Markus Makur, The Jakarta Post, Timika
When facing injustice, the Amungme and Kamoro tribespeople from Papua's Mimika regency could always rely on Yamahak, a local foundation that has been fighting for women's and basic human rights since 1999.
Since its creation, the Anti-violence and Human Rights Foundation (Yamahak) -- with members mainly comprising women, known as mama -- has been fighting to defend the traditional land rights of local tribespeople.
The foundation's main goal is to continue working for the betterment of the Amungme and Kamoro tribes, as well as all Papuans. It aims to improve general education and welfare standards and, importantly, to restore dignity to the people.
While observing Yamahak's seventh anniversary this month, Father John Jonga in his sermon urged Mimika's people, both indigenous and newly arrived, to fight together for their basic rights as dignified human beings and to oppose injustice.
The group, founded on fighting against Papua's violent past, faces an uphill battle and many challenges.
Jonga said the mamas' struggle was perceived by some as pessimistic, uncaring and exclusively for the betterment of the Amungme tribe. This was despite the fact the group acted in the interests of all Papuans.
""I urge people to stand together with the foundation to fight and uphold justice and to restore our basic rights as dignified human beings,"" he said.
The foundation's director, Mama Yosepha Alomang, said the government and residents must organize Mimika's social structure in order to curb often-occurring violence between local tribes.
""I wish there could be no more recurring violence in Mimika. I cry when I see incidents in which people are being killed. The government should play a greater role in educating people in Mimika,"" she said.
While expressing hope for an end to inter-tribal killings, Mama Yosepha also blamed the widespread sale of alcohol for acts of violence and high levels of HIV/AIDS in the regency.
""But now we have a dormitory to educate elementary school-aged children from the Amungme and Kamoro tribes so that they can continue the struggle to get their basic rights,"" Yosepha said.
Reciting the foundation's seven-year journey, Mimika youth figure Hans Magal called on younger generations of Papuans to make the mamas' fight their own.
The group's struggle started when women from the Amungme tribe began to fight against their second-class status in the regency, which was marked by rampant domestic violence.
The violence motivated a group of women to form Yamahak. The movement was spearheaded by Mama Yosepha Alomang, Mama Theresia I Magal, Mama Enma Ndarkime and Mama Elisabet Beanal, as well as members of their sewing group.
The group's next step was to defend not only women but also the rights the Amungme and Kamoro tribes had to their ancestral lands.
Hans said Mimika's younger generations would continue the mamas' struggle -- for the betterment of life for Papuans and tribespeople of the resource-rich province.
""When I was in Jakarta, people asked me whether I had lots of money. I was ashamed to answer them and preferred to stay silent. I thought about myself and the people of Mimika because they are still backward in many ways, such as in education and the economy.
""If the Amungme and Kamoro tribes are still being marginalized by so-called development ... I will fight as strongly as I can with the younger generations of Papua,"" Hans said.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|