New Report on Deforestation in West Papua - Highest levels of deforestation occurred under Jokowi Government
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- Published on Thursday, 22 April 2021 11:54
The Indonesian NGO Auriga has published a new report about deforestation in West Papua. The report carries the title “Planned Deforestation: Forest Policy in Papua” and contains updated information about the reasons, developments and current state of forests in West Papua. Even though Indonesia has successfully decreased its carbon emissions on a national level since 2015, the highest levels of deforestation in West Papua have reportedly occurred under the current Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, who has held office since the first term of Joko Widodo’s presidency.
The provinces of Papua and Papua Barat are home to the largest remaining forest area in Indonesia, with 33,847,928 hectares. Both provinces were granted an autonomy status in 2001. However, the special autonomy status has not helped reduce deforestation in West Papua due to a lack of clarity in harmonising conflicting national and local regulations. Growing deforestation in West Papua is related to the massive administrative partition that has taken place in West Papua. Each time new regencies were formed, the lack of definitive administrative boundaries, functional regional government organisational and proper development planning has contributed to deforestation.
Public order police prohibit peaceful assembly and intimidates protesters in Deiyai
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 April 2021 04:48
In the Deiyai Regency, Papua province, the local police prohibited a peaceful assembly against the prolongation of the special autonomy and the planned administrative partition of the Papua Province into five provinces. A civil society group named Papuan People Solidarity (SRP) planned to organise an open panel discussion in the town of Waghete on 19 April 2021. Still, the local police decided to ban the event on short notice. Members of the public order police task force (Satpol PP), together with two indigenous leaders, reportedly drove through Waghete and intimidated the residents with megaphones, warning them not to participate in the public assembly. SRP finally cancelled the panel discussion.
Law enforcement process against 2 Papuan students in Jakarta – Judge rules arrest in accordance with criminal procedure code
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 April 2021 04:13
A judge at the South-Jakarta District Court (see photo, source: Jubi) ruled that the arrest and detention of the Papuan students Kevin Molama and Ruland Karafir were following criminal procedure regulations in Indonesia. Lawyers explained that the judge ignored multiple failures which police officers had committed during arrest and detention. The police officers reportedly entered the dormitory in civil clothing without showing an arrest and search warrant at the time of the arrest. According to the lawyers, the police issued the warrant letters one week after the arrest.
Minister says previous Government responsible for massive deforestation in West Papua – NGOs demand action against illegal palm oil businesses
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- Published on Monday, 19 April 2021 12:49
The Indonesian Minister for Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, explained in recent media interviews that the former Government was responsible for the massive deforestation and expansion of palm oil plantations in West Papua. She stated that all concessions had received recommendation letters from local regents and the governors in West Papua. According to Nurbaya, her ministry had significantly reduced the rate of oil palm expansion proposed by the regents and the Papuan governors. Local activists urged the Government to take immediate action against illegal palm oil activities instead of hiding behind the mistakes of past governments.
Police officers torture Papuan during custody in Nabire
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- Published on Monday, 19 April 2021 12:30
On 22 February 2021, police officers reportedly arrested Rupinus Nabelau in front of the Jepara Wadio Hotel in Nabire without showing a warrant. He was suspected of buying illegal firearms. Rupinus’ relatives and lawyer claim the officers brought him to an unknown location and tortured him for several hours. In vain, the relatives tried to find Rupinus Nabelau at the Nabire police station and the local hospital. In the late evening, family members were informed that he was admitted to the Siriwini Hospital in Nabire. Rupinus Nabelau’s face was allegedly bruised due to physical torture as they visited him at the hospital the following morning.
Human Rights Update West Papua - 1st Quarter 2021
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- Published on Tuesday, 20 April 2021 11:36
Of the eight reported cases of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances between January and March this year, seven were related to the central highlands' armed conflict. There was no investigation into any of the killings because the military claimed the victims were associated with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB). The intensity of the ongoing conflict is likely to aggravate as Jakarta continues deploying additional non-organic troops to West Papua. At least 1,800 additional military personnel and 100 special police force members were transferred to West Papua in the first quarter of 2021 to fight against the TPN PB, maintain public order and secure government and military interests. The Indonesian Government continues to seek a violent solution to the conflict. In March 2021, the Indonesian Government announced its plan to add the TPN PB to the terrorist organisations' list. This measure would make peaceful talks between the conflict parties even more improbable. The deployment of non-organic security forces and ongoing armed clashes go to the detriment of the indigenous peoples in conflict areas. The armed violence in the Intan Jaya Regency resulted in further displacements of at least 3,600 indigenous Papuans.
Soldiers torture Papuan man in Tambrauw Regency - Residents demand the withdrawal of military
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- Published on Tuesday, 13 April 2021 05:27
Two members of the Pamrahwan Yonif RK 762 military post have beaten a Papuan man in the village of Wayo, Tambrauw Regency, on 9 April 2021. According to the media outlet Suara Papua, Moses Yewen (45 years) wanted to buy food in a small restaurant in Wayo. A dispute arose after the two soldiers asked Moses Yewen (see photo, source: Suara Papua) what he wanted to do inside the restaurant. After a short argument, the two military members dragged Moses Yewen inside the nearby military post and repeatedly punched him to the body. Moses Yewen sustained bruises on his torso, as well as injuries on the feet and hands. On the following day, residents gathered in front of the Pamrahwan Yonif RK 763 military post and demanded that the military post be closed.
Resistance fighters execute two teachers and a pupil in Puncak Regency
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- Published on Tuesday, 13 April 2021 05:11
Members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) have claimed responsibility for killing two teachers in the Beoga District of Puncak Regency, Papua Province. One week later, the TPN PB again killed a senior high school student in the Illaga District. According to local media sources, the TPN PB alleged the three victims of acting as undercover agents for the military. The police denied that the teachers were working for the police or the army. On 8 April 2021, teacher Oktovianus Rayo was shot in Julogoma Village dead with two bullets in his back (see photo, source: independent HRD). On the following day, TPN PB members shot dead a second teacher named Yonathan Renden as he was on his way to the Ogolan Village. Their bodies were flown to Timika and later delivered to their home towns outside of West Papua. The killing of a pupil named Ali Mom occurred on 15 April 2021.
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