Fiji menceritakan prestasi di bawah kepemimpinannya, menyerahkan kursi FMM untuk FLNKS

Lifou, dua tahun masa kepemimpinan Kaledonia Baru --- Fiji dari Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG) berakhir pada KTT Pemimpin di Noumea minggu ini, dengan panggilan pada anggota untuk 'mengukir ceruk kita sendiri di Pacific regionalisme.'

Kursi keluar dari Pertemuan Menteri Luar Negeri MSG, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola mengatakan sejak Fiji mengambil alih pimpinan kelompok pada bulan Maret 2011, organisasi ini telah mencapai sejumlah tonggak dan diperpanjang kehadirannya internasional.

"Kami memiliki potensi untuk memperkuat hubungan kita dengan kekuatan metropolitan lain untuk menentukan nasib kita.

Ratu Inoke mendesak anggota untuk tidak terlalu peduli tentang apa yang orang lain pikirkan kelompok.

"Kita harus menentukan tujuan kita bersama dan bekerja sama kegiatan yang meningkatkan kerjasama kami dan integrasi.

Ini tujuan bersama, menurut Ratu Inoke harus memastikan penciptaan kekayaan, pekerjaan, akses terhadap layanan dasar dan pemberdayaan masyarakat kurang mampu di Melanesia.

Dia meminta anggota untuk memberdayakan Vila berbasis Sekretariat Pelabuhan untuk memajukan penyebab MSG.

"Saya menyerukan kesenangan Anda dalam pembayaran tepat waktu kontribusi untuk memungkinkan Sekretariat untuk melaksanakan peran dan tanggung jawab mereka secara efektif.

Pencapaian MSG dalam dua tahun terakhir, Ratu Inoke mengatakan ini sejalan dengan janji yang dibuat oleh Perdana Menteri Voreqe Bainimarama kepada Para Pemimpin pada Maret 2011.

Di front politik, komisaris polisi MSG memiliki pekerjaan lanjutan di departemen operasi penjaga perdamaian. Setelah beroperasi penuh, departemen akan bertanggung jawab untuk mengawasi unit polisi MSG, akademi kepolisian regional dan respon kemanusiaan dan darurat pusat koordinasi.

"Sangat penting bahwa kita secara kolektif menyadari keluar potensi sejati dalam operasi penjaga perdamaian internasional, Ratu Inoke mengatakan kepada rekan-rekannya dari Papua Nugini, Kepulauan Solomon, Vanuatu dan FLNKS.

"Kebiasaan unik kami dan tradisi membuat kita peackeepers efektif.

"Kita juga harus efektif berbagi informasi untuk mencegah negara kita terhadap ancaman globalisaton dan liberalisasi.

Prestasi lain yang penting adalah kesimpulan dari tinjauan konstitusi MSG. Kajian ini berupaya meningkatkan keputusan organisasi proses pembuatan, terutama dalam menangani aplikasi keanggotaan baru.

Satu-satunya aplikasi keanggotaan sebelum MSG adalah dari Koalisi Nasional Papua Barat untuk Pembebasan berbasis di Port Vila.

Ratu Inoke juga menyoroti kemajuan yang signifikan yang dibuat dalam perdagangan dan kerjasama ekonomi antara negara-negara anggota. Negara MSG mempertimbangkan Hubungan Dekat Ekonomi dan kemungkinan penciptaan pasar umum melalui perluasan Perjanjian Perdagangan MSG ke dalam layanan dan mobilitas tenaga kerja.

Pada tahun 2012, MSG Pemimpin menandatangani Nota Kesepahaman tentang Keterampilan Skema Gerakan (SMS), yang mulai berlaku pada bulan September tahun lalu.

Di bawah kepemimpinan Fiji, MSG dianggap lingkungan dan isu-isu perubahan iklim, menghasilkan deklarasi pemimpin terhadap lingkungan dan perubahan iklim dan kerangka Pertumbuhan Hijau untuk pembangunan masa depan.

Ratu Inoke mengatakan Fiji yakin bahwa prestasi dua tahun terakhir akan berfungsi sebagai batu loncatan untuk hal-hal yang lebih besar bagi organisasi sebagai FLNKS mengambil kemudi kepemimpinan.

