Cause For Concern. Rally Planned In West Papua For Mon 13th - Banned By Police
A rally called by the (KNPB) has been banned by the police. After the tragic events that occurred on the 1 May in West
Papua AWPA is calling on Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs to raise concerns about another possible crackdown on
peaceful demonstrators with the Indonesian Government. Lettter to Sen Carr below.
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AWPA letter to Sen Carr
Senator the Hon Bob Carr
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House,
CanberraACT 2600
12 May 2013
I am writing to you again concerning another rally which is to take place in West Papua on Monday 13 May.
The peaceful rally has been called to protest the crackdown by the security forces on the demonstrations that were held
on the 30 April and 1 May to protest the handover, 50 years ago of West Papua by UNTEA to Indonesian administration. As
you are aware three people were killed and up to 20 arrested during the rallies on the 1 May.
We point out that Amnesty International is also concerned about the tragic events that occurred on the 1 May. The
Deputy Director of Amnesty International for the Asia-Pacific Region, Isabelle Arradon said in a statement
“The death of the three political activists is a stark reminder that in Papua, speaking out comes with a high price,”
and “It is imperative that authorities in Indonesia urgently set up a comprehensive and independent investigation into
allegations of unnecessary use of firearms by security forces during the protests, make the results available to the
public, and bring those responsible to justice.” “Failure to take action will send a message that the security forces in
Papua operate above the law.”
The police have banned the rally to take place on the 13th and AWPA is concerned that the security forces may yet again
attack peaceful demonstrators during any rallies that take place. We urge you to raise our concerns with the Indonesian
Government and also urge you to use your good offices with the Indonesian Government to call not only for the release of
those arrested on the 1 May but to call for the release of all West Papuan political prisoners.
Yours sincerely
Joe Collins
AWPA (Sydney)
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Letter: Peaceful Protest Banned, We Need the World Concern In West Papua
11/05/2013
Dear friends of West Papua,
I write this letter to announce you that the peaceful demo planed by the people of West Papua May 13 against the human
right violence conducted by Indonesian military (TNI/Polri) on last 30 and 1th May is now banned again by the Indonesian
police in West Papuaread here in Indonesian.
This is very seriously that the Indonesian Government through its Police and Military are isolate and ban our peaceful
activities with their irrational reasons while allowing killing, intimidation, arrest and public deception. They are
legally oppress us, not just with gun but also by their rule of low.
Today i'm as national coordinator also as chairman of non violence organization KNPB, with Student Movement/Bem-Uncen,
WPNA, Garda-P, Church and other civil organizations) terror and targeted by the Indonesian military and Police just
because our activities on peaceful movement. If the State did not allow us to express and to protest the Human Right
Abuses and injustice in West Papua, then for what we stay and live under this State, and for what the States in this
world support and cooperate with Indonesia?
We are protesting our sisters, our mothers our brothers and our fathers who have been killed by Indonesian Military
Police and Military. Are we an animal who don't have a heart and feeling in this planed. Our people died and we are
protesting, is that illegal?
We are needing more concern on this situation. Because whatever it is, we have commit with people to rally in peace on
May 13. Please make a voice bigger for our life and future, and for the better of peace in the world.
Thank you for your concern and support
Victor Yeimo
Chaiman of KNPB
ENDS