News on West Papua's human rights and conflict situation
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In this newsletter you will find:
- Criminalisation of Victor Yeimo – Police submit case files to prosecutor
- Joint security forces execute three indigenous Papuans in Puncak Regency – Three others injured by bullets
- Security force members torture indigenous Papuan and kill Papuan Pastor in Puncak Regency
- Update on killing of Rev. Yeremia Zanambani in Intan Jaya – Forensic specialists conduct autopsy
- Event notice: Papuan Voices Film Festival coming in August 2021
- Human Rights Commission visits internally displaced persons in Puncak
- At least 25 victims of extra-judicial killings in West Papua in 2020
- Police intimidate participants during book launch in Jayapura
- Armed conflict in Puncak Regency – TPN PB suggests armed combat shifts to designated area
- Indonesia votes against UN resolution on genocide and crimes against humanity
- New protests against special autonomy and for the release of Papuan political prisoners – 146 protesters arrested in Manokwari
- Internet breakdown in Jayapura – Internet connection repaired in early June
- Six Papuan protesters standing trial in Sorong accused of treason
- New shootings indicate spreading of armed conflict in West Papua
- West Papua Council of Churches voices concern over the escalating situation in Papua
- Prosecution of Victor Yeimo – TAPOL reports case to UN Special Procedures
- Joint security forces arrest three IDPs in Puncak, among them one minor
- IDPs in Puncak Regency – Local government says thousands displaced due to armed clashes
- Victim of torture dies in Tambrauw Regency – Observers demand independent investigation
- Internet breakdown as armed conflict escalates – Coincidence or deliberate government measure?
Criminalisation of Victor Yeimo – Police submit case files to prosecutor
The ICP has documented the extra-judicial killings of 25 indigenous civilian Papuans by the Indonesian police or military throughout the year 2020. This reflects the continuing pattern of state violence, violations of the right to life and the persistent racial discrimination which indigenous Papuans face in Indonesia. We demand Indonesian authorities to immediately conduct independent, impartial and effective investigations into these cases. All perpetrators should be brought to justice at civilian courts through fair and transparent trials, as stipulated in international human rights treaties.
Fully armed police members came to the launching of “Papuans prosecuted for demanding dignity”, a book written by former church worker and human rights defender Theo van den Broek. The book launch was organised in cooperation with the Papuan Council of Churches (Dewan Gereja Papua) at the Centre for Empowerment and Development of Women (P3W) in Padang Bulan, Jayapura, on 11 June 2021. The event was temporarily interrupted but later continued after the police had left the P3W premises. Several plain cloth police officers continued to monitor the launching as participants.
Armed conflict in Puncak Regency – TPN PB suggests armed combat shifts to designated area
The TPN PB has proposed to Indonesian security forces to move the armed conflict into a designated area to prevent civilian casualties and reduce the stresses for indigenous civilians living in the Puncak Regency. The TPN PB spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, suggested the Puncak estuary in the Ilaga district as the new combat area. According to Sambom, the TPN PB has gathered its guerrilla groups in the estuary area, where they wait for Indonesian security forces to move in.
At the end of May, hundreds of people from the Papua Barat province came together to join two public demonstrations in the city of Manokwari, the provincial capital of Papua Barat. Joint security forces dispersed the protest on 25 May 2021 -146 protesters were arrested and temporarily detained. The police claimed some protesters violated COVID-19 health protocols. The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and The Indonesia Peoples Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) organised peaceful protests in the Javanese cities Bandung, Jakarta, Malang and Jember. The rally in Malang was reportedly followed by violence between Papuan students and nationalist counter groups. Protesters in Jember were allegedly intimidated by nationalist groups. All protests expressed disagreement with the continuation of the Papuan special autonomy funding and demanded the immediate release of all Papuan political prisoners.
Internet breakdown in Jayapura – Internet connection repaired in early June
Internet breakdown as armed conflict escalates – Coincidence or deliberate government measure?
Criminal investigators of the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) have submitted the case files of Victor Yeimo to the public prosecutor in Jayapura on 8 June 2021. According to Polda Papua spokesperson, A.M. Kamal, the investigators are currently waiting for instructions from the public prosecutor to complete the cases files for the upcoming trial. Mr Yeimo’s lawyers continue to raise concern over his current detention facility. He is currently detained at the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Headquarters in Kota Raja, Jayapura. Internal procedures reportedly continue to hamper lawyers and relatives to visit Victor Yeimo during detention.
