West Papua 2014 Year in Review
Regional support Rally in Port Vila 1
Dec 2014
January 2015
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
This report details incidents of human rights abuses and events that occurred in West Papua during 2014. It is by no means exhaustive. In the report AWPA uses the name “West Papua” to refer to the whole of the western half of the Island of New Guinea. However, “West Papua” at this time is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.
Summary of events
There was no
improvement in the human rights situation in West Papua in 2014 The West Papuan
people continued to suffer human rights violations from the Indonesian security
forces throughout the year which ended tragically when the security forces
fired into a crowd of approximately 800 peaceful demonstrators in Enarotali in
the Panai regency of West Papua on Monday 8th December, killing five (one
dying later from their injuries). Up to 20 others were reported injured
some critical in hospital.
Photo in.
suarapapua.com 8 Dec.14
The climate of fear in Papua inhibits local people from publicly
discussing security force abuses. The Witness and Victim Protection Agency can
help Enarotali residents who wish to give their account to do so with greater
safety. (Phelim Kine, deputy
Asia director Human Rights Watch)
We continue to hear from governments that there is an improvement in
the situation in West Papua. That Indonesia is now a democracy and human rights
abuses are something that occurred in the past. Where
is the improvement in West Papua?
Throughout the year there were regular clashes and shooting incidents
between the Indonesian security forces and armed gangs and although many of the
clashes were with the OPM, some were
with armed groups who were not identified. These incidents usually resulted in
security sweeps by the military and police resulting in human rights abuses
against the civilian population in the areas of operations. Many reports have
pointed out the security forces have great difficulty distinguishing between
what the term separatists and the general public. It is not uncommon during
these operations for houses, food gardens and livestock to be destroyed leaving
the local people traumatized and in fear for their lives.
There was also a crackdown by the security forces on the numerous
peaceful rallies called by civil society groups in 2014 and in particular on
the West Papua National Committee (KNPB). These peaceful rallies were met with an excessive use of force by the
security forces with arrests and incidents of police brutality against the
demonstrators. In fact, all aspects of society in West Papua including lawyers,
human rights defenders, activists, clergy and journalists faced regular
intimidation or the threat of arrest.
In its end of year report, the Commission for Missing Persons and
Victims of Violence (Kontras) said that the majority of human rights violations
in 2014 were committed by police officers. In a Jakarta Post article (15 Dec.)
Kontras deputy coordinator Chrisbiantoro said the police were the dominant
actors in violations throughout the year, particularly in cases related to
natural resources, or in conflict zones like Papua. “Police did many
repressive acts on people and they always supported businessmen and state
authorities instead of ordinary people,” Chrisbiantoro told a press conference
on Sunday. Kontras revealed there were 67 cases of violations that occurred in
Papua in 2014, a large number of which were perpetrated by police
officers. “We found out as many as 27 cases [in Papua] were involving
police members,” Chrisbiantoro said, adding that other perpetrators were
military, civilian, or from unidentified groups.
Election of Joko Widodo as
President
There was some hope that the election of Joko Widodo as President (or Jokiwi)
as he is popularly know) would bring an easing of tension in West Papua. However,
there is concern with a number of appointments in his cabinet. Ryamizard
Ryacudu appointment as Defense Minister is of concern to West Papuans. The
new Minister for Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu was Army chief of staff between 2002
and 2005 and chief of the Army’s strategic command (Kostrad) between 2000 and
2002. He was involved in operations against the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
and the Free Papuan Movement (OPM). He has held a hardline view on what
are termed separatists in Indonesian. When Chief Theys Eluay
(chairperson of the Papuan Presidium Council) was killed by Kopassus
soldiers on 10 November 2001, shortly after attending an event at the Kopassus
base near Jayapura, General Ryamizard Ryacudu who was chief of staff at the
time is quoted as saying, 'I don't know, people say they did wrong, they
broke the law. What law? Okay, we are a state based on the rule of law, so
they have been punished. But for me, they are heroes because the person
they killed was a rebel leader.
The Minister for Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo said
that Papua would be a priority for the government and could be
divided into one or two provinces. Tjahjo said the reason for choosing Papua as a priority was because of the need
for a good control of the region. Moreover, the reach of the people to the
government is getting closer to be able to ensure better service. "I
think this region is essential for equitable development. I will try to consult
with all parties. Adding at least one or two provinces in Papua," he
said. (A case of divide and rule). However, the Jakarta Post (29 Dec.) reported that the government
announced that it would halt the establishment of new administrative regions in
Papua as the current ones had yet to improve people’s welfare. The Minister for Home Affairs said,
“The establishment of new [administrative]
regions will be postponed to avoid a greater burden on the state budget.”
It was also reported that the Minister of Rural Development of
Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Marwan Jafar is considering
encouraging more migration to West Papua. Marwan believes that people are not
interested in going to West Papua because of tribal conflict but with the help
of the security forces a stable atmosphere could be created. "
Jakarta Globe 10 Nov. JG Graphics/Modina
Rimolfa)
It is not only activists in West Papua that reject such a policy but
also the Governor of Papua Province, Luke Enembe, also rejected the proposed
transmigration program plan (Jubi 2 Nov.). Jubi also reported (2 Nov.) that the Governor
of Papua Province, Luke Enembe also rejected the proposed transmigration
program plan. The Governor believes a transmigration program from outside Papua
would have a big impact on communities, especially indigenous Papuans. They
would be marginalized and become a minority in their own land and could also as a result, there lead to conflict
between indigenous Papuans and non-Papuans.
