Kanaky support Independence of West Papua

Support within Melanesian community is very significant in the international process on the issue of West Papua.

This was one objective that the West Papuan representative in Vanuatu, Dr Otto Ondawame intended to do to ensure Melanesia as a region come up with one voice on the West Papuan cause.

“We call on Melanesian leaders to declare the problem in West Papua as a Melanesian issue and then take necessary steps to solve this longstanding issue,” said Dr. Otto Ondawame.

Ondawame who was in New Caledonia recently said mobilisation of people’s support within Melanesia is one of the priorities which is urgently needed.
Following Vanuatu’s example, a new West Papua Committee (WPCK) was established by Chiefs of Kanaky during a meeting that took place in 2010 at Emi village, Canala, which is located in the north-east of Kanaky last yea.

The primary objective of setting up this Committee was not only to raise public awareness on the issue in Kanaky but also to mobilise people’s support for the aspiration of independence of the people of West Papua.

“The leadership of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation(WPNCL) would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the understanding and commitment made by the people of Kanaky,” said Ondawame.

On January 28, 2011, Dr Otto Ondawame- Vice Chairman of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation was invited to Kanaky to launch the establishment of the committee and it was officially launched by Vice Chairman of the Coalition during a meeting that took place in Moneo village in Ponerihouen- the north-east of Kanaky on January 29, 2011.

During the visit, the West Papuan representative was able to meet Chairman of Kanaky Human Rights League and was also interviewed by Radio Kanaky-Djido in Noumea.

Source; http://www.dailypost.vu/

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Jaksa Penuntut Umum Hadirkan Sembilan Saksi Di Pengadilan

Jayapura, ENS,- Sidang lanjutan ke enam, terhadap Ketua Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Forkorus Yoboisembut Cs terkait kegiatan Kongres Rakyat Papua (KRP) III, kembali dilanjutkan di Pengadilan Negeri (PN) Jayapura, Selasa (21/2) dengan agenda menghadirkan saksi. Sidang kasus dugaan makar terhadap lima terdakwa, mendapat pengawalan dari kepolisian Polda Papua, Polresta Kota Jayapura, Mapolsekta Abepura, Brimobda Polda Papua dan POM AD (Polisi Militer Angkatan Darat).

Sidang di mulai pukul 09:00 WP, setelah hakim ketua Jack J Oktavianus mengetuk palu, selanjutnya Jaksa Penuntut Umum, Julius D.Teuf SH, menghadirkan para saksi yaitu; Suardi Madjid.SH, Safrudin Mahmud, Andi Goni, Jetny Leonard Sohilait, Lambertus Limbong Sattu, Amet Mahu, Sujono ketTujuh Saksi ini adalah anggota Polisi yang masi aktif di Polresta Kota Jayapura.dan Sekretaris Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP) Drs. Alfons Rukmbekwan, M.Si.

Tujuh saksi ini diajukan oleh Reskrim Polda Papua ke jaksa penuntut umum berdasarkan keterangan mereka yang ditulis dalam Berita Acara Pidana (BAP). Saat hakim bertanya apakah para saksi mengenal para terdakwa, mereka mengatakan hanya mengenal Forkorus Yaboisembut, sedangkan saksi Alfons Rumbekwan tidak memberikan keterangan.

Saat jaksa penuntut umum bertanya kepada saksi Alfons Rumbekwan terkait keterangannya yang tertulis dalam dakwaan BAP, “Ya, saya hadir disini untuk memberikan keterangan yang berkaitan dengan rekomendasi dari Kantor Majelis Rakyat Papua (MRP)” jawab Alfons Rumbekwan.

Kuasa hukum terdakwa keberatan dengan jawaban saksi dan meminta hakim untuk mempertimbangkan kehadiran saksi. Hakim menerima usulan dari penesehat terdakwa dan memutuskan bahwa saksi tidak memberikan keterangan dalam sidang dan dipersilahkan untuk keluar dari ruangan sidang.

Setelah saksi keluar, selanjutnya, hakim ketua memukul palu tanda sidang ditutup, dan akan dilanjutkan, pada hari Jumat, 24 Februari. (ENS)

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Papua: Time for Firm U.S. Stand?

By Alfred Oehlers

Against a backdrop of continuing violence and instability, the United States must be prepared to take a stronger stand on Papua. Rising tensions there risk complicating critically significant U.S.-Indonesia relations, unnecessarily distracting from the strategically important “rebalancing” towards the Asia-Pacific recently announced by the Obama administration.

By any measure, Indonesia looms large in U.S. foreign policy. Its status as a “Comprehensive Partner” speaks to the country’s political, economic and strategic significance. Moreover, as an influential player in multilateral forums both regionally and internationally, a strong relationship with Indonesia is invaluable in wider U.S. efforts at engagement in the Asia-Pacific – spanning diplomatic, trade and economic matters, through to security concerns such as extremism and maritime issues. In the context of the recent strategic rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific, this significance will only increase in coming years, as the United States seeks to leverage existing relationships with Asian allies and partners. Keeping a healthy bilateral relationship on track will be one crucial element – among many – assisting this delicate maneuver.

