Minggu, 06 Februari 2011

Churches demand probe of shooting incidents


JAYAPURA Local church leaders have called for an independent investigation of a series of church shootings in Puncak Jaya, Papua, that started in 2004.
"An independent team must be set up to investigate what actually happened and who was behind the incidents. The shootings have been taking place for the past six years," Rev. Socrates Sofyan Yoman told reporters in Jayapura.
Authorities previously stated that there were suspected perpetrators or groups of perpetrators behind specific shooting incidents but stopped short of bringing suspects to justice, said Socrates, who is president of the Fellowship of Baptist Churches of Papua.
"This has raised the question of what has been actually happening. [Shootings] have taken place for years," he said.
Other religious groups in Papua - such as the Indonesia Christian Churches (GKI) of Papua, Indo- nesia Bible Churches, the Kingmi Synod of Papua, the Catholic Diocese of Jayapura - have also issued statements of concern and echoed Socrates call for an independent investigation.
The Fellowship of Baptist Churches of Papua has urged the provincial council and the Papuan Peoples Assembly (MRP) to immediately invite the Governor and police and military chiefs to explain about the violence to the public and appealed to people to remain calm. - JP
Sources: http://bataviase.co.id/node/346259. AKSES 06/02/11

Socrates Yoman rejects police summons; Alleged OPM attack on civilian in Mulia

Sources: http://www.infopapua.org/artman/publish/article_2277.shtml: Akses 06/02/11
By Bintang Papua, 8 August 2010
Aug 10, 2010, 03:16

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Bintang Papua, 8 August 2010
Translated by TAPOL

Yoman Socrates: Church is not subordinate to government or security forces

JAYAPURA: A summons from the police in Papua dated 7 August to Sofyan
Yoman , in connection with a statement he made regarding actions of the
army and police in Puncak Jaya will be ignored, he said.

Duma Socrates said no one should run away with the idea that the
security forces, namely the TNI/Polri, are purveyors of the truth.This
is the old way of thinking that has no relevance in the present era.

'I will never respond to a summons to give clarifications to the police
in Papua, as demanded in their summons of 7 August 2010.' said the
chairman of the Central Board of the United Baptist Churches in Papua.

Duma Socrates said that the statement he made, as reported in the media
last Friday regarding the involvement of the security forces in the
never-ending problem in the district of Puncak Jaya, along with data
about their involvement is accurate.

'What I was reported to have said is not rubbish. There is good reason
for us to have made that statement, we have the data and we have the
experience. The government and the security forces misrepresent the
situation and they fail to understand us. We are not an ignorant people
who are deaf, dumb and blind,' he said.

The church, he said, is not subordinate to the government and the
security forces. The Baptist Church is independent and autonomous. In
the interest of the sacred spirit, the church will at all times voice
the fate of its people who are voiceless and oppressed.

'We continue to be amazed that the acts of violence that have been
happening since 2004 in Puncak Jaya have continued to this day . Why
have the security forces with all their intelligence agencies not been
able to detect the people alleged to be from the OPM who are causing all
this disruption?'

'What we hope for is that the security forces should end this game that
is going on in the Land of Papua, in particular by the police for its
groundless summons to me, bearing in mind that I am part owner of this
country and one of its legatees.'

He said that the police should stop summoning indigenous Papua. Let's
live together, side by side, as equals, respecting each other.' Dont
treat the creatures of the Lord like hunted animals, stigmatised,
trivialising the people of God,' he said.

He said that the time had come for this game-playing to end, in the
interest of justice, peace and human rights.

Papuan Human Rights : West Papua Churches 33 Churches in Papua call for immediate action to end violence

Sources: http://www.infopapua.org/artman/publish/article_2047.shtml: Akses 06/02/11
By WPNews West Papua.
Jul 28, 2009, 13:54

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STATEMENT OF DEEP CONCERN BY THE ALLIANCE OF CHURCHES IN THE LAND OF
PAPUA REGARDING THE DISTURBING CONDITIONS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE
PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT OF MIMIKA AND THROUGHOUT THE LAND OF PAPUA

The Alliance of Churches in the Land of Papua herewith express their
deep dismay to everyone concerned in the following statement:

1. All the security forces must immediately end the intimidation, terror
and arrests that are now affecting the innocent civilian inhabitants of
Timika as well as acts of violence being perpetrated against the people
in the Land of Papua.

