The latest deaths of as many as six protestors in West Papua has prompted alarmed headlines from high profile media worldwide, as seen in this Time story above.
PFF, Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS
Thursday, 11th December 2014
Indonesia must investigate the shooting deaths of five peaceful protestors in West Papua, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.
A sixth protestor is reported to have died the next day.
"Yet again, Indonesia has failed to provide proper security for its citizens," says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.
"Jakarta must now make up for that failure by mounting a full and independent investigation, as called for by the Papua Peace Network."
PFF is supporting calls from the network coordinator, Rev. Neles Tebay, for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to send investigators from the capital, Jakarta.
The protestors were shot dead at a public protest that arose after police beat a 12 year boy who had been objecting to what was said to be an army truck driving through Enarotali, in the Paniai district, at night with its lights off.
Those deaths on 8th December were just two days before International Human Rights Day on 10th December. Shootings were criticised by a wide range of human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and, in Indonesia, NGO Imparsial.
PFF supports calls from Imparsial for the President to ensure freedom of speech and expression and to resolve human rights cases in the region.
"Peaceful protest is a fundamental human right," says PFF co-Chair Monica Miller, speaking from American Samoa.
"This latest incident confirms the need for Jakarta to stop trampling the rights of its own citizens and take firm action to halt further bloodshed."
PFF is also calling on regional media to pay more attention to human rights abuses in its own backyard.
LINKS
Five shot dead in Papua incident
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/261284/five-shot-dead-in-papua-incident
Papua Remains a Killing Field Even Under New Indonesian President Jokowi
http://time.com/3627122/indonesia-papua-jokowi-human-rights/
Indonesian Army Kills Five Civilians as West Papua Independence Campaign Strengthens
https://news.vice.com/article/indonesian-army-kills-five-civilians-as-west-papua-independence-campaign-strengthens
Jokowi urged to establish independent team to investigate Enarotali tragedy
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/12/10/jokowi-urged-establish-independent-team-investigate-enarotali-tragedy.html
United front on West Papua
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=288765
West Papua deaths: Jokowi to 'follow up' shooting
http://www.theage.com.au/world/west-papua-deaths-jokowi-to-follow-up-shooting-20141210-123y3d.html
Govt urged to stop using excessive force in Papua
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/12/10/govt-urged-stop-using-excessive-force-papua.html
We didn't shoot West Papuans, say Indonesian police, military
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/we-didnt-shoot-west-papuans-say-indonesian-police-military-20141210-124hdi.html
West Papua killings cast doubt on Jokowi's promises
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2014/12/10/West-Papuan-killings-cast-doubt-on-Jokowis-promises.aspx
CONTACTS
PFF CHAIR | Titi Gabi | PNGEdge.com | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | PO Box 7776, Boroko, NCD, PNG | Mob: +675 70686875 | titi.gabipng@gmail.com
PFF CO-CHAIR | Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | Pago Pago, America Samoa | Mob: +684 258 4197 | Office: +684 633 7793 | monica@southseasbroadcasting.com
The Pacific Freedom Forum is a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media. We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance. In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.
. . .
No comments:
Post a Comment
comments welcome below: