dalam semangat Otonomi Khusus. Pemerintah harus mampu memberikan porsi yang lebih luas kepada orang- orang Papua yang memiliki jiwa enterpreneurship (kewirausahaan) untuk berusaha dan berbisnis tanpa harus diberi persaingan dengan pengusaha-pengusaha yang bukan Papua. Hal ini perlu diproteksi dengan berani dan berdasarkan pada tidak ada rasa kecemburuan sosial dari berbagai pihak untuk mengganggu misi pemerintah ini. Dengan alasan kuat bahwa perlakuan yang demikian adalah wajar dilakukan bagi kaum pribumi yang memiliki tanah air dimana mereka ingin eksis untuk menjadi tuan di atas tanahnya sendiri. Ketiga, dalam kesempatan bidang-bidang lain pun pemerintah harus berani mendorong setiap sektor pembangunan agar maju dengan siknifikan. Bidang pertanian, perikanan, pendidikan, kesehatan, pemukiman serta banyak bidang lainnya. Termasuk pembangunan pisik dan pembangunan sumber daya manusia Papua pun perlu terus diperhatikan, diikuti perkembangannya dan dipantau kemajuannya oleh pemerintah demi suatu perwujudan kemajuan bagi orang-orang Papua di segala lini. Jika hal-hal ini dilakukan dengan baik, maka dapat mengobati perasaan hati orang Papua dan dapat membangun kembali kepercayaan politik terhadap pemerintah baik di daerah maupun pusat. Semangat untuk mengobati perasaan hati orang Papua di segala lini kini sedang mulai dibangun oleh Gubernur Barnabas Suebu yang masih perlu mendapat dukungan semua pihak. Selain itu, jika hal-hal ini tidak terlaksana dengan baik, maka akan sulit mengubah persepsi anggota-anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat itu termasuk masyarakat dunia internasional lainnya. (Penulis adalah Pemerhati Masalah Politik, Tinggal di Timika). --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/10/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY Konkernas PWI di Papua Dibuka Malam Ini [JAYAPURA] Menteri Negara Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional (PPN)/Kepala Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional (Bappenas) Paskah Suzetta mewakili Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meresmikan Konferensi Kerja Nasional Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia (Konkernas PWI) 2007 di Jayapura, Papua, Selasa (10/7) malam. Ketua Panitia Pelak- sana Daerah, Henok Puraro yang juga Kepala Stasiun TVRI Papua kepada SP mengatakan, sebelum pembukaan, Selasa pagi dilakukan pameran foto yang bertema "Kehidupan Masyarakat di Pedalaman Papua" di Aula Badan Informasi dan Komunikasi Provinsi Papua. Pada Rabu (11/7) PWI bekerja sama dengan Pemda Papua mengadakan seminar nasional dengan tema "Meningkatkan Peran Pers Dalam Mendorong Percepatan Pembangunan Papua". Seminar dilaksanakan sebagai wujud kepedulian pers terhadap Provinsi Papua, khususnya yang memerlukan dukungan dan dorongan dalam upaya meningkatkan kesejahteraan rakyat Papua. "Dalam kegiatan tersebut sejumlah menteri akan hadir untuk memaparkan kebijakan mereka berkaitan dengan pembangunan di Tanah Papua di antaraanya Menteri Negara PPN/ Kepala Bappenas Paskah Suzetta, Menteri PU Djoko Kirmanto, Menkominfo Mohamad Nuh. Ditambahkan sebagai pembanding antara lain Rektor Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen) Jayapura, Prof DR B Kambuaya MBA, Gubernur Papua Barat Abraham O Atururi, dan Rektor Universitas Papua (Unipa) Manokwari, Prof Dr Ir Frans Wanggai MSc. Dijelaskan, selain melaksanakan seminar tentang percepatan pembangunan di Papua, juga akan dibahas tentang hal-hal yang berkaitan dengan pekerjaan wartawan dalam melaksanakan tugasnya. [ROB/W-8] Last modified: 10/7/07 --- http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2007/07/11/index.html SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY TAJUK RENCANA I Separatisme dalam NKRI Heterogenitas yang dimiliki bangsa Indonesia ternyata masih saja mendapat cobaan. Keanekaragaman suku, agama, kekayaan alam, serta latar belakang sejarah yang seharusnya menjadi modal berharga membangun bangsa, tetapi ternyata oleh sekelompok orang dijadikan alasan untuk memisahkan diri dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). Selama dua pekan terakhir terjadi tiga peristiwa yang menghebohkan. Peristiwa pertama, keberhasilan sekelompok penari cakalele mempertontonkan bendera Benang Raja di hadapan Presiden Yudhoyono saat memperingati Hari Keluarga Nasional di Ambon, Maluku. Kejadian itu merupakan tamparan bagi pemerintah, terutama aparat keamanan, karena tidak sanggup mencegah tindakan para simpatisan Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) menghina Presiden Republik Indonesia. Kasus itu sedang ditangani Polri dan sejumlah orang telah ditetapkan sebagai tersangka karena dinilai berbuat makar. Peristiwa kedua adalah pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora, yang menjadi simbol perjuangan Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) saat berlangsung Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua, pekan lalu. Kasus ini pun sedang ditangani aparat keamanan. Kemudian, peristiwa ketiga adalah deklarasi partai lokal di Provinsi Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). Partai itu diberi nama Partai GAM. Menurut para pendiri partai itu, GAM hanyalah sebuah nama, bukan kependekan dari Gerakan Aceh Merdeka. Namun, lambang partai tersebut sama persis dengan bendera kelompok separatis Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM). Salah satu figur yang menonjol dari partai itu adalah mantan Panglima GAM, Muzakkir Manaf. Meskipun partai lokal itu belum dianggap sah karena sampai saat ini Kantor Wilayah Departemen Hukum dan HAM Provinsi NAD belum melakukan verifikasi sesuai peraturan perundangan, penggunaan simbol- simbol kelompok separatis tetap saja meresahkan. Trauma atas lepasnya Provinsi Timor-Timur dari Indonesia masih tetap ada dan semangat menjaga keutuhan NKRI kembali bergelora. Kita berharap bibit-bibit separatisme yang ditebar sekelompok orang, seperti di Maluku, Papua, Aceh, dan mungkin di wilayah lainnya, harus segera dibasmi. Toleransi yang diberikan pemerintah dan aparat keamanan terhadap mereka, justru bisa menjadi bumerang di kemudian hari. Sejarah panjang perjuangan sebuah wilayah untuk merdeka, seperti