2. The National Human Rights Commission, Komnas HAM, should immediately
set up an independent commission to identify those who are behind all
the acts of violence that have occurred in Timika and throughout the
Land of Papua, not one of which has been dealt with up to the present day.

3. We call upon the chief of police of Papua to immediately reveal the
mastermind behind these acts along with all those who have been
responsible for the use of gunfire in Timika.

4. The Papuan Legislative Assembly (DPRP) should summon the Governor of
the Province of Papua, the Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP, Papuan Peoples
Council), the chief of police of Papua and the military commander of
Cenderawasih military command XVII, to explain all the acts of violence
that have occurred in Timika and throughout the Land of Papua.

5. We call upon the community in Mimika and throughout the Land of
Papua to remain calm in face of the tragic events which continue to
occur up to the present day.

6. The leaders of the Churches in the Land of Papua call upon the
central government to immediate enter into a National Dialogue with the
Papuan people in order to resolve all the problems in the Land of Papua,
with dignity, justice and humanity, which should be mediated by a
neutral third party.

7. The Alliance of Churches in the Land of Papua remain firmly committed
and resolute in their struggle for the rights of their God-fearing
people, in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

This is our statement of concern, expressing the commitment of all
religions in the Land of Papua.

Jayapura, 28 July 2009


General chairman
Secretary-General
Reverend Lipiyus Biniluk, S.Th. Reverend
J.W. Maury, S.PAK

Supported by the chairmen of 33 churches as follows:

1. Ketua Sinode Gereja Kristen Injili Di Tanah Papua
2. Ketua Sinode Gereja Injili Di Indonesia
3. Ketua Sinode Gereja Kemah Injil (KINGMI) Papua
4. Ketua Umum Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja Baptis Papua
5. Ketua Sinode Gereja Bethel Gereja Pantekosta Di Tanah Papua
6. Ketua Badan Pekerja Daerah Gereja Bethel Indonesia Provinsi Papua
7. Ketua Sinode Gereja Misi Kristus Di Tanah Papua
8. Ketua Daerah Gereja Pantekosta Haleluyah Indonesia
9. Ketua Sinode Gereja Persekutuan Kristen Alkitab Indonesia
10. Keuskupan Jayapura
11. Ketua Gereja Kerapatan Injil Bangsa Indonesia Wilayah Papua.
12. Ketua Gereja Pantekosta Tabernakel Papua
13. Ketua Majelis Daerah Gereja Kerapatan Pantekosta
14. Ketua Wilayah Gereja Kristen Kemah Daud Papua
15. Ketua Badan Pengurus Daerah Gereja Segala Bangsa
16. Ketua Gereja Kristen Nazarene Papua
17. Ketua Gereja Rehobot di Tanah Papua
18. Ketua Umum Sinode Gereja-Gereja Reformasi Papua
19. Ketua Sinode Gereja Masehi Advent Hari Ketujuh.
20. Ketua Sinode Gereja Jemaat Protestan Indonesia
21. Ketua Sinode Gereja Pantekosta Di Papua
22. Ketua Majelis Daerah Gereja Pantekosta Di Indonesia
23. Ketua Sinode Gereja Protestan Indonesia
24. Ketua Sinode Pekabaran Injil Jalan Suci
25. Ketua Gereja Kristen Oikumene
26. Ketua Gereja Pantekosta Indonesia
27. Ketua Gereja Pantekosta Pusat Surabaya
28. Ketua Wilayah Gereja Kalvari Pantekosta Misi Indonesia
29. Ketua Gereja Pantekosta Serikat Di Indonesia
30. Ketua Gereja Pantekosta Internasional Indonesia
31. Ketua Gereja Kristen Kalam Kudus
32. Ketua Gereja Sidang-Sidang Jemaat Allah
33. Ketua Wilayah Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia

Rev Socrates Sofyan Yoman briefing UK Parliament: Today I bring the message from West Papua

By WPNews : Sources: http://www.infopapua.org/artman/publish/article_2136.shtml: Akses,06.02/11
Feb 5, 2010, 20:55


 
Greeting and prayers from every West Papuan to Lord Harries and Andrew Smith.