While certainly positive at the moment, the U.S.-Indonesia relationship is by no means immune from setbacks. In this respect, it may be instructive to recall the warming of ties between the two nations post-Suharto. Much was built and anticipated on the back of this, only to be derailed by a serious miscalculation by Jakarta in Timor-Leste. Recovery from this took some time and effort, and even now in Jakarta, incredulity and resentment continue to be harbored in some quarters at how the U.S. so readily jeopardized an important bilateral relationship for the sake of some insignificant (for Jakarta), far-flung province. Yet, that was so. And to the extent the values underpinning that response continue to endure – on Capitol Hill and among the American public – a response of the same measure will likely be forthcoming again should circumstances warrant.

If that’s the case, may we currently be seeing history repeating itself in Papua? Recent developments portend a disturbing likelihood. Jakarta’s alleged deafness to Papuan concerns, escalating protests, frequent tit-for-tat shootings by shadowy figures, and heavy-handed responses from Indonesian security forces and officials, have all contributed to a state of semi-chaos and inflamed tensions. In such a confused environment, a small incident may quickly spiral out of control, drawing the kind of vicious crackdown security forces in Papua have become notorious for. Graphic images – beamed worldwide – of security forces indiscriminately shooting into crowds of unarmed civilians may be too difficult to countenance in the U.S., irrespective of the status or significance of bilateral relations. The resulting backlash against Indonesia would invariably damage the bilateral relationship, and even if only temporarily, potentially compromise its usefulness to broader U.S. strategic goals.

Nor should the likely regional and sub-regional repercussions be ignored by U.S. policymakers. Take the Pacific neighborhood as a case in point. Lately, Indonesia has been actively cultivating relations with the Melanesian nations Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji. According to some, though likely motivated by honorable intentions, such moves may also be attempts to undermine the strength of the Melanesian bonds between these nations and the separatist National Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua (formerly, the Organisasi Papua Merdeka or OPM).

On the basis of a shared ethnicity, culture, and kinship, these nations have historically expressed strong solidarity with the Papuan struggle, affording varying levels of recognition to the separatist movement. Indonesian entreaties in recent years, however, have steadily eroded this. In April 2011, the Melanesian Spearhead Group – the regional association of the nations mentioned – voted to extend observer status to Indonesia, ignoring the appeals of Papuans for similar recognition made ever since the inception of the body. At a bilateral level, Vanuatu – once a staunch supporter of the separatist cause – signed a Development Cooperation Agreement with Indonesia in December 2011 with clauses explicitly recognizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia and the principle of non-interference in Indonesian affairs.

It’s uncertain how these Melanesian nations will react to a worsening Papuan situation, bearing in mind surveys of popular opinion still show much sympathy for the Papuan cause. In Vanuatu, the opposition has already tapped into this vein of potential political support, promising a repudiation of the Agreement signed in December should it return to office. May an escalation in tensions in Papua prove to be a catalyst for more political instability in Melanesia and elsewhere in the Pacific? And what of the implications for Pacific regionalism, now characterized by some observers to be in a parlous state? In a geographical neighborhood already with more than its fair share of governance, developmental and security challenges, additional complications of this nature won’t be welcome by many. Nor should it be by the United States, consumed as it is, attempting a critical strategic shift.

Make no mistake: in the broader overall rebalancing, Asian friends like Indonesia will be critically significant. What they will bring to bear assisting the U.S. will be all the greater provided they may speak with credibility, legitimacy, and a moral authority. For Indonesia, the satisfactory resolution of the Papua issue will burnish its credentials significantly in this regard. The U.S. should do far more to encourage such an outcome.

Alfred Oehlers is a professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of APCSS, the U.S. Pacific Command, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. governmen

Source; http://the-diplomat.com

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Free West Papua to speak out on Lini Day

By Bob Makin

A supporter of free West Papua with morning star flag at raon haus nakamal at Fresh Wota Supporters of the movement for the freedom of West Papua have applied to make Fr Walter Lini Day (21 February), next week, a day of support for the Melanesian brothers’ struggle for independence.

Leaders of the movement are conscious of the Vanuatu government’s moves to broaden commercial links and armed services cooperation with Indonesia.

They have also expressed their disappointment at the treatment meted out to West Papuan leaders who were recently refused visas at Bauerfield Airport in spite of their having letters in their possession from the Vanuatu Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that their visas would be issued on arrival.

The meeting discussed that the people of Vanuatu are well aware of the plight of the West Papuans. But they are not so aware of the apparently changing position of the Port Vila government towards West Papuan liberation.

Vanuatu has continuously supported a move for West Papuan observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). This was never achieved because it was blocked by the Somare government in PNG. Observer status for West Papua was still the position of Vanuatu last year. However, Prime Minister Kilman has signed a cooperation agreement with Indonesia.

Cooperation is seen by West Papua Freedom Association members as a threat to the security of Melanesia.

Meanwhile, Jakarta insists West Papua is an integral part of Indonesia and therefore Papuan independence cannot be discussed as a colonial issue.

Whilst Indonesia will discuss the Papuan provinces in regional forums, it seems this is mostly related to Djakarta’s regional expansion rather than any humanitarian consideration for the West Papuans. In Papua New Guinea in recent times training camps for Muslim extremists have been allowed to become established.