Dia menyerahkan jubah kepemimpinan untuk wanita pertama yang pernah ketua kelompok MSG Menteri Luar Negeri, Madame Caroline Machoro-Regnier dari FLNKS.

Dalam pernyataan singkat saat ia diasumsikan pimpinan pertemuan menteri luar negeri, Madame Machoro-Regnier mengatakan dia bangga dengan peran barunya sebagai menandai tonggak bagi emansipasi rakyat Kanak.

"Saya berharap bahwa kepemimpinan kami MSG akan mendorong keinginan orang lain untuk emansipasi.

Pada keinginan rakyat Papua Barat untuk bergabung dengan Melanesia Spearhead Group, Madame Machoro-Regnier mengatakan FLNKS mendukung keanggotaan penuh bagi perwakilan rakyat Papua Barat.

"Ini adalah isu yang sulit, salah satu yang sangat dipolitisir karena kita tidak memiliki fakta dan angka tentang pelanggaran di tanah di Papua Barat. Namun, rakyat Papua Barat perlu tindakan dan dukungan kami, kata Madame Machoro-Regnier.

Dia mengatakan MSG adalah di persimpangan jalan, merayakan 25 tahun keberadaannya.

"Mengatasi masalah politik akan mengirim sinyal kuat ke seluruh dunia bahwa kita kuat dan bahwa kita menghormati

More:  

http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/new-caledonia/1529/fiji-recounts-achievements-under-its-leadership-ha/

 

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Fiji menceritakan prestasi di bawah kepemimpinannya, menyerahkan kursi FMM untuk FLNKS

Lifou, dua tahun masa kepemimpinan Kaledonia Baru --- Fiji dari Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG) berakhir pada KTT Pemimpin di Noumea minggu ini, dengan panggilan pada anggota untuk 'mengukir ceruk kita sendiri di Pacific regionalisme.'

Kursi keluar dari Pertemuan Menteri Luar Negeri MSG, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola mengatakan sejak Fiji mengambil alih pimpinan kelompok pada bulan Maret 2011, organisasi ini telah mencapai sejumlah tonggak dan diperpanjang kehadirannya internasional.

"Kami memiliki potensi untuk memperkuat hubungan kita dengan kekuatan metropolitan lain untuk menentukan nasib kita.

Ratu Inoke mendesak anggota untuk tidak terlalu peduli tentang apa yang orang lain pikirkan kelompok.

"Kita harus menentukan tujuan kita bersama dan bekerja sama kegiatan yang meningkatkan kerjasama kami dan integrasi.

Ini tujuan bersama, menurut Ratu Inoke harus memastikan penciptaan kekayaan, pekerjaan, akses terhadap layanan dasar dan pemberdayaan masyarakat kurang mampu di Melanesia.

Dia meminta anggota untuk memberdayakan Vila berbasis Sekretariat Pelabuhan untuk memajukan penyebab MSG.

"Saya menyerukan kesenangan Anda dalam pembayaran tepat waktu kontribusi untuk memungkinkan Sekretariat untuk melaksanakan peran dan tanggung jawab mereka secara efektif.

Pencapaian MSG dalam dua tahun terakhir, Ratu Inoke mengatakan ini sejalan dengan janji yang dibuat oleh Perdana Menteri Voreqe Bainimarama kepada Para Pemimpin pada Maret 2011.

Di front politik, komisaris polisi MSG memiliki pekerjaan lanjutan di departemen operasi penjaga perdamaian. Setelah beroperasi penuh, departemen akan bertanggung jawab untuk mengawasi unit polisi MSG, akademi kepolisian regional dan respon kemanusiaan dan darurat pusat koordinasi.

"Sangat penting bahwa kita secara kolektif menyadari keluar potensi sejati dalam operasi penjaga perdamaian internasional, Ratu Inoke mengatakan kepada rekan-rekannya dari Papua Nugini, Kepulauan Solomon, Vanuatu dan FLNKS.

"Kebiasaan unik kami dan tradisi membuat kita peackeepers efektif.

