Promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights since 1981

Our work in 1999–2011 Historical context

hen local non-governmental movement that has operated in radicalised many elements of Acehnese organisations (NGOs) in East ever since. Other factors that provide society, particularly students. Amnesty W Timor asked Peace Brigades the background to the subsequent International reported that between 1989 International (PBI) for support, Indonesia low-intensity conflict include resource and 1992 about 2,000 people were killed by was emerging from decades of autocratic exploitation, social and economic military operations in Aceh. rule under General Suharto. During this underdevelopment, the transmigration In the wake of economic crisis and period the military were deeply embedded policies that significantly changed the political opposition, Suharto resigned in May in the political and economic life of the demography of the province, the high 1998 and a process of “reformasi” (reform) country. Suharto himself had come to military presence and human rights was initiated throughout the country. power following the coup attempt against violations. The Indonesian government held a Sukarno, the hero of Independence in Portugal abandoned its claim to its referendum on the future of East Timor 1965. Thus two long periods of autocratic colony of East Timor in 1974. Fighting in August 1999. The result showed rule had shaped Indonesia following its between rival political groups created a a clear majority (78.5%) in favour of independence from the Dutch in 1949. climate of violence and instability into independence. Pro-Indonesian Timorese The territorial power plays that marked which Indonesia stepped by annexing and militias, with the support of Indonesian the post-independence era set the stage occupying East Timor in 1976. In the same soldiers, retaliated with violence. Two for future self-determination aspirations in year, in the province of Aceh, the armed hundred thousand refugees were forced East Timor, Aceh and Papua. resistance group Gerakan Aceh Merdeka into West Timor, where they lived in poor In 1961 Indonesia launched a military (GAM-Free Aceh Movement) was created. conditions in refugee camps. Immediately operation for the ‘return’ of Papua. (In In the late 1970s, Indonesian authorities following the announcement of the December 1949, the Netherlands had conducted mass arrests of GAM members election results, armed militia, supported recognised Indonesian sovereignty over and killed many of its leaders. Following a by the Indonesian military, launched a the Dutch East Indies with the exception hiatus GAM re-emerged with broad popular campaign of killings, property destruction of Papua.) Following international support in the late 1980s, at which time and forced evacuations of townships. It pressure, Indonesia was mandated to the Indonesian government launched a was against this contradictory background administer a UN-supervised referendum counter-insurgency campaign. The military of reform and violent suppression that PBI on the future of the territory in 1969, the oppression and human rights abuses entered Indonesia. so-called ‘’. The referendum resulted in a unanimous decision to remain in Indonesia. However, the referendum was limited to a council of 1,026 tribal leaders out of a population of 800,000. Their unanimous decision to remain in Indonesia was tainted by allegations of coercion and intimidation. The sense of injustice and disenfranchisement this decision generated has formed the basis of the grievances of the separatist

This report was funded by the Civil Peace Service Indonesia

2 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 Introduction Contents

ince 1981, Peace Brigades those working for peace and justice. From Historical context 2 S International (PBI) has supported its beginnings in East and West Timor hundreds of communities and to its work in Aceh and in Papua, PBI Introduction 3 thousands of people in eleven countries. Indonesia supported local organisations We protect human rights defenders who through providing protection, networking Our history in Indonesia 4 work tirelessly in pursuit of justice for and advocacy support and through those who have been denied their basic cooperating with local organisations in Timeline 6 rights and have experienced threats, peace education and capacity building. violence and displacement. We work only PBI’s work in Indonesia spanned the How we worked: International at the request of human rights defenders geographical extremes of the archipelago, Protective Accompaniment 8 and in response to their needs. Our from Aceh to Papua, from devout Muslims unique approach combines on-the-ground to tribal Christians, from open conflict to How we worked: expertise and local knowledge with heavily militarised yet covert repression. Participatory Peace Education 10 international advocacy, aiming to ensure As the political and security context that human rights defenders are able to evolved, so did the work of PBI Indonesia. Reflections 12 carry out their work, contributing to social This report outlines PBI’s history in justice and peace, in relative safety. Indonesia and provides some reflections, Our volunteers and supporters 14 PBI withdrew from Indonesia at the end which we hope will be useful for work in of January 2011 following eleven years the fields of human rights, peacebuilding The organisations and of work with human rights defenders and and justice in Indonesia. individuals we worked with 15

