AUSTRALIA WEST PAPUA ASSOCIATION (SYDNEY)
Tele/fax: 61.2. 99601698 Email:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
PRESS RELEASE - 30 June 2003
The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) calls on the Pacific
Island foreign ministers meeting in Sydney to condemn the ongoing
military operation in the Wamena region of West Papua.
Since the raid on the military armory in the town of Wamena in the
central highlands (where two soldier and one of the attackers were
killed and a number of weapons and ammunition stolen), the military
have been conducting an operation to find those responsible. Although
the military immediately blamed the OPM they now admit that their own
soldiers were also involved.
Since the operation was launched more than 5,000 villagers have taken
refuge in the bush in fear for the lives.
One media report said that “Indonesian military using flame-throwers are
burning houses, killing people and destroying livestock and gardens in
the Kurawage district in West Papua”.
And the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
has “noted that as many as 16 civilians have been killed or have died
of starvation in the ongoing military operation in the Papuan regency
of Wamena”.
Local Papuan NGOs and leaders of religious groups have demanded that
the Indonesian Government form an independent team to investigate the
human rights abuses.
Yet while Alexander Downer talks about the lawlessness in the Solomon
Islands, he refuses to condemn the human rights abuses in the other
Pacific country to our north, West Papua.
While urging a local warlord in the Solomon Islands to surrender to
authorities in the capital, Honiara, saying "There's nothing to be gained
from them hiding out ... and conducting raids, burning villages, killing
people in a completely lawless and I think quite outrageous way", he
fails to condemn the Indonesia military for the same crimes.
Joe Collins of AWPA, Sydney said “the foreign ministers of the Pacific
countries should be vigorous in condemning the human rights abuses that
are ongoing in West Papua and the Pacific Islands Forum countries
should send a fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate the
human rights situation in the province”.
“They should also encourage the Indonesia Government to dialogue with
the various civil society organisations including Church groups in West
Papua trying to create a Zone of Peace in the province’.
Further info:
Joe Collins, Mob. 0408 860 342
John Wing, Mob. 0410 713 775
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Free West Papua ! Free Aceh !
Papua Merdeka !!! Aceh Merdeka !!!
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