"Kita juga harus efektif berbagi informasi untuk mencegah negara kita terhadap ancaman globalisaton dan liberalisasi.

Prestasi lain yang penting adalah kesimpulan dari tinjauan konstitusi MSG. Kajian ini berupaya meningkatkan keputusan organisasi proses pembuatan, terutama dalam menangani aplikasi keanggotaan baru.

Satu-satunya aplikasi keanggotaan sebelum MSG adalah dari Koalisi Nasional Papua Barat untuk Pembebasan berbasis di Port Vila.

Ratu Inoke juga menyoroti kemajuan yang signifikan yang dibuat dalam perdagangan dan kerjasama ekonomi antara negara-negara anggota. Negara MSG mempertimbangkan Hubungan Dekat Ekonomi dan kemungkinan penciptaan pasar umum melalui perluasan Perjanjian Perdagangan MSG ke dalam layanan dan mobilitas tenaga kerja.

Pada tahun 2012, MSG Pemimpin menandatangani Nota Kesepahaman tentang Keterampilan Skema Gerakan (SMS), yang mulai berlaku pada bulan September tahun lalu.

Di bawah kepemimpinan Fiji, MSG dianggap lingkungan dan isu-isu perubahan iklim, menghasilkan deklarasi pemimpin terhadap lingkungan dan perubahan iklim dan kerangka Pertumbuhan Hijau untuk pembangunan masa depan.

Ratu Inoke mengatakan Fiji yakin bahwa prestasi dua tahun terakhir akan berfungsi sebagai batu loncatan untuk hal-hal yang lebih besar bagi organisasi sebagai FLNKS mengambil kemudi kepemimpinan.

Dia menyerahkan jubah kepemimpinan untuk wanita pertama yang pernah ketua kelompok MSG Menteri Luar Negeri, Madame Caroline Machoro-Regnier dari FLNKS.

Dalam pernyataan singkat saat ia diasumsikan pimpinan pertemuan menteri luar negeri, Madame Machoro-Regnier mengatakan dia bangga dengan peran barunya sebagai menandai tonggak bagi emansipasi rakyat Kanak.

"Saya berharap bahwa kepemimpinan kami MSG akan mendorong keinginan orang lain untuk emansipasi.

Pada keinginan rakyat Papua Barat untuk bergabung dengan Melanesia Spearhead Group, Madame Machoro-Regnier mengatakan FLNKS mendukung keanggotaan penuh bagi perwakilan rakyat Papua Barat.

"Ini adalah isu yang sulit, salah satu yang sangat dipolitisir karena kita tidak memiliki fakta dan angka tentang pelanggaran di tanah di Papua Barat. Namun, rakyat Papua Barat perlu tindakan dan dukungan kami, kata Madame Machoro-Regnier.

Dia mengatakan MSG adalah di persimpangan jalan, merayakan 25 tahun keberadaannya.

"Mengatasi masalah politik akan mengirim sinyal kuat ke seluruh dunia bahwa kita kuat dan bahwa kita menghormati

More:  

http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/new-caledonia/1529/fiji-recounts-achievements-under-its-leadership-ha/

 

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Open letter from FWPC to Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)

TO:

June 17, 2013

Secretariat, The Secretariat of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), PMB 9105,
Independence Garden,
Port Vila, REPUBLIC OF VANUATU 

My name is Harry Jenkinson, I am writing on behalf of the Free West Papua Campaign, an international organisation which exists to alert the world to the ongoing genocide in West Papua, which is under brutal Indonesian military occupation, and to lay the road to full freedom and independence for the West Papuan people.

I am also writing on behalf of Benny Wenda, West Papua independence leader, Secretary General of Demmak (The Koteka Tribal Assembly), and founder of the Free West Papua Campaign.The Melanesian people of West Papua feel strongly and completely connected and a full part of the Melanesian family, ethnically, culturally, linguistically, environmentally and politically.

The Melanesian people of West Papua feel strongly and completely connected and a full part of the Melanesian family, ethnically, culturally, linguistically, environmentally and politically.

West Papuans are undisputedly Melanesian and their people he same as everyone from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia (Kanaky) and Fiji.

