1) 674 persons internally displaced after security force raid in Yahukimo
Background
Jayapura, Jubi – On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the Military Court III-14 in Denpasar, Bali officially delivered its verdict, acquitting of all charges the murder defendants of Papuan teenagers Eden Bebari and Ronny Wandik, First Sgt. Vicentie De Oliviara and Chief Pvt. Bahari Muhrim of the Yonif Raider 900/SBW Unit.
According to Gustaf R. Kawer, the chairman of the Papuan Human Rights Lawyers Association, this acquittal highlights the military justice system as a realm of impunity for individuals involved in human rights violations and military violence against civilians.
Kawer, who represents the families of the victims, strongly urges the military prosecutor to take legal action by appealing the verdict.
Kawer emphasizes that the Supreme Court would be the last hope for the victims’ families in their quest for justice.
In a phone interview with Jubi on Wednesday, September 6, Kawer pointed out the significant departure of this decision from the initial indictment. The defendants, De Oliviara and Muhrim, were initially charged with two counts related to the murder of Eden Bebari and Ronny Wandik.
The first charge was Article 338 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code, which carries a 15-year sentence, and the second charge was Article 170 Paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code, which carries a 12-year sentence.
Kawer argued that the decision to “release from prosecution” represented an injustice as it lacked a factual basis.
“We believe that this decision also demonstrates a disparity in sentencing compared to other individuals involved in the murder case, such as Lt. Gabriel Bowie Wijaya and Chief Pvt. Sugihartono from Battalion 711/Rks and Battalion 712/Wt respectively, who were sentenced in the Manado Military Court. Wijaya received a 7-year prison sentence, while Sugihartono received a 6-year prison sentence. Both are also dismissed from military service,” said Kawer.
He also mentioned that the verdict differed from the dissenting opinions of the two member judges, Lt. Col. Chk Agustono and Capt. Chk (K) Dianing Lusiasukma. These judges believed that the defendants were proven to have committed a criminal act as described in the first indictment.
“Despite such dissenting opinions, the verdict from the Military Court III-14 Denpasar clearly underscores the impunity granted to individuals involved in state violence against the Papuan people in the judicial system,” Kawer asserted. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – The initial report concerning the homicide of Michelle Kurisi has been forwarded to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). Frits Ramandey, the head of the Papua Representative of Komnas HAM, stated on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, that his office had submitted an initial report on the Michelle Kurisi murder case to Komnas HAM in Jakarta. This report will be further analyzed to determine the course of action regarding Michelle Kurisi’s death.
“We are actively engaged in this matter. We’ve compiled a summary of the case and have dispatched it to Komnas HAM,” Ramandey informed reporters during a press conference in Jayapura City on Tuesday.
Ramandey further revealed that his office had sought information from the family of the late Michelle Kurisi on September 4.
“Michelle Kurisi’s mother indicated that they had been in communication with various parties to provide support. Several names of potential witnesses have been submitted to Komnas HAM,” he stated.
Michelle Kurisi was tragically killed by a group suspected to be associated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The case gained widespread attention due to the circulation of a video showing Michelle Kurisi being interrogated.
Ramandey noted that failure to resolve Michelle Kurisi’s murder would contribute to the already extensive record of violence in Papua. He expressed confidence that the police would be able to elucidate the circumstances of her death, citing preliminary evidence, including the sequence of events and the results of the police-conducted autopsy.
“Komnas HAM is confident that the police will uncover the truth behind Michelle Kurisi’s murder, as there is more than one piece of evidence and multiple leads. This includes the chronology of events leading to Michelle Kurisi’s death, as well as the results of her autopsy,” he asserted.
Ramandey disclosed that the family had requested a thorough investigation into Michelle Kurisi’s murder. He affirmed that his office would collaborate with the police to shed light on the case and ascertain responsibility for the two children Michelle Kurisi left behind. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Local Papuan traders have urged the to supervise and enforce Regional Regulation No. 10/2018, which focuses on safeguarding and empowering local traders, particularly Indigenous Papuans in the market. This request is essential to ensure that local traders can exclusively sell indigenous products like sago, areca nuts, vegetables, petatas (sweet potatoes), and smoked fish, as outlined in the regulation.
Maria Pekey, the coordinator of Indigenous Papuan traders in Abepura, conveyed this message at Youtefa Market, on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. She emphasized the need for Indigenous Papuan traders to manage the sale of products to prevent non-Papuan traders from selling the same items.
The struggle to prevent non-Papuan traders from taking over the market has involved peaceful protests at various government offices, including the Jayapura Mayor’s Office and the Papua Governor’s Office.
Pekey, or Mama Pekey as she is called, a daily vegetable seller at Youtefa Market, shared that her income used to range from Rp1 to 2 million, from a capital of Rp500,000. However, from 2022 to 2023, despite her capital investment increasing to Rp1 or to 2 million, her income decreased. Some traders even stopped selling because of this same reason.
Pekey highlighted the economic vulnerability of Papuan mothers, which has further deteriorated due to the influx of non-Papuan traders into the market.
“Currently, there are about 80 Indigenous Papuan traders in Youtefa Market, selling various products, while there are around 200 non-Papuan traders, offering a wide range of items, from clothing to electronics and food products,” she said.
Nonetheless, Pekey and other Indigenous Papuan traders are hopeful that the government will enforce the regional regulation to protect their interests, especially regarding the sale of indigenous products.
“We believe that market officials should not merely collect daily market fees of Rp 5,000 but should also ensure strict adherence to market regulations,” she added.
Maria Matuan, another Indigenous Papuan trader at Youtefa Market, expressed similar concerns, asserting that locally produced items should be exclusively allocated to Indigenous Papuan traders. She and her fellow traders have repeatedly met with the Mayor of Jayapura City to voice their grievances about non-Papuan traders selling local products in various markets in the city, but their concerns have yet to be addressed.
Matuan, who has been selling areca nuts at Youtefa Market for a decade, lamented the growing presence of non-Papuan traders in the largest regional market in Jayapura City, outnumbering native Papuan traders significantly.
“If a non-Papuan trader goes back to their hometown, when they return to Papua, they often bring along 10 to 20 new traders,” she said.
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