Students call for Yudhoyono's resignation, anti-capitalist government

Liputan 6 - January 29, 2011

• Mahasiswa Tuntut SBY-Boediono Turun - Liputan 6. Sabtu, 29 Januari, 2011

Sleman – The first year and 100 days of the second term of the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono was marked by a student protest in the Sleman regency of Yogyakarta Special Province on Friday January 28.

The protesters demanded that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono resign for their failure to address numerous issues.

The action by scores of students from the Student Struggle Centre for National Liberation (Pembebasan) began at the Gadjah Mada University traffic circle with the burning of tyres and photographs of President Yudhoyono. The students also held a "walking backwards" action as a symbol of the country's retreat under the SBY-Boediono administration.

The students said that the Yudhoyono administration, which has not changed, is like a loyal servant of capitalism that continues to undermine its own people's quality of life.

Over the last year and 100 days, the Yudhoyono administration has failed to expel capitalism from Indonesia. This has been substantiated by the increasing cost of education, healthcare costs that are out of reach and the lack of prosperity for the ordinary people.

The students demanded that the Yudhoyono regime be replaced by an anti-capitalist government. (BJK/SHA)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Papuan protesters say special autonomy has failed

CyberNews - January 28, 2011

• Otonomi Khusus Papua Gagal – CyberNews. 28 Januari 2011

Yogyakarta – The special autonomy that has been in effect in Papua since 2001 is not working in accordance the hopes of the indigenous people there. There are still many infringements and even human rights violations. As a consequence, there has been no development and indigenous people have never enjoyed the produce of the land of their birth.

This view was expressed when Papuan demonstrators took to the streets of the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Thursday January 27. The protesters from the Anti-Colonial Movement (Ganja) marched through Jl. Malioboro in the city center then ended the action at the central post office intersection.

During the protest action, several people gave speeches criticising the government. "Special autonomy has not worked in accordance with the Papuan people's hopes. Communities remain trapped in poverty yet our region is rich in natural resources. It's all for foreigners", asserted action coordinator Leczhy Degey to the agreement of his friends.

Leczhy said that the government, in this case the Home Affairs Minister, has been unable to fulfill the promises that were embodied in the recommendations made by the Papua People's Council (MRP). These recommendations, which included among other things improving the people's welfare and free education, have never been realised.

The Papuan people feel that the central government has manipulated them because it never realises its promises and, moreover, the people's demands are never met. Because of this therefore, Leczhy through Ganja is urging the government to immediately realise its promises and give democratic freedom to the people of Papua. (Agung Priyo Wicaksono/CN14/JBSM)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Student protesters say government only serves the interests of capital

KRjogja.com - January 28, 2011

• 'Pembebasan' Tuding Pemerintah Pelayan Kapitalisme - KRjogja.com. Jumat, 28 Januari 2011

Yogyakarta – Scores of demonstrators from the Student Struggle Center for National Liberation (Pembebasan) held an action in front of the Gajah Mada University traffic circle on Friday January 28 demanding that the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono resign because they have become loyal servants of capitalism in Indonesia.

Action coordinator Arif Hasibuan charged that right from the start the government has created problems and experienced economic and political disorientation. Moreover it has increasingly asserted its support for imperialism.

"Many developments have the potential to become the grounds for evictions and the expropriation of people's land. The government even raised basic electricity rates without considering the interests of the ordinary people and workers. The root of the problem with the government's policies is that they are never pro-people and are only orientated towards the capitalist economy", he said.

According to Arif, the government's dependency on the capitalist economic and political system along with its loyalty to capitalist institutions confirms that it is quite reasonable that the Yudhoyono government be overthrown. The government fails to improve the people's standard of living but sacrifices them as fuel for the survival of capitalism.

"We hold to the position that the struggle to change the capitalist system not only requires the overthrow of the SBY-Boediono regime but also eliminating the indecisive political elite", he added. (Ran)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Papuan protesters call on government to implement MRP recommendations

KRjogja.com - January 27, 2011

• Ganja Tuntut Mendagri Penuhi Rekomendasi MRP - KRjogja.com. Kamis, 27 Januari 2011

Yogyakarta – A group of Papuans in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta from the Anti-Colonial Movement (Ganja) held a protest action in the Jl. Malioboro area on Thursday January 27. During the action, they called to the Home Affairs Minister to fulfill the 11 recommendations made by the Papuan People's Council (MRP).