Local human rights defenders at a PBI security training workshop in Papua, 2007

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 3 Our history in Indonesia

East and West Timor 1999-2002 Aceh 2001-2008 PBI developed good relations with In the late 1990s, PBI received two During 2000 PBI received requests for the authorities in Aceh, a significant urgent requests to establish an protective accompaniment from NGOs in achievement for an international international presence in East Timor, Aceh where human rights abuses were organisation given the political climate. where human rights defenders were rife. There was very little international The human rights defenders we supported facing great difficulties carrying out their presence, which meant that the emerging felt our regular contact with the local work in a climate of intimidation and civil society movement seeking a authorities contributed to transparency violence. nonviolent solution to the conflict was and lessened suspicion. PBI’s original intention had been extremely vulnerable. PBI established a PBI’s work in Aceh was curtailed as to establish a team in East Timor team in Banda Aceh in March 2001 and the political situation deteriorated and immediately after the August 1999 provided protective accompaniment to the government declared martial law in referendum. However, the escalation local NGOs on a regular basis, including May 2003. PBI teams re-located to the of violence forced the evacuation of on field trips outside the main cities neighbouring province of Medan where they all international non-governmental where the security situation was much monitored the situation by telephone and organisation (INGO) observers, making graver. At this time PBI was one of only met with human rights defenders whenever this impossible. PBI decided to set three INGOs in Aceh. In December they were able to travel outside Aceh. PBI up a team in West Timor in November 2002, PBI established a second team in also conducted conflict transformation 1999, with the aim of working across Lhokseumawe, North Aceh. workshops at the request of local West Timor and with refugees from East Timor. In addition to protective work, the West Timor team responded to some of the many requests they received for conflict resolution training. PBI provided a protective presence for Indonesian human rights and humanitarian workers in West Timor until three UNHCR staff were killed on 6 September 2000, following which all foreigners were evacuated. PBI volunteers maintained daily telephone contact from Jakarta with local NGOs, providing moral encouragement and monitoring the security situation. In November 2001, PBI was among the first INGOs to return with a security assessment team. However, in light of the findings (that there was a decreased threat to our partner groups) PBI formally closed the programme in May 2002. A team had been established in Jakarta in September 2001 to monitor events, help coordinate and support field teams, and maintain relations with the Indonesian government, foreign embassies and international and local NGOs. Later, this team would also provide protective services for local organisations in Jakarta. Workshop for women with partner FORPWAT (Forum for Women’s empowerment Central Aceh) in Aceh, 2007

4 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 the capital meant that there were fewer requests for protective services from Jakarta-based organisations. In Papua, however, the situation for human rights defenders remained grave: threats were Workshop with partner CMC (Children’s Media Centre) in Aceh, 2006 frequent, impunity undiminished and there was a desire on the part of the organisations in Medan during this period. tsunami Aceh protective accompaniment government to carefully control access to When martial law was downgraded to was no longer a priority; however, PBI the province for international observers. a civil emergency on 19 May, 2004, the received requests to return to support As there were very few international Aceh team was still unable to gain re-entry training on peacebuilding-related topics. organisations present in Papua, PBI’s and re-located to Jakarta in November A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on-the-ground monitoring and reporting 2004. However, on 26 December 2004, was signed between the Indonesian played a key role and was highly valued by Indonesia, and particularly Aceh, was government and GAM (Free Aceh concerned members of the international badly hit by earthquakes and a tsunami Movement) on 15 August 2005, ending the community. that resulted in the deaths of tens of armed conflict. Administrative hindrances to the thousands of people including some of PBI worked in Aceh until 2008 when work of INGOs increased in 2009 with PBI’s Indonesian colleagues. In post- our presence was no longer needed many INGOs, and also embassy staff, because local organisations were facing difficulties in gaining access to capable of carrying out peace education Papua. When the authorities refused themselves and had ample access to to grant travel permits to PBI members international networks. The Jakarta team in January 2010 (necessary to be able continued to monitor the situation in Aceh to work or travel in most areas outside and conducted an evaluation field trip at Jayapura), PBI had to close operations in the time of increased tensions in the run . up to the elections in April 2009. Increased restrictions on movement in Papua and some internal challenges led PBI to carry out a strategic review of Papua 2004-2010 the organisation’s work in Indonesia. As a In 2003, PBI began receiving requests to result, in early November 2010 PBI took work in Papua. The the difficult decision to close operations. (OPM) had been engaged in low-intensity Before withdrawal, PBI worked with warfare with government forces. This contacts inside the NGO, INGO and provided the Indonesian government with diplomatic communities to provide some a convenient way to de-legitimise groups continuity of support to the human rights and individuals working for social justice defenders we had been working with. PBI and human rights, who were dismissed as Indonesia closed officially on 28 January separatists. Following assessment, a team 2011, although a minimal presence was was established in Jayapura in March maintained for the rest of the year to 2004. provide support and play a bridging role to After nine months in Jayapura, on other organisations inside and outside the the advice of human rights defenders, country. PBI decided to explore the possibility of Conscious of the continued gravity working in the highlands, where human of the human rights situation in Papua, rights abuses and intimidation against civil and in commitment to those with whom society were conducted with impunity. PBI we have worked, PBI is exploring the established a presence in Wamena in July possibility of returning to Indonesia. At 2005. the time of writing, however, the options Workshop for women with partner FORPWAT (Forum for Women’s empowerment Central Aceh) in Aceh, 2007 The improved security situation in for future work in Indonesia are limited.

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 5 Timeline

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2004 PBI carries out peace education training for the Directorate JANUARY 2000 General of PBI West Human Rights Timor team Protection established, and other working high level across West Government Timor and of Indonesia with refugees staff from East Timor May 2003 MAY 2004

PBI meeting with police PBI training of trainers PBI allowed to PBI officers in Kalimantan, 2007 MAY 2000 workshop in Sulawesi, 2005 stay until July establishes a team in PBI receives Jayapura, requests MARCH 2001 “Peace Brigades International plays Papua to work in a leading and commendable part in Aceh PBI team in peace building in trouble spots such Banda Aceh as Aceh.” NOVEMBER 2004 “Because of their accompaniment established Fabrice Etienne, First Secretary, Embassy of France in Indonesia and peace education work, PBI is AUGUST 2000 - PBI is one Aceh teams well respected by the church and of only three relocate NGO groups who work for peace PBI presence to Jakarta and social justice in Timor.” international in Jakarta NGOs in Aceh to begin Thobias A. Messakh, Moderator, MAY 2002 Protestant Evangelical Church in established and carries concerted Timor to monitor out protective effort for re- PBI formally events, help services JULY – AUGUST entry ends coordinate and peace 2003 presence in AUGUST 1999 and support education West Timor Aceh teams field teams activities DECEMBER 2004 PBI East and provide relocated to Following Timor team advocacy Medan NOVEMBER 2001 requests from established support DECEMBER 2002 local Papuan AugUST 1998 West Timor PBI OCTOBER – organisations, SEPTEMBER 1999 SEPTEMBER 2000 team returns establishes a NOVEMBER 2003 PBI carries PBI receives and carries second team out an requests to PBI East Evacuation out in-depth in Lhok- PBI receives assessment work in East Timor team of the West security seumawe, requests to in the Papuan Timor evacuated Timor Team assessment North Aceh work in Papua highlands

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

30 AugUST 1998 SEPTEMBER 1999 SEPTEMBER 2000 18 May 2003 19 MAY 2004 Referendum Widespread Three UNHCR President Martial law on future of violence personnel Megawati ends in Aceh East Timor following killed in West declares East Timor Timor martial law referendum in Aceh. All 26 DECEMBER forced the “PBI is the most reliable source of International 2004 information on Aceh.” evacuation NGOs forced Tsunami hits of all NGO Hans Doctor, First Secretary, Governance to leave and Human Rights, Royal Netherlands Aceh observers Embassy in Indonesia Aceh due to imposition of military rule

KEY TIMOR ACEH JAKARTA PAPUA ALL

6 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 PBI providing protective accompaniment for JAPH&HAM (Advocacy Network for JANUARY 2010 Upholding Law and Human PBI team Rights) in Papua, 2009 in Wamena leaves due to inability to obtain travel permits

