THREE TNI SOLDIERS SHOT DEAD BY TPNPB IN GOME DISTRICT
News Desk January 28, 2022 1:53 pm
Jayapura, Jubi – The shooting between security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Jenggernok Village’s Tepuk hill, Gome District, Puncak Regency on Thursday, January 27, 2022, claimed the lives of three TNI members.
“Until this afternoon, the shooting was still ongoing. I just finished talking [by telephone] with my relative in Ilaga. Regarding the civilians, we don’t know yet about the condition of the residents at the shooting scene,” secretary of Commission 1 of the Papua Legislative Council Feryana Wakerkwa told Jubi on Thursday afternoon.
Wakerkwa was worried because, from past experience, civilians often became victims, either directly or indirectly, in the shooting incident between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police and the TPNPB.
“We are worried about the children, mothers, and elderly who cannot bear the armed conflict in the village any longer, as well as other innocent civilians. Moreover, this time the victims are the security forces. Usually from past experience, there would be searches at people’s homes, even people going in and out of Ilaga or the district center were also investigated. This makes people afraid and traumatized, even going outside to get food becomes difficult because they are afraid of being suspected,” said Wakerkwa.
Wakerkwa hoped that after the shootings, there would be no other victims, especially civilians. She also hoped that the shootings would end soon so that people could go back to their daily activities.
Usually at times like this, the market is quiet, there are no mothers selling anything. Maybe those inside the city are okay but those from outside Ilaga are usually afraid to go to the market. Ojek drivers must also stop operating out of fear, even though in Ilaga, motorcycle taxis are arguably the only mode of transportation that can be used by residents, apart from trucks to transport goods,” said Wakerkwa
Meanwhile, commander of 173/PVB Military Resort Command Brig. Gen. Taufan Gestoro confirmed three TNI soldiers died in the crossfire. The three soldiers who died were Second Sgt. Rizal, Second Pvt. Baraza, and First Pvt. Rahman, and were members of Battalion R 408/SBH.
“Meanwhile, one soldier named First Pvt. Syaiful is still being treated at the Ilaga Health Center and his condition is stable,” Gestoro said, as quoted by ANTARA.
He further said the TNI Commander Gen. Andika Perkasa had arrived in Timika on Thursday evening and was scheduled to paid respect to the fallen soldiers. The bodies of the fallen soldiers are currently still in Timika Hospital.
Head of Military Information of XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command Col. Inf. Aqsha Erlangga said that Second Sgt. Rizal died on the spot, while Second Pvt. Baraza, who was shot in the abdomen, had received treatment at the Ilaga Health Center but could not be saved and died. Erlangga added that there were no civilian victims from around the crossfire scene.
On the other hand, TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom, in his official statement said that TPNPB was responsible for the shooting incident. He said his party had shot dead two soldiers and injured three other soldiers. “We, TPNPB, shot dead two TNI members and we don’t know about the rest,” he said.
“TPNPB field commander Numbuk Telenggen led this attack,” he said.
Sambom claimed there had been no victims from the TPNPB side in the recent gunfight. “We will continue to mobilize TPNPB troops in 34 defense area command throughout Papua,” he said.
There have been at least three shooting incidents that resulted in casualties on the security forces side in early 2022 in Papua. First, the shooting between the TPNPB and members of the Combat Engineer Battalion (Yonzipur) 20/Pawbili Pelle Alang in the middle of the road between Faan Kahrio Village and Kamat Village, Middle East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency on January 20. In this incident, one TNI soldier was killed and three other soldiers were injured.
Second, the shooting of a mobile brigade member who was shot in the chest during an attack by the TPNPB in Kiwirok District, Bintang Mountains Regency on January 22. Third and the most recent, a gunfight in Puncak’s Gome District resulted in the death of three TNI soldiers on Thursday. (*)
1) Indonesia's military says three soldiers killed in clash with separatist rebels in Papua
Posted
A low-level insurgency has simmered in Papua and West Papua since the region was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969.(Supplied
Separatist rebels have killed three Indonesian soldiers and critically injured another during an attack on a military post in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua.