"Papua has been given special autonomy since 2001, yet the central government has never implemented it and violates it itself. The MRP, which represents an independent council of indigenous Papuans has made 11 recommendations, including among others free education and welfare improvements, however this has not been fulfilled by the Home Affairs Minister", explained action coordinator Leczhy Degey during a break in the action.

Leczhy said that the special autonomy provided by the central government has failed to be implemented because it has been manipulated by the central government itself. Ganja is calling on the central government to respond to and implement the MRP's recommendations and is asking the central government to provide the broadest possible democracy to the Papuan people.

"We ask that the Papuan governor, the West Papua governor, the Papua and West Papua DPRD (Regional House of Representatives), and all regents and mayors throughout Papua put an end to policies that don't side with the interests of indigenous Papuan people", he asserted.

The action, which continued for around one hour, proceeded peacefully under security by the Yogyakarta municipal tactical police unit. After giving speeches, the demonstrators disbanded in an orderly manner. (Den)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Thousands of Papuans occupy MRP, reject special autonomy

Tempo Interactive - January 26, 2011

• Ribuan Warga Papua Duduki Kantor MRP - Tempo Interaktif. Rabu, 26 Januari 2011

Jerry Omona, Jayapura – Thousands of Papuan occupied the Papua People's Council (MRP) offices in the provincial capital of Jayapura on Wednesday January 26 demanding that the government cancel the election of council members scheduled to take place on January 31.

The head of the Papua Referendum Front (Front Pepera), Selvius Bobi said that the election of MRP members will never take place and the Papuan people will blockade the elections and close down the MRP.

"Close down the MRP, reject special autonomy, end the election of council members now", said Selvius in a speech in front of the MRP in the Kotaraja suburb of Jayapura today.

Thousands of Papuans have swarmed over the MRP offices since early morning. Later in the afternoon they plan to continue the protest action at the Papuan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

The action was joined by hundreds of students from Cenderawasih University, the Indonesian Christian Students Movement (GMKI) and thousands of church congregation members in Papua.

Officers from the Jayapura municipal district police were deployed to secure the protest action. As of filing this report, thousands of protesters were beginning to leave the MRP office and set out of foot towards the Papua DPRD to convey their opposition to election of MRP members.

[Translated by James Balowski.]

New book reveals CIA role in consolidation of Suharto's New Order regime

Kompas - January 22, 2011

• Peluncuran Buku: CIA Dominasi Konsolidasi Awal Orde Baru – Kompas. 22 Januari 2011

Jakarta – The US Central Intelligence Agency very much dominated the initial consolidation of the New Order regime of former President Suharto. US international relations historian from Princeton University, Bradley R Simpson, says that the succession of laws enacted by President Suharto was drafted with strong influence from the US.

"As an example is the case of Law Number 1/1967 on Foreign Capital Investment. A succession of laws and the presence of Freeport in Papua were the initial steps in US government intervention at the time in the Suharto regime", said Simpson, who has recently launched a book published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama titled Economists with Guns: The United States, the CIA and the Emergence of the Authoritarian New Order Regime.

The White House and the CIA played an extremely important role in efforts to reschedule Indonesia's debt after the Indonesian economy during earlier period of former President Sukarno suffered hyperinflation and problems obtaining foreign exchange.

In the initial period of the Suharto administration US intelligence greatly assisted the military dominated regime. Although there were also concerns a too large military organisation in Indonesia could be counterproductive to US interests. It was because of this that it was only in the 1970s that the US was prepared to provide primary defense equipment weaponry.

In the initial period of Suharto's reign, the military assistance provided was largely in the form of training and citizenship activities that were beneficial to society. The US pushed the Indonesian military (TNI, then ABRI) to enter society and become involved in business activities.

Simpson conducted research for the book for more than 10 years in order uncover new evidence on the New Order regime's dependency on US aid for the sake of obtaining financial assistance that was used to consolidate the regime.