They were some of the first Melanesian people in the Pacific and have been living in their homeland of West Papua for over 40,000 years.

Papuans are just as Melanesian as their brother and sister Papuans in Papua New Guinea so why should they yet to be recognised as part of the Melanesian Spearhead Group?
Melanesia does not stop at a straight border.

Ever since the Melanesian Spearhead Group was formed 2008, the West Papuan people have strived to join the regional group which they strongly identify with and know can truly help their country attain genuine Melanesian identity/solidarity and self-determination, neither of which have so far been recognised ever since the region was occupied by Indonesia in 1963.

The people of West Papua have been crying for over 50 years now for their Melanesian brothers and sisters to support them in their cry for freedom from colonialism, they have suffered illegal occupation of their country, resource exploitation, cultural destruction and genocide which has claimed the lives of between 100,000 to 500,000 innocent Melanesian West Papuan men, women and children.

During this tragedy, Papuans have suffered horrific human rights abuses, many of which are well documented with photo and video evidence and include countless reports of torture, rape, imprisonment with false evidence or without trial, and many more atrocities committed by Indonesian state military, police, security forces and intelligence at the express order of the Indonesian government.

It is also with deep regret that we must report that ever since its occupation by Indonesia in 1963, the Indonesian government has systematically tried to wipe out the Melanesian people of West Papua by flooding the region with thousands of Asian “transmigrants” in an effort to wipe out the ethnic and cultural identity of the Melanesian people of West Papua.

It is estimated by many that if the Melanesian people are not given full self-determination within 20 years then the 2 million Melanesian people of West Papua will cease to exist anymore.

The spokesman for the Aliansi Mahasiswa Papua (Papuan Students Alliance) in Yogyakarta recently said at a mass student protest support West Papua joining MSG: “if Melanesian (Spearhead Group) is not going to help us, in 20 years later, West Papua (people) will disappear. So we really, really need your help to help us and all the students from West Papua all over Indonesia support 100% to Melanesian countries and to the leaders and to the brothers and sisters about this event. The people of West Papua support 100% to receive us in the family in the Melanesian region.”

There were at least 8 such mass protests this week alone, some of them drawing thousands of Melanesian Papuans together to support the Melanesian Spearhead Group welcoming West Papua into the regional body.
Papuans carry banners calling for their Melanesian brothers and sisters in MSG, as well as the leaders of the group and of Melanesian Nations, to support their cry for freedom and to welcome their country as into the Melanesian family of Nations as Kanaky, which also is not yet an independent nation, already has been.

If the Kanak and Socialist Liberation Front (FLNKS) of Kanaky/New Caledonia has already been granted membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group the why not West Papua?
West Papua, like Kanaky, is not yet an independent nation, and is currently like under the control of a colonial power like Kanaky is.

Why should this stop the people of West Papua from joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group?

It is at this point that we would like to show you an open letter which was written ,  10^th June, 2013by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Chairman, Victor Yeimo, who is currently in Abepura prison in West Papua, detained without trial for leading an entirely peaceful rally in support of West Papua joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Here is the letter:

Victor Yeimo, Chairman of the KNPB and political prisoner

Dear Leaders of Melanesian Countries

I am Chairman of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) writing this Letter from Indonesian Prison bar of Abepura West Papua to express my deepest feeling on my people who are now oppressing by the Indonesian TNI and Police forces when my people continue to keep in struggle peacefully on rally to demand the right of self-determination and to support the Summit of Melanesian Spearhead Groups (MSG) in Noumea, Kanaky where our problem is planed to be discussed in the agenda.

I have been detained by Indonesian Police last month on May 13 on a peaceful rally where led in support the MSG and activists intimidated by Police. And again today May 10, KNPB mediate people of West Papua in whole regions are rallying and will continue to ask your support although peoples already been known that their body are going to be intimidate, shot dead, or arrest by Indonesian angry police and TNI. We could not let our people die and extinct from this Melanesian land under Indonesian colonial rule.

