First of all the Mena Muria foundation, human rights for the Moluccas - SE Asia is honored to participate again and address this 22nd session of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations. It is every year of great importance to share experiences on human and indigenous rights issues with our indigenous brothers and sisters.

Speaking this year on the aforementioned item we share in a certain way some small optimisim pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights thus fundamental freedoms with reference to two points.

1. The statement by the secretary general, H.E. Kofi Annan, at the meeting of the decolonization committee on February 6™ 1998 in New York

2. The inevitable political and economic reforms in Indonesia

But first I have to emphasize the latest developments regarding Moluccan rights on the islands.

* Unemployment - the percentage of Moluccan students without a job is comparatively high. Even students with a university degree stand little chance of obtaining a position. There is still no equal or adequate admission to higher education nor to proper positions.

* The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported the danger of starvation in the southeast Moluccas; not only the continuous droughts, but also a careless environmental policy of the central government are the causes.

* The right of self-determination.

Referring to the statement by H.E. Kofi Annan, sg/sm/6456 ga/col/2975, and the reforms in Indonesia.

1. On the 6th of February 1998 the secretary general addressed the decolonization committee at the UN HQ in New York. He stated that the goal of eradicating colonialism by the year 2000 should guide the work of the committee. Our earnest hope is that the right to self-determination of people to choose to be independent or be associated with another state, or integrate with another state will be upheld by everyone and everybody as the highest principle in the new millennium. Unfortunately, now six years later, no efforts have been made or consensus reached. Nothing. We hope the coming, future reforms shall grant rights everywhere in the world especially Indonesia.

2. Therefore in Indonesia a contribution to the promotion of fundamental freedoms of people?

The people of the Moluccas, West Papua and Aceh following East Timor have demonstrated their appeal to respect fundamental freedoms. Only an economic and social as well as political balance can be a contribution to promote human rights and their protection. Therefore Moluccan students of Pattimura University both men and women have participated in demonstrations to uphold their highest wishes and demands.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Mena Muria Foundation Human Rights Organization
Driebergseweg11a NL-3708 jazeist Fax: +31 (0)30 697 5747

The violation of civil and political rights of the people of the Moluccas, West Papua and Aceh (Southeast Asia)

Did you know that:

* On April 25th 1950 the Moluccan people declared a de jure independent and sovereign state according to two legitimate agreements: the Round Table Conference (1947) and Linggadjati Agreement (1949)? The United Nations was present, a party at the RTC? But after three months the young Moluccan state was annexed by Indonesian military forces. A similar annexation by Indonesia happened to the people of East Timor in 1975.

Can you imagine that:

* Women’s rights are severely violated by means of forced sterilization and birth control policies? This has been laid out at the Commission on Human rights, Geneva, in 1994 (item #22).

* Cultural rights are endangered: no education in the Moluccan language or history, no possibilities to maintain traditional customs and habits?

* Migrants from the overcrowded java are moving to the Moluccan islands and then dominate the local population? The Moluccan people will become a minority in their own country? Privileges (jobs, higher education) are guaranteed for transmigrants not the Moluccan people?

* Foreign investors are exploiting the natural resources as authorized by Jakarta without taking into account the interests of the Moluccan people?

Therefore the Moluccan people wish to make an appeal, appeal to you, the un, and the international community to respect human rights, and support the Moluccan, West Papuan and Acehnese people.

Indonesia, get out of the Moluccas, west Papua and Aceh.

Mena Muria Foundation Human Rights Organization