West Papua Leaders ‘Summit on Reconciliation and
Unification in Vanuatu
At a historic
meeting of West Papuan leaders in Port Vila, a new organisation called the
United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) was formed. The new
organization will re-submit a fresh application for membership of the
Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). The groups who have united include the
Federal Republic of West Papua (NRFPB), National Coalition for Liberation
(WPNCL) and the National Parliament of West Papua (NPWP). An external
secretariat consisting of five elected members from the various groups will
co-ordinate the ULMWP activities. Octovianus Mote has been elected as General
Secretary, while Benny Wenda is the spokesperson and three other elected
members are Jacob Rumbiak, Leone Tangahma and Rex Rumakiek. The meeting was
moderated by the Pacific Council of Churches. The “West Papua Leaders ‘Summit
on Reconciliation and Unification” was in response to the MSG leaders inviting
all West Papua groups to form an inclusive and united umbrella group to work on
submitting a fresh application for membership after their
(MSG) special summit in Port Moresby in June 2014.
Crackdown on peaceful rallies
Everyone has the right to
freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions
without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas
through any media and regardless of frontiers. (Article 19)
Everyone has the right to
freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Article 20 (1) The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
Throughout the year peaceful rallies organized by civil society
organisations were targeted by the security forces. The KNPB in particular has
been targeted because of its ability to orgainse large rallies bringing
international attention to the situation in West Papua. This is the last thing
the Indonesian Government and the security forces want, international attention
on the abuses in West Papua. For the same reason human rights defenders and
journalists have also been intimidated. There is some concern in Jakarta that
they could lose West Papua.
MSG visit to West Papua
On the 13 January
a demonstration was held before the West Papua Provincial Legislative Council
(DPRP) in Jayapura during a visit by a delegation of Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG) leaders. A large number of demonstrators were
arrested by the police who claimed the activists were arrested because they did
not have a permit for the demonstration. The activists said they simply wanted
to meet with the delegates from the MSG and to show support for
West Papua’s application for membership of the MSG. They also wanted the
MSG to meet with civil society groups to discuss
the human rights situation in West Papua (Note.
The WPNCL had applied to the MSG for full membership at its June summit and the
visit by the MSG was partly to assess the application by WPNCL to become a
member. Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Edward Natapei did not join the
delegation saying the program which was
received just a day before the delegation left did not include meetings with
civil society organisations in West Papua).
Protest concerning the drafting of the Special Automy
Plus bill
On the 11 March
approximately 350 police were deployed to maintain security during a rally
called by the Movement of Youths, Students and People (Gempar). Personnel from
the Jayapura city police, Papua Police and the Mobile Brigade Unit stood guard
in locations in Jayapura. The demonstrators were
protesting the drafting of the Special Automy Plus (Otsus Plus) bill
Jayapura police chief Alfred Papare told reporters after the demonstration that
the large police presence was intended to maintain stability. “We wanted to avoid clashes and conflicts
between students and security forces,”
As many as three 350
personnel of Jayapura city police, Papua Police and Mobile Brigade were
deployed to secure the demonstration (Jubi)
International day of action to free West Papuan political prisoners
The 2nd
April was an International day of action to free West Papuan political
prisoners. Rallies were held in cities around the world organized calling for
the immediate release of the 76 political prisoners in West Papua. In
West Papua the security forces crackdown on a peaceful rally called by students
from various colleges in Jayapura. The students were also calling for the
release of the 76 Papuan Prisoners in a prison. The police forcibly
dispersed the students firing a number of shots and arresting two. In a
report in Jubi the students said they were beaten before they were
released. “We were beaten like animals. Our bodies were covered with
blood. Another rally held in Timika passed peacefully,
Rally commemorating
the annexation of West Papua
On the 1 May the West Papua National Committee (KNPB)
and PRD commemorated the annexation of West Papua (1 May 1963).
The Commemorative activities were observed by the security forces. Members of
the KNPB unfurled banners rejecting the illegal Indonesian occupation of West
Papua. At a student rally at the university in Abepura, police confiscated banners
and intimidated students.
police.
KNPB members
intimidated
On the 18 June the military and police
intimidated members of the KNPB Secretariat Building and the PRD Regional
Office in Merauke, People arriving
at the building were checked and sent home
Election Papua
KNPB Secretariat in Digoel was raided by the police on the 28 June. At
the time KNPB members were holding a regular meeting in order to address the
emerging political situation in the country and abroad and talk about
self-determination. Twenty people were detained and police destroyed articles
related to the self-determination struggle. The
20 activists were released.
Security
forces intimidate West Papuans leading up to the 1 July.
The 1st July is a very important day in the West Papuan struggle for
self-determination and independence. On 1st of July in 1971, West Papuan
leaders Brig. Gen. Seth Rumkorem and Jacob Prai (exiled in Sweden) made a
proclamation of independence. However, leading up to the 1st July,
the military made statements threatening and intimidating the local people not
to take part in any rallies to celebrate this special day in their history. Local
media also reported that three members of the KNPB were arrested and the
Morning Star flag which had been painted on Kelly Kwalik’s memorial had been
painted over. Members of the security forces are believed to be responsible.
Presidential election
Leading
up to the election the KNPB was targeted because of its call to boycott the
election. Six of its
activists were arrested, beaten and taken to the Jayapura Police Station
on the 3 July. They were arrested simply because they were distributing
leaflets calling on the West Papuan people to boycott the presidential election
on the 9th July. In Timika on the 4 July seven KNPB activists were
arrested and beaten for handing out leaflets calling for a
boycott. The TNI caught the activists and handed them over to the police. In Kaimana a woman was also arrested for
distributing leaflets calling for a boycott.
From a KNPB
posting
More KNPB
arrests
In Manokwari two
members of KNPB, Robert Helemaken and Oni Weya were arrested and beaten on the
8 August. The incident occurred after a number of KNPB members were painting on
walls calling for a boycott of Indonesian Independence Day celebrations’ (17
August) in the city of Manokwari.
Rally to
denounce the New York Agreement
On the 15 August
members of the Student Movement, Youth and People of Papua (Gempar) or
Uproar held a peaceful rally at Cenderawasih University Campus
(Uncen), Jayapura in order to denounce the New York Agreement. A
number of activists were arrested. The Jayapura police chief,
Superintendent Alfred Papare said the arrests were made because Uproar is an
illegal organisation and they did not have a permit to hold the rally. A
spokesperson for Uproar said that permission to hold the rally was
presented to the Papua Police at the beginning of August.
Journalists covering the rally on the 15th were also
intimidated by the police. One reporter from Jubi, was grabbed by the police
while taking photographs of the rally. Reporters from other media including
Suara Papua, Majalah Selangkah and Metro Online were also intimidated. The
police tried to stop photos being taking, asking that images be
deleted. The Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI)
Jayapura City, Victor Mambor criticized the police action to intimidate
journalists while covering demonstrations, noting that police
should be able to distinguish between journalists and protesters.
Peaceful rallies to protest the New York Agreement were
also held in Yogyakarta, Solo and Semarang although heavily monitored by
the security forces.
Intimidation of journalists.
Local and international
The media (including
alternative media information) is an important part of democracy and threats
against the media should always be of concern. In West Papua the local media
are on the ground and can be first with reports of violence and intimidation of
civil society, of military attacks and with reports of the crackdown on
peaceful demonstrations.
Two French
Journalists, Valentine Bourrat and Thomas Dandois who were arrested on the 6th
of August in Wamena were sentenced to two and half months in prison.
However, they were released at the end of October as they had already
served that time in custody. Numerous rallies were held by solidarity groups
around the world calling for their release during their time in
detention. In West Papua, rallies called by civil
society organisations to demand their
release were banned by the security forces. The rallies
went ahead on the 13 October and 29 West Papua National Committee (KNPB)
members were arrested in Merauke and 17 in Jayapura. They demonstrators
were eventually released.
A lot of
media attention was focused on their case during their time in detention and it
is hoped that the media will continue to focus on the issue of West
Papua. The Indonesian President, Jokowi who visited West Papua twice in
the lead up to the election promised to open West Papua to foreign journalists
and non-government organisations if
he won the election. "Why
not? It's safe here in Papua," he was quoted as saying. "There's
nothing to hide." Hopefully he will keep his promise.
One of journalists sources, Areki Wanimbo who was with the journalists
when they were arrested is still in prison. He has been charged under under Articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code. These
articles are regularly used to imprison individuals in West Papua for their
peaceful political activism.
A report in Jubi
said that The Indonesian government had issued permits for 39 foreign
journalists to undertake activities in Papua and West Papua since last
year and only nine foreign journalists were refused permission to
cover Papua since 2013. Victor Mambor, Chairman of AJI Kota Jayapura said
detail clarification is needed. “Is it true 39 foreign journalists were allowed
cover the issues in Papua? It is true that some of them got permission to cover
political issues, such as Mark Davis. But I have to say he was strictly watched
while doing his reporting,” said Mambor. Additionally, he said most foreign
journalists who came to Papua only got permission to report on tourism issues
such as events in Raja Ampat Island, or Lembah Baliem Festival or about the
handover of Japanese soldiers’ skeleton. “But, it’s not only about getting
permits or not, but the process is too long and complicated. It may be called clearinghouse.
The government must be aware, if the permit takes too long, they will lose
their momentum,” said Mambor.
RI Asked to Open Press Access to Papua
A Tempo
article (5 Dec.) reported that the
International Partnership Mission to Indonesia, an international and regional
organization working in the freedom of expression, urged the government of
Indonesia to open more access for foreign journalists to cover news in
Papua. In a meeting organized by the Independent Journalist Alliance
(AJI) and Tifa Foundation, several organizations signed the statement, namely:
Article 19, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House,
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Media Support,
Open Society Foundations Programme on Independent Journalism, and Southeast
Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).
Jane Worthington
from IFJ Asia-Pasific said there had not been official policy that banned
foreign journalists from entering Papua. "However, the government tends to
complicate foreign journalists with visa and other requirements," said
Jane. Michael Karanicolas from Canada-based Center for Law and Democracy (CLD)
confirmed that such policy would end up disadvantaging Indonesia.
KNPB- 6th anniversary
The 19 November was the 6th anniversary of the KNPB) which was
formed on the 19 November in 2008. Rallies were held in a number of areas in
West Papua to celebrate the anniversary and in support of the International
Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) meeting
in the Netherlands. In
Moenamani, the capital of Dogiyai sub-district in the Papuan central highlands,
one demonstrator was shot in the leg after security forces broke up a KNPB
demonstration and 11 KNPB members were arrested. In addition to the arrests, police also
seized KNPB flags and other material evidence. In Nanire 13 activists were
arrested.
