Need to investigate West Papua military operations

Thursday, 18 January 2007

Greens call for investigation of West Papua military operations

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer must seek answers from Indonesia about reports that one person has been shot dead and thousands of others have been displaced by military and police operations in West Papua, the Australian Greens said today.

"Church leaders in West Papua have reported that the Indonesian military and police have been undertaking operations in the Puncak Jaya region of West Papua, displacing up to 5000 people from Yamu district," Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne said in Hobart.

"Clergy have said that the people have been living in the jungle since last month when they fled military operations, and that civilians are being denied access to the region.

"A civilian has reportedly been shot dead by the military in Yamu and there are grave concerns for the health and wellbeing of women and children. There are also reports that civilian houses have been burnt and that the military has occupied government buildings.

"It appears that the military operations are a response to the killing of two military personnel near the town of Mulia last month.

"The Greens are deeply concerned about these reports and call on Foreign Minister Downer to seek information from the Indonesian government about what is happening in West Papua.

"These latest reports of violence directed at civilians should prompt the Australian government to reconsider its new security treaty with Indonesia.

"The treaty, yet to be ratified, will include a provision for Australia to endorse Jakarta's military control of West Papua. These latest reports of violence reinforce the need for the treaty to be subject to a Senate inquiry."