Declaration on Peace in Papua

Declaration on Peace in Papua

Jayapura, 7July 2011

With thanks to Almighty God,

We, the more than 500 participants at the Papua Land of Peace Conference, including representatives of religious groups, adat [customary] groups, women, youth, academics, student organisations and resistance groups from districts and towns throughout the Land of Papua who took an active part in the Papua Land of Peace Conference which was held in the auditorium of Cenderawasih University from 5 - 7 July 2011.

At the conference the theme of which was '/Let us together make Papua a Land of Peace'', /we represented a variety of experiences, strengthening each other in meetings, conversations and discussions. We were enriched by material that was presented by the following speakers:

1. Bapak Djoko Sujanto, Minister-Coordinator for Politics and Law of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. Bapak Barnabas Suebu SH, Governor of the Province of Papua
3. Bapak Bekto Suprapto, Chief of Police of Papua
4. Bapak Erfi Triasmu, Commander of the Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih
5. Monseigneur Leo Laba Ladjar, Bishop of the Diocese of Jayapura
6. Dr Tony Wanggai, chairman of the Papuan Provincial Branch of NU and representative of the Papua Muslim Council
7. The Rev. Socrates Sofyan Yoman, M. Th,. chairman of the Synod of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in Papua
8. The Rev. Forkorus Yaboisembut, Chairman of Dewan Adat Papua, the Papuan Customary Council.

We reflected on the situation in Papua Land of Peace by deepening our understanding of various concepts and indicators. We also identified the problems which need to be resolved in order to achieve our objective of Papua, Land of Peace.

In keeping with the cultural traditions of Papua regarding ways to resolve conflicts by peaceful means:

1. We declare that Dialogue is the best way of finding the correct solution to the conflict between the Papuan People and the Indonesian Government.
2. We express our determination to find the solution to the political, security, legal, human rights, economic, environmental and social-cultural issues in the Land of Papua by means of Dialogue between the Papuan People and the Indonesian Government, mediated by a neutral third party.
3 We welcome the initiative of the central government in support of the preparatory processes for a Jakarta-Papua dialogue.

At the Papua Land of Peace Conference, we decided on the criteria for Papuan representatives who should take part in the dialogue with the Indonesian government. These criteria are as follows:

1. Are fluent in standard English language (speaking, listening, reading and writing);
2. Have no bureaucratic, emotional, communication, coordination or links of any kind with NKRI (Unitary States of the Republic of Indonesia) system.
3. Possess the ability and experience to engage in diplomacy and negotiation (possessing a certificate).
4. Are imbued with the ideology and innermost beliefs of Papua Merdeka.
5. Understand the history of the Papuan struggle.
6. Are ethically and morally sound.
7. Are not temperamental (are rational, able to control their emotions, do not engage in acts of violence or use words that undermine humanitarianism.
8. Negotiators who are not leaders but have a mandate from the leadership.
9. Are from one of the political resistance organisations of the people of West Papua and/or are individuals who are recommended by one of the resistance organisations of the people of West Papua.
10. Are acceptable to the majority of the political resistance organisations in West Papua and the people of West Papua.
11. Are imbued with the the spirit of Papuan Nationalism.
12. Are physically and mentally fit.
13. Understand the Papuan question and have the creative ability to seek a solution to the Papuan problem.
14. Have integrity and loyalty towards efforts for the reconciliation and consolidation of the West Papuan revolution, including the commitment to accept all the consequences thereof, however bad they may be.
15. Are capable of and willing to WORK TOGETHER as members of the West Papua Negotiation Team.
16. Have one or more of the necessary UNDERSTANDINGS or EXPERTISE in the following spheres: politics, law, economy, security, human rights, social-cultural affairs and the history of the national struggle of West Papua.
17. The negotiation team shall be composed of a balanced proportion of men and women

In conformity with the above criteria, we propose that the following persons shall be members of the West Papuan negotiation team:

*1. Rex Rumakiek
2. Dr John Otto Ondawame
3. Benny Wenda
4. Octovianus Mote
5. Leoni Tanggahma

Herewith is our Papuan Peace Declaration which we submit to all the People of Papua, to the Indonesian Government and to all people who are concerned about efforts to achieve peace in Papua.

ENDS