A brief chronology of shooting incidents
and other events in West Papua
There were a
large number of shooting incidents (particularly in the Puncak Jaya region) at
the beginning of the year. The security forces responded to many of the
incidents with security sweeps
On the 4 Jan a
police station was attacked in the Kurik district of Papua’s Puncak Jaya
regency by a group of armed men. At the time of the attack only two
personal were on duty in the station. The other five personal were out on
patrol in the surrounding area. The group of attackers consisted of
approximately 20 people who removed eight weapons and ammunition from the
station. The Puncak Jaya district police chief, Sr. Comr. Marselis claimed that
the perpetrators responsible for the attack were members of the Yambi Group
under the leadership of Leka Telenggen. Leka is affiliated with the leader of
the Free Papua Movement (OPM), Goliat Tabuni, who resides in Tingginambut
district. “ 19 year old Yemiter Murib was arrested in connection with
the attack on the 19 January and a 16-years old boy, Wekiles Kogoya was
arrested on the 15 February on suspicions he took part in the attack.
On Tuesday
morning the 7 Jan, an unidentified group killed an ojek driver
in the Wuyuneri hamlet, located in the Puncak Jaya district of Papua. Abdul
Halil, a 43-year-old motorcycle taxi driver who originated from Makassar, South
Sulawesi. He was taking a customer from Mulia to Wuyuneri. As they arrived at
state high school SMU 1, someone shot him in the face. It’s not yet clear how
many people were involved in the shooting.
On the 9 January
a member of an armed group was killed by the security forces between miles 45
and 50 at PT Freeport Indonesia’s mining area by a joint team of Indonesian
Military (TNI) and police personnel who also seized an M-16 assault rifle and
its magazine.
Papua’s Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said,
“the deceased is believed to have been a member of an armed group that has been
operating between the Mile 41 and Mile 50 area of
Freeport’s mining zone
in Timika,”.
On Saturday the 18 January an armed group
attacked a military post in Kota Lama, Mulia. The post was manned
by personnel from the 1714/Puncak Jaya Military District Command (Kodim). Two
soldiers were injured.
On the 24 Jan, four people were killed in a clash during a security
operation in Puncak Jaya. An Indonesian military officer was shot dead in an
ambush in Mulia at 10.50 am local time. The incident took
place when the officer was heading toward an earlier shoot-out scene between
the security forces and an armed group in Mulia. It was reported three OPM were
also killed.
Five sentenced over flag raising (11 Feb)
The district
court of Biak sentenced Oktavianus Warnares, defendant in the separatist
"Morning Star" flag raising case in Biak Timur, Papua, on May 1, 2013,
to three years imprisonment. The Chief
Judge Demon Sembiring stated, while reading the verdict, that the defendant was
legitimately found guilty of violating Article 106 in conjunction with Criminal
Code Article 110 in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 1951 as well as Article 55
of the Criminal Code. Earlier Markus
Sawian, a defendant on the same case was sentenced to two years in jail. George Simyapen 2.6 years, Yosef Wamaer two years and
Yosef Arwakom 1.8 years, in jail.
Security operations
The various
clashes and shootings around Mulia caused fear in the local people, disrupting
their normal activities. In a Jubi report on the 7 Feb the Commander of
Military Area (Pangdam) XVII Cenderawasih, Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua denied
information about a clash between TNI- Police and an armed group in Puncak Jaya
had caused hundreds of people to flee the area because of
fear. “That is not true. The situation in Puncak Jaya is fine.
However, in the same Jubi report one of the residents of the area reported
that about 200 residents including himself had to leave Puncak Jaya because of
fear.
“I am a Dondobaga resident who live in Kulirik village. I chose to flee
to Nabire with other people because the TNI-Police frequently conduct
incursions. This made us feel unsafe, uncomfortable and afraid ”.
The security
forces also conducted a search of Dondobaga church in Kulirik looking for OPM
members. A Puncak Jaya resident told Jubi that some people
who were worshiping in the Dondoboga church were abused by the Indonesian
Security Forces. “Some officers of the TNI hit and expelled residents who did
not accept this disruption during worshiping. Luckily, there were there officers
who managed their fellows to stop this violence”. The Chief of Puncak Jaya
Police admitted that they had arrested two people suspected of being members of
the TPN / OPM. “ The Jakarta Globe (27 Jan) also reported on the ongoing
fighting in the area. “Local residents in the Mulia subdistrict of Puncak Jaya,
Papua, have yet to resume their normal activities due to an ongoing firefight
in the area between forces from the Indonesian Military, or TNI, and members of
the separatist Free Papua Organization, known as the OPM”.
“The
situation in Puncak Jaya is uncertain; the people are in a state of panic
because of a shooting in Kota Mulia,” a resident of Mulia, said in a text
message to the Jakarta Globe.
It reported in the article a resident of the area saying, “People
in the villages of Kulirik, Dondobaga, Talileme, Karubateand Yalingga are
terrified and they’re scared of going to church”.
Another church
incident occurred on the 8 February, when the security forces entered the
Karubate Church in Puncak Jaya claiming the OPM had stored
weapons in the building. The Chairman of the Fellowship of Baptist
Churches of Papua, Socratez Sofyan Yoman condemned the act of intimidation.
