Editorial: Papua freedom

It is an ugly fact that tensions have always preceded, and acts of violence followed, the events held on Dec. 1 in Papua, which many dub the anniversary of West Papuan independence.

While hundreds gathered for a mass prayer in Sentani in Jayapura regency on Thursday to observe the 50th anniversary of “Papua freedom”, armed clashes flared up in other parts of the province both prior to, and during, the celebrations of the historic day.

Police confirmed one of their intelligence officers was severely injured following an attack by a group of armed assailants in Nimbrokang village in Sentani early on Thursday, although previously the officer had been declared dead.

In Timika, a ceremony ended in violence as the police forcibly broke up the event after participants hoisted the banned Morning Star flag. Police also lowered the flag, which is the symbol of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebel group, in the Puncak Jaya capital of Mulia and the Jayawijaya capital of Wamena.

An exchange of fire between security forces and members of OPM’s armed wing was reported to have taken place in the Dagauto village of Paniai on Wednesday, but no fatalities were reported.

All the acts of violence occurred as informal talks were underway — without much fanfare — between government negotiators and Papuan representatives, including the rebels. It remains to be seen whether the violence will derail the initiatives to bring peace back to the country’s easternmost provinces.

For those who are aware of Papuan history, Dec. 1 is the day that commemorates the first time the Morning Star flag was hoisted to mark the formation of the West New Guinea Council by the Dutch colonial government back in 1961. The fact that OPM proclaimed the day as the birth of an independent state of Papua has sparked a protracted debate, but the fact that the international community recognizes Indonesia’s sovereignty over Papua is beyond doubt, at least until today.

It’s advisable for the government, however, to take into account the enthusiasm that has always driven the Papuan people to mark the historic event, although they may not aspire for independence or sympathize with the OPM. Their presence at gatherings on Dec. 1 every year could serve as an outlet for their grievances over government promises that have remained unrealized.

Papua and West Papua have received a combined total of Rp 29 trillion (US$3.22 billion) in development funds over the last decade, and a further massive capital inflow is set to follow the formation of a special unit for the acceleration of development in the two provinces. Both Papua and West Papua are bracing themselves for tremendous infrastructure development and industrialization aimed at improving the well-being of the local people.

Since its independence in 1945, Indonesia has dealt with rebellions sparked by regional resentment in many parts of the country. Many of the rebellions were quelled by the use of military force, but the nature of the separatist movement in Aceh showed negotiations were more fruitful.

This latest development demonstrates the government’s intention to emulate the Aceh peace talks to end the prolonged conflict in Papua but, as the Aceh peace process taught us, credible and dignified negotiations will not commence if violence persists.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has recommended that the government revise its security policy in Papua, calling for the withdrawal of the police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and counterterrorism unit, in a bid to end the violence.

In the absence of violence, not only will the dialogue to resolve the conflict in Papua materialize, but the acceleration of development may be implemented fully and safely. Papuan people, as well as the entire population, are yearning for freedom from violence.