Women and … Papua New Guinea stretches from just south of the Equator to the Torres Strait, which separates New Guinea from Cape York Peninsula to the south, the northernmost extension of Australia. This month, the United Nations Human Rights Office called on all sides to reduce escalating violence in the territory, which has included the recent killings of activists, church workers and members of Indonesian security forces. Papua New Guinea women demand end to domestic violence after death of 19-year-old mother Jenelyn Kennedy. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File). Mainland Papua New Guinea reaches its maximum north-south expanse of some 510 miles (820 km) along its western border with Indonesian Papua. "Our report contains a number of recommendations, including increased media access and press freedom, and more humanitarian funding for communicating from crisis zones. Benny Wenda, left, with the British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, center, during a protest in London in October over the exploitation of the West Papuan rainforest. “We are taking another step toward reclaiming our legal and moral rights.”. "This is a tragedy. Bay Ismoyo/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images. Amnesty International has identified 38 prisoners of conscience in West Papua, more than the rest of Indonesia combined. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Many Papuans see their region as occupied and would like a true referendum to decide its status. Volunteers Working To Change Papua New Guinea's High Rates Of Domestic Violence In the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea, two out … Main article: Sexual violence in Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister James Marape said many of the victims lived in his electorate. A new World Bank report series attempts to quantify some of the costs Papua New Guinea faces from violent crime. Violent clashes erupted last year after reports emerged of the police insulting students with racist slurs. Another study found that in one region of the country, one in five women’s first sexual experience was rape. The issue of sorcery accusation violence is ongoing in Papua New Guinea and it is something that the Church, working with people of goodwill, is confronting. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.. In England he is a guest. Separatists have waged a low-key insurgency for decades in a quest for self-rule. International human rights activists have condemned plans by the government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to reinstitute the death penalty in response to rising incidents of crime and violence. “They want independence from Indonesia. Already, one armed group in West Papua has said it doesn’t recognize his authority. In Papua New Guinea, one study found two-thirds of women had been beaten by their partners. Contemporary PNG Studies , 13 , 17. Mr. Wenda claimed he was elected by a clandestine congress that met in secret. Marape blamed a police shortage in Hela for the lawlessness. The country’s minister for political, legal and security affairs, Mohammad Mahfud MD, rejected the idea that Mr. Wenda could ever represent the Papuan people. The multiple negative sequelae of this violence can be long-lasting throughout the lifespan and across generations as well as impacting on individuals, 80. The government has deployed growing numbers of soldiers and police officers in West Papua, but the total number stationed there remains classified. West Papua is one of the most isolated and undeveloped parts of the world. The mountainous island, which lies north of Australia, has the world’s second-largest rainforest after the Amazon and is rich in biodiversity, with plant and animal species that remain unknown to the outside world. "To all who have guns and kill and hide behind the mask of community, learn from what I will do to criminals who killed innocent people, I am not afraid to use strongest measures in law on you," he said, referring to the death penalty. The Indonesian government adamantly opposes holding a vote. West Papua’s forests, home to some of the country’s rarest birds, are also prime hunting grounds for illegal poachers. Papua New Guinea crime rate & statistics for 2010 was 10.00, a 0% increase from 2009. A tribal chief who lives overseas recently declared himself president of the embattled territory. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Bishop Lippert along with Archbishop Anton Bal, Bishop Arnold Orawae, and other bishops have been involved in … They want a referendum. Community Activists in Papua New Guinea are using their power positively to create the change they want to see in their communities. Benny Wenda, who escaped from an Indonesian jail 18 years ago and later received political asylum in Britain, declared himself head of West Papua’s first government-in-exile on Dec. 1, the anniversary of the independence declaration. At the same time, a rebel leader living overseas announced that he had been elected interim president of the embattled region in hopes of unifying the movement seeking independence from Indonesia, known as the Free Papua Movement. “Our independent nation was stolen in 1963 by the Indonesian government,” he said by phone from Oxford. Supporters of West Papuan independence at a rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 1. Violent clashes erupted last year after reports emerged. The American mining company Freeport-McMoRan extracted gold and copper for decades from the giant Grasberg mine. Because two of the victims were pregnant, police put the death toll at 18. Exercise increased caution in Papua New Guinea due to COVID-19, crime, civil unrest, health concerns, natural disasters, and kidnapping.Some areas have increased risk. The death toll and dates of the violence in the remote highland province of Hela varied in reports by Australian Broadcasting Corp. and the Post-Courier newspaper. With partial blame for the Capitol attack, majority favors barring Trump from office, NY passenger bus hangs off overpass in the Bronx after crash, at least 8 injured, Outstanding questions as Trump's 2nd impeachment trial approaches, NYC cuts ties with Trump organization following Capitol riots, FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2018, file photo, a girl runs towards their home at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The magnitude of gender-based violence (GBV) incidence in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is considered by some to be of epidemic proportions: 41% of men in PNG admit to having raped someone, over two-thirds of women are estimated to have suffered some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and it is reported that 7.7% of men admit to having perpetrated male rape. The people of West Papua are divided into more than 250 tribes with more than 400 languages. Papua New Guinea's prime minister has condemned domestic violence again after the violent death of another young woman in Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea: Prosecute Domestic Violence. “The budget for Papua is huge, but it is corrupted by the elites there so it does not reach the people.”