Monday, September 30, 2024

1) “Human Rights in Indonesia” side event will address crises in West Papua


2) Students intimidated by police at Nabire police station, Central Papua province

3) Minister joins polio vaccination in Southwest Papua's Sorong City 

4) TPNPB releases NZ pilot after being captured for 19 months in Papuan highlands

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1) “Human Rights in Indonesia” side event will address crises in West Papua

 WCC. 30 September 2024

A side event to the 57th UN Human Rights Council entitled “Human Rights in Indonesia,” hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and partner organizations on 1 October, will address the dire human rights situation in West Papua, with ongoing violations that include extra-judicial killings, internal displacement due to armed conflict, restrictions on civil liberties, and a growing number of cases of land grabbing.


This event will bring together grassroots representatives and experts to explore practical actions that the UN Human Rights Council and national and international actors could take to address the deepening human rights and humanitarian crises in West Papua.

The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal will also present the findings of its July 2024 public hearings, during which it examined a body of evidence on the environmental impacts of development projects and related human rights violations in the region.

In the first six months of 2024, extra-judicial killings linked to the ongoing armed conflict between the Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (OPM-TPNPB) have been recorded. A surge in armed conflict has been reported in the period April-June 2024 which has continued to drive internal displacement among the Indigenous Papuan people. As of September 2024, 79,867 people are internally displaced with no access to basic necessities such as food, healthcare services and education, and limited access to employment opportunities. If they return to their villages and homes, they are confronted with a heavy security presence, and constant intimidation and surveillance.

A growing number of cases of land grabbing have been reported from the regencies of Merauke, Mimika, Deiyai, and Sorong in the period April-June 2024, reflecting a growing trend of private investors capturing land and natural resources without obtaining free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Papuans.

There is an urgent need for the Indonesian government to immediately address the conflict and associated human rights violations, abuses, and impunity through sustainable solutions based on the principles of human rights.

Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), will moderate the discussion. 

“The Indonesian government provides very limited transparency regarding the situation in West Papua, and even less access to the region,” he said. “Accordingly, the WCC is grateful that through cooperation with its civil society partners we can bring information regarding the longstanding humanitarian and human rights crisis endured by the Indigenous Papuan people to the attention of the Human Rights Council, and to the wider international community. We continue to hope that by sharing this information, the long overdue concern of the international community may yet be galvanized.”

Join this event live here, Tuesday, 1 October, 13:00 CEST 

(Meeting ID 3353 -CR25  "Human Rights in Indonesia", Meeting number: 2744 604 7986 Password: ufTQvPJJ877) 

Learn more about the WCC work on "Human dignity and rights"

WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs


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Human Rights Monitor

2) Students intimidated by police at Nabire police station, Central Papua province

Cases / Indonesia, West Papua / 30 September 2024 
On 29 September 2024, the five students Mr Josan, Mr Ando, Mr Joshua, Mr Cela, and Mr Emigay, all members of the ‘West Papuan Student Solidarity’, were intimidated after registering a peaceful assembly to commemorate the Rome Agreement of 30 September 1962 in Nabire, Papua Tengah Province. The intimidation occurred at the Nabire District Police Headquarters after police officers had asked the students to pick up a reply notification letter in response to the registration.
After arriving at the police station around 9:45 pm, the students were forcibly detained and questioned at the criminal investigation unit. The interrogation was carried out without a lawyer to provide legal counsel to the students. Police officers reportedly threatened the students to report their involvement in the protest to their university principal, demanding an expulsion from the university. The students were released at 1.00 am., 30 September 2024 (see photo on top).

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3) Minister joins polio vaccination in Southwest Papua's Sorong City 
 September 30, 2024 12:49 GMT+700 

Sorong (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadji Effendy participated in the polio vaccination of pupils of YPK I Syalom Elementary School in Sorong, Southwest Papua, to support the National Immunization Week (PIN).

"This immunization is meant to protect children from polio. We pay a visit to this school to ensure that the immunization runs well and smoothly," he remarked on Monday.

According to Effendy, the polio vaccination rate among children in Indonesia's Papua region, including Southwest Papua Province, still needs to be boosted.

"Some kids in several districts are still struggling with the polio disease, which should not be allowed to happen," he emphasized.