halnya Aceh, tentu tidak akan hilang begitu saja. Romantisme masa lalu selalu coba dibangkitkan dan hal itulah yang harus diwaspadai. Bagi kita, NKRI bersifat final. Dengan demikian, segala daya-upaya yang dilakukan sekelompok orang untuk memisahkan diri dari Republik Indonesia merupakan tindakan makar dan otomatis harus diberantas. Tak ada toleransi bagi pelaku makar! Reaksi Presiden yang disampaikan melalui Menteri Sekretaris Negara, Wakil Presiden, sejumlah anggota DPR, dan juga Gubernur Lemhannas, yang pada intinya menolak pembentukan Partai GAM, merupakan bukti bahwa kita tidak ingin Aceh lepas dari Indonesia. Demikian juga dengan Maluku dan Papua. Oleh karena itu, sudah sepantasnya Kantor Wilayah Hukum dan HAM Provinsi NAD menyatakan Partai GAM tidak sah dan apabila aktivis partai tersebut tetap nekat menggelar berbagai ke- giatan, maka polisi tidak perlu ragu-ragu menangkap mereka, seperti yang dilakukan terhadap pendukung RMS dan OPM. Sekali lagi, NKRI bersifat final dan setiap bibit separatisme harus segera dimusnahkan, walau sekecil apa pun! Tindakan tegas aparat pemerintah dan aparat keamanan sangat dibutuhkan untuk menjaga keutuhan negeri ini. Kita tidak ingin sejengkal tanah pun lepas, seperti yang pernah terjadi pada Timor-Timur. Last modified: 10/7/07 --- http://www.cenderawasihpos.com/detail.php?id=1609&ses= 12 Juli 2007 01:50:52 Umat Beragama Diminta Tidak Terprovokasi Terhadap Hasutan yang Dapat Mengganggu Persatuan dan Kesatuan Bangsa BIAK - Dalam menghadapi situasi hidup yang akhir-akhir ini penuh gangguan dan tantangan, umat beragama di Provinsi Papua diminta untuk tidak terpengaruh dan terhasut oleh berbagai provokasi yang dapat mengganggu stabilitas, persatuan dan kesatuan bangsa. Hal ini dikemukakan Gubernur Papua Barnabas Suebu, SH dalam sambutannya yang dibacakan Wakil Bupati Biak Numfor Adrianus Kafiar, SE saat membuka kegiatan Utsawa Dharma gita ke-IV tingkat Provinsi Papua, Rabu (11/7) di Aula Vihara Buddha Dharma Biak. Agar tidak mudah terhasut dan terpengaruh oleh provokasi dari oknum-oknum yang tidak bertanggungjawab, gubernur meminta agar masyarakat lebih aktif lagi mengikuti kegiatan keagamaan untuk memberikan kekuatan iman, kesabaran dan tawakkal seperti kegiatan Utsawa Dharma Gita yang dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Biak Numfor."Dengan pelaksanaan kegiatan keagamaan seperti Utsawa Dharma Gita ini, kita tidak mudah terpengaruh dan terhasut oleh berbagai provokasi,"kata gubernur. Mengenai pembangunan bidang keagamaan, sebagaimana diatur dalam UU Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 tentang Otsus, Pemprov.Papua kata gubernur telah bertekad untuk memberikan perhatian khusus pada bidang keagamaan.Perhatian tersebut antara lain dengan memberikan jaminan kebebasan, membina kerukunan dan melindungi semua umat beragama untuk menjalankan ibadah sesaui dengan agama dan kepercayaan yang dianut. Disampingi itu, setiap penduduk di Provinsi Papua memilik hak dan kebebasan untuk memeluk agama dan kepercayaannya masing-masing, serta berkewajiban menghormati nilai-nilai agama, memelihara kerukunan antar umat beragama, mencegah upaya memecah belah dalam masyarakat di Provinsi Papua. Direktur Urusan Agama Hindu Departemen Agama RI, I GAK Sutayasa yang turut hadir dalam pembukaan Utsawa Dharma Gita meminta agar nilai-nilai suci dari setiap agama dan kepercayaan yang dianut hendaknya tidak hanya dimengerti, tetapi dapat diamalkan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Untuk itu Sutayasa meminta agar umat Hindu yang ada di Provinsi Papua hendaknya dapat memberikan kontribusi bagi pembangunan di daerah."Dimanapun umat Hindu berada diharapkan memberikan peran aktifnya dalam mendukung dan mensukseskan pembangunan,"ungkapnya. Sementara itu Ketua Panitia IUtsawa Dharma Gita ke-IV I Rai Ngardita secara terpisah mengatakan kegiatan Utsawa Dharma yang dilaksanakan di Biak rencananya akan berlangsung dua hari. Selama dua hari kegiatan, ada beberapa nomor yang akan diperlombakan antara lain pembacaan Floka remaja putra/putri, pembacaan Palawakiar, lomba Dharma Wacana dan cerdas cermat. " Kegiatan ini merupakan seleksi atau Utsawa untuk mengikuti kegiatan tingkat nasional tahun 2008 yang akan berlangsung di Kendari.Utsawa tingkat provinsi ini diikuti peserta dari Kota Jayapura, Kabupaten Jayapura, Nabire dan Biak sebagai tuan rumah,"tambahnya.(nat) --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/7/11/banyak-wn-papua-nugini-berladang-di-wilayah-perbatasan-papua/ Ekonomi & Bisnis 11/07/07 20:43 Banyak WN Papua Nugini Berladang di Wilayah Perbatasan Papua Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Warga Negara Papua Nugini (PNG) yang tinggal di perbatasan wilayah RI (Papua-Indonesia) - PNG banyak berladang di wilayah RI (Papua-Indonesia), dan berbelanja untuk kebutuhan sehari-hari. Penjagaan di pos pengamanan lintas batas kedua negara itu tidak begitu ketat terhadap mereka, terutama warga negara PNG yang berladang di wilayah (tanah Papua-Indonesia), demikian wartawan ANTARA News melaporkan ketika mengikuti kunjungan rombongan peserta Konferensi Kerja Nasional (Konkernas) di lintas batas tersebut, berjarak 80 km dari Kota Jayapura, kemarin. Menurut sejumlah warga Desa Skow di lintas batas Provinsi Papua, warga negara Papua Nugini berkebun di wilayah tanah Papua-Indonesia tidak ada masalah, karena mereka juga disiplin waktu dengan batas waktu yang ditetapkan pukul 16:00 WIT sudah kembali ke asal. Mereka mendapat izin berkebun di wilayah Papua itu, menurut warga setempat sebab ladang yang digarap mereka merupakan tanah ulayat (tanah adat). Jadi tidak ada masalah. Menyinggung memanasnya suhu politik terkait pengibaran bendera OPM ketika pagelaran adat di Jayapura pekan lalu, warga setempat mengakui tidak akan terprovokasi soal itu, sebab masalah itu terlalu dibesar-besarkan. "Bapak lihat saja pengamanan di pos penjagaan di perbatasan itu biasa-biasa saja, tidak ada yang berlebihan atau sampai ada warga yang meminta suaka politik ke Papua Nugini," ungkap warga setempat. Sekitar 250 peserta anggota PWI dari seluruh Indonesia serta Ibu-ibu Ikatan Keluarga Wartawan Indonesia (IKWI) yang berkunjung ke perbatasan itu "menyerbu" membeli topi merek "Papua Newguini" dengan harga senilai Rp50.000 untuk kenang-kenangan.