AUGUST– OCTOBER 2010 JANUARY 2011 A Strategic PBI formally Review of ends JANUARY 2005 JANUARY 2006 PBI Indonesia presence in is carried Indonesia Aceh Participatory out with the Assessment Peace FEBRUARY 2008 participation Team travels Education of current JANUARY– to Banda team Two and former DECEMBER 2011 Aceh, to established Participatory staff and determine in Aceh Peace volunteers PBI maintains how PBI Education from a person in can provide summits Indonesia and Indonesia to protection “I don’t speak English. I don’t held in Aceh across PBI provide follow and trauma speak Indonesian. But I am able to support up support to to think and I know that my counselling strategy NGOs people have been abused, shot, OCTOBER 2010 tortured and hit. So everyday development and FEBRUARY 2005 all I can do is pray about this. I Round table have come here today to say a big networking MAY–DECEMBER thank you to PBI.” event bringing 2011 Aceh team between Papuan NGO Dauke Mabel, head of the Indigenous local NGOs reopens represent- PBI conducts Nations (LMA) for the Papuan Middle in advance an office in Highlands atives to research to of PBI Banda Aceh Jakarta to establish the withdrawal meet with feasibility of from the JANUARY 2009 international returning to province JULY 2005 MAY 2006 PBI Jakarta contacts, Indonesia. At team Indonesian the time of PBI Participatory assesses authorities writing, the establishes a Peace JUNE 2008 situation in and national options for new team in Education PBI formally Aceh during NGOs in future PBI Wamena, in team ends run up to preparation work in the the Papuan established in presence in national for PBI’s country are highlands Papua Aceh elections withdrawal limited.

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

15 AUGUST 2005 10 DECEMBER “Because of my work as a human MID-2009 “I want to thank my friends with 2006 rights activist, I have been intimi- PBI for supporting me for so long. I Peace dated, terrorised and detained. I National could not have done this important agreement Elections in had to be evacuated in a freight legislative and workshop raising awareness of Hu- Aceh bring plane and even thought I had man Rights and Law with the Police between to leave the country. Since PBI presidential former GAM elections held if you were not here supporting me. Indonesian protects me, I feel a lot safer. I Thank you.” leader to can work more self-confidently Government Theo Hesegem, JAPH&HAM and GAM power and openly, I don’t have to hide (Advocacy Network for Upholding (Free Aceh anymore.” Law and Human Rights) Movement) Matius Murib, Kontras Papua

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 7 How we worked: International Protective Accompaniment

BI seeks to provide protection described overleaf (pages 10 and 11), as and support to those who defend well as the protection work described on “Frankly, we feel more P human rights and promote peace these pages. comfortable if there is and social justice in areas of repression PBI’s signature activity is international accompaniment from and conflict, when conditions allow and protective accompaniment, in which PBI. We really need we have been asked to do so by human trained international volunteers PBI on these trips.” rights defenders themselves. We advocate provide protection through physical Khairani Arifin, Coordinator at all levels – from the soldier at a local accompaniment to threatened RPuK (Women’s Volunteer checkpoint to national governments and organisations and individuals, backed up Team for Humanity), Aceh international bodies such as the UN – for by global advocacy. PBI field volunteers international human rights accountability. are the physical embodiment of a global Our aim is to support threatened movement that believes in upholding human rights defenders by encouraging universal human rights. They send appropriate responses from governments, a powerful message that the world victims and collect testimonies. In Aceh, raising international awareness of the is watching and prepared to act to between January 2001 and May 2003, a context in which defenders carry out prevent human rights violations and hold period of violent conflict and suppression their vital work, and building bridges perpetrators accountable. of human rights, there was intense between them and the outside world. We demand for physical accompaniment. withdraw when our presence is no longer Physical Accompaniment PBI also provided accompaniment to needed. Our work is based on requests Physical accompaniment ranges from an defenders in Papua – in the capital and tailored to the specific local context. around-the-clock presence in offices and Jayapura, in Wamena in the highlands In Indonesia, this included developing a homes to observing key meetings, trials and on trips to more remote areas of the range of peacebuilding activities termed and demonstrations, to accompanying province. Physical accompaniment was “participatory peace education (PPE)”, defenders to remote areas to meet with also provided in Jakarta.

In June 2005, PBI accompanied PBHI 7 December 2000, police raided several support gave LBH Papua (Lembaga (Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights student and local residences after an attack Bantuan Hukum Papua, Legal Aid Association) for the final verdict of the on the police station in Abepura, Jayapura Foundation Papua) and PBHI (members first non-ad hoc Human Rights Court in district (Papua). The raid resulted in seven of the NGO coalition representing the Makassar, South Sulawesi, following a deaths and around 100 injured civilians. Abepura victims) confidence and increased trial concerning the Abepura Case. On Although the accused were cleared, PBI’s security as they represented witnesses.

