On 16th December West Papuan church leaders together with representatives from the Indonesian Communion of Churches met with the President of Indonesia and some of his key cabinet ministers. While the outcome of this meeting may not be mind-blowing, Papuans were able to express their deep concerns to the President about ongoing violence in their homeland. They were able to raise important issues concerning the marginalisation of Papuan communities. This represents a new opportunity for Papuans to dialogue with the Indonesian Government. Hopefully, this initiative will represent a way forward.
While the Indonesian Government appears to be open to dialogue, sadly, Papuans are speaking with different voices. One voice has already declared independence. Another voice is calling for a referendum on independence. A third voice is calling for a way forward involving negotiation.
Rev Herman Awom visits Australia as a guest of the Uniting Church
Rev Herman Awon is deeply aware of this situation. During a recent visit to Australia as a guest of the Uniting Church, Rev Awom said “we are seeking a constructive way forward……for many years my people have been slaughtered by the security forces……every time we mention independence they simply shoot us!”
Independence for West Papua is clearly “non-negotiable” according to Indonesian authorities. Indeed talk about independence simply presents most Papuans with a brick wall. There is no way forward. The response by the security forces is brisk and brutal.
“Now we seek another way” says Rev Awom. “We seek a chance to dialogue…….we seek an opportunity to sit down at the negotiation table with the Indonesian Government……to plea for an end to military backed violence and to request a platform to have say about what happens in the future”. This process began in Jakarta on 16th December. The agenda is to set up an ongoing process.
All Papuans express a deep desire to exercise their right to self-determination. Rev Awom understands this. He is a former Vice-Moderator of the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua. Rev Awom is a passionate, committed man who loves his homeland dearly. He wants to see significant changes in his community that offer long lasting freedom, justice and peace for his people.
“The most important thing now is for all Papuans to unite with one voice as the dialogue process begins”, exclaims Rev Awom. Overt declarations of independence have led to bloodshed. Calls for independence around the world are indeed well intended….but there are questions about how these calls impact on those who are most vulnerable to military responses inside West Papua.
In a third way, Papuans are now being challenged to unite around the dialogue process. Papuans are being called to speak with one voice as concerns and aspirations are raised around the negotiating table.
Papuan cultural identity is under threat
Otto and Geissler, the first Christian missionaries to enter West Papua in 1855, initiated a powerful legacy. Apart from ending intertribal warfare, Christianity offered West Papua’s many different tribes a distinct identity and real sense of unity. This identity as “Papuans” and this unity as the one people of West Papua continues to be expressed in the life and witness of the church today.
“Unity” is essential” says West Papua’s church leaders. This is a high priority for the church. “When we are divided we are weak……..do not allow the old ‘rule and divide’ tactic that has been used by so many colonial regimes destroy us!”
No one pretends to suggest the way forward in West Papua is easy. Our Papuan brothers and sisters have suffered for far too long. Indonesia has to urgently address the critical issues in West Papua. Indeed, if President SBY is to be truely seen as great reformer, then West Papua issues have to be addressed and resolved. Meanwhile, the international community must constantly remind Jakarta about this matter.
Papuans speak of themselves as “one people – one soul”. Together as one people there is a way forward.
