Regaining Humanness. The Papuan struggle for human dignity

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An analysis of the struggle of the Papuans in West Papua (Western New Guinea) , Indonesia to reclaim the right to be considered fully human, in a context of serious violations of human rights, including the right to life. Papuans use metaphors of the Christian faith to redefine their situation and to engage in a non-violent struggle against Indonesian rule, and the impunity enjoyed by the Indonesian security forces .

Transcript of Regaining Humanness. The Papuan struggle for human dignity

At Ipenburg

- The background-Increasing scope of humanness-Full humanness denied-Regaining humanness -Conclusion

• History: late access to the wider world• Role of Mission• Dutch rule• Indonesian control

- 1950: New Guinea separated from the Dutch

East Indies, which became independent in

December 1949

- From 1950 tot 1962 increased effort at

development and at emancipation of the

Papuans, especially those at the Coast.

-Preparation for Papuan Independence, just

like the Australian, British and French

territories in the Pacific.

Values: Equality of all human beings as children of

GodBrother- and sisterhood across tribal linesAn identity as Papuans over one’s ethnic

identity

Representation: GKI in 1956 independent of Mission

Cooperation between Papuans of various ethnic backgrounds at Presbytery and Synod level.

Opportunities at individual advancement and leadership

October 1962: Indonesia occupies West Papua.

Indonesianisation: Papuanness rejected.Security approach: army supremeHuman rights violations: impunity Discontinuity

Continuous repression: West Papua Area of Military Operation (DOM).

Many Papuan cultural expressions forbidden:

music, dance, way of dress.Word ‘Papua‘ was discouraged:

the territory renamed Irian Jaya; the inhabitants Irianese or (only) Biak, Me, Asmat, Dani and so on)

1971 – 1973 Effort at enforced indonesianisation: forcing pants on resistant Highlanders.

Ascension Day: Suharto steps down. Habibie becomes President. The New Order (1965-98) becomes the Orde Reformasi, The Reformation Order.

Promise of a “Dialogue” with the PapuansDecline of repression – no more fear for the

Intel.

Dialogue: We want IndependencePapua Congress: “socialization” and

mobilizationNew Papua:

claiming back Papua historymemoria passionishuman rights advocaysupremacy of Papuan interestsIndependence (or at least real autonomy)

Transmigration: Papuans become a minorityEconomic development focus on the modern

(non-Papuan) sector

Zone Damai : peace zonesPapua Tanah Damai: Land of PeaceNew role for the Papua Traditonal Law

Council

But also increased immigrationBankruptcy of Special Autonomy of 2001Lack of outside support for the Papuan case.

Papuans have a new sense of identityThe right to be a Papuan: black skin, frizzy

hair, a Christian, New initiatives: New Papua, Peace Zones, non-

violence, human rights lobbyInterchurch and interreligious cooperation to

avoid interreligious clashes (as in Ambon in 1999)

Humanness regained, but the repression continues