Vanuatu has been supportive of West Papuan independence since the country’s own Independence, and the case of the people of West Papua was always supported in international meetings by the late Fr Walter Lini. It is for that reason that the West Papua Freedom Association intends to hold its peaceful demonstration on Fr Walter Lini Day.

The Vanuatu Free West Papua Association was formed in 2000 to ensure Vanuatu governments would remain aware of the feelings of ni-Vanuatu as regards West Papuan independence.

The fact that the Vanuatu Government is moving towards diplomatic relations with Indonesia suggests it has lost touch with the feelings of the community, a meeting on Friday was told by MP Ralph Regenvanu.

The West Papuan international spokesman Dr John Ondowame also addressed the meeting.

One of the points raised at the meeting was that the Council of Ministers has never agreed that Vanuatu should enter into diplomatic relations with Indonesia and the decision to do so seems to be that of only one or two ministers.

The peaceful demonstration planned for Lini Day is expected to make the people’s position clear to the present government.

There will be free expression for every point of view and a call on candidates to the forthcoming elections to make their positions, and those of their parties, absolutely clear to everyone.

Source; www.dailypost.vu

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Pengamanan Sidang Forkorus Cs Seperti ‘Mau Perang’

JAYAPURA [PAPOS]- Anggota Komisi A DPRP, Ignasius W.Mimid,Amd menilai pengamanan yang dilakukan aparat TNI dan Polisi terlalu berlebihan saat berlangsung sidang Forkorus Cs di Pengadilan Negeri Kelas I A Jayapura, Senin [30/1], Papua Pos, edisi, Selasa [31/1].

Tidak tanggung-tanggung aparat yang diturunkan berjumlah 600 orang. Padahal itu hal kecil di Papua, tetapi dengan pengamanan yang begitu ketat, apalagi sampai menurunkan aparat begitu banyak. Bahkan sampai truk-truk dan mobil Panser diturunkan untuk melakukan pengamanan, seolah-olah sidang itu adalah peristiwa besar yang membutuhkan pengamanan yang demikian banyak.

Jika perang terjadi di Papua menurut politisi Golkar ini, boleh saja aparat mengeluarkan segala perlengkapan yang dimiliki aparat TNI dan Polisi. ‘’Ini masih sidang perdana saja polisi sudah menurunkan personil yang sangat besar,’’ imbuhnya.

Tin

dakan berlebihan yang dilakukan polisi menurutnya, bisa memancing pihak luar untuk datang ke Papua sehingga seakan-akan di Papua telah terjadi sesuatu. ‘’Padahal kenyataannya Papua aman-aman saja sampai dengan detik ini,’’ ujar Ignasius kepada wartawan di ruang kerjanya, Selasa [ 31/1] kemarin.

Sebenarnya kata dia, DPRP bukan mengintervensi tugas dari polisi. Sah-sah saja Polisi melakukan pengamanan dimana saja, tetapi diminta juga polisi jangan terlalu berlebihan melakukan pengamanan. Apalagi dunia Internasional saat ini sedang memantau perkembangan Papua. Justru pengerahan pasukan yang jumlah begitu besar pasti mengundang tanya besar bagi dunia Internasional seakan di Papua ini telah terjadi peristiwa besar dan membahayakan sehingga aparat diturunkan dalam jumlah yang relative besar.

Persoalan yang dihadapi Forkorus Cs ujarnya, tidak perlu dibesar-besarkan. Bila memang Forkorus Cs terbukti bersalah pasti ada tindakan hukum yang akan diambil. Indonesia ini Negara hukum. Barang siapa yang terbukti bersalah konsekensi akan berhadapan dengan hukum sesuai dengan perbuatan yang dilakukannya. ‘’Jadi saya minta kepada aparat supaya tidak melakukan pengamanan yang berlebihan ketika dilakukan sidang lanjutan Forkorus Cs di Pengadilan Negeri Jayapura,’’ tandasnya.

Pengamanan tidak perlu banyak-banyak, pengamanan biasa-biasa saja dilakukan. Pengamanan disesuaikan dengan situasi dilapangan. Selain itu, dia juga meminta kepada masyarakat Papua selama sidang Forkorus Cs digelar agar selalu menjaga dan menciptakan rasa aman dan tertib, khususnya saat mengikuti jalannya persidangan. ‘’Saya minta masyarakat jangan melakukan tindakan yang melanggar hukum selama persidangan.’’ [tom]

Sumber; www.papuapos.com

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VP assures W Papuans it will trash Indonesian agreement

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Edward Natapei, has told a visiting West Papuan delegation that any future government that the Vanua’aku Pati (VP) is a part of would review the Development Co-operation Agreement signed by Prime Minister Sato Kilman and Foreign Minister Carlot with the Indonesian Government in Jakarta.

This is because that agreement prohibits Vanuatu from taking up the issue of West Papua locally and internationally and the agreement itself recognizes Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua and specifically states that each signatory country must not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.

The President of Vanua’aku Pati said this yesterday as he and the Member of Parliament for Tanna, Joe Natuman who is also the Vice-President of Vanua’aku Pati, met in Parliament with a delegation of the National Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua (NCLWP), consisting of its Vice President, Secretary-General, Human Rights Officer based in Australia, two of its activists who came all the way from West Papua and the Head of NCLWP Office in Port Vila.