The peaceful rally is legal under Indonesian and International rule, but today, in open era, this is very difficult situation for us and people to freely expressing our felling, but this is the only one way for us to show our deepest hope to our Melanesian Brothers and Sisters especially you as Leaders to support us to be full member of MSG and to discuss our need to get independent as basic right of the self-determination under international law.
We are not slave nation nor animal on our own land. The people of West Papua are Melanesian, your people and your family. I am only local leader but for them you are their Melanesian leader. So, where they go and hope? where I have to lead and bring their tears of suffering if not you? And how much more the tears and bloods is going on? And how long do you keep in silent and forget us?

Melanesian Leaders, this is opportunity for you to take action in MSG. We have to defend and protect our land and the people strongly, more than economic and political benefit of colonial and capitalist.

Sincerely yours,
Victor Yeimo
Chairperson of KNPB
Behind Indonesian Prison Bar

The people of West Papua will never stop praying and campaigning for their Melanesian brothers and sisters in MSG to support them in their cry for full freedom and independence from Indonesia.

They will not be stopped by torture, imprisonment, death or genocide.
Their Melanesian Spirit is strong.

We are delighted that now the leaders of the Solomon Islands, Kanaky and Vanuatu have all pledged their support for their family in West Papua.

We are certain now that this time, the people of West Papua will not be forgotten by their loving Melanesian family in MSG.

Finally we would just like to conclude with the words of the governor of Port Moresby and proud supporter of full freedom and independence for West Papua.

“Until West Papua is free, Melanesia is not free”

Thank you very much for taking your time to read this letter.

We and the Melanesian people of West Papua pray and hope with all our hearts that the Melanesian Spearhead Group will welcome their Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papua back into the family of the Melanesian nations and grant West Papua membership of MSG.

We know with all our hearts that the people of Melanesia will stand strong in solidarity with each other forever.

We are all Wantoks.

One People One Soul

One Melanesian Family

Thank you very much.

Yours sincerely,

Harry Jenkinson,

Free West Papua Campaign

www.freewestpapua.org
office@freewestpapua.org

The Free West Papua Campaign
PO Box 656
Oxford
OX3 3AP
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 1865 403 202
Fax: +44 (0) 1865 403 217

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Tomorrow Demo Support MSG in Biak While Prohibited Police

Photo ilst

Biak, KNPBnews - Although police banned, West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Biak has announced that it will carry out a demonstration on June 18, 2013 held at the Old Market roundabout Biak to support MSG meeting which will be held in Kanaky (New Caledonia).

Apollos Sroyer as Chairman KNPB Biak told to respect the laws of the Republic of Indonesia, then, we have sent a letter pemberitahun Police action on Biak demonstrations. And we guarantee the implementation of the demonstration would be peaceful.

In response to the implementation of the plan is the demonstration KNPB Biak Biak Resort Police Chief held a meeting with the KNPB Biak on June 16, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. held at KBS Hall Indigenous Sorido Biak.

In the meeting, the police said that the KNPB is an organization that is not listed in the guidance office politics and arts of Indonesia it is not permitted to carry out a political activity. And the Papua police chief has banned demonstrations KNPB.

In that debate the KNPB Biak remain on its commitment to implement the demonstration. Apollos Menutu Sroyer action that we do is a peaceful demonstration action, just facilitate people in Biak West Papua for peacefully expressing their aspirations to support the MSG meeting.

Although police Biak ban and we will disperse the crowd, but on our commitment to continue to implement the rally, said Apollos Soryer. (Kume)

 

Translate by. Joe Collin

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Indonesia denies it has any indigenous peoples

By: Frances Yan-Man-Shing

Papuan

Indonesia is home to an estimated 50-70 million indigenous peoples, but the government does not recognize the rights of its indigenous peoples and claims that none live in Indonesia. In a response to the United Nations Periodic Review in 2012, a four–year human rights check-up for all countries, Indonesia said: "The Government of Indonesia supports the promotion and protection of indigenous people worldwide... Indonesia, however, does not recognize the application of the indigenous peoples concept...in the country." The UN's report recommended that Indonesia should ratify ILO Convention 169, the only international law for indigenous and tribal peoples. In addition, the UN recommended that Indonesia should secure the rights of indigenous peoples, especially to their traditional lands, territories and resources.