The gunmen from the West Papua Liberation Army, the military wing of the Free Papua Organisation, carried out the assault at dawn on Thursday during a change of guard in the hilly district of Puncak.
That district is a stronghold of the separatists, who have battled Indonesian rule in the mineral-rich but impoverished region since the early 1960s.
Military spokesperson Colonel Aqsha Erlangga said the gunmen fled into the jungle after soldiers returned fire.
The rebels launched a second attack while troops were evacuating a wounded soldier, who later died on the way to a clinic, he said.
Rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom, in a statement sent to The Associated Press, confirmed the group's fighters carried out the attack, saying it lasted more than four hours. He said there were no deaths on the rebel side.
"This is part of our struggle for independence," Mr Sambom said. "Our leaders have called on all fighters in our 34 defence regions to continue the war throughout the land of Papua."
The shootout is the latest in a series of violent incidents in recent years in Papua, a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia.
Conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are common.
Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after a UN-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham.
Since then, a low-level insurgency has simmered in the region, which is divided into two provinces, Papua and West Papua.
Attacks have spiked in the past year, with dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians killed.
Data from authorities collected by AP showed that at least 30 Indonesian troops were killed in clashes between rebels and security forces in the past two years, including four this year alone.
2) Bodies of 3 fallen military personnel taken to Timika, Papua
7 hours ago
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The bodies of three military personnel who died in an ambush laid by armed separatists in Gome, Puncak district, Papua province, have been evacuated to Timika, Mimika district, a military commander informed here on Thursday.
"The three bodies were evacuated using a Caracal helicopter belonging to the Indonesian Air Force and have arrived in Timika," Brigadier General Taufan Gestoro, commander of the Regional Military Command 173/PVB, said.
The bodies have been taken to Timika regional hospital, he added.
The fallen personnel belonged to Battalion 408/SBH and have been identified as Second Sergeant Rizal, Second Private Baraza, and First Private Rahman.
They were killed after armed separatists ambushed an Indonesian Military (TNI) post in Bukit Tepuk, Jenggernok village, Gome sub-district, Puncak district on Thursday morning, Gestoro said.
Another personnel, identified as First Private Syaiful, was injured in the ambush and is currently being treated at the Ilaga Health Center, he informed adding, his condition is stable.
The group that carried out the ambush has not yet been identified, he said.
Initially, two personnel were injured in the shootout between the armed group and Indonesian soldiers, which continued until 10 a.m. local time, he said. However, one of the personnel later succumbed to his injuries, he added
3) WAITING FOR GOVT TO USE PEACEFUL METHOD IN SOLVING PAPUA’S PROBLEM (PART 3/3)
News Desk January 27, 2022 2:48 pm
Jayapura, Jubi – The moderator of the Papuan Church Council (WPCC), Rev. Benny Giay, said the Church has a key role in advocating various issues in the Papuan conflict. According to him, the Synod of the Kingmi Church in the Papua Land was once co-opted by the Indonesian government in 1964.
“In 1964, the GKI Church, Kingmi Papua, and the Catholic Church signed a joint declaration of support and handed it over to President Soekarno,” he said. Giay said that at that time, the Church in Papua saw Indonesia as a servant of God who would prosper the people, and that was imprinted in the minds of the pastors. “Papua Kingmi Church in particular. But I don’t know about the GKI Church and other church denominations,” he said.
Giay said that from mid-April to July 1964, church leaders and leaders of the synod in Papua were brought to Bogor, where they were indoctrinated for one month. “After that, they made a statement that the Church supported Indonesia occupying the Land of Papua. This affects the role of the Church in dealing with Papuans at that time, now, and in the future,” he said.
He explained that the violation of human rights or the humanitarian tragedy from 1977 to 1978 became a moment of revival for the Indigenous Papuans. “Gradually, the younger generation emerged and rose against [the human rights violations] since 1977. There were various movements, such as the Mambesak music group, student group, women’s group, academic group—that is what disturbs [the old point of view]. At last, the Church felt that such a government was no longer a servant of God,” said Giay.
