Update on criminalisation of Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidyanti – Police mediation failed
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- Published on Monday, 25 October 2021 10:57
A mediation meeting between the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan (see photo), and the human rights activists, Fatia Maulidyanti and Haris Azhar, ended without mutual agreement. The meeting on 21 October 2021 was held to seek a solution between the conflict parties outside of the law. The mediation process was facilitated by Yusri Yunus, the head of the public relations department of the Indonesian police, Polri.
Update on situation of IDPs in Maybrat Regency – 861 IDPs from thirteen villages fled to Aitinyo District
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- Published on Monday, 25 October 2021 10:49
The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Desk (JPIC) of the Evangelical Church in the Land of Papua (GKI TP) has published a report on the situation in the Maybrat regency. The church workers visited internally displaced persons in the Maybrat Regency, Papua Province, in late September 2021 (see photo, source: JPIC GKI TP). According to JPIC, 861 IDPs from the villages Roma, Tolak, Kisor, Krus, Imsun, Yeek, Susumuk, Buohsa, Kaitana, Awet Maem, Hora Iek, Tehahite and Fuog have sought shelter in the villages Karsu, Subin dan Sris, Aitinyo District. Basic needs such as staple food and cloths have been provided by the local community, the district government and local churches. Among the IDPs are 91 primary school students. They are attending classes in three primary schools in the Aifat District.
Update on IDP situation in Pegunungan Bintang – Video provides impression about conditions in IDP shelters
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 09:21
Human rights activists in Pegunungan Bintang Regency have uploaded a video showing a group of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Kiwirok District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency. The group mainly consists of women and children. They are hiding in temporary shelter in the Papuan highland forest.
The video shows about 60 people, mainly women, elderly people and children, sitting together in midst the jungle (see photo, video screenshot). One of the women is sharing raw leaves and several bananas among the children. Another women raises her voice and appeals to the group in the indigenous Ngalum language: “Indonesia[n soldiers] came and burnt our villages to the ground. We have already fled to the forest for one month. There is hardly any food so all children must eat what we have.” (@ 1 minute 40 seconds)
Police officers shoot dead Papuan man in Wamena – Two others injured by bullets
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 09:13
A member of the police mobile Brigade (Brimob) reportedly shot dead Mr Surya Wenda in the highland town of Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, on 12 October 2021. Two other indigenous Papuans were injured by bullets during the incident. Witnesses say the police forcefully dispersed a private celebration with fire arms. Following the incident, local residents found at least nine bullet shells at the site of crime.
Papuan man shot down during conflict between security forces and traditional gold miners at Freeport Mine, Mimika Regency
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 09:02
On 16 October 2021, the members of the Freeport security task force together with the Amole police unit reportedly evicted the camp of traditional gold miners at mile 74 Ritz. They mainly consist of indigenous Papuans who pan for gold in the Ajikwa River, where PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is dumping its mining tailings. According to information received from local sources, one of the gold panners, Mr Diolameo Mom (36 years), sustained a bullet injury in the chest as the security forces opened fire at the gold panners at Mile 74. Thereupon, the miners attacked the security forces with rocks. Multiple Freeport vehicles were allegedly damaged during the unrest.
Regent issues legal recognition of indigenous peoples' rights in Sorong
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 08:50
Johny Kamuru, the regent of Sorong Regency, Papua Barat Province, has issued a decree for the legal recognition of the Gelek Malak Kalawilis Pasa, an indigenous clan of the Moi tribe (see photo, source: Jubi). The decree gives the clan legal certainty over 3,247 hectares of customary land in the Sayosa District. On 15 October, the regent confirmed the enactment of the decree in an official ceremony which was attended by Moi representatives.
"This is a form of my commitment to protect the rights of indigenous peoples," said Johny Kamuru in a written press release, dating 15 October 2021. Previously. the Moi held a customary assembly in which they collectively rejected the presence of the three palm oil companies PT Sorong Agro Sawitindo, PT Papua Lestari Abadi, and PT Inti Kebun Lestari on their land.
New case of enforced disappearance in Intan Jaya Regency – Relatives call upon the police to find Sem Kobogau
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- Published on Wednesday, 13 October 2021 05:10
The Papuan media outlet Jubi has reported another case of enforced disappearance from the Intan Jaya Regency, where the armed conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and Indonesian security forces has been ongoing since December 2019. Witnesses saw four military members arresting Mr Semuel Kobogau (see photo below, source: JPIC Kingmi Papua) inside a small store in Sugapa town on 5 October 2021. Witnesses saw the military members bringing Semuel Kobogau (31 years old) to the Raider 501 military post.
On the following day, Mr Kobogau’s relatives gathered in front of the Intan Jaya District Police station and called upon the police to find Sem Kobogau. On 8 October 2021, the relatives officially reported Semuel Kobogau missing (see photo on top; source: JPIC Kingmi Papua). The police launched an investigation but have not been able to find Mr Kobogau as of 20 October 2021. Meanwhile, the Kodam XVII Cenderawasih military command as well started investigating the allegations of enforced disappearance. The Raider 501 military post in Sugapa has not yet commented on the allegations of enforced disappearance.
Update on situation in Maybrat – more than 2,768 indigenous peoples from 50 villages displaced as security force operation is ongoing
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- Published on Thursday, 07 October 2021 09:48
The Civil Society Coalition for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maybrat (KMSPPM) published a new data on the current situation in Maybrat on 2 October 2021. According to a press release, more than 2768 indigenous Papuans from 50 Villages in the districts Aifat Selatan, Aifat Timur, Aifat Timur Jauh, Aifat Timur Tengah and Aifat Timur Selatan have fled their homes. They fear being arbitrarily arrested or tortured during the security force operation in Maybrat, which has been ongoing since 2 September 2021.The IDPs sought shelter (see photo, source: independent HRDs) in the nearby districts Aiyawasi, Kumurkek, Aitinyo, and other regencies, such as South Sorong, Bintuni, and Sorong.
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