Wednesday, 15 May 2013.

Media Release: West Papua Action Auckland

Foreign Minister Murray McCully urged to take up the grave abuse of police power with the Indonesian authorities

West Papua Action Auckland has sent a letter to Foreign Minister Murray McCully concerning recent arrests and reported beatings of West Papuan demonstrators at a peaceful rally in Jayapura on 13 May 2013. The rally was in response to the violent crackdown on peaceful dissent that took place on 1 May 2013 where Indonesian security forces forcibly dispersed protestors using live fire, tear gas and water cannons. Two protestors were killed, a third died six days later, others injured and many were arrested.

The New Zealand Government should call for the immediate release of all those detained for exercising a fundamental democratic right and for an independent investigation into all consequent injuries and deaths.

We are particularly concerned because we understand that a new programme of training engagement may be about to get under way between the New Zealand police and their counterparts in West Papua. If we do not speak out these grave abuses our engagement in training is likely to be taken as a sign that New Zealand approves these police practices.

West Papua Action Auckland is urging Foreign Minister Murray McCully to take up the grave abuse of police power with the Indonesian authorities with a sense of urgency.

Letter below.

West Papua Action Auckland

Box 68-419

Auckland

15 May 2013

Hon. Murray McCully

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Parliament Buildings

Wellington

Dear Mr McCully,

During a rally in Jayapura on the 13 May 2013 Indonesian security forces cracked down on peaceful protesters arresting four activists. In light of the arrests of these activists, whose safety and freedom from torture is of serious concern, we write again to urge you to advocate to the Indonesian authorities concerning human rights abuses that continue to take place in West Papua.

We wrote on 2 May 2013 to appeal to you to advocate to the Indonesian authorities concerning the grave human rights abuses taking place in West Papua, particularly the violent crackdown on peaceful dissent that took place on 1 May 2013.

1 May 2013 was marked throughout West Papua as a day of mourning and protest. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the date when West Papua was handed over to Indonesian control by UNTEA (United Nations Temporary Executive Authority). Indonesian security forces forcibly dispersed protestors using live fire, tear gas and water cannons. Two protestors were killed, a third died six days later, others injured and many were arrested. As we stated in our previous letter, it is essential that there be an open and transparent inquiry into all the circumstances of these latest tragic deaths.

Following these deaths, a peaceful rally in Jayapura was organised by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) to call for an investigation into the killing of the demonstrators on 1 May 2013. Papua Police chief, Tito Karnavian, banned the rally. The banning of public expression was widely criticised by Papuan civil society leaders, including church leaders.

Despite failed attempts to negotiate the lifting of the ban, Papuan people gathered in Jayapura on 13 May 2013 to march and peacefully voice their aspirations. Reports state that Indonesian police violently dispersed this peaceful rally and arrested four activists: Victor Yeimo (KNPB Chairman), Yong Ulimpa, Ely Kobak and Marthen Manggaprow. Reports indicate that during the arrests they were beaten and one of the protesters had his arm broken. Human rights workers expressed grave concerns for their safety and freedom from torture. Reports emerging of their treatment, especially that of Victor Yeimo, are particularly disturbing.

We note your acknowledgement that there are ongoing grave human rights abuses taking place in West Papua. We urge you to take up the grave abuse of police power with the Indonesian authorities with a sense of urgency.

We are particularly concerned because we understand that a new programme of training engagement may be about to get under way between the New Zealand police and their counterparts in West Papua. If we do not speak out these grave abuses our engagement in training is likely to be taken as a sign that New Zealand approves these police practices.

The arrests, torture and killing of activists in West Papua has been going on now for five decades and the security force presence has recently been intensified. Restrictions placed on independent journalists and human rights workers means that independent investigation of abuse cases is always difficult. Nevertheless, respected organisations such as Amnesty International have documented cases of shootings and beatings of peaceful demonstrators and widespread imprisonment of people whose only ‘crime’ has been to express an aspiration for independence or to raise the banned ‘Morning Star’ flag.

We would also like to focus your attention on the issue of all political prisoners, as the latest independent documentation indicates that there are as many as 40 political prisoners in jails in West Papua. To our knowledge no other Pacific territory has even a single long-term political prisoner. The New Zealand Government should call for the immediate release of all those detained for exercising a fundamental democratic right and for an independent investigation into all consequent injuries and deaths.

We stress again, we believe the New Zealand Government ought to at a minimum:

1. Call on the Indonesian authorities to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to visit Indonesia and facilitate his free access to West Papua to assess the situation in the territory.

2. Call on the Indonesian authorities to invite the International Committee of the Red Cross to re-establish a presence in West Papua and provide humanitarian support to prisoners and their families.

3. Call on the Indonesian President to order the unconditional release of West Papuan political prisoners as part of a comprehensive policy to end of the punishment of free expression.

4. Call on the Indonesian President to initiate a process of peaceful dialogue with Papuan leaders to work for a resolution of the conflict in West Papua.

Yours sincerely,

ends

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