Yapen Islands
On the 1 February
the Indonesian security forces killed one member of the OPM during a
firefight in Yapen Waropen district. Ten others were arrested. A joint
security force of police and TNI conducted a raid on a meeting of the OPM in
Yapen Waropen. When the security forces attempted to storm the meeting the OPM
members allegedly opened fire, injuring three people. The security forces
claimed to have seized guns, bows and arrows, camouflage
clothing and two Morning Star flags from the scene.
Firefight in
Kampung Angkasera in the Yapen Islands
A firefight
occurred between the security forces and the military in Kampung Angkasera in
the Yapen Islands District on the 28 February. The police claimed they were
attacked by an OPM group. There was no loss of life. Jubi reported that a
resident had reported previously that there has been tension in Serui, Yapen
Islands and some residents in villages in Serui had fled to the forest due to
sweeps by a combined military and police force and people were in fear in the
woods. Many children had also dropped out of school. (Jubi, 28 Feb
A joint police and military patrol killed a suspected separatist and
arrested four others on the 15 March in Puncak Jaya. The military and police
were on a joint patrol heading to Kota Mulia when the officers encountered a
group of armed men who started shooting at the patrol. One of the men was
wounded in the encounter and died en route to a local hospital Two of four
arrested had also been injured but had received treatment at hospital. The
Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe said the attack on the security patrol was purely
criminal. “They are not fighting for independence. This group’s action is
purely criminal,” In a report in Jubi the governor said that The Yambi group
has always engaged in extortion and all that stuf
An army soldier and a police officer were injured in a clash with an
armed group on the PNG border on the 5 April in the Skouw-Wutung area. Approximately 40 people
were involved in the incident at the border post. The group blocked the road
and lowered the Indonesian flag and raised the West Papuan and UN flags. They
also lighted a fire. The firefight continued for sometime and according to a
local resident it was Mathias Wenda’s group involved in the
incident. The group eventually fled across the border into PNG. Cendrawasih District Military Command
(Kodam) chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said during a visit to Skouw-Wutung on
Sunday that the border crossing has been temporarily closed. Aside from
maintaining security ahead of the legislative election and on Election Day
itself, the closure is also aimed at securing the area after a shoot-out
between security officers and armed civilians,”
West Papuan-PNG border incident
On the 5 April
there was a clash between the security forces and approximately 40 civilians on
the West Papuan - PNG border in the Wutung area. The border crossing was
closed following the shoot-out. The group blocked the road and lowered
the Indonesian flag and raised the West Papuan and UN flags. A number of
buildings were damaged as a result of the incident. A soldier and a police
officer suffered minor injuries in the clash with the civilians and Mathias
Wenda’s OPM group. PNG's Defence Minister Fabian Pok said an investigation into
the incident would be led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and involves
other government departments. He says PNG officials will work closely with
Jakarta to try and resolve the issues. In a RNZI report Belden Namah, who is PNG's
opposition leader, said that “the government has failed to provide
adequate military and police capabilities to protect the border”. From
the RNZI report, “Ongoing Indonesian efforts to hunt down members of the OPM
Free West Papua Movement recently spilled over into PNG again with another
shootout between Indonesian troops and the rebels”. Mr Namah says Indonesian
military have established their presence at various points in PNG including
Vanimo. "On some occasions, if not most of the occasions, they go and burn
down houses. They threaten PNG citizens with guns whether for shielding OPMs or
for whatever reason. So our people on the border, they live in fear all of the
time. Papua New Guinea (government) should come out and make an open statement.
Because, if we do not make a clear cut decision on the issue of West Papua,
this problem is still going to exist." Belden Namah.
There was another
shooting in the border area on the 16 April. A civilian was shot on his
way to a traditional market located near the border area and was treated at
Bhayangkara Police Hospital. A team of soldiers was deployed to pursue the
attackers. The Skouw border market is located 400 meters from neutral zone
between the two countries and is held three days a week on Tuesday, Thursday,
and Saturday.
A number of traders temporarily closed their stalls due to fear
after the shooting incident.
The PNG department of foreign affairs sent a protest note to Indonesia
concerning an incident along the Wutung border in West Sepik. According to a
report in the National (16 May), four PNG soldiers were ambushed by an
Indonesian military patrol while they were conducting a clearance patrol along
the PNG side of the border. The PNGDF Commander said the TNI mistakenly fired
shots at the officers thinking they were OPM militants.
An ANTARA news
report (12 May) the cross-border trade from PNG with Indonesia includes food,
beverages, clothes, construction components and electronics, with total
transactions worth U.S. 13 million dollar per year. Antara also reported that the Papua
Police Department suspect that cannabis was traded for weapons in the border
areas between PNG and West Papua. Narcotics and Drugs Director Senior
Commissioner Tornagogo Sihombing said in Jayapura, Papua, on Monday, the police
forces presumption was due to the investigations of three suspects believed to
be members of a narcotics and drugs networking syndicate, who were arrested on
May 2, 2014. "We presume that the cannabis from PNG was sold recently
through barter with weapons or other goods, according to the deal,"
Sihombing said (Antara 12 May).
On the 9 April there was a clash between soldiers from
Cendrawasih Military Command's Battalion 751and an armed group in Mulia, the
capital of Puncak Jaya regency. One man was shot dead by the
security forces in the clash and six others fled. An SSI rifle and ammunition
was also found at the scene. According
to the police the perpetrators were not from the OPM but belonged to an armed
civilian group.