The West Papuan delegation briefed the two senior ranking Vanuatu parliamentarians about the changes they had made in their political organization from Orkanisasi Papua Mardeka or OPM. to the establishment of the National Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua.

This is to unify their various political, social networking and human rights groups with their missions to lobby the governments in the Pacific so that the NCLWP may become an observer or member of MSG and similarly of the Pacific Islands Forum and for the Pacific governments and organizations to work with other likeminded governments in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean to re-enlist West Papua on the United Nations List of Non-Self Governing Territories so that it becomes the responsibility of the UN Decolonization Committee and finally to take up the matter with the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

They said that their people have rejected the self-autonomy status proposed by Jakarta and have agreed to sit with the Indonesians in a peace and reconciliation conference but those in authority have not responded to the initiative but continue to use the security forces to cause violence and commit human right abuses in West Papua.

As examples, they point to the fact that during a peaceful protest at the Freeport mine towards the end of last year, the security forces shot dead several people and similarly at the University of Jaiapura during a conference.

The visiting delegation thanked the Vanua’aku Pati for championing their cause since the beginning and look forward to working with the VP and the Parliament to achieve their goal of freedom and independence.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition told the delegation that since Vanuatu’s independence in 1980, the VP led governments, because of its decolonization policy, refused to establish diplomatic relations with Indonesia. It was only in 1992 during a UMP lead government that the Prime Minister at the time, Carlot Korman, established diplomatic relations with Indonesia. Since then it has been difficult for the Vanuatu Government to deal with the issue of West Papua because of international diplomacy and international law.

However, Natapei said that the situation now is far worse because of the signed Development Co-operation Agreement.

He said that he is disappointed that some of the very MPs who pressurized him in 2010, when he was Prime Minister, to sign a motion for Parliament to adopt certain declarations on West Papua, but when they become Ministers in the current Government they forgot about the Melanesian people of West Papua.

Finally, the Deputy Leader of Opposition and President of Vanua’aku Pati, assured the delegation of the National Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua that if he and his party return to government they would ensure that the NCLWP achieves some of its missions particularly that of having an observer status in MSG and for Pacific Islands Forum or MSG to send a mission to West Papua to investigate and report on human rights situation there on the ground which had been widely reported in the media over the years.

Source; www.dailypost.vu

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Papuan Church Leaders Meet With Yudhoyono

The government has vowed to improve the infrastructure and welfare of the people of Papua, but stopped short of committing to an all-inclusive dialogue to address the problems afflicting the restive province.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, flanked by Vice President Boediono and several top cabinet ministers, on Wednesday held a three-hour dialogue with representatives of the Papuan Synod of Churches at the state guesthouse.

“They want to work for a future peaceful Papua and want to intensify the dialogue between the various stakeholders. The president welcomed this,” Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said after the meeting.

He said the representatives of the Christian Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in Papua demanded that the government initiate a dialogue among the nine main parties in Papua so that “there will no longer be any psychological problem hindering good relations.”

The nine parties were defined as indigenous Papuans, non-Papuans in Papua, the police, the armed forces, the local government, the central government, companies exploiting the natural resources in the province, the Free Papua Organization (OPM) and exiled Papuans overseas.

Gamawan, however, did not say whether the government engage in such dialogue. Instead he pointed to the government’s Unit for the Acceleration of Development in Papua and West Papua (UP4B), a body intended to coordinate development and gauge local aspirations on the ground in the impoverished region.

“We will repair the infrastructure, the ports, the factories needed so that there can be downward pressure on high prices in Papua. We will also build infrastructure for the welfare of the people,” Gamawan said.

Meanwhile, the United States on Tuesday called on Indonesia to ensure due process and address grievances in Papua after a court indicted five activists for treason on Monday.

The activists — Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Waromi, Selfius Bobbi, Agust Makbrawen Sananay and Dominikus Sorabut — are accused of treason for their declaration last October of an independent West Papuan state and for raising the banned Morning Star flag during a mass peaceful pro-independence Papuan People’s Congress on Oct. 19.

The five accused face up to life in prison if found guilty.

“We urge the Indonesian authorities to ensure due process and procedural safeguards in accordance with Indonesian law and Indonesia’s international legal obligations for all persons indicted,” a US State Department spokesperson said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We encourage the Indonesian government to work with the indigenous Papuan population to address their grievances, resolve conflicts peacefully and support development in the Papuan provinces,” the spokesperson continued, adding that Washington recognized and respected Indonesia’s territorial integrity.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene shrugged off the statement, saying that the legal process for the five “has been taking place in accordance to our law.”

Source; www.thejakartaglobe.com

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Organisasi HAM Desak Indonesia Cabut Dakwaan atas Aktivis Papua

5 aktivis Papua ditangkap karena mengibarkan bendera terlarang dan membacakan deklarasi kemerdekaan pada Kongres di Jayapura.

Organisasi-organisasi hak asasi telah mendesak pemerintah Indonesia agar mencabut tuduhan makar terhadap lima aktivis Papua. Pengadilan terhadap kelima aktivis itu dimulai hari Senin ini dan mereka diancam hukuman maksimal penjara seumur hidup bila terbukti bersalah.

