An ongoing armed conflict in West Papua between the Indonesian military and the separatist movement finds ordinary Indigenous Peoples caught in the middle, resulting in deaths and violations of their rights.
Since 1963, when the Indonesian government formally took administrative control of West Papua1, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have carried out security operations criticised for their violence and intimidation of Indigenous Peoples2 in West Papua. The TNI have stepped up their military operations3 in West Papua with the aim of ending the separatist movement4 (including but not limited to OPM). Recently, the Indonesian government created a new category called “KKB” (Armed Criminal Group). The group includes people or groups carrying out any confrontational activity in West Papua, but without clearly identifying who this group actually is. Therefore, anyone and any group can be labelled as terrorists. On April 29th 2021 the Indonesia state officially declared any criminal, armed group (KKB) a terrorist group.5 This declaration was announced following the murder of the Indonesian regional intelligence chief6, General I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha.
In response, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo ordered the police and military “to chase and arrest”7 everyone involved in the ”KKB”, and 400 members of the elite Infantry Battalion 3158 were deployed to the easternmost region of West Papua. Over the past three years, the Indonesian state has sent 21,369 troops to the land of Papua9. On the 24th of April 2021, the chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Bambang Soesatyo, added to these orders against the “KKB” in his statement to “destroy them first. We will discuss human rights matters later.”10 This statement contradicts the role Indonesia has assumed in advocating for human rights and democracy at a regional level. Among other initiatives11, Indonesia has been actively involved in the establishment and development of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)12 and was recently elected to represent the Asia-Pacific region in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) from 2020-202213.
Ongoing Human Rights Violations
Targeting innocent Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples have had to flee from their homes as the Indonesian military and police have entered their villages, primarily in the highland region of Nduga and Intan Jaya. This pattern of displacement is not new14. In the Nduga massacre of 201815, the Indonesian government declared a state of emergency in the Nduga regency, which was used as justification for the TNI to launch the Nemangkawi Military Operation16 that further escalated the ongoing armed conflict, which led to the displacement of approximately 5000 villagers, including 700 children17, into refugee camps. Between 2018 and 2020 an estimated 400 refugees have diedin these camps in Nduga.18
The displacement of Indigenous Peoples continues with the Indonesian military’s more recent efforts to stop the “KKB”. Villagers have been driven out of their territories19 as military and police occupy their schools and buildings for their operations20 to search for the “KKB”, putting Indigenous villagers at risk for their lives and removing them from their livelihood. Thus, robbing them not only of their safety and freedom, but also their right to food, housing and education.
Police and military are entering secluded Indigenous villages to search for members of the “KKB”, many of whom they claim hide and live amongst other villagers. If and when they cannot find “KKB” members, the military and police are shooting innocent civilians21. Although men are the main targets, women and children are also being shot at22, and even babies have lost their lives as a result23 of the conflict. They are also destroying property and shooting farm animals such as pigs that villagers need for their livelihood.
While some of these deaths are being reported in media, including youth, disabled civilians and pastors24, many are silenced/go unreported. Since the beginning of May, the Internet has been cut off in West Papua’s capital25 Manokwari preventing local journalists from reporting on the ongoing human rights violations. Although the internet provider has spoken out and apologized for the ongoing disruptions, the government has previously shut down internet services in West Papua during weeks of protests and deadly unrest in 201926.
The Indigenous Meepago People of Intan Jaya and the Indigenous Lapago People of Nduga report that they fear for their lives in their own land. A women’s community leader from a town near Puncak, described that “Thousands are displaced in Puncak, five villages fled into the jungle. Health clinics and schools have been taken over by the military. Soldiers are everywhere. We are living in a war zone.”27
Human Rights Defenders and Freedom of Speech
On May 10th, Victor Yeimo who is the international spokesman of the West Papua National Committee, was arrested in the provincial capital of Jayapura28. Yeimo has been on a police wanted list accused of treason related to his alleged role in the widespread anti-racism protests which were held in August and September 201929. Authorities say he orchestrated some of the most serious civil unrest in decades during these protests30. These protests, which initially started peacefully but ended in riots, were mass protests that included Indigenous Peoples. Yeimo was present at the first peaceful protest but he claims to have been absent at the riot31.
