Sampari opening Congress 3 in Papua from westpapuamedia on Vimeo.

Pacific Scoop:
Report -  By West Papua Media editorial and field teams in Jayapura

Scenes of jubilation and free expression have erupted in the West Papuan capital of Jayapura as more than 20,000 delegates take part in the historic Third Papuan People’s Congress.

Thunderous cries of “Papua Merdeka!” filled the streets as tens of thousands of people marched towards the Congress venue Taboria oval (Zaccheus Field) in Abepura, after the Indonesian government prevented the Congress from being held at the Cenderawasih University.

Despite threats by Indonesian security forces to derail the congress, held for only the second time since Indonesia’s invasion in 1963, Papuan delegates openly discussed their rights to self-determination and the pathways to referendum on the future of West Papua.

The Third West Papuan People’s Congress was called by the West Papua National Committee and supported by the majority of civil society and political groups across West Papua, including the Papuan Customary Council (DAP) and the West Papua National Authority (WPNA), with the exception of some elements of the armed wing, the TPN/OPM.

More than 5000 people had already gathered at the Taboria oval, with the numbers continuing to grow steadily throughout the day.

Organisers were hoping for up to 40,000 attendees from across Papua, and at least 20,000 were present by Monday.

About 5000 people from Yapen, Waropen, Mamberamo, Manokwari, Sorong, and Jayapura conducted a “long march” rally from Yawa dormitory in Abepura towards the Taboria oval.

This march was under the responsibility of WPNA and security was provided by more than 1000 Petapa community security personnel, although more than 500 police were following behind the march in trucks.

Tight security
Amid tight security because of the threat of violence from the Indonesian military and police, 100 guests were allowed to attend the opening of the congress which followed with a traditional mumu or feast.

Fourteen pigs were killed with several paramount customary chiefs present, as the Sampari dance group performed traditional dances.

The Sampari dance group was persecuted by the Indonesian military as “separatists” after an emotional performance at the Second Papuan People’s Congress in 2000 that depicted the Biak massacre of 1998.

They also danced with the Morning Star flag, banned by Indonesia, which was officially raised around 2pm.

Sampari dancers presented the Papuan Collective Leadership, comprising Forkorus Yaboisembut, Eliezer Awom, Septinus Paiki, and the Reverend Edison Waromi of the WPNA, with a traditional Tifa drum, on which he beat a rhythm to officially open the congress.

The initial stages of the congress featured speakers from across Papuan civil society speaking on the need to take strong action to end impunity for human rights abuses and to implement the pathways to self-determination.

The chairman of the Baptist Church in Papua, Rev Sofyan Yoman, was one of the opening speakers on behalf of Papuan Council of Churches. He spoke about crimes against humanity being committed daily against the Papuan people.

Appeal for help
He called upon those present to help in “challenging all the churches to speak up for human rights for West Papuan people”.

“These churches who are living in fear should and must speak out about the atrocities and ongoing injustice in Papua,” Rev Yoman said.

Other speakers from across Papuan civil society and customary leaders spoke of the will of the Papuan people being a step closer to realisation through the holding of the Congress, but a long road was still ahead of Papuan to gain freedom or Merdeka.

The chairman of the DAP, Forkorus Yaboisembut, was elected on the first day as the congress chair.

As reported in Indonesian news outlet Kompas, Yaboisembut explained the congress was “part of the struggle of indigenous Papuans to enforce their fundamental rights.”

He said Papuans were not seeking to undermine or destroy Indonesia.

However, “we strive to uphold our fundamental rights, including political rights, including the right to independence as a nation”.

According to Yaboisembut, the Collective Leadership Committee has no particular agenda.

“The people who will proceed in the congress. And whatever be produced, the government of Indonesia should able to appreciate it.”

West Papua Media stringers report that preliminary recommendations were made by both the organising committee and speakers of the makeup of mandated office holders for a new Congress 3 Presidium, that would officially speak for West Papua’s independence movement.

In a surprising display of common purpose, delegates initially endorsed the consideration of office bearers, though no binding decisions have yet been made.

Frans Kapisa of WPNA, had recommended that Forkorus Yaboisembut, the chairman the Papuan Customary Council, be elected as the inaugural President of an independent “Democratic Republic of West Papua”.

Participants at the congress have indicated that the deliberations could extend until Friday or later, and that any political, logistical, timetable, and office-bearing positions  are far from finalised.

Security forces intimidation
Despite the jubilation and ability to engage in open and peaceful free expression at the congress, sources report that Indonesian security forces were continuing to gear up for an imminent potential assault or dispersal on the congress participants.

Bintang Papua reported that the the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto at the congress would not now be attending after it had been announced earlier that he would.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had pledged that Suyanto would attend to represent Indonesia.

However, the Papuan-based Indonesian police commander Bigman Tobing said his forces would not be there to cause unrest, merely to protect the proceedings of the congress.

“The joint forces have to obey in order not to cause unrest in the community,” he said.

Local newspapers in Jayapura reported that security forces were preparing 2200 personnel with armour – “not to frighten the people but to ensure calm”.

Unconfirmed reportssaid that all police leave had been cancelled around the greater Jayapura area.

Community guards
More than 3000 Petapa Community Security Guards have been trained and deployed to provide security for the congress, with duties of surveillance, detection of intelligence agents, and keeping a physical buffer zone between Papuans and Indonesians to minimise any potential for contact.

The proactive but peaceful work of the Petapa force is believed to be blocking the Indonesian security forces from taking any action, a strategy which according to sources inside Petapa has caused simultaneous frustration and admiration from security forces with apparent lines of communication open between senior police as part of the Papuan security strategy.

Petapa personnel greatly outnumber the deployed Indonesian security forces, though any direct confrontation would probably see Indonesian weapons being used, a scenario that Petapa have trained for.

On Tuesday afternoon, local stringers for West Papua Media reported that several hundred fully armed Indonesian police and military took up offensive positions outside the offices of the DPRD. Five Indonesian Army Pansers with .50 calibre machineguns, one company of soldiers from the TNI and 1 SSK (Strategic Company – 150) of Brimob paramilitary police reportedly in full combat gear made manouevres to attempt tho dissolve the gathering.

Based on observation by local human rights sources and troop dispositions provided to West Papua Media, surrounding the congress were 13 Ranger trucks, 24 army troop transports, 20 Brimob trucks, water cannon, 3 police buses, 2 mobile prisons, military police/ provost units (to ensure military discipline), 6 army Pansers and 4 police Barracuda armoured personnel carriers, all containing fully armed troops.

About 2200 Indonesian security forces were surrounding the congress in a display that participants believed were deliberately designed to intimidate.

Security forces also conducted several high profile convoys of armour and hardware throughout the proceedings of the congress, and conducted very visible drills throughout the day and night.

Discussing the future
West Papua Media’s stringers reported that there was an understanding among delegates that brutal action from Indonesian security forces seemed inevitable, but that the intimidation was not going to stop them from discussing the options for their future.

One source said that the joint TNI/Polri security force plan to occupy the field today had not been decided on.

It is likely that any plan for taking over the field would lead to conflict and bloodshed.

Source: West Papua Media

West Papua Media slideshow and other video reports on the congress

Indonesian security forces prepare to move in

Third Papuan congress under way

West Papua and Pacific media freedom report