As a Chairman of the Baptist Church In Wenda Papua. I want to tell the honest about what really happening in West Papua firstly

Thousand of Indonesia Military dropping in West Papua right now Papuan are really isolated their own Land.

Indonesia Police are continually Killing torturing Papuan. Just recently Indonesia Police Kelly Kwalyk in Timika Twon.

This is the situation right now in West Papua. I was meeting on 26th
Indonesia National Parliament Commission A in Jakarta. I say to them Peoples in West Papua want to Free.

Some message I brought to UK Parliament that Peoples in West Papua want to Free.

Please write he letter to UN Secretary General and asking please look what happen the West Papuan history 1969.

Please write the letter to the Indonesia Government that stop kill West Papuan and give West Papua freedom to Exercise freely about the Self Determination.

Thank you very much behalf of West Papua Peoples
Rev Socrates Sofyan Yoman
Chairman of the Baptist Church in West Papua

Lord Harries, Rev Socrates Sofyan Yoman and Andrew Smith MP

Lord Harries, Rev Socrates Sofyan Yoman and Andrew Smith MP

Photo Rev Socrates Sofyan Yoman Parliament building

Lord Harries, Rev Socrates Sofyan Yoman and Andrew Smith MP

Present situation of the West Papuan people

By Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman
Chairman of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in West Papua

West Papua, 5 May 2006

TNI/POLRI  in control of West Papua

The TNI/Polri (armed forces and police) are in complete control of the situation in West Papua. Their presence constitutes a great danger to the freedom and survival of the people of West Papua.  Members of the two forces are spread throughout the territory of West Papua, some in uniform and some in civilian clothing. Most of them are from the intelligence who roam the streets as ocek drivers and are to be seen on every corner in
towns all over West Papua.
The presence of TNI/POLRI severely restricts the freedom of movement of Papuans. People feel afraid and insecure which is clearly evident on the faces of Papuans.

Relations between TNI/POLRI and immigrants

The TNI/POLRI are doing everything to protect newcomers (people with straight hair) who have the freedom to go everywhere and work wherever they like, without fear. But these same forces are playing a major role in oppressing and murdering Papuans.
The following are examples:
Case 1: In Jayapura, Keerom and especially in the district of Abe Gunung, it is very difficult for Papuans to go out and tend their gardens or hunt because of the presence of TNI/POLRI in civilian clothes. At the same time, immigrants are free to tend their fields, even including land that belongs to Papuans but which in now in the hands of the immigrants.
Case 2: TNI/POLRI personnel keep a close check on Papuans along the road from Jayapura to Keerom (Arso) and from Arso to Jayapura. Papuans travelling along these roads must have a travel permit from the TNI/POLRI but immigrants are not checked and are free to travel and they enjoy the protection of the TNI/POLRI.
Case 3: Wembi, Senggi, Wambes, Keerom, Arso are supervised by the TNI in order to protect the transmigrants who are in control of Arso, Keerom.  But native Papuans are subjected to checking almost every day and do not have the freedom to tend their gardens or to travel beyond their homes.

