West Papua

Confrontation looms in West Papua. Thursday December 1st is the 50th anniversary since Papuan independence was first declared and West Papua moved from Dutch colonial rule to a United Nations mandate. That mandate was handed to Indonesia two years later and history now demonstrates West Papua was, somewhat controversially, incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia in 1969 after a sham “act of free choice”.

Papuans will gather across West Papua on Thursday December 1st to vent their frustrations and to raise their aspirations for self-determination and independence. Indonesian security forces are ready to brutally suppress such actions.

Our partner church, the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua is very concerned. The church understands local aspirations and it encourages the community to be one that lives in hope. However, the church is aware that the situation now could simply erupt with many more lives at risk.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches and the Indonesian Bishop’s Conference have made public statements calling for an end to militarism in West Papua and for the withdrawal of excessive security forces. They are advocating for an urgent dialogue on West Papua’s future between respected Papuan leaders and the Indonesian Government.

Voices must be heard. Alternatives to violence must be sought. The rights and dignity of all Papuans must be respected. But time is short. Tragically, the absence of an effective way forward in West Papua means even more people will die.

Please join us in praying for West Papua. In particular, for an end to the escalating violence and an end to brutal military force; A just and peaceful outcome to the issues in West Papua ; For the leaders of our partner church, the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua as they work for peace and minister to those who are violated and traumatised by the violence.

Join us on Thursday December 1st as we pause and pray for peaceful negotiation between the Papuan people and the Indonesian Government regarding Papua’s future. We encourage all congregations to pray for West Papua this Sunday, 27th November.

See John Barr’s full update here. For more information and what to pray for, download the church resource here.

North India

The Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India, has been hit hard in recent times as Christians were threatened and churches in the Punjab were attacked in 2010. Then one of the diocesan schools in Tanmarg, Kashmir, was burnt down by antagonists in the same year.

We have recently received news that Rev. C. M. Khanna from UnitingWorld’s partner, the Presbyter at All Souls Church, Srinagar, has been arrested on charges of creating communal disharmony.

Rev. Chandra Mani Khanna, the presbyter in charge of All Saints’ Church in Srinagar, was taken from his home last Saturday evening, under the impression he was to meet with the police. He did not return home, and it was then discovered that he had been accused of forcing local people to convert Christianity and kept in custody.

Bishop P.K.Samantaroy, from the Amritsar Diocese, has stated in a release that “the whole Christian community is hurt because the Christian Mission work in the state of Kashmir has been carried out with utmost commitment for the benefit of the majority Muslim population…..it is unfortunate that the long sacrificial ministry of the Church has not been considered while arresting Rev Khanna for allegedly causing communal disharmony.”

He adds that “the Church has to now raise its voice of protest against such discriminatory action of the Jammu & Kashmir administration. Support should be mobilised to exert pressure on the State and Central Governments to release Rev. Khanna immediately.”

We are urged to raise concerns and to appeal for Rev Khanna’s release.

Please join us in praying for Rev. Khanna – for his protection, release and for the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir. In an update this morning, the Bishop has said that they “are hopeful that the bail application will be moved tomorrow and Rev. Khanna will be released.” They call for more support from the church worldwide.

UPDATE 1st December: We have received news this morning that Rev. Khanna has now been released on bail overnight. Please continue to keep this volatile situation in your prayers.

John Barr has prepared information regarding who churches and individuals can write to and what to pray for. Click here to see his full release. Download the release as a resource for your church here.

To read UnitingWorld’s press release, click here.

West Papua Update

A one day conference is being held on human rights in West Papua and security sector reform, plus a new collection of photos from West Papua.

Mon Nov 29, 10.30am-4pm. Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies, Mackie Bldg, Rm 114, Arundel St, Forest Lodge, Sydney University.

Speakers: Prof Peter King (Sydney Uni), Muso Sombuk (University of Papua), Rusdi Marpaung (Imparsial), Edio Gueterres (East Timor), Cammelia Webb-Gannon (Sydney Uni) & Dupito Simamora (Indonesian Embassy). Organised by Indonesian Solidarity & the West Papua Project.

For more info contact Peter King on 0422647025 or Eko Waluyo on +61416809107

The UnitingWorld Young Ambassadors for Peace program is currently in planning for additional peacemaking workshops in the Southern Highlands province in Papua New Guinea as new liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal creates a new source of tension for local people.

UnitingWorld Associate Director for Peacemaking, Ms Joy Balazo, is planning several additional workshops in the region to prevent further destructive conflict as a result of the deal.

The Exxon Mobil led LNG project is the biggest deal ever of its kind in the Pacific. An estimated AUD 15 million was invested in the project. Gas will be transported through 700 km of pipes from the Southern highlands to a Port Moresby storage facility.

The project is due to commence after construction finishes in 2014, and will have a life of over 30 years. It will yield an estimated return of AUD 30 billion, and is expected to double the PNG economy.

But local residents who live either on or surrounding the mining area will not see such benefits. Despite the size of the investment, once operating the mine is expected to employ less than 1000 locals. The deal includes only a 2.8 per cent share for local residents.

Some local tribal groups living on the mining sites are being relocated with minimal compensation, but the construction of roads for heavy machinery and a large international cargo airport are also causing severe disruptions.

UnitingWorld Associate Director for Peacemaking, Ms Joy Balazo, is deeply concerned about the effects the LNG deal is having on the peace within and between local communities.

“There is a battle of haves versus have-nots, and it is causing significant tension. I’ve seen with my own eyes the affect this is having on these communities. I am confident that these workshops will help stem destructive conflict.

“The local people that I have spoken to are not against development. They want development, but they want to be consulted on what is being done to the land where they live and how it is going to benefit them in the future,” said Joy.

In 2010, the YAP program will respond to the threat of growing conflict by holding additional workshops in the area surrounding Komo, located approximately 40 km south of Tari, to train community members and leaders in peaceful conflict resolution. The workshops will facilitate communication between communities and empower them to work together during uncertain times.

The YAP program has been working with communities surrounding Tari since 2003. In this time, significant steps have been made, including the signing of a peace treaty in 2008. Hundreds of participants from 32 tribal groups signed the treaty and agreed to give up their arms.

“More peacemaking is desperately needed to help prevent a return to destructive violence. I am confident that the treaty will go a long way to helping prevent this,” said Joy.