The research material came from US and British archives that have been declassified or are open to the public. Simpson insists that the US and the CIA were not involved in the September Thirty Movement/Indonesian Communist Party (G30S/PKI) affair. Although following the affair, the White House and Britain approved of the eradication of the PKI down to its roots, which ended in the mass slaughter between 1966 and 1970. (ONG)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Kontras: Human rights violations in Papua still high

Detik.com - January 21, 2011

• Kontras: Pelanggaran HAM di Papua Masih Tinggi - Detik. Selasa, 04/01/2011

Andi Saputra, Jakarta – The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says that human rights violations in Papua are still high. These violations represent a threat to civil freedoms and discriminate against the Papuan people's identity.

The high level of human rights violations have been aggravated by unclear regulations and a failure to provide a sense of justice to the public.

"There is still a great deal of violence and threats against civil liberties", said Kontras Papua coordinator Olga Hamadi during a press conference at the Kontras' offices on Jl. Borobudur in Jakarta on Friday January 21.

This was revealed after Kontras held its third congress in Jakarta yesterday. According to Olga, what has been taking place in Papua is an increase in horizontal violence, both structural as well as mysterious. This has been aggravated by the lack of any legal resolution that satisfies the public's sense of justice.

"Is this in fact being setup to increase the number of security personnel in Papua?", asked Olga. "In the case of the legal process, the verdicts are always light. Five or six month's jail. This harms the public's sense of justice", he asserted.

In addition to uncovering human rights violations in Papua, Kontras also exposed the human rights violations taking place in other regions such as Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and East Java.

"In Sulawesi, most human rights violations were in the agrarian sector and the criminalisation of human rights workers. This is because there is no commitment on the part of the regional government to strengthen human rights enforcement", said Kontras Jakarta coordinator Haris Azhar during the same press conference. (asp/lrn)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Soldiers confess to Papua torture video, claim they were 'annoyed' by OPM harassment

Kompas - January 20, 2011

• Video Kekerasan - Tiga Anggota TNI di Papua Mengaku Bersalah

Jayapura – Three members of the Indonesian military (TNI) who are appearing as defendants in a case of torture against civilians in Papua have confessed to being guilty of their actions.

They claim that the torture was spontaneous and not premeditated because they were annoyed over the actions of the armed Free Papua Organisation (OPM) group, which often harasses the authorities.

The confession was made during the cross examination of the defendants at an open hearing by the Jayapura Military Court in Papua on Wednesday January 19. During the trial that was presided over by judge Lieutenant Colonel (CHK) Adil Karo-karo, the three defendants admitted that they consciously carried out the torture even though their tactical commander had ordered them to release the two detainees who were allegedly members of the OPM.

As reported previously, on May 27 last year at a TNI security post in Gurage, Puncak Jaya regency, located around 20 kilometers from Mulia (the regency capital), Telenggen Gire and Anggen Pugukiwo, two alleged members of the OPM were tortured.

The torture was carried out by the deputy commander of the Gurage security post, Sergeant Second-Class Irwan Riskianto and two of his subordinates, Private First-Class Yason Agu and Private First-Class Thamrin Makangiri. The soldiers are from the 753 Infantry Battalion/Arga Vira Tama unit. Pictures of the torture were exposed on the YouTube website.

At yesterday's trial, differences emerged between the testimonies of the defendants and witness First Private Pratu Berno. According to Berno's version of events, which was read out by auditor Major (CHK) Obet Manase because the witness was unable to attend (currently on duties outside the office), it was revealed that the torture by Irwan was carried out by pointing an SS1 assault rife in Anggen Pugukiwo's face. The defendants however said that this testimony was incorrect because the weapon was pointed at Telenggen Gire.

Under cross examination Private Yason Agu explained that the two Papuans who were suspected of being OPM members had already been reported to the tactical commander. But because the evidence was only a dual identity card, the tactical commander ordered the security post soldiers to release Anggen and Telenggen.

