Genocide and Islamization in West Papua
Genocide, Military Operations & Islamization under
Special Autonomy in West Papua
Published by luke May 20th, 2007 in Indonesia, PNG /
West Papua and Human Rights.
Special Autonomy Law No. 21 Year 2001 was meant to be a wise, respectable and just solution to the issue of West Papua’s political status and was expected to bring peace to the people of West Papua and the people of Indonesia. It was born as an offer and a decree from the Indonesian government that realized there was a demand for self-determination from the people of West Papua who demanded that their right to sovereignty, which was historically granted on 1st December 1961, be returned. Source
http://www.missionaorg/?p=5404
The people of West Papua also condemned the illegality of the Act of Free Choice in 1969 which was conducted undemocratically and unjustly in West Papua. The status of the Special Autonomy Law No 21/2001 has given the West Papuans a good opportunity to manage a special governmental system that could re-vitalize and protect the basic rights of the indigenous West Papuans.
See; Disarming Times; www.paxchristi.
Christi Australia: www.paxchristi.org.au; Rev Socratez
Yoman: socratezyoman_90@hotmail.com ; No Internet Text
However, the questions are:
Special Autonomy in West Papua
Published by luke May 20th, 2007 in Indonesia, PNG /
West Papua and Human Rights.
Special Autonomy Law No. 21 Year 2001 was meant to be a wise, respectable and just solution to the issue of West Papua’s political status and was expected to bring peace to the people of West Papua and the people of Indonesia. It was born as an offer and a decree from the Indonesian government that realized there was a demand for self-determination from the people of West Papua who demanded that their right to sovereignty, which was historically granted on 1st December 1961, be returned. Source
http://www.missiona
The people of West Papua also condemned the illegality of the Act of Free Choice in 1969 which was conducted undemocratically and unjustly in West Papua. The status of the Special Autonomy Law No 21/2001 has given the West Papuans a good opportunity to manage a special governmental system that could re-vitalize and protect the basic rights of the indigenous West Papuans.
See; Disarming Times; www.paxchristi.
Christi Australia: www.paxchristi.
Yoman: socratezyoman_
However, the questions are:
1. Has Special Autonomy stopped the tears and blood of the indigenous West Papuans which still continuously drop and flow on the land of West Papua because of the torture and the cruelty of the Indonesians for 43 years?
2. Does Special Autonomy really guarantee the protection of the basic rights and the survival of the West Papuans in the future?
3. Does Special Autonomy give proper space and opportunity for the indigenous West Papuans in the field of education, health and economy?
4. Could Special Autonomy control the flood of migrants from outside West Papua who migrate to West Papua every week? There are three Royal Line passenger ships each with a 5,000 passenger capacity which bring 15,000 people to West Papua every week.
(This figure does not include those who travel to West Papua by air every day.)
5. Has Special Autonomy ended the military and the police mobile brigade (Brimob) operations in West Papua? In reality, Special Autonomy has become a new problem and has brought suffering and has created more cruel oppression. Any guarantee of security, safety and the future survival of the indigenous West Papuans is threatened by a systematic genocide of the West Papuan people. The future of the indigenous West Papuans now seems even darker. The Indonesian police and military’s violence, oppression, terror, and intimidation that has been carried out against the indigenous West Papuans has become the dominant Indonesian policy and has been successful on the Melanesian land of West Papua, whereas Special Autonomy has failed.. Basically, the indigenous West Papuans have realized that Special Autonomy will neither protect nor improve their lives The truth is that Special Autonomy simply gives the Indonesians more of a chance to use more cruel and inhuman policies to oppress the indigenous West Papuans through its military and police forces. Based on this realization, nearly 100% of the indigenous West Papuans refused Special Autonomy five years ago for they have had a long, dark and bitter experience living under Indonesian rule for over 43 years.
6. However, the indigenous West Papuans were forced to accept Special Autonomy, when a number of ambassadors from the USA, 13 European Union countries and Australia came to West Papua to put pressure on and influence the will of the indigenous West Papuans. Now from the deepest parts of our hearts and minds and to the best of our knowledge which is based on truth and honesty, we would like to inform the international community that the Special Autonomy Law which you have supported has created even more complex problems.
7. Special Autonomy has created violence, oppression, and created a killing field for the indigenous West Papuans. It has also created an opportunity for the Islamization of West Papuans.
8. Special Autonomy has successfully increased the number of troops and the number of migrants which has changed the balance of the indigenous and migrant populations in West Papua. The migrants are pre dominantly Moslem. Local indigenous West Papuans live continuously under heavy terror and intimidation because of the military’s harsh control. Indonesia is trying to commit massive killings of the indigenous West Papuans by allowing them to live in fear and hunger. Many towns are heavily guarded by military and mobile brigade personnel. Every passing indigenous Papuan is searched thoroughly and their belongings seized. As recently as 20th February 2007, the Indonesian military attacked community villages in, Yamo. The military and police, dressed as civilians, stay in the village and began terrorizing and intimidating the native community. In 2003 the Papuan Regional House of Parliament, the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) and all the people of West Papua rejected the extension of the West Irian Jaya provinces. However, Jakarta never listened to the voice of the Melanesian people of West Papua. So in effect, West Irian Jaya Province was established for the benefit of Indonesian intelligence, political and economic interests but not for the protection of the indigenous West Papuans. Military operations are still killing West Papuan, causing them to starve in the jungle or burning down their hospitals, churches,schools, houses and gardens.
