'West Papua: The Hidden Pacific Conflict' seminar, 18 August 2006

Saturday, 19 August, Auckland - 'West Papua: the hidden Pacific conflict' all day seminar, registration from 8.30am, seminar begins at 9am with a plenary session 'What is happening within West Papua and how is the international community responding'; with speakers, workshops and film screenings throughout the day until 4-30pm - workshop topics include the history of West Papua and human rights; environment / Freeport McMoran and illegal logging; strategy and tactics, the campaign ahead - the full programme is on-line here. Keynote speaker is Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman, Chairman of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in West Papua and peace, justice and human rights campaigner; other overseas speakers are: John Wing ,Centre for Conflict Studies, Sydney; Alison Ryan, Progressio UK; Nick Chesterfield who has recently conducted a mission in PNG 'Security Assessment and Intelligence profile'; Anne Noonan and Joe Collins, Australian West Papua Association which is based in Sydney - see more information about these speakers below. All welcome, at the AUT Lecture Theatre WA 220, corner Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive. Registration $20 / $10, for more information contact Indonesian Human Rights Committee email or tel 027 443 6957, tel David (09) 360 3037 or Kevin (09) 377 5541.

About Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman

Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman is chairman of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in West Papua. In the past eight years, Rev Socratez has taken an increasingly high profile as a campaigner for peace, justice and human rights in West Papua. He has briefed Australian, British and European parliamentarians as well as United Nations representatives about West Papua. He has written five books about West Papua, including 'Papuans Are Not Separatists' and 'Gate to Free Papua'.

Rev Socratez has released a list of incidents in 2006 when he was terrorised and intimidated by Indonesian military, police or intelligence officers, including when his car was destroyed by Indonesian Mobile Brigade Police: "Myself, I am not afraid because I am talking about the truth and justice and peace; and I'm talking about human dignity and human rights. But I'm still afraid for my two son."

Other overseas speakers at the seminar

John Wing has been involved with human rights issues in Indonesia for 20 years. He was appointed coordinator of the West Papua Project at the University of Sydney's Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in 2003. His 'genocide' report last year on the current human rights, environmental, political and social situation in Papua has stirred controversy and been a key reference for governments and parliamentarians. Wing is keen to deliver alternative sources of electricity - such as solar and micro hydro power - to remote areas of Papua. He also hopes to provide cheap, simple lighting to homes and refrigeration for clinics.

Nick Chesterfield conducted a mission recently in PNG - 'Security Assessment and Intelligence profile'. He did his field work for the Australian West Papua campaign and was funded by donations from concerned people. The report looks at the troop build-up which is occurring on the border with West Papua. Since the demonstrations of March 15/16, there have been widespread reprisals by the security forces against students and the family members of all university students in West Papua. Nick says that the communities on the border on the PNG side are fearful of an Indonesian incursion.

Anne Noonan is long-term West Papua activist in Sydney. A medical doctor, Anne has a specialist interest in the health situation of the West Papuan people and has worked hard to draw attention to the escalating HIV/Aids problem in West Papua.

Joe Collins is a key activist and organiser with the Australian West Papua Association (AWPA) based in Sydney, regularly called on to speak on the issue.

Alison Ryan will bring information from Britain and Europe on West Papua's lobbying focus and the reactions of European Union and United Nations governments. She is with Progressio, which participates in a faith-based network on West Papua at present consisting of organisations in Europe but may be extended.

National speaking tour itinerary, 18 August to 5 September

- 'West Papua: The hidden Pacific conflict' public meeting with speakers Rev Socratez Sofyan and John Wing, Sydney Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, 7pm at AUT Lecture Theatre WA 220, corner Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive. For more information for more information contact Indonesian Human Rights Committee email or tel 027 443 6957, tel David (09) 360 3037 or Kevin (09) 377 5541.

- 'West Papua: the hidden Pacific conflict' all day seminar, registration from 8.30am, seminar begins at 9am with a plenary session 'What is happening within West Papua and how is the international community responding'; with speakers, workshops and film screenings throughout the day until 4-30pm - workshop topics include the history of West Papua and human rights; environment / Freeport McMoran and illegal logging; strategy and tactics, the campaign ahead - the full programme is on-line here. Keynote speaker is Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman, Chairman of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in West Papua and peace, justice and human rights campaigner; other overseas speakers are: John Wing ,Centre for Conflict Studies, Sydney; Alison Ryan, Progressio UK; Nick Chesterfield who has recently conducted a mission in PNG 'Security Assessment and Intelligence profile'; Anne Noonan and Joe Collins, Australian West Papua Association which is based in Sydney - see more information about these speakers below. All welcome, at the AUT Lecture Theatre WA 220, corner Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive. Registration $20 / $10, for more information contact Indonesian Human Rights Committee email or tel 027 443 6957, tel David (09) 360 3037 or Kevin (09) 377 5541.

- 'West Papua: the hidden Pacific conflict' public meeting at 7pm, Pat Irving Lounge, at the back of St John's Church Centre, 149 Kamo Rd, Kensington; for more information contact Tim email.

- 'West Papua: the hidden Pacific conflict', Pax Christi and Amnesty International, by courtesy of the Indonesian Human Rights Committee, West Papuan Human Rights Advocate and author, Socratez Sofyan Yoman,President Communion of Baptist Churches of West Papua - 7pm, at St Mary's Catholic Church, corner Cameron Road and Elizabeth Street; for more information contact Peter tel 574 0976.

- Pot-luck dinner followed by address by Socratez and conversation on the situation in West Papua, 6pm at the Baptist Central, 285 Wicksteed Street.

- CID lunchtime forum with Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman who will be speaking about conditions under the Indonesian occupation, 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the Centre for Global Action, Level 2, James Smith Building, corner Manners St and Cuba St Malls; please RSVP, if you are planning on attending, to Kyi Kyi email.

- 'West Papua: Justice, Peace and Human Rights', a public talk by Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman, 5.30pm at the Wellington Central Baptist Church, 46 to 48 Boulcott Street; for more information contact Caritas email.

- 'Focus on West Papua', Pacific Studies, Va'aomanu Pasifika presents a talk by Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, from 12 noon to 1.30pm, Seminar Room, 6 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington. All welcome, please bring your lunch. For more information contact Teresia Teaiwa, Pacific Studies, Va'aomanu Pasifika email or Peace Movement Aotearoa, email or tel (04) 382 8129. A printable poster advertising this meeting is available here.

- public meeting with Rev Socratez Sofyan Yoman, 7.30pm at the Holy Name Parish Centre, 420 Great King Street.

- 'West Papua: Creating a Zone of Peace' public meeting, 7-30 pm at Knox Hall, 28 Bealey Avenue (corner Victoria Street and Bealey Ave); Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman speaking on the situation in West Papua after over four decades of Indonesian occupation. For more information contact Christian World Service email or Arena; a printable poster advertising this meeting is available here

- 'West Papua: the Hidden Pacific Conflict' public seminar, 1pm, Macmillan Brown Centre, 100 Arts Road, University of Canterbury; for more information contact Christian World Service email.