(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/7/10/pemerintah-tidak-akan-represif-tangani-gerakan-separatis/ Nasional 10/07/07 22:30 Pemerintah Tidak Akan Represif Tangani Gerakan Separatis Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Pemerintah tidak akan melakukan tindakan represif untuk menindak gerakan separatis yang belakangan kembali muncul di Maluku, Papua, dan Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). "Untuk menindak kasus-kasus beberapa waktu lalu di Ambon, Papua dan Aceh perlu dilakukan tindakan tegas dan terukur, namun tetap merefleksikan pendekatan 'rule of law', bukan tindakan represif, " kata Menko Polhukam Widodo AS usai rapat terbatas dengan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono di Istana Negara Jakarta, Selasa malam. Dijelaskannya, untuk mengatasi gerakan separatis di daerah-daerah tersebut diharapkan aparat terkait mengedepankan pendekatan hukum. Pendekatan ini, lanjutnya, dibutuhkan untuk menjaga kondisi keamanan nasional tetap aman, tertib, dan stabil sehingga mendukung pembangunan ekonomi dalam upaya meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat. Terkait rencana pendirian partai lokal di NAD yang menggunakan atribut Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM), Widodo mengatakan hal itu tidak sesuai dengan kesepakatan damai di Helsinki dan melanggar UU Nomor 11 Tahun 2006 tentang Pemerintahan Aceh yang menyebutkan pemerintahan yang sah harus memlihara kondisi perdamaian di NAD. Widodo juga menambahkan, penerapan UU tersebut harus diterjemahkan dalam pemberian perizinan pendirian partai beratribut GAM tersebut. Terkait insiden RMS (tarian liar-Red) di Ambon beberapa waktu lalu, Kapolri Jenderal (Pol) Sutanto mengatakan pengembangan penyidikan masih dilalukan dengan memperluas pencarian tokoh dan pendukung RMS, baik yang berada di Maluku maupun di wilayah lain. Turut hadir dalam jumpa pers itu, Panglima TNI Marsekal Djoko Suyanto, Kepala BIN Syamsir Siregar, KSAD Jenderal Djoko Santoso, KSAL Laksamana Slamet Subiyanto, dan KSAU Marsekal TNI Herman Prayitno. Rapat terbatas ini digelar secara mendadak dan tidak terjadwalkan sebelumnya dalam agenda Presiden pada Selasa ini. Rapat itu dilakukan segera setelah presiden tiba di Jakarta setelah kunjungan kerja ke Pontianak sejak Senin (9/7).(*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/7/10/dewan-presidium-masyarakat-papua-indonesia-siapkan-kongres/ Nasional 10/07/07 06:33 Dewan Presidium Masyarakat Papua Indonesia Siapkan Kongres Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Dewan Presidium Masyarakat Papua Indonesia (DPMPI) mulai melakukan berbagai persiapan dalam rangka pelaksanaan kongres pertama yang menurut rencana digelar Agustus mendatang guna memperkuat visi perjuangan dalam mempertahankan tanah Papua dalam bingkai Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). Hal itu disampaikan salah seorang deklarator DPMPI, Heemskercke Bonay di Jayapura, Selasa sehubungan dengan dimulainya persiapan penyelenggaraan kongres pertama perkumpulan ini yang merupakan wadah berkumpulnya para mantan pejuang dan anak-anak mantan pejuang keutuhan NKRI di tanah Papua. "Dewan Presidium Masyarakat Papua Indonesia telah berencana menggelar kongres pertama setelah dibentuk setahun yang lalu bertempat di gedung Bank Papua, Jayapura. Berbagai persiapan mulai dilakukan, seperti pembentukan panitia kongres, persidangan, peserta kongres dan sebagainya," katanya. Kongres pertama ini, lanjut putri sulung mantan gubernur pertama Irian Barat (kini Papua), Eliezer Yan Bonay itu, selain untuk memperteguh visi perjuangan DPMPI yakni mempertahankan Papua dalam bingkai NKRI juga ingin menyatakan diri kepada seluruh rakyat Indonesia dari Sabang sampai Merauke dan dari Sangir hingga Rote Ndao bahwa para mantan pejuang keutuhan NKRI masih ada di tanah Papua. Kongres ini pun merupakan momentum berharga bagi penerusan dan pelestarian semangat juang keutuhan Papua dalam bingkai NKRI kepada generasi muda khususnya para anak cucu mantan pejuang NKRI. Heems menjelaskan, semua anggota DPMPI, para kader dan simpatisan organisasi ini telah bertekad melestarikan semangat nasionalisme 1 Mei 1963 yakni kembalinya tanah Papua (ketika itu disebut Irian Barat) ke pangkuan ibu pertiwi Indonesia. Penyerahan Irian Barat dari wakil UNTEA, Dr Djalal Abdoh kepada Pemerintah RI yang diwakili Sujarwo Condronegoro berlangsung pada 1 Mei 1963. "Hari ini tanggal 1 Mei 1963, kita menghadapi suatu peristiwa yang sangat penting. Ya, hari yang bersejarah bagi kita sekalian, khususnya bagi rakyat Irian Barat dan bagi bangsa Indonesia seluruhnya. Betapa hebatnya perjuangan bangsa Indonesia dari Sabang sampai Merauke yang telah diberikan untuk mencapai saat yang penting ini," kata Condronegoro ketika berpidato pada 1 Mei 1963. Saat yang penting ini, lanjutnya adalah penyerahan kekuasaan pemerintahan atas daerah ini kepada pemerintah Republik Indonesia, yang berarti penyatuan kembali seluruh daerah yang dahulu merupakan daerah Hindia Belanda. Penyatuan kembali seluruh daerah Hindia Belanda dalam bingkai NKRI telah disampaikan oleh Wakil Belanda, Dr.Van Royen dalam sidang Dewan Keamanan PBB, 22 Desember 1948. "Seperti yang saya terangkan semula, pertikaian bukan mengenai soal apakah Indonesia akan menjadi merdeka atau tidak. Semua pihak bersetuju bahwa apa yang dulu dinamakan Hindia Belanda harus menjadi satu negara merdeka secepat mungkin," kata Van Royen seperti dikutip Sujarwo Condronegoro,SH dalam pidatonya itu. (*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.antara.co.id/arc/2007/7/9/polisi-periksa-saksi-pembentangan-bendera-bintang-kejora/ Nasional 09/07/07 19:10 Polisi Periksa Saksi Pembentangan Bendera Bintang Kejora Jayapura (ANTARA News) - Kepolisian Daerah (Polda) Papua melalui Direktorat Reserse dan Kriminal (Reskrim) saat ini meminta keterangan dari 14 saksi sehubungan dengan kasus pembentangan bendera Bintang Kejora, pada pembukaan Konferensi Musyawarah Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua (KMBMAP) di GOR Cendrawasih, Jayapura pada 3 Juli lalu. Direktur