However this order was not obeyed by the security post soldiers, which was currently under Irwan's command (the Gurage post commander First Lieutenant had been assigned to help the Yambi post). Instead, they tortured the detainees. (ICH)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

WikiLeaks: US sent US$100,000 to manipulate social media in Indonesia

Detik.com - January 19, 2011

Fitraya Ramadhanny, Jakarta – The United States government iused the social networking media in Indonesia, from blogs, Facebook to Twitter, to spread its influence. Additional funds requested by the US Embassy in Jakarta reached US$100,000 or 900 million rupiah.

This was revealed in a cable dated February 12, 2010 from the US Embassy in Jakarta to a US Foreign Affairs Department official named Jared Cohen. As reported by The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday January 19, the cable reveals the US's strategy to utilise the social media in Indonesia for US interests.

"The US embassy in Jakarta asked for additional immediate funds to utilise the new media and social networks to maximise the online gains for the US President's visit that was scheduled for late March 2010", read cable's summary.

The funds requested amounted to US$100,000 or around 900 million rupiah. "We asked for US$100,000 in funding from R. to push our Facebook fan membership up to 1 million people, and were able to achieve this within 30 days", read their request.

It was planned that this money would be used in three areas. The first was for advertising costing US$60,000.

"These funds were used to promote the visit and the (Facebook) fan page as a place to study and to provide exclusive advertisement on online portals, advertising banners, YouTube, Twitter and other promotional efforts, including associated bloggers, contests and prizes, and to make use of SMS technology", read the strategy outline.

The second strategy was with a Golden Ticket valued at US$15,000. The Golden Ticket strategy was to give an opportunity to a lucky Indonesian to meet with President Barack Obama during his visit to Indonesia.

How was the Golden Ticket contest organised? The US Embassy referred to social media platforms in which Indonesians were invited to make a posting saying why they should meet with Obama.

"Utilising social media platforms to connect fans with Obama's visit, also to build a sense of cheerfulness prior to the visit and follow-ups after the visit. In addition to this, we were able to form a partnership with local TV stations for the finalist event and increase coverage. If the White House does not approve, the alternative is a 'dream prize" in the form of educational trips to the US", they explained.

The final strategy was a new media team from the US Embassy that would be assisted by digital marketing specialists. The aim was that the two earlier strategies could be undertaken immediately within a limited time. The cost would come to US$25,000. (fay/nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Soldiers in Papua torture video on trial for 'disobeying orders'

Kompas - January 14, 2011

Jakarta – Three members of the 753 Battalion are being tried by the Jayapura III-9 Military Court in the case of the torture of Papuans that was uploaded on the YouTube website.

This was conveyed by army (TNI AD) information office chief Brigadier General Wiryantoro on Thursday January 13. ”The trial is open in nature and will be conducted in the framework of achieving legal certainty", said Wiryantoro.

Wiryantoro said that on the one hand the soldiers were carrying out their official dues. They were also under pressure because there was evidence and information that many armed people were carrying out attacks. "However methods of interrogation such as this cannot be condoned and violate human rights", said Wiryantoro.

According to the state-owned Antara news agency, the three members of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam) are Second Sergeant Irman Risqianto, Private First-Class Yakson Agu and Private First-Class Thamrin Mahanggiri.

At the first court hearing, the three were declared guilty of being involved in the mistreatment of local people while on duty during a security operation in an unstable area in Gurage village, Tinggi Nambut sub-district, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua.

They were charged under Article 103 of the Military Criminal Code, namely failure to comply with the orders of a superior, and face a possible jail sentence of two years and six months jail. Major Soemantri, an auditor, stated that because there was no testimony by the victims, the three were not charged under the articles on torture.

Earlier, four people were charged under the same articles and sentenced to five and seven months in jail. They are currently in the process of submitting an appeal.

Human Rights Working Group Director Rafendi Djamin said that international concerns over various cases in Papua has yet to provide the impetus for a concrete resolution to the human rights violations in Papua. (EDN/DAY)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Human rights violations: Three members of army on trial in military court".]

Victims of human rights violations say law enforcement corrupt, discriminatory

Kompas - January 10, 2011

Jakarta – Law enforcement throughout 2010 has been corrupt and discriminatory. A joint statement by victims of human rights violations and their families, which were conveyed by the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) on Sunday January 9, expressed the hope that the government will make 2001 a year of awakening from the bankruptcy of morality and justice.

