First effects of Govt’s terrorist label for Papuan armed groups - Papuan student organisation in Bali stigmatised as terrorists
- Details
- Published on Monday, 03 May 2021 11:53
On 29 April 2021, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Prof. Mahfud MD, announced during a press conference that from now on, the armed separatist groups in West Papua will be categorised as terrorists. A few days after the Government move, Papuan students in Bali said they found at least ten posters near student dormitories and universities in Bali’s main city Denpasar, stigmatising the Papuan Students Alliance (AMP) as a terrorist group. Papuan students understand the campaign as an act of intimidation against them.
Indigenous communities demand the stop of construction of military command and immediate withdrawal of military in Tambrauw
- Details
- Published on Monday, 03 May 2021 11:31
The Indonesian government will continue building the KODIM 1810 military district command in Kowoor, Tambrauw Regency, despite the many protests against it. This was announced by members of the local parliament on 17 April 2021. With this action, the government is ignoring the many voices against the expansion of military facilities. The first reactions against the military base took place over a year ago, and since then, there have been multiple cases of military violence against indigenous community members in Tambrauw. The most recent case was documented on 9 April 2021, as two members of the Pamrahwan Yonif RK 763 military post tortured a Papuan man in the village of Wayo. Indigenous land rights in Tambrauw have claimed that their land was handed over to the military without their free, prior, informed consent (FPIC).
Indonesian Govt labelling Papuan resistance groups as terrorists earns widespread criticism
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 02 May 2021 07:47
Following the Indonesian Government’s (Govt) announcement on 29 April 2021 to label the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) and associated groups as terrorist organisations, multiple observers and stakeholders have voiced criticism. Churches, political organisations and NGOs expressed concern about the new move by the Indonesian Govt.
Indonesian Government labels Papuan armed separatist groups as terrorists
- Details
- Published on Friday, 30 April 2021 19:20
On 29 April 2021, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Prof. Mahfud MD announced during a press conference (see photo) that the armed separatist groups in West Papua will from now on be categorised as terrorists. The decision comes only four days after President Joko Widodo gave the order to Indonesian Military (TNI) commander, Hadi Tjahjanto, and National Police chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to find and arrest all members of armed separatist groups in West Papua. Both statements were released in response to the killing of the Papuan intelligence chief, I Gusti Putu Danny, on 25 April 2021 by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB). In Jakarta, Bambang Soesatyo, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), urged the government to deploy forces at full strength. He was quoted in the media saying, "Destroy them first. We will discuss human rights matters later". Human rights organisations criticised his statement.
Military operation in Puncak causes internal displacement - Jakarta continues deployment of additional troops
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 29 April 2021 12:30
Joint security faces have launched a massive military operation in the Puncak Regency, Papua Province, on 27 April 2021. The operation followed the killing of the Papuan intelligence chief and the subsequent speech by President Joko Widodo, in which he gave the order to the national police and the military to find and arrest all members of armed criminal groups in West Papua. The security force operation caused villagers from four districts in Puncak to flee their homes and seek shelter in nearby churches. Meanwhile, the Indonesian military is deploying additional troops to conflict hot spots in the Papuan central highlands. The armed conflict in the regencies Puncak and Intan Jaya is believed to intensify in the coming weeks. Human rights groups fear further human rights violations in the combat areas.
TPN PB kills Papua Intelligence Chief in Puncak Regency – Human rights observers fear further military raids
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 25 April 2021 11:10
Members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) have shot dead the Papua Intelligence Chief, I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya. The shooting occurred on 25 April 2021, as the intelligence chief visited the village of Dambet in the Beoga District of Puncak Regency, Papua Province. The TPN PB officially claimed responsibility for the killing. During a public speech on 26 April 2021, President Joko Widodo ordered the military and police to arrest all perpetrators responsible for the killings in the Beoga District. Human rights observers are concerned that the military will soon conduct more raids in the Puncak Regency. Past security force operations in Puncak and other conflict areas have been frequently accompanied by extra-judicial killings, torture and internal displacement of the indigenous population.
Verdict in trial against political activist – Judges sentence Soon Tabuni to 1 year and € 57,000 fine
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 25 April 2021 11:07
On 23 April 2021, judges at the Timika District Court found Soon Tabuni guilty of violating Article 45A (2) on hate speech of Law No. 19 /2016 about the amendment of Law No. 11/2008 on Electronic Information and Transaction. He was sentenced to one year imprisonment and a fine of one billion rupiahs (about € 57,000), substitutable by six months detention. Previously, the public prosecutor had sought a sentence of one year and six months in addition to the fine of one billion rupiahs. Soon Tabuni still considers appealing against the verdict. Human rights observers understand his prosecution as an act of criminalisation and an attack on the freedom of expression.
Journalist in West Papua subjected to intimidation – Activists urge the police to prosecute perpetrators
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 22 April 2021 12:12
Papuan journalist Victor Mambor was reportedly intimidated on 21 April 2021. According to information received, the perpetrator(s) damaged Victor Mambor’s car between 12.00 and 2.00 am. The vehicle was parked on a public road in front of his house in Jayapura. The perpetrator(s) smashed the windshield and two side windows and defaced the car with spray paint (see photos, source Jubi). Activists believe that the attack was meant to intimidate Victor Mambor after he wrote several critical articles on the human rights situation in West Papua for the Papuan news outlet Jubi. Victor Mambor officially reported the case to the local police.
More Articles...
- New Report on Deforestation in West Papua - Highest levels of deforestation occurred under Jokowi Government
- Public order police prohibit peaceful assembly and intimidates protesters in Deiyai
- Law enforcement process against 2 Papuan students in Jakarta – Judge rules arrest in accordance with criminal procedure code
- Minister says previous Government responsible for massive deforestation in West Papua – NGOs demand action against illegal palm oil businesses
- Police officers torture Papuan during custody in Nabire
- Human Rights Update West Papua - 1st Quarter 2021
- Soldiers torture Papuan man in Tambrauw Regency - Residents demand the withdrawal of military
- Resistance fighters execute two teachers and a pupil in Puncak Regency
- West Papua Council of Churches asks the MSG to accept ULMWP's membership
- Security force members shoot dead Papuan gold panner in Mimika Regency