Papuan church congregation under police surveillance – Church members prevented from attending worship in Jayapura
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- Published on Saturday, 13 July 2019 03:55
The International Coalition for Papua (ICP) is concerned about the intimidation of members of a Papuan Tabernacle church (KINGMI Papua) congregation on 14 July 2019 in Jayapura. Human rights defenders claim that members of the Pauan regional police (POLDA Papua) and the Jayapura Municipality police parked a police truck, a mini bus (Toyota Avanza) and several motorcycles in front of the Anugerah Church at Lembah Bahari Street. The police officers intercepted congregation members who came to attend the Sunday morning worship at 9.00 am and checked their identity cards. Many KINGMI church members who saw the police operation were afraid to enter the church building and attend the worship.
Commemorations of Papuan independence Proclamation – Protesters face intimidation and restrictions on freedom of assembly
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- Published on Tuesday, 09 July 2019 08:29
The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP), the Indonesian Peoples Front for West Papua (FRI West Papua) and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) organized demonstrations in commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the West Papuan Independence proclamation. On 1 July, students, sympathizers and political activists joined the peaceful demonstrations in 13 cities all over Indonesia, including Ambon, Ternate, Makassar, Bali, Malang, Semarang and Surabaya. The protesters demanded the Government to respect the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, stop ruthless natural resource exploitation and reduce the military presence in West Papua. The AMP reported that all demonstrations were strictly monitored by large numbers of police officers (see intro image). In some cities, the police prevented the demonstrations and blocked protesters from accessing public areas.
Update armed conflict in Nduga Regency – security force members kill indigenous woman and take her baby
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- Published on Tuesday, 09 July 2019 04:03
The International Coalition for Papua (ICP) has received credible information from multiple independent sources regarding the alleged killing of a 26-year-old indigenous woman named Kenmalet Gwijangge (see intro image) in the district of Mugi, Nduga regency. At the time of the incident Mrs. Gwijangge had her one-year-old Baby Raina Nirigi (see intro image) with her. She and three other indigenous women wanted to collect sweet potatoes as security force members opened fire at the women. While three women were able to flee, Kenmalet Gwijangge sustained a lethal bullet injury and dropped with her baby on the ground. It is currently not known whether Raina Nirigi remained unharmed and where the security force members brought the baby.
Human rights defenders reveal illegal gold mining operation at Siriwo River, Nabire Regency
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- Published on Monday, 08 July 2019 09:39
The Papuan Tabernacle church (KINGMI Papua) has raised concerns over a large-scale gold panning operation at the Siriwo River, Nabire Regency. The company PT Jichuan is currently building a large ship for excavation of gravel from the river bed in midst the forest (see intro image). The head of the Papuan Department for Energy and Mineral Resources (Dinas ESDM Provinsi Papua), Fred Bonay, confirmed in an interview with the local media outlet JUBI that the mining company does not have a license for alluvial gold extraction. In early July, a team from the Nabire District police visited the site at Kilometer 102, Siriwo District. The police stopped the construction temporarily until PT Jichuan has arranged the licenses for the gold panning operation, including an environmental impact assessment.
Human Rights Update West Papua - 2nd Quarter 2019
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- Published on Monday, 08 July 2019 02:07
Since December 2018, more than 100 civilians – the majority of them indigenous Papuans – have allegedly died as a consequence of the ongoing armed conflict in the Nduga regency. The conflict has reportedly led to the displacement of thousands of indigenous Papuans. The military operation in Nduga is ongoing, and human rights defenders, journalists and international observers are still restricted from entering the regency. The ICP is concerned about the significant increase of extra-judicial killings in the past nine months. While the high number of killings during the 4th quarter of 2018 and the 1st quarter of 2019 is mainly related to the armed conflict in Nduga, the additional six cases of killings and one alleged suicide while in detention during the 2nd quarter are the outcome of unprofessional behaviour of security force members. Five of those cases of killings were the consequence of the use of firearms during crowd control operations in the regencies Asmath and Deiyai. The high number of 29 cases of torture and ill-treatment is related to police violence against protesters during political demonstrations or police negligence to protect peaceful Pro-Papuan protesters from violent acts by members of nationalist mass organisations (ORMAS) in the Javanese city of Malang.
23 victims of extra-judicial killings in West Papua throughout 2018
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- Published on Sunday, 07 July 2019 05:56
The International Coalition for Papua (ICP) has documented the extra-judicial killings of twenty-three indigenous Papuans throughout the year 2018. The fact that all victims of extra-judicial killings were ethnic Papuans is emblematic of 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.
Update on ongoing military operation in Nduga Regency – death toll higher than expected
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- Published on Sunday, 07 July 2019 01:19
The extensive military operation in response to the killing of 19 roadworkers by TPN PB members in the regency of Nduga has cost more civilian lives than initially estimated. Latest information on the number of victims indicates that the death toll has reached more than 100 civilian victims, who died between in early December 2018 and the end of March 2019. The victims either died during displacement or as a direct result of armed security force violence. According to latest counts, fifteen civilians were killed during armed clashes, while another nine were injured. At least 83 indigenous IDPs died after fleeing their villages, while another five villagers have been reported missing.
Ronaldo Yawan dies during detention at police station in Biak – relatives raise allegations of torture
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- Published on Saturday, 22 June 2019 22:53
The Papuan victim solidarity group ‘Bersatu untuk Kebenaran’ (BUK) has expressed concerns over allegations of torture during the detention of a suspect at the district police station in Biak, Papua Province. Police officers arrested Ronaldo Yawan on 13 June 2019 after a resident had filed a complaint against him for stealing a pig. Relatives claim that they had already settled the issue outside of law. Witnesses saw police officers beating Ronaldo at the harbour, shortly after he was arrested on a ship leaving from Biak to Manokwari. Two days later, on 15 June 2019 around 5.00 pm, Ronaldo Yawan was found dead in his detention cell. Police officers claim that Ronaldo Yawan hung himself using his belt.
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