Giay said the Church now saw something wrong with the government. He said what the government had been doing was “talk differently, play differently”, a parable of how the government’s actions are not in line with what the government says.
Various church denominations have seen the suffering of their congregations in Papua, therefore, the Church established various church organizations and NGOs to advocate for human rights issues in Papua.
“Our awareness has prompted us to participate in establishing the Papua Branch of the Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy, or Elsham Papua, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Papua, the Papua Legal Aid Institute or LBH Papua, and so on. The Synod of the Kingmi Church in Papua Land was also involved in establishing NGOs because one of the Kingmi priests was murdered in 1984,” said Giay.
Various organizations and NGOs advocating human rights violations led by the Church have a long history of working in raising the issue of the Papuan conflict. Unfortunately, according to Giay, the conflict in Papua has not been resolved and escalated instead.
“We see that the problems are getting more serious and that is very concerning. NGOs and the Church try to deal with the conflict in Papua but the Church also has limited human resources to collect reports of human rights violations,” said Giay.
The Papuan Church Council, which consists of the leaders of the Synod of Churches in Papua, meets once every two months to discuss various issues related to the Papuan people who have been affected by the armed conflict, as well as the human rights violations that have occurred. “And we put out a report through the Voice of the Shepherd,” Giay said.
According to Giay, the prolonged conflict in Papua was because the State just let it happen. “Conflicts in Papua are often used as projects by the State,” he said.
Giay further called on the security forces to stop the practice of selling their weapons and ammunition to the TPNPB or OPM. “Soldiers who break the law must be punished. [The government] talks about eliminating the OPM and the armed group, [but] these statements are interpreted differently on the ground. If so, who is deceiving whom? Indonesia is two-faced,” he said.
Giay said that, when a military post was attacked, it has always been said that armed groups attacked them. But the truth is, members of the TNI and police have actually been involved in selling weapons to armed groups in Papua.
“Buying and selling weapons among soldiers is very well known in Papua. I have conveyed this to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) but no statement has been made by Jokowi until now,” he said.
Although several members of the TNI and police have been arrested and tried for selling weapons and ammunition to armed groups in Papua, Giay believes that the government has not shown any real efforts to stop the arms trade. Giay views that this is a form of government omission, and it is like pushing new “firewood” to keep the fires of the Papua conflict burning.
“I once told the President that he could form an independent team to investigate which networks or [persons] within the security forces [which] created the business of weapons in Papua,” he said.
Anti-Indonesian sentiment
Researcher for the Regional Research Center (P2W) of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Cahyo Pamungkas said the government’s efforts to resolve the Papuan conflict failed because they did not solve the roots of problems. Pamungkas was worried because anti-Indonesian sentiments grew even wider among the younger generation of Papua due to the government’s failure.
“The government is like an ostrich, which, in case of danger hides its head on the ground. This means that the government comes up with a solution that does not solve the problem,” he said.
Pamungkas said the Indonesian government tried to resolve the Papua conflict by building infrastructure and expanding territorial authority, through the second Otsus and deployment of troops to Papua. “The government wants to resolve the conflict but not the problem. The problem remains, and that is worrying because it continuously reinforces anti-Indonesian sentiments [in Papua],” he said.
Pamungkas reminded, if anti-Indonesian sentiments were allowed to continue to grow, then the will of the Papuan people for independence would also increase, as well as Papuan people’s disappointment with the state.
“The consequence is the desire for independence. Although it is not expressed openly, in the hearts of Papuans they want to be free because in Indonesia there is no freedom of expression, no chance to live a better life,” he said.
He stated that the sentiment that the Indonesian government was a colonial government had actually existed. It was stronger in the hearts of victims and families of victims of human rights violations, such as Benny Wenda, Egianus Kogoya, and others. Their families were victims of violence and human rights violations in the past. These people carried the generational trauma, which prompted them to make movements to fight for Papuan independence.
“Many of their families were killed in the military operations in the central mountains area in 1977-1978. The current Papua political leaders, they were the victims of a military operation that took away their childhood,” said Pamungkas.