"Victims are still hoping for improvements for the sake of the nation. [But] We are not just counting on the government alone", said Kontras Coordinator Haris Azhar when contacted in Jakarta.

Haris said that the victims and families of victims of human rights violations see law enforcement in 2010 as very manipulative. Cases that have befallen the common people such as the theft of a cow are quickly resolved. Cases that involve important people or politicians meanwhile appear to get repeatedly postponed and left hanging.

"The victims and the families of victims have agreed to consistently voice demands for law enforcement and political policies that are just and clearly support the common people. Law and politics must side with the common people. We believe that the current system that is corrupt and discriminatory will not last forever", said Haris.

The joint statement was signed by the victims of 33 cases of human rights violations. They are the victims of land disputes with the Indonesian military (TNI) in Bojong-Kemang, violence against children, land evictions, the 1965 affair, the Tangerang Friends of Munir, the victims of forced disappearances in 1997-1998, the victims of judicial manipulation and violence, the victims of the Tanjung Priok shootings in 1984, the victims of the Semanggi I and Semanggi II student shootings in 1998-99, evicted Block M traders, victims of malpractice, the criminalised ITC petitioners and the Talangsari Lampung massacre in 1989.

Victims' demands

The victims are demanding that the state improve the accountability and performance of state institutions, particularly law enforcement and human rights institutions, primarily in ending violence practices and providing guarantees of security and survival for all Indonesian citizens.

"Victims are demanding that their rights be fulfilled and the protection of poor, venerable and minority groups, along with workers, farmers, fisherpeople and groups that have been marginalised", explained Haris. (ONG)"

[Translated by James Balowski. The title of the articles was Justice – Law enforcement corrupt.]

Komnas HAM accused of being indecisive, wishy-washy over Papua torture case

Kompas - January 8, 2011

Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission's (Komnas HAM) recommendations on the torture of Papuans by Indonesian military (TNI) personnel is indecisive and wishy-washy.

"Komnas HAM is being permissive, wishy-washy and indecisive in the handling of the torture cases in Papua", said Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) Executive Director Poengky Indarti. Imparsial is also asking the chief of the TNI not to take a permissive stand, let alone protect the perpetrators of violence that involve military personnel.

This was conveyed by Imparsial at a press conference on Friday January 7. Imparsial is calling on Komnas HAM to follow up on the results of its investigation. Komnas HAM must be more active and serious so that cases such as this are not repeated.

Several days earlier, Komnas HAM announced its results of its findings on human rights violations, including the murder of Reverend Kinderman Gire, in the interrogation and torture [of Papuans] as shown in the video uploaded on the YouTube website. Komnas HAM's recommendations revolved around an evaluation and improvement of the professionalism of TNI members, coordination and a plea to uphold the law.

"There were no clear recommendations", said Al Araf from Imparsial. According to Araf, there should be a clear follow up such as an additional investigation into whether or not there were gross human rights violations or not, submitting the results of the investigation to police or the formation of a Human Right Violations Investigation Commission.

"If there is no resoluteness on Komnas HAM's part, new [cases] of violence will emerge because there is no deterrent effect", he said.

Poengky meanwhile highlighted that the Komnas HAM investigation should look into the systematic nature of the violence taking place in Papua.

Imparsial human rights research director Bhatara Ibnu Reza questioned Komnas HAM's interpretation the torture cases that have occurred in Papua, which concluded that there were no gross human rights violations. According to Bhatara, the extensive and systematic nature of these cases is a parameter indicating that gross violations have taken place. (EDN)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the report was Papua Case - Komnas HAM seen as indecisive.]

There are still many armed groups in Papua: TNI chief

Kompas - January 6, 2011

Jakarta – Responding to the results of an investigation into acts of violence in Puncak Jaya, Papua province, which was carried out by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Indonesian military (TNI) commander-in-chief Admiral Agus Suhartono says that it must be understood that there are still many armed groups in Papua.

"The TNI's Inspectorate General and Komnas HAM will discuss [the findings] jointly in order that there is a similarity of perspective", said Suhartono in Jakarta on Wednesday January 5.