On the occasion, the minister also met with leaders of local sub-districts and public health centers and representatives of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) to discuss ways to accelerate PIN implementation in Papua, particularly Southwest Papua.

"We are resolute in completing immunization to safeguard Papua from the threat of polio," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, PMK Coordinating Ministry's Assistant Deputy for Disease Control and Mitigation, Nancy Dian Anggraeni, highlighted that 80 percent of the targeted children in Sorong City had received the first dose of the vaccine, while 53 percent of them had been vaccinated twice.

She underlined that her office and the Ministry of Home Affairs had been rolling out regular evaluations involving local leaders to expedite the implementation of PIN in Papua since July this year.

The official, however, noted that the overall rate of PIN implementation among the six provinces of Papua remains very low.

"The provision of the first dose has only progressed to 54.7 percent in six provinces, while the second phase of the PIN has only reached 38.1 percent (of the targeted children)," she pointed out.

She attributed the unfavorable trend to some parents' hesitation to vaccinate their children.


Translator: Yuvensius L, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina


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Human Rights Monitor
Photos in report

4) TPNPB releases NZ pilot after being captured for 19 months in Papuan highlands

Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 30 September 2024 
On 21 September 2024, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) released Captain Phillip Mark Mehrtens, a pilot from New Zealand, into the hands of former Nduga Regent, Mr Edison Gwijangge. A crowd of villagers accompanied Captain Mehretns to the helipad in the Yuguru Village, Maibarok District in the Nduga Regency, where he was picked up by Edison Gwijangge and flown to Timika, from where he was immediately brought to Jakarta. 
The release set an end to 19 months of forced detention and hiding under the harsh conditions of the central Papuan highlands. According to a medical and psychological examination after the release, Captain Mehrtens had lost weight but was mentally and physically healthy. Jakarta officials handed over Captain Mehrtens to the New Zealand ambassador in Jakarta, from where he was flown to New Zealand to reunite with his family. 
In early August 2024, the TPNPB announced they were ready to release Captain Mehrtens unconditionally for humanitarian reasons in September 2024. The release process gained tension after unknown perpetrators killed another pilot from New Zealand in the Alama District, Mimika Regency on 5 August 2024, only a few days after the TPNPB announcement. Security forces accused the TPNPB of killing the pilot. In response, the TPNPB published a media release according to which they denied responsibility for the killing. On 17 September 2024, the TPNPB proposed a release scenario significantly differing from the actual release process.

Background

People from Yuguru accompany Captain Mark Mehrtens to the helicopter


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Sunday, September 29, 2024

1) Police officers arrest two Papuans in Nduga without warrant


2) Looming now in Indonesia: The age of uncertainty 

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 https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/police-officers-arrest-two-papuans-in-nduga-without-warrant/

Human Rights Monitor

1) Police officers arrest two Papuans in Nduga without warrant

Cases / Indonesia, West Papua / 28 September 2024 
Police officers arrested two indigenous Papuans, Mr Ripe Kerebea and Mr Eli Koranue, in the town of Kenyam, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on 17 August 2024. Mr Rife Kerebea’s name was on a wanted list for participation in various violent attacks by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). While the police have pressed charges against Mr Kerebea, it is unknown whether the police have also initiated a legal process against Mr Koranue. Human rights activists expressed concerns regarding the arbitrary nature of the arrest, claiming that both men are civilians.
According to information received, police officers forcefully entered the house of Mr Ripe Kerebea at 3:30 am and arrested him without showing a warrant. Mr Kerebea’s wife and children witnessed the arrest. Mr Koranue was arrested almost simultaneously inside a traditional men’s house in Kenyam. Relatives and friends witnessed the arrest. In both cases, the relatives were not informed about the reason for the arrest. They demand the immediate release of the detainees if the police fail to present sufficient evidence for involvement in a criminal act. Mr Kerebea is the village head of Krepkuri Village, Mr Koranue graduated from a Vocational Highschool in Merauke and took a job as a construction worker.

Mr Ripe Kerebea and Mr Eli Koranue.  