He said that the Papuan conflict could only be reconciled if the aspirations for an independent Papua were placed within the framework of Indonesia, by opening up a dialogue. “What the Papuans are asking is the recognition of Papua’s human dignity, the right to life. Those are the aspirations of the Indigenous Papuans, which are not fulfilled by Indonesia,” he said.
He further reminded that labeling armed groups in Papua as terrorists and adding territorial commands, such as the Military District Command and the Military Resort Command, would not solve the problems in Papua, only added to the problems.
“The security approach has resulted in injuries, fatalities, and trauma to survivors who have not yet been healed. Their children and grandchildren will join the independence movement. Indonesia has, directly and indirectly, helped to raise the OPM by deploying military operations, which actually turned civilians victims,” he said.
On the other hand, the security forces claimed that they had changed the approach they used to resolve the conflict in Papua. Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D Fakhiri, for one, said that during his tenure the police took a humanist approach to the Papuan people.
“I, as the regional police chief, see the people in the Land of Papua as Indonesian citizens who must be served by the police. I’ve never seen the Papuan people any other way,” he said.
Fakhiri said the humanist approach would be continued. “We are taking steps forward in handling Papua. I ask the front guard at the Papua Police to carry out active communication with all parties, traditional leaders, and community leaders so that those who are on the opposite side return to unite in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
Fakhiri also believes that the government’s efforts to accelerate development in Papua will be accepted by the community as an act of service.
In line with the government’s efforts, the National Police continue to try to reduce tensions between the warring parties. “We, the police officers, are reducing steps that are detrimental to government policies. We try to be more patient and open up to optimize the dialogue approach, as well as the welfare approach. We are in active communication so that all elements of society—whether they are affected or those who are still in the forest—can get out and rebuild their village,” said Fakhiri. (*)
1) STATEMENT OF BENNY WENDA ON WEST PAPUA INDEPENDENCE
United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
By Daily Telegraph NZ January 26, 2022
I would like to wish a Happy New Year to all our solidarity supporters around the world and to our diplomatic friends in Vanuatu, the OACPS, the PIF and elsewhere. As we continue to fight for justice and freedom this year, you help give us the strength to carry on our struggle.
We are starting 2022 with the announcement of our new ULMWP Provisional Government offices around the globe. The headquarters will be based inside West Papua, and the international office in Port Vila. We are opening a government branch in Port Moresby, and our diplomatic coordination offices will be based in the UK and Europe.
This is another step in our long road to reclaiming the sovereignty stolen from us by Indonesia in 1963. With the formation of our constitution, Provisional Government, cabinet and Green State Vision, all Indonesian laws in West Papua are over. The Indonesian presence is totally illegal, and totally redundant. With our clandestine government departments operating within our borders, all West Papuans and Indonesian migrants working under our jurisdiction are now governed by the ULMWP.
The West Papua military wing and any organisation affiliated to the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, the West Papua National Parliament, or the Federal Republic of West Papua – the three constituent organisations within the ULMWP – are automatically considered part of the Provisional Government. Everyone must respect our constitution, whether you are inside West Papua or part of our international solidarity networks. The world must trust us and our constitution – we want peace for all in the region and internationally, and to democratically govern ourselves.
I encourage all NGOs, churches and religious leaders, every West Papuan inside and in exile, to unite and pray for the Provisional Government. Support everyone within the government working to end our long suffering and complete our 60 year struggle.
Our demands to the Indonesian President in 2022 remain those first issuedduring the West Papua Uprising in 2019:
Hold a referendum on West Papuan independence.
Allow international supervision of any referendum.
Withdraw all troops from West Papua, including the 21,000 additional troops deployed since December 2018, and end the Indonesian military’s illegal war.
Release all political prisoners, including Victor Yeimo and the ‘Abepura Eight’.
Allow all international journalists and human rights, humanitarian and monitoring groups into West Papua to visit internally-displaced people in Nduga, Puncak, Intan Jaya, Oksibil, Maybrat and elsewhere.
