2) TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Claims Responsibility for Killing Eleven Indonesian Military Personnel
----------------------------------
1) Education crisis in West Papua: multiple districts face serious challenges
In several districts across West Papua, educational services are facing severe disruptions, with thousands of students unable to access basic education. Recent reports from multiple locations highlight a troubling pattern of abandoned schools, absent teachers, and students left without educational opportunities.
Three-year shutdown at SD Inpres Kurima
In Obolma, Kurima District, Yahukimo Regency of Papua Highlands Province, the SD Inpres Kurima elementary school (see image) has not conducted any teaching or learning activities for over three years, from 2022 to 2025. The school grounds are now overgrown with grass, and the building has deteriorated due to neglect.
On March 24, 2025, alumni of SD Inpres Kurima and parents of affected students staged a spontaneous protest at the school premises. “We held a meeting with parents and took spontaneous action in response to our school’s deplorable condition,” said Albert Siep, coordinator of the protest.
According to Siep, the school principal has been consistently absent, choosing to stay in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency, rather than fulfilling duties at the school. As a result, teachers have stopped conducting classes, leaving students stranded.
“Since 2022, approximately three years of elementary students haven’t been able to study. They can’t even progress to junior high or high school. They’ve become victims. Children are neglected and don’t receive proper education,” Siep explained.
Ironically, the Educational Basic Data (DAPODIK) from the Directorate General of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education shows the school supposedly has 352 students for the 2024/2025 academic year, consisting of 203 males and 149 females, with 12 teaching staff and appropriate facilities. Historical data shows varying numbers of students and staff since 2022, suggesting ongoing operations that parents and alumni claim haven’t actually occurred.
The protestors are demanding that the Yahukimo Regency Education Department replace the school principal immediately to restore educational services.
Healthcare and education crisis in Kiyura
In Iwaka District, particularly in Kiyura Village and nine surrounding villages in Mimika Regency, dozens of school-age children are completely deprived of both healthcare and educational services. This was revealed during a visit by Nancy Natalia Raweyai, a member of the Central Papua Provincial Parliament, during her recess visit on March 20, 2025.
The situation is particularly alarming given that Mimika Regency reportedly allocates approximately 1 trillion rupiah annually for education. According to gathered data, dozens of children in these villages were born without medical assistance, received no immunisations, and have reached school age without access to education.
Until recently, children in these ten villages had never received formal education. A school previously built by the government in a palm oil plantation area ceased operations due to the absence of teachers. According to residents, “Teachers only show up when children are supposed to take exams, and then the teachers fill out the exams themselves. The children never actually learn.”
Only in the past few days have 52 children started attending a free school established by GBI Papua Centrum (Pace) church, where they are taught by two teachers sent by the church. These children are divided into just two categories: those aged 5-6 years and those above 6 years. Without following any formal curriculum, they are starting from scratch, learning letters and numbers.
Transportation between villages is also a major issue, as the distances along the Trans Nabire Road are considerable. Children attempting to reach school often have to hitch rides on company trucks that transport timber.
Educational activities paralysed in Puncak Jaya
In Puncak Jaya Regency of Central Papua Province, educational activities have been severely disrupted due to conflict between supporters of different district head candidates following the 2024 local elections. The Student and Scholar Community of Puncak Jaya (KMPPJ) in Jayapura has urged the Puncak Jaya Regency Government to take concrete steps to address the plight of 12th-grade students in high schools and vocational schools who cannot attend classes.
During a press conference on March 7, 2025, KMPPJ Treasurer Herlin Wonda stated, “Education, economy, and security sectors are not functioning properly. We are particularly concerned about the 12th-grade students who are supposed to take exams in the coming months.”
As a solution, KMPPJ is asking the Puncak Jaya Education Department to pass 12th-grade students unconditionally due to the extraordinary circumstances.