On the 25 April two soldiers from the 751st Raider
Infantry Battalion were wounded in a clash at a military
post in Mulia district. First Sgt. Rahman Hakim, died later from his
injuries. The Army is continuing the hunt for the armed gang
believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting and had increased patrols in
the area. The victim was buried with full military honors led by the military
command chief of staff Brig. Gen. Hinsa Siburian at Kusuma Bangsa Heroes
Cemetery in Jayapura.
The military claim that they found/confiscated 28 rifles
from the Free Papua Movement between January and April during their operations.
A member of the Air Force in Biak was shot dead by a
local police officer on Sunday 27 April after a dispute at a night fair. Police
spokesman Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono has confirmed the fatality. “There
was a misunderstanding due to the alcohol [they consumed],” Sulistyo explained.police
officer who allegedly killed an airman in Biak has been flown to the Papua
Police Headquarters in Jayapura for further investigation.
A police officer was shot dead on the 30 May in Tiom,
the capital of the district of Lanny Jaya.
The spokesman of the Papua Regional
Police Command, Senior Commissioner Pudjo, confirmed the incident to ANTARA,
saying that Second Brigadier Irvan was shot by armed civilians while passing a
fuel oil retail shop on his motorbike.
An Indonesian military officer was shot in the border area between
Skouw and Wutung, on Tuesday 3 June. Mathias Wenda said it was
his group that was responsible for the shooting.
Shooting incident in Jayapura
A shooting incident occurred in Jayapura, on Saturday 14 June. The
shooting occurred as T. Sinaga and his family was travelling from Abepura,
Jayapura, to their home in Arso, a district in Keerom regency which is around
40 kilometers from Abepura. Together with his wife and their child, Sinaga who
is a teacher in Arso Swakarsa was on his way home when their vehicle was shot
at in a location around 17 kilometers from Abepura. A bullet hit the right-hand
side of the rear of his car.
On the 16 July an
armed group of about ten people were involved in an attack on a convoy of
vehicles at Dagobak Village in the Kalome Sub-district of Puncak Jaya Regency.
Two people were killed and one injured. The
three men were drivers of lajuran, which is a delivery company that
transports staple food from Wamena to Mulia, the capital of Puncak Jaya
regency. The armed group also set four cars on fire. The Military District
Commander, Lieutenant Infantry Luqman Arief confirmed the incident to
JUBI,
“It is believed that they were attacked by the armed group who
usually operated in Puncak Jaya and surrounding areas.
West Papuan political prisoners released
Five West Papuan
political prisoners were released on 21 July after serving three-year sentences
in a Jayapura prison. The activists were arrested in October 2011 for reading
out a “declaration of independence” from Indonesia. Those released included
prominent tribal leader Forkorus Yaboisembut, who was declared “president of
the Federal Republic of West Papua” during the 2011 declaration of independence
event; Edison Waromi, who was declared prime minister; as well as Agustinus
Sanany Kraar, Selpius Bobii and Dominikus Sorbet. Forkorus Yaboisembut, now age
59, told local media that the group had only been released because they had
served their full jail terms
Victor
Yeimo, Chairman of the West Papua National Committee was also released (5
August) after
serving more than a year in jail. Victor gave a press conference outside Abepura prison
saying that he was arrested and jailed simply because he lead a peaceful
demonstration. He confirmed that during the process of his arrest, he
was terrorised and terribly beaten by the Indonesian security forces.
On the 28
July a group of armed men, alleged to be OPM, shot at eight police
officers in a village in Lanny Jaya, resulting in two officers been killed and
six injured. Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistyo said the
officers were involved in a community-counseling program at Indawa village
when the armed group attacked them. The village of Indawa is around 10
kilometers from Pirime and 45 km from Tiom, the municipal town of the regency
of Lanny Jaya. Also on the 28th, three soldiers suffered gunshot wounds
following an attack on a military outpost in the Tingginambut area of Papua’s
Puncak Jaya district. The men were reportedly patrolling near the post
when a group of armed men attacked the post, leading to an exchange of fire
that eventually forced the attackers back into a nearby forest.
On the 1 August five
OPM members were killed and two Indonesian soldiers injured in a firefight
in Pirime in the Lanny Jaya district. The clash occurred as the
troops were on the way to a military post. The five OPM members were
believed to be involved in the ambush of the eight Indonesian police earlier in
the week. The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas
Perempuan) has called for full investigation and prevention of more violence in
Lanny Jaya District of Papua and use of excessive security approach. "Komnas
Perempuan regrets the recurrence of armed violence between armed civilian
groups and security personnel, which has caused casualties, wounded and
displaced persons in Lanny Jaya district," the National Commission said in
a press statement. Tempo also
reported that the Free Papua Organization (OPM) ambushed a convoy of Police
Mobile Brigade on the 4 August, injuring one police member. "We opened
fire. I request the government to pull back the troops from Papua. Papua wants
freedom," said Purom Okiman Wenda, OPM Commander of Lanny Jaya.
On the 26 August
the body of political activist Martinus Yohame was found dead
in a sack, floating near the Sorong in West Papua. Martinus was the
leader of the Sorong branch of the KNPB and had gone missing on 20
August. He had spoken out about the visit to
the area by the outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. He had
held a press conference opposing the visit and raising the issue of illegal
logging.
A member
of the OPM was killed and several were wounded in a firefight with security
officers at an airfield in Lanny Jaya district on the 17 September. The
shootout is believed to have involved about 30 OPM fighters from a group led by
Puron Wenda.