8 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 “In one incident in Aceh, a defender was taken in by the police. On searching his wallet they found a PBI business card. They questioned him about knowing PBI then let him go. He was convinced that this saved him from – at the very least – being beaten up. There were incidents when members of accompanied organisations had been arrested and their friends and family were unable to find where they were being held. PBI was able to locate them diplomatically and had them released.” Lin Padgham, former PBI Indonesia Committee Member

Protective Presence resource constraints, it was not possible to generally lasted one to three weeks and In addition to physical accompaniment, have a permanent presence in such areas, involved PBI visiting local or regional the presence of international observers field trips were one way to spread the authorities with local partner organisations, can contribute to a deterrent strategy. In deterrent effect of PBI’s work by ensuring networking with other local organisations West Timor, regular visits to local offices visibility, increasing the confidence of local and gathering up-to-date information for of NGOs, together with dialogue with local defenders and providing connections to analysis and advocacy purposes. authorities and reporting on the situation the international community. Field trips to the international community, provided protective presence for communities. In Wamena, in the highlands of Papua, the setting up of a field team, with the attendant establishment and maintenance of contacts with local authorities, provided a more general deterrent effect. In this relatively isolated environment, civil society had been cowed by a history of violence and a pervasive sense of danger and threat, which dissuaded organisation and activity. Statistics show that the highest percentage of direct human rights violations occur in remote areas of Papua, where there are virtually no national or PBI providing protective presence for partner KontrasS Papua (Commission for international observers. While, due to Disappearances and Victims of Violence) at a demonstration in Freeport, Papua 2005

Advocacy, networking and bridging international contacts. networking and bridging activities to PBI Indonesia maintained ongoing contact PBI also organised awareness-raising link defenders with political supporters, with civil and military authorities as well as and advocacy-focused events including national NGOs, INGOs and other human providing in-depth information to a wide round-tables with authorities and NGOs rights advocates, both in-country and range of members of the international in Jakarta and Papua and speaking tours internationally. These activities were community. This kind of advocacy is a with Indonesian human rights defenders an important way of introducing local vital element of PBI’s protective strategy, in Europe, in close collaboration with PBI grassroots organisations to others without which physical accompaniment country groups. who could respond to their protection, would be far less effective. A key element of PBI’s work involved advocacy and development needs. PBI was able to gather on-the- ground information that, due to highly In 2008, the Canadian Embassy in “Each time we speak restricted access to conflict areas, was Jakarta asked PBI to coordinate a with the authorities impossible for others to obtain. PBI reports delegation to Wamena. PBI Indonesia in the field, they contained political analysis and tracked facilitated contact between the associate RATA with the development of key issues, as well as Canadian Embassy and YSBA PBI. This makes us detailing elements of PBI’s field presence (Space for Local Culture Foundation). feel very safe in doing and providing recommendations for action. YSBA organised a traditional feast our work.” Quarterly bulletins provided perspectives and facilitated a meeting with local from local and international experts on Nurdin, Director of RATA community organisations. PBI’s relevant issues, such as the Jakarta-Papua (Rehabilitation Action for linking of the Canadian Embassy dialogue, forest degradation and large-scale Torture Victims in Aceh), Aceh to local organisations opened up agro-projects in Papua. These advocacy support opportunities for these materials were disseminated widely through organisations. PBI’s network of country groups and

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 9 How we worked: Participatory Peace Education

BI Indonesia’s response PBI began its Participatory Peace Other Participatory Peace P to the many requests for Education (PPE) programme in Aceh Education Activities peace education received in 2005, soon after its re-entry into the In addition to the more intensive was characterised by commitment to province. The final major PPE activity workshop approach, PBI also a participatory approach that valued took place in February 2008 in the form developed a series of small-scale local expertise. PBI’s methodology was of two peace education summits. These activities in both Aceh and Papua: elicitive, drawing out local knowledge and summits were organised to bring PBI experience, and enabling the development partners and other local organisations Monthly discussions in which of skills through collaborative planning from throughout Aceh together, to share participants proposed a theme and and facilitation of events. experiences, skills, and knowledge. local organisations and members of In addition to building bridges and civil society were invited to participate. Conflict Transformation support structures between local peace The facilitated discussions, which In the early years, PBI Indonesia carried educators, PBI also introduced local would sometimes include a local guest out conflict transformation workshops peace educators to key international speaker, proved to be empowering and in West Timor and in several locations contacts, including donor organisations. community building, as they provided on the island of Flores. Workshops were a safe space to talk about civil also carried out in Aceh, where peace society issues and initiatives. Themes education became the focus of PBI organisations in, for example, Sulawesi. suggested by participants included activity following the tsunami. Conflict In Papua the role of adat (local custom) inter-group conflict and traditional analysis skills were introduced, conflict formed an important part of conflict methods of conflict resolution, handling techniques based on local transformation training. Other events, such women’s empowerment, regional customs were explored and models of as the Peace Youth Camp in Aceh and development and its impact on the mediation appropriate to the local context the annual Peace Day celebration events environment. were developed through the workshops. in Papua, provided opportunities for PBI Later, training of trainers was developed partners to develop skills and experience in collaboration with Indonesian partner through planning and facilitating activities.