 







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2) Looming now in Indonesia: The age of uncertainty 
By Duncan Graham 
Sep 30, 2024

There’ll soon be a new leader next door – ageing hardliner Prabowo Subianto. He’s Indonesia’s dark lord with a worrying past of alleged human rights abuses, yet overwhelmingly elected in the February national poll. He’ll take over on 20 October.

Some expect the change from the calming Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo to be seamless. Others fear his tough guy successor will drive out democracy from the world’s fourth most populous nation and return to a military-led autocracy – as in the last century.

What will Jokowi handover after two five-year terms in power? Some improvements are huge, Here’s one example:

A trip between the East Java capital Surabaya and the province’s major hill city Malang through congested villages was once a five-hour ordeal. Now the 80-kilometre journey on a toll road takes about an hour, thanks to Pak Infrastruktur.

Since 2014, Jokowi’s government put down 2,700 km of bitumen at a dazzling pace using 24/7 Chinese labour and loans; the present debt is reportedly US$27.5 billion.

Projects involving national highways, village roads, airports and dams were all transformative, speeding trade. During his decade, the population grew by 27 million. The natural increase matches the number of people living in Australia.

Jokowi in a hard hat symbolised a shovelling aside of the avalanches of blocking bureaucracy. He dug through by treating the government like a business and finding big backers, mainly from Beijing.

Another achievement already introduced, but rapidly enlarged is the national insurance health system. It has serious flaws as the industry exploits its many weaknesses, but it remains an essential helping to ease worries about paying for medical care.

Then came nationalism. Jokowi’s government peacefully negotiated control of the huge gold and copper Freeport mine in West Papua from the US owners and now owns 51% of the company.

Foreign affairs was left to career diplomat Retno Marsudi, a lady of no great achievements. She’s off to the UN so Prabowo has to find another foreign minister, hopefully a civilian.

All good, but Jokowi’s legacy has been clawed by Indonesia’s Gorgons: Korupsi, Kolusi, Nepotisme.

For Jokowi did dirty deals to keep his family in power ripping his reputation as humble Mr Clean from a riverside mudbank shack. His PR story claims he’s a clever climber who got to the top without carrying a rifle or wearing Muslim robes. Nor was he carrying the genes of a feudal sultanate.

What he did have then and now is a mentor – US educated former four-star general turned businessman and prominent Protestant, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, 77.

Officially he’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, but on the street he’s Prince Regent and Lord Luhut, titles that infuriate. He sued two people for defamation and lost.

Before Jokowi became a politician, he partnered with Luhut in a furniture export deal. The younger man got into public life through the mayoralty of the small Central Java city of Solo, then as governor of Jakarta.

Jokowi was seen as pure Javanese, socially low key and physically slim, an ideal model for the nation’s marvellous batik shirts, but insufficiently sinewy to wear the uniform of office. His rank was popularity and here he had five stars.

In 2015, he took Malcolm Turnbull on a blusukan (walkabout) of public markets. That happy scene is for the archives. Today, Prabowo is into media control. He waves from jeeps and shuns the media apart from one awkward tussle with Al Jazeera.

There’ll be little access for independent journalists ahead, so anticipate few facts, but many rumours.

Only skilled cultural anthropologists noted the kid from the kampung was enigmatic and surreptitiously devious, offering ambiguous “why not?” answers to journalists’ questions.

Like Icarus, he forgot the altimeter. Denied under the Constitution to extend his stay, he used his brother-in-law, a Supreme Court judge, to bypass age rules. That let his eldest son, Gibran, stand for office and win the vice-presidency. Jokowi’s cleanskin reputation was flayed nationally, likewise his lad’s.

Old social media accounts allegedly published by Gibran rubbishing Prabowo during his earlier tries for the top job have been dismissed as fakes, but the damaging scuttlebutt has spread.

Prabowo is certainly a worry, and not just due to his sidekick. Australian researcher of military crimes in East Timor, Pat Walsh, has asked if he’s a “fit and proper person” to be president, detailing the commander’s actions in the former Indonesian province. Walsh concluded “no”.

In 1998, Prabowo was cashiered for disobeying orders. That was amid the revolution which saw the authoritarian Soeharto quit the presidency after 32 years of despotic rule.

Prabowo fled to exile in Jordan following his divorce from Soeharto’s daughter, Siti. He publicly returned in 2008 after his former father-in-law died but failed to get into politics via any established organisation.