2. Does Special Autonomy really guarantee the protection of the basic rights and the survival of the West Papuans in the future?
3. Does Special Autonomy give proper space and opportunity for the indigenous West Papuans in the field of education, health and economy?
4. Could Special Autonomy control the flood of migrants from outside West Papua who migrate to West Papua every week? There are three Royal Line passenger ships each with a 5,000 passenger capacity which bring 15,000 people to West Papua every week.
(This figure does not include those who travel to West Papua by air every day.)
5. Has Special Autonomy ended the military and the police mobile brigade (Brimob) operations in West Papua? In reality, Special Autonomy has become a new problem and has brought suffering and has created more cruel oppression. Any guarantee of security, safety and the future survival of the indigenous West Papuans is threatened by a systematic genocide of the West Papuan people. The future of the indigenous West Papuans now seems even darker. The Indonesian police and military’s violence, oppression, terror, and intimidation that has been carried out against the indigenous West Papuans has become the dominant Indonesian policy and has been successful on the Melanesian land of West Papua, whereas Special Autonomy has failed.. Basically, the indigenous West Papuans have realized that Special Autonomy will neither protect nor improve their lives The truth is that Special Autonomy simply gives the Indonesians more of a chance to use more cruel and inhuman policies to oppress the indigenous West Papuans through its military and police forces. Based on this realization, nearly 100% of the indigenous West Papuans refused Special Autonomy five years ago for they have had a long, dark and bitter experience living under Indonesian rule for over 43 years.
6. However, the indigenous West Papuans were forced to accept Special Autonomy, when a number of ambassadors from the USA, 13 European Union countries and Australia came to West Papua to put pressure on and influence the will of the indigenous West Papuans. Now from the deepest parts of our hearts and minds and to the best of our knowledge which is based on truth and honesty, we would like to inform the international community that the Special Autonomy Law which you have supported has created even more complex problems.
7. Special Autonomy has created violence, oppression, and created a killing field for the indigenous West Papuans. It has also created an opportunity for the Islamization of West Papuans.
8. Special Autonomy has successfully increased the number of troops and the number of migrants which has changed the balance of the indigenous and migrant populations in West Papua. The migrants are pre dominantly Moslem. Local indigenous West Papuans live continuously under heavy terror and intimidation because of the military’s harsh control. Indonesia is trying to commit massive killings of the indigenous West Papuans by allowing them to live in fear and hunger. Many towns are heavily guarded by military and mobile brigade personnel. Every passing indigenous Papuan is searched thoroughly and their belongings seized. As recently as 20th February 2007, the Indonesian military attacked community villages in, Yamo. The military and police, dressed as civilians, stay in the village and began terrorizing and intimidating the native community. In 2003 the Papuan Regional House of Parliament, the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) and all the people of West Papua rejected the extension of the West Irian Jaya provinces. However, Jakarta never listened to the voice of the Melanesian people of West Papua. So in effect, West Irian Jaya Province was established for the benefit of Indonesian intelligence, political and economic interests but not for the protection of the indigenous West Papuans. Military operations are still killing West Papuan, causing them to starve in the jungle or burning down their hospitals, churches,schools, houses and gardens.
Migration: Another issue for West Papua is the sharp increase in the number of migrants. Nearly 5000 migrants move to West Papua every week by sea and air transports. The uncontrolled flow of migration has changed the balance of tine population, betweenindigenous West Papuan and the migrants. The migrants,who are predominantly Moslem, now make up 70% of thetotal population in the towns, whereas the indigenous West Papuans are 30%. There needs to be a seriousresearch/investigation into this issue.
Education: The future of the indigenous West Papuansis dark and threatened. There has not been any improvement or changes in the field of education during the time of Special Autonomy. In fact, all that has happened is that some teachers have been appointed to new bureaucratic positions in the newly extended regencies (which have been established as a result of the Special Autonomy policy).Freedom of Speech: For the Papuans, there is no freedom or opportunity to speak freely and give opinions freely. The power of the Indonesian military and police has oppressed and closed down the freedom of the indigenous West Papuans to speak their voice in open forums.During the Special Autonomy era, there has been no democracy, justice, peace or respect for the dignityand rights of the indigenous West Papuans. Special Autonomy has become a cruel hell for the indigenous West Papuans. Their future seems darker and frightening. What the indigenous West Papuans have experienced in the Special Autonomy era has been extreme policies to force Papuans to accept any policies that the Indonesians produce. Furthermore the policy of creating new provinces and regencies is an Indonesian military project to develop the communication network of all the regions in West Papua and aims to reduce the space of movement of the indigenous West Papuans. An obvious result is that land is taken for the purpose of the “development” which in turn gives more opportunity for the military and promotes an increasingly Islamization process. In other words, the process of ethnic genocide of the indigenous West Papuans has occurred through human rights abuse and through education, health, economy, language and culture policies.
