New Zealand MP Calls on Indonesia to Account for Human Rights Abuses in West Papua

New Zealand MP Calls on Indonesia to Account for Human Rights Abuses in West Papua

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

JAYAPURA, West Papua — A New Zealand MP along with Human Rights Groups are calling on Pacific countries to confront Indonesia on human rights abuses in West Papua.

Last week, the Forum leaders summit met in Niue to address key issues among the Pacific island countries. Absent from those issues, was the continuing unrest and protests taking place in West Papua. Keith Locke, an MP for Zealand’s Green party, criticized the Forum leaders for postponing the discussion over West Papua’s future. In addition, Mr. Locke is encouraging New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to push Indonesia into a dialogue about their intentions regarding West Papua.

Since last year’s Forum meeting, several reports of human rights abuses have surfaced. Specifically, West Papuans have reported abusive treatment by Indonesian military. Indonesian law has made it illegal for West Papuans to raise nationalistic flags such as the Morning Star.

“The intimidation by the security forces of the West Papuan people is all pervasive and creates a climate of fear in the people of West Papua. The overwhelming military presence ensures that the security  forces can act with total impunity,” Joe Collins, of the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA), told the Fiji Daily Post.

In April 2008, several students were imprisoned for waving flags suggesting Papua’s right to self-determination and independence from Indonesia. Once a Dutch colony on New Guinea’s western end, Papua became Indonesia’s largest province in 1969. Violence erupted in 2003 after President Megawati Sukarnoputri separated Papua into three provinces: Central Irian Jaya (Irian Jaya Tengah), Papua (or East Irian Jaya, Irian Jaya Timur), and West Irian Jaya (Irian Jaya Barat). Indonesian courts declared that the creation of the central province was unconstitutional and in opposition to Papua’s Special Autonomy status.

Collins says independent Pacific countries must stand up for the rights of other Pacific peoples struggling for independence and self-determination.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — New Zealand MP critical of Pacific Forum countries for ignoring plight of Papuans – 24 August 2008

Fiji Daily Post — Forum urged to consider West Papuan rights — 22 August 2008

ABC, Radio Australia — Forum leaders arrive in Niue for summit — 20 August 2008

The Pacific Islands Forum — Press Statement: Sis Leaders Conclude 17th Summit in Niue — 19 August 2008

Fiji’s No Show at Niue Creates Stir at Pacific Forum

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

ALOFI, Niue — Last week Fiji’s interim government decided to boycott a meeting of the Pacific Island Forum in Niue and the move has caused rumbles throughout the region.  In the wake of their no-show other members of the Forum have threatened to take action against Fiji.

The leaders at the Pacific Forum, who have paid particular attention to Fiji’s movement towards restoring democratic elections after its December coup in 2006, have called Fiji’s lack of attendance unacceptable. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Helen Clark, described Fiji’s non-attendance in light of their recent announcement that democratic elections would not be held on the original 2009 timetable.  “They have also signalled that they are not going to just let the issue drop, they did accept undertakings in good faith, that there is no technical, administrative, managerial reasons why elections cannot be held by March next year. Only political will is lacking.”

One proposed sanction for Fiji is for the country to be suspended from the Forum.  However, this solution is far from certain because any the suspension of Fiji could cause a cessation of aid money from the European Union and the United Nations.

Despite the statements of Pacific leaders, Fiji’s interim government has maintained that it did not transgress by not attending the meeting in Niue.  Fiji’s Interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, said that claims that Fiji did not attend because of its election timetable are “misleading” and that the real reason was because of the political agenda of New Zealand and Australia.  Frank Bainimarama also called on the 16 member nations of the Pacific Island Forum to not allow the Forum to become a tool of New Zealand and Australian foreign policy.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times — Interim PM makes fresh unity call — 25 August 2008