So he started Gerindra (Great Indonesia Movement), now the third largest party. Calling it right-wing is too simplistic. It’s certainly bombastically nationalistic and carries a whiff of fascism along with contradictory social benefit programs like free lunches for school kids.

Once hostile minor parties are now clamouring to bed down in Prabowo’s coalition and suckle the teats of power, leaving the government to face no opposition.

Helped by a mainly partisan media, Prabowo’s people have been erasing mentions of his alleged human rights abuses. These awkward stories that he dismisses or denies, saw him refused entry to the US and Australia earlier this century.

Indonesia street stalls are already selling photoshopped official portraits of the upcoming leaders to mount on lounge walls. The 73-year old has shed wrinkles; his 38-year deputy has garnered wisdom lines.

An ANU conference of students and scholars in September held an Indonesia Update: How Jokowi changed Indonesia.

Their predictions of Prabowo’s rule run from maybe a matured reformist to the baton-master of Soeharto Mark Two and the flight of what’s left of democracy. Most agree he’s a chameleon. ANU Associate Professor Marcus Mietzner reportedly said:

“Widodo’s enduring mark on his country may well be his decision and ability to put Prabowo into the presidency after defeating him twice and questioning his abilities.”

To a Westerner raised in the culture of confrontational politics, the idea of a winning leader appointing his twice-defeated bitter rival as Minister of Defence sounds as whacky as eating cats – or a splendid example of forgiveness by a Muslim that Christians might emulate.

Whatever, Jokowi’s endorsement has propelled Prabowo into power tethered to Gibran to keep an eye on Daddy’s Nusantara, the new capital on Borneo Island. There are already hints that Prabowo’s not too keen on finding the cash.

Once in control the president may send his vice-president into a dead-end job, like encouraging shy investors to rethink Pappa’s project.

We don’t know, and neither do the bemused ANU conference experts, as confused as those who live in the archipelago. Expect a political future as changeable as the climate – an age of uncertainty.

Duncan Graham
Duncan Graham has been a journalist for more than 40 years in print, radio and TV. He is the author of People Next Door (UWA Press). He is now writing for the English language media in Indonesia from within Indonesia.
Duncan Graham has an MPhil degree, a Walkley Award, two Human Rights Commission awards and other prizes for his radio, TV and print journalism in Australia. He lives in East Java.

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Friday, September 27, 2024

1) Military operation in Intan Jaya accompanied by violence against residents

 


2) Police forcibly disperse community cleanup effort in Sentani

3) Marape wants more Indonesia–PNG engagement
4) Indonesia, Papua New Guinea ink MoU on parliamentary cooperation  




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Human Rights Monitor


1) Military operation in Intan Jaya accompanied by violence against residents

Cases / Indonesia, West Papua / 27 September 2024 



On 13 August 2024, Indonesian military forces reportedly raided the Silatuga Village of Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, searching residential houses in the area. According to information received from local human rights defenders, military members released bazookas in Silatuga. They dropped mortar grenades on the Holomama Hamlet, following a firefight with members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The operation was launched in response to the killing of a non-Papuan civilian by TPBNPB members. The killing happened only a few hours prior to the raid.
Human rights defenders alleged that security forces searched residential houses without a warrant and tortured residents. At least eight villagers, all of them indigenous Papuans, were injured as a result of security force violence (see photos and table below, source: WPCC). The victims later had to treat their wounds at home using traditional forms of treatment. They were afraid to walk to the health facilities in town due to the heavy military presence there.

Victims of torture during the security force raid in the Silatuga Village, Intan Jaya, on 13 August 2024

More Photos etc…….

