Etan: West Papua Report September 2012

This is the 101st in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com. If you wish to receive the report directly via e-mail, send a note to etan@etan.org.

SUMMARY

The West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) called on Secretary Clinton to raise concern about West Papua with Indonesian officials during her September 3 visit to Jakarta. Military operations there continue to disrupt and endanger the lives of Papuan civilians in Paniai. 

Security forces raided a student dormitory beating students; initial reports indicate at least one student died in the assault. A religious leader and long-time resident in West Papua paints a bleak and deteriorating picture of conditions there. Indonesian security forces continue to rely on armed force to address Papuan dissent according to religious leaders. 

A detailed report explores the dire humanitarian consequences posed by the proposed sale of U.S. Apache helicopters to the Indonesian military. A new project to provide easy access to information on Papuan prisoners of conscience/political prisoners is being organized. Amnesty International has issued an alert regarding the recent detention of Yusak Pakage.

 A Papuan member of the Indonesian parliament (DPR) decries failure of the body to create human rights mechanisms in West Papua as mandated by Special Autonomy legislation passed in 2001.

Contents:

• WPAT Calls on U.S. Secretary of State To Raise Critical Issues With Indonesian Leaders
• TNI Sweep Operation in Paniai
• Another Brutal Security Force Assault on Papuan Students
• Long-Time Resident of West Papua Paints Bleak Picture of Conditions
• Indonesian Government Increasingly Resorts to Military Means to Address Protest
• "Obamacopters" Pose Threat to Papuans
• New Project Will Focus on Papuan Prisoners
• Amnesty International Issues Urgent Alert Regarding a Papuan Prisoner
• Indonesian Parliament (DPR) Failing Papuans

WPAT Calls on U.S. Secretary of State To Raise Critical Issues With Indonesian Leaders

The West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) wrote on August 31 to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concerning key issues regarding West Papua on her September 3 visit to Indonesia. The text of the letter follows:
More: West Papua Report September 2012