Faith based network on West Papua

Through the 'Papua, Land of Peace' program, religious leaders aim to promote in Papua a culture of peace instead of a culture of violence. The Faith-Based Network is founded by faith-based organisations to support those efforts to promote peace, justice and human rights in West Papua.

The religious leaders - Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant and Catholic -want to provide a free and just living space for the Papuans. A "Land of Peace" is not merely a geographical area free of violence. It is a social condition, in which the socio-cultural, economic and political problems Papuans face today are resolved without the use of violence. "Peace" encompasses the following elements that should be part of daily reality for all people in Papua: feeling secure; being respected as a human being irrespective of differences; enough food and the fulfilment of other basic needs; a fair and just treatment; recognition as an individual; recognition as an ethnic group; the possibility to live independently and in control of one's own life; being heard and taken into account; and finally, living in harmony with nature.

Listen to Our Voice: Making the Case against Torture in Papua (3 Jul 2008)
After her son was suspected of participating in protests lead by university students against a mining corporation, the Indonesian police apprehended Anselina Temkon from her home. She was allegedly beaten with a gun, her hands burnt with cigarettes and, with a gun to her head, the police allegedly told her they were going to take her to a nearby town and “finish her off” if she did not disclose the whereabouts of her son.

Palm Moguls Rule Papua (1 Jul 2008)
Local people should be prioritized as workers Tempo Magazine - As many as 13 companies are ready to develop palm plantations in Papua covering an area of 352,651 hectares. Five of them have begun operating while the rest are in the process of preparing the land.

JULY WEST PAPUA REPORT (1 Jul 2008)
*The West Papua Advocacy Team announces creation of the "John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award" and that the first winner of this annual award is legendary human rights defender Carmel Budiarjo, founder of TAPOL. *Chronic Public Health Emergencies in West Papua Belie Claims of Special Autonomy Success. *We Mark The Tenth Anniversary of The Biak Massacre with Personal Accounts by Two WPAT Members. *Government Plans for Massive Highway Project Threatens Papuan Forests and Papuans Themselves. *International Crisis Group Report Looks at Prospects of Communal Violence But in Recommendations Fails to Call for Justice and An End to Impunity for Security Forces.

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