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Human Rights Monitor

2) Police forcibly disperse community cleanup effort in Sentani

Cases / Indonesia, West Papua / 27 September 2024 
On 3 August 2024, members of the Sentani Regional KNPB (West Papua National Committee) and local community groups were forcibly dispersed by members of the Jayapura District Police in Sentani Town, Jayapura Regency, Papua province. The incident occurred as the groups attempted to conduct a highway cleanup initiative along Kehiran Road and other nearby areas. Despite the involvement of church leaders in negotiations, the police proceeded with the forced dispersal, deploying additional personnel and crowd control units (Dalmas) to the scene.
The events unfolded at approximately 7:58 am when police confronted the KNPB members and community volunteers while gathering for the cleaning activity of the highway around Kehiran Sentani. Similar groups planning to work on other parts of the road were also dispersed. As tensions escalated, church leaders arrived to mediate but were not successful in reasoning with the authorities.
At 8:07 am, additional police forces were deployed, including two Dalmas units. Despite negotiations, the situation culminated in a forced dispersal, compelling the community members to return to their homes. The incident is part of a pattern of police officers preventing indigenous Papuans from carrying out peaceful assemblies, particularly if such protests involve political groups representing opposing views to those of the government……..

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https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/09/27/marape-wants-more-indonesia-png-engagement/

3) Marape wants more Indonesia–PNG engagement

Published: 27 September 2024Reading Time: 5 mins

 

Nikolaus Loy

Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran

Hipolitus Wangge

The Australian National University

 

  

IN BRIEF

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape looks to deepen connections with Indonesia as it prepares for the Prabowo administration. While Indonesia is likely to continue promoting its commitment to shared economic development, the countries have been unable to agree upon a mutually beneficial trade agreement. And regional concerns around human rights issues in Papua continue to go unanswered.

 

 

On 15 July 2024, Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape visited Indonesia and met with outgoing president Joko Widodo and incoming president Prabowo Subianto. While the visit had symbolic and strategic importance for both countries, issues over human rights in Papua were overlooked.

Widodo’s government has sought to strengthen Indonesia’s steady presence in the Pacific region. PNG’s pivotal role in the region may help Indonesia to build closer relations with smaller Pacific countries. During the meetings, both leaders agreed to cooperate on transportation, electricity, education, trade, security and defence, prioritising economic ties while avoiding potentially divisive issues.

 

Securing a preferential trade agreement (PTA) is a crucial element to economic cooperation. Trade value between the two countries has increased in the past decade and PNG has become one of the largest recipients of Indonesian aid, grants and technical assistance. Any trade arrangement should serve mutual interests and positively contribute to sustainable bilateral relations. But since its first negotiation in 2019, Jakarta has expressed concerns over a PTA’s impact on its trade balance, especially since Indonesia has experienced trade deficits following the implementation of PTAs with over 40 countries.

 

Another crucial issue at the meeting was border cooperation. Both countries have improved border conditions in some areas, such as Keerom and Muara Tami in Papua as well as Vanimo and Sepik in PNG. Indonesia’s construction of substantial border facilities to support marketplace activity reflects its strong commitment to developing the area for the mutual benefit of both countries. 

In the defence sector, both countries have ratified a long overdue 760-kilometre border agreement that slices through the middle of the island of New Guinea. The agreement allows both countries to jointly patrol the border and combat cross-border crime, including the operations of armed groups. For years, West Papua Liberation Army guerrillas have used neighbouring territory in PNG as a safe haven to build a support network and operational bases. By embracing PNG, Indonesia aims to contain the group’s movement. 

 

The challenge for PNG is whether its border patrolling capacity can support activities on the ground.

Marape also met president-elect Prabowo Subianto to discuss the future of Indonesia–PNG cooperation. For Marape, the conversation reaffirmed the commitment of Indonesia’s new administration to continue existing development initiatives, such as scholarships for PNG students and supplying energy to the country.

Slow economic growth since the emergence of COVID-19 and a dependence on Australia has prompted Marape to expand PNG’s investment alternatives. For Prabowo, Pacific regional concerns over Papua can be neutralised through increased diplomatic efforts. But despite his recent visit to PNG in August 2024, Prabowo’s regional commitment to the Pacific remains uncertain.

Marape’s visit was another missed opportunity to push for more transparency and accountability regarding the deteriorating human rights conditions in Papua. As mandated by the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Marape and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka are West Papua envoys with the task to observe and consult with relevant parties in Jakarta and Papua and devise constructive pathways to address pressing issues in the area.

