Sunday, December 8, 2019
Monday, December 2, 2019
Friday, November 29, 2019
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Veronica Koman, Human Rights Lawyer, self-determination, human rights,
The first thing you notice about Veronica Koman (LLM ’19) are her eyes. Cool and determined, they exude razor-sharp focus as she talks about her advocacy and its personal cost over recent months.
“Now, I am a fugitive,” says Veronica, an Indonesian human rights lawyer who graduated from The Australian National University (ANU) in July.
“There’s an article saying I am state enemy number one in Indonesia. It’s been intense.”
In September, Veronica was charged under Indonesia’s controversial electronic information and transactions law for exposing human rights abuses and advocating self-determination in West Papua. If found guilty, she faces up to six years in jail.
“I knew this day was coming sooner or later. I expected this,” she says.
Although her advocacy has been mired in challenges, Veronica received a measure of vindication on 23 October by winning the 2019 Sir Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award.
Presented each year by the Australian Council for International Development, the award is given to an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing human rights.
“I dedicate this award to the victims of the crackdown that began in late August in West Papua, especially the dozens who have died at the hands of security forces and the 22 political prisoners charged with treason,” she says.
“I hope this year's award will raise awareness in Australia about human rights abuses suffered by West Papuans and the decades-long denial of their fundamental right to self-determination.”
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Veronica’s experience as a refugee lawyer led to her being diagnosed withpost-traumatic s tress disorder in late 2015. |
Speaking truth to power
It is difficult to obtain verified information from West Papua, an Indonesian region where deadly clashes have intensified over the past decade. Restrictions on press freedom and internet blackouts are common.
Veronica has sought to fill the information void by sharing eyewitness accounts, photos and videos of protests on social media.
And the figures, like the footage, are shocking.
“The death toll now is at 53 in just two months, with more than 100 civilians injured and 60,000 others displaced. It is a humanitarian crisis, but the press ban means it isn’t getting enough coverage,” she notes.
Veronica’s advocacy has made her an online target for trolls, who have orchestrated what she describes as “a Trumpian, fake-news” campaign against her to “confuse people and create distrust”. On 11 October, a BBC-Australian Strategic Policy Institute investigationrevealed a network of pro-government bots was behind the attacks.
“These (attacks) form part of the information war on West Papua. No press freedom and propaganda creates total distortion of information. I too didn’t know about West Papua for many years, but when my eyes were open it became my personal mission. That’s why I share videos of atrocities – because it destroys the Indonesian Government’s disinformation campaign,” she explains.
Away from social media, Veronica also faces real-world obstacles; Indonesian authorities have threatened to freeze her bank account and revoke her passport, leaving her vulnerable to arrest and extradition overseas.
Veronica has remained defiant in the face of online abuse and what she calls 'politically motivated' charges.
Finding strength in the struggle
While pleased to return to her “home” at ANU College of Law during a visit to Canberra on 15 October, Veronica’s mission was to make her voice heard at Parliament House.
“I hope the Australian Government can do more for West Papua because we are seeing the darkest period in 20 years. As a minimum, Australia should push for access to West Papua for UN Human Rights officials and journalists,” she says, adding that scholarly debate is also critical to finding solutions to the crisis.
“Australia is a leader in the Pacific region. It should take up its role to push for action, because human rights should prevail over any bilateral treaty. What we are seeing now is a humanitarian crisis.”
It’s a crisis that requires diplomatic pressure and international to solve – both pillars of Veronica’s advocacy.
Seven West Papuan prisoners of conscience who were moved to Borneo from Jayapura two weeks ago.
The transfer process was in breach of criminal procedure law.
Lawyers finally got to visit them yesterday.
110 people are talking about this
She credits her studies at ANU College of Law for giving her the knowledge and skills to work with international institutions and their respective legal frameworks on the global stage.
“I think my ANU Law studies have really helped me. The foundation I gained from International Security Law and International Humanitarian Law, both of which are applicable in the West Papua conflict, has allowed me to consider the key points that need to be communicated to the UN and other humanitarian organisations,” she says.
Like any good lawyer, the driving force behind Veronica’s work is the people she represents. The importance of staying committed to the cause is reinforced each time she learns about developments on the ground, is interviewed by journalists or, as her ANU graduation offered in July, celebrates a brighter moment with allies in Australia.
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Veronica with Papuan graduand, Ronny Ato Buai Kareni (MDipl '19), at ANU on 19 July 2019. |
Asked her advice to law students aspiring to follow in her footsteps as human rights advocates, Veronica notes a main source of strength is often closer than you might think.
