*** LATEST NEWS FROM WEST PAPUA ***
- Last week Indonesian authorities expelled the 'International Committee of the Red Cross' from West Papua. In addition to this there has been a massive increase in military numbers being sent to West Papua in recent weeks, raising fears that Indonesia are planning further widespread sweeping operations against the indigenous population. (*please contact your local member of Parliament to express your deep concern at these developments*)
- The trial of Sebby Sambom started earlier today (6th May) in Jayapura. He faces a 20 year jail sentence for his part in a peaceful demonstration held in Jayapura last October in support of the launch of International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP). In January, Sebby was denied food and water for over 3 days whilst in custody, and has been badly tortured during interrogation by the police.
- The trial of Buchtar Tabuni is still ongoing. He is also on trial for his part in the peaceful demonstration supporting IPWP. Last month Buchtar was bound and beaten by police and court officials in Jayapura court house after asking to speak with his legal team before proceedings began.
- Over 10,000 people took to the streets of Nabire to show their support for the launch of 'International Lawyers for West Papua', with similar gatherings reported across the rest of the country. Indonesian military opened fire on the peaceful procession, killing several people and wounding many others including a 7 year old boy.
*** LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS FOR WEST PAPUA ***
West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda recently returned to the UK after spending 3 weeks in South America and the Caribbean region for the launch of International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP).
The launch took place in Guyana, South America. In 1969 Guyana supported West Papua's right to self-determination, and at the launch Government ministers re-affirmed their country's support for West Papuan self-determination. A number of international lawyers led by Melinda Janki also gathered for the launch. In Guyana, Benny Wenda also met with the British Consulate.
Following this, Benny travelled to Trinidad and Barbados where he undertook meetings with Government officials from across the Caribbean region, developing support for both ILWP and IPWP. He also gave a guest lecture to university students at West Indies University in Barbados, telling them about the plight of the West Papuan people.
A new website for ILWP has just launched ( www.ilwp.org).
We are happy to announce that there will be a further launch for International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP), taking place in the European Parliament this September.
*** THE LANI SINGERS ***
Benny and Maria Wenda of the Free West Papua Campaign perform traditional music as the Lani Singers, spreading awareness of the plight of the West Papuan people and their desire to be free.
A new website has recently been launched for the Lani Singers (www.thelanisingers.com). As well as indepth information about them, you can also listen again to their previous interviews and sessions on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio London.
This summer they will be performing at events including the Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall and the Tribal Film Festival in Czech Republic (where there will also be a launch of the Czech 'Free West Papua Campaign').
*** INDONESIAN EMBASSY DEMO ***
We will be holding our next demonstration outside the Indonesian Embassy in London next Thursday, 14th May from 12 till 3pm.
Please come and join us at Grosvenor Square, London, WC2.
If you are unable to attend please take the time to call the embassy to express your concern at their continuing military buildup in West Papua, and reminding them of their obligations to abide by international human rights laws. The embassy phone number is +44(0)2074997661
On behalf of everyone in West Papua, thank you so much for your continued support for our struggle. This is a very important time in West Papuan history.
Please continue to help us in whatever way you can; be it by coming to an event, sending a letter to your local member of parliament or media organisation, or just telling your friends about what is happening in our homeland. Anything that you can do to help spread awareness will help. At the bottom of this email is a contact list for various media organisations - please urge them to follow the lead of the BBC in reporting on the events in West Papua. There are also contact details for various bodies of the Indonesian government
West Papua. One People. One Soul
Free West Papua Campaign
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono
President
Republic of Indonesia
Presidential Palace
Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara
Jakarta Pusat 10010
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 3845627 ext 1003
Fax: + 62 21 231 41 38, 345 2685, 345 7782
Email:
2. Mr. Hendarman Supandji
Attorney General
Kejaksaan Agung RI
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 7221337, 7397602
Fax: + 62 21 7250213
Email:
3. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri
Chief of National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 721 8012
Fax: +62 21 720 7277
Email:
4. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Chairperson
KOMNAS HAM (National Human Rights Commission) Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10310 INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3925230
Fax: +62 21 3151042/3925227
E-mail:
5. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary on the situation of human rights defenders Room 1-040, OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 906 8670
E-mail:
6.Drs Bagus Ekodanto, Chief of Papua Regional Police Jl. Samratulangi No 8 Jayaura
Tel: + 62 967 531014 Mobile: +62 811481010, +62 817757575.
Fax: + 62 967 533763
7. Paulus Waterpauw, Director of Criminal Unit, Papua Regional Police Jl. Samratulangi No. 8 Jayapura
Tel: + 62 967 531834 Mobile:+ 62811496251