Leaders of Asia Pacific discussing their concerns over the situation of Human rights Defenders in West Papua and the military presence in the region which could unveil tensions.

Below is a press release published by TAPOL:

Leaders of Pacific Island countries, including Australia and New Zealand, should devote special attention to the plight of West Papuan human rights defenders at the annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum starting on 16 October [2007] in Tonga says TAPOL, the UK-based NGO that promotes human rights, peace and democracy in Indonesia.

The level of intimidation against human rights defenders, political activists and religious leaders by Indonesian military and intelligence personnel has increased markedly since a visit to West Papua in June 2007 by the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, Hina Jilani, says TAPOL in an open briefing to the Forum leaders [available at http://tapol.gn.apc.org/reports/r071009.htm]

"There is currently grave concern for the safety of human rights defenders. Targeted individuals and their families are being terrorised by death threats, anonymous phone calls and SMS messages, constant surveillance, and late-night visits by unidentified persons," it says. "Many are afraid to go out at night and the pervasive sense of insecurity is preventing human rights defenders from carrying out their normal activities and is seriously affecting their health."

The UN Special Representative drew attention to "credible reports of ... arbitrary detention, torture, harassment through surveillance, interference with the freedom of movement and in [human rights] defenders' efforts to monitor and investigate human rights violations" following her visit.

TAPOL calls upon the Forum to urge Indonesia to protect Papuan human rights defenders, implement the Special Representative's recommendations, and bring to justice those responsible for crimes committed in relation to the recent acts of intimidation.

The human rights situation in West Papua has shown no signs of improvement since the Forum's last meeting in October 2006 when the leaders expressed concern about reports of violence and "called on all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents in Papua and to work to address the root causes of such conflicts by peaceful means".

"The available evidence suggests that human rights violations, most notably by police personnel, continue on a routine basis. No significant efforts are being made to tackle impunity for past abuses," says TAPOL.

TAPOL urges the Forum to question Indonesia about its military build-up in West Papua. This "can only add to the human rights problems and increase the tensions in the territory and possibly the wider Pacific region". It has no security or military justification, says TAPOL.

Referring to the presence in West Papua of a senior army officer, Col. Burhanuddin Siagian, indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor, TAPOL warns about the formation of East Timor-style militia groups to create unrest and undermine Papuan efforts to establish their homeland as a 'Land of Peace'.

Reports suggest that Col. Siagian is a leading instigator of the policy of intimidation against human rights defenders and is actively involved in organising the militia groups.

TAPOL calls for his immediate withdrawal from West Papua, for judicial action to be taken against him, and for the Forum to renew the call it made last year for the perpetrators of serious crimes in West Papua to be brought to justice.

The Pacific Islands Forum comprises 16 independent and self-governing states in the Pacific. It is the region's premier political and economic policy organisation. Forum Leaders meet annually to develop collective responses to regional issues. Indonesia is regarded as a key partner of the Forum and attends Post-Forum Dialogue meetings.

West Papua, whose native inhabitants are Melanesian, is lobbying for observer status at the Forum.