[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1445]]
   CONDEMNING THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST WEST PAPUA BY THE 
                         INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a 
problem of growing concern in Southeast Asia. I want to inform my 
colleagues of the human rights violations committed by the Indonesian 
government against the people of West Papua. For the last forty years, 
West Papuans have lived under the rule of a government that has 
virtually declared martial law on people who only want to participate 
in the determination of their own destiny. Like in East Timor before 
their independence from Indonesia, the military and local law 
enforcement officials continue to violate the human and civil rights of 
West Papuans.
  West Papua has been under the rule of foreign governments for almost 
three hundred years, beginning with colonization by the British in 1793 
to the Dutch in the mid twentieth century. In the early 1960s, West 
Papuans almost realized their dream of self determination with a Dutch-
sponsored election for a local government called the West New Guinea 
Council. Unfortunately, the results of the Dutch plan were rejected by 
the United Nations. The Indonesian military subsequently invaded West 
Papua. After nearly a decade of uncertainty, the U.N. in 1969, 
supervised a vote for the so called ``Act of Free Choice'' which gave 
representatives a vote between independence or continued rule under the 
Indonesian government. This vote did not truly reflect the opinions of 
the West Papuans because only 195 out of the 1,026 elected 
representatives actually voted. As reported in New Internationalist 
Magazine, most of those votes were cast under pressure by military 
leaders.
  Over the years, the people of West Papua formed an independence 
movement coordinated by the Papuan Council under the leadership of Mr. 
Theys Hijo Eluay. I am sad to report that Mr. Eluay, a revered figure 
among his people, was assassinated last November. According to a report 
published by the Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy, Mr. 
Eluay's death was caused by asphyxiation. While this report only 
moderately implies that the military and police were responsible, it 
recognizes that the assassination may be part of a military strategy to 
quell the independence movement. Other tactics used include arbitrary 
executions, random detention, torture, kidnap and rape have been 
frequently used by the military. The Indonesian government has declared 
that any protest or congregation of dissident groups would be seen as 
treason and stopped immediately.
  A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Thom Beanal, 
Acting Chairman of the Presidium of the Papuan Council and Mr. Willy 
Mandowen, Facilitator for the Dialogue for the Presidium of the Papuan 
Council. These men and their colleagues, who are proponents of 
independence and human rights, advocate their cause through peaceful 
means, yet they continue to face threats of physical harm by the 
military who oppose the independence movement.
  I ask my colleagues to imagine living each day under the threat of 
violence. Imagine living with the knowledge that at least one member of 
every family in your town has experienced a loss of a loved one at the 
hands of the Indonesian militia. Imagine living with the fear that your 
child may be kidnaped by armed gunmen, only to be found burned and 
buried in a shallow grave. West Papuans don't have to imagine. They 
live with this every day.
  We acted in the case of East Timor and the results have been 
spectacular. Since it became a sovereign nation on May 20, 2002, the 
people have regained the rights and liberties which all people are 
entitled to. Had Congress not intervened when East Timorians were under 
heavy rule by the Indonesian government, surely they would not be 
celebrating the new freedoms that they enjoy today.
  Mr. Speaker, our actions in East Timor helped give birth to the 
world's newest democracy that thrives today. We must continue to note 
the events in West Papua and take action when it is necessary. For too 
long, we have remained silent on the issues of human and civil rights 
around the world. It is time for us to take a stand. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in condemning the actions of the Indonesian 
government. A peaceful resolution to West Papuan independence is 
possible, but it must be with the cooperation of the Indonesian 
government and military.

                          ____________________