“I think students should go forward with their passion because the people whom you advocate for will show you such courage and resilience. It pushes you to keep going.
“Personally, I feel privileged because I see and learn from the West Papuans, who are very brave. It’s just so …”
Her eyes dart in search of the right word.
“… contagious.”
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Veronica Koman meets with Australian MPs about Papua
News Desk - The Jakarta Post
Human rights lawyer Veronica Koman met with the Australian parliament's human rights subcommittee on Wednesday to speak with its members about the current situation in West Papua.
In a Facebook post about the visit, Veronica said that, together with Amnesty International Australia, she asked the Australian federal government to "do more to help stop the bloodshed in West Papua".
"[The MPs] were enthusiastic and asked many questions because they have heard of the unrest but do not know the details," she said.
Previously, Veronica had also met with United Nations high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet in Sydney.
"I updated her about the current crisis gripping West Papua, particularly about the security approach by the Indonesian government, the displacement of civilians and the massive clampdown on freedom of expression, including arrests of peaceful activists," Veronica said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Veronica, a lawyer for the Papuan Student Alliance, is currently wanted by the East Java Police who accuse her of provoking the protests and riots in Papua and West Papua that started in August.
She has been named a suspect for allegedly violating four laws: the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, Law No. 1/1946 on misinformation, Article 160 of the Criminal Code and Law 40/2008 on the eradication of racial and ethnic discrimination.
Veronica has denied the charges, saying that the police have "overstepped their authority and gone over the top with exaggerations in an attempt to criminalize [her actions]". (kmt)
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| Human rights lawyer Veronica Koman (tribunnews/-) |
In a Facebook post about the visit, Veronica said that, together with Amnesty International Australia, she asked the Australian federal government to "do more to help stop the bloodshed in West Papua".
"[The MPs] were enthusiastic and asked many questions because they have heard of the unrest but do not know the details," she said.
Previously, Veronica had also met with United Nations high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet in Sydney.
"I updated her about the current crisis gripping West Papua, particularly about the security approach by the Indonesian government, the displacement of civilians and the massive clampdown on freedom of expression, including arrests of peaceful activists," Veronica said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Veronica, a lawyer for the Papuan Student Alliance, is currently wanted by the East Java Police who accuse her of provoking the protests and riots in Papua and West Papua that started in August.
She has been named a suspect for allegedly violating four laws: the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, Law No. 1/1946 on misinformation, Article 160 of the Criminal Code and Law 40/2008 on the eradication of racial and ethnic discrimination.
Veronica has denied the charges, saying that the police have "overstepped their authority and gone over the top with exaggerations in an attempt to criminalize [her actions]". (kmt)
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Total 727 mahasiswa “eksodus” bebas, 6 jadi tersangka
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| Para mahasiswa eksodus Papua yang berhimpun di auditorium Uncen, Senin lalu. -OG |
Semuanya tergabung dalam mahasiswa eksodus Papua yang hendak mendirikan Posko Solidaritas Pelajar dan Mahasiswa di auditorium Universitas Cenderawasih (Uncen), Senin lalu.
Menurut Koalisi Pengacara Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) Papua yang juga sebagai Direktur Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Papua, Emanuel Gobay, sebanyak 726 mahasiswa sudah dipulangkan, sejak Selasa (24/9/2019), sedangkan 7 lainnya masih diperiksa intensif.
“Tujuh orang ini dibawa ke Ditreskrimum Polda Papua untuk menjalani pemeriksaan lanjutan,” katanya, di Kota Jayapura, Rabu (25/9).
Namun dari hasil pemeriksaan lanjutan, kata Gobay, enam di antaranya ditetapkan sebagai tersangka. “Satunya lagi baru menyusul dipulangkan tadi, karena tidak cukup petunjuk yang mengarahkan dirinya menjadi tersangka.”
Catatan yang diterima Jubi dari Koalisi Pengacara HAM Papua, keenam mahasiswa yang ditetapkan menjadi tersangka di antaranya, Assa Asso atas tuduhan melanggar Pasal 106 jo Pasal 87 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 110 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 14 ayat (1), (2) dan Pasal 15 UU No 1/1946, dan atau Pasal 66 UU No 24/2009, dan atau Pasal 160 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 187 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 365 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 170 KUHP ayat (1) KUHP, dan atau Pasal 2 UU No 12/1951 jo Pasal 64 KUHP.
Tersangka kedua Yogi Wenda atas tuduhan melanggar Pasal 170 ayat 2 ke (2e dan 3e) KUHP dan Pasal 212 KUHP dan atau Pasal 53 KUHP, ketiga Jembrif Kogoya alias Timi sebagai tersangka atas tuduhan melanggar Pasal 170 ayat (1) ke 2e dan 3e dan Pasal 212 KUHP.