Joint security forces execute three indigenous Papuans in Puncak Regency – Three others injured by bullets
According to a report by the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Desk of the Papuan Tabernacle Church (JPIC Kingmi Papua), members of the Nemangkawi joint security task force allegedly killed Patianus Kogoya, his wife Paitena Murib, and Erialek Kogoya during a security force operation against the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) in the Nipuralome Village, Ilaga District. In addition, three other villagers, including a minor, were reportedly injured by bullets and received medical treatment.
Security force members torture indigenous Papuan and kill Papuan Pastor in Puncak Regency
The JPIC Kingmi Papua has documented more cases of torture and extra-judicial killings in the Puncak Regency, where a security force operation against the TPN PB has been ongoing since late April 2021. According to information received, joint security force members arrested and subsequently tortured Jesius Wenda, 24, in the Maki village on 27 April 2021. In addition, on 16 May 2021, security force members reportedly shot dead Rev. Laban Hagabal, 59, during an attack in the Demaju village. Both incidents occurred in the Ilaga Utara District of Puncak Regency.
Update on killing of Rev. Yeremia Zanambani in Intan Jaya – Forensic specialists conduct autopsy
A forensic team from Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, has conducted the autopsy of Rev. Yeremia Zanambani’s body in the Hitadipa district on 5 June 2021. The team took samples that will be examined in the coming two months. The autopsy was witnessed by relatives as well as members of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), the Agency for Protection of Witnesses and Victims (LPSK), the Indonesian Fellowship of Churches (PGI) and the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua).
Event notice: Papuan Voices Film Festival coming in August 2021
The NGO ‘Papuan Voices’ will organise the fourth Papuan Documentary Film Festival (FFP IV) with the slogan “Moving Together and Taking Care for the Land of Papua” in Jayapura between 7 and 9 August 2021. Moviemakers will present their documentaries on the lives of indigenous Papuans at the festival. The festival will reach its peak on 9 August 2021, on the same day as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. A panel of judges will choose the most innovative documentary on West Papua in 2021. Papuan Voices will also conduct workshops for those who are interested in learning how to make a documentary.
The NGO ‘Papuan Voices’ will organise the fourth Papuan Documentary Film Festival (FFP IV) with the slogan “Moving Together and Taking Care for the Land of Papua” in Jayapura between 7 and 9 August 2021. Moviemakers will present their documentaries on the lives of indigenous Papuans at the festival. The festival will reach its peak on 9 August 2021, on the same day as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. A panel of judges will choose the most innovative documentary on West Papua in 2021. Papuan Voices will also conduct workshops for those who are interested in learning how to make a documentary.Human Rights Commission visits internally displaced persons in Puncak
The Papuan representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has visited IDPs in the Puncak regency. The head of the Komnas HAM representative office in Papuan, Frits Ramandey, confirmed in an interview with media outlet Jubi that 3,019 IDPs from 23 villages are currently living in Puncak’s largest town Ilaga and the town of Gome. The refugees originate from nine villages in the Ilaga Utara District, four villages in the Ilaga District, five villages in the Gome District, and five villages in the Gome Utara District.
At least 25 victims of extra-judicial killings in West Papua in 2020
The ICP has documented the extra-judicial killings of 25 indigenous civilian Papuans by the Indonesian police or military throughout the year 2020. This reflects the continuing pattern of state violence, violations of the right to life and the persistent racial discrimination which indigenous Papuans face in Indonesia. We demand Indonesian authorities to immediately conduct independent, impartial and effective investigations into these cases. All perpetrators should be brought to justice at civilian courts through fair and transparent trials, as stipulated in international human rights treaties.
Police intimidate participants during book launch in Jayapura
Fully armed police members came to the launching of “Papuans prosecuted for demanding dignity”, a book written by former church worker and human rights defender Theo van den Broek. The book launch was organised in cooperation with the Papuan Council of Churches (Dewan Gereja Papua) at the Centre for Empowerment and Development of Women (P3W) in Padang Bulan, Jayapura, on 11 June 2021. The event was temporarily interrupted but later continued after the police had left the P3W premises. Several plain cloth police officers continued to monitor the launching as participants.Armed conflict in Puncak Regency – TPN PB suggests armed combat shifts to designated area
The TPN PB has proposed to Indonesian security forces to move the armed conflict into a designated area to prevent civilian casualties and reduce the stresses for indigenous civilians living in the Puncak Regency. The TPN PB spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, suggested the Puncak estuary in the Ilaga district as the new combat area. According to Sambom, the TPN PB has gathered its guerrilla groups in the estuary area, where they wait for Indonesian security forces to move in.
Indonesia votes against UN resolution on genocide and crimes against humanity
Indonesia and 14 other countries have voted against a UN Resolution on the responsibility to protect and prevent (R2P) genocide, war crimes, ethnic genocide and crimes against humanity during a vote at the United Nations General Assembly on 18 May 2021. One-hundred-fifteen countries supported the resolution, while 28 states chose to abstain. The R2P concept represents an international principle and agreement to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry affirmed that Indonesia in principle agrees with the substance of the resolution but rejects a proposal to establish a new annual agenda for discussing the P2P.
