West Papua Action Network Sings the Praises of Yan Christian

THE PEOPLE of West Papua have been under Indonesian occupation since 1963. During this time, the Indonesian authorities have done everything in their power to keep Papuans silent. Yan Christian Warinussy has been one of the exceptions to this: he has been speaking out against the oppression of his people from a young age. He has continued to speak despite death threats and the intimidation of his family.

Courageously, he persists in seeking justice and defending those whose rights are being violated. He began his career as a human rights lawyer volunteering for a legal aid organization in Jayapura. Conscious of how his people were being unfairly treated by the Indonesian authorities, he was determined to improve their lives by demanding equal access to infrastructure and government services in order to satisfy the fundamental needs of his people.

Mr. Warinussy is well respected in all spheres of Papuan society and within the international human rights movement. A dedicated lawyer with a demanding schedule, he is always ready and willing to defend those in need. He defends people who would otherwise have no representation. He works with local community groups in isolated rural villages, cooperates with other lawyers and human rights groups, sits on government advisory committees, sits on advisory boards at UNIPA, and even coaches the local junior soccer team in its national league play.


CHANGING CHALLENGES INTO SOLUTIONS

He has negotiated peaceful settlements between indigenous groups and British Petroleum, who are developing a major liquefied natural gas project in Bintuni Bay area of Papua. He has helped the local communities to create development programs to handle any compensation offered by BP in an equitable manner. He was asked to be part of an independent advisory team to handle monitoring and evaluation of the resettlement of Papuans affected by the BP natural gas facility in Bintuni Bay. This work also involved preparing a study on how to
involve the local communities in the process of deciding what type of security apparatus the company might use to police their operations, so that conflict between security forces and local villages in the region can be avoided. He provided needed information that helped to form the basis of the Special Autonomy Law. Mr. Warinussy took on a central role helping to ensure that the Law was interpreted according to the spirit of the initial agreement.

He coordinated a public education team to promote Special Autonomy among community leaders as a peaceful tool to resolve grievances over Indonesian control of Papua. Most importantly, he worked through the media and public conference to encourage the establishment of the Papuan People's Council (MRP) to represent the Papuan community, as well as to oversee the implementation of the remaining aspect of the Law.


PERSISTENT, INNOVATIVE AND DETERMINED

Yan Christian has played a major role in protecting the human rights of the people of Wasior during and after the conflict that began in 2001. He has been conducting human rights monitoring and investigation ever since. His continual help is of utmost importance for the population of Wasior. In 2004 he was invited to join the National Human Rights Commission investigation into the 2002–3 conflict in the community of Wasior.

Until now, Yan Christian has been applying pressure on the National Human Rights Commission to continue with the investigation and to hold the perpetrators accountable.


YAN CHRISTIAN, THE PRIDE OF HIS COMMUNITY

Yan Christian radiates with a confidence that touches all of the people he works with. This outspoken and dedicated human rights defender opens his home and his office to the community in which he lives. Yan Christian never passes up an opportunity to help his fellow Papuans. He works tirelessly night and day to improve Papuans’ lives and to ensure that their rights are respected. When someone comes to his house or office with a grievance, he takes immediate action.

People in his community of Manokwari feel that without Yan Christian their situation would be much more dire. He exerts a positive influence on those around him and instils in them a sense of hope and empowerment. His courage and openness draw people to him while inspiring their trust.

He has demonstrated his strength and conviction in justice and true democracy and has challenged the legislators in West Papua. The victims of human rights violations are often able to pick up the pieces of their lives and work, with the help of Yan Christian, who provides encouragement and a sense of security and comfort for these people.

We wish to thank everyone working for human rights in West Papua and especially Rights & Democracy for providing the opportunity to honour the very important work of Yan Christian Warinussy and for bringing West Papua into the spotlight. Our sincere congratulations to Yan Christian and to all those who stand to uphold the values and ideals of human rights and freedom.