At least 4,862 indigenous Papuans internally displaced in Puncak Regency
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- Published on Thursday, 02 September 2021 11:18
A team consisting of humanitarian workers of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI) and one member of the Papuan Provincial Parliament (DPRP) have compiled updated information about the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) during a field trip to the Puncak Regency between 6 and 12 July 2021. The humanitarian team brought 7 tons of rice to Puncak for distribution among IDPs in Ilaga and Gome districts. According to data from the Social Affairs Department in Puncak Regency, at least 4,862 persons from 5 districts have been internally displaced since April 2021. In addition, an unknown number of IDPs have sought shelter in the villages Paluga and Bogolobak, Ilaga Utara District. Two women and three minors IDPs have reportedly died since April 2021.
New NGO report reveals relationships between military deployment and economic interests in West Papua
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- Published on Thursday, 02 September 2021 10:41
A new NGO report with the title “Ekonomi-Politik, Penempatan Militer Di Papua, Kasus Intan Jaya” has revealed the involvement of high-ranking police and military officials in various mining companies exploiting gold and other mineral resources in West Papua, with a focus on the Intan Jaya regency. The report is the result of joint research by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), WALHI Papua, Pusaka Bentala Rakyat, the Papua Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Papua), the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Greenpeace Indonesia, the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), and Trend Asia.
The armed conflict in Intan Jaya has significantly aggravated since December 2020. Security force operations throughout 2020 caused the widespread internal displacement of thousands of indigenous Papuans. They were accompanied by extra-judicial killings of civilians, including Papuan Pastor Rev Zanambani and catholic catechist Rufinus Tigau.
Mongabay: UNESCO calls for closure of road running through World Heritage park in Papua
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- Published on Thursday, 02 September 2021 10:30
UNESCO has urged the Indonesian government to close a stretch of road that runs through the largest protected area in Southeast Asia, citing its negative environmental impact.
In its latest report on the state of conservation of World Heritage Sites, UNESCO highlighted several concerns related to the 190-kilometre (118-mile) road that dissects Lorentz National Park in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua.
Spanning 2.35 million hectares (5.81 million acres), an area a third the size of Ireland, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s known for being the only protected area in the world to range continuously from snowcapped mountain peaks down to tropical marine environment, with extensive lowland wetlands in between.
Health condition of Victor Yeimo – Judge allows Yeimo's access to medical treatment
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- Published on Monday, 30 August 2021 09:29
The public prosecutor’s office in Jayapura finally processed the judge’s instruction to provide medical treatment for Victor Yeimo. On 30 August 2021, about 20 policemen, the public prosecutor, lawyers and two members of the Papuan provincial parliament, John Gobai and Laurenzus Kadepa, escorted Victor Yeimo to the public hospital in Jayapura (see photo, source: Jubi). He will undergo medical treatment until doctors confirm that his health condition is stable enough to attend the trial. The third trial hearing, which was supposed to take place on 31 August 2021, was indefinitely adjourned.
UN Special Rapporteurs initiate communication with Indonesian Govt in relation to prosecution of Victor Yeimo
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- Published on Monday, 30 August 2021 09:12
Multiple UN Special Procedures mandate-holders have initiated a communication with the Indonesian government on 30 August 2021 in response to the arrest and prosecution of Papuan human rights activist Victor Yeimo. They asked the government to respond to information submitted by civil society organisations (CSOs) shortly after the arrest of three Papuan activists, including Victor Yeimo. Indonesian authorities processed him for his involvement in peaceful anti-racism and self-determination campaigns in West Papua.
Update on trials against Papuan human rights activist Victor Yeimo – Public Prosecutor again hampers access to medical treatment
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- Published on Sunday, 29 August 2021 09:07
After more than three months of detention, the trial against Victor Yeimo was launched at the Jayapura district court on 24 August 2021. The international spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) was arrested on 9 May 2021 and charged with various criminal charges concerning a series of protests against racism in August and September 2019. The police and the public prosecutor have detained Victor Yeimo in an isolation cell at the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Jayapura. His lawyers raised repeated concerns over multiple criminal procedure violations during the detention at the Brimob headquarters. They initiated a pre-trial against the Papuan police chief to challenge the legality of Victor Yeimo’s arrest and detention. The pre-trial began on 19 August 2021.
Papuan protestor dies in hospital after being shot by security force members in Yahukimo
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- Published on Tuesday, 24 August 2021 09:51
Ferianus Asso passed away at the Bhayangkara Police Hospital in Jayapura due to bullet injuries in the stomach which he sustained as police officers dispersed a crowd of protesters in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency. Forty-eight protesters were arrested during the police operation.
According to the media outlet Jubi, relatives had treated Ferianus Asso with traditional medicine at home for three days because they were concerned about bringing him to the hospital. On 20 August 2021, Ferianus was admitted to the General Hospital in Yahukimo after his physical condition deteriorated. The doctors removed two bullet projectiles from his stomach(see photos, source: independent human rights activists). He was transferred to the police hospital in Jayapura for surgery on the same day.
Police operation in Yapen Island causes displacement of 215 villagers
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- Published on Thursday, 19 August 2021 08:44
A police operation in the Sasawa village, Yapen Barat District, on 5 August 2021 has reportedly caused the internal displacement of 215 villagers, mostly women and children. According to the local police chief in Kepulauan Yapen Regency, the police came to Sasawa after receiving complaints about “illegal activities” by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB).
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