Para aktivis ditangkap pada Oktober lalu setelah mereka mengibarkan bendera terlarang 'Bintang Kejora' dan membacakan deklarasi kemerdekaan Papua pada pertemuan Kongres Rakyat Papua di Jayapura. Sedikitnya tiga orang tewas dan lebih dari 90 orang luka-luka ketika aparat keamanan membubarkan secara paksa acara tersebut.

Deputi direktur wilayah Asia Human Rights Watch Elaine Pearson mengatakan pemerintah Indonesia harus menunjukkan komitmennya terhadap kebebasan menyatakan pendapat secara damai dengan membatalkan dakwaan terhadap kelima aktivis Papua itu.

Sementara itu Poengky Indarti dari organisasi HAM Imparsial menyatakan bahwa tindakan para aktivis tidak dapat disamakan dengan makar, karena mereka tidak mengangkat senjata dan hanya menyuarakan keprihatinan warga Papua mengenai pelanggaran HAM oleh militer dan polisi serta eksploitasi sumberdaya alam di sana. Karena itu, ia mengatakan pemerintah seyogyanya duduk bersama mereka untuk membahas keluhan warga Papua.

Sumber; http://www.voanews.com

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Treason trial of Papuan activists begins

JAKARTA, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Indonesia has started the trial of five pro-independence Papuans amid calls from human rights groups to cease proceedings.

The five Papuan activists are on trial in a court in Jayapura, capital of the isolated Indonesian province of Papua on the western end of the island New Guinea.

Both Papua and the neighboring province of West Papua have strong independence movements.

The five men on trial face treason charges for allegedly raising the outlawed Morning Star Papuan independence flag in October and calling for independence for the region, a report by The Jakarta Post newspaper said.

But Human Rights Watch, based in New York, said the men were peacefully demonstrating and it has called for the trial to stop.

"The Indonesian government should show its commitment to peaceful expression by dropping the charges against these five Papuan activists," Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement on the group's Web site.

"It is appalling that a modern democratic nation such as Indonesia continues to lock people up for organizing a demonstration and expressing controversial (opinions)."

Human Rights Watch also claimed that security forces used excessive force to disperse the three-day Papuan People's Congress gathering in Jayapura and three people died in the clashes.

Clashes between demonstrators and police began after one of the leaders read out a declaration of independence statement, Human Rights Watch said. "Police and the army fired warning shots to disperse the approximately 1,000 Papuans gathered for the peaceful demonstration," the group said.

Witnesses said security forces used batons and firearms against demonstrators, killing at least three and injuring more than 90 others.

Local authorities gave written warnings to eight officers, including Jayapura Police Chief Imam Setiawan, for not doing enough to protect civilians.

"However, no other action was taken against police or military personnel for possible misuse of force," Human Rights Watch said on its Web site.

Human Rights Watch also said it "takes no position on claims to self-determination in Indonesia" but upholds people's right "to express their political views peacefully without fear of arrest or other forms of reprisal."

Papua and West Papua together are about the size of Spain and occupy the western half of the island of Papua. The state of Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half.

The two provinces have been a part of the Indonesian archipelago federation since the Dutch gave up colonial rule. A slim majority of Papuans in a controversial referendum in 1969 voted in favor of joining Indonesia but various separatist movements have been pushing for independence.

Papuans are ethnically Melanesian and closer to Australia's aborigines than the Asians who make up most of Indonesia's population. Papuans say their culture and identity is being eroded by an influx of Asian Indonesians.

Papua and West Papua are the poorest regions in Indonesia but are extremely rich in natural resources. Separatist Papuan leaders claim few of the region's population get a fair share of the wealth when the resources are exploited, often by international companies.

Many demonstrations in the two provinces are peaceful but there have been bloody clashes between more extreme group separatist groups. In early December, a half-hour gun battle with rebels in the Puncak Jaya highland area of Papua province left two policemen dead.

A week before the gun battle, pro independence rallies in parts of West Papua turned violent. Activists and pro-Papuan independence groups alleged that police and paramilitaries shot four civilians after hundreds of people attended religious services in Timika, a city on the southern coast of West Papua.

The celebrations were to mark the 50th anniversary of the region's self-declaration of independence. Hundreds of people took the streets, many in traditional dress, waving the Morning Star flag and cheering for independence, a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. said at the time.

Source; http://www.upi.com

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Polisi Dinilai Intimidatif

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS.com - Dalam pengamanan jalannya sidang kasus makar yang mengajukan Forkorus Yaboisembut dan rekan-rekannya di Pengadilan Negeri Kelas 1A Jayapura, Senin (30/1/2012) polisi dinilai intimidatif. Bentuk intimidasi itu antara lain dengan mencatat nama, alamat, dan nomor telepon pengunjung sidang.

Anggota tim pengacara para terdakwa Latifah Anum Siregar mengatakan, polisi memang memiliki kewajiban mengamankan, namun ia menolak jika untuk menjalankan tugas itu mereka bersikap berlebihan dan intimidatif.

"Kalau mau memeriksa tas, khawatir ada bom atau senjata silakan. Tetapi jika kemudian mencatat nama, alamat, dan nomor telepon pengunjung itu tidak dibenarkan. Itu intimidatif," kata Anum seusai mengikuti persidangan.

