The news that NZ & Indonesia
are to strengthen their bilateral defence relationships deepens concern that NZ
is therefore complicit in grave human rights crimes.
The people of West Papua,
currently under Indonesian occupation, are experiencing ‘slow genocide’ because
of ongoing militarisation, resource exploitation and neglect of essential
services.
NZ Defence Minister Mark Mitchell
and his Indonesian counterpart, Ryamizard Ryacuda signed a joint statement on
defence relations between NZ & Indonesia in Jakarta on May 31 and
“identified a range of areas for further cooperation”.
NZ resumed bilateral defence ties
with Indonesia in 2007 and has also offered
some training for the police in West Papua. In 2011 an officer from the 
The role of the security forces
in West Papua, is increasingly coming under condemnation in regional and
international forum such as the United Nations.
This is because of the
documented evidence that both the military and police have been engaged in
crimes such as extrajudicial killing, torture and arbitrary arrests of peaceful
activists.
NZ is open to accusations of
assisting Indonesia in the genocide of West Papuans by re-engaging with
Indonesia in defence relationship that may be a cover for suppressing dissent
and opposition to Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua.
We urge Minister
Mitchell to reconsider any defence relations with Indonesia which makes NZ
complicit in the genocide being inflicted on West Papuans by the Indonesian
military and police.
Movie Screening
Christchurch Progressive Network ~ June Forum
Monday June 12th
7-15pm
Workers Education Association
Run It Straight
A film written and
directed by Tere Harrison who was inspired by a protest rally by the Hunters
Rugby League Club who marched to the Indonesian Embassy to call for the freedom
of West Papua.
Featuring Māori and Pacific
commentators Dr Maria Bargh, Dr Teresia Teaiwa, Dr Pala Molisa, and Hone
Harawira Run It Straight is a mash up of drama, poetry and documentary footage
wrapped in a large dose of Māori humour and emotion.