Statements on Papua Delivered before Human Rights
Council
The
International coalition for Papua (ICP) consisting of over 18 international and
national organisations raised concerns about the situation of human rights
defenders and freedom of expression in Papua on the 15 and 16 September during the
27th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The coalition pointed out that
Papuan human rights defenders are often confronted by intimidation from
Indonesian authorities and brought the Council's attention to the case of
intimidation of Papuan human rights lawyer, Mr Gustaf Kawer. Mr Kawer is an
independent lawyer from Papua who has been involved in numerous human rights
litigations. In
its statement the coalition
recommended that the Government of pointed out Indonesia should immediately:
1.
End the legal intimidation against human rights lawyer Mr Gustaf Kawer.
2.
End the criminalization of human rights lawyers and human rights defenders.
3.
Ensure the safety of Papuan human rights lawyers and defenders in doing their
work in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and UN
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
A soldier was killed in an armed attack in Puncak Jaya
Regency in Papua on Sept. 25. A spokesman
for the Papua military command Lt. Col. Rikas Hidayatullah told the
Jakarta Globe that four members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) were
ambushed at a traditional market in Ilaga on Sept. 25. The
soldiers, who
were picking up supplies for the inauguration of Ilaga district’s new
chief, were fired at by a group of 10 men, he said. A soldier identified as
Second Private Abraham was reportedly shot in the head. The attackers then
snatched Abraham’s weapon before fleeing into the jungle. No other soldiers
were injured.
Papua Police Raid Separatist Group’s Headquarters
On the 11 October
the security forces attacked the headquarters of the OPM in Papua’s Pantura
Yapen district. Papua ‘s Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono said
“A special team from the Yapen Islands district police, lead by the local
police chief and assisted by a team from the military, launched a raid at the
Free Papua Movement’s headquarter.” Members of the movement, however, managed
to escape the raid and reportedly fled into the forest. The police found some
20 rounds of ammunition, five firearms, a Vixon motorbike and a camouflage
uniform on the premises.
Clash between military and police
A clash occurred
between members of the military and Brimob on Monday the
13 October in Pirime, Lanny Jaya regency. The Papua Police
chief Insp. Gen. Yotje Mende deployed a team of investigators to investigate
the incident in which a soldier was injured. The incident occurred when Brimob
personnel conducted routine road checks for illegal arms in Pirime and stopped
a truck carrying passengers. During the check, a uniformed soldier refused to
be examined. He instead went to a nearby military post. “All of the sudden, the
sound of gunfire came from the direction of the post. Brimob personnel then
became involved in an exchange of fire with the soldiers, during which Lt. Ali
was injured. For that, I sincerely apology to Lt. Ali,” Yotje said on Tuesday.
A different statement was issued separately by Cendrawasih Military Commander
Maj. Gen. Fransen G Siahaan, who said it was the Brimob personnel who fired
first. Commenting on this, Yotje said that he did not want speculate and had
therefore formed the team to find out what had really caused the
incident. The National Police withdrew 60 Brimob members from Pirime and
moved them to Jayapura following the clash. The Brimob personnel
were replaced with colleagues from another Papua Police Brimob division.
Two Indonesian soldiers interrogated over sale of
ammunition
ANTARA News
reported (30 October) that investigators from the Army Military Police
questioned two personnel from the Indonesian Military for their alleged
involvement in selling ammunition to armed civilian group. The two soldiers
from the Cenderawasih Military Command are to be dismissed for having sold the
ammunition.
Two Brimob personnel killed
Two Brimob
personnel were killed on the 3rd December by an armed civilian group
in Ilaga, the capital of Puncak regency. The attackers removed the rifles that the
Brimob members were carrying.
Paniai
regency
The security forces fired into a crowd
of approximately 800 peaceful demonstrators in Enarotali in the Paniai regency of West Papua on Monday 8th December, killing
5 (1 dying later from their injuries). Up to 20 others were reported injured
some critical in hospital. The incident began the previous evening
over an altercation between children and security members in a security
car. A number of young children were looking after a Christmas cottage
that had made when the car (without lights) approached the children who asked
them to turn their lights on. They refused and returned to their
headquarters in the Madi. They returned with another truck filled with
Indonesian soldiers to chase the children and beat them. The security
members were from a Special Team 753, a unit attached to the
Nabire-based Army
Battalion 753. The next morning, residents gathered in Paniai,
to go to district police office in Madi to ask officials to account for the
attack on the children. Before the security forces fired at the
crowd the protesters are reported to have destroyed a military
vehicle. There were calls from human rights organisations for the
authorities to investigate the incident. A team from the National Human
Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) is to conduct an investigation.
Protest at Jokowi’s visit to West Papua
Dozens of protestors
were arrested in Sentani on the 27 December and taken to the Jayapura police
station. They were calling on Jokowi not to visit Papua in response to the killing of civilians Paniai.
On the 31
December A police officer was shot by unidentified persons in Dagokebo village,
West Tigi district, Deiyai regency as he was on his way from Paniai to Dogiai.
The victim was shot as he was passing through Dagokebo village on a motorcycle
wearing plain clothes. The victim received treated at Enarotali Hospital.