“In Papua, just gathering people in a workshop was an important act as people were afraid, isolated and disempowered. A safe protected space to talk was a big added factor. The regular discussions and film screenings that PBI organised in Papua were rather successful and well attended and appreciated. They provided a useful space for reflection and inspiration.” Esther Cann, former volunteer

PBI peace education summit in Aceh, 2008

10 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 Film screenings were a way to introduce relevant, and sometimes sensitive, topics “In the Papuan highlands I witnessed PBI at its best, and stimulate discussion, with local activists using protection and peace education in mutually sometimes facilitating the discussions. reinforcing ways. I remember how PBI volunteers Being able to travel out to more remote worked effortlessly to empower a group of local areas for film screenings was also a way of facilitators, encouraging them to take ownership providing protection through the visibility of of PBI’s first workshop on conflict transformation PBI. Meeting with local authorities to inform in the area. While the volunteers literally created them of planned activities strengthened this space for peace during the workshop by holding off protective effect. intruders from intimidating the participants, one of the local facilitators proudly conducted his own Peace libraries were established in session on the use of traditional culture as a tool for Aceh, Jayapura and Wamena. These conflict transformation. Using PBI’s participatory provided places for human rights methodology, he showed the participants their own defenders to meet, as well as offering potential as peacebuilders and concluded that they access for local communities to a range wouldn’t need outsiders to solve their own problems.” of materials in English and Indonesian. Huibert Oldenhuis, former volunteer and later PPE Coordinator In Wamena, the local library staff gained capacity by gradually developing and carrying out small-scale activities.

PBI peace library in Wamena, Papua 2008

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 11 Reflections

BI provided protection and works, PBI has to assess the degree of access that itself provided protection to support to twenty-four political will and room for manoeuvre that them. This became increasingly difficult P organisations and individuals exists. The willingness of political allies and placed some strains on advocacy in Indonesia, many of whom had little to act is crucial to the effectiveness of efforts, particularly during the period or no other international support, and protection mechanisms, and the most in Papua. Papuan NGOs had limited worked with a wide range of other effective pressure, in terms of origin and capacity for documenting and reporting local organisations to develop conflict type, must be explored. Changing power alleged human rights violations, which resolution and peacebuilding skills. These dynamics, economically and politically, presented challenges for our advocacy organisations and individuals in turn at the regional and international level, efforts. The global economic and political supported thousands of women, men and may call for a re-assessment of the focus status of Indonesia also raised questions children who had been denied their basic and means of leverage. Analysis of such about Western governments’ willingness rights – from being forced to flee their factors contributed to our assessment that to challenge human rights violations homes, to suffering violence and torture, a PBI presence in Indonesia was no longer robustly (although there are also valid to being persecuted for belonging to an tenable, leading to the decision to leave. concerns about the effectiveness of direct indigenous community. and public challenges, as mentioned In working for more than eleven years Relationships with authorities above). The effectiveness of aligning within different and evolving geo-political Establishing relationships with broader advocacy themes with PBI as a contexts, PBI had to learn to adapt and the authorities, based on regular whole was recognised and developed in experiment in order to respond to the communication and transparency, is the latter years of our work. Ultimately, diverse needs of human rights defenders. an important part of PBI’s work. In though, developing an effective advocacy We hope some of the reflections Indonesia, while we enjoyed constructive strategy remained a key challenge for PBI presented here will be useful for future relationships with a number of local – as was also the case for other INGOS work in the fields of human rights, peace and regional contacts, we found it more trying to work in Papua – and proved and justice in Indonesia. difficult to access national level contacts, difficult in the face of internal and external especially in the latter years of the developments. Adapting to complex conflict project. Many other INGOs faced similar contexts difficulties. The level of suspicion towards Innovation PBI had to find flexible, pragmatic and international observers in Papua, and the PBI worked in several different areas of creative ways to adapt to a complex consequent control of access, frustrated the geographically vast and culturally conflict context in which the perceptions PBI’s efforts and eventually made our diverse country that is Indonesia. The and actions of the Indonesian government work impossible. nature of the threats posed to human are influenced by historical experience, Relationship-building requires cultural rights defenders, and the capacity of civil cultural expectation and global political awareness, continuity and investment society to respond to these, varied in each and economic status. In the economically of time and energy. In the Indonesian context. Adapting to these diverse and important and politically sensitive area context, this could usefully have been changing contexts can only effectively of Papua particularly, direct international broadened to include networks of happen on the ground and requires political pressure can prove ineffective, or influential national allies who appreciated time. The appropriate mix of strategies even counterproductive. This was clearly the valuable contribution that human for a particular situation, or a particular illustrated in 2009 when the International rights defenders can make to the country’s group, needs to be developed within a Committee of the Red Cross was development and who understood the framework that recognises the limits of the prevented from operating in Papua despite constructive role that PBI could play in organisation’s capabilities, remains true political protests. enabling this. to the principles that guide the work, but Realistic analyses of the geo-political leaves room for creativity and innovation. situation and a frank and open exchange Advocacy and support networks PBI developed two key complementary with political contacts are important for The complexity of the conflict context approaches in Indonesia, which increased PBI’s work to have the desired impact in Indonesia meant PBI had to strike a the project’s flexibility and responsiveness of deterring attacks against human delicate balance: to find a way to advocate to local needs with some success. rights defenders and opening space for for the protection needs of human rights As needs changed in West Timor and peace. In every country in which PBI defenders without jeopardising the Aceh due to political developments,