In 2022, we will redouble all efforts in our long struggle for the liberation of our nation. We will peacefully bring an end to this bloodshed.
God bless you all.
Benny Wenda Interim President ULMWP Provisional Government
2) One Military Personnel Killed in Yet Another Shootout with TPNPB in Papua
Translator: Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana
27 January 2022 11:01 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Yet another shootout reportedly occurred between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the West Papua National Liberation Army - Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) on Thursday, January 27, in Bukit Tepuk, Jenggernok Village, Gome District, Puncak Regency, Papua. One TNI soldier was reportedly killed.
“Until now, gunfire is still going on at the location. As a result of this incident, two personnel from the Army Infantry Battalion (Yonif) R 408/SBH were hit,” said the Cenderawasih Military District Command spokesman Aqsha Erlangga in a written statement, Thursday.
Aqsha said the shootout started with a shooting carried out by TPNPB-OPM members at the police post in Gome. Until now the army was still on guard at the Gome Post and was evacuating the two victims.
“Of the two soldiers who were shot, one person died on the spot, second sergeant Rizal. Meanwhile, Pratu Baraza who was shot in the stomach after receiving treatment at the Ilaga Health Center, Puncak Regency, did not survive,” Aqsha added.
The spokesman for the TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sembom, confirmed that the attack was initiated by his group. The morning attack was led by Commander in Chief Gen Goliath Tabuni, General Operations Commander Major General Lekagak Telenggen, Kodap Ilaga Commander Penny Murib, Kodap Sinak Commander Murib, and Field Commander for Numbuk Tekenggen.
“A follow-up attack was carried out by the TPNPB troops under the Command of Numbuk Telenggen at 9:37 a.m. Papua time and the TPNPB field commander Numbuk Telenggen with his troops attacked the military post again in Gome Tanah Merah District, Puncak Ilaga Regency,” said Sebby.
WAITING FOR GOVT TO USE PEACEFUL METHOD IN SOLVING PAPUA’S PROBLEM (PART 2/3)
News Desk January 26, 2022 3:41 pm
Jayapura, Jubi – Director of the Democratic Alliance for Papua (ALDP) Latifah Anum Siregar said that the intensity of armed conflicts in Papua continued to increase from time to time. “The prolonged conflict is part of a cycle that must be stopped. The government plays an important role in resolving conflicts in the Land of Papua,” she said.
Siregar said that the conflict in Papua was an ideological conflict wherein the West Papua National Liberation Army/Free Papua Organization (TPNPB/OPM) fought for Papua’s independence, while the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police defended Indonesia’s territory. “We often heard the jargon ‘NKRI harga mati’, meaning that Indonesian sovereignty over Papua must be defended at all cost. If left unchecked, the ideological issue will eradicate the existence of the Indigenous Papua,” she said.
Siregar urged the government to refer to the proposal of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) together with the Papua Peace Network, which formulated the four root problems of the Papuan conflict, namely the failure of development, marginalization and discrimination of Indigenous Papuans, state violence and alleged human rights violations, and controversies over the history and political status of Papua.
“Papua problems are complex and varied, from violations of civil and political rights to economic, social, and cultural rights. This issue must be discussed by agreeing to Papuan people’s recommendations to engage in a dialogue,” said Siregar.
The complexity of the conflict in Papua, Siregar said, could only be unraveled if the government was willing to make a humanitarian pause to stop the chain of violence in Papua. The government must also be responsible for fulfilling basic rights, such as the right to education, health, and economy of Indigenous Papuans.
“The Indonesian government should not think about building bridges or big infrastructure. That is not what the public needs. If infrastructure development was the main and sole approach, which means large companies keep making investments in Papua, the conflict will never end. The conflict will fail to be resolved because the government does not touch the underlying problem,” said Siregar.
Siregar said crime and violence in Papua continued because there was a practice of neglecting the perpetrators of violence, and this had been spotted by many experts. “These acts of violence must be resolved legally so that people trust the government,” she said.
According to her, the government must have the perspective of “A Non-Zero-Sum Game” to end the conflict in Papua, wherein the victory of one party should not be considered as the defeat of the other party.