Keempat, Abraham Dote atas tuduhan melanggar Pasal 160 KUHP dan atau Pasal 187 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 365 KUHP, dan atau Pasal 170 ayat (1) KUHP, dan atau Pasal 2 UU No 12/1951 jo Pasal 64 KUHP, kelima Elimus Bayage alias Eli atas tuduhan melanggar Pasal 170 ayat 2 ke (2e dan 3e) KUHP dan Pasal 212 KUHP, dan keenam Yandu Kogoya atas tuduhan melanggar Pasal 170 ayat 2 ke (2e dan 3e) KUHP dan Pasal 212 KUHP.
“Saat ini keenam tersangka di sel tahanan Polda Papua,” kata Gobay.
Gustaf Kawer, salah satu pengacara HAM Papua menambahkan, langkah selanjutnya untuk mengadvokasi keenam mahasiswa yang ditetapkan sebagai tersangka, kemungkinan akan diajukan praperadilan ke Kapolda Papua, tentang penangkapan dan penahanan tidak sah.
“Nanti kami diskusikan di internal tim litigasi koalisi, kemudian kami putuskan soal langkah hukum ini,” katanya.
Mahasiswa eksodus di Yalimo turut aksi
Di Kabupaten Yalimo, Provinsi Papua, para mahasiswa turut menggelar aksi, pada Selasa (24/9/2019). Mereka menuntut pemerintah daerah agar segera memulangkan rekan-rekan mereka, yang masih berada di luar Papua atau di kota studi masing-masing.
Massa berkumpul di kantor bupati Yalimo. Koordinator mahasiswa eksodus asal Yalimo, Alfons menyampaikan, mereka meminta Pemerintah Kabupaten (Pemkab) Yalimo ikut mengadvokasi dan membantu para aktivis mahasiswa yang ditahan.
“Kami juga sangat mendukung pembukaan sidang PBB di Jenewa yang dimulai Senin, 23 September 2019. Hidup bersama NKRI, maka tidak akan ada keadilan bagi kita orang Papua,” tegasnya, dari Yalimo, Selasa (24/9/2019).
Sementara itu, Siska Gombo, salah satu mahasiswi eksodus mengatakan, mereka pulang ke Papua dengan tujuan menuntut penentuan nasib sendiri bagi bangsa Papua melalui referendum.
“Kami mahasiswa juga mendesak agar pemerintah segera tarik militer organik maupun nonorganik dari Kabupaten Yalimo,” katanya.
Sesudah aksi, malam harinya kejadian nahas menimpa kantor lama bupati Yalimo di Elelim, ibu kota Kabupaten Yalimo. Kantor itu terbakar secara tiba-tiba. Kantor lama bupati Yalimo ini, difungsikan menjadi beberapa kantor dinas di lingkungan Pemkab Yalimo, di antaranya Dinas Komunikasi dan Informatika, Dinas Pencatatan Sipil, dan Badan Keuangan Daerah.
“Mulai Selasa siang, mahasiswa eksodus yang pulang dari berbagai kota studi di luar Papua, juga diizinkan membuka pos komunikasi di kantor itu,” katanya.
Namun ketika malam harinya mereka menggelar rapat di kantor Dinas Kehutanan, sekitar pukul 9 malam, tiba-tiba api melahap kantor bupati. “Kami menduga kantor itu sengaja dibakar orang tidak dikenal. Kami kaget juga melihat kantor bupati terbakar,” kata Alfons.
Alfons menegaskan, ada oknum tidak bertanggung jawab yang memanfaatkan keberadaan para mahasiswa eksodus di sana.
“Pembakaran kantor lama Bupati Yalimo itu dilakukan oleh oknum tertentu. Jangan sampai orang lain menyangkut-pautkan kebakaran kantor itu, dengan keberadaan kami para mahasiswa eksodus. Kami tidak tahu-menahu tentang kebakaran itu,” tegasnya.
Salah seorang tokoh pemuda Yalimo, Linder Faluk mengatakan, ia mendengar kabar mengenai kebakaran kantor lama bupati, sejak pukul 9 malam. “Sampai saat ini belum jelas siapa pelakunya.”
Gubernur Papua ingin mahasiswa kembali kuliah
Gubernur Papua Lukas Enembe, sempat menemui mahasiswa yang ditahan di Mako Brimob Polda Papua, pada Selasa (24/9/2019). Selain itu, Enembe juga mengunjungi korban luka-luka baik dari pihak mahasiswa dan aparat keamanan, di Rumah Sakit (RS) Bhayangkara, Kota Jayapura.