. Two years after Papuans declared independence in 1961, Indonesia sent troops to occupy the former Dutch territory, and has maintained a military presence ever since. Gender-based Violence and the Impact on Women’s Health and Well-being in Papua New Guinea. More than 20 people including pregnant women and children have been killed in recent tribal violence in Papua New Guinea, media reported on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Keywords: Sorcery accusation related violence, PNG. West Papua is also one of the most isolated and undeveloped parts of the world. And 28 percent have experienced sexual violence. he wrote. In the latest attack, 16 women and children were killed this week by assailants armed with rifles in the village of Karida in Hela province, said Papua New Guinea Acting Police Commissioner Francis Tokura. He’s an outsider,” the minister told reporters. "The people that got killed were innocent women and children," he said. This reportedly increases to 100% in the Highlands. (Sydney) – Women and girls in Papua New Guinea are enduring brutal attacks from their partners, as … CANBERRA, Australia -- Police and soldiers have been sent to Papua New Guinea's highlands to make arrests and provide security after more than 20 people, mostly women and children, were slain in recent tribal violence over a feud that has lasted for years, officials said Wednesday. Together Project engaged with their community members through sports, drama, film screenings and poster discussions to break the … In 1969, in a vote regarded by many Papuans as rigged, Indonesia rounded up a thousand tribal leaders and held them until they agreed to join Indonesia. “Most Papuans want to be free,” said Veronica Koman, an Indonesian human rights attorney and activist based in Australia. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/asia/west-papua-independence.html Police and soldiers have been sent to Papua New Guinea's highlands to make arrests and enforce peace after more than 20 people, mostly women and children, were slain in recent tribal violence … The death toll and dates of the violence in the remote highland province of Hela varied in reports by Australian Broadcasting Corp. and the Post-Courier newspaper. Demographic data is scarce, but a steady influx of migrants from other islands means that Indigenous Papuans are likely now outnumbered. Violence has been escalating since December 2018, when 19 migrant laborers working on the Trans-Papua Highway were killed by Papuan rebels. Gender violence in Papua New Guinea. Faced with such conditions, Ms. Koman, the activist, said desperate young people have joined rebel groups in the jungle. Suggested citation: Forsyth, Miranda and Gibbs, Philip and Hukula, Fiona and Putt, Judy and Munau, Llane and Losoncz, Ibolya, Ten Preliminary Findings Concerning Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence in Papua New Guinea (March 27, 2019). Violence against women in Papua New Guinea is not always of a sexual nature. "The police do go and investigate. It is an unbelievable, unthinkable and atrocious criminal act that must be dealt with swiftly and severely," Tokura said in a statement. It is impossible for the U.N. to make a decision twice on the same matter.”. “Indonesia destroys not only my people but our forests and our mountains.”, ‘Free Papua Movement’ Intensifies Amid Escalating Violence. Message in a bottle makes 1,500-mile, two year journey across the Pacific to the shores of Papua New Guinea after being dropped overboard by American girl, 17, while sailing across Equator The island’s eastern half is occupied by the nation of Papua New Guinea. In 2001, the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) — signed between the national Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) and leaders representing the people of Bougainville — ended a ten-year An international consortium led by BP operates the huge Tangguh natural gas field. It is fair for everyone.”. West Papua was annexed by Indonesia decades ago, leading to a prolonged conflict. "How can a province of 400,000 people function with policing law and order with under 60 policemen ...?" Also 18 percent of women who have been pregnant have experienced violence during their pregnancy. … The result was called “The Act of Free Choice,” and, after ratification by the United Nations, became Indonesia’s legal foundation for controlling West Papua. Commerce in cities and towns is dominated by non-Papuans while many Indigenous Papuans eke out a subsistence living in the region’s highlands, where many villages are accessible only on foot. The Buruni market burning during a violent protest in Fakfak, West Papua, in August 2019. Another human rights group, Human Rights and Peace in Papua, said last week that as many 60,000 Papuans had been displaced by recent fighting. The group says most are charged with treason for the peaceful and legitimate expression of their views. Key findings from the 2016 to 2018 Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey reveals that 56 percent of women aged 15 to 49 in PNG have experienced physical violence around the age of 15. Papua New Guinea National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence 2016-2025 Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said … Key findings. PNG Prime Minister James Marape addresses a business discussion in Port Moresby, January 2020. The Autonomous Region of Bougainville still faces the aftermath of many forms of violence after the civil war. “He is stateless. On average, employees experienced a total of 7.8 incidents of GBV in the past 12 months and 2.4 incidents of severe GBV. Papua’s independence movement has long been fragmented and it is unclear how much support Mr. Wenda has for his claim to be president. Isabel Infantes/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Indonesia has harvested West Papua’s wealth in minerals, natural gas and timber with the help of foreign companies. West Papua is rich in natural resources, giving Indonesia a strong incentive not to let it go. The Indigenous people have among the country’s lowest life expectancies and infant mortality is high. Tribal violence is common in Papua New Guinea's interior, where villagers avenge relatives in retaliation known as payback. 