“Memorialization So That the Human Rights Abuses of the Past Are Not Forgotten. As Path to Justice for the Victims of Violence”
As part of the commemoration of World Human Rights Day, on Friday, December 10, 2010, The Cooperative Network of Papuan Women and BUK (United for Truth) have jointly created several agendas and exhibitions. Located in the courtyard of the MRP (Papuan People’s Council), in the city of Kotaraja Jayapura- Papua Province, the exhibitions included; photo displays of victims, traditional basketry, speeches about human rights, a candlelit vigil featuring 1000 candles, music, and communal prayers. The activities were opened by the vice-chair of the MRP(Ir. Frans Waspakir), who gave a speech reflecting on the human rights situation in Papua, and how to protect, maintain, and promote human rights in the Land of Papua.
The voices of the survivors: When will the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono openly and honestly take responsibility for the many cases of human rights violations in the Land of Papua? If the Government in Jakarta truly believes that Papua is a part of the Unified Republic of Indonesia, it should immediately proceed with the legal processes of the Wasior and Wamena Cases, which until now have been stalled in a tug-of-war between the Attorney General’s Office and the National Human Rights Commission. All the victims and survivors of human rights abuses in Papua need the support of every part of the community to apply pressure and to speak out against the injustices which have occurred in the Land of Papua.
There were various banners at the event, printed with the following statements:
I. REFLECTIONS OF A THOUSAND CANDLES
Commemoration of World Human Rights Day 10 December 2010
16 Day Campaign to Stop the Violence Against the Women of Papua
II. PAPUA NOT FORGOTTEN
Atrocities Committed By The State
1. Abepura Case, 7 December 2000
2. Kidnapping and murder of Theys H. Eluay and Aristoteles Masoka, 10 November 2001
3. Wasior Case, 13 June 2001
4. Wamena Case, 4 April 2003
5. Shooting of Opinus Tabuni 9 August 2008 along with other crimes against humanity
6. Cases of torture in Tingginambaut, Kabupaten Puncak Jaya, 2004-2010
7. Past human rights abuses: Wamena Case 1977, Mapnduma Case 1996, Bloody Biak 1998, Bloody Cenderawasih University 1998, Bloody Sorong 5 Juli 1999, Timika Case of 1999, etc., etc.