“If it is not stopped, the conflict will be long and civil society will be victims. It is the responsibility of the state to protect and fulfill the rights of citizens. So the state must immediately resolve the conflict in Papua,” she concluded.
Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said the government in Jakarta did not have consistency in implementing the reform agenda in Papua. He mentioned the Papua Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law as an example.
“Otsus is a middle way that was agreed upon during the administrations of President Abdurrahman Wahid and President Megawati Soekarnoputri. [Otsus was given] to mediate the desire for independence from Papua and the Indonesian government’s desire for Papua to remain a part of Indonesia,” he said.
Hamid said that Otsus mandated various important things, such as the granting of politically autonomous power to Papuan Indigenous People, as well as the protection of the traditional rights of Indigenous Papuans. Otsus also mandates the granting of cultural authority through the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP), so that all Papua’s natural wealth and strategic policies regarding Papua are pursued with the approval of the MRP as a cultural representation of the Papuan Indigenous People.
“In Otsus Papua there are also some basic government obligations to resolve human rights cases, one of which is by establishing a Human Rights Commission, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and a Human Rights Court in Papua. The entire reform agenda as outlined in the Papua Special Autonomy does not work today and one of the main reasons is the government’s inconsistency,” Hamid said.
He further explained that the government’s inconsistency could be seen from the formation of West Papua Province in 2003, which was carried out before the MRP was formed at the end of 2004. Another inconsistency was seen in the government’s recent unilateral move to revise Law No. 21/2001 on Papua’s Special Autonomy. On July 19, 2021, the government issued Law No. 2/ 2021 on the Second Amendment to Law No. 21/2001.
“The current government is actually taking back Papua’s political autonomy through the amendment of the Special Autonomy Law. The government went all out, from establishing a centralized body, a special agency under the Office of the Vice President, to scrapping the article regarding the establishment of political parties in Papua,” said Usman.
Usman emphasized that the government has also shown inconsistencies in the field of Human Rights. He said that none of the promises and obligations of the government to resolve human rights violations in Papua were fulfilled.
“This impunity has been happening all this time, since the New Order regime and until the reform era. Impunity means the absence of punishment, the absence of people being punished for crimes that occurred in Papua, especially crimes against human rights violations,” he said.
Usman said that up until now, extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, torture, and forced transfers of people were still happening in Papua. All of these human rights violations were repeated, without any of the perpetrators being brought to justice and punished.
“On the other hand, some military officials who have been involved in human rights violations in Papua have instead been promoted to higher posts without any punishment. The promise of the Indonesian government in 2015 [delivered] before the United Nations Human Rights Council Session to bring the Wamena case and the Wasior case to court was also not fulfilled,” said Usman.
Reporter: Hengky Yeimo Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G
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WAITING FOR GOVT TO USE PEACEFUL METHOD IN SOLVING PAPUA’S PROBLEM (PART 1/3)
1) WAITING FOR GOVT TO USE PEACEFUL METHOD IN SOLVING PAPUA’S PROBLEM (PART 1)
News Desk January 25, 2022 11:33 am
Residents of Intan Jaya who fled to the courtyard of the Catholic Church of St. Misael in Bilogai, Sugapa, Intan Jaya. - IST
Jayapura, Jubi – Papua is a land dubbed a small paradise that fell to earth. But nowadays, Papua no longer looks like the little paradise that Indigenous Papuans yearn for. Conflicts, shootings, and violence continue to occur and haunt the daily lives of Indigenous Papuans.
Ever since the integration of Papua into Indonesia, violence has continued to occur. The firefights between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police and the West Papua National Liberation Army/Free Papua Organization (TPNPB/OPM) have been happening more frequently lately. The impact is not only the death of the warring parties but also innocent civilians.
The same pattern of violence always repeats itself and even becomes a cycle that continues from time to time. Papuans continue to be victims of human rights violations and experience discrimination and intimidation. Civilians—especially those who are victims of human rights violations, descendants of political prisoners, and children of TPNPB/OPM combatants—have never received justice from the State. Time and again, thousands of Indigenous Papuan civilians have had to flee, for fear of becoming victims, or wrongly targeted, in the increasingly heated armed conflict.