68% of survey participants experienced gender-based violence (GBV) during the past year, with 47% experiencing more severe forms of GBV. But one armed group, the National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Organization, issued a statement rejecting his claim, saying he is a resident of Britain who does not have the majority support of Papuans. … In February 2013, there was a highly publicized case of a 20-year old woman accused of sorcery. “It was ratified by the U.N. General Assembly that Papua is a legitimate part of Indonesia. It is estimated that 67% of women in PNG have suffered domestic abuse and over 50% of women have been raped. “This vicious cycle of violence needs to be stopped to save the young generation of Papuans,” she said. Calling for independence in West Papua is considered treason under Indonesian law, and raising the independence flag can bring a prison sentence of up to 15 years. As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 to December 10), activists from PSI’s SASA! Women are often accused of sorcery, and violence is used as retribution. “We have prepared a presidential decree that is now being studied so that development in Papua can truly be felt by the people,” he said. The spread of HIV in Papua New Guinea is influenced by the social and cultural context. The shocking killing of 18 people in a highlands village may have ‘changed everything’, warns police minister. The Karida massacre: fears of a new era of tribal violence in Papua New Guinea. Six years ago, three factions united behind Mr. Wenda to form the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, and Mr. Wenda says he has their backing. Related Stories Oct. 2, 2020 How Australian Aid Is Helping Papua New Guinea Address Infectious Diseases Like Polio Walton hopes the report’s publication will spur real change. Papua New Guinea Massacre Kills Pregnant Women and Children, Police Say. "Today is one of the saddest days of my life," he said on social media. Tokura said 20 police officers and 10 soldiers were sent to Hela to "stop any further violence and capture the killers.". The Grasberg copper and gold mine in West Papua. Mr. Mahfud, the security affairs minister, acknowledged that the government had not done enough to help Indigenous Papuans and that corrupt local officials had siphoned off money earmarked for Indigenous communities. Other companies are logging large swaths of pristine forest and replacing them with lucrative palm oil plantations. Officials differ on whether the attack happened on Sunday or Monday. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is often labelled as potentially the worst place in the world for gender-based violence. FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a … So how does he lead a country?”. He said Papuans are victims of a slow-moving genocide that will not end until the territory gains its freedom from Indonesia. By PNG correspondent Natalie Whiting and Bethanie Harriman Emily Darko, William Smith and David Walker. Further studies have found that 86% of women had been beaten during pregnancy. “He’s a rebel. The cost to business. “Our rights have been violated under international law,” he said. “We urge the government of Indonesia to uphold people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in line with its international obligations,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva. BANGKOK — It has been 59 years since separatists in the Indonesian territory of West Papua raised their red, white and blue flag and declared independence. Rates of family and sexual violence are among the highest in the world, and perpetrators are rarely prosecuted. Indonesia annexed West Papua in 1963, and formalized its sovereignty over the region in 1969. Indonesia has no intention of granting independence to the two provinces that make up West Papua. “The referendum was in November 1969,” Mr. Mahfud said. The ongoing conflict in West Papua has largely been overlooked by the outside world. Globally, one in three women have experienced sexual or domestic violence. Home to about four million people, it takes up the western half of New Guinea — the world’s second-biggest island after Greenland — and is split into two large provinces, confusingly named Papua and West Papua. Remains of people killed in recent communal violence in Papua New Guinea. The region has been in conflict ever since. A bird of paradise can fetch as much as $1,500 on the black market in Jakarta. In the coming years, wilderness areas will be opened up even more by a 2,700-mile trans-Papuan highway now under construction, accelerating the extraction of resources, both legal and illegal. “They will end up in jail or fighting and sacrificing their lives.”. As outsiders come to the province to help exploit its resources, Native Papuans complain of a lack of jobs and opportunity. Tribal violence is common in Papua New Guinea’s interior, where villagers avenge relatives in retaliation known as payback. The killers were possessed by Satan and "feed on the soul, or the spirits, of the innocents that have been lost," Humbi said. As president of an independent Papua, Mr. Wenda said, he would protect the rights of Indigenous Papuans and halt environmental destruction. More than 20 people including pregnant women and children have been killed in recent tribal violence in Papua New Guinea, media reported on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. In recent years, the government has limited access by foreign journalists, researchers and United Nations rights officials. Hela official Rex Humbi said the latest violence was part of a tribal war that had been waged for more than 15 years. Authorities say the slaughter was probably retaliation for an ambush near Peta village on Saturday that left six or seven people dead. As punishment, she was burned alive. "We will use all available resources to bring the killers to justice," he added. Development Policy Centre Discussion Paper No. They have the authority, of course, but don't have the firepower" to bring the killers to justice. In Indonesia his citizenship has been revoked. Native Papuans have dark skin and curly hair and regularly face racism and discrimination. Therefore, there will be no more. 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