1) Supreme Court rejects appeal of military members accused in Mimika mutilation case

 

2) PPHAM holds meeting without involving the families of victims of past gross human rights violations

3) Police in West Papua Urge Vigilance as 53 Inmates Escape from Sorong Prison

4) Papua language revitalization program progresses, 9 languages preserved 

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-of-military-members-accused-in-mimika-mutilation-case/

1) Supreme Court rejects appeal of military members accused in Mimika mutilation case

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 12 January 2024

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia rejected the cassation filed by four TNI soldiers accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency. The cassation decision is contained in Decision Number 291 K / Mil / 2023 of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. The Fourth Brigade Infantry Raider Brigif R20/IJK/3 soldiers from the Timika Military Command were accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents, namely Arnold Lokbere, Irian Nirigi, Lemaniel Nirigi, and Atis Tini on 22 August 2022. The individuals facing charges in this case were Private Rahmat Amin Sese, Private Risky Oktav Mukiawan, Private Robertus Putra Clinsman, and Private Pargo Rumbouw. Captain Inf Dominggus Kainama, who was also implicated, passed away on 24 December 2022.

These soldiers were brought before Military Court III-19 in Jayapura for trial. On 15 February 2023, Colonel Chk Rudy Dwi Prakamto, leading the court, handed down the following sentences: Rahmat Amin Sese and Risky Oktav Mukiawan received life imprisonment, Robertus Putra Clinsman was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Pargo Rumbouw was given a 15-year prison term. Furthermore, all four individuals were discharged from the Indonesian Army service. Despite initially filing appeals, their requests were rejected, leading them to file for cassation.

On 23 November, the Head of the Planning, Information Technology, and Reporting Subdivision of Military Court III-19 in Jayapura announced the cassation verdict in front of the four TNI soldiers involved in the case. The verdict declared the rejection of the cassation appeals filed by Rahmat Amin Sese, Risky Oktav Mukiawan, Robertus Clisman, and Pargo Rumbouw.

In addition to rejecting the cassation appeals, the panel of judges imposed costs at the cassation level on Rahmat Amin Sese and Risky Oktav Mukiawan, which would be covered by the state. They also imposed case costs of Rp2,500 each on Robertus Putra Clisman and Pargo Rumbouw.

Methodius Kossay, the Coordinator of the Judicial Commission for the Papua Region, expressed his belief in the proper conduct of the trial process at Military Court III-19 in Jayapura. He encouraged the Papua community to actively monitor court proceedings, ensuring ethical conduct among judges. Kossay emphasised the importance of public involvement in overseeing clean trials in Papua and reassured the community that they should not be afraid or worried about attending Military Court.

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https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/ppham-team-holds-another-meeting-in-wamena-without-involving-the-families-of-victims-of-past-gross-human-rights-violations/

2) PPHAM holds meeting without involving the families of victims of past gross human rights violations

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 12 January 2024 

The Indonesian government has been addressing past human rights violations, including the Wamena case from 4 April 2003, through non-judicial means, but without engaging with the victims’ families. On 13 November 2023, the Non-Judicial Settlement Team for Past Gross Human Rights Violations (PPHAM) held its fourth meeting in Wamena. However, this meeting did not involve the victims’ families or the coordinator of human rights violations in Wamena.

The Papuan human rights defender, Theo Hesegem, noted that the victims’ families had not seen any changes in the government’s attitude towards their four demands, and they had received no answers or clarifications. The meeting on 13 November 2023, was seen as informal and lacked the participation of the victims’ families.

The government, through the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, had failed to respond to the victims’ families’ demands. The PPHAM team under the Coordinating Ministry had been trying to offer compensation and assistance, but the victims’ families in Wamena remained resolute in their rejection of such offers.

In previous meetings, the victims’ families’ statements had gone unanswered, and they felt pressured by the central government to accept compensation. Linus Hiluka, the coordinator of the victims of the Wamena case, and Pastor Hosea Murib were not involved in the 13 November meeting. They rejected both judicial and non-judicial settlements, suspecting that the government was struggling to respond to their demands.

Linus Hiluka emphasized that the government should not force the victims and their families to accept its terms, suggesting an element of coercion through the Human Rights Violations Settlement Team. He questioned the legitimacy of other victims’ families who may have accepted compensation.

Pastor Hosea Murib also expressed confusion over the government’s stance and questioned why their responses were not openly communicated. He suggested resolving the issue through international channels, as pressure from the international community was involved.

In summary, the Indonesian government continues to address past human rights violations through non-judicial means but has not engaged with the victims’ families in the Wamena case. The victims’ families remain steadfast in their rejection of compensation and demand clarity from the government. There are concerns about coercion and a lack of transparency in the government’s approach, leading to calls for international involvement in resolving the issue.

