Geneva – The Faith Based Network on West Papua (FBN), Franciscans International (FI), and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released the report "Human Rights in Papua 2010/2011" on 2 November 2011.

The report finds that the Government of Indonesia discredits and limits international organizations working in Papua and impedes the access of international media through the manipulation of bureaucracy. As a result, certain international organizations are asked to leave or decide to withdraw due to the heavy limitations and restrictions, as in the case of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and Peace Brigades International (PBI).

The report portrays the bleak reality of the situation of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights in West Papua in 2010/2011. Leaders of peaceful demonstrations are often arrested on the charge of makar (treason) while exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Indigenous Papuans still suffer from militarisation, human rights violations, exploitation and discrimination.

The aim of the report Human Rights in Papua 2010/2011 is to raise awareness of the human rights situation in Papua and to create in Papua a "land of peace."

During the launch of the report, on 2 November 2011 in the Geneva office of Franciscans International, the representative of the Permanent Mission of Indonesia stated that "human rights protection is a national priority." In response, human rights defenders gave testimonies contradicting this statement and claimed that a climate of fear prevails in Papua.

Local human rights defenders are subjected to intimidation and harassment in their struggle for justice and accountability, and constantly face institutionalized mistrust and suspicion.

The human rights NGOs present shared the view that official political statements are not enough to address the violations of human rights in Papua. Torture, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are key issues highlighted during the launch which need to be urgently addressed by the Government of Indonesia.

The report includes recommendations for the Government of Indonesia to ratify, among others, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and other Degrading Treatment, and the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

Other recommendations call on the Government of Indonesia to cease the intimidation, harassment and physical violence against human rights defenders, journalists, and religious leaders in Papua, as well as to engage further in dialogues at the regional and international levels.

Since 2003, the Faith Based Network on West Papua has supported religious leaders of Papua in creating a peaceful and just Papua where the indigenous population can live without fear and enjoy social equality, economic prosperity, and the rule of law.

The launch of the report took place at Franciscans International headquarters, in Geneva. Representatives of the Papua Peace Network (PPN); The Faith Based Network on West Papua; TAPOL; Human Rights Watch (HRW); the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT); Geneva for Human Rights; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations Office in Geneva were present.

For more information on the report Human Rights in Papua 2010/2011, please contact:

• Ms. Kristina Neubaeur -Faith Based Network on West Papua, Coordinator
• Ms. Francesca Restifo - Franciscans International, International Advocacy Director
• Mr. Paul Barber - TAPOL, Coordinator.
• Mr. Norman Voss - Asian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Officer