Military members kill indigenous Papuan and injure three others in Tolikara Regency
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- Published on Tuesday, 26 November 2019 03:30
A group of military members reportedly shot dead a Papuan student named Lemitur Wandik (27 years) on 9 November 2019 at Giling Batu Street in the highland town of Karubaga, Tolikara Regency. Three of Lemitur’s friends were injured during the incident. One of them, Yakoka Wandik, was taken into custody at the Tolikara District Police station. Residents had called the military personnel to settle a dispute between migrant traders and a group of indigenous Papuans.
'Papuans Behind Bars' publishes new report on political prisoners, treason charges and lack of judicial transparency in political prisoner cases
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- Published on Tuesday, 26 November 2019 01:34
Numerous political arrests have taken place in 2018 and 2019 as the Indonesian authorities attempted to suppress political protests in West Papua and Indonesia. In particular, treason charges have been used to an unprecedented extent to arrest political activists during August and September this year, in response to an apparent increase in support across Indonesia for the West Papuan self-determination struggle. Foreign as well as local human rights advocates are being subjected to similar scrutiny.
IPAC publishes new report - Numbers matter, The 2020 census and conflict in Papua
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- Published on Friday, 08 November 2019 01:29
The Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) has published a new report discussing conflict-related issues and challenges in West Papua for the implementation of the upcoming census in 2020. Increasing polarization of West Papua's civil society have resulted in high potential for horizontal conflicts. As tensions keep growing in the provinces of Papua and Papua Barat, provincial and local government institutions have failed to produce valid demographic data on West Papua's population.
1,200 Papuan students return to Meepago area - Police arrests 19 protesters during peaceful assembly in Nabire
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- Published on Wednesday, 06 November 2019 04:34
The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Desk (JPIC) of the Papuan Tabernacle Church (KINGMI Papua) have reported further arrests of students in the Papuan town of Nabire. According to JPIC Kingmi Papua, 1,200 students from Meepago, one of the seven customary regions in West Papua, have interrupted their studies in other Indonesian cities and returned to their homes because they feared further racism-motivated attacks like the ones that took place in the Javanese cities of Malang and Surabaya in mid-August 2019. The students built a refugee post in Nabire in early September. Around 720 students gathered at the refugee post for almost two months. The students sent letters to the regents in Meepago and requested an audience in order to discuss their situation with the local government representatives.
2019 Press Freedom Index in Papua Province: lowest in Indonesia
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- Published on Wednesday, 06 November 2019 04:30
A national survey on press freedom came to the result that the province of Papua has the lowest Press Freedom Index (PFI) in Indonesia for 2019. The PFI was determined based on 20 indicators. Four-hundred-eight specialists from 34 Indonesian provinces participated in the survey. According to the survey, the highest level of press freedom exists in the province of Central Sulawesi with a PFI of 84.84 out of a maximum score of 100. The PFI in the province of Papua raised from 59.3 in 2018 to 66.56 in 2019. However, this score marks the lowest among all 34 provinces in Indonesia.
Human rights defenders find grave in Nduga Regency – Evidence points to involvement of Indonesian military members
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- Published on Tuesday, 05 November 2019 01:32
The Foundation for Justice and Integrity of the Papuan People (YKKMP) reported that a team of helpers have found a grave near Iniye Village, in the Regency of Nduga, where a security force operation has been taking place since early December 2018. On 9 October 2019, the team went to the Nduga regency in search for a group of five persons who had been missing since 20 September 2019. The grave was found at the Kanbobo mountain. According to YKKMP, the grave had been camouflaged with tree branches, moss, grass and leaves (see image below). The excavation team found outdoor stoves, socks and canned food as used by the Indonesian army in an abandoned camp near the grave. Furthermore, the team found two bullet casings next to the grave.
Anti-racism riot in Wamena affects education and medical services in the regencies Jayawijaya and Yahukimo
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 October 2019 22:37
The anti-racism riot in Wamena continues to affect education and medical services in the central highlands. Many non-Papuans who work in the central highlands of West Papua - among them many teachers, doctors and health workers - left in fear of ethnic violence. In the regency of Jayawijaya, the riot has caused the demolition of 25 education facilities including kindergartens, primary schools and high schools. Although schools in Wamena re-opened on 7 October 2019, many students and teachers are still traumatised after the riot and stay away from class. More than 8,000 persons in the Jayawijaya regency living with HIV/AIDS reportedly face difficulties to access health services and antiretroviral medication because 27 health centres (Puskesmas) in the areas around Wamena closed due to lack of medical staff. Medical services and education facilities in Wamena have resumed work after deployment of additional security forces.
Update on Biak police detention suicide case – Victim’s family demand transparency and justice
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 October 2019 22:34
The national human rights mechanisms in Indonesia remain highly ‘unattractive’ for victims of human rights violations and their relatives, contributing to conditions in which perpetrators of security forces enjoy impunity while the victims fail to access justice and restitution. The case of Ronaldo Yawan (21 years) is emblematic for the shortcomings of Indonesia’s national human rights system. Ronaldo was found dead on 15 June 2018 in his detention cell in Biak, tow days after police officers arrested and detained him. The officers claimed that Ronaldo Yawan hung himself using his belt. For four months, Ronaldo’s relatives have in vain requested a transparent investigation into his death.
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