Marape’s meeting with Widodo happened shortly after MSG Director General Leonard Louma visited Papua. The visit sparked protests because there was neither meaningful consultation with other MSG leaders nor a meeting with Papuan political figures. At the 2024 Pacific Island Forum’s sideline meeting in Tonga, leaders of the MSG agreed to hold talks with Prabowo to address ongoing human rights concerns in Papua after failed envoys. It is still uncertain if Prabowo’s administration would agree to such a visit, including a trip to Papua, given Indonesia’s long record of blocking any meaningful involvement from the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

The current border agreement between Indonesia and PNG remains significant in boosting broader trade and development cooperation between both countries but it fails to move the needle on longstanding human rights issues in Papua. Marape’s visit concludes Widodo’s decade-long involvement in forging tangible cooperation between Indonesia and PNG despite regional concerns over Papua and growing geopolitical competition among major powers in the Pacific region.

In recent years, China has expanded its involvement in trade cooperation, infrastructure development and education in PNG. The United States and Australia have responded with a handful of initiatives, including more aid, grants and defence pacts. For Marape, such competition leaves more opportunities for PNG to diversify economic partners without dwelling on Papua’s political and human rights issues with Indonesia’s outgoing or incoming administration. Across the board, the relationship between Indonesia and PNG remains relatively stable.

Nikolaus Loy is Lecturer at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran, Yogyakarta.

Hipolitus Wangge is Researcher at The Australian National University.

https://doi.org/10.59425/eabc.1727431200

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4) Indonesia, Papua New Guinea ink MoU on parliamentary cooperation  
September 27, 2024 15:51 GMT+700

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani and her Papua New Guinean counterpart, Job Pomat, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral parliamentary cooperation in Jakarta on Friday.

Speaking after her meeting with Pomat at the Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, Maharani explained that the agreement serves as an instrument for promoting political dialog between the national assemblies of the two neighboring countries.

"This way, the two countries will be able to discuss common issues, such as parliamentary cooperation, economic cooperation, and border cooperation," she highlighted while emphasizing the importance of preserving the conducive situation between the countries.

The lawmaker further noted that the DPR had been maintaining harmonious relations with Papua New Guinea, considering the Melanesian country's status as one of Indonesia's valuable partners in the Pacific region.

"This meeting reflects Indonesia's balanced diplomatic approach, which pays equal attention to our neighbors in the east rather than being fixated on competition among great powers," she stressed.

She remarked that despite entering the final days of the 2019-2024 period, the DPR was eager to receive the Papua New Guinean parliament speaker for the MoU signing.

Maharani also emphasized that the two parliaments are committed to maintaining their well-fostered ties after the forthcoming transition in the DPR.

She then quoted Pomat as saying that the National Parliament of Papua Guinea will support the incoming Indonesian government to be led by President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who will assume the presidency on October 20, 2024.

DPR Deputy Speaker for Political and Security Affairs Lodewijk F. Paulus and Deputy Speaker of DPR's Commission Utut Adianto accompanied Maharani during the bilateral meeting. 

Related news: Official points to post-pandemic boost in economy in RI-PNG border
Related news: Indonesia open to working with PNG in mineral downstreaming: Widodo

Translator: Melalusa S, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Rahmad Nasution 
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Thursday, September 26, 2024

1) NZ govt urged 'to pay attention' for 'retaliatory attacks' by Indonesia after Phillip Mehrtens release


2) Military members arbitrarily detain two Papuans in Titigi, Intan Jaya – One suspect tortured



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1) NZ govt urged 'to pay attention' for 'retaliatory attacks' by Indonesia after Phillip Mehrtens release

11:46 am on 26 September 2024  
Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist 

West Papua advocates are concerned Indonesia will launch a military assault in Nduga province, putting thousands of innocent lives at risk, now that New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been released.
But the Indonesian government say it is a "baseless accusation".
Mehrtens was held captive for almost 600 days by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Nduga province.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) vice-president Octovianus Mote is asking the New Zealand government to keep watch on Indonesia in case they launch an assault.

He said with Mehrtens no longer being held captive, TPNPB and civilians living in Nduga province were vulnerable.
"The New Zealand government, they really have to pay attention, not only because we took care of New Zealanders [Phillip Mehrtens], we treated him as our family, but New Zealand is our family, anyway we are Pacific Islanders."
He said Indonesia had been humiliated because they tried to portray TPNPB as a criminal organisation and Mehrtens was treated well throughout his time as a hostage.
"The way we released him freely, not through the police and military operation, that's another humiliation," Mote said.
On the day that Mehrtens was released there was no violence, but Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman said it was wrong to think of the release as peaceful.