Earlier, the TNI stated that there were no human rights violations in the torture case in Papua. A ruling by the Cendrawasih military tribunal stated that the soldiers involved in the torture had violated the orders of a superior. The soldiers involved have been sentenced to five and seven months in jail.

The results of the Komnas HAM investigation that was published last Tuesday meanwhile found that there were human rights violations, including the murder of Reverend Kinderman Gire, during the interrogations and torture depicted in a video uploaded on the YouTube website.

Suhartono said the TNI will invite Komnas HAM to sit down together to make an assessment of the case. In this way a similarity of perception on what took place can be achieved. "If you only view it from outside and don't understand and look into it from within, the perspective will be different", he said.

With regard to the ruling in the military tribunal, Suhartono stated that the TNI remains committed to achieving a sense of justice in society. Moreover according to Suhartono, the sentences handed down by military courts are heavier than civil courts.

With regard to the sentence of only seven months jail, according to Suhartono it is in accordance with the errors committed by the soldiers. "We [have] to look at the nature of the [legal] process. The nature of the [soldiers'] confessions. The nature of the facts. Only then can we understand", he explained.

According to Suhartono, the cases of torture that have occurred in Papua are not systematic in nature and are purely a case of mistakes made by subordinates.

He also emphasised the difference between the situation in Papua and other regions in Indonesia. According to Suhartono there are still many groups in Papua that have weapons that may be used at any time.

"This has become general knowledge for soldiers, including the [general] public, which finds it hard to accept that these armed [groups] exist", said Suhartono. (EDN)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the report was Torture in Papua – TNI Chief: There are still many armed groups.]

Komnas HAM finds widespread torture, murder committed by TNI in Papua

Kompas - January 5, 2011

Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) says human rights violations were committed in cases of torture and murder that took place in Puncak Jaya, Papua, although it is not recommending the formation of a human rights court.

"Reverend Kinderman Gire was murdered by TNI [Indonesian military] personnel. This was confirmed during the interrogations", said Komnas HAM chairperson Ifdhal Kasim on Tuesday January 4. The head of the Acts of Violence Investigation and Monitoring Team in Puncak Jaya, Ridha Saleh emphasised that the findings are also a refutation of a TNI statement not long ago that the incident in Papua was a case of disobedience of a superior's orders, not a human rights violation.

According to the account obtained by Komnas HAM, Reverend Kinderman Gire, who was a member of the Toragi Evangelical Church of Indonesia Synod in Tinggi Nambut district, was waiting for a vehicle that was to deliver fuel that he had ordered. When a group of TNI soldiers from Infantry Battalion 756 passed by going in the opposite direction Kinderman was tortured then taken away. Two weeks later his [decapitated] head was found on the banks of a river.

In relation to the violent incident recorded on video and later uploaded on YouTube, the torture and abuse depicted was also a form of human rights violations because it involved the depravation of physical liberty and torture by TNI soldiers..

Based on the results of this investigation, Komnas HAM will be submitting a recommendation that there be a change to the state's security approach, improvements in the TNI's professionalism and that an investigation and action be taken by law enforcement agencies.

"We are not recommending a human rights court because the [legal] framework we are using is Law Number 39/1999 [on basic human rights]", said Ifdhal. Unlike Law Number 26/2000 on human rights courts, Law Number 39 does not cover the establishment of a human rights court. Although Ifdhal admitted there was a debate on the matter, Komnas HAM did not find that there were systematic human rights violations.

Stanley Adi Prasetyo from Komnas HAM said there were no systematic violations although they found more than 70 cases of torture in Papua between 2004 and 2010. "It wasn't systematic, but widespread", said Ifdhal. (EDN)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the report was Human rights: Komnas HAM finds violations.]

Land conflicts over palm oil plantations on the rise

Kompas - January 5, 2011

Jakarta – Agrarian conflicts in palm oil plantation areas – followed by the criminalisation of local residents who object to these palm oil plantations – have in creased two-fold in 2010 compared with 2009.

It is estimated that the number of conflicts will further increase in 2011 due to the massive clearing of forests and the overlapping of location permits (to convert forest areas) with community forest areas.

