Dear Friends,

URGENT APPEAL FROM PAPUA, INDONESIA

This evening, 28th December 2002, I received a disturbing report via email from ELSHAM (Institute for human Rights Advocacy and Study) in Papua, Indonesia. The report indicates the wife of the Director of ELSHAM together with two other people were shot on the border with Papua New Guinea on Saturday morning 28th December at approximately 9.00am local time. The incident took place near the border immigration post about 20 kilometers east of Jayapura.and the victims were immediately taken to the army hospital in Jayapura. They are reported to be undergoing surgery and are said to be in a serious condition.

The victims were travelling in a minibus along with 8 others to visit family members in the direction of Vanimo in Papua New Guinea. Shots were fired at the group after the minibus had stopped at the immigration post. The post was not staffed at the time. Elsye Rumbiak (wife of Yohanes Bonay, Director of ELSHAM), Marlin Bonay (Yohanis Bonay’s second child) and Yenny Merauje suffered injuries.

Elsye Rumbiak was shot in the left calf with the bullet lodging itself in her right calf. Yenny Merauje was shot in her left thigh while Marlin Bonay suffered grazes and wounds to her left arm. The perpetrators of this shooting are not known and there are no witnesses.

ELSHAM works closely with the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua (GKI) and the Uniting Church in Australia supports the work of ELSHAM. I have visited ELSHAM’s offices in Jaypura a number of times and the Uniting Church in Australia has sponsored and supported visits of ELSHAM staff to Australia. This agency speaks with moderation and wisdom on issues that relate to the Papuan people. Along with the GKI, ELSHAM performs a citical role as human rights issues are raised and efforts are made to build peace and reconciliation in the local community.

I also received an email this evening from Rev Hermann Saud, Moderator of the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua (GKI). Rev Saud is very concerned about this incident and he believes the Indonesian military are involved. He says that “it is highly possible the army and particularly Kopassus and Konstrad are responsible”. Rev Saud goes on to say these army divisions are operating on the border region with Papua New Guinea. Shootings also took place last week and the army is blaming Papuan rebels. However Rev Saud says the Papuan rebels are no longer involved in violence and they are now seeking diplomatic solutions to the issue of Papuan autonomy and Papuan independence.

Rev Saud goes on to say that he fears the shootings today are part of an Indonesian army plan to abduct and kill Papuan leaders. He is asking us to urge governments, church leaders and non-government organisation to place pressure on the Indonesian Government to stop this harrassment directed towards the people of Papua and also the people of Aceh.

Rev Saud goes on to say “Papuan people must not be treated as animals who become the victims of the the games played out by political and business elites in Jakarta.” He asks that pressure be put on the Indonesian Government to stop what he believes will be further trouble in the next few months. This trouble will most certainly create many more victims in Papua.

“Please put pressure of foreign governments to stop this brutality”, Rev Saud pleads. “The Indonesian army should not receive any aid from foreign governments”. “Presently many people involved in the Indonesian army are terrorists.”

Rev Saud asks that people around the world continue to send letters, faxes and emails to leaders of the Indonesian military, Indonesian police, the President of Indonesia and our own government representatives. These letters, faxes and emails need to demand that the ongoing murder of Papuan people must stop.

I shall be in touch again once more information comes to hand. Meanwhile please remember, pray for, and lobby for the people of Papua. Rev Hermann Saud is a man of wisdom and integrity. I believe we need to take his comments very seriously.

Yours sincerely,

Rev John Barr Acting Director Unity and International Mission Uniitng Church in Australia National Assembly