West Papua

At least 95 killed by security forces in Indonesia's Papua - Amnesty

In a new report, it said forces in the restive eastern region act with near total impunity, with the overwhelming majority of perpetrators never being held accountable.

The report documents 95 deaths in 69 incidents between January 2010 and February this year.

It notes 39 killings were at political events, such as pro-independence marches or soldiers opening fire at raising ceremonies for the West Papuan morning star flag.

Indonesia yet to allow UN Commissioner into Papua

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein told a meeting of the Human Rights Council he was concerned the government's invitation to visit Papua had still not been honoured.

In his global update on human rights issues, Mr Al Hussein said he had been invited to visit Papua during his visit to Indonesia in February.

There had been positive engagement by the Indonesian authorities in many other respects, Mr Al Hussein said.

 

     

Regent's house targetted in riot in remote Papuan town

The crowd involved in the riot in Oksibil town also blockaded the local airport in the remote regency abutting the border with Papua New Guinea.

According to the Jakarta Post, the unrest was triggered by disappointment over the regent's failure to give prizes to participants of a fun walk event held to celebrate his district's 15th anniversary.

Locals reported that police were unable to quell the riot, and many local residents who feared for their safety sought refuge in local churches and mosques.

Authorities temporarily closed the airport.

 

Sorong-Samarai flies the Morning Star

The band in itself is a movement pushing for the freedom of neighbouring West Papua.

Sorong-Samarai movement brings rebel music combining fellow PNG and West Papuan artists, including Airileke, Sprigga Mek, Jaggarizza, Baine, Ukam and the Roem brothers, among a few others.

The band has brought this message onto other international platforms over the years. The most recent being this performance at the renowned Byron Bay Bluesfest.

Indonesia warns MSG states not to meddle in other countries' affairs

The warning was delivered by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry's Director General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs, Desra Percaya, at this week's MSG leaders summit.

The summit was hosted by Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby.

It was attended by leaders and officials from the other four full MSG members: Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks Movement.

Indonesia, which is an associate member, was represented by Mr Percaya who endorsed the MSG's plan on regional co-operation and common prosperity.

Onus on O’Neill: West Papua activists

Today, activists of the Free West Papua campaign in Papua New Guinea called on O’Neill to set a record as the first PNG Prime Minister to officially address the West Papua issue and grant them that full membership.

“We thank Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for inviting the leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, to the MSG meeting, and granting him access into the country,” said Philip Kepan, General Secretary of the PNG Coalition of NGOs.

“However, we are disappointed that this significant meeting was not given enough publicity.

West Papua seeks full MSG membership

However, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua is adamant on being granted full membership, hence campaigns to mobilise support has got all eyes on the PNG Government during the week-long (Feb 10-15) 21st Melanesian Summit in Port Moresby.

West Papua is seeking full membership in the MSG forum as a strategy to a peaceful resolution of the conflict it now faces with the Indonesian Government.

In a joint statement by spokesman Jacob Rumbiak and chairman Benny Wenda, the group is here to seek full MSG membership for West Papua.

Morning Star badge embroils West Papuan activist

Filep Karma, the most prominent pro-independence Papuan to have been incarcerated in Indonesia, was held up for questioning by military and police officers at Jakarta's main airport.

It is two years since Filep Karma was released from prison after serving 11 years for treason for raising the banned Papuan nationalist flag, the Morning Star.

Flying in to Sukarno Hatta airport from Yogyakarta, Mr Karma caught the attention of a military, or TNI, officer due to the customary Morning Star badge he wears on his shirt.

More rural villages access electricity in West Papua

Antara news reported the 74 villages are among 191 in the provinces supplied power by the state electricity company PLN.

It reported the PLN business director for Papua regions, Ahmad Rofik, had said the electrification is a special gift for people in remote villages.

Mr Rofik said the power supply cost US$11 million to establish and would benefit over 1000 families.

PLN's rural electricity development is one of the government's strategic programmes.

West Papua could compete in future Pacific Games

The PGC’s Forum held after its annual general meeting in Port Vila, Vanuatu this week was to hear members on several key topics such as associate membership, bid process and management structure

The other names that were floated in general discussion that could be invited to become members of the regional games were Christmas Island, Bougainville, Easter Islands and Hawaii apart from Australia and New Zealand.

These countries could in future become associate members with certain voting rights.