2) Silencing Indigenous Voices? PT MAM’s Subpoena Raises Human Rights Concerns in Sorong
Indonesian security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protestors marking the 62nd anniversary of a U.N. agreement that paved the way for Jakarta’s annexation of the Papua region.
At least one protester was wounded by a rubber bullet and 95 people were arrested during the unrest in Nabire, the capital of Central Papua province, said Kimot Mote, one of the protest organizers.
The demonstrations on Thursday were led by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), a pro-independence group that opposes Indonesian rule in Papua. Similar protests were reported across several other cities, including Manokwari, Sorong Raya, Wamena, and Yahukimo, activists said.
Protesters are urging international bodies, including the United Nations, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and the Pacific Islands Forum, to intervene and pressure Indonesia to halt military operations in Papua.
KNPB chairman Warpo Wetipo issued a direct plea to Pope Francis, asking him to raise awareness about the violence and human rights violations in Papua.
The head of the Catholic Church is due to visit Indonesia next month, followed by Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore.
“We ask the Pope to advocate for an end to the oppression of the Papuan people,” Wetipo said.
While the protest in Nabire started peacefully, tensions escalated when police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, Mote said.
“There was a heavy police presence, with around 100 officers using trucks and crowd-control vehicles to quell the demonstrators,” he told BenarNews.
Local police chief Wahyudi Satrio Bintoro said security personnel took action after the protestors threw rocks at officers and engaged in vandalism, including setting fire to motorcycles.
“The Nabire police carried out measured and decisive action,” he said.
The New York Agreement is a treaty between the Netherlands and Indonesia regarding the administration of Papua, then called Western New Guinea. It stipulates that the United Nations would initially assume control, but if the U.N. permits, Indonesia could take over administration under certain conditions.
The agreement, negotiated in U.S.-hosted meetings, was signed on August 15, 1962, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
However, many Papuans believe the deal was made without their consent, and it paved the way for what they see as Indonesia’s illegitimate annexation of their homeland.
West Papua was formally integrated into Indonesia in 1969 following a controversial referendum, known as the “Act of Free Choice.” Under heavy military presence, a small group of just over 1,000 selected Papuans voted unanimously for integration, a result that many have since disputed.
Since then, the region has been the site of long-running conflict between Indonesian security forces and separatist rebels, with frequent reports of human rights abuses.
Despite efforts to address the economic development of the region, many Papuans continue to push for self-determination, citing decades of discrimination, military violence, and exploitation of their land and resources.
In Jayapura, protesters were denied access to the planned protest site in Abepura.
“We had secured permission for the protest, but the police still obstructed us,” said KNPB’s Wetipo.
In Abepura, a group of students gathered under the banner “Students Concerned About Papua,” delivering speeches and calling for attention to Papua’s ongoing struggles.
Jayapura police confirmed the intervention, arguing that the protests were highly disruptive.
In Nabire, the situation became tense on Thursday when non-Papuan residents, identifying as “Warga Nusantara” (Archipelago Citizens), clashed with protesters, said Taksen Giyai, a local resident.
“They were armed with iron bars, wood, and machetes, blocking the demonstrators’ path,” he said. No clashes were reported.
Central Papua's acting governor, Ribka Haluk, called for calm.
“I urge all parties to ensure safety and security,” she said, adding that grievances should be addressed through appropriate channels rather than violence.
In other cities, the protests were similarly contained by police.
In Manokwari, officers set up roadblocks to prevent demonstrators from reaching key areas. Protester Erick Aleknoe said that negotiators attempted to cooperate with police.
“Our negotiators offered to have the police escort the crowd to the location, but it was rejected,” he said.
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2) Silencing Indigenous Voices? PT MAM’s Subpoena Raises Human Rights Concerns in Sorong
A contentious legal dispute has emerged in the Sorong Regency, Papua Barat Daya Province, involving PT Mancaraya Agro Mandiri (MAM), a subsidiary of the Manca Group, and the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Malamoi. The conflict centres around allegations of illegal logging on customary lands belonging to several indigenous clans. PT MAM has issued a subpoena to the Chairman of AMAN Malamoi, Mr Torianus Kalami, demanding a retraction of public statements accusing the company of unauthorized logging. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between corporate interests and indigenous rights in Papua, raising significant human rights concerns regarding land ownership, environmental protection, and the rights of indigenous communities to their ancestral territories.
The conflict escalated as Mr Kalami reported alleged illegal logging activities by PT MAM after a field visit. In response, PT MAM’s legal team issued a subpoena on 18 July 2024, giving Mr Kalami 7×24 hours to retract his statements and apologize publicly. The company claims to be a victim of illegal loggers and asserts that its operational license remains valid, citing a recent agreement with the local government of Sorong Regency. PT MAM threatened to undertake legal action for defamation if their demands are not met. The subpoena was understood as an attempt to intimidate and silence indigenous rights advocates, raising concerns about the ability of local communities to protect their interests against powerful corporate entities.
The allegations against PT MAM involve unauthorized logging activities on customary lands belonging to the Klesi, Klow, Murpa, Maas, and Kwanik clans in the East Sayosa and Maudus districts of Sorong Regency. These actions, if proven true, would constitute severe violations of indigenous rights, including the right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) for activities on their ancestral lands. The alleged illegal logging also raises environmental concerns, potentially leading to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in ecologically sensitive areas.
The company’s operations appear to be proceeding despite claims that its license has been revoked by the Sorong Regency government, which, if accurate, would indicate a disregard for local governance and regulatory processes. The alleged violations underscore the urgent need for stronger protections for indigenous land rights and more rigorous supervision of corporate activities in areas with significant indigenous populations.
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