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Commentary
from the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG)
West Papua,
comprised of the provinces (Papua and Papua Barat) is the Indonesian
government’s last remaining colony, situated on the western half of the island
of New Guinea, adjacent to independent Papua New Guinea. Papuans want what all
colonized people want: to be free – to be masters of their own destiny. More
specifically, Papuans demand, as a matter of urgency, that West Papua be
reinstated on the list of non-self-governing territories in order to hasten
their progress towards political self-determination.
Eligibility
to be reinstated on the list of non-self-governing territories
West Papua
satisfies the criteria for being reinstated on the list of non-self-governing
territories set down in United Nations Resolution 1541 (XV). Specifically, West
Papua is geographically separate from Indonesia. Papuans are culturally and
ethnically distinct and they have had a different historical experience from
Indonesians. The former colonial authority, the Netherlands, prior to the
current colonial administration, the Unitary Republic of Indonesia taking
control, established a national parliament – the Nieuw-Guinea Raad – paving the
way for Papuans to progress towards self-rule. Sukarno, a former Indonesian
president tacitly acknowledged West Papua’s sovereignty when he referred to
West Papua as a Dutch ‘Puppet State’ prior to launching a military
invasion.
West Papuans
have a right to self-determination under international law set down in the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
and adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 1514 (XV), Article 1 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 1 of the
International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and more
recently, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples.
The need to
reinstate West Papua on the list of non-self-governing territories is made more
urgent by ongoing gross human rights violations and a failure of governance on
the part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.
Human rights
violations and state violence has been documented during recent United Nations
Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of the Indonesian Government’s
commitment to civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural
rights in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Civil and political human rights issues raised
include included the freedom of expression, the human rights violations
committed by the security forces, the problem of impunity, the repression of
human rights defenders, and the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples
and minorities.
Economic,
social and cultural rights issues raised include lack of access to health care
and education, the problem of land-grabbing, and the rights of minorities and
indigenous peoples. In addition concern was expressed about the Indonesian
government’s delay in making specific arrangements to allow visits by UN
special procedures and human rights experts. In regards to both civil and
political rights and economic, social and cultural right the United Nations
Committee showed particular concern to the situation in Papua.
Political
scientists Dr Jim Elmslie and Dr Camilla Webb-Gannon characterise Indonesian
rule as presiding over slow-motion genocide. They conclude that there is
evidence to show that the Indonesian state has engaged in intentional genocidal
acts designed to “counter and eliminate Papuan attempts to create an
independent state for their nation or enjoy political freedom on a par with
other Indonesians.”
Taking the
above facts into consideration, in a special report into decolonization in the
Pacific Region adopted by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues in their Twelfth session in May 2013, Valmaine Toki stated that
“there are clear grounds for the General Assembly to support [West Papua’s]
reinstatement on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories."
Toki listed
three compelling reasons. “First, West Papua had satisfied the criteria
set down in resolution 1541 (XV). Second, it had featured initially on the
list. Third, the right of self-determination is articulated in article 3 of the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” In light
of gross human rights situation in West Papua Ms. Toki wrote that “urgency is
recommended.” As a result the International Community has a Responsibility
to Protect West Papuans by granting political self-determination as a remedy
for the Indonesian Government’s failure to govern and adequately protect West
Papuans.
Historical
background
West Papuans
formed their own parliament in 1961 but have never been permitted to govern.
The Indonesian government claims sovereignty over West Papua was transferred
from the Netherlands to the Unitary Republic of Indonesia by the United Nations
as a result of the Act of Free Choice in 1969. That is not true. The Act of
Free Choice was not free, fair or peaceful. Less than 0.01% of the population,
just over 1000 people, participated in the Act of Free Choice and 100% of those
that did were coerced to vote. Two in-depth academic studies – one by Professor
Pieter Drooglever, the other by Dr. John Saltford – conclusively
showed that the Act of Free Choice was fraudulent and backed up by extremely
ruthless violence, including the willingness to bomb entire villages. Until
Papuans have been given the right to decide their own political status, a right
which is theirs under international law, Indonesia cannot claim to be a
democracy. In the intervening five decades the political situation has not
improved.
West
Papuans are determined to be free
Desmond Tutu
once said that “nothing can stop a people determined to be free.”
Papuans have
not given up. Even more remarkably, the overwhelming majority have chosen to
pursue their aspirations for freedom through a combination of unarmed civilian
based resistance and diplomacy. Instead of ensuring West Papuans’ safety and
security the Indonesian state is endangering their lives. West Papuans are
driving the struggle; they are being killed, tortured, imprisoned and pushed to
the margins of political and economic life but they are not backing down.
However, they need their regional neighbours and other governments to stand
with them so they can continue living in the land of their ancestors. Papuans
want their country to be reinstated on the list of non-self-governing
territories and urge member countries of the Committee of 24 to take immediate
action to support Papuan aspirations.
SOURCE: PANG/PACNEWS
Sesources: http://pina.com.fj
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