Subject: Statement to UNCHR on Papua

Franciscans International and Dominicans for Justice and Peace demand an end to long-standing and ongoing human rights violations in Papua, Indonesia

Statement to the 58th Session of the Commission on Human Rights Item 9 - Questions of Human Rights Violations in Any Part of the World Delivered by Fr. Theo van den Broek OFM Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, 10 April 2002

Introduction

I speak on behalf of Franciscans International and Dominicans for Justice and Peace on the issue of long-standing and ongoing human rights violations in Papua. 

Papua, formerly called Irian Jaya, is the easternmost province of Indonesia. The indigenous Papuans are among the most marginalized and victimized people in Indonesia.

As a Dutch-born, Indonesian missionary living and working in Papua for the past 27 years, I wish to give testimony on the situation of the Papuan people. 

Concerns

Although there have been political changes in the last few years, human rights violations have actually increased in Papua. I draw your attention to two specific fields of concern:

1. The denial of freedom of expression of the Papuan people of their rightful demands and aspirations, including the right of
self-determination, that have been voiced peacefully but are systematically met by the Indonesian authorities with violence, detention and torture, 

2. The spreading of fear and intimidation caused by:

a. Covert actions by members of the security forces to paralyse the movement for freedom in Papua, including killings (such as the slaying of the Papuan leader, Theys Eluay) and the egregious accusation of “subversion” aimed at members of the Papuan Presidium Council; 

b. Government-sanctioned stigmatisation of special groups of the population, while treating them as enemies of the State (as in the Abepura Case of 2000); 

c. Inaction towards the increasing presence of Laskar Jihad in Papua. 

d. Impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations, such as those committed in Abepura (2000) that constitute a “crime against humanity”.

Recommendations

Considering the aforementioned challenges we call on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to urge the Government of Indonesia to:

1. Fulfil its obligation to respect and protect human dignity by ceasing the use of violence in dealing with peacefully expressed demands and involve itself in an open dialogue with the Papuan people.

2. Deliver justice to the Papuan people by bringing the perpetrators of human rights violations committed against them and their representatives to trial in an open and transparent manner in line with international standards.

3. Invite the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People to Papua with complete and unhindered access to individuals and communities and to fully co-operate with all the relevant thematic procedures of the Commission on Human Rights.