Kingmi Church Office raided again by Police, resulting in injuries and arrests

Yesterday the embattled Kingmi Church in West Papua was again violently occupied by Indonesian Police.

Three members of the Kingmi church in West Papua, Nason Uti (25 years), Leo Keiya (30 years) and Naftali Kobepa (26 years), were hospitalised and two others were wounded in an attack by the Indonesian security forces. Three other Church members were arrested by police and have now been released.

According to eyewitnesses, Police from the mobile paramilitary Police Brigade, Brimob, supported by members of the TNI (Indonesian military) forcibly entered the Kingmi Church Synod office and ransacking the offices, smashing windows and damaging church equipment.
The police and military actions followed a confrontation between members of the Kingmi church and a group reportedly from the Indonesian Tabernacle Bible Church who want to gain control of the Kingmi church assets. The Indonesian Tabernacle Bible Church claim to the church had been previously supported by Police action.

This is the third time the Indonesian police have now occupied the Kingmi church synod office. Police also occupied the Church in December last year then again in May 2007. Both times they used excessive force to evict pastors and church workers. A decision in April 2007 by the Indonesian court recognising the Kingmi Synod’s right to maintain control of the Church assets in West Papua.

The conflict appears to stems from a decision by the Kingmi Church to re-establish their own independent Synod in West Papua in 2006 and the advocacy work undertaken by the Kingmi church in relation to Human Rights in West Papua.

Paula Makabory from the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights said “that the situation in West Papua appears to be rapidly deteriorating. The Indonesian police and military appear to be taking more repressive action against community based organizations in West Papua.

“These repressive actions by the security forces follow statements by Col. Siagian and other senior Indonesian military personnel threatening and justifying the use of State violence against civilians, including those engaged in peaceful protest.”

"The attack on the Kingmi church follows threatening action by the police against Rev. Sofyan Yoman, President of the Fellowship of Baptist Churches in West Papua who had a gun pointed at him by Indonesian police on Sunday."

For more information contact:
Rev. Benny Giay from the Bureau of Justice and Peace of the Kingmi Church: +62 852 4437 3166
Paula Makabory from the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights: +61 402 547 517

Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998

Rising to the humanitarian challenge in Iraq

Armed violence is the greatest threat facing Iraqis, but the population is also experiencing another kind of crisis of an alarming scale and severity. Eight million people are in urgent need of emergency aid; that figure includes over two million who are displaced within the country, and more than two million refugees. Many more are living in poverty, without basic services, and increasingly threatened by disease and malnutrition. Despite the constraints imposed by violence, the government of Iraq, the United Nations, and international donors can do more to deliver humanitarian assistance to reduce unnecessary suffering. If people’s basic needs are left unattended, this will only serve to further destabilise the country.

Source from Oxfam. To learn more, click on:
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2007/07/30/oxfam.pdf

Police use gun to threaten Rev Sofian Yoman, outspoken Human Rights advocate

The Rev Socretez Sofian Yoman, President of the Baptist Church in West Papua, has been threatened by members of the Indonesian Police and members of military intelligence with a gun outside Sunday service in Jayapura.

Rev Socratez Sofian Yoman, the President of the Communion of Baptist Churches, Jayapura, West Papua, is an outspoken advocate of Human Rights and a critic the action of the TNI (Military) and the policies of the Indonesian Government in West Papua. Rev Sofian Yoman has spoken about military & police human rights abuse, the recent rise of Military backed civilian militias in West Papua, the failure of Jakartas 5 year old 'special autonomy’ package and the policies of Indonesian government which he has described as 'Genocidal'.

Reports last night and today indicate that Rev Sofian Yoman was threatened and intimidated by members of the Indonesian Police, Brimob and Military (TNI) intelligence service outside the Sunday service of the Baptist Church in Jayapura at 5.30 pm 29 July 2007.

Outside the Church Rev Sofian Yoman was approached by the Police and threatened at gun point. Rev Yoman said that a pistol was pointed directly at him and he was verbally threatened. The Policeman with the pistol was reported to be Abiddin Zainal, a member of the local police in Abepura.

Rev Yoman said he told the Police that they had no business at the Church and they had gone away but returned after a short period and threatened him with the gun.

He also said that, "Military intelligence has infiltrated the Baptist church and are trying to subvert the work of the church in relation to protecting the Human Rights of the West Papuan people."

Rev Yoman said, that members from the Indonesian administration and security forces in the Highlands were trying to silence him and have him 'forcibly removed 'from his role as President of the Baptist church in West Papua.

Rev Yoman said that the Police action is supported by Bupati/regent Pegunaungan Bitang (Star Mountains District) Wellington Wenda, Bupati Jayawijaya, (Wamena District) Nicolas Yigibalom, Major TNI (Military) Marthen Kogoya & Adolof Kogoya member MRP (Peoples Legislative Assembly).