Appeal to International Community: Having observed the human tragedy in West Papua and the dark future of the indigenous West Papuans due to violence and the threat of the Indonesian military operations as well as the process of Islamization in West Papua, I would therefore like to urge my international brothers and sisters to do the following:
I urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to open a door of dialogue - conducted wisely, honestly, and respectfully, to find a complete solution to the problems of West Papua. The international community should mediate this dialogue, using a similar method such as the one conducted for Aceh. The most peaceful and respected solution will be to give the indigenous West Papuans an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination according to the United Nations’ international standards. Thereferendum must be conducted honestly and democratically.
I urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to open access for the UNhumanitarian workers, foreign journalists and human rights observers to visit West Papua and see directly what is happening to the indigenous West Papuans.If there is to be visits of ambassadors from the USA, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand and other states, it is important that these delegations not only visit government, military and police officials in Jayapura but also listen to the indigenous West Papuans who live in the towns and villages.. If the government of Indonesia does not allow the human rights observers and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights into West Papua, then, the question we must put to the Indonesian government is; what are you trying to hide and what are you going to do to the indigenous West Papuans?
I also urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to withdraw all organic and non-organic troops from West Papua because their presence now outnumbers the indigenous West Papuans.
I also urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to stop the extension of new provinces and regencies in West Papua. The extension of new provinces and regencies in West Papua is a new effective strategy to systematically carry out the military operations and the Islamization process in West Papua. This strategy must now be investigated and measured. This is also a new version of the old transmigration strategy to kill and wipe out the indigenous West Papuans.
Education: The future of the indigenous West Papuansis dark and threatened. There has not been any improvement or changes in the field of education during the time of Special Autonomy. In fact, all that has happened is that some teachers have been appointed to new bureaucratic positions in the newly extended regencies (which have been established as a result of the Special Autonomy policy).Freedom of Speech: For the Papuans, there is no freedom or opportunity to speak freely and give opinions freely. The power of the Indonesian military and police has oppressed and closed down the freedom of the indigenous West Papuans to speak their voice in open forums.During the Special Autonomy era, there has been no democracy, justice, peace or respect for the dignityand rights of the indigenous West Papuans. Special Autonomy has become a cruel hell for the indigenous West Papuans. Their future seems darker and frightening. What the indigenous West Papuans have experienced in the Special Autonomy era has been extreme policies to force Papuans to accept any policies that the Indonesians produce. Furthermore the policy of creating new provinces and regencies is an Indonesian military project to develop the communication network of all the regions in West Papua and aims to reduce the space of movement of the indigenous West Papuans. An obvious result is that land is taken for the purpose of the “development” which in turn gives more opportunity for the military and promotes an increasingly Islamization process. In other words, the process of ethnic genocide of the indigenous West Papuans has occurred through human rights abuse and through education, health, economy, language and culture policies.
Appeal to International Community: Having observed the human tragedy in West Papua and the dark future of the indigenous West Papuans due to violence and the threat of the Indonesian military operations as well as the process of Islamization in West Papua, I would therefore like to urge my international brothers and sisters to do the following:
I urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to open a door of dialogue - conducted wisely, honestly, and respectfully, to find a complete solution to the problems of West Papua. The international community should mediate this dialogue, using a similar method such as the one conducted for Aceh. The most peaceful and respected solution will be to give the indigenous West Papuans an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination according to the United Nations’ international standards. Thereferendum must be conducted honestly and democratically.
I urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to open access for the UNhumanitarian workers, foreign journalists and human rights observers to visit West Papua and see directly what is happening to the indigenous West Papuans.If there is to be visits of ambassadors from the USA, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand and other states, it is important that these delegations not only visit government, military and police officials in Jayapura but also listen to the indigenous West Papuans who live in the towns and villages.. If the government of Indonesia does not allow the human rights observers and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights into West Papua, then, the question we must put to the Indonesian government is; what are you trying to hide and what are you going to do to the indigenous West Papuans?
I also urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to withdraw all organic and non-organic troops from West Papua because their presence now outnumbers the indigenous West Papuans.
I also urge the international community to put pressure on the Indonesian government to stop the extension of new provinces and regencies in West Papua. The extension of new provinces and regencies in West Papua is a new effective strategy to systematically carry out the military operations and the Islamization process in West Papua. This strategy must now be investigated and measured. This is also a new version of the old transmigration strategy to kill and wipe out the indigenous West Papuans.