Papua Quarterly Report Q4 2024: Contradictions and Crackdowns: Navigating Post-Inauguration Politics
This 6-page document lists cases and developments, including human rights violations and their patterns; escalation of armed conflict and its impact on civilians; significant political shifts in Indonesia affecting West Papua; and international responses and initiatives. It covers the period from 1 October to 31 December 2024.
Summary
Human rights
Between October and December 2024, armed violence intensified and police deliberately restricted civil society activities, as reflected in human rights statistics. The period saw a marked increase in torture incidents, particularly in the Intan Jaya Regency, where cases followed a pattern of arbitrary detention and torture. Enforced disappearances, occurring exclusively in conflict-affected regions, were documented as part of this pattern.
Ill-treatment and arbitrary detention remained frequent throughout the fourth quarter of 2024, particularly during the 1st December commemorations, Human Rights Day on 10 December, and October’s anti-transmigration protests. Public trust in law enforcement deteriorates due to authorities’ failure to hold human rights violators accountable. The case of Mr Tobias Silak’s unlawful execution by security forces in Yahukimo in August 2024 remains unresolved despite an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission. On 23 June 2024, Komnas HAM chairperson Mrs Atnike Sigiro confirmed that the shootings of Mr Naro Dapla and Mr Tobias Silak constituted human rights violations. Relatives have pursued justice through advocacy, the ‘Justice For Tobias Silak‘ Campaign, media engagement and demonstrations throughout September, November and December 2024.
Journalists and human rights defenders remain particularly vulnerable. On 16 October 2024, attackers on motorcycles firebombed the JUBI news office, destroying two vehicles. Despite substantial evidence, including witness statements and CCTV footage, police have made no arrests. Similarly, the Manokwari City Police have failed to apprehend suspects in the armed attack against human rights defender Mr Yan Christian Warinussy in July 2024.
Violence in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, escalated significantly. Between October and December 2024, human rights defenders documented three enforced disappearances and two extrajudicial executions by military personnel. The military also seized land from the Moni Tribe in Silatugapa Village without consent for a new battalion construction.
On 1 November 2024, Indonesia’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the indigenous Awyu tribe regarding PT Indo Asiana Lestari’s environmental permit. Despite 17 months of legal oppositionsupported by the Coalition to Save Papua’s Indigenous Forests, the ruling endangers customary forests through palm oil expansion. Indigenous Papuans face increasing land appropriation and deforestation, accelerated by projects such as the Central Government’s Strategic National Project in Merauke Regency.
Conflict
Over 85,103 people remain internally displaced in West Papua due to conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The fourth quarter saw 37 armed clashes, bringing 2024’s total to 135. Police statistics cite 203 “acts of disruption” causing 92 casualties, marking a significant increase from 2023’s 107 clashes. Military raids in Kroptak District and Oksop District displaced approximately 5,000 indigenous Papuans in early December.
Between October and December, nine security force members were killed and twelve injured, while six TPNPB combatants were killed. Civilian casualties were highest, with ten killed and seven injured by the TPNPB, and eight killed and four wounded by security forces. The arrest of West Papua Army (WPA) leader Mr Jemmy Magai Yogi on 16 October 2024 is not expected to affect ongoing violence, as most attacks are conducted by the TPNPB, a separate armed group with a different command structure.
Political developments
Following his inauguration on 20 October 2024, President Prabowo Subianto’s administration announced plans to continue transmigration programmes in eastern Indonesia, particularly West Papua. After initial statements about improving national unity, the Transmigration Minister later claimed the programme would only involve internal population transfers within West Papua. These contradictory statements sparked protests led by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) across multiple cities, met with water cannons, tear gas, wooden sticks, and rubber ammunition in Jayapura and Nabire.
Prabowo’s cabinet appointments have raised concerns about military influence in civilian governance, with several key positions filled by military and police officials. His mandatory military boot camp for cabinet members and increased military involvement in civil matters echo the Suharto era. The administration’s use of military force to implement national strategic projects, including the conversion of 2 million hectares in Merauke Regency into plantations, has provoked widespread local and international opposition.
International developments
On 1 October 2024, the World Council of Churches, alongside Amnesty International and TAPOL, hosted a UN Human Rights Council side event on West Papua. The event highlighted findings from the Permanent Peoples Tribunal, addressing extrajudicial killings, displacement, civil liberty restrictions and land grabbing, with contributions from Papuan human rights lawyer Leonardo Ijie.
A new documentary, “Frontier War – Inside the West Papua National Liberation Army“, has revealed evidence supporting the argument of potential crimes against humanity during Indonesian forces’ attacks on indigenous villages in Kiwirok District between September and October 2021, demonstrating systematic attacks against civilian populations.
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