12 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 PBI peace education workshop in Sentani, Papua 2005

PBI was able to respond to these, their skills in planning and facilitation, and each must be explicitly recognised as emphasising protective services or encouraging participants to reflect on the mutually reinforcing. There was still much participatory peace education as cultural resources they could draw on for potential for development in this direction appropriate. In Flores and elsewhere, handling conflict. These activities provided when PBI’s work had to be abandoned conflict transformation and prevention a protective presence by demonstrating due to administrative restrictions on workshops played an important role, given the international links of human rights movement in Papua. the number of inter-group conflicts (ethnic defenders, underlined by the visits to and religious) that flared following the fall local authorities to inform them of planned of Suharto. events, as well as being key opportunities It was in the Papuan context, for information gathering. particularly in Wamena, that PBI Where there are dual approaches integrated protective and peacebuilding within a project, in this case protective elements to the greatest extent. Carrying services and participatory peace out peace education activities in the education, there must be clarity in the villages was a way to help partners build goals and strategies of each approach

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 13 Our volunteers and supporters

Without hundreds of dedicated individuals and Thank you organisations, who supported PBI with their time, for your energy and financial contributions, our human rights commitment work in Indonesia would not have been possible. to PBI.

Volunteers and staff Supporters and Development), British Embassy, PBI would like to wholeheartedly PBI would like to thank the many Canadian Catholic Organisation for acknowledge the valuable contribution organisations and individuals who Development and Peace, Canadian of the hundreds of volunteers and supported the work of PBI in Indonesia Department of Foreign Affairs and staff who carried out the work of PBI in many and varied ways including International Trade, Canadian Embassy, Indonesia in the field and across the the many local NGOs in Indonesia Canton of Basel-City, Charles Veillon world between 1999 and 2011. and INGOs who provided advice and Foundation, Churches of Bistum, PBI field volunteers came to support; PBI country groups and Limburg, Baden & Hannover, CIDA, Civil Indonesia from many different countries members of their networks including Peace Service, CMC/AMA, Diakonisches including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, elected officials, civil servants, lawyers, Werk, Federal Department of Foreign France, Germany, Italy, Japan, judges, academics, NGOs, community Affairs, Political Division IV (Switzerland), Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Russia, groups and individuals. We are grateful FEDEVACO: City of Lausanne, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. to the staff from various embassies FEDEVACO: Municipality of Echandens, in Jakarta, particularly the British, FINNIDA, French Development Agency, Canadian, Dutch, German and Swiss HIVOS, ICCO, ifa/zivik financed embassies, for the commitment to through the German Federal Foreign the defence of human rights they Office, the Loewen Family Foundation, demonstrated through their support of Misereor, Municipality of Corsier, PBI’s work. Municipality of Ferden, Municipality Individuals, trusts, foundations and of Hinwil, Municipality of La Tour de religious groups as well as governments Peilz, Municipality of Prilly, Municipality and multilateral funders provided of Zumikon, Municipality Plan-les- financial support for our work providing Ouates, Netherlands Embassy, New “I know there is a protection, support and capacity Zealand Embassy, Non Violence XXI, genuine need for PBI in building for human rights defenders and OCHA (United Nations Office for the Papua and it saddens others working for peace and justice in Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), me