DON’T USE WEST PAPUA’S SCAPEGOAT FOR YOUR TURNING BACK BOATS POLICY

Toni Abbott (http://news.com.au)

Press Release by West Papua National Coalition for Liberation

Jayapura, 13/10  – “Don’t you send boat loads of people across our sovereign border because we will send them right back to you.”

This is the monotonous messagethat we heard during the election campaign. But at his very first meeting with the Indonesian President our brave Prime Minister was lost for words to convince Jakarta of his unilateral policy. Instead he succumbed to Indonesia’s stern resolve by scapegoating West Papuans as his way out. What is West Papua to do with your tough turning back boat policy may we ask?

West Papuan people have suffered enough at the hands of the Indonesian Military and Militias for the past 50 years. Instead of helping to lessen their suffering you sided with those with blood in their hands. Do the Papuans have to put dead bodies in front of your house to convince you that this is really happening?  These photos for example, were taken by Indonesian soldiers; apparently enjoying their handy work.

UN Periodical Human Rights Review in 2008 found serious human rights violations in West Papua. It was recommended that Indonesia resolve these cases and enact policies to prevent further violations. But violations continued prompted second review in 2012 and this year. Many countries wanted to know why Indonesia does not execute its responsibilities as it promised it would. Former UN Rapporteur on genocide prevention Juan Mendez put West Papua on the list of 10 countries that will face genocide if action is not taken soon.

Reports in May indicatedthat on 30 April police shot and killed two protesters in the city of Sorong who were preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of Papua becoming a part of Indonesia. At least 20 protesters were arrested in the cities of Biak and Timika on 1 May. This is what the Human Rights Commissioner had to say in reaction to these reports, “After my official visit to Indonesia last November, I am disappointed to see violence and abuses continuing in Papua,” Pillay said.

While the issue of boat people and sovereignty of both Australia and Indonesia are potent issues I am confident both countries could find a common ground to protect each other’s interest. But West Papua should not be used as scapegoat in the issue. Or else open up a debate on West Papua as a separate issue in itself.

Rex Rumakiek,
Secretary General, WPNCL,
M/Ph. +61-414149001

(Admin Jubi)

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