2) Intan Jaya probe: Rights body submits report to govt
3) We need new directions in foreign affairs and defence after NZ First indifference
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1) Papua’s cycle of violence Editorial Board The Jakarta Post
Editorial Board The Jakarta Post
Editorial Board The Jakarta Post
Jakarta / Wed, November 4, 2020
Both the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the local independent Humanitarian Team for Intan Jaya reached a more or less similar conclusion about the cause of the death of a pastor in the Papua highland regency recently. The two confirmed each other’s discovery that military soldiers were behind the torture that claimed the life of respected religious leader Yeremia Zanambani on Sept. 19.
Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam provided Monday details of how the acts of violence were perpetrated against Yeremia allegedly to extract information from him about an armed group responsible for the killing of Chief Sgt. Sahlan on Sept. 17. From Choirul’s description, the wounds that caused the pastor to die of profuse blood loss were a display of human cruelty which perhaps is rampantly practiced in Papua despite calls to deal with grievances and dissenting voices there.
In their reports, Komnas HAM and the independent humanitarian team hold Chief Sgt. Alpius Hasim Madi of the newly formed Hitapida district military command (Koramil) accountable for Yeremia’s death. According to the Papua-based independent team’s finding, Alpius was close to Yeremia as the pastor had often given him meals and allowed him to take a bath at his home. Prior to the pastor’s death Alpius and his subordinates had gathered a number of local residents in their search for the people who killed Sahlan and seized his rifle. Intimidation was clearly at play as the soldiers set a three-day deadline for the return of the arms. A witness told the independent team the soldiers even threatened to bomb their village if they refused to cooperate.
As in the Intan Jaya case, the use of violence only breeds new violence. On the day when Yeremia was tortured, a group of armed people believed to be part of the West Papua National Liberation Army attacked the preparatory Koramil, killing a soldier. The government also formed an investigation team, which, despite doubts over its credibility, reflected the President’s will to resolve the series of violence plaguing the remote, underdeveloped regency. Now that Komnas HAM, the Papua-based team and the government-sanctioned team have submitted their reports, the ball is in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s court and follow-up actions are all that the public is waiting for. It may have become a cliché, but Komnas HAM’s recommendation for an end to the security approach in Papua following what has happened in Intan Jaya should not fall on deaf ears this time around. Indonesia has been widely criticized and certain countries have openly campaigned for Papuan independence due to the vicious cycle of violence, which simply is the consequence of the use of an outdated security lens to view Papua problems.
For nearly 60 years, this hard approach, characterized by mass deployment of military and police forces, has not led to long-lasting peace in Papua. Despite the heavy presence of forces, conflicts have continued to occur, killing not only those armed, including young soldiers, but also unarmed civilians. Time to reset and restart the way to settle the Papua issue beyond doubt.
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2) Intan Jaya probe: Rights body submits report to govt
3 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) submitted the results of its probe into the violence in Intan Jaya district, Papua province, to Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD on Wednesday.
Mahfud said there is no difference between the results of the investigation conducted by Komnas HAM and the government-sponsored joint fact-finding team (TGPF).
“There are several similarities in their findings pertaining to the violence in Intan Jaya. There is only a slight difference in their points of view and technical aspects. But in principle, they are the same," he said.
Both the TGPF and Komnas HAM share the same desire to uphold the protection of human rights and non-violent measures to solve problems, he added.
He said he will pass on the Komnas HAM's report to President Joko Widodo soon. The government will follow up on the report through the existing channel and take legal action against anybody involved in the case, he added.
At the meeting, Komnas HAM chief Ahmad Taufan Damanik praised the government for its response to the results of the commission's probe into the case.
“Our report is very complete. It contains details of the incident and problem construction. We have come up with a seven-point recommendation, including law enforcement. As Mr. Coordinating Minister has stated, it (the issue) must be settled in an accountable manner, without discriminating against the culprits. We must also convince the public of (the need to ensure) a sense of justice for the victims and their bereaved families," Damanik said.
He highlighted the importance of restoring security and social life in handling the Intan Jaya case so that the public can carry out activities as usual.
“We sincerely hope the government, particularly Mr. Coordinating Minister and Mr. President, would ensure the legal process, in accordance with our recommendation," he said.
The Intan Jaya violence claimed the lives of soldiers and civilians, including a priest.
The TGPF had submitted the results of its fact-gathering visit to Intan Jaya to Minister Mahfud on October 19, 2020.
At a recent online press conference in Jakarta, TGPF head Benny Mamoto had said his team had primarily adopted a culturally sensitive approach while probing the deadly shootings. Therefore, its members relied on voluntary accounts from invited witnesses.
Related news: Truth eagerly awaited behind Intan Jaya's recent deadly shootings
Related news: Intan Jaya probe: Minister to share findings on Oct 19
Mahfud said there is no difference between the results of the investigation conducted by Komnas HAM and the government-sponsored joint fact-finding team (TGPF).
“There are several similarities in their findings pertaining to the violence in Intan Jaya. There is only a slight difference in their points of view and technical aspects. But in principle, they are the same," he said.
Both the TGPF and Komnas HAM share the same desire to uphold the protection of human rights and non-violent measures to solve problems, he added.
He said he will pass on the Komnas HAM's report to President Joko Widodo soon. The government will follow up on the report through the existing channel and take legal action against anybody involved in the case, he added.
At the meeting, Komnas HAM chief Ahmad Taufan Damanik praised the government for its response to the results of the commission's probe into the case.
“Our report is very complete. It contains details of the incident and problem construction. We have come up with a seven-point recommendation, including law enforcement. As Mr. Coordinating Minister has stated, it (the issue) must be settled in an accountable manner, without discriminating against the culprits. We must also convince the public of (the need to ensure) a sense of justice for the victims and their bereaved families," Damanik said.
He highlighted the importance of restoring security and social life in handling the Intan Jaya case so that the public can carry out activities as usual.
“We sincerely hope the government, particularly Mr. Coordinating Minister and Mr. President, would ensure the legal process, in accordance with our recommendation," he said.
The Intan Jaya violence claimed the lives of soldiers and civilians, including a priest.
The TGPF had submitted the results of its fact-gathering visit to Intan Jaya to Minister Mahfud on October 19, 2020.
At a recent online press conference in Jakarta, TGPF head Benny Mamoto had said his team had primarily adopted a culturally sensitive approach while probing the deadly shootings. Therefore, its members relied on voluntary accounts from invited witnesses.
Related news: Truth eagerly awaited behind Intan Jaya's recent deadly shootings
Related news: Intan Jaya probe: Minister to share findings on Oct 19
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