Indonesia and 14 other countries have voted against a UN Resolution on the responsibility to protect and prevent (R2P) genocide, war crimes, ethnic genocide and crimes against humanity during a vote at the United Nations General Assembly on 18 May 2021. One-hundred-fifteen countries supported the resolution, while 28 states chose to abstain. The R2P concept represents an international principle and agreement to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry affirmed that Indonesia in principle agrees with the substance of the resolution but rejects a proposal to establish a new annual agenda for discussing the P2P.New protests against special autonomy and for the release of Papuan political prisoners – 146 protesters arrested in Manokwari
At the end of May, hundreds of people from the Papua Barat province came together to join two public demonstrations in the city of Manokwari, the provincial capital of Papua Barat. Joint security forces dispersed the protest on 25 May 2021 -146 protesters were arrested and temporarily detained. The police claimed some protesters violated COVID-19 health protocols. The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) and The Indonesia Peoples Front for West Papua (FRI-WP) organised peaceful protests in the Javanese cities Bandung, Jakarta, Malang and Jember. The rally in Malang was reportedly followed by violence between Papuan students and nationalist counter groups. Protesters in Jember were allegedly intimidated by nationalist groups. All protests expressed disagreement with the continuation of the Papuan special autonomy funding and demanded the immediate release of all Papuan political prisoners.Internet breakdown in Jayapura – Internet connection repaired in early June
On 21 May 2021, the Ministry for Communication and Informatics released a press statement (number 180/HM/KOMINFO/05/2021), according to which the internet connection in Jayapura has been partly re-established since 21 May 2021. However, the General Manager of Telkom Witel Papua, Sugeng Widodo, explained that the internet bandwidth was still very limited and only available in a few public places and essential institutions such as hospitals and government offices. According to the press release, a special ship carrying a team of experts has been dispatched from Makassar to Jayapura on 19 May 2021 to repair a damaged submarine cable at a depth of 4,050 m. As of 9 June the internet connection to Jayapura was fully functional.
Six Papuan protesters standing trial in Sorong accused of treason
On 18 May 2021, judges at the Sorong District Court launched two trials against six Papuan defendants arrested on 27 November 2020 during a peaceful demonstration in Sorong. People had gathered with Morning star flags and banners peacefully calling upon the Indonesian Government to recognize the proclamation of the Republic of West Papua New Guinea by a Papuan independence group at the European Parliament in Brussels on 27 November 1997.
On 18 May 2021, judges at the Sorong District Court launched two trials against six Papuan defendants arrested on 27 November 2020 during a peaceful demonstration in Sorong. People had gathered with Morning star flags and banners peacefully calling upon the Indonesian Government to recognize the proclamation of the Republic of West Papua New Guinea by a Papuan independence group at the European Parliament in Brussels on 27 November 1997.New shootings indicate spreading of armed conflict in West Papua
Recent armed attacks on Indonesian security forces in the regencies Maybrat, Yahukimo and Pegunungan Bintang over the past weeks indicate the armed conflict is spreading to new regencies in West Papua. While isolated armed clashes have been reportedly occurred in Pegunungan Bintang and Yahukimo throughout 2020, the recent attack against police officers in Maybrat is the first incident of this kind reported from the regency. The armed conflict recently gained momentum, as members of the TPN PB killed Papuan Security Chief I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya in the Puncak Regency on 25 April 2021. A few days later, joint security forces launched a massive operation in Puncak, which reportedly caused the internal displacement of thousands of indigenous villagers.
Recent armed attacks on Indonesian security forces in the regencies Maybrat, Yahukimo and Pegunungan Bintang over the past weeks indicate the armed conflict is spreading to new regencies in West Papua. While isolated armed clashes have been reportedly occurred in Pegunungan Bintang and Yahukimo throughout 2020, the recent attack against police officers in Maybrat is the first incident of this kind reported from the regency. The armed conflict recently gained momentum, as members of the TPN PB killed Papuan Security Chief I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya in the Puncak Regency on 25 April 2021. A few days later, joint security forces launched a massive operation in Puncak, which reportedly caused the internal displacement of thousands of indigenous villagers.