"The Rainforest Foundation Norway thinks President Yudhoyono would show great international leadership by ratifying the ILO 169 Convention. The President has already made a big commitment to reduce Indonesia's green house gas emissions by 41%. We are sure that this ambitious goal would be strengthened if the President also signs ILO 169 and acknowledges the important role Indigenous Peoples play in managing forests sustainably, " says Hege Karsti Ragnhildstveit, the head of Rainforest Foundation Norway's Division for Southeast Asia.

ILO 169 is a convention of the International Labor Organisation, which is part of the UN. The Convention recognizes the land ownership rights of indigenous peoples, and states that they should not be forcibly evicted from their territories. ILO 169 sets a series of standards for the treatment of indigenous peoples and requires governments to consult indigenous peoples on projects that affect them. Governments that ratify the Convention are legally bound to abide by it.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is also an important international tool, setting a benchmark by which the treatment of indigenous peoples can be judged. However, unlike ILO 169, the Declaration is not legally binding.

The incessant international demand for commodities, such as palm oil and pulp and paper, is responsible for evicting indigenous peoples off their lands and for the wholesale liquidation of Indonesia's remaining rainforests. Indigenous peoples are not adequately consulted or compensated for the use of their traditional lands. Large-scale land acquisitions for palm oil operations are rife with social conflicts due to unresolved disputes over land tenure, resource control and environmental degradation. Forest dwelling communities are often faced with violence and intimidation. Some palm oil companies respond to land conflicts with local communities by using company security forces or hiring military units to crack down on dissenters in order to keep their palm oil operations active.

The ILO 169 is the only international law that recognizes the land ownership rights of indigenous peoples. ILO 169 is not just a law for indigenous peoples; it is a law for everyone. It plays a key role in saving the world's natural ecosystems, putting control of the land back in the hands of the people who have looked after it for generations. Indigenous peoples are thoughtful and skillful partners of the natural world; their ways of life have protected and conserved some of the world's most intact natural ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. Indigenous peoples' territories cover up to 22% of the planet's land surface, and they coincide with areas that hold 80% of the planet's biodiversity (Sobrevila 2008). It is no coincidence that so much of the world's rainforests and biodiversity are on indigenous peoples' lands. Scientific studies based on satellite data have shown that indigenous territories are highly effective and vitally important for stopping deforestation and forest fires (Nelson A, Chomitz KM 2011). Using satellite data from forest fires to help indicate deforestation levels, the study showed rates were lower by about 16% in indigenous areas between 2000-2008. Its analysis shows how deforestation plummets to its lowest levels when indigenous peoples continue living in protected areas, and are not forced out.

Recently, the Indonesian Constitutional court ruled that the customary forests of indigenous peoples should not be classed as falling in "State Forest Areas." This means that the State cannot expel indigenous peoples from their customary forests. The court ruling recognizes indigenous peoples' land rights in the archipelago and opens the way for a major reallocation of forests back to the indigenous peoples. The judgment was made in response to a petition filed with the court by the national indigenous peoples' organization AMAN (Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara). It is time for the President and the government of Indonesia to secure and recognize indigenous peoples' land rights.

Source: http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0613-yan-man-shing-indigenous.html 

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Human rights-based housing policy urgent in Indonesia

Raquel Rolnik: (Antara)By 2025, Indonesia’s urban population will likely reach 220 million. While the number of urban poor is expected to increase from the current level of 50 to 70 percent by 2030, the state housing policy has yet to address the issue of the urban poor. UN special rapporteur on adequate housing Raquel Rolnik, who was in Indonesia between May 30 and June 11, talked to The Jakarta Post’s Ida Indawati Khouw on the retrogressive impact of the current development policies.

Question: Pundits and activists have criticized the country’s development policies as being unfavorable toward the poor and marginalized groups, yet the government and private entities seem deaf to the criticisms. What is their problem?

Answer: The main narrative of the government regards the urban poor [those living in informal settlements, working in the informal sector] as illegal not deserving of attention. Another narrative puts the blame on migration. [The authorities say] we should stop migration because it is impossible to provide adequate housing for the influx.