Oleh karena itu, ia bersama dengan anggota tim pengacara menolak mencatatkan nama, alamat dan nomor telepon saat dimintai petugas keamanan di depan pintu gerbang Pengadilan Negeri Kelas 1A Jayapura.

"Cara itu tidak ada dalam ketentuan manapun, apalagi sidang itu terbuka untuk umum," kata Anum menambahkan.

Pengamanan dalam sidang pertama dugaan kasus makar yang mengajukan Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Waromi, Agust M. Sananay Kraar, Dominikus Surabut, dan Selfius Bobii itu memang tampak ketat. Mereka berjaga-jaga di setiap sudut kantor pengadilan itu.

Di pintu gerbang masuk halaman kantor pengadilan itu, setiap pengunjung yang hadir dimintai kartu pengenal, mencatatkan nama, alamat, dan nomor telepon kepada sejumlah polisi yang berjaga-jaga. Ada dua meja di si si kiri dan kanan pintu gerbang, dimana para pengunjung harus melapor dan mencatatkan identitas mereka.

Selain itu di setiap sudut kantor dan halaman pengadilan itu, polisi juga berjaga-jaga. Mereka dilengkapi dengan peralatan anti huru hara. B eberapa diantara mereka juga menenteng senjata, dan senapan pelontar gas air mata.

Sebagaimana diberitakan, Forkorus Yaboisembut dan rekan- rekannya ditangkap oleh polisi saat pembubaran Kongres Rakyat Papua III, 19 Oktober 2011 lalu.

Dalam acara yang digelar di Lapangan Zakheus, Abepura itu, Forkorus mendeklarasikan pembentukan Negara Republik Federal Papua Barat. Dalam Negara itu jabatan po litik Forkorus adalah Presiden dan Edison Waromi sebagai Perdana Menteri Negara Republik Federasi Papua Barat.

Sumber; http://regional.kompas.com

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Forkorus Cs Tolak Dakwaan Makar

JAYAPURA - Sidang perdana Ketua Dewan Adat Papua (DAP) Forkorus Yaboisembut Cs yang diduga melakukan makar karena telah menggelar Kongres Rakyat Papua (KRP) III di Lapangan Zakheus Padang Bulan, Kota Jayapura pada 19 Oktober 2011 lalu, digelar di Pengadilan Negeri Jayapura, Senin (30/1) kemarin.

Persidangan yang dijaga ketat aparat keamanan gabungan polisi dan TNI ini,

dipimpin Jack Octovianus,SH,MH dibantu empat hakim anggota masing-masing I Ketut Suarta,SH, Syor Mambrasar,SH, Orpa Martina,SH dan Willem Marco Erari,SH dengan mengagendakan pembacaan surat dakwaan Jaksa Penuntut Umum (JPU).

Jaksa Penuntut Umum, Yulius D Teuf,SH dalam dakwaannya mengatakan, Forkorus Yaboisembut dan empat rekannya dalam panitia Kongres Rakyat Papua (KRP) III yakni Edison Waromi, Selpius Bobi, August Makbrawen dan Dominikus Sorabut didakwa secara bersama-sama mencoba melakukan, menyuruh melakukan atau turut serta serta melakukan makar dengan maksud supaya seluruh atau sebagian wilayah Negara, jatuh ke tangan musuh atau memisahkan sebagian dari wilayah Negara.

Upaya makar tersebut, menurut Yulius D Teuf, yang didampingi empat JPU lainnya dilakukan dengan cara melakukan kegiatan Kongres Rakyat Papua III. “Konggres ini terlaksana karena difasilitasi oleh Selpius Bobi selaku Ketua Panitia selaku terdakwa satu, August Makbrawen selaku Koordintor Logistik dan perlengkapan selaku terdakwa dua, dan Dominikus Sorabut selaku anggota Panitia yang membacakan Profil Negara Papua Barat selaku terdakwa tiga,” paparnya.

Selanjutnya, Edison Waromi selaku penanggungjawab panitia selaku terdakwa empat dan Forkorus Yaboisembut selaku penanggungjawab panitia, sekaligus sebagai pemimpin kolektif sebagai terdakwa lima.

“Peranan masing-masing terdakwa dalam kepanitiaan KRP III
terlihat dengan jelas kekompakan dan kebersamaan para terdakwa dalam melaksanakan KRP III pada hari Minggu 16 Oktober hingga 19 Oktober 2011 di Lapangan Zakheus Padang Bulan, Kota Jayapura atau termasuk dalam daerah Hukum Pengadilan Negeri Jayapura,” tegasnya.

Lebih lanjut dijelaskan, kekompakan mereka dalam KRP III itu tampak jelas dengan terbentuknya profil Negara Papua Barat sebagai hasil KRP III, di antaranya nama bangsa: Papua, bentuk negara: Republik Federal Papua, lambang: Burung Mambruk, bendera: Bintang Fajar, lagu kebangsaan: Hai Tanah Papua, mata uang: Golden Papua, dan wilayah negara serta bahasa yakni: Pidgin sebagai bahasa nasional, Melayu Indonesia sebagai bahasa lokal dan Inggris sebagai bahasa Internasional.

Dengan terbentuknya profil Negara Papua Barat sebagai hasil KRP III yang telah dilaksanakan oleh para terdakwa, memiliki maksud dan tujuan untuk memisahkan wilayah Provinsi Papua dan Provinsi Papua Barat yang merupakan sebagian wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI).

