Irianese demand UN shares burden for their plight<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An Iran Jaya youth group demanded that the
\nUnited Nations share "moral responsibility" for what they
\nperceive as oppression of indigenous Irianese people.<\/p>\n
The UN was sponsor of the 1962 New York Agreement on the
\ntransfer of administration over West New Guinea (West Irian),
\nbetween Indonesia and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Around 25 activists of the Communication Forum for Irianese
\nYouths stage a demonstration at the UN office and conveyed their
\nmessage to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.<\/p>\n
They insisted that the UN should share responsibility for what
\nthey see as "neglect and discrimination" against Irianese because
\nthe world body made the territory's integration with Indonesia
\npossible.<\/p>\n
The youths demand that the UN form a fact-finding team to
\ninvestigate alleged rights abuses in Irian Jaya, help protect
\nIrianese human rights, make Indonesia loosen security approach
\nand put the brake on migration.<\/p>\n
While four delegates met with a UN public relations officer,
\nthe others displayed banners outside, attracting bystanders on
\nJl. M.H. Thamrin. The demonstrators followed police order to stop
\ndemonstration.<\/p>\n
"The government's political will in Irian Jaya is not clear,"
\na banner read. "How far has the New York Agreement been
\nimplemented?" another screamed.<\/p>\n
Forum secretary Hengky H. Jokhu said they brought a "statement
\nof concern" for Annan, who they said was a witness of the 1962
\nNew York Agreement as a young UN staff member.<\/p>\n
Under the Agreement, the Netherlands was to transfer authority
\nover the area to a UN Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA),
\nwhich would in turn transfer administration to Indonesia. The
\ntransfer officially took place in May 1963.<\/p>\n
"As the United Nations was active in the integration of West
\nIrian into Indonesia, now we demand its responsibility," Hengky
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"Until now people of Irian Jaya feel they are a neglected
\nminority within the Republic," he said.<\/p>\n
In their letter to Annan, the forum detailed alleged abuse of
\nIrianese rights in education, politics and economy. The activists
\nclaimed that key positions in the bureaucracy mostly go to
\nmigrants.<\/p>\n
Migrants, including participants of the state-sponsored
\ntransmigration program, dominate Irian Jaya's economy and
\nthreatens indigenous culture.<\/p>\n
"The socio-economic development policy leads Irianese to
\npoverty," the youths said in the petition, a copies of which were
\nmade available to the mass media.<\/p>\n
They pointed out that the allocation of Jakarta's aid for
\nimpoverished villages was unclear and so was assistance from PT
\nFreeport Indonesia that amounts to one percent of the company's
\nnet profit.<\/p>\n
They claimed that most Irianese were impoverished, illiterate,
\nwithout hope and live in fear.<\/p>\n
Hengky said he planned to bring the matter directly to UN
\nheadquarters if the Jakarta office fails to respond.<\/p>\n
"We already voiced our concern to the House of Representatives
\nlast year and other parties, but nothing has happened," Hengky
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Forum also referred to Annan's speech when he was
\ninstalled as Secretary General in December, in which he said the
\nUN would strive to improve respect for basic rights of minorities
\naround the world. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irianese-demand-un-shares-burden-for-their-plight-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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