Palm Oil Watch Department of Social and Environmental Mitigation head Norman Jiwan says that 660 case of agrarian conflicts occurred in palm oil plantation areas in 2010.

"Throughout 2009, the number of cases agrarian conflicts in palm oil plantations was only around 240. The criminalisation of local residents involved in these conflicts increased from 112 in 2009 to more than 130 in 2010" said Jiwan on Tuesday January 4.

Separately, Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) national executive forest and plantation campaigner Deddy Ratih said that the criminalisation of local residences has occurred in 13 plantation conflicts in nine provinces.

Between January and December 2010, 125 local residents were criminalised for their involvement in palm oil plantation agrarian conflicts. "In several cases there were incidence of violence, three people were killed", said Deddy.

Deddy said that many palm oil plantation location permits were issued in 2009. "In Central Kalimantan, in 2009 location permits were issued to 336 companies. The total area of land covered by palm oil plantation location permits has reached 4.7 million hectares. These location permits were issued to 268 companies that do not have forest conversion permits.

"In 2010, these permit holders cleared forests for their plantations, and conflicts also arose", said Deddy.

Norman believes that Ministerial Plantation Regulation Number 26/Permentan/OT.140/2/2007 increases the risk of agrarian conflicts in palm oil plantation areas.

"First, it changed the limit on the size of palm oil plantations for each company in a province from 20,000 to 100,000 hectares. Second, the regulation states, if within three years [after] the clearing of land the permit holders do not use more than 50 percent [of the land], then the permit will be revoked. This makes companies race to clear their land by any and all means. Agrarian conflicts then arise", he said.

It is estimated that agrarian conflicts in 2011 will increase further. "The moratorium on the issuance of new permits in the cooperation between Indonesia and Norway will not reduce agrarian conflicts in palm oil plantation areas", said Norman.

The government has already issued in principle licenses for forest areas covering 26 million hectares. Meanwhile the palm oil plantations that have been realised only cover 9 million hectares. "There are still 15 million hectares of forest left that can be converted into palm oil plantations and this will certainly give rise to new agrarian conflicts", said Norman. (ROW)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

Komnas HAM finds evidence of serious rights violations in Puncak Jaya

Detik.com-January 4, 2011

Adi Nugroho, Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has concluded that serious human rights violations were committed by the Indonesian military (TNI) against people in Puncak Jaya, Papua. Komnas HAM has also submitted its recommendations on the results of an investigation it has been conducting since November 11 last year to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

"From the findings and data gathered, we concluded that serious human rights violations occurred. The team will submit the recommendations to several parties, [but] first the president", said Komnas HAM chairperson Ifdhal Kasim during a press conference at the Komnas HAM offices on Jl. Latuharhari in Central Jakarta on Tuesday January 4.

According to Kasim, the violence and monitoring team in Puncak Jaya will urge Yudhoyono to immediately conduct a comprehensive evaluation into the approach used by security forces in Papua. In addition to the president, the team will also be making recommendations to the commander-in-chief of the TNI, the Papuan chief of police, the Cendrawasih regional military commander as well as the Puncak Jaya regent and regional House of Representatives.

Kasim added that the team found evidence of human rights violations such as torture, harsh and inhuman treatment and the lost of the right to a sense of security.

Although Komnas HAM concluded that serious human rights violations occurred, it did not find evidence of systematic violence or murder in the sense of policies intended to murder the Papuans as a people. Because of this, the team has decided not to establish an ad hoc team.

"Because it does not fulfill the material or formal conditions, at the Komnas HAM's plenary meeting it was decided not to form a pro-judicial or pro-ad hoc team", said Kasim.

Earlier on Friday December 31, TNI chief Admiral Agus Suhartono claimed that sentences have been handed down against TNI members from the Cendrawasih XVII Regional Military Command AVT/NABIRE 753 unit, who were seen on a video recording committing violence against Puncak Jaya residents. Suhartono stated however that these actions were not gross human rights violations.

"What must be understood is that the situation there is tense, it's not like Jakarta. There were no orders from a superior to torture people. It cannot be called a gross human rights violation. It was simply a case of exceeding the authority given to them by their officers", said Suhartono. (nik/fay)

[Translated by James Balowski.]