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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/police-in-west-papua-urge-vigilance-as-53-inmates-escape-from-sorong-prison

3) Police in West Papua Urge Vigilance as 53 Inmates Escape from Sorong Prison

Chrystho Phyl   January 13, 2024 | 1:21 pm

Sorong. West Papua Police have issued a warning to the public to remain vigilant after 53 inmates escaped from the Class II B Sorong Correctional Institution in West Papua on Sunday, Jan.7, 2024. The police are currently conducting extensive manhunts, blocking all land and sea transportation routes.

Sofyan Efendy, an official from the Sorong City Police, said the authorities were conducting routine raids and checkpoints at various public transportation access points, both on land and at sea.

"The Sorong Police are conducting raids to block the inmates' escape route. As ordered by the Chief of West Papua Police, we conduct daily sweeps or raids. We have identified all the names, including their faces matching the ID cards, and we will continue to do so," he said when contacted on Saturday.

According to official data from the West Papua Regional Police, out of the 53 escaped inmates, 11 have been apprehended so far, while the remaining 42 are still being pursued.

Despite ensuring a conducive environment, Sofyan urges residents to remain cautious during their activities. 

"We advise the public to carry on with their daily activities as usual, stay calm, but remain vigilant. Crimes cannot be predicted," he said.

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https://en.jubi.id/papua-language-revitalization-program-progresses-9-languages-preserved/

4) Papua language revitalization program progresses, 9 languages preserved 

News Desk - Revitalization Of Local Languages 

12 January 2024

Jayapura, Jubi – Out of the 482 local languages in Papua, only nine have undergone revitalization efforts by the Provincial Language Center, as stated by Sukardi Gau, the Head of the Papua Provincial Language Center in Jayapura City on Thursday (11/01/2024).

Gau mentioned that the Language Revitalization Program, continuing from 2023, has been in progress since 2021. In 2022, the program targeted seven local languages, and by 2023, two more were added, bringing the total to nine.

The revitalized languages include Tobati in Jayapura City, Sentani in Jayapura Regency, Biyekwok in Keerom Regency, Sobei in Sarmi Regency, Marind in Merauke Regency, Kamoro in Mimika Regency, Biak in Biak Numfor Regency, Atam in Manokwari Regency, and Moi in Sorong Regency. In 2024, Baliem in Jayawijaya Regency will be added, making it a total of ten local languages.

Gau explained that Indonesia has 718 local languages, and the language inventory in Papuahas identified 428 local languages. Of the nine languages in the Language Revitalization Program, efforts are made to teach them in schools, ranging from elementary to secondary levels. This initiative requires collaboration with local governments to develop a local language curriculum for schools.

According to Gau, local governments play a crucial role in preparing teachers and teaching materials for local languages to ensure the effectiveness of language revitalization efforts.

“The Language Center will coordinate with local governments. The next steps involve training primary teachers or master teachers, with the hope that these teachers will then pass on the knowledge to other teachers and, ultimately, to students in schools. The more effort put in, the broader the development of local languages, and they become more usable,” said Sukardi Gau.

Gau cited Jayapura City as an example, where a local regulation mandates the learning of specific local languages in schools based on zoning.

“For instance, in the Waena area and surroundings, students will learn Sentani language; in the Tanah Hitam, Abepura, and surrounding areas, they will learn Nafri language. In the Entrop area and surroundings, Tobati language will be taught,” he explained.

Acknowledging that the inventory of nine local languages in Papua is far from sufficient, Gau expressed hope that local governments would also undertake the revitalization of their respective local languages. He emphasized the significance of local languages as an integral part of the Papuan identity and called for their protection.

“Local languages are a crucial part of the Papuan identity, something that is often forgotten, especially by some of our indigenous Papuan brothers and sisters. Local languages are considered unimportant, compared to many other issues, such as economic matters, taking precedence,” Gau noted.

He highlighted that the best legacy from Papuan ancestors lies in their language.

“Papuan children nowadays seem to consider local languages unimportant and no longer attractive. For example, the Tobati language is now spoken by only a few people, a far cry from 20 or 10 years ago. Our effort is to protect local languages to truly become an identity embedded in the Papuan people,” he added.

Sukardi Gau shared that the Provincial Language Center has three priority programs: literacy, local language revitalization, and the globalization of the Indonesian language. He emphasized that according to Law No. 24 of 2009 on the National Flag, Language, Coat of Arms, and National Anthem, the development of language and literature is the responsibility of local governments.

“My hope is that local languages should be treated equally. It is not just about the number of speakers; even languages with few speakers have the same right to survive and must be protected by local governments for more focused and systematic revitalization,” Sukardi Gau concluded. (*)

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