Anglican Media Melbourne News, February 11 2006
Church joins call to Indonesia to stop West Papua 'genocide'
The possibility of genocide in West Papua has drawn the attention of the Anglican
Church in Melbourne, which has been called on this week to add its voice to growing
international criticism of Indonesia over human rights abuses.
During the meeting of the Synod (parliament) of the church last night, petitioners
called for the Federal government to investigate claims of atrocities by the Indonesian
militia detailed in a report from the University of Sydney 's Centre for Peace and
Conflict Studies released in August. The concerns are shared by Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, UK Bishop Richard Harries, and the World Council of Churches.
The release of Genocide in West Papua? The role of the Indonesian Security Services
Apparatus coincides with the aquittal of two Idonesian generals for the murder of
sixteen West Papuan students, and alleged high level interference which quashed
resulting student demonstrations.
The US House of Representatives and the Australian National party have both recently
resolved to urge their governments to investigate human rights abuses following the
1969 'Act of Free Choice' in West Papua enacted by the Indonesian Government in
the take-over of West Papua.
"I would like to add my voice to growing international calls for the UN Secretary
General to instigate a review of the UN 's conduct in relation to the now-discredited
'Act of Free Choice' , said Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "The UN had just 16 observers
to this Act for a country the size of Spain, " said Archbishop Tut! u. (But) just over
1,000 people were hand-picked and coerced into declaring for Indonesia in public in a
climate of fear and repression. "
Mr Kimberly Smith, one of the drafters of the petition being presented to the
Melbourne Anglican Synod and a member of the Council of the Diocese, endorsed
Archbishop Tutu's concerns.
"We plan to raise the plight of the indigenous peoples of West Papua, particularly
after the recent Human Rights Watch report of repression in Papua, " said Mr Smith.
"There are also disturbing signs of a return to intimidation of the local press and
criminalization of dissent. "
A similar petition will also be lodged during the next session of Federal Parliament.
Jane Still
Media Officer
Anglican Media Melbourne
(03) 9653 4281
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