*https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-24/veronica-koman-west-papua-human-rights-lawyer-activist-awards/11633222 <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-24/veronica-koman-west-papua-human-rights-lawyer-activist-awards/11633222>*Veronica Koman receives Australian human rights award for West Papua activism
By Tasha Wibawa <https://www.abc.net.au/news/tasha-wibawa/10117628> Posted WedWednesday 23 OctOctober 2019 at 4:32pm, updated WedWednesday 23 OctOctober 2019 at 10:39pm Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. WATCH Duration: 56 seconds56s Veronica Koman describes receiving human rights award (Image: ACFID) Share - <https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2019-10-24%2Fveronica-koman-west-papua-human-rights-lawyer-activist-awards%2F11633222> - <https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2019-10-24%2Fveronica-koman-west-papua-human-rights-lawyer-activist-awards%2F11633222&text=Veronica%20Koman%20receives%20Australian%20human%20rights%20award%20for%20West%20Papua%20activism> - An outspoken lawyer wanted by Indonesian police has won a prestigious Australian human rights award for her work in exposing alleged human rights violations in West Papua at "great personal cost". Key points: - Ms Koman became a key source of information during unrest across the region - She was charged for being a "provocateur" and spreading "hoaxes" - Indonesia is pledging aid to Pacific nations who have been vocal about West Papua Veronica Koman was awarded the Sir Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award on Wednesday for documenting and disseminating information about the situation in Indonesia's restive provinces of Papua and West Papua, where recent unrest has killed dozens, injured hundreds and left towns burning <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-23/violence-erupts-in-papua-again/11539728> .. The accolade recognised Ms Koman for the "courage she has shown to continue to stand up for the human rights of West Papuans … despite intensifying harassment and intimidation". It was awarded by the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) — the peak body for Australian non-government organisations that work overseas and in humanitarian action. Amid an internet blackout in the troubled region, Ms Koman has regularly uploaded photos, videos and other updates via her social media accounts. As a result, she was charged by Indonesian police last month with "provoking unrest" and "spreading hoaxes". <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-18/veronica-koman-pro-papua-lawyer-may-be-hiding-australia/11516246> Indonesia has also threatened to issue an Interpol red notice to have her extradited. "Veronica has shone a light on violations of the rights of the West Papuan people at great personal cost," ACFID chief executive Marc Purcell said in a statement. 'Treated like animals' in West Papua [image: A man has his face painted in the colours of the West Papuan flag.] Why thousands of Papuans have taken to the streets, torching government buildings and violently clashing with police. Read more <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-04/west-papua-latest-protest-over-referendum-for-independence/11471016> Mr Purcell said that the Australian Government should provide protection to Ms Koman as a human rights defender and encourage Indonesia to drop all charges against her. "I feel deeply honoured about it but I actually feel a sort of survivor's guilt," Ms Koman told the ABC. "Raids targeting indigenous Papuans are still happening almost on a daily basis," she said, adding that some of her friends and clients were facing life imprisonment, having been charged with treason. Deadly clashes between Papuans and police began after police raided a dormitory of West Papuan students in the city of Surabaya with tear gas in August. Ms Koman described the subsequent crackdown by security forces as "unprecedented" and "the darkest time in 20 years". [image: Veronica Koman receives human rights award from the Australian Council for International Development] Ms Koman said she hopes the award will raise awareness about human rights issues in West Papua.(Supplied: ACFID)Indonesian aid to the Pacific The Indonesian Government recently announced the establishment of a new international aid agency to channel development funds to poor countries, including $60 million earmarked for Pacific nations. Some have criticised the announcement because Indonesia is still a developing country which receives large amounts of aid from other nations, including Australia. Around 72 million Indonesians continue to live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. Ms Koman believes the aid program will be used primarily as diplomatic tool to silence Pacific states, who have historically been the most vocal international supporters of West Papuan independence. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
