29 November 2006 - Euro-MPs are to call for the EU to intervene in forcing Indonesia to respect human rights in West Papua – and grant the province a free and fair referendum on independence – in a Written Declaration launched this Friday (December 1st ) to coincide with West Papua Independence Day.

The Written Declaration – the European Parliament’s equivalent of an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons – has been co-sponsored by Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert, Plaid Cymru Euro-MP Jill Evans and Italian liberal MEP Luigi Cocilovo.

It notes that following the withdrawal of Dutch colonial forces, West Papua has been under military occupation by Indonesia for more than 40 years. At that time it was allowed to administer the territory until a UN-guaranteed independence referendum could be held, but Indonesia failed to fulfil its obligations under international law and hold such a vote, instead annexing West Papua following a sham vote – the co-called ‘Act of Free Choice’ in 1969, in which just 1,000 Papuans, hand-picked by Indonesia, were allowed to participate.

Human rights abuses of Papuans continue – with torture, disappearances, detention without trial and murder of Papuans at the hands of the Indonesia military commonplace.

Dr Lucas, Green Party MEP for South-East England , said: “The people of Papua were promised a referendum on independence when the Dutch former colonial rulers withdrew from the country four decades ago.

“They are still waiting – and meanwhile the Papuans continue to suffer terrible repression, violence and abuse at the hands of an Indonesian government more interested in securing lucrative business deals than honouring historical agreements – or obeying international law.

“This Written Declaration calls on the EU to do whatever is in its power to persuade Indonesia to change its approach – and grant freedom to the people of West Papua that they might choose their future themselves.”

West Papua is the western half of the island of New Guinea . Formerly a Dutch colony, it was invaded by Indonesia in 1962. The resource-rich country, which boasts millions of square kilometers of tropical hardwood rainforest, massive oil reserves and, reportedly, the largest gold mine in the world, has remained under Jakarta’s yoke ever since. UK multi-nationals BP and Rio Tinto both have substantial interests in West Papua .

The Written Declaration, which needs to attract the support of half the European parliament’s 732 members to become official parliamentary policy, will be published this week to coincide with West Papua Independence Day, which is being marked by London demonstrations outside the Indonesian Embassy and the headquarters of both Rio Tinto and BP.

West Papua Independence Day is held on December 1 st to mark the anniversary of the Dutch promise to grant independence to West Papua , originally made on December 1 st , 1961. The day provides a focus for demonstrations and political activity for Free West Papua activists around the world: ironically, though, the Indonesian authorities have violently crushed any public demands for independence in the province itself. In 2004, two Papuan activists, Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage, were arrested for peacefully raising a West Papuan flag. Both are still serving long jail sentences.

The London demonstration, which starts at 12 noon outside the Indonesian Embassy in Grosvenor Square , is expected to attract significant Green Party support, and will be addressed by the party’s Principal Speaker Derek Wall.

Next week Indonesian and EU officials meet for a day of cultural and economic discussions ahead of a planned visit to the EU by Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono .

Dr Lucas said: “The EU-Indonesia day talks provide a perfect opportunity for EU officials to raise the issue of human rights abuses and West Papua ’s constitutional status with their Indonesian counterparts. I hope they will do so, but I’m not holding my breath.

“The advance papers for the meeting appear to heap praise on what EU officials describe as Indonesia’s democratic and peaceful handling of the island country’s various independence struggles – but these are words which clearly don’t apply in West Papua and it is equally clear that next week’s meeting is more about promoting trade than justice or human rights.”

In a direct message for the Papuan people to be read out on the island on Friday, Dr Lucas said: “Indonesian oppression has led to the deaths of at least 100,000 indigenous Papuans since the occupation began in 1962. Beatings, rapes, torture and killings inflicted by the Indonesian army continue unchecked: the military must withdraw from West Papua immediately.”

She added: “The people of West Papua deserve an end to the Indonesian military occupation, the exploitation of their rich natural resources and real self-determination.

“Only this will bring long-term peace to the island and an end to the violence, intimidation and human rights atrocities to which we bear witness today. Until West Papua is free, none of us are. Free West Papua ! Papua Merdaka!”

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

Written Declaration

 
For more details of West Papua Independence Day, or Friday’s demo contact Richard Samuelson of the Free West Papua Campaign samoxen@dsl.pipex.com Tel. 01865 241200. Visit www.freewestpapua.org.