Those narratives are very discriminatory. Migrants and non-migrants are equally Indonesian. People would not migrate if there was no need to do it.

Despite the fact that nearly one in four urban residents has migrated from rural areas during their lifetime, many are still without identity cards and do not receive any public services.

Migrants are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of forced evictions. In the absence of ID cards, they are denied compensation or relocation [in many cases back to their place of origin]. Given the concentration of economic and employment opportunities in urban centers this solution is not sustainable,

Migrants are the engine of economic growth; they have transformed this country.

Discrimination is rife toward people living in places like riverbanks or railways. We have to take into consideration that nobody lives there as a matter of choice. We need to overcome the ways in which we see these problems.

It is common to see authorities turn to eviction-base development when dealing with slum improvement. Do you think this is a reflection of simple-minded officials?

No. The issue is what and who is urban development for? If you believe development should be for everyone, then you treat these issues in a different way. It is the obligation of the state to prioritize vulnerable and marginalized groups. It is time for Indonesia to come in line with human rights in this respect.

Forced evictions are a gross violation of human rights. Mass forced evictions may only be carried out under exceptional circumstances and in full accordance with international human rights law, which includes the obligation to provide full information on the purpose of the evictions; legal remedies and legal aid to those who are in need of seeking redress from courts.

A myriad of national, provincial and municipal laws and regulations allows local government to conduct evictions. Although the settlements are branded as “illegal squatting”, this term is misleading, for the derogatory term obscures the fact that the occupation took place with permission and/or tolerance from the state.

This eviction approach is a regression because the people are worse-off than before.

What about the kampung development program?

According to official estimates, 80 percent of housing development in Indonesia has been constructed through informal household based systems including self-help housing. While most houses produced by real estate corporations are targeted for speculative investments by the upper 10 percent of urban population.

I am concerned that as urban land becomes scarce and the prices skyrocket, innercity kampungs face the threat of powerful economic forces. The innercity kampung is an intrinsic part of urban history, central to the cultural and social fabric of society.

The government should service these kampungs with adequate infrastructure and public services, including redevelopment when required.

An important aspect in securing the existence of the kampung is ensuring a strong degree of security of tenure. [Spatial] planning should declare very clearly that the informal segment should be there forever and can be upgraded in accordance the right to adequate housing.

What will you say after assessing the issue of urban development here?

My report [to be presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2014] will be a kind of warning, saying: look, if we don’t address this it can become the source of conflict.

According to one study, 65 percent of administrative court cases involve land disputes, at the Law and Human Rights Ministry it is two out of three complaints and one of the top five complaints at the Ombudsman.

The coming years present a window of opportunity for Indonesia, which means either go radically in one direction and then have the problem of land conflict and housing or go in another direction toward a better future.

more http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/06/14/human-rights-based-housing-policy-urgent-indonesia.html

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Global campaigner seeks freedom for West Papua

ByLen Garae 

 

Benny Wenda

Global campaigner for the Freedom of the country and people of West Papua Benny Wenda wishes to thank the Government and Chiefs and people for allowing Vanuatu to be used as the beacon of hope in the Pacific for helping the people of West Papua to maintain their fifty-year old call for self-determination.

Wenda has made the above statement in his first press conference in the Chiefs Nakamal this week.

West Papua home of the birds of paradise, home of the tree kangaroos, home of the rivers. But today Wenda says, “West Papua is the home of the Indonesian military, home of the police and is almost a militarised zone and we don’t have any freedom and the media has been banned since Indonesia’s start of occupation in 1963.

“Indonesian has committed genocide on a Melanesian race. Indonesia looks at West Papuans as sub human. Indonesia looks at West Papuans as second class citizens and Indonesian soldiers are killing West Papuans based primarily on the colour of their skin. That is why Indonesians do not care for a Melanesian race in existence in West Papua. (I predict that) in 20-30 years’ time the Melanesian race will disappear from West Papua if the people of Vanuatu and others do not come to our aid now”.

Wenda says it is his hope that the people of Melanesia and especially the people of Vanuatu, will continue to raise the West Papua issue at all relevant regional and international forums in line with the “cry of the people of West Papua for freedom”.

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