greatly that we Indonesia over eleven years. Protestant Church of Köniz, Protestant are no longer working Much of our income was raised Church Kuritessen-Waldeck, Protestant there, as the Papuan by PBI country groups who worked Church of Langnau, Protestant Church NGO community is closely with committed donors in a of the Canton of Zug, Protestant Church extremely isolated range of countries, including Canada, of the Canton of Zurich, Protestant both geographically and France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Churches of the City of Biel, Protestant politically, and PBI had Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Churches of the Oberemmental, Rights a unique approach to We would like to thank the many and Democracy, the Rufford Maurice supporting their work” organisations and individuals who made Laing Foundation, the Sigrid Rausing Ruth Veal, Former Volunteer and generous contributions to our work in Trust, Swedish Diakonia, Temperatio PBI Indonesia Training Coordinator Indonesia, including: Foundation, the Tinsley Foundation, UNC ACAT Switzerland, Arcoplan, Belgian Global Ministries, United Evangelical Embassy, BMZ (German Federal Mission Wuppertal, Walla Walla Friends Ministry for Economic Cooperation Meeting, weltwaerts.

14 PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 The organisations and individuals we worked with

Human rights defenders at a PBI roundtable event in Jakarta, 2010

Human rights defenders – courageous Aceh Papua people who stand up for the rights AI (Aceh Institute) BPP (Agency for Women’s and dignity of their communities ALS (Aceh Leeh Sagoe) Empowerment) because they believe in peace and APG (Aceh Peace Generation) BUK (United for Truth) justice for all – are at the heart of all AMDA (Association of Medical Doctors Deacon John Djonga we do at PBI. This report is dedicated of Asia) Emanuel Goo (deceased) to all the brave and committed people CMC (Children’s Media Center) FOKER LSM Papua (NGO Cooperation we worked with over eleven years, Darussalam Institute Forum Papua) many of whom continue to work for Flower Aceh FPPT (Forum of Central Highlands human rights, justice and peace in FORPWAT (Forum for Women’s Women) Indonesia. Empowerment Central Aceh) GKI (Evangelical Christian Church of Organisations and individuals we Koalisi NGO HAM (Coalition for Human Papua) worked with included: Rights NGOs) Humi Inane (Women’s Voice) La Kaspia institute JAPH&HAM (Advocacy Network for LBH (Legal Aid Foundation) Upholding Law and Human Rights) LBH APIK (Legal Aid Foundation– JPM (Mimika Women’s Network) East and West Timor Association of Indonesian Women KontraS Papua (Commission for LAP Timoris (Timorese Organization for for Justice) Disappearances and Victims of Advocacy and Research) LPL-HA (Aceh Institute for Defending the Violence) LAK MAS (Advocacy Institute on Civil Environment and Human Rights). LP3BH (Institute for Research, and Societal Violence) PB HAM (Human Rights and Legal Aid Investigation and Development of PIAR (Centre of People’s Information Post) Legal Aid) Advocacy) PP HAM (Human Rights Monitoring Sanggar Seni (Artists’ Collective) Truk-F (Flores Volunteers for Humanity) Association) SKP (Office for Justice and Peace of RATA (Rehabilitation Action for Torture the Catholic Diocese in Jayapura) Victims in Aceh) YBAW (Walesi Indigenous Community Jakarta RPuK (Women’s Volunteer Team for Development Foundation) PBHI (Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Humanity) YSBA (Space for Local Culture Rights Association) SPKP East Aceh (Fellowship for Foundation) Suciwati Munir Solidarity with Human Rights Abuse Sunspirit for Justice and Peace Victims) Walhi (Indonesian Forum for the SPKP-HAM (Association of Victims of Flores Environment) Human Rights Abuse) Yayasan Mitra Swadaya

PBI Indonesia 1999-2011 15 Peace Brigades International Promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights since 1981 www.peacebrigades.org

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Cover photo PBI volunteer with partners in Wamena on peace day, 2009. Photo courtesy of Carole Reckinger.

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