According to Prominent human rights journalist Victor Mambor, he has also been targeted by the Indonesian military, who claim his involvement in the separatist movement. His car was recently vandalised32, an incident that is not unusual for the journalist who, along with his family, has been harassed since 2007. Mambor’s lawyer, Veronica Koman has described the latest car-vandalism as “…another episode of harassment against Papuan journalists. When you report stories not in line with the government’s version you’ll be attacked.”33
Law violations
Contradictory to the ongoing human rights violations, in 2006, Indonesia ratified34 the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights35. Also, in 1998, Law No. 9 on Freedom of Expression in Public was passed36, but no implementing regulations were issued. Instead, according to senior West Papuan lawyer, Yan Christian Warinussey, the police have issued internal guidelines that suppress the freedom of expression37 that has formed the law in West Papua and is used to suppress activism, which can be seen through the state’s continuous harassment of human rights defenders.
The ongoing political conflicts are costing innocent lives and displacing Indigenous Peoples throughout West Papua.
The undersigned organisations call for:
- The Indonesian government to define who the “KKB” is. Without naming the organisations, any group or anyone can be targeted as “KKB”.
- President Jokowi to fulfil his commitment38 (2017) to invite the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Papua.
- The Indonesian Military and police to stop killing and harassing innocent villagers.
- The Indonesian government and United Liberation Movement for West Papua to start peace dialogues.
- The Indonesian Military and police to leave all occupied public facilities including schools, health centers, and government offices in Nduga, Intan Jaya, Puncak regencies, and ensure the safe return to normal life of the affected communities.
- The police to release Victor Yeimo and ensure that all human rights are respected for all.
- Stop stigmatizing Papuan Indigenous journalists as being part of separatism.
- Restore the internet, ensure freedom of expression for all, ensure the safety and security of journalists reporting from West Papua, and open the access for international journalists to West Papua.
Signatory organizations
- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)
- Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN): Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago
- Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI)
- Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP)
- Minority Rights Group International
- Survival International
—
Click here to read this statement on the website of IWGIA. The PDF version of the statement is available here.
Photo: Papuan students protesting racism, calling for independence for their territories and an end to an internet shutdown in Papua. Credit: Albert Ivan Damanik.
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"I want to ensure that the program is designed to handle the districts with low prosperity rate," he said here on Monday in his capacity as chief of the steering council of the integrated coordination team for the acceleration of prosperity development in the provinces of Papua and West Papua.
Seven issues will become the focus of the development program in the two provinces, in accordance with President Joko Widodo's instruction number 9 of 2020 on the accelerated development of prosperity in Papua and West Papua, he noted.
The seven issues are poverty eradication, education, health, micro small businesses, manpower, infrastructure, and sustainable development goals (SDGs), he informed.
He said he has asked the National Development Planning (PPN) Ministry/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) to map problems in the provinces and ensure the working program is relevant to regional needs.
"I want Bappenas' plan to meet regional conditions, in accordance with the focus of the development program on the seven issues. This way the regions that have low prosperity rates can be identified and the activities of the (development) program are available (to them),” he explained.
Meanwhile, National Development Planning (PPN) Minister/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Suharso Monoarfa has launched the Quick Wins program, as part of efforts to accelerate development in Papua and West Papua. Through the program, the government will carry out a total of 231 activities in 2021 and 2022, he informed.
He said public relations services and all relevant stakeholders must get involved in the program since the public communication strategy is important for building public trust.