The prolonged conflict has traumatized Papuan people. The trauma caused the children of OPM activists and victims of human rights violations to choose to fight against what the authorities had done to their families. On the other hand, the State has never complied with requests for peaceful dialogue from various parties. Various efforts have been made by Papuans to find solutions, including proposing a dialogue. However, the resolution to make Papua a land of peace has never happened.
The conflict in Papua has stripped off the basic human rights of the Papuan people. The shootings between the security force and TPNPB often occur in the middle of the children’s playground. In Papua’s central mountains area, such as the regencies of Intan Jaya, Puncak, Paniai, Bintang Mountains, and Nduga, new conflicts continue to emerge, creating new trauma for local residents, especially children who witnessed their parents being killed.
The International Coalition for Papua (ICP)’s fifth report recorded the violence that occurred from January 2015 to December 2016. The report said there were 16 cases of extrajudicial killings that occurred during that year. The same report said that only one murder case was legally processed in military court.
The Indonesian government has shown no commitment to prosecute its security forces who allegedly become perpetrators of violence. Violence in Papua is only met with violence, without solving the real roots of the problem. The government, for example, does not pull any efforts to heal the trauma of victims of violence and human rights violations.
ICP’s seventh report provides an analysis of violence that occurred in Papua from January 2019 to December 2020. The report also presents data compiled by the ICP and West Papua-Netzwerk regarding the number of armed conflicts in West Papua between 2017 and 2020.
The document said that the number of armed conflicts in 2017 was 24 cases and increased to 44 cases in 2018. In 2019, there were 33 cases, and 64 cases in 2020. The number of security forces who were injured in 2017 was 8 people, 15 people in 2018. 12 people in 2019, and 10 people in 2020. The number of fatalities from the TPNPB in 2017 was two people, increased to 12 people in 2018, 14 people In 2019, and 14 TPNPB members died in 2020. While the number of TPNPB soldiers who were injured in 2017 was two people, four people in 2018, and one person in 2020.
However, the number of casualties on the civilian side was more than double the number of victims from conflicting parties. The ICP data recorded the civilian casualties caused by the armed conflict in Papua, both victims of violence and victims who died due to various reasons while evacuating or being in refugee camps. In 2017 there were three civilians who died, all of them were victims of violence allegedly carried out by the TPNPB.
In 2018, that number jumped to 62 victims. A total of 25 people died as victims of alleged violence by the TPNPB, while 17 others were victims of alleged violence by the TNI and police. Moreover, there were 20 internally displaced people who died in evacuation camps.
In 2019, there were 216 cases of civilian deaths due to armed conflict in Papua. Of that number, seven people were allegedly killed by the TPNPB and 13 allegedly killed by the security forces. There were also 196 civilians who died in refugee camps.
Throughout 2020, there were 213 civilian fatalities of the armed conflict. As many as seven civilians died of violence allegedly carried out by the TPNPB. There were also 20 civilians who were allegedly killed by the TNI and police. Meanwhile, the number of displaced people who died was 186.
ICP data said that in 2017, there were 12 civilians injured due to the Papua conflict, three people were victims of violence allegedly committed by TPNPB combatants, and nine other people were victims of the security forces’ alleged violence. In 2018, 15 civilians were injured, seven of which were allegedly injured by the TPNPB and eight people were allegedly injured by the security forces.
In 2019, nine civilians were injured, all of whom were victims of alleged violence by the security forces. While in 2020, 26 civilians were injured, 16 of whom were allegedly victims of the TPNPB, and ten others were allegedly victims of the TNI and police.
Sindonews.com on January 17, 2022, reported a statement by the National Commission on Human Rights’ head of the Bureau of Support for Enforcement, Gatot Ristanto, who said there were 53 violent incidents that occurred in Papua throughout 2021. These events resulted in 47 victims, 24 of whom died. Ristanto said that the violence was carried out by both the TPNPB and the TNI and police, including shootings, torture with sharp weapons, and burning or destroying buildings.
