Cholera outbreak in West Papua:   Indonesian Government response ineffective

New reports from Human Rights and Church sources in West Papua state that 85 people have died in a Cholera outbreak over the past 3 months in the adjacent Nabire and Paniai regencies of West Papua. Previous reports by Indonesian authorities in early June stated 17 people had died. At that time Health authorities disputed figures from West Papuan Human Rights workers that there had actually been 34 fatalities if cases in the villages were counted.  

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Election of Chairperson and Secretary General of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL)

The leaders representing 29 West Papuan political and civil society organisations have formalized the establishment of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation [WPNCL]. This coalition represents the 1.5 million West Papuan people from over 600 tribal communities on the western half of the island of New Guinea.   

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Indonesian Defence Minister visits Australia after Indonesian security forces go on shooting rampage in West Papua

One teenage student is in hospital in a serious condition after being shot in the stomach when Indonesian security forces went on a shooting rampage against local people in the Paniai Lakes region of West Papua two weeks ago. The human rights violation coincides with the visit of Indonesian Defence Minister Sudarsono who is in Australia to attend the East Asia Dialogue Forum.

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Update: West Papuan Lawyer arrested by anti Terrorism Police is moved to Jakarta.

Human rights workers in Jayapura report today that Sabar Iwanggin who was arrested by Indonesia's special anti terrorism police force, Detachment 88,   last Thursday in Jayapura has been moved to Police Headquaerters in Jakarta today. Sabar Iwaggin is a lawyer who works wth the respected Human Rights organisation, Els-ham West Papua. Sabar Iwanggin appears to have been charged with receiving & passing on a SMS text message which Police say is insulting to the Indonesian President.

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Indonesian Government prevents US Congressman
from travelling to West Papua

The UK-based human rights organization, TAPOL, has criticised the Indonesian Government's decision to prevent US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega from travelling to West Papua, claiming it will undermine efforts to promote human rights and democracy in the territory. A TAPOL claim restrictions on access to West Papua for international parliamentarians, diplomats, journalists and human rights organisations are counter-productive and lead to the suspicion that the government has something to hide from the outside world.

Read TAPOL's media release

Special UN envoy visits West Papua

During a one-day visit to West Papua, special representative to the United Nations Secretary General, Hina Jilani, said there are credible reports of arbitrary arrests and of human rights campaigners being tortured, and harassed. Ms Jilani said groups trying to investigate or expose abuse by security forces had been threatened with prosecution by the police and military and were routinely branded as separatist rebels. During the UN envoy's visit, hundreds of Papuans rallied in Jayapura to call on the UN to "stop the genocide of the Papuan people" and to overturn the 1969 shame referendum commonly referred to as 'The Act of No Choice'.

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TV ad calls for West Papua human rights clause in Indonesia Treaty

A new TV advertisement promoting human rights for West Papuans launched in Canberra calling for the new Australia-Indonesia security treaty to be amended so as to allow access for human rights monitors and foreign journalists into West Papua.  

read media release / view television advertisment (wmp file)

Launch of TV advertising for human rights in West Papua

A massive new TV advertising campaign to promote human rights for West Papua will screen around the country and in selected neighbouring countries. The advertising campaign highlights the dangers of the new security treaty between Australia and Indonesia which was announced last November and is currently before the Australian parliament.

read media release / view television advertisements / download background information kit

Great West Papuan leader dies in Sydney

Willem (Wim) Zonggonau died in Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney yesterday after suffering what is believed to be a massive cardio vascular event. Wim was one of the great West Papuan nationalists - struggling for a free and independent West Papua for over 35 years.

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Concerns for West Papua over Proposed Treaty with Indonesia

A new campaign urging the Prime Minister not to proceed with the proposed security treaty with Indonesia was launched in Canberra today.

Former West Papuan politicians, Willem Zonggonau and Clemens Runawery, and Greens leader Senator Bob Brown today launched a new online petition urging the Australian Government not to sign any new security agreement with Indonesia while human rights abuses in West Papua continue.

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Two key former politicians from West Papua are visiting Australia in September 2006.

Former West Papuan politicians Willem Zonggonau and Clemens Runawery witnessed the sham referendum and were then arrested by Australian officials under Indonesian direction in 1969.

Willem and Clemens tried to travel to New York in May '69 to protest against the conduct of the United Nations and the fraudulent nature of the 'referendum'. But they were prevented from getting there.

Willem and Clemens will be in Australia voicing concerns about the treatment and safety of West Papua asylum seekers and the consequences of a proposed new security treaty between Australia and Indonesia that is currently being negotiated behind closed doors.

In Sydney you can hear them talk courtesy of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Sydney University 6.45pm for 7pm, Wednesday 20 September 2006 - Old Geology Lecture Theatre, Sydney University. (The Theatre is near the Parramatta Road footbridge on the left as you enter the University)
No booking required

Read more information about Willem and Clemens (pdf)

Last minute TV, radio and print advertising campaign targets senators on asylum seeker law

An advertising campaign aimed at Senators voting on the controversial asylum seeker legislation has been launched.

Read media release / View the television advertisement (mp4 file) / View the television advertisement (Flash Movie) / Listen to the radio advertisement (mp3 file) / View the print advertisement (pdf)

New poll shows overwhelming opposition to changing immigration law to improve relations with Indonesia

A Newspoll commissioned in June by businessperson Ian Melrose, shows 74% of respondents would prefer to keep the current immigration laws, with only 15% supporting a change in the laws in order to improve relations with Indonesia.

Read media release / View full newspoll report (pdf)

New poll shows massive Australian support for West Papua

An April opinion poll shows over 75% of Australians support self determination - including the option of independence - for West Papua. Ian Melrose, the businessperson who commissioned the Newspoll said it is a shame that John Howard and Kim Beazley do not match the Australian peoples’ inherent decency when it comes to basic human rights and freedoms.

Read media release / View full newspoll report (pdf)

Indonedian military is source of instability in West Papua

A report prepared by The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney and The Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (ELSHAM), West Papua, concludes that the Indonesian security forces in West Papua are the greatest source of instability in the province.

View full report (pdf)

Genocide in West Papua

The International Human Rights Clinic at the Yale Law School has prepared a paper for the Indonesia Human Rights Network considering whether the Indonesian government's conduct toward the people of West Papua constitutes genocide.

View full report (pdf)