By : Bayu Wauran and Ertama
Stramed, We are disturbed by escalating violence over the past weeks and months in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua and the increased risk of renewed tension and violence.
In one incident on 22 November, a 17-year-old was shot dead and another 17-year-old injured in an alleged police shootout, with the bodies found at the Limbaga Mountain, Gome District in West Papua.
Earlier, in September and October 2020 there was a disturbing series of killings of at least six individuals, including activists and church workers, as well as non-indigenous residents. At least two members of the security forces were also killed in clashes.
An investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) found one church worker, Rev. Yerimia Zanambani, a pastor of the Protestant Evangelical Church, may have been killed by members of the security forces, and that his killing was just one “of a series of violence occurring across the regency throughout this year.”
We have also received numerous reports of arrests. At least 84 people, including Wensislaus Fatuban, a well-known human rights defender and human rights advisor to the Papuan People’s Council (Majelis Rakyat Papua or the MRP) and seven MRP staff members, were arrested and detained on 17 November by security forces in Merauke Regency in Papua Province.
Their arrests came ahead of a public consultation organised by the MRP on the implementation of the Special Autonomy Law in Papua and West Papua provinces. Fatuban and the others were released on 18 November.
UN human rights experts have also repeatedly expressed serious concerns regarding the intimidation, harassment, surveillance and criminalisation of human rights defenders for the exercise of their fundamental freedoms.
The recent violence and arrests are part of a trend we have observed since December 2018, following the killing of 19 individuals working on the Trans-Papua Highway in Nduga regency by armed Papuan elements.
There was a further escalation in in August 2019, when anti-racism protests and widespread violence erupted in Papua and elsewhere following the detention and discriminatory treatment of Papuan students in Java.
Military and security forces have been reinforced in the region and there have been repeated reports of extra-judicial killings, excessive use of force, arrest and continuous harassment and intimidation of protesters and human rights defenders.
We are concerned about reports that both armed elements and nationalist militias have been actively involved in the violence.
We urge the Government of Indonesia to uphold people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in line with its international obligations, particularly ahead of 1 December, when there are often protests, tensions and arrests.
We also call on the authorities to pursue thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all acts of violence, in particular killings, and for all perpetrators – regardless of their affiliations – to be held accountable.
At a time of ongoing discussions related to the Special Autonomy Law, we urge all sides to work to prevent further violence. There is an urgent need for a platform for meaningful and inclusive dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua, to address longstanding economic, social and political grievances. There is also a clear need to ensure accountability for past and recent human rights violations and abuses (https://bangkok.ohchr.org/papua-statement/).
Does not base on facts
I think the comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani has tended to conering the Indonesian government credibility. I think whatever which had spoken by Ravina does not all of its are true or based on facts.
Basically and politically, the tension in Papua has always raised during December 1st every years, because this time is the moment of Papua’s separatist groups or known as TPN-OPM to efforts making Papua is separating from Indonesia. OPM’s political underbow in Papua and several countries such as in the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Netherland have been tried to make “a sensational news and movement” attracking an internasional’s community views and comments and UN Human Rights Office is one of their political propaganda victims.
Quoting Ravina’s statement, in one incident on 22 November, a 17-year-old was shot dead and another 17-year-old injured in an alleged police shootout, with the bodies found at the Limbaga Mountain, Gome District in West Papua. Earlier, in September and October 2020 there was a disturbing series of killings of at least six individuals, including activists and church workers, as well as non-indigenous residents. We must explain that all of incident did not do by Indonesia’s security apparatus who are operating in Papua. From several neutral newspapers in Indonesia, TPN-OPM had allegedly shot dead activist, non-indigeneous residents and indigeneous residents.
Regarding UN Human Rights Office spokeperson earlier that at least 84 people, including Wensislaus Fatuban, a well-known human rights defender and human rights advisor to the Papuan People’s Council (Majelis Rakyat Papua or the MRP) and seven MRP staff members, were arrested and detained on 17 November by security forces in Merauke Regency in Papua Province.
Their arrests came ahead of a public consultation organised by the MRP on the implementation of the Special Autonomy Law in Papua and West Papua provinces. Fatuban and the others were released on 18 November. I must ask to Ravina and others from UN Human Rights Offices, does it true if you are make your enemy who will try to damage the future of Papua can walk safely without law enforcement process?.
According to the clarification and explaination from Indonesia’s security apparatus officers, they have seriously and strategically information that several Papua’s fugitive public figure had had negative intention over the next implementation of special autonomy law, because they were offered Papua’s referendum as one step to be reach Papua’s anniversary. Regarding whatever an international law and domestic/national in Indonesia, they movement has seriously challenged for Papua’s unity in Indonesia.
I think the UN Human Rights Office must be carefull and patient to make clear and cleaver statement. Because of that, they must neutral to look Papua’s problem in several aspects. Majority of Papua’s residents have agreed if special law autonomy will be done in their territority. That’s all and final solution for brightly Papua.
*) The writer is Papua’s issue observer.
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