Radio Australia — Fiji warns Forum to watch out for Australia, New Zealand — 23 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji interim government blames New Zealand for its “no-show” at Forum summit — 21 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — NZ prime minister says suspension would damage Fiji economy — 21 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Forum considers suspending Fiji if it reneges on election commitments — 21 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji won’t lose much if suspended from Forum, says Chaudhry — 21 August 2008

Khmer Rouge Official Convicted

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – On October 14th, Khem Ngoun, a key Khmer Rouge official,  and four others were convicted of kidnapping and murdering Christopher Howes, a British mine clearing expert for Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

Christopher Howes worked in a mine-clearance operation near the town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, 12 years ago. Ngoun was largely regarded as being responsible for the kidnapping and execution of Howes. The Khmer Rouge ambushed Howes’ team, held 20 miners hostage, and demanded ransom money from Howes and his interpreter, Houn Hourth. Howes refused and was taken back to the main Khmer Rouge camp where Ngoun ordered his execution. The 20 miners were later released or escaped. Howes and Hourth were often seen as heroes, sacrificing their lives for their colleagues.

Ngoun was the right-hand man to the military chief of the Khmer Rouge. After the regime disbanded, many high-ranking officials sought high-ranking posts in military and civilian life. At the time leading up to Ngoun’s arrest he was free of harassment and worked as a military advisor to a general of the Cambodian army.

The Khmer Rouge tribunal has been criticized for being slowing in bring justice to the 1.7 million people that were killed and tortured under the Khmer Rouge regime. However, the director of MAG’s Cambodian office, Rupert Leighton said of conviction of Ngoun, “I think it’s very important for the Cambodian justice system in as much as it’s proof that justice can be done despite lengthy periods between crime and court.” He further added, “I think it’s also a good signal for the [Khmer Rouge] tribunal, and a healthy sign for the justice system in Cambodia.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Past Catches Up with Khmer Rouge Killer – 14 October 2008

NY Times – Cambodia: 4 Convicted in 1996 Killings – 14 October 2008

The Phnom Penh Post – Verdict due on KRouge’s 1996 slaying of deminer, interpreter – 14 October 2008

Israel Plans to Change Barrier’s Route; Week of Deadly Bombings in Algeria; Syria: Mass Trial over Call for Democracy

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

MA’ALEH ADUMIM, West Bank – On August 21, state prosecutor’s office told the High Court that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have decided to “significantly” alter the course of the Separation Barrier.  The barrier will be moved closer to Ma’aleh Adumim, the largest Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.  The shift will result in 4,000 dunams (400 hectares) remaining on the Palestinian side of the Separation Barrier.

The state’s brief to the court came in response to two petitions filed in 2005 and 2006 by residents of Abu Dis and Suahra e-Sharkiya, Palestinian communities located outside the barrier.  The petitioners allege that the proposed route placed 6,000 dunams of their agricultural lands on the Israeli side of the barrier; making it difficult, if not impossible, to cultivate.

Ma’aleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel said that he planned to instruct the city’s attorney to petition the High Court against the state’s decision.  According to Kashriel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert does not have the authority to make such a fateful decision for the city given that he was likely to be in office for only one more month.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Israel ‘to Change Barrier Route’ – 22 August 2008

Ha’aretz – Ma’aleh Adumim Mayor to Appeal new West Bank Fence Route – 22 August 2008

Jerusalem Post – State Agrees to Reroute Security Barrier – 22 August 2008

AFP – Israel to Change Route of West Bank Barrier – 21 August 2008

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ALGIERS, Algeria – A series of deadly attacks have resulted in dozens of deaths and in one of the most violent weeks in Algeria in years.  On August 20, two car bombs exploded in the town of Bouira, southeast of the capital Algiers.  The bombings targeted a military compound and the Hotel Sophie.

The bombing near the hotel exploded as a bus drove by taking workers to a construction site, according to the official Algerian press agency A.P.S.  12 people on the bus were killed and 15 injured.  The bombing near the military compound resulted in extensive damage to the compound and nearby barracks.