West Papua Council of Churches voices concern over the escalating situation in Papua
The WPCC recently reached out to President Jokowi, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and expressed condolences to the victims of violence on both sides of the ongoing armed conflict. The WPCC sees the causes of the problems in Papua in the 'colonial gaze' with which Papua is often being looked at by Indonesian officials; the systematic destruction of a Papuan identity with history including the burning of ethnohistoric and political writings on Papua in the past and the labelling of the OPM as a terrorist organisation in a context of impunity for gross human rights violations committed against the Papuan people. The criminalisation of the OPM as terrorists and the military approach, the WPCC fears, will cause thousands of more killings of Papuans, has caused IDPs and destroyed critical political thought in Papua. WPCC calls on President Jokowi to fulfil his promise to meet with the ULMWP.
Prosecution of Victor Yeimo – TAPOL reports case to UN Special Procedures
The London-based human rights organisation TAPOL has reported the arrest of Victor Yeimo, the international spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), to the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. Yeimo was arrested on 9 May 2021 and is currently detained at the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Jayapura, Papua Province. The police believe Victor Yeimo played a significant role in organising and leading protests against the racial discrimination of ethnic Papuans and for self-determination in 23 towns across West Papua and 17 cities in Indonesia between 19 August and 30 September 2019.
Joint security forces arrest three IDPs in Puncak, among them one minor
According to the Papuan media outlet Suara Papua, joint security forces arrested three indigenous Papuans on 16 May 2021. The arrest reportedly occurred in the village of Tanah Merah, to where 16-year-old Nelius Magai, Jon Waker, 30, and Ones Magai, 30, had fled after being displaced from their homes in the Tegelobak. They have been detained at the Gome Military Post in the Puncak Regency, where a widespread security force operation has been ongoing since late April 2021.
According to the Papuan media outlet Suara Papua, joint security forces arrested three indigenous Papuans on 16 May 2021. The arrest reportedly occurred in the village of Tanah Merah, to where 16-year-old Nelius Magai, Jon Waker, 30, and Ones Magai, 30, had fled after being displaced from their homes in the Tegelobak. They have been detained at the Gome Military Post in the Puncak Regency, where a widespread security force operation has been ongoing since late April 2021.IDPs in Puncak Regency – Local government says thousands displaced due to armed clashes
Suara Papua has published new data on internally displaced persons in the Puncak Regency, where Indonesian security forces have launched a widespread operation against the West Papua National Liberation Army since 27 April 2021. According to the Social Affairs Department in Puncak, 653 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently seeking shelter at the local government complex in Puncak’s largest town of Kimak. Thousands of indigenous villagers from the Mabugi and Ilaga Utara districts are believed to hide in churches and the forests.
Victim of torture dies in Tambrauw Regency – Observers demand independent investigation
On 9 April 2021, two members of the Pamrahwan Yonif RK 763 military post tortured indigenous Papuan, Moses Yewen, 45, in the village of Wayo, Tambrauw Regency. He reported the incident to the military police and demanded the withdrawal of military personnel from Fef and the Tambrauw Regency. On 7 May 2021, Moses Yewen suddenly passed away in his house in the Wayo Village, Fef District. Observers believe that his death is related to the torture he experienced one month earlier.
Internet breakdown as armed conflict escalates – Coincidence or deliberate government measure?
Since 30 April 2021, the internet in Papua’s largest city, Jayapura, has been dysfunctional. The breakdown occurred only five days after members of the TPN PB killed a Papuan intelligence chief in Puncak on 25 April 2021. Thereupon, Indonesian security forces launched an operation against the TPN PB on 27 April to find and arrest the perpetrators. Media observers and human rights activists suspect that the government has deliberately shut down the internet to impede the flow of information on the conflict situation in the central highlands. Similar operations over the past two years have been frequently accompanied by human rights violations and internal displacement of the indigenous population.
About the ICP
Human Rights and Peace for Papua is an international coalition of faith-based and civil society organisations (the Coalition) addressing the serious human rights condition in West Papua and supporting a peaceful solution to the conflict there. West Papua (Papua) refers to the western half of the New Guinea island in the Pacific and comprises the eastern most provinces of Indonesia. Indigenous Papuans are suffering from a long and ongoing history of human rights violations and security forces subject them to violence including killings, torture and arbitrary arrests. Impunity prevails. A lack of adequate access to health care and education as well as demographical and economical marginalisation and discrimination mark the living condition for Papuans. A heavy presence of Indonesian security forces, lack of access for international observers such as journalists, corruption and transmigration from other parts of Indonesia aggravate the situation. Political prisoners and the persecution of political activists shows the extent of repression with which freedom of expression and indigenous peoples’ rights are being violated. Papua’s wealth in natural resources attracts businesses and security forces resulting in exploitation through mining, logging, harmful agricultural projects, and environmental degradation. This dynamic challenges traditional indigenous culture while Papuans demand their right to self-determination.
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visit our website at www.humanrightspapua.org