Reskrim Polda Papua, Kombes Pol Paulus Waterpauw kepada ANTARA News di Jayapura, Senin, mengakui, para saksi itu selain berasal dari panitia KMBMAP juga pejabat di lingkungan Pemda Papua dan KONI. Para pejabat yang telah dimintai keterangannya itu, kata Kombes Waterpauw, masing masing Sekda Papua Drs.Tedjo Suprapto dan Kabid Hubungan Antar Lembaga Direktorat Kesbang Drs.Didik diperiksa sebagai saksi dan Ketua Harian KONI Hanock Mackbon sehubungan pemberian izin menggunakan tempat. Ketiga pejabat itu dimintai keterangan pada 6 Juli dan 7 Juli. Sedangkan saat ini penyidik sedang meminta keterangan dari ketiga orang panitia yakni Fadel Al Hamid, Ketua II Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Willem Bonay yang saat konferensi sebagai pimpinan sidang dan Piet Mansawan. Ketika ditanya kapan pemeriksaan terhadap para penari dari grup Sampari dari Manokwari, Provinsi Papua Barat, yang dalam tariannya kemudian membentangkan bendera Bintang Kejora, Dir Reskrim Polda Papua itu mengatakan, hingga saat ini belum ada jadwal untuk memanggil dan memintai keterangan dari mereka. "Hingga saat ini belum ada jadwal untuk memanggil dan memeriksa mereka," tegas Kombes Waterpauw. (*) Copyright ? 2007 ANTARA --- http://www.suaramerdeka.com/cybernews/harian/0707/09/nas21.htm Nasional Senin, 09 Juli 2007 : 18.06 WIB Pilkada DKI Jakarta Warga Papua Dukung Adang-Dani Jakarta, CyberNews. Menjelang hari H Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta, dukungan kepada pasangan calon gubernur dan wakil gubernur DKI Jakarta Adang Daradjatun dan Dani Anwar yang diusung oleh Partai Keadilan Sejahtera terus berdatangan.Kali ini berasal dari masyarakat Papua yang tinggal dan bekerja di Jakarta. "Beberapa waktu lalu saya menerima perwakilan masyarakat Papua di DKI Jakarta," ungkap Dani Anwar dalam pernyataan pers dikirim ke Suara Merdeka CyberNews, Senin (9/7). Dani menjelaskan, juru bicara warga Papua, Lorence, mengatakan masyarakat Papua tersebar di lima wilayah DKI Jakarta. Di setiap kotamadya, lanjut dia, terdapat mess yang dihuni orang-orang Papua. "Mess di Tanah Abang merupakan mess yang paling besar," jelas Lorence. Lorence mengatakan, ia dan masyarakat Papua lainnya yang tinggal di Jakarta merasa menjadi bagian dari warga ibukota Jakarta. "Yang membedakan kami dengan warga di Tenabang adalah warna kulit dan rambut. Tapi kami adalah bagian dari Tenabang. Dan Kami bangga memiliki teman, tetangga anak Tenabang yang akan maju sebagai cawagub di DKI Jakarta. Kami akan mendukung sepenuhnya Abang (Dani-Red)," tandas Lorence kepada Dani Anwar. Lorence mengemukakan, dukungan kepada pasangan cagub dan cawagub Adang-Dani akan dideklarasikan secara resmi dalam waktu dekat. Kini mereka tengah mempersiapkan acara tersebut. Dani Anwar yang bertemu langsung dengan perwakilan masyarakat Papua merasa terharu dengan dukungan tersebut. Ia menyatakan terima kasih dan penghargaan yang tinggi kepada kepada masyarakat Papua di Jakarta, khususnya yang tinggal di sekitar Tenabang. "Kita bertetangga dan bagi saya, Abang-abang adalah sahabat saya, saudara saya, " kata Dani. Putra Tenabang asli itu menambahkan, "Saya punya banyak teman di mess Papua, dan sebagian mereka sudah sejak lama bersama saya sewaktu di sekolah dulu," tambahnya. ( imam m djuki/cn05 ) --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nasional/0707/09/123824.htm Lemhanas Usulkan Perlunya Penunjukan Dubes Asal Papua Laporan Wartawan Kompas Sutta Dharmasaputra JAKARTA, KOMPAS- Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional (Lemhanas) meminta Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat untuk mempertimbangkan perlunya penunjukkan duta besar asal Papua di negara-negara berpenduduk suku Melanisia. Gubernur Lemhanas Muladi menyampaikan hal itu dalam Rapat Dengar Pendapat dengan Komisi I DPR, Senin (9/7). Pernyataan itu disamapikan Lemhanas menjawab pertanyaan tertulis Dewan tentang gerakan separatis yang berupaya terus melakukan internasionalisasi. Rapat dipimpin Ketua Komisi I Theo L Sambuaga. "Penunjukan duta besar berasal dari putra daerah Papua di negara yang berpenduduk suku Melanisia perlu dipertimbangkan," kata Muladi. Lemhanas berpendapat untuk menghadapi gerakan separatis yg berusaha melakukan internasionalisasi masalah Papua, pemerintah Indonesia harus melakukan diplomasi total, agresif, dan berkualitas khususnya di lingkungan negara-negara sahabat, lebih khusus lagi di negara Asia Pasifik, baik dengan pendekatan bilateral, regional, maupun multilateral. Selain itu, promosi dan perlindungan HAM baik sipil, politik, maupun ekonomi, sosial, dan budaya di Papua pun harus dilakukan secara intensif. Terkait dengan pendirian partai lokal, Lemhanas menekankan perlunya pembianaan karena partai lokal cenderung hanya didirikan eks GAM dan SIRA. Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nasional/0707/05/140513.htm Kamis, 05 Juli 2007 - 14:05 wib dok. Kompas Separatisme Harus Ditumpas Secara Yuridis dan Persuasif Laporan Wartawan Kompas Wisnu Dewabrata JAKARTA, KOMPAS ? Gubernur Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional (Lemhannas) Muladi menyatakan keberadaan gerakan makar seperti Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) di Maluku maupun Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) di Papua harus segera ditumpas. Akan tetapi bentuk penumpasan tersebut harus dilakukan bukan dalam bentuk kekerasan fisik maupun pendekatan keamanan yang represif, melainkan penumpasan secara hukum dan pendekatan persuasif seperti upaya mewujudkan keadilan sosial. Pernyataan itu disampaikan Muladi, Kamis (5/7), saat membuka seminar Lemhannas bertema ?Transformasi Perekonomian Indonesia di Era Globalisasi untuk Peningkatan Ketahanan dan Stabilitas Nasional?. ?Kegiatan pengibaran bendera seperti itu bisa masuk kategori kegiatan makar yang harus ditumpas secara yuridis. Aparat penegak hukum bisa menggunakan pasal tentang makar dalam Kitab Undang- Undang Hukum Pidana (KUHP). Pendekatan keamanan dalam bentuk represif baru diperlukan ketika menghadapi kelompok bersenjata,? ujar Muladi. Menurut Muladi, aturan hukum soal makar dalam KUHP, seperti tercantum di pasal 89, sudah cukup luas dan bahkan bisa dipakai untuk menangani aksi serupa seperti pengibaran bendera Bintang Kejora di Papua. Dalam ketentuan pasal tentang makar itu disebutkan, bahkan, suatu bentuk permufakatan jahat untuk memisahkan diri dari NKRI termasuk sudah bisa dijaring dengan KUHP. ?Sumber kekacauan di Indonesia, yang termasuk menyebabkan kekacauan politik dan separatisme seperti dahulu di Aceh, Papua, atau Ambon, disebabkan belum terciptanya sila kelima Pancasila, soal keadilan sosial bagi seluruh rakyat Indonesia. Keadilan sosial berarti pemerataan,? ujar Muladi. Kemacetan pelaksanaan sila kelima Pancasila itu pula lah yang dinilai Muladi menjadi sumber kekacauan pelaksanaan empat sila yang lain, mulai dari persoalan beragama (terkait sila pertama), persoalan hak asasi manusia (terkait sila kedua), maupun separatisme (terkait sila ketiga). Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nasional/0707/10/213841.htm Pembentangan Bintang Kejora Ekspresi Protes Rakyat Papua Laporan Wartawan Kompas M Zaid Wahyudi JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Pembentangan bendera bintang kejora dalam pembukaan Konferensi Masyarakat Adat Papua ke-2 di Jayapura 3 Juli lalu merupakan ekspresi protes bernuansa kultural yang dilakukan masyarakat Papua. Mereka ingin lebih diperhatikan oleh pemerintah pusat dan pemerintah daerah atas ketidakadilan dan kemiskinan yang masih mereka alami. Hal tersebut diungkapkan mantan Dubes RI untuk Australia Wirjono Sastrohandojo dalam diskusi yang diselenggarakan Forum Papua di Jakarta, Selasa (10/7). ?Pengibaran bendera itu bukan ekspresi tuntutan kemerdekaan sehingga tidak perlu dikriminalisasikan,? tegasnya. Wakil Ketua I Komisi Hak Asasi Manusia Zumrotin K Susilo mengatakan hak sosial ekonomi budaya dan hak sipil politik rakyat Papua masih belum terpenuhi. Kemiskinan dan keterbelakangan masih menyelimuti rakyat Papua meskipun dana triliunan rupiah sudah dikucurkan pemerintah pusat untuk melaksanakan otonomi khusus Papua. Berbagai pelanggaran HAM berat, seperti kasus Wamena (2001) dan Wasior (2003) juga belum ditangani pemerintah. "Pemerintah pusat dan daerah perlu menyikapi masalah tersebut secepatnya. Pemenuhan hak-hak rakyat Papua akan mengurangi rasa ketidakadilan yang dirasakan rakyat Papua," katanya. --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nusantara/0707/10/123816.htm Provinsi Papua Barat Tak Pernah Rasakan Dana Otsus Laporan Wartawan Kompas Ichwan Susanto MANOKWARI, KOMPAS- Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono diminta memberikan perhatian khusus terhadap pengawasan penggunaan dana otonomi khusus bagi Papua. Langkah nyata yaitu memerintahkan jajaran aparat untuk menelusuri kemungkinan penyelewengan dana otsus yang bernilai triliunan rupiah itu. Ini dilatarbelakangi kondisi di lapangan yang menunjukkan masyarakat Papua kurang/tidak merasakan kucuran dana otsus yang telah memasuki tahun keenam. "Presiden dalam berbagai kesempatan kerap menyatakan memberikan perhatian khusus kepada Papua. Kami minta presiden memberantas koruptor-koruptor dana otsus yang selama ini tampak terlalu mendapatkan toleransi," ujar Jimmy Demianus Ijie, Ketua DPRD Papua Barat menanggapi ketidakberhasilan dana otsus mengangkat kesejahteraan masyarakat Papua. Ijie mengatakan ketegasan presiden melecut dua gubernur di Tanah Papua untuk bertindak serupa. Ia mengatakan kemungkinan tertinggi penyelewengan dana otsus berada pada pemegang uang proyek. "Dalam pertemuan dengan anggota Kongres AS Eni FH Faleomavaega di Jakarta, dua gubernur ini diminta berani ambil tindakan dalam mengelola dana otsus. Gubernur harus mereformasi birokrasi agar jangan diisi orang-orang korup yang hanya membawa kesengsaraan bagi masyarakat Papua," ujar Ijie yang juga Ketua DPD PDI-P Papua Barat itu. Ia mengaku DPRD Papua Barat dalam sebulan terakhir bertindak sangat keras dalam menjalankan fungsi kontrolnya. Dijelaskan, pada awal pemekaran Papua Barat (dulu Irian Jaya Barat), DPRD lebih berkutat menegakkan eksistensi Provinsi Barat di mata nasional. Kini setelah tak ada masalah dalam eksistensinya, DPRD Papua Barat mulai getol menjalankan fungsi kontrol terhadap eksekutif. Anggota DPR Papua/DPRP, Daniel Dath, saat berkunjung di Manokwari Papua Barat, menjelaskan DPRP juga akan menjalankan fungsi kontrol dalam mengawasi penggunaan dana otsus Provinsi Papua yang diberikan ke 20 kabupaten/kota di Papua dan sembilan kabupaten/kota di Papua Barat. "Saya dan beberapa teman akan jalan di wilayah Papua Barat untuk melihat apakah penerapan dana otsus berjalan baik atau tidak," ujar dia. Tak rasakanSementara itu, Sekertaris Daerah Papua Barat George Celcius Auparay mengatakan Provinsi Papua Barat sejak awal pengucuran dana otsus tak pernah merasakannya. "Memang kabupaten/kota di Papua Barat telah menerima dana otsus. Tapi Provinsi Papua Barat hingga kini tak pernah merasa sebagai orang Papua karena tak pernah menerima dana itu," ujarnya. Dia memastikan Provinsi Papua Barat juga ikut mengontrol penggunaan dana otsus oleh kabupaten/kota.Diharapkan UU Nomor 21 Tahun 2001 yang menjadi payung hukum pelaksanaan otsus di Papua segera direvisi agar Papua Barat hasil pemekaran Provinsi Papua dapat diakomodir di dalamnya. Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- http://www.suaramerdeka.com/cybernews/harian/0707/07/nas10.htm Nasional Sabtu, 07 Juli 2007 : 17.41 WIB Presiden : Transportasi Kebutuhan Mendesak di Papua dan Irjabar Sumsel, CyberNews. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono mengatakan, sarana dan prasarana transportasi di Provinsi Papua dan Irian Jaya Barat (Irjabar) menjadi kebutuhan masyarakat yang sangat mendesak untuk ditingkatkan pada saat ini. "Saya sudah beberapa kali ke sana dan memang jalur transportasi jalan darat masih kurang, termasuk juga pelabuhan dan bandara," kata Presiden Yudhoyono ketika berdialog dengan para petani dan nelayan pada Pekan Nasional (Penas) XII Petani Nelayan Indonesia (PNI) 2007, di Desa Sembawa, Kabupaten Banyuasin, Sumatera Selatan, Sabtu. Akibat kurangnya sarana dan prasarana transportasi, kata Presiden, harga barang-barang yang dibutuhkan masyarakat setempat menjadi sangat mahal. Hal tersebut diungkapkan Kepala Negara menjawab pertanyaan Welmina Marien, wanita petani asal Irjabar, yang mengeluhkan sulitnya transportasi di Irjabar dan Papua, sehingga harga barang termasuk beras menjadi tinggi. Menanggapi hal itu, Presiden menjelaskan pemerintah telah berkomitmen dalam 3-5 tahun ke depan akan meningkatkan sarana transportasi, terutama transportasi darat. "Agar roda perekonomian, pertanian, penjualan dan pembelian bisa berjalan baik, serta harga-harga bisa lebih murah," katanya. Dalam kesempatan tersebut, Welmina Marien juga meminta pemerintah untuk menambah jumlah penyuluh pertanian beserta fasilitas pendukungnya. Ia juga mengharapkan pemerintah menghidupkan kembali program pemberian sekitar 500 ekor sapi Banpres (Bantuan Presiden) seperti pada masa Presiden Soeharto. Menjawab pertanyaan ini, Presiden mengatakan bahwa Deptan telah memiliki program penambahan 10 ribu penyuluh pertanian untuk seluruh Indonesia, termasuk Irjabar, untuk membantu meningkatkan produktifitas petani. Sedangkan mengenai Program Banpres, Presiden Yudhoyono mengatakan bahwa sekarang ini program itu sudah tidak ada lagi. Tetapi, katanya, pemerintah juga tetap memiliki program lain untuk memajukan sektor peternakan agar lebih baik lagi. ( ant/cn09 ) --- http://www.gatra.com/2007-07-07/versi_cetak.php?id=105899 NASIONAL [ GATRA Printed Edition ] Gus Dur: Bintang Kejora Itu Lambang Kultural Jakarta, 7 Juli 2007 09:38 Mantan Presiden KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) menyatakan, tidak menjadi persoalan jika bendera "Bintang Kejora" ingin dijadikan simbol kultural Papua. "Bintang kejora bendera kultural. Kalau kita angggap sebagai bendera politik, salah kita sendiri," kata Gus Dur kepada pers di Gedung PBNU, Jakarta, Jum`at (6/7). Gus Dur, yang saat menjabat presiden mengabulkan permintaan masyarakat Irian Jaya (waktu itu) untuk menggunakan sebutan Papua, justru menuding polisi tidak berpikir mendalam ketika melarang pengibaran bendera "Bintang Kejora". "Ketika polisi melarang, tidak dipikir mendalam. Sepak bola saja punya bendera sendiri. Kita tak perlu ngotot sesuatu yang tak benar," ujarnya. Menurut Gus Dur, kalau pengibaran bendera itu dianggap separatis, maka ujung-ujungnya adalah Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) yang menurut dia sudah tidak ada lagi. "Kalau dianggap separatis, harus dilanjutkan apa alasannya? Ujung-ujungnya kan OPM. Tapi sejak dua tahun lalu (OPM) sudah tinggalkan situ (Papua --Red). Tak perlu kita curiga pada saudara sendiri," katanya. Sebelumnya, sejumlah pihak meminta agar dihindari penggunaan bendera "Bintang Kejora" sebagai lambang kultural Papua karena bendera itu telanjur menjadi simbol gerakan separatis OPM. Ketika ditanya soal diundangnya aktivis OPM oleh senat Amerika Serikat beberapa waktu lalu, Gus Dur juga tidak terlalu mempermasalahkannya, walau senat tidak mengundang pemerintah Indonesia untuk menjelaskan persoalan yang sama. "Pemerintah tidak diundang wong pendiriannya sudah tahu," ujar Gus Dur. Sementara menyangkut penyusupan aktivis kelompok gerakan Republik Maluku Selatan (RMS) pada acara yang dihadiri Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono di Ambon tanggal 29 Juni 2007, Gus Dur menyebutnya sebagai keteledoran. "Itu keteledoran, tak perlu dibenarkan, agar tahu ada yang teledor. Biarkan saja, tapi jangan sampai terulang di masa depan," katanya. [EL, Ant] --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nusantara/0707/10/150852.htm Wapres: Otsus di Papua Sukses Tergantung Pengelola Daerah Laporan Wartawan Kompas Suhartono JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Wapres Muhammad Jusuf Kalla menyatakan sukses atau tidaknya pelaksanaan otonomi khusus (Otsus) di Provinsi Papua sangat tergantung kepada pengelolaan Otsus itu sendiri oleh Pemprov Papua. Berbicara kepada pers usai sholat Jumat di Istana Wapres, Jakarta, Kalla mengakui bahwa infrastruktur di Provinsi Papua mengalami banyak kekurangan sehingga tidak mudah bagi aparat pemerintah daerah untuk melihat pelaksanaan otsus di provinsi tersebut. Ditanya mengenai hasil pertemuannya dengan anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat, Eni Faleomavaega, pagi tadi, Wapres menjawab dirinya dan Faleomavaega berdiskusi bagaimana menangani Provinsi Papua lebih baik lagi di masa mendatang. Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nusantara/0707/05/230552.htm Otonomi Khusus Barnabas Suebu Kecewa Dana Otsus Belum Sentuh Masyarakat Miskin Laporan Wartawan Kompas Suhartono JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Gubernur Provinsi Papua Barnabas Suebu mengakui adanya kekecewaan masyarakat Papua atas pelaksanaan otonomi khusus, khususnya pemanfaatan dana otsus yang dirasakan warga kurang menyentuh masyarakat terutama di kampung-kampung yang miskin. Sejak lima tahun berlakunya otsus, dana-dana tersebut sama sekali tidak dirasakan benar-benar manfaatnya bagi kesejahteraan dan kemakmuran masyarakat. Demikian disampaikan Barnabas Suebu menjawab pers, seusai mendampingi Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono bertemu dengan anggota Kongres Amerika Serikat asal Samoa, Eni Faleomavega di Kantor Presiden, Kompleks Istana, Jakarta, Kamis (5/7) sore. ?Otsus sudah lima tahun, akan tetapi dananya tidak menyentuh masyarakat. Apalagi mereka hidup dalam kemiskinan dan kemelaratan. Baru tahun 2007 ini yang turun, jumlahnya sekitar Rp 1 triliun. Itu pun setelah saya menjadi Gubernur. Mereka memang kecewa dengan otsus. Kekecewaan mereka karena dananya tidak mereka terima,? ujar Barnabas. Barnabas mengaku dirinya baru pulang dari kampung-kampung miskin di wilayahnya untuk mengecek dan melihat sendiri pelaksanaan otsus. ?Saya sebagai gubernur bekerja keras membangun. Karena ada dana otsus, maka saya turun ke kampung memperbaiki kesejahteraan masyarakat. Dana itu belum menyentuh ke kampung-kampung,? tambah Barnabas. Sementara, seusai menerima kunjungan Eni Faleomavega, yang juga Ketua Komisi Asia Pasifik, juru bicara Kepresidenan Dino Patti Djalal menyatakan, Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono telah memberikan penjelasan mengenai situasi di Papua kepada anggota Kongres AS yang selama ini dikenal sangat vokal mengkritisi Papua. ?Presiden menjelaskan mengenai pendekatan baru yang diambil pemerintah, di antaranya semakin memperkuat otonomi dan memperkuat demokrasi. Ini ditunjukan dengan kehadiran dua Gubernur dari Papua dan dari Irian Jaya Barat (Irjabar) yang dipilih secara langsung untuk pertama kalinya secara demokratis,? kata Dino. Eni sendiri menyatakan, pihaknya sangat mengapresiasi komitmen Presiden Yudhoyono terhadap Papua. ?Tak hanya menyediakan sumber-sumber yang dibutuhkan, akan tetapi juga menyediakan bantuan yang saya percaya inilah yang dibutuhkan masyarakat Papua selama bertahun-tahun,? ujar Eni. Sebagai Ketua Komisi HAM Asia-Pasifik, Eni menambahkan, Indonesia adalah negara yang sangat penting. ?Saya berharap di masa datang masalah (Papua) dapat terus dilanjutkan dengan dialog. Saya juga berharap apapun perbedaan yang mungkin ditemukan, saya sangat yakin bahwa itu dapat dicarikan solusi yang tepat,? demikian Eni. Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nusantara/0707/05/133548.htm Akses di Papua Perlu Diperluas Laporan Wartawan Kompas Marcellus Hernowo JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Human Right Watch (HRW) berharap, pemerintah membuka akses yang lebih luas di Provinsi Papua dan Irian Jaya Barat untuk pengamat hak asasi manusia dari luar negeri dan pengamat independen. Sebab cara itu akan meningkatkan jumlah dan kualitas informasi mengenai kondisi daerah itu. "Informasi-informasi itu amat dibutuhkan apabila pejabat pemerintah Indonesia sungguh berniat mengidentifikasi masalah yang ada di Papua dan Irian Jaya Barat untuk kemudian mencari pemecahan jangka panjangnya," kata deputy program direktur HRW Joseph Saunders di Jakarta, Kamis (5/7) saat mempresentasikan laporan HRW berjudul "Out of Sight: Endemic Abuse and Impunity in Papua?s Central Highland." Laporan setebal 81 halaman dan disusun pada tahun 2006-2007 itu, mendomentasikan berbagai pelanggaran yang dilakukan polisi dan satuan keamanan lain di wilayah Pegunungan Tengah Papua yang terisolasi pada tahun 2005-2006. Dalam laporan itu ditulis, polisi telah banyak melakukan pelanggaran HAM di daerah itu, termasuk pelanggaran HAM berat seperti eksekusi di luar proses hukum, penyiksaan, serta pemerkosaan. Berbagai pelanggaran itu semakin memperdalam ketidakpercayaan terhadap pemerintah pusat di Jakarta dan berpotensi memancing ketegangan separatis. Menurut Sauders, pihaknya sudah berkirim surat ke pimpinan polisi dan militer di Papua untuk mengkofirmasi berbagai pelanggaran yang tercatat di laporan tersebut. Namun belum ada tanggapan. Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- http://www.kompas.com/ver1/Nusantara/0707/05/114117.htm Persoalan Perempuan Papua Dibahas dalam Komisi Tersendiri Laporan Wartawan Kompas Aryo Wisanggeni G JAYAPURA, KOMPAS - Persoalan perempuan dan anak di Papua juga menjadi materi bahasan dalam Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua 2 pada Kamis (5/7). Mengingat persoalan perempuan dan anak di Papua cukup kompleks dan rumit, Dewan Adat Papua akhirnya memutuskan membentuk komisi tambahan yaitu Komisi Perempuan dan Anak. Hal itu dijelaskan pimpinan sidang Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua (MAP), Willem Bonay, di Jayapura, Kamis (4/7). "Pembentukan komisi tersendiri itu dilakukan setelah kami menerima usulan dari beberapa delegasi. Usulan yang sama juga disampaikan Wakil Ketua Majelis Rakyat Papua, Hana Hikoyabi," kata Bonay. Awalnya, pembahasan materi dalam Konferensi Besar MAP hanya akan dilakukan dalam tiga komisi. Komisi itu adalah komisi organisasi, komisi khusus untuk rekomendasi, dan komisi umum. "Masalah perempuan dan anak di Papua memang cukup pelik. Kematian ibu dan anak di Papua misalnya, sangat tinggi. Kami juga melihat di forum yang lain masalah perempuan dan anak selalu dibicarakan secara khusus. Hal itulah yang mendorong kami memutuskan membentuk komisi tersendiri untuk membahas persoalan perempuan dan anak di Papua," kata Bonay. Di luar forum konferensi, Koalisi Mahasiswa dan Rakyat Peduli Papua menggelar keterangan pers menanggapi opini yang berkembang dalam kasus penggunaan bendera Bintang Kejora sebagai atribut tarian pembuka Konferensi Besar MAP 2. Mereka menyayangkan stigma separatis yang diberikan atas kasus itu. "Menggunakan Bendera Bintang Kejora, atau penyampaian aspirasi Papua Merdeka itu adalah kebebasan berekspresi. Itu merupakan hak fundamental. Mengapa harus diberi stigma separatis," kata juru bicara internasional Koalisi Mahasiswa dan Rakyat Peduli Papua, Sebby Sambom. Copyright 2006 Kompas Group --- Elsham News Service, 7 Juli 2007 Polisi Tangkap 7 Pengurus DAP ENS,- Jayapura Sidang Kongres Besar Masyarakat Dewan Adat Papua ternyata berakhir dengan proses penangkapan, aparat kepolisian Papua setidaknya telah menangkap 11 pengrus penting Dewan Adat Papua. Penangkapan itu berlangsung setelah bubarnya acara sidang pada Jumaat (6/7) malam. Menurut Polisi 11 orang ini ditangkap untuk dimintai keterangannya sebagai saksi dalam sebuah atraksi tradisional berupa tarian daerah yang dimainkan kelompok sendra tari dari Manokwari yang bernama Sampari (Bintang Kejora, bahasa Biak, red). Dalam atraksi itu para penari mengenakan atribut bermotif simbol Bintang kejora. Seorang penari sempat membentangkan Bintang kejora sampari itulah yang menyebabkan pihak Polda Papua sejak malam pukul 11.00 WP menahan sedikitnya 8 orang dan masih menjalani pemeriksaan hingga berita ini di turunkan; * Ketua baru DAP terpilih, Forkorus Yoboisembut * Sekretaris umum, Leo Imbiri * Sekjen PDP, Taha Alhamid * Koordinator penjaga dusun, Enggel Dimara * Bendahara II DAP, Astriks Rumbonde, * Yokop Kasimat * Willem Rumasep * Bendahara I DAP, Alfrida Faidiban * Mantan ketua DAP, Thom Beanal Mereka belum memenuhi panggilan Polisi adalah, Willi Mandowen dan Benny Yerisitouw. Tak heran sejak hari pertama tanggal 3 Juli sidang digelar, terlihat niat aparat kepolisian dan Brimob melakukan berbagai upaya untuk membubarkan sidang Dewan Adat. Selama berlangsungnya sidang Polisi dan pasukan Brimob menjaga ketat Gedung GOR Cenderawasih. at Elsham News Service -- Elsham News Service, 07 Juli 2007 Komandan Korem 172 Jayapura Mengumpulkan Milisi Merah Putih