Mama Yosefa to miss Yap Thiam awards ceremony

Mama Yosefa to miss Yap Thiam awards ceremony

JAKARTA (JP): One of the recipients of this year's Yap Thiam
Hien human rights award, Mama Yosefa Alomang, announced she would
not attend Friday's awards ceremony to protest the government's
lack of attention to troubles in Irian Jaya.

The executive director of the Center for Human Rights Studies
(Yapusham), Todung Mulya Lubis, said the Irian Jaya tribal rights
activist sent a letter accepting the award, but stated she would
not travel to Jakarta until President Abdurrahman Wahid visited
Irian Jaya.

The seven-page letter was directed to Abdurrahman, popularly
known as Gus Dur, who is scheduled to attend the ceremony.

"In her letter, Mama Yosefa called on Gus Dur to cut down on
his overseas trips and pay more attention to the country's
internal matters. She also wanted Gus Dur to see for himself the
aspirations for independence (in Irian Jaya)," Todung said.

However, the authenticity of the letter is being questioned
because Mama Yosefa is known to be illiterate.

Mama Yosefa and Sarah Lary Mboeik, an activist from East Nusa
Tenggara, were selected by Yapusham as this year's recipients of
the rights award.

The award, named after a prominent Indonesian human rights
activist and lawyer, was first presented in 1992.

Previous recipients include rights activists Sandyawan Sumardi
and H.J.C. Princen, slain labor activist Marsinah, lawyer
Trimoelja D. Soerjadi and rights activist Munir of the Commission
for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence.

Yapusham member Agustina Manuputty also raised concerns the
humanitarian award could be exploited by people seeking to
further their personal political agendas.

"Mama Yosefa is illiterate. How can she write a letter which
contains political jargon.

"We're afraid she will be used by certain political groups
during her visit to Jakarta," Agustina said.

Mama Yosefa has been linked to the separatist movement in
Irian Jaya, Agustina added.

She also said she had been contacted by members of the
President's security team checking the backgrounds of the award
recipients.

"I can understand the need for presidential protocol, but in
anticipation of a third party taking advantage of her visit maybe
it's better if Mama Yosefa misses the ceremony," she told The
Jakarta Post.

Neither Mama Yosefa or her associates in the Timika regency of
Irian Jaya could be reached for comment on Thursday afternoon.
(emf)