In March last year, Indonesian soldiers allegedly attempted to rescue Mehrtens by force, resulting in causalities on both sides.
"West Papuans have died during this saga and thousands have been displaced," Koman said.
"There were causalities and let's not forget them and let's not only focus on this one white man."
In 1996, the Free Papua Movement took 26 hostages from the World Wildlife Fund. Two kidnapped Indonesians were killed with the remaining hostages freed within five months.
Koman said Indonesia's military launched a big retaliation attack once they were freed and she is concerned they will do the same.
"This is based on the pattern where there will be retaliatory attacks and just like this morning there have been attacks by armed clashes in other parts of West Papua.
"I think that's definitely happening given the intensity of the armed conflict.”

'Fear of a potential reprisal'

Pacific geopolitical expert and Massey University lecturer, Anna Powles said Mehrtens was long overdue to be released but it's a "bitter-sweet victory".
"There are also strong concerns that have been voiced by Papuan activist leaders of fear of a potential reprisal by the Indonesian military now that the international focus has lifted from Papua."
An Indonesian Embassy spokesperson in Wellington said the Indonesian government is "of the view that this is a baseless accusation".
"The Indonesian military holds a high regard to its integrity to ensure the security and welfare of the people in the region, especially those who live under the threat of continuous attacks and terrors by the armed criminal groups," the spokesperson said.
"The threat from an insurgency does not provide a legal justification for the broad-brush and abuse of military force. Indonesian armed forces are receiving human rights and the law of war seminar and training as part of a wide program."
They said the Indonesian government was committed to "its long-standing policy of respecting and promoting Human Rights" and its strict policy of zero impunity for misconduct by security forces.

'Constructive engagement with Indonesia is critical'

New Zealand's prime minister Christopher Luxon was asked Wednesday if he had thought about or taken advice on the concerns of Indonesia military attack in West Papua.
"That's the first I've heard of those comments, I appreciate it's a challenging situation there and there's an internal conversation there, but we respect Indonesian sovereignty."
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said New Zealand continues to register its concerns with Indonesian authorities about human rights concerns in Papua.
"Maintaining open and constructive engagement with Indonesia is critical to improving the situation in Papua, and was key for the safe release of Mr Mehrtens," they said.
"The New Zealand government also acknowledges the patient approach exercised by the Indonesian Military and Police which prioritised the peaceful negotiations needed to ensure Mr Mehrtens' safety.”
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Human Rights Monitor

2) Military members arbitrarily detain two Papuans in Titigi, Intan Jaya – One suspect tortured

Cases, Human Rights News / Indonesia, West Papua / 26 September 2024 
On 14 September 2024, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) arbitrarily detained two Papuans at a military post in Mamba Village, Sugapa District, in the Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province. The victims were identified as Mr Nopianus Nabelau, a 19-year-old farmer from Soali Village, and Mr Rudi Sani, a teacher at SMAN 1 Senior High School in Sugapa. According to the information received, the TNI members used excessive force against Mr Nabelau, suspecting him of being associated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
According to reports, at approximately 9:00 am, Mr Nabelau and Mr Sani were driving by motorcycle from Sugapa Town towards Titigi Village when TNI officers stopped them at the military post (see photo on top, source: independent HRDs). The military allegedly found photos and videos published by the TPNPB on Mr Nabelau’s phone. Thereupon, the TNI officers reportedly tortured Mr Nabelau, resulting in injuries to his face and body. Mr Sani was not physically harmed during the interrogation at the military post. While Mr Sani was released the same day at 5:00 pm, Mr Nabelau remained in detention at the TNBI Post in Mamba. The arbitrary nature of the arrest, the use of violence against Mr Nabelau, and the lack of due process raise significant human rights concerns.
There have been conflicting reports about his status of detention and the legal process. The victim’s family and human rights advocates are demanding Mr Nabelau’s immediate release, citing the arbitrary nature of his arrest and the violation of proper legal procedures. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between security forces and local populations in conflict regions, as well as the need for greater accountability and oversight of military actions against civilians.
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