In a statement released on August 21, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attacks.  Until 2006, the group called itself the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat and is the last big extremist group from the Algerian civil war in the 1990s.

The twin bombings follow earlier attacks on August 19 and 17.  On August 19, a suicide bomber drove a car full of explosives into a group of young men waiting to take the entrance exam for the police academy in the town of Issers.  The attack resulted in 43 deaths and several dozen injuries; most of those killed were civilians.

In addition, on August 17, 12 people were killed in an ambush of a military commander and his escort.  No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Al-Qaeda Claims Algeria Attacks – 22 August 2008

Guardian – Bombings Add to Fears Algeria is al-Qaida Hotbed – 20 August 2008

New York Times – Bomber Kills at Least 43 Near Capital of Algeria – 19 August 2008

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DAMASCUS, Syria – On July 30, the trial for 12 Syrian dissidents for signing a declaration calling for democracy in Syria began.  Charges include harming the state and spreading false information.  All 12 will deny all charges when they appeared in a Damascus court, the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria (NOHRS).

Among those being tried are Fidaa Horani, president of the national council of the Damascus Declaration, writer Ali Abdallah, doctor Walid Bunni, writer and secretary of the national council Akram Bunni and former MP Riad Seif.  The accused are linked to a pro-reform body know as the Damascus Declaration group. They were arrested in the months following a group meeting in December.

It is the biggest collective trial of Syrian dissidents since 2001 after the so-called Damascus Spring, the brief period of relative freedom of expression that followed President Bashar al-Assad’s rise to power in 2000.

The trial was adjourned and will resume on August 26.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Syria Hold Mass Trial Over Call for Democracy – 30 July 2008

BBC – Trial of Syrian Dissidents Begins – 30 July 2008

BRIEF: China Sentences Two Women to “Re-Education through Labor”

By:  Lindsey Brady
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor – News

Two elderly women, Ms. Wu (79 years old) and Ms. Wang (77 years old) were notified this past Monday that they had been sentenced to “re-education through labor” for a period of one year.  The two women had been seeking permits to hold demonstrations in one of China’s newly designated protest areas.  It was their fifth visit to the police when they were told they had been given the administrative punishment for their acts of “disturbing the public order.”

Ms. Wu and Ms. Wang had been neighbors in Beijing before their homes were destroyed to make way for China’s redevelopment project.  Despite agreeing to the move on the premise that they would have a new home built for them, six years later both women are living in rundown apartments on the outskirts of Beijing.  The Chinese government announced in July that three city parks would serve as protest areas while the Olympics were in Beijing but so far no demonstrations have taken place and no applications for demonstrations have been approved.  Ms. Wu and Ms. Wang wanted to use one of these protest areas to fight what they view as unjust compensation for the demolition of their homes.

Ms. Wu and Ms. Wang are not the only applicants who have faced what human rights advocates view as unjust treatment.  It has been reported that two Chinese advocates were seized from a Public Security Bureau’s protest application office and have not been heard of since.  Ms. Wang’s son, Mr. Li, has attempted to apply for a permit since his mother’s sentencing but has not even been allowed the opportunity to fill out the required forms.  Human Rights advocates have been criticizing the use of administrative sentences such as “re-education through labor” because they are handed down without a trial or option of appeal.  Similar punishments have been handed out to Chinese citizens caught taking pictures of schools destroyed during the earthquake in China and believe government corruption led to the school’s faulty construction.

For more information, please see:

New York Times – Two Women Sentenced to “Re-Education” in China – 20 August 2008

Canadian Press – 2 Chinese Sentenced to Labour Camp – 20 August 2008

AFP – China Detains Six US Pro-Tibet Activists at Olympics – 20 August 2008

Impunity Watch – A Pre-Olympic Look at China’s HR Record; Pakistan’s Taliban Threatens Women with Acid; Sri Lankan Government Accused of Allowing Serious Human Rights Violations to Continue – 04 August 2008