“Saya berharap pelayanan kesehatan terhadap para korban luka tersebut, dapat dilakukan dengan baik sehingga para korban ini bisa lekas sembuh,” katanya.
Ia juga menganjurkan agar para mahasiswa kembali ke kota studi masing-masing, jika tidak Pemerintah Provinsi (Pemprov) Papua akan menghentikan beasiswa mereka.
“Saya akan hentikan beasiswa kalau mereka tidak mau dipulangkan ke kota studi. Memang ada yang dibiayai oleh orangtua mereka, dan ada juga dari pemerintah daerah. Tetapi kalau yang dibiayai oleh Pemprov akan kami hentikan,” katanya.
Enembe juga mengimbau, agar para mahasiswa eksodus yang berada di Papua tidak mengganggu ketertiban umum di Papua. “Anda datang dari kota studi ke sini, lalu melakukan tindakan anarkistis, itu tidak boleh,” tegasnya.
Ia berharap setelah massa aksi bentrok di Expo Waena dan kerusuhan di Wamena, tidak ada lagi aksi serupa di Provinsi Papua. “Karena aksi tersebut bukan hanya merugikan diri sendiri, tetapi juga merugikan orang lain.”
Terpisah Ketua Mahasiswa Eksodus Nduga, Otis Tabuni mengatakan, kepulangan mereka karena tidak ada lagi rasa aman dan nyaman saat berada di kota studi masing-masing.
“Sampai saat ini kami tidak nyaman berada di kota studi, karena kami mendapat intimidasi dan teror, baik di indekos atau kampus.” (*)
Laporan ini dibantu tim redaksi Jubi
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Perparing the 2019 09 13 Vanimo Papua Merdeka Peaceful Demonstration
Melanesians from Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea preparing for demonstration against Indonesian consulate in Vanimo Town, Papua New Guinea.
Three main issues raised:
1. West Papua is one people, one land mass, one culture, one ancestor with Papua New Guinea. We are the same people, and we are united to Free West Papua.2. Papua New Guinea is politically independnet, but its economy is being hindered because the other half of the island is still occupied by foreign powers. They are using West Papua as the gate into Melanesia. As long as West Papua is occupied, no single Melanesian countries will be independent economically. To Free West Papua is to Free all Melanesian countries economically.
3. This campaign will continue on regular basis, and will spread across PApua New Guinea and across Melanesia.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Perparing the 2019 09 13 Vanimo Papua Merdeka Peaceful Demonstration
Melanesians from Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea preparing for demonstration against Indonesian consulate in Vanimo Town, Papua New Guinea.
Three main issues raised:
1. West Papua is one people, one land mass, one culture, one ancestor with Papua New Guinea. We are the same people, and we are united to Free West Papua.
2. Papua New Guinea is politically independent, but its economy is being hindered because the other half of the island is still occupied by foreign powers. They are using West Papua as the gate into Melanesia. As long as West Papua is occupied, no single Melanesian countries will be independent economically. To Free West Papua is to Free all Melanesian countries economically.
3. This campaign will continue on regular basis, and will spread across Papua New Guinea and across Melanesia.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Monday, September 9, 2019
Sunday, March 3, 2019
The Bird of Paradise and the Human of Paradise Are the Same?
I just want to point out a message that just came to this morning that the place where the bird of paradise lives is called paradise. Therefore the people who live in that islabd are called the people of Paradise
Surprising enough to realize that many people are still waiting, praying and doing many things to go to the paradise. Even more than surprising to see people who already in the paradise pray for pradadise
What kind of paradise you want? Aren't you already in paradise?
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Friday, February 8, 2019
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Sentani Airport or Theys Eluay Airport in Jayapura is Now Modernized
I found is very interesting to see how better built the Sentani Or Theys Eluay Airport in Jayapura, some 30 km away from the capital Port Numbay town
This airport is not that big compared to Jacksons International airport Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. I would say it is more closer to the Port Vila international airport.
It has now some plastic trees, sitting areas, kids playing area and very clean toilets available.
This airport also has live TV screens and large waiting room with hundreds of seats.
Maybe this is also due to the plan of both Papua New Guinea and West Papua too open an international flight from Mount Hagen to Jayapura in the future. It was reported in various news before that government in West Papua is standardizing the airport for international flights
It will soon have immigration check in counters and international flights gates as well
I am dreaming ahead now so better I stop here.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
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