Update on killing of Rev. Zanambani in Intan Jaya – Fact finding team submits report to Minister Mahfud MD
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- Published on Thursday, 22 October 2020 09:09
The joint fact-finding team (Tim Gabungan Pencari Fakta or TGPF) which was seconded by the coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Human Rights, Mahfud MD, to investigate the killing of Rev. Yeremia Zanambani, another civilian and two military members in the regency of Intan Jaya has submitted its report on 21 October 2020. The TGPF concluded in its report that there were indications that Rev Zanambani was killed with the involvement of military members or another third party. The other three victims were killed by members of “armed criminal groups”, said Mahfud MD. The military spokesperson, Colonel Suriastawa, explained in an interview on 22 October that the military will not cover-up this case and announced that the perpetrators will be brought to justice through the existing internal military procedures.
Military members enter church during ordination of new priests
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- Published on Monday, 19 October 2020 12:12
People in the village of Waris, Keerom Regency, were scared as a dozen military members came to the St. Michael Church on 18 October 2020. Catholics in the surrounding area had come to the church to witness the ordination of four new catholic priests. The congregational priest was able to calm down the congregation as fully armed military members with assault rifles (see photo) suddenly entered the church premises. The motive for the military operation remains unclear. After examining the interior and the front yard of the church, the military members left again without providing a clear reason for the operation. Local observers understood the visit as an attempt to intimidate the residents in Waris.
Indonesian Government plans to establish new plantations in Papua Province
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- Published on Monday, 19 October 2020 11:50
According to the news outlet Mongabay, the Indonesian Government is planning to establish new large-scale agricultural plantations across the country. The plans are threatening Indonesia’s last untouched tropical rain forests. Observers fear that the project will also result in the disenfranchisement of indigenous peoples and small farmers.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced on 23 September 2020 that the government’s "food estate program" would be expanded to the provinces of North and South Sumatra in the west of the country as well as East Nusa Tenggara and Papua in the east. However, Jokowi underlined that the government would focus on the plantations in Central Kalimantan and North Sumatra first, before expanding the program to the other regions. The food estate program follows the objective to secure national food supplies and end Indonesia's dependence on imported food crops.
Update on armed conflict in Intan Jaya – Government plans exploitation of gold reserves while residents face displacement and education crisis
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- Published on Monday, 19 October 2020 03:42
The armed conflict in Intan Jaya has significantly aggravated since December 2020. Shootings in January and February 2020 resulted in multiple civilian fatalities while at least 15 villages were reportedly affected by internal displacement. The recent killing of a Papuan pastor, the armed assault on a catholic catechist and the attack on an investigation team seconded by the central Government illustrate that the armed conflict in Intan Jaya is serious as never before. In midst the humanitarian crisis, the Indonesian Minister of State-owned Enterprises, Erick Thorir, announced in late September 2020 that he is planning to second the Indonesian mining company PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM) to exploit large gold resources under the Wabu Mountain in the Intan Jaya Regency.
Three Papuans shot down as police disperses unrest in Keerom
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- Published on Monday, 19 October 2020 03:06
A spontaneous unrest in the Papuan town of Arso was dispersed with force by the local police on 2 October 2020. Shortly before the riot, the announcement of results of a civil servant recruitment test triggered anger among a crowd of local residents. About 250 protesters complained that the percentage of indigenous Papuans in the recruitment process was below 80% as promoted by the Papuan Governor, Lukas Enembe.
The police officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas and fire arms as the protesters were throwing stones at the regent’s office. Witnesses stated that the situation went out of control when the police officers released multiple warning shots. One government office was set on fire during the incident (see photo, source: Jubi). Three protesters sustained bullet injuries during the crowd control operation while three other protesters were allegedly beaten by police members.
PAHAM Papua Media Release - Stop the transfer and processing of defendants outside of Papua with the argument Papua is not safe
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- Published on Tuesday, 13 October 2020 09:13
PAHAM Papua has released the following statement on 12 October 2020 (originally in Bahasa Indonesia):
The transfer of defendants for trial outside of Papua with the argument that the security situation in Papua is not conducive is a judicial policy that contradicts the current security policy in Papua. The security in Papua is currently maintained by more than 13,000 military personnel with complete combat facilities (Imparsial research 2011). This number excludes thousands of members of the national police, which also fulfil their security duties in Timika. We estimate that more than 15,000 security force members are currently deployed in Papua. Again, this number does not include thousands of military members who are being mobilised and will be seconded to Papua; part of them will be deployed to Timika.
Human Rights Update West Papua - 3rd Quarter 2020
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- Published on Wednesday, 14 October 2020 14:27
In the third quarter of 2020, several human rights indicators show a considerable deterioration of the situation, notably the significant increase in the number of extra-judicial killings (EJK) and the number of victims of torture and ill-treatment. The number of political arrests has risen sharply, mainly due to the increase in public demonstrations.
Six of the reported EJKs took place during security force operations in the regencies Mimika, Intan Jaya and Nduga, which have become the hotspots of armed conflict. Military and police representatives have repeatedly justified such killings by publicly claiming that the victims were members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) without providing any evidence. Those killings are then neither further investigated, nor are the cases transferred to the police or military internal investigation units.
Pacific Islands Forum reaffirms support for open and constructive dialogue on the human rights situation in West Papua
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- Published on Monday, 12 October 2020 10:46
Through a press release on 8 October 2020, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Honourable Kausea Natano, has reaffirmed the importance of open and constructive dialogue on the human rights situation in West Papua. Following the intervention of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu in the general debate of the 75th Session of the General Assembly of the UN, in which he brought up the human rights situation in West Papua, the Pacific Islands Forum is requesting an update on the consultations with the Government of Indonesia concerning the invitation for a UN mission to West Papua. The press release reads as follows:
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