ENS,- Jayapura Komandan Korem (Komando Resort Militer) 172 Wirayakti Padang bulan Jayapura, Papua Kolonel Burhanudin Siagian, Jumaat (6/7) mengumpulkan sejumlah milisi Merah Putih di Aula Korem 172 Wirayakti. Para Milisi Merah Putih itu mengenakan selendang Merah Putih di kepalanya persis seperti para Milisi Merah Putih Aitarak di Timor leste pasca Jajak pendapat 1999. Kolonel Burhanudin Siagian, memaparkan dan mempublikasikan Milisi Merah Putih di media cetak dan elektronika di Papua dan Nasional. Para Milisi yang sebagian besar pesertanya rata-rata orang Papua. Mungkin tepat juga bahwa penempatan Kolonel Siagian di Papua tak sia-sia mengingat kolonel Siagian sangat berpengalaman dalam mengatur menejemen para Milisi Merah Putih di Timor Leste. Dan karena jasa pengalamannya itu Kolonel Siagian ditugaskan ke Jayapura untuk membangkitkan kembali para Milisi Merah Putih yang sedang mati suri. Dalama catatan rekord HAM kolonel Siagian tergolong buruk, saat pasca jajak pendapat di Timor Leste, Kolonel Siagian terlibat membantai sejumlah warga Timor Leste. Sehingga KKR Timor Leste, memasukan Kolonel Siagian sebagai serdadu Indonesia yang melakukan kejahatan kemanusiaan. Apel siaga Milisi Merah Putih di markas Korem 172/Wiraykati Jayapura, Jumaat (6/7) dilakukan bertepatan dengan dilaksanakannya Kongres besar Dewan Adat Papua. Para peserta yang hadir umumnya mengatakan sangat menentang rencana Papua pisah dari Indonesia.@ Elsham News Service --- KCM, Sabtu, 07 Juli 2007 - 10:24 wib Panitia Konbes Masyarakat Adat Papua 2 Diperiksa Polisi Laporan Wartawan Kompas Aryo Wisanggeni G JAYAPURA, KOMPAS - Sejumlah tujuh panitia Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua 2 dan Sekretaris Jendral Presidium Dewan Papua Thaha Alhamid diperiksa Direktorat Reserse Kriminal Kepolisian Daerah Papua, Sabtu (7/7) pagi. Pemeriksaan itu diduga terkait penggunaan Bendera Bintang Kejora dalam tarian pembuka konferensi itu pada Selasa (3/7). Sebagaimana diberitakan, Bendera Bintang Kejora, dijadikan atribut salah satu penari Sampari, tarian khas masyarakat Biak yang bermukim di Manokwari, ibukota Provinsi Irian Jaya Barat. Tarian Sampari itu menjadi tarian keempat yang ditampilkan dalam pembukaan Konferensi Besar Masyarakat Adat Papua 2. Tarian yang menceritakan kematian seorang lelaki yang ditangisi anaknya. Sampari sendiri adalah sebuah kata yang berasal dari bahasa Biak, yang artinya bintang fajar, juga menjadi nama lain dari Bendera Bintang Kejora. Saat penutupan konferensi pada Jumat malam, Direktur Reserse Kriminal Polda Papua, Komisaris Besar Paulus Waterpauw, menyerahkan sebelas surat panggilan pemeriksaan. Surat panggilan itu diserahkan kepada penanggung jawab pengarahan konferensi, Leonard Imbiri. Dari 11 orang yang dipanggil polisi, hanya delapan orang yang memenuhi panggilan itu. Tujuh panitia yang memenuhi panggilan itu adalah Forkorus Yaboisembut (ketua panitia konferensi), Leonard Imbiri, Alfirda Faidiban, Asmirah Alhamid, Astrix Rumbonde, Yakob Kasimat, Willem Rumaseb. Polisi juga memanggil Sekretaris Jendral Presidium Dewan Papua, Thaha Alhamid. Meski Thaha bukan panitia konferensi, tetapi Alhamid tetap memenuhi panggilan itu. Hingga berita ini diturunkan, pemeriksaan masih berlangsung. Kedelapan orang itu didampingi dua kuasa hukum mereka yang juga aktivis Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua, yaitu Latifah Anum Siregar dan Iwan Kurniawan Niode. Tiga orang yang belum memenuhi panggilan adalah Tom Beanal, Willy Mandowen, Benny Yerisitouw. Jumat, 06 Juli 2007 17:51:00 --- (Elsham) Konbes Masyarakat Adat Papua tidak Boleh Campuri Masalah Politik Jayapura-RoL-- Konferensi Besar (Konbes) masyarakat adat Papua yang digelar pada 2 Juli hingga 6 Juli di GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura, Provinsi Papua seharusnya hanya berbicara masalah adat Papua, sebaliknya mereka tidak boleh membahas persoalan-persoalan politik praktis yang mengarah kepada disintegrasi bangsa dan negara Republik Indonesia. Hal itu ditegaskan Komandan Korem 172/Praja Wira Yakthi, Kol.Kav.Burhanuddin Siagian kepada Antara di Jayapura, Jumat sehubungan dengan telah berlangsungnya kegiatan Konbes masyarakat adat Papua yang tidak hanya membahas persoalan-persoalan adat asli Papua melainkan juga telah membias kepada permasalahan politik kemerdekaan Papua lepas dari Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI). "Kami tegaskan kepada semua pihak bahwa Konbes masyarakat adat Papua itu sudah keluar dari semangat awal yakni membahas perlindungan dan pelestarian adat asli Papua sekaligus perlindungan terhadap masyarakat adat Papua dalam bingkai NKRI. Kenyataannya, para peserta konferensi justeru lebih banyak membahas persoalan politik kemerdekaan Papua," katanya. Jika Konbes ini semula bertujuan membicarakan persoalan-persoalan adat Papua maka para pesertanya pun harus konsisten membahas persoalan tersebut bukan sebaliknya membonceng masalah politik untuk dibawa ke arena konferensi tersebut. "Semula, mereka mengatakan bahwa konferensi ini berbicara tentang adat, tetapi kenyataannya mereka membahas kemerdekaan Papua lepas dari NKRI. Untuk itu kami minta agar para peserta konferensi adat tidak membohongi rakyat," tegasnya. Kol.Siagian juga menilai kegiatan Konbes masyarakat adat Papua itu merupakan kegiatan ilegal karena tertutup bagi aparat keamanan. "Polisi saja tidak diperkenankan masuk ke dalam arena pertemuan tersebut, ada apa dibalik semuanya itu?" tanya Kol.Kav. Siagian. Dia mengatakan, suka atau tidak suka, setuju atau tidak setuju, NKRI merupakan harga mati yang tidak mungkin dapat ditawar-tawar lagi. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, lanjutnya ketika mengunjungi Maluku pekan lalu pun kembali menegaskan bahwa NKRI itu harga mati. Kol.Kav.Siagian meminta seluruh peserta Konbes masyarakat adat Papua agar tidak memprovokasi rakyat di balik kegiatan politik praktis disintegrasi bangsa dan negara Indonesia. Dia mengakui kalau banyak peserta konferensi itu yang tidak sependapat dengan kegiatan-kegiatan tersebut yang mengarah kepada perpecahan anak-anak bangsa dan negara Republik Indoensia di provinsi tertimur dari kepulauan Nusantara ini. Antara - mim ---