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Statements

STATEMENT PAPUA CUSTOMARY COUNCIL
By WPNes Port Numbay
Sep 20, 2008, 12:25

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PAPUA CUSTOMARY COUNCIL
Address: Jl. Raya Waena Sentani
Samping Mess Fakfak
Waena-Jayapura-Papua
Post Code: 99351
Phone: +62-967-573595

Praise to You O Lord
By pronouncing this statement, we would like to ask the following question:
“Why were Papuan People killed when they were celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous people?”
This question was asked in relation to the death of Opinus Tabuni. A bullet from the security forces has pierced his rib and his heart which caused his death. Opinus was one of about 20 thousand people of Baliem Valley who were celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous people on the 9th of August 2008 in Sinapuk field, Wamena – West Papua.
The shooting incidence was one of so many cases that caused deaths of customary people of Papua in their own ancestral land. None of those cases has been brought to justice by the government of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Security forces who committed crime in Papua always use separatism or subversive reasons to justify their crime as if naming Papuans as subversive actors and separatists could give them approval to kidnapping, forced disappearance, shooting, torture, killing, and all other kinds of crime against Papuan people.
Based on these experiences, all customary people of Papua now make the following firm statement in response to the Sinapuk field incident in Wamena that caused the death of Opinus Tabuni:
First, the shooting incident by the Indonesian security forces that killed Opinus Tabuni is a crime against humanity which disrespects human dignity as God’s perfect creation. The right to live is the most fundamental right of any human being. Nobody even the state cannot take away someone’s fundamental right.
Second, the raising of flags (Red and White (Indonesian national flag), SOS, UN, and The Morning Star (West Papuan Independence flag) was not a legitimate reason for killing the customary people of Papua. The raising of the flags were part of expression of protests against injustice, marginalization, structural poverty that the customary people of Papua continuously suffer during their integration with the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Third, the killing of Opinus Tabuni was not a customary problem; it is a crime against humanity which is related to political problems. Therefore, the solution to the problem should go through political mechanisms and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia must be responsible legally and morally.
Fourth, we hope that the shooting incident that killed Opinus Tabuni was the last tragedy. We do not allow any crime like this to happen to our customary people in the future.
Fifth, the shooting incident in Sinapuk field Wamena on the 9th of August 2008 that killed Opinus Tabuni was a violation of human rights. Therefore, it is not the problem of Baliem people only but it is the problem of all of West Papuan people. It is also the problem of Indonesia. The tragedy happened when the customary community were celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous people and therefore, it is also the problem of international community especially the United Nations and all indigenous people all over the world.

On this firm statement, we, the Papua Customary People with the blessing of God Almighty demand the followings:
Indonesian Regional Police of Papua
1. to be brave and honestly reveal the shooting incident that caused the death of Opinus Tabuni on the 9th of August 2008 in Sinapuk field, Wamena. Who were the actors (name, rank and institution)?, and what type of weapons used?, what were the reasons for shooting and who ordered the shooting? These are some of the questions that need to be answered.

2. to stop legal process (of interrogation) of Papua Customary leaders and the customary community in general because the process is against democracy that the Indonesian government is preaching.

Governor of Papua Province
to facilitate a Papuan delegation to meet President of the Republic of Indonesia, Head of Indonesian State Police, Chairman of Indonesian People’s Assembly, Chairman of Indonesian House of Parliament, Chairman of Indonesian Regional Council, Indonesian National Commission for Human Rights, and other parties in Jakarta.
Papua Province House of Parliament
to write a letter to the governor of Papua Province to facilitate a Papuan delegation to meet President of the Republic of Indonesia, Head of Indonesian State Police, Chairman of Indonesian People’s Assembly, Chairman of Indonesian House of Parliament, Chairman of Indonesian Regional Council, Indonesian National Commission for Human Rights, and other parties in Jakarta.
Papuan People’s Assembly
to have a general meeting to hear aspirations of components of Papuan people in October 2008.
The United Nations
We demand attention and responsibility of the United Nations for the shooting incident that caused death of Opinus Tabuni. Opinus Tabuni was killed during celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous people. This day was established by the United Nation General Assembly in 1994.
To end our statement and our demand, we would like to inform all people of West Papua that on the 15th to 17th of October 2008 in London – England there will be a launch of International Parliamentary for West Papua. As a form of support for this launch, we proclaim the call to all Papuan people to do A National Action; Prayer and Fasting on the 15th of October 2008 in all West Papuan land and in all parts of Indonesia.
May God Almighty who reigns in glory and power bless our statement and our demand and our struggle forward.



Jayapura – Port Numbay, 17th September 2008
Papua Customary Council

signed
Forkorus Yaboisembut Leonard Imbiri
(Chairman ) (Secretary)

Members of Papuan Customary Council (Representing all parts of West Papua)
Region 1 (Tabi)
Kerom Customary Council
Porty Numbay Community Customary Council
Grime Nawa Customary Council
Sarmi Customary Council

Region 2 (Saireri)
Byak Customary Council
Yapen Customary Council
Waropen Customary Council
Nabire Customary Council

Region 3 (Doberay)
Manokwari Customary Council
Sorong Customary Council
Teluk Wondama Customary Community Council
Bintuni Customary Community Council





Region 4 (Bomberay)
Fakfak Customary Council
Kaimana Customary Council
LEMASA
LEMASKO

Region 5 (Ha Anim)
Merauke Customary Council
Mappi Customary Council
Asmat Cystmary Cummunity Council

Region 6 (La Pago)
Baliem Customary Council
Aplim Apom Customary Council

Region 7 (Me Pago)
Puncak Jaya Customary Council
Paniai Customary Council

Representative of Customary Council Asia Region:
in Jakarta


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