Special Autonomy, Law No. 21, 2001

Special Autonomy was a political bargain reached between Papuans and Indonesians to resolve the problem of West Papua comprehensively and with dignity. It was offered as the final solution to the people of West Papua. Special Autonomy was also supported by the international community, which backed it with funds, ideas and proposals. It was said at the time that Special Autonomy would help the West Papuan people to develop.
But according to the experience and evaluation of Papuans, Special Autonomy Law No 21, 2001 has been a total FAILURE because of the actions of the Indonesian government. Special Autonomy has been disrupted by the Indonesian government by means of a range of policies such as:
  • The creation of the Province of Irian Jaya Barat despite its rejection by all Papuans, the DPRP and the MRP. It was forced on the people by the Indonesian government.
  • The dispatch of a very large number of troops, some in uniform and some wearing civvies, who are spread through the land of West Papua.
  • The dispatch of a large number of migrants who arrive every week on six white ships.
    Education:  Special Autonomy has not led to any improvement in the education system; on the contrary, all there has been for West Papuans is destruction and uncertainty.
    Health: Special Autonomy has not provided services to improve the standard of health of the Papuan people. On the contrary, doctors have set up pharmacies everywhere in Papua where they sell medicines at exorbitant
    prices far beyond the purchasing power of the general public.
    The Economy:  Special Autonomy has provided the immigrants with excellent opportunities to take control of the economy. The local people have not been helped to compete with the newcomers in economic activities.

Papuan People's Assembly (MRP)

The MRP is an important component of the Special Autonomy Law, and has the power under Indonesian law to fight for the basic rights and the survival of the native people of Papua.  However, the Indonesians never heed the views of the MRP. A clear example is the MRP Decision No. 04/MRP/2006 and
the MRP Recommendation of 14 February 2006 on the results of its public hearings on the creation of the Province of Irian Jaya Barat  to which there has been no response to this day. The MRP is still waiting for a reply from Jakarta.   According to Vice President Haji Yusuf Kalla, "the MRP is not a super body or any such thing".

TNI/POLRI businesses or illegal mining in Degeuo, Nabire,  West Papua

Members of TNI/POLRI are heavily involved in business ventures in West Papua. One example is the panning of gold in Degeuwo, Nabire, Papua.

Immigrants and the TNI/POLRI in West Papua

Immigrants, the majority of whom are Muslim, are free to come and go and live without fear in West Papua. and the TNI/POLRI  personnel do everything possible to protect them. On the other hand, native Papuans are hunted down, arrested, jailed, tortured, terrorised and intimidated everywhere, at all times and for any reason.
The immigrants are fully in control of the land of Papua, the Papuan economy, education and the political situation in Papua. Native  Papuans are being marginalised and are facing the danger of genocide.

West Papua, a Land of Peace

Since 2002, all church leaders and leaders of all other religions, people in government and the traditional councils, and the entire population have declared West Papua to be a Land of Peace. In particular, the churches and human rights NGOs have campaigned consistently at many levels, local, national and international, to preserve West Papua as a Land of Peace, with
the aim and hope of struggling for basic human rights, human dignity, justice, peace and equality.

Recommendations

The people of West Papua need:
1) International humanitarian intervention;
2) Peaceful dialogue between West Papuans and Indonesia, mediated by the international community.
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@gn.apc.org  http://tapol.gn.apc.org

John Wing

John Wing has been involved with human rights issues in Indonesia for twenty years.
A History graduate, in 1991 he traveled to East Timor only months before the Santa Cruz massacre, and in the same year, to West Papua. John became convinced the threats to Papuan survival were serious enough for him to devote much of the following years to research and awareness-raising.
In the mid-1990s John edited the “West Papua Information Kit” for the Australia West Papua Association. A comprehensive collection of threats posed by Indonesian “development”, the kit was based on John’s 1994 MA thesis in Anthropology/Development Studies.
In 2003 John was appointed Co-ordinator of the West Papua Project at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. In 2005 he conducted in-country research into the current human rights, environmental, political and social situation in Papua. His findings became the basis for the report “Genocide in West Papua? The Role of the Indonesian State Apparatus and a Current Needs Assessment of the Papuan People”.
The report, launched in August 2005, was widely reported in the international media. It became a reference point for governments around the world including the Dutch, Canadian, UK and Australian parliaments and the US Congress. The terms “Genocide” and “Papua”, while vigorously denied in Jakarta, were increasingly synonymous.
Footage of John’s Papuan experiences has been widely used by Australian media.
His long-term passion is to deliver alternative sources of electricity, such as solar and micro hydro power, to remote areas of Papua, and hopes one day to provide cheap, simple lighting to homes and refrigeration to clinics.


