PAPUAN PROBLEMS, THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE RESPONSIBLE

PRESS RELEASE: The Fellowships of Baptist Churches of West Papua

Report by Hasbi

Pacific Post, Thursday, 18 June 2009

Jayapura - Dumma Socrates Sofyan Yoman in a press release to the Pacific Post criticized Mr Juwono Sudarsono, Indonesian defence and security minister’s statement in the Cenderawasih Post (Wednesday, 17 June 2009) which says that the raising of the West Papuan Independence flag was a way of attracting attention and not a serious movement to separate West Papua from the Republic of Indonesia. According to Socrates this is a narrow and partial point of view.

Further, Socrates added that West Papuan problems were approached by (Indonesian) law but had ignored the substantial root problems. In addition, the central government had blamed the regional government (provinces and regencies) for not being pro-active.

The police should secure the flag raisers because raising the flag (West Papua Independence flag) is against the law. This wrong perception needs to be corrected. This is the time of democracy, openness and freedom. However, the military paradigm still has not changed significantly and still uses the New Order pattern. Threatening people is still practiced although is not relevant in this era (of democracy).

Socrates stated that there are a few things that need corrections and clarifications. First, West Papua problem is not regional government (governors and regents) and police matters. This perception is wrong and tends to mislead the issue. Second, West Papua problem has international dimensions. The annexation of West Papua into Indonesia involved the International community. Morally, legally and politically countries such as United States of America, Netherlands and the United Nations are responsible for West Papua case.

Third, West Papuan problem is a political and a legal case. Therefore, it should be solved through legal and political approaches. If the Indonesian government considers West Papuan problem as a legal case, then, the central government should be pro-active, be open and honest in supporting International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) which was recently established in Guyana, South America on the 2nd – 5th April 2009. The ILWP could investigate the implementation of the 1969 Act of Free Choice.

Fourth, using militaristic approach to solve West Papuan problem was not relevant anymore. Now is the time to put human security and human dignity first. Now is the time to respect justice, equality, human rights, freedom, democracy and law enforcement. This is not the time to seek recognitions as national heroes, people’s saviour and guardian of the state sovereignty. Keeping the integrity and the safety of the people so they feel secure and respected is the true principle of a statesman.

Fifth, the problem of West Papua is the illegal integration into Indonesia. Political status of West Papua had been betrayed, ignored and wiped out. Human right abuses still continue. The failure of development in West Papua was because the development had been implemented suspiciously and had used a heavily militaristic approach. Therefore, one peaceful, dignified, sympathetic, and moral way to solve the West Problem is through a peaceful dialog between the people of West Papua and the government of Indonesia which is mediated by a third neutral party.

The final comprehensive solution was the special autonomy law no 21 year 2001. However, the special autonomy has failed and has caused a great disaster for the native West Papuans.

On the other hand, the special autonomy has given greater benefits for the establishment of security infrastructure both for the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the police in all part of West Papuan land. The establishment of the infrastructure has even reached villages. The number of migrants entering West Papua has also increased sharply and has marginalized the native West Papuans. The uncontrolled extension of provinces and regencies was implemented as part of intelligence strategies to develop communication networking and regional conditioning in West Papua.

Reported by

Socrates Sofyan Yoman

President of the fellowships of Baptist Churches of West Papua

Address: Jl Jeruk Nipis Kotaraja, PO Box 1212

Phone: 62-067-583462

HP: 08124888458