Nepron Enumbi, representing senior KMPPJ members, explained that the situation in Puncak Jaya remains unstable, with residents still taking refuge in three locations: the Mulia Puncak Jaya Classis Meeting Hall, Puncak Jaya Police Headquarters, and the 1714 Puncak Jaya Military District Command complex.
Human rights activist Lince Tabuni criticized the situation, suggesting it was deliberately orchestrated by certain interested parties. Tabuni expressed particular concern about the psychological impact on students and the risk of malnutrition in evacuation centres, where people are surviving primarily on instant noodles.
Military Intelligence Raising Concerns
Adding to these educational challenges, a recent letter from the Military District Command (Kodim) 1707/Merauke has requested data on Papuan students studying in various cities and those affiliated with regional student organisations from Merauke Regency. This request, based on the intelligence/security work program of Kodim 1707/Merauke for the 2025 fiscal year, has raised legal questions about military authority to collect personal data from civilians.
Under Indonesian law, every action by state institutions, including the military, must have a clear legal basis. So far, there appears to be no regulation explicitly authorising military institutions to request students’ personal data. Additionally, according to Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army, the military’s primary duties in national defence do not include direct collection of civilian data except under specific circumstances regulated by law.
The situation highlights the complex challenges facing education in West Papua, where traditional educational problems are compounded by security concerns, military involvement, and ongoing regional conflicts.
————————————————
Posted on AWPA FB page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yahukimo, West Papua. April 9, 2025.
The West Papua National Liberation Army-West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the deaths of eleven Indonesian military personnel (TNI) in Yahukimo Regency, Papua.
The statement, released by TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom, alleges the TNI members were disguised as gold miners operating within TPNPB territory.
According to the press release from the KOMNAS TPNPB Headquarters Management, the operation, conducted between April 6th and 8th, 2025, involved troops from the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo’s Yamue and WSM Battalions, supported by the TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma.
The TPNPB claims that the operation, led by Major Homy Heluka (Yamue Battalion Commander) and the late Giban (WSM Battalion Commander), under the overall command of Brigadier General Elkius Kobak, resulted in the deaths of eleven TNI members and injuries to three others.
The TPNPB statement directly challenges Indonesian authorities, specifically naming President Prabowo Subianto, to cease deploying military personnel to Papua under civilian guises. The statement asserts that any such deployments will be met with lethal force. The TPNPB explicitly links this action to a previous statement by a TNI commander acknowledging the presence of military personnel in the region.
The press release is signed by the highest-ranking TPNPB-OPM leadership:
- General Goliath Tabuni, Commander-in-Chief
- Lieutenant General Melchizedek Awom, Deputy Commander
- Major General Terianus Satto, Chief of General Staff
- Major General Lekagak Telenggen, Commander of General Operations
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Papua and raises serious concerns about human rights and the safety of civilians in the region. Independent verification of the TPNPB's claims is currently pending.
Note: The photos are too graphic to be released to the public.
Photo: "The photograph illustrates the Indonesian military's ongoing presence in the Central Highlands of West Papua. The image raises questions about the impact of these operations on the local population and environment."
@UN @UN_HRC @UN_PGA @UN_SPExperts @HouseGOP @SenateGOP @GOPGovs @JudiciaryGOP @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @UNGeneva @UNOSAPG @Europarl_EN @IsraelinUSA @USAmbUN @StateDept @JDVance @VP @IDF @Israel @IsraelMFA @IsraelinEU @usembassyjkt @USEmbAustralia @netanyahu @IntlCrimCourt @KarimKhanQC
@OHCHRAsia @OHCHR_Pacific @AfrikParliament @PressACP @JPN_PMO @AlboMP @AdamBandt
@SenatorWong @FijianPM @volker_turk @antonioguterres
@Kodam17Cen @prabowo @USAttorneys @eAsiaMediaHub
@usairforce @DeptofDefense @CIJ_ICJ @ICJKenya @ICJ_Asia @USMission2ASEAN @ForumSEC
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.