Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 249 – Wed 03 Dec 2003

——————————————- PAPUA: A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE SERIOUSLY AT RISK ——————————————-

The indigenous people of Papua (Irian Jaya) are Melanesian and predominantly Christian, estimated by Operation World at over 90%, and mostly Protestant. They have been living under Indonesian rule since 1963. The Indonesian military (which has invested heavily in Papua’s resources) has been involved in gross human rights abuses against the oppressed indigenous Papuans. In recent years, primarily since East Timor achieved independence, Papua has seen a dramatic influx of pro-Indonesia militias and Islamic militants, particularly Laskar Jihad. Islamists saw East Timor as ‘part of the Islamic world’ (bin Laden, November 2001). They no doubt see Papua the same way.

In 2001 the Indonesian government decreed autonomy for Papua. However the government reneged and divided Papua into three provinces against the will of the Papuans, thus violating the Special Autonomy Law. This division of Papua has created extreme tensions. Over the past 40 years, Javanese transmigration has seriously altered the ethnic and religious demography of Papua. One consequence of this division will be the Islamisation of Papua, with two of the new provinces being majority Muslim.

The feared militia leader Eurico Guterres is reported to be living now in Papua, where he has established a 200-strong – and growing – Laskar Merah Putih (Red and White Warriors) militia. Guterres was convicted and sentenced to ten years’ jail for his role in leading his militia in the August 1999 referendum massacres in East Timor, but was released pending an appeal. During his trial, Guterres boasted that his militia was supported by the Indonesian military and funded by a government official in Jakarta.

Complementing his presence will be Inspector-General Timbul Silaen, as police chief of Papua. He was East Timor’s police chief during 1999, and had been implicated in the attack on Bishop Belo’s compound, as well as the Liquica church massacre, amongst other crimes. In August 2002 an Indonesian court acquitted Silaen of gross human rights abuses and crimes against humanity in East Timor.

Sources report that the Indonesian military are actively trying to provoke an incident so they can justify a full-scale military assault, with militia and Laskar Jihad support. Papuan Church leaders fear if that happens, Papua might be closed off to the outside world and an ethnic cleansing and jihad unleashed. This could result in literally the genocide of a Christian people.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* this terrible situation in Papua to be exposed widely, and for international pressure on the Indonesian government to guarantee security, human rights and freedom in Papua.

* the global body of Christ, the Church, to join the Papuans in their struggle by praying to God for them (Romans 15:30) – they have no other allies.

* God to intervene and reverse the situation as only he can, to head the Papuans towards justice and freedom, rather than Islamic subjugation or genocide. ‘All power is his (God’s) forever and ever.’ 1 Peter 5:11

* great spiritual wisdom and courage for Papua’s Christian leaders and pastors, who are a respected voice in Papua. May they be able to keep the Papuan people calm and focused at this tense and frightening time.

~~~~

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— PAPUA’S CHRISTIAN PEOPLE SERIOUSLY AT RISK

Under Indonesian rule since 1963, Papua (Irian Jaya) is now teetering on the brink of serious conflict. The indigenous Papuans are Melanesian and predominantly Christian. They long for self- determination and freedom from oppression. In 2001, the Indonesian government granted them autonomy. However, the government has reneged and now the Papuan people are facing a future of Islamic domination. The Indonesian military is becoming increasingly provocative, looking for grounds to launch a military assault to eradicate the Papuan people. Since East Timor gained independence, Papua has seen an influx of pro-Indonesia militias and Islamist militant groups such as the Laskar Jihad. Christian leaders in Papua fear that an ethnic cleansing could be imminent. Pray for God to overrule and reverse the situation.

—————————————————- Previous RLPs may be viewed at http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/ If you downloaded this message from a website or it was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions by sending an empty e-mail to <>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty Prayer List <> —————————————————-

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.