“Bahwa keinginan para terdakwa untuk memisahkan sebagian wilayah NKRI yakni wilayah Provinsi Papua dan Papua Barat merupakan permulaan pembentukan Profil Negara Papua Barat yang akan diusulkan kepada Sekjen PBB, sebagaimana tertulis dalam dokumen Deklarasi Bangsa Papua di Negeri Papua Barat nomor 6,” ungkap JPU Yulius.

Mengingat para terdakwa menyadari bahwa Papua merupakan wilayah yang tidak terpisahkan dari NKRI sesuai tertuang dalam surat dari Tim kerja Rekonsiliasi Nasional Rakyat Papua Barat nomor 33-SPK/TKRNRPB/X/2011 tanggal 7 Oktober 2011 perihal pemberitahuan kepada Kapolda Papua, tertulis Kongres III Rakyat Papua adalah Bagian dari Proses Demokrasi di Indonesia.

“Sedangkan belum diusulkannya keinginan para terdakwa kepada Sekjen PBB untuk memisahkan sebagian wilayah NKRI yaitu Wilayah Provinsi Papua dan Papua Barat, karena para terdakwa ditahan aparat penegak hukum. Karena itu, akibat perbuatan para terdakwa menimbulkan gangguan terhadap keutuhan NKRI, sehingga perbuatan para terdakwa diatur dan diancam pidana dalam pasal 106 KUHP jo Pasal 55 ayat (1) ke-1 KUHP jo Pasal 53 ayat (1) KUHP,” tandasnya.

Usai JPU membacakan surat dakwaan, majelis hakim memberikan kesempatan kepada para terdakwa untuk menanggapi secara pribadi atas dakwaan dari JPU.

Mendapat kesempatan dari Majelis Hakim, terdakwa Forkorus Yaboisembut saat memberikan tanggapan atas dakwaan JPU, mengaku tidak paham dan mengerti terhadap dakwaan yang ditujukan kepada dirinya dan empat rekannya.

Forkorus menegaskan, dirinya menolak dituding melakukan makar, karena KRP III yang dilakukannya dianggap sah dan legal, sebab dilakukan di atas tanah dan negaranya sendiri yakni Bangsa Papua Barat.

Berdasarkan surat penyataan penolakan sidang pengadilan dakwaan makar dan yang sejenisnya yang dibacakan di depan majelis hakim, Forkorus menyatakan bahwa, deklarasi Bangsa Papua di Negeri Papua Barat yang dilaksanakan tanggal 19 Oktober 2011 lalu, merupakan deklarasi pemulihan dan restorasi kemerdekaan kedaulatan negara Papua yang telah diakui oleh Mantan Presiden Soekarno dalam isi Tri Komando Rakyat (Trikora).

Namun menurut Forkorus, kedaulatan negara Papua ini dihinanya sebagai negara boneka dan memerintahkan untuk dibubarkan dengan cara infasi oleh militer sejak tahun 1962 dan dianeksasi pada tahun 1963 hingga sekarang ini.

“Untuk itu, deklarasi bangsa Papua di Negeri Papua tanggal 19 Oktober 2011 lalu adalah legal dan sah. Sebab, yang menyatakan deklarasi ini bukan orang asing, tetapi oleh orang asli bangsa Papua, ras Negroid, rumpun Melanesia sebagai pemilik atas Negeri Papua Barat warisan leluhur,” tegas Forkorus yang saat itu mengenakan baju dan celana warna coklat lengkap dengan dasi motif bendera Bintang Fajar.

“Deklarasi Bangsa Papua ini juga legal dan sah, karena telah memenuhi syarat-syarat hukum publik internasional sebagaimana telah disampaikan pengacara hukum internasional kami tanggal 31 Desember 2011,” sambungnya.

Untuk mendapat pengakuan substansial yang bermartabat dari masyarakat internasional, pihaknya juga telah meminta pengacara hukum internasional untuk memberitahukan dan mendaftarkan masalah status hukum bangsa Papua dan permasalahan tentang aneksasi wilayah negeri Papua Barat kepada Mahkamah Internasional, Sekjen PBB, Amnesti Internasional, palang merah Internasional dan para anggota PBB.

Dengan dasar itu, lanjut Forkorus, dirinya dan empat rekannya, menyatakan tidak bersedia memberi keterangan atau jawaban menurut hukum NKRI selama proses persidangan pengadilan tuduhan perkara makar dan sejenisnya. Alasannya, masalah ini merupakan masalah antara dua bangsa Papua dan bangsa Indonesia atau Negara Republik Federal Papua Barat dan NKRI.

“Selain itu, siapapun dengan alasan apapun tidak berhak mengalahkan dan menghukum kami dengan tuduhan perkara makar dan sejenisnya, karena kami sekarang ini sudah memiliki subyek hukum tersendiri sebagai warga negara Republik Federal Papua Barat,” ujar Forkorus.