Paula Makabory spokesperson for the Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said “This intimidation is to silence an outspoken church leader and is similar to the attempt earlier this year by the Police to take control of the Kingme church (Bible Tabunacal Church of West Papua).”

“The West Papuan churches are one of the few independent voices for the rights of the people. Rev Sofian Yoman is a fearless voice for exposing what is happening in West Papua. But the TNI (Indonesian military) try to influence other members of the church to pull him down.”

"Parts of the Indonesian government and particularly the military are taking increasing action in West Papua to stop people who speak for the rights of the people."

“My organisation is very concerned about Rev Yomans personal safety, especially with the apparent rise in repressive action by the Military and Police. The Indonesian President should step in to safeguard Rev Yoman and other West Papuan people so they have the right to speak freely.”

For further information contact:

Paula Makabory, Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights, Australia Tel +61 402547517;

Rev Socratez Yoman, President, Communion of Baptist Churches, Jayapura, West Papua Tel +62 812 4888458;

Matthew Jamieson, Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights, Australia Tel +61 418291998

Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights Inc
PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998

Federal Government decides to appeal sentences of Pine Gap 4

The Director of Public Prosecution has decided to appeal the leniency of the sentences of the Pine Gap 4. For details see:

http://bushtelegraph.wordpress.com/2007/07/15/pine-gap-4-crime-and-punishment/

http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/1944

Palestinian Family Receives 2007 Michael Sattler Peace Prize

ROTTENBURG, Germany — The 2007 Michael Sattler Peace Prize has been awarded to the "Tent of Nations — People Building Bridges" project in Palestine. The German Mennonite Peace Committee gave the prize in recognition of the creative and non-violent solutions the Christian Palestinian Nassar family uses in their struggle against encroaching illegal colonization.

In the Middle East conflict, land and ownership requirements have important roles. Who owns the land? The Nassars' right to their farmland on a hill south of Bethlehem is confirmed by British, Jordanian, Israeli and Ottoman papers, some 100 years old. Nevertheless, Israeli settlers lay claim to the land.

The Nassar family operates the farm themselves, always keeping at least one family member present. In the last few years they have also operated a simple Christian retreat and meeting center, while continuing their 15-year struggle in Israeli courts for their possession rights.
Jewish settlements already occupy the surrounding hills, but despite the difficult circumstances, the Nassar family continues to live a Christian witness. They combine the rightful claim to their land with the active hope the conflict in the Middle East can be peacefully overcome and justice can become possible.

With the prize, the German Mennonite Peace Committee, together with its ecumenical partners, remembers the Anabaptist Michael Sattler, who was burned May 20, 1527, in Rottenburg for his Christian witness and non-violent stance. Besides Sattler, three other Anabaptists were executed that day, and his wife Margarethe was drowned a few days later in the Neckar River.
The award was presented at a ceremony at the Kirchgasse Protestant church on May 20, 2007, in Rottenburg followed by a worship service at the site of Sattler's execution. The award is supported by the Evangelical and Catholic churches of Rottenburg, the Catholic Peace organization Pax Christi, and the City of Rottenburg.

To read the original, click on:
http://www.mwc-cmm.org/News/MWC/070705rls1.html

Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki World Music Peace Concert 2007

Japanese for Peace (JfP) will present a World Music Peace Concert from 3 pm to 5 pm Sunday, August 5th, 2007, at the Melbourne Town Hall. Tickets are available at the door: $15 full/ $10 con. Facilities are available for people with disabilities. Children under 12 years are admitted free.

Performers include David Jones – Tibetan/Japanese Meditation Music; Ajak Kwai – Sudanese Singer; Kate Tempany & Friends – Indian Tabla; Noriko Tadano - Shamisen; Rindo Daiko – Japanese Drums.

Speaker: Professor Joseph A. Camilleri - La Trobe University.

Proceeds will go towards the Non-Governmental Organisation, Darfur Australia Network. See http://www.darfuraustralia.org.au.

For interviews or more information, contact Anna at info@jfp.org.au or 0421-981-961, or visit our website at http://www.jfp.org.au.

Peace Rally will start from 12:30pm at State Library organised by Nuclear Free Australia. http://www.nukefreeaus.org.

Prof. Kevin Clements on Peacemaking

You can listen to the ABC interview with Kevin Clements, Director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, at the University of Queensland, talking about peacemaking in Burundi and elsewhere by clicking on:

http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/stories/s1963870.htm

Ban on US Congressman 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.

Contact: Paul Barber on +44 1420 80153 or +44 774 730 1739

Indonesian Military Starts Shooting as Flag-Raising Protest Starts 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@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998