Beginning of 2015 more
shooting incidents and arrests
Two policemen and a security officer killed
Two policemen and
a security officer at Freeport-McMoRan were killed on the 1st Jan
2015. According to security sources, the three victims were shot dead and
tortured by their attackers. Their whereabouts were known after a group of
policemen conducting a routine patrol found their car near the bridge of
Utikini Village or Mile-68 of Tembagapura area. The attackers also removed
rifles and ammunition from the victims. A platoon
of mobile brigade officers from the Timika detachment has been deployed to find
an armed group led by Ayub Waker who they believed to be responsible for the
fatal shootings. In all 13 people of the armed group were arrested. 11 on the 7
January and two in the previous days. It was reported that security forces deployment in
response to the killings had arrested up to 116 people living in the region.
They were taken by bus from Mile 32 Tembagapura to the Timika Police. On 7
January 7 after a day at the police 49 women and children were freed by
police while 77 men were detained.
Death of a freedom fighter
John
Ondawame who died in Port Vila on the 4 September from a heat attack was one of
the founding members of the Australia West Papua Association in Sydney. John
had dedicated his life to the liberation of West Papua. He will be
sorely missed. John was from the Amungme tribe in Mimika regency in
the territory of West Papua.
John was from the Amungme tribe in Mimika regency in the territory of West Papua. He was the vice-chairman of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL). After Indonesia's take over of the former Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea and seeing first hand Indonesia's brutal occupation, John eventually took to the bush and became a member of the OPM, the Free Papua Movement. After crossing the border into PNG to discuss an incident of hostage taking (by the OPM) with the PNG Government, he was arrested and eventually accepted by Sweden as a refugee, gaining Swedish nationality.
During his time
in Australia he made many friends while campaigning to raise awareness about
West Papua. He was with his first wife Dolly Zonggonau while studying
here. He obtained
his PHD degree in political science from the ANU in
Canberra in 2000, MSc degree from the University
of Western Sydney in 1995, Graduate Diploma from the University of
Sydney in 1994. He was one of the founding coordinators of the
West Papua Project at the University of Sydney's Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and also one of the founding
members (with Rex Rumakiek) of the Australia West Papua Association in Sydney. His PhD resulted in his book, "One
People One Soul" West Papuan Nationalism and the Organisasi Papua Meredka
(2010)
In 2003 he gained residence in Vanuatu, one of the few
countries supporting West Papua in international fora. He
died on the 4th of September 2014 in Port Vila, Vanuatu from a massive heart
attack. He leaves behind his second wife Leisani from FIJI and his young son
Jacob. It says something of John’s stature that at his burial in Vila the
Prime Minister of Vanuatu Joe Natuman, with other politicians
attended the ceremony. The Prime Minister of Vanuatu also mentioned John in his
statement delivered at the 691h Session of the United Nations General
Assembly 29th September 2014, UN Headquarters, New York
“I cannot close this section of my speech without paying
tribute to late Dr. John Ondowame, a Freedom fighter from West Papua who passed
away last month while in exile in my country. He was laid to rest in my country
as a hero who had fought for the rights to self-determination for the people of
West Papua. He and other martyrs had a dream that one day the United Nations
and all nations advocating and promoting the democratic principles will, hear
their cries and deliver the promise of a self-determined future. At his funeral
service, I stated that his struggle for freedom and justice will continue to be
our struggle until colonialism is eradicated”.
Memorial services were held in West Papua and the region
in his memory.
The Future
The West Papuan
people will eventually achieve their own self-determination. There are many
ways forward and the West Papuan people are using all avenues to achieve their
freedom. Various West Papuan organisation are lobbying the UN and regional
organisations
such as the MSG. The Government and people of Vanuatu in particular are
supportive of the West Papuan struggle for self-determination. The
former Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Moana Carcasses Kalosil raised
the Human Rights situation in West Papua at the 25th Session of the Human
Rights Council in Geneva on the 4 March. Vanuatu was also very supportive of
the West Papuan leaders
summit in Port Vila where a new organisation called the United Liberation
Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) was formed. Events in Vanuatu began on the 30
November with a welcome ceremony and ended on the 5 December. There was excellent local media coverage on
the week’s events in Vila which shows the support the Vanuatu people and all
political parties in Vanuatu have for West Papua. On the 1st
December an inspiring march to celebrate West Papuan National Flag Day took
place along the main Street of Port Vila.
March in Port Vila 1 Dec 2014
Civil society organisations in the Pacific have
committed to enthusiastically take up the fight for the people of West Papua The issue is also being raised around the
world by solidarity groups and individuals, too numerous to mention. There are
many West Papuan lists, web and facebook pages where one can receive updates
and respond to urgent actions.
Sources. The
information in the report is based on the many urgent actions and reports
released by civil society organisations and human rights defenders in West
Papua and from reports from international NGO’s and information received. AWPA
also monitors the Indonesian and the local media in West Papua.
The report did
not touch on the environment, the exploitation of the natural resources of West
Papua by international companies and health and education. However, regular
postings covering these issues can be seen on daily postings on the reg.westpapua - lists - Riseup.net and http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au A West Papua Media web page for updates
at http://westpapuamedia.info
For further
information contact, Joe Collins. AWPA (Sydney) email: seosamh20@hotmail.com
About the Australia
West Papua Association (Sydney)
The
Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) is a human rights organisation focusing
on the territory of West Papua. AWPA’s
role is to lobby both the Australian Government and the International Community
to raise concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua. The West Papuan people face great challenges including
ongoing human rights abuses, the exploitation of their natural resources with
little or no benefit to themselves, the danger of becoming a minority in their
own land and a HIV/AIDS epidemic. AWPA raises awareness in the
international community about the historical wrongs and history of West Papua
and supports the right of the West Papuan people to self-determination.
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