Stop Sudah English-revised-March2012 - International Center for ...

Papua in general, or the problem of violence against women in particular. In this context of
exceptional conflict and marginalization, the state has an obligation to protect those who are vulnerable,
but instead ignores the issue of violence that is raging in Papua, and experienced in particular by Papua
women. Up to now there has not been any serious handling of cases of state violence experienced by
women, not one case has ever been investigated, no sanctions imposed on perpetrators, and no trials.
For domestic violence, although there is the Domestic Violence Act at the national level, there is no
clear policy implementation to protect women victims of violence in Papua. There are currently no state
efforts to provide protection to victims of violence, either to protect victims in crisis situations or to
protect their broader rights. Police are still reluctant to deal with cases of domestic violence. It cannot be
denied that the two forms of violence against women, state violence and domestic violence are
interrelated. Impunity and permitting domestic violence have an impact on state violence, and vice versa.
In essence, the root of the problem is one, namely discrimination against women. Without efforts to
change the culture and laws, both written and in practice, violence against women will continue. The
protection and promotion of women’s human rights in Papua needs to happen immediately through the
implementation of national legislation, the creation of special provincial legislation, formation and
support for safe houses for abused women, as well as the deployment of various mechanisms of the
state, religious institutions, and culture at the local, national, and international levels to prevent and stop
violence against women.
5. Overlapping layers of trauma and powerlessness that are not addressed give rise to a cycle of
victimization. Women and girls have experienced mental suffering, fear, feelings of helplessness, lack
of self-confidence, depression and prolonged stress during security operations, during inter-tribal
violence, and in situations of domestic violence. As a result of multiple trauma, women experience
psycho-social pressures that make it increasingly difficult for them in terms of economic empowerment,
and access to education and information. It is also increasingly difficult for them to make decisions for
themselves or protect themselves from repetitive social problems, such as a husband who likes to get
drunk, the problem of polygamy and infidelity, and the spread of HIV/AIDS. When a woman must
become a single parent, or a daughter loses her parents due to violence or the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it
becomes easier for women to fall into a cycle of suffering that increasingly oppresses them.
In the name of humanity and human rights, violence against Papuan women in Papua should not be
allowed to continue.
2. What Must be Done Immediately to Stop Violence Against Papuan Women?
Based on the voices of women victims of violence that have been heard and collected in this report, we
make the following recommendations:
To demonstrate its political will, the central government mobilizes resources and takes action to:
• review security policies and implementation in Papua, including reducing the number of troops
deployed, preventing violence against civil society and women, punishing and dismissing perpetrators
of human rights violations, and removing the stigma of ‘separatist,’ ‘traitor,’ and ‘subversive’ from
those who work for the fulfillment of human rights and women’s rights in Papua.
• implement Law No. 21 of 2001 in accordance with the spirit of the articles of the law, and with
political will, especially in performing the obligation to reveal the truth and acknowledge that the
people of Papua in general, and women of Papua in particular have suffered state violence.
• conduct fair, peaceful, and democratic dialogue with the people of Papua as a process that has been
and continues to be driven by some components of society, and ensure that at least 30% of the
dialogue participants are women.
• establish a Human Rights Court and Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Papua according to the
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! 53