AWPA Statement 17 September 2023
AWPA condemns the killing of 5 West Papuans who were found dead in Dekai, capital of Yahukimo Regency.
The five civilians who were found dead at the mouth of the Brasa River were only between 15-18 years of age and were members of the Kingmi Papua Church. According to the church the five youths usually deliver food to the village after buying it at Dekai.
Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army or TPNPB, stated that the five victims who were found dead on Friday (15/9/2023) were not members of the TPNPB.
“They are not our members. They were purely civilians who wanted to return to their villages and were shot and bombed by the Indonesian military (Jubi 17/9/2023).
The Chair of the Yahukimo Church Fellowship or PGGY, Pastor Atias Matuan stated that the five civilians who were victims of the shooting were Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik, and Kaраі Payage.
On Friday, PGGY accompanied the family to collect the bodies of the five victims at the Yahukimo Regional General Hospital (RSUD). "After seeing their bodies with gunshot wounds to the stomach, chest and legs," said Matuan.
The pastor also reported that TNI officers had a guard post at the Dekai urban boundary, so that residents who wanted to travel from Dekai were required to report to the security post. “Residents must report to the security post. "If they don't report it, they are considered part of the TPNPB, even though they don't carry war equipment," he said.
The five shooting victims who were found dead at the mouth of the Brasa River, Dekai, capital of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, were buried at the Kilo Enam Public Cemetery, Dekai, Friday (15/9/2023). - Doc. PGGY
Joe Collins of AWPA said, there appears to be a total lack of trust between the security forces and local people in the region. Pastor Matuan said that “his party had difficulty mediating in the armed conflict, because he felt that the Indonesian security forces did not trust the Servant of God’.
Collins said, “while West Papuans are being killed by the security forces, we have Australia and Indonesia sitting down at the ninth bilateral consultation to discuss
Bolstering anti-terror cooperation
Antara News reported that
Indonesia and Australia also committed to continuing cooperation, through dialogue at bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums, as well as technical cooperation.
Collins said "its time that the Australian Defence department and DFAT started to seriously look at their ties with the Indonesian security forces and the affect their aid and training has on the situation in West Papuans”.
https://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2023/09/1-tpnpb-stated-that-5-victims-found.html
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