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Reporter: Fransiska Ninditya/Suharto
On Wednesday, protesters at the Land Forces Expo in Brisbane rallied against producers who supply weapons to Indonesia. There have been persistent allegations that Indonesian security forces have perpetrated severe human rights abuses on Melanesian West Papuans, including extrajudicial killings.
The West Papua Liberation Army (WPLA) conducted an ambush attack on a senior Indonesian military official in late April. Conflict intensified in the highlands of Papua. In response, Indonesia deployed hundreds of troops to Papua and West Papua. Earlier in March, pictures emerged of Indonesian troops arriving in Jayapura, Papua. It is estimated that 21,000 Indonesian troops are in the region. Indonesia has cut off internet in West Papua to control and limit the information flow on casualties, human rights abuses and civilian impacts. In April, two teachers were shot by independence fighters for allegedly being Indonesian spies. Three schools were also burnt down. It is likely that tensions will continue to escalate and spill over into towns and cities.
Meanwhile, Indonesia has labelled the Free Papua Movement, formed in 1965, and other independence fighters as terrorist groups. They have clamped down on peaceful protests and used racist taunts, calling protestors “monkeys.” Forced disappearances and torture have allegedly occurred.
Last year, it was revealed that the WPLA had purchased weapons from the Indonesian military. Brigadier General Egianus Kogoya, who claimed to have purchased the weapons, oversaw guerrillas massacring 19 unarmed Indonesian road engineers in late 2018. Clearly, potential war crimes are being committed by both sides. Foreign states must speak up clearly and encourage all parties to engage in negotiation.
The conflict for West Papua’s independence from Indonesia has struggled for international attention. It began following the “Act of Free Choice” in 1969, when people hand-picked by Indonesia chose for the region to join Indonesia. Dutch colonial rule ceased in 1961. It is similar to East Timor, which became independent in 1975 following Portuguese colonial rule and was then annexed by Indonesia in 1975 for over 25 years. During that time, significant human rights abuses occurred.
In New Zealand, media coverage on this conflict is largely non-existent outside of Radio New Zealand, while in Australia ABC News maintains reasonably thorough coverage. The international community often remains silent and often supports Indonesia. Australia has provided training to Indonesia’s elite Detachment 88 special forces, which has caused significant controversy. Reluctance for international criticism of Indonesia is most likely due to Indonesia being a significant trading partner to many states.
The scholarship scheme has received a good response from all district and city administrations, head of the Papua Education, Library and Archive Office, Christian Sohilait, said here on Monday.
The district and city governments forwarded the names of 12 applicants on average, though some others sent less than 12 names, he informed. Jayapura city and Jayapura district sent 121 and over 40 applicants, respectively, he added.
The response to the scheme proves the success of the public awareness campaign on the affirmative action program for secondary education, or ADEM, and post-secondary education, or ADIK, in Papua, he claimed.
"This year, the government has set the quota for ADEM and ADIK at 450 scholarships, respectively," he said, adding that children from poor families would be prioritized under the program so they can get equal access to secondary and post-secondary education as children from middle-income and high-income families in Papua.
"We hope there will be no unlawful practices of corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN) in the application processes for these ADEM and ADIK programs at the district and city levels," he said.
Despite receiving a significant amount of central government funds, Papua and West Papua are still struggling to improve the quality of their human capital, as indicated by their scoring below the national average of 71.94 on Indonesia's 2020 Human Development Index.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Papua and West Papua scored 60.44 and 65.09, respectively, on the 2020 Human Development Index. Their scores remained lower than Aceh province, which got 71.94 points.
BPS data released in February this year has pegged poverty rates in Papua and West Papua at 26.8 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively.
Development outcomes also remain inequitable for native Papuan communities, as indicated by low income levels and lack of access to education and health services.
Amid this challenging reality, the government has hinted its intention of extending the allocation of special autonomy funds to Papua and West Papua by another two decades to accelerate efforts to close the development gap and bring prosperity to all communities in the region.(INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Reporter: Hendrina DK, Rahmad Nasution
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