Selain dibacakan alasan penolakan atau keberatan secara pribadi para terdakwa atas tudingan maupun dakwaan makar, dalam sidang ini tim pengacara para terdakwa yang dipimpin Gustaf Kawer,SH juga menyampaikan keberatannya atas dakwaan JPU, sehingga mereka minta waktu satu minggu untuk menyiapkan eksepsinya.
Setelah adanya penyampaian keberatan para terdakwa dan tim pengacara, sidang akhirnya ditunda dan akan kembali dilanjutkan minggu depan, 8 Februari 2012 dengan agenda sidang pembacaan eksepsi/keberatan tim pengacara para terdakwa terhadap dakwaan JPU.

Namun sebelumnya, tim pengacara hukum terdakwa meminta kepada Majelis Hakim agar terdakwa Dominikus Sorabut minta izin untuk berobat mengingat kondisi kesehatannya sedang terganggu, meskipun perihal izin ini masih harus dikoordinasikan dengan JPU.

Sementara itu, pantauan Cenderawasih Pos di lapangan, sejak pagi sekitar pukul 07.00 WIT, ratusan aparat keamanan dari Polres Jayapura dan Polda Papua serta sejumlah anggota Pomdam XVII/Cenderawasih, terlihat sudah siaga untuk melakukan pengamanan jalannya persidangan.

Selain dari aparat keamanan, tampaknya juga belasan Penjaga Tanah Papua (Petapa) ikut serta melakukan pengamanan di depan pintu keluar Gedung Pangadilan Negeri Jayapura.

Setiap pengunjung yang akan memasuki areal persidangan, termasuk para wartawan harus melewati pemeriksaan petugas ditempatkan di pintu masuk. Selain, para pengunjung harus memperlihatkan kartu tanda pengenal, setiap pengunjung yang membawa tas, juga harus menjalani pemeriksaan.

Puluhan simpatisan dan pendukung Forkorus juga ikut memadati areal persidangan, namun persidangan yang dimulai pukul 09.00 WIT berlangsung dengan suasana aman, tertib dan kondusif.

Guna memberikan kenyamanan bagi para pengunjung yang tidak bisa masuk ke ruang sidang akibat ruang telah dipenuhi pengunjung, pihak Pengadilan juga menyiapkan dua pengeras suara di luar ruang sidang, sehingga para pengunjung bisa mendengarkan jalannya sidang.

Meskipun, situasi Kamtibmas selama proses persidangan berlangsung aman dan kondusif, di luar pagar pengadilan, tampak puluhan massa Forkorus Cs melakukan orasi untuk menentang persidangan tersebut.
Kehadiran massa yang melakukan orasi di pinggir jalan tersebut, sedikit mempengaruhi arus lalu lintas, meski tidak berlangsung lama. (mud/fud)

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Terdakwa Makar Papua Disidang

Jayapura - Lima terdakwa kasus makar Kongres Rakyat Papua III di lapangan Zakeus, Kota Jayapura, 17 hingga 19 Oktober 2011 lalu, mulai disidangkan Senin, 30 Januari 2012 di Pengadilan Negeri Jayapura, Papua.

Para terdakwa yakni Forkorus Yaboisembut (Presiden Negara Federal Papua Barat), Edison Gladius Waromi (Perdana Menteri), August Sananay Kraar, Selpius Bobi (Ketua Panitia Kongres), dan Dominikus Sirabut (aktivis HAM Papua).

Sidang hari ini dipimpin oleh lima hakim, yaitu Jack L. Oktovianus, SH, I Ketut Suarta, SH, Siors Mambrasar, SH, Wilem Marco Erari, SH, dan Orpa Marthina, SH.

Dalam tuntutannya, kelima terdakwa diancam dengan pidana Pasal 106 KUHP jo Pasal 55 ayat 1 KUHP jo Pasal 53 ayat 1 tentang Makar. “Para terdakwa bersama-sama mencoba melakukan, menyuruh melakukan, atau turut serta melakukan makar dengan maksud supaya seluruh atau sebagian wilayah negara jatuh ke tangan musuh atau memisahkan sebagian dari wilayah negara,” kata ketua majelis hakim, Jack L. Oktovianus.

Ia mengatakan kelima terdakwa ikut memfasilitasi pelaksanaan kegiatan Kongres Rakyat Papua. “Keinginan para terdakwa untuk memisahkan sebagian wilayah NKRI merupakan permulaan bentuk profil negara Papua Barat yang akan diusulkan kepada Sekjen PBB,” ucapnya.

“Karena keinginan para terdakwa kepada Sekjen PBB untuk memisahkan diri dari wilayah NKRI, terdakwa ditahan oleh aparat penegak hukum,” ujanya lagi.

Sidang pagi tadi diwarnai unjuk rasa ratusan warga Papua yang tergabung dalam West Papua National Autority (WPNA). Mereka membawa gambar bendera Bintang Kejora dan mendesak para terdakwa dibebaskan. “Bebaskan mereka, tidak ada salah pada mereka,” kata Markus Yennu, Gubernur WPNA Wilayah Manokwari.

Presiden Nasional Kongres, Terryanus Israel Yocku, juga meminta agar kelima tersangka makar dibebaskan. “Mereka dihukum atas dasar apa, tidak ada satu aturan pun di Indonesia yang dapat menghukum mereka. Papua adalah negara sendiri, saya minta bebaskan mereka.”JERRY OMONA

Sumber; http://www.tempo.co.id

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