Etan: West Papua Report May 2012

This is the 97th in a series of monthly reports that focus on developments affecting Papuans. This series is produced by the non-profit West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) drawing on media accounts, other NGO assessments, and analysis and reporting from sources within West Papua. This report is co-published with the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). Back issues are posted online at http://www.etan.org/issues/wpapua/default.htm Questions regarding this report can be addressed to Edmund McWilliams at edmcw@msn.com. If you wish to receive the report via e-mail, send a note to etan@etan.org. 

Summary: 

One demonstrator was reportedly killed, two were wounded, and 13 arrested in May 1 demonstrations throughout West Papua. The protests marked the 49th anniversary of Indonesia's coerced annexation of West Papua. Indonesian government plans to continue to send settlers from outside into West Papua ("transmigration") has prompted protests from Papuan organizations who fear the further marginalization of Papuans and growing communal tensions. 
Several international organizations have protested continued, longstanding efforts by the Indonesian government to cover up human rights violations by preventing journalists and rights observers from traveling to or within West Papua. Following large scale peaceful demonstrations in Serui district, Indonesian security forces have launched a crackdown involving sweep operations. 
The shooting of a civilian aircraft as it landed at an airport in the Puncak Jaya area caused civilian casualties and has prompted unproven charges by authorities that the perpetrators were the Papuan armed resistance organization, the OPM. Papuan leaders have called on the government to conduct a transparent investigation and to engage with local civil and government organizations to put an end to ongoing tensions and conflict in the Puncak Jaya region. 
They note that security force resort to force in dealing with incidents harms innocent local civilians who are often driven from their homes. Despite its obligations under Indonesian and International law, the Indonesian government is refusing to fund urgently needed medical treatment for Papuan political prisoner Filep Karma. Two new reports reveal extensive "land grabbing" by corporations, backed by the Indonesian government, at the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) project in southern West Papua. Indonesia faces a quadrennial review of its human rights performance by the UN Human Rights Commission. WPAT member Dr. Eben Kirksey has authored a new book on West Papua.

Contents:

• Arrests and Shootings of Protesters Mar Peaceful Demonstrations Marking Indonesia's Annexation of West Papua
• New Transmigration Plans Prompt Protest and Fears of Communal Conflict in West Papua
• Indonesian Government Covers Up Human Rights Abuse and Repression in West Papua
• Security Forces Launch Crackdown, Sweeps in Serui District
• Shooting of Civilian Aircraft Raises Concern over New Sweep Operations by Security Forces
• Political Prisoner Filep Karma Denied Urgent Medical Treatment
• New Organization Emerges to Support Local Papuans Facing Land Grabs Such as the MIFEE Project
• Indonesia to Face Quadrennial UN Human Rights Review in May
• WPAT Member Dr. Eben Kirksey Book on West Papua Published

Arrests and Shootings of Demonstrators Mar Peaceful Demonstrations Marking Indonesia's Annexation of West Papua