Update on killing of four Papuans in Puncak Regency – Victim’s relatives demand thorough investigation
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- Published on Thursday, 03 December 2020 10:09
Relatives of four indigenous Papuans who were reportedly killed by security force members in the Gome District on 20 November 2020 demand a timely and thorough investigation into the murder allegations. On 3 December 2020, the families of the deceased together with other protesters gathered in front of the district police headquarters in the town of Ilaga (see photo on top, source: Jubi). A scheduled meeting between the relatives, police and local Government officials was finally cancelled because the families demanded the presence of provincial parliament representatives and the Papuan representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).
Former Papuan detainee sick – relatives suspect long-term consequences of torture during custody
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- Published on Thursday, 03 December 2020 09:58
Mispo Gwijangge, an internally displaced Papuan from the Nduga Regency who was criminalised for the alleged involvement in the killing of multiple road workers in Nduga on 4 December 2018 is currently sick. His relatives assume that the sudden drop of his physical condition is related to multiple acts of torture which Mispo Gwijangge experienced during custody at the Jayawijaya District police station. He was arbitrarily arrested in Wamena on 10 May 2019 and charged with Article 340 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) on premeditated murder. The trial was then moved to Jakarta. Mispo Gwijangge was unconditionally released after a forensic examination of his teeth came to the result that his biological age was only 16 years. The trial revealed multiple procedural violations in the police investigation, including, torture and the prevention of access to lawyers and translators during police interrogations.
Update on the situation of IDPs from Nduga, Intan Jaya and Mimika
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- Published on Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:01
Armed clashes between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) and Indonesian security forces have caused the internal displacement of thousands of indigenous Papuans from the regencies of Nduga, Intan Jaya and Mimika. Local human rights observers have estimated their total number at around 60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Particularly the situation of IDPs from Nduga is of great concern – most of them have already been displaced since December 2018, and an end of military operations in their regency is not yet in sight. The large majority of IDPs are left to themselves, without humanitarian aid from the government, relevant state agencies or the Red Cross. They are not able to return to their villages due to ongoing military raids in the Papuan central highlands which continue to be accompanied by cases of torture and extra-judicial killings.
Download joint report on humanitarian crisis in West Papua here
Military members raid Soloitma Dormitory in Sentani – eleven residents reportedly tortured, one Papuan woman killed
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- Published on Tuesday, 01 December 2020 09:21
Human rights organisations have documented a further case of military violence against indigenous Papuans in the town of Sentani, Jayapura Regency, on 4 November 2020. According to the Association of Human Rights Lawyers for Papua (PAHAM Papua) the Papuan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), members of the Yonif 751 Sentani Military raided the Soloitma Dormitory and tortured eleven residents. One of the victims, Demisien Kobak, 19, was reportedly kicked in the abdomen and both thighs although she had pointed out earlier that she was sick. She died shortly after her admission to the Yowari Hospital as a result of the injuries which she sustained from the torture (see photo on top).
++ Live Ticker: 1st December Commemorations in West Papua, Indonesia and other parts of the world++
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- Published on Tuesday, 01 December 2020 02:53
Status: 04.01.2020
1 December 2020, Jakarta
The Papuan Student Alliance (Aliansi Mahasiswa Papua, AMP) held a peaceful protest in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta. The students carried banners and shirts with Morning Star symbols shouting “Independence for Papua!” (Bahasa Indonesia: “Papua Merdeka!”). Police officers closely accompanied the protest. The officers allowed the students to carry out the rally (see photo below).
UN OHCHR calls for a platform for inclusive dialogue with the people of Papua
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November 2020 06:04
Today, 30 November 2020, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the UN has issued a statement (text and video) about the ongoing violations relating to protests against the prolongation of the autonomy law, recent killings of church workers, in particular, that of Rev. Zanambani and the ongoing political conflict in West Papua.
In the statement the OHCHR also calls for a "platform for meaningful and inclusive dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua, to address longstanding economic, social and political grievances."
That statement comes one day ahead of 1. December, a day of political meaning for indigenous Papuans. On 1 December 1961, West Papuans had taken first steps for building a national identity. Since 1969, the region is part of Indonesia. The United Liberation Movement has called for mass prayers on 1 December 2020 and a "peaceful end of Special Autonomy". Every year, Papuans mark the 1 December anniversary with demonstrations that have in the past been met with mass arrests and violence by security forces. OHCHR is now urging "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."
Watch the Video Statement here
Download the Video Statement here
Make West Papua Safe Campaign - Stop funding military repression in Papua, plead TAPOL speakers
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November 2020 05:45
This article has originally been published by Asia Pacific Report on 25 November 2020
Read full article on Asia Pacific Report website here
For more information, visit Make West Papua Safe website
Campaigners at a TAPOL-hosted global webinar have called on the people of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and other countries to stop funding military training for Indonesian security forces who are “killing innocent West Papuans”.
Rosa Moiwend, a member of the War Resisters International, said West Papuans wanted to live peacefully without any oppression by the military – this was the hope of the indigenous Melanesian people.
“If your government is actually behind this scenario, I think the main thing you have to do is to go and talk to your government, Parliament members and question them about your tax money,” she said.
“Where does your tax money go? Does it go to pay [for] the war or is the tax money used for the purpose of human lives?”
Petition for the rejection of more special autonomy funds signed by 520,261 supporters – Pro-Government groups react with criminalisation campaign
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- Published on Thursday, 26 November 2020 11:14
On 4 July 2020, a solidarity group consisting of a few movement organisations and student groups launched a petition (Petisi Rakyat Papua, PRP) against the prolongation of special autonomy funding (Otsus II) for the provinces of Papua and Papua Barat. Meanwhile, 102 organisations have joined the ‘Peoples’ Solidarity for West Papua’ (see photo on top). On 26 November 2020, the spokesperson of the solidarity group, Victor Yeimo, published a video message on social media according to which the petition was already signed by 520,261 people in and outside of West Papua.
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