Meanwhile, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri told tribunnews.com that 46 people had died during the armed conflict in 2021. He said there were 29 cases of violence allegedly carried out by armed groups in Puncak, Nduga, Intan Jaya, Yahukimo, and Bintang Mountains. Fakhiri detailed that the death toll was 19 people from civilians, 11 TNI soldiers, four police, and 12 members of the TPNPB.
2) TNI commander apprises lawmakers of strategic changes in Papua
16 hours ago
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander, General Andika Perkasa, shared information on strategic changes in the handling of problems in Papua and West Papua provinces during a hearing session with lawmakers here Monday.
"We are doing several things to address the dynamics of the problems in the long-term period by returning duties or operations in Papua and West Papua as part of the tasks of organic units as in other provinces or islands," he said.
Speaking to members of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR), which oversees foreign affairs and defense here, he said Papua's problems are related to "dynamic thought."
Therefore, they must be dealt with "sustainable and long term strategies," he said, adding that TNI has also been asked to assist in the accelerated development of Papua and West Papua to bring prosperity to communities.
The TNI has received the mandate following the issuance of Presidential Instruction No.9/2020 on the acceleration of welfare development in Papua and West Papua, he added.
In general, there have been additional placements of TNI personnel considering the requirement of task forces in the two easternmost provinces, he informed.
The task forces comprise the Paniai District Military Command (Kodim) Task Force, which covers the districts of Paniai, Degoyai, and Waropen; Kodim Intan Jaya Task Force; and Kodim Puncak Task Force, he said.
They also include the Kodim Lani Jaya Task Force, which covers the districts of Lani Jaya and Tolikara, and Kodim Yalimo Task Force, which covers the districts of Yalimo, Jayapura, and Membramo Tengah, he added.
The Kodim Kepulauan Bintang Task Force and Kodim Nduga Task Force, which covers the districts of Yahukimo and Asmat, have also been placed in the provinces, he said.
Meanwhile, around 235 navy personnel would be placed in naval bases while 411 air force personnel would join several air force bases in Papua, he added.
The hearing session was chaired by head of Commission I, Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, and two of his colleagues, Utut Adianto and Anton Sukartono.
At the meeting, General Perkasa was accompanied by Army Chief of Staff, General Dudung Abdurahman; Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Yudo Margono; and Air Force Chief of Staff, Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, among others.
UPDATED 4 DAYS AGO BY NURHADI SUCAHYO PRESENTED BY SBS INDONESIAN
The main problem is that there are some Papuans, who want to be independent or separate themselves from Indonesia, and stand as a separate country. Of course, this desire was responded to by the implementation of security policies by Indonesia. Over the years, this policy was countered by armed resistance, by a group of Papuan people, who later formed a military division. Free Papuan figure, Filep Karma will reflect on the ideals of a Free Papua in the following interview. How does he interpret the long struggle for Papuan independence, and why this ideal continues to this day.
Free Papua, said Filep Karma, seems to be the only answer to resolve the long bloody conflict in Papua.
4) 19 People Dead after Clash in West Papua's Sorong
Translator: Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor: Petir Garda Bhwana
25 January 2022 13:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police said 19 people died during clashes between two groups at a nightclub in Sorong of West Papua in the early hours of Tuesday, January 25. One person died due to the clash and 18 others died as they were trapped in the fire at the karaoke spot.
“One died due to the clash and 18 died in a burning entertainment venue,” said the National Police’s Head of the Public Relations Unit, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, before reporters on Tuesday, January 25.
Dedi explained the police were investigating the incident. The Papua Regional Police were still looking for perpetrators and intellectual actors of the clash.
“We are doing an investigation to reveal the intellectual actors and perpetrators from the two groups,” he said.
The police had also examined a number of witnesses and launched an investigation of the scene. To prevent further clashes, he said the police invited the religious, community, and traditional leaders to hold a dialogue.
Dedi said the police held a meeting with representatives of the two groups involved in the clash in Sorong. “East Sorong Police held a meeting between groups,” he said.