Sources: http://artsweb.aut.ac.nz/Journalism/westpapua/background.shtml#socratez : AKSES 06/02/11

Low population in Papua an indication of genocide according to a church leader

Posted at 06:42 on 17 August, 2006 UTC
There are claims that the population of Papua province in Indonesia has declined dramatically compared with neighbouring PNG and that the Indonesian military is to blame.
The Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, the president of the Communion of Baptist Churches in West Papua, and other Papuan activists will present seminars in Auckland over the next two days, on West Papua - The Hidden Pacific Conflict.
Rev Yoman says in 1969 when Indonesia took formal control, the indigenous population was substantially larger than in PNG - but the neighbour now has nearly six times as many people.
He puts the low population down to a range of factors, including poor health care, alcoholism and HIV/Aids, but says the principal factor is the activity of the military.
“There are many murdered, many murdered and silent killings happening in West Papua. We need help. Assistance from the international community to stop this terrible situation in West Papua.”
Rev Yoman says they want New Zealand encourage the UN to send human rights investigators to Papua.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Sources: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=26186: AKSES 6/02/11

NZ ‘not doing enough’ over West Papua crisis

19 August 2006
By Dianna Vezich: Te Waha Nui Online
The New Zealand Government and media are not doing enough to expose “potential genocide” in West Papua, says Indonesian Human Rights Committee spokesperson Maire Leadbeater.
At a weekend West Papua human rights conference held at AUT University, she said New Zealand was able to play a key mediation role in resolving conflict in the troubled province.
New Zealand has not contributed a lot to helping its Pacific neighbours, the West Papuans, deal with the problems under tight Indonesian rule.
In 2002, then Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff mentioned the idea of New Zealand acting as a mediator in West Papua.
“Almost as soon as Goff uttered those words he backed down, saying it could only happen if both Indonesia and West Papua agreed.  We would be waiting an awful long time if we waited for Jakarta to initiate it,” said Leadbeater.
Current Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has shown little interest in the needs of West Papuans. He turned down meeting with speakers at the conference such as visiting West Papuan Baptist leader Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman. 
  • Human rights campaigners from Australia at AUT: Joe Collins (from left), Dr Anne Noonan and John Wing
Photo: Del Abcede
“The New Zealand Government should call on Jakarta to open the way for the West Papuan request for dialogue,” said Leadbeater.
Keynote speaker at the conference, Rev Yoman said his people were not happy and wanted peace and equality.
Rev Yoman also wanted New Zealand to raise the oppressive situation in West Papua with the United Nations.
“They have to stop them killing us, killing the Papuans, killing our land,” he said.
Problem for journalists
It is difficult for journalists or foreign diplomats to obtain visas to visit West Papua. 
Leadbeater was surprised that New Zealand’s mainstream media did not use the opportunity to hear Rev Yoman.
He is a West Papuan Baptist leader who has campaigned extensively for peace and justice in his country.
The only media to report on the conference were Radio NZ International, Triangle TV and journalism students from AUT University reporting for Te Waha Nui Online and Radio Static.
This is not the case in Australia with the issue of West Papua receiving coverage in mainstream newspapers. 
John Wing, a speaker at the conference and coordinator of the West Papua project at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, said there was a segment on the SBS television current affairs programme Dateline focused on the genocide allegations.
Wing is highly concerned about the problems in West Papua, such as threats from the Indonesian military, large-scale migration from Indonesia and the HIV/Aids explosion.
His recent report, Genocide in West Papua?, outlines examples of social conflict in Papuan towns and cities from 2003-2005.
Sources: http://www.tewahanui.info/news/190806_wpNotEnough.shtml: AKSES 6 PERBRUARI 2011