West Papua 'becoming a hunting ground' as Indonesian forces open fire on...

Breaking News from West Papua: Melanesians Demonstrating against Special Autonomy Law Shot in Front of University Campus in Jayapura

Mathias Soo, Shot by Indonesian Police/ Army

This morning, at 10:29 West Papua time, a student by the name of Mathias Soo or Mathias Suu was shot by Indonesian police, tortured many others.

The students refusing the Special Autonomy offer by Indonesia and demanding independence referendum. Demonstrations were held at the Cenderawasih University Campus campus, the first and largest campus in Western New Guinea.

Many others were arrested, tear gas was shot into the students.

There spots were announced for the peaceful demonstration today: Waena Expo centre, Auditorium of the Cenderawasih University and Perumnas 3, in front of the Yahukumo Student dormitory

We request media advocacy

#Mahasiswa #WestPapua #TolakOtsus #TolakOtonomiKhusus #Referendum#PapuaMerdeka #FreeWestPapua

Ahead of Christmas, military, police officers killed in latest conflicts in Papua

Benny Mawel, The Jakarta Post

Two military officers and a policeman have been killed during recent clashes in Papua, sparking fear among residents of the predominantly Christian region with the conflicts breaking out just one week prior to Christmas day.

In Papua’s Intan Jaya regency, two soldiers – identified as First Lt. Erizal Zuhri and Second Sgt. Rizky – were killed in a shootout with members of West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Sugapa district, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Col. Taibur Rahman said.

The TNI soldiers, who were deployed to the restive region as part of a joint military and police security task force, were attacked when they were on duty to secure the district while its residents prepared for Christmas celebrations on Tuesday, he said.

Taibur claimed the task force had received reports from residents that members of an armed criminal group in the area had intimidated and physically abused them.

“The security staffers were intensifying patrols in the area suspected to be the group’s base when suddenly a shootout broke out and the two TNI soldiers were killed,” he said in a statement.

Taibur added that the attackers were suspected to have also been behind the shooting of three ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers, who were found dead in the district with bullet wounds to their heads on Oct. 25.

In Yahukimo, meanwhile, Brig. Hendra Saut Sibarani – a member of the Riau Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit deployed as part of a security operation to the regency – died during a brawl with several locals on Wednesday, Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ahmad Mustofa Kamal said.

Ahmad said the conflict broke out at Yahukimo Police headquarters after several officers reprimanded a resident for urinating on a wall next to a police post.
The resident, angered by the police’s response, reportedly initiated the brawl. “He called bystanders around the post and by the road. They formed a group and then attacked the police’s headquarters,” Ahmad said.

The Jakarta Post asked Ahmad via text message for an update on the situation in Yahukimo on Thursday. “Everything is under control. Thanks,” he replied.

As Christmas nears, these conflicts in Papua ─ which follow a string of violent and deadly incidents in the restive region since August this year ─ have caused fear and a sense of insecurity among many locals, head of Sugapa’s St. Mikael parish council John Abugau said.

He said many residents were too afraid to go about their normal daily activities and were also frightened by the sound of military helicopters patrolling the area.

“People choose to stay at home, while the helicopter flies overhead. They are frightened by just the sound of the helicopter,” he told the Post on Thursday.

He called on military officers to adopt a different approach to safeguard the area so that people could resume their normal daily activities. (vla)

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/

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via IFTTT December 25, 2019 at 07:26PM

Indonesia’s military says 2 soldiers killed in Papua clash

By Niniek Karmini | AP

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Two soldiers were killed in a clash between security forces and independence fighters in Indonesia’s restive easternmost province of Papua, the military said Wednesday.
Military spokesman Col. Taibur Rahman said rebels opened fire at troops on patrol in a village in Intan Jaya district on Tuesday, killing at least two soldiers. The village is known as a hotbed of separatist rebels.
He said the troops had been deployed to help police prevent any disturbances by separatists ahead of Christmas celebrations in the predominantly Christian region.
The shootout is the latest in a series of violent incidents this year in the mineral-rich but impoverished Papua region, where conflicts between indigenous Papuans and Indonesian security forces are common.

The military said two suspected rebels were killed in a gunbattle on Dec. 2 in Lanny Jaya district, in an apparent escalation of attacks by the West Papua National Liberation Army, the military wing of the Free Papua Movement, marking Dec. 1, which many Papuans consider to be the anniversary of what should have been their independence.

Police said they arrested at least 34 people accused of treason on Dec. 1 for attending a ceremony and raising flags with the separatist symbol. A declaration of independence from Dutch rule on Dec. 1, 1961, was rejected by the Dutch and later by Indonesia.
In September, more than 30 people were killed during violent protests by thousands of people in Papua and West Papua provinces against alleged racism toward Papuans.

An insurgency has simmered since the early 1960s in Papua, a a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was widely seen as a sham.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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via IFTTT December 25, 2019 at 07:07PM

West Papua unrest: Shootout prompts border closure

The Wutung entry facility at the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is an important trading access point. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Land and sea access between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea has been closed after a shootout at the border.

This follows reports of an Indonesian troop build-up along the border from communities in PNG’s West Sepik province.

Indonesian-ruled West Papua has been gripped by weeks of protests and violent unrest which has left dozens of people dead.

Amid a security forces crackdown, concern has been raised in neighbouring PNG about another potential influx of West Papuan refugees

PNG’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority has advised that following a shootout the border is closed to nationals from both sides until further notice.

It said shopping at the Batas market, close to the border on the Indonesian side, as well as movement into the West Papuan capital Jayapura was “completely banned”.

Earlier this week, PNG’s EMTV reported villagers at Wutung on the PNG side of the border as saying school children were ordered to return home.

Usually, most land and sea cross-border movement occurs around Papua New Guinea’s north coast.

Our Story:

1. West Papua – PNG Border Incident: 2 Indonesian Soldiers Killed Today
2. West Papua – PNG Border Incident: 2 Indonesian Soldiers Killed Today
3. Chief Gen. WPRA Mathias Wenda: West Papua Revolutionary Army is Responsible for the Action at Wutung, PNG-West Papua Border that Killed 2 Indonesian Soldiers Today 1 October 2019

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via IFTTT October 03, 2019 at 03:49PM

Shop closed at border

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK and REBECCA KUKU

Indonesian Military Patrol along the Indonesian side of the border

AN Indonesian shopping centre frequented by Papua New Guineans at the border with Indonesia has been closed indefinitely after a clash between rebels and Indonesian soldiers.

This was confirmed yesterday by PNG Consular-General Geoffrey Wiri.

“The Operassi Papua Merdeka (OPM) rebels came across the border into PNG and fired shots back targeting the Indonesian military base on Tuesday,” he said. “There were no reports of casualties. The situation has calmed down (but) business activities at the border (remain) closed.”

Wiri, who is based in Jayapura, said the clash occurred near Wutung village in West Sepik.

PNG and Indonesian border authorities plan to meet next week to decide what to do next.

Meanwhile, Morehead Station manager Maninanzang Gantau said the situation along the southern part of the border in Western was normal.

“Indonesian officials will advise us when to stop villagers crossing into the Indonesian border town of Sota when they feel that it is not safe,” he said.

Gantau said the shooting near Wutung was probably a lead-up to the OPM flag-raising ceremony in November.

“Right now there is a heavy buildup of Indonesian military along the southern part of the border.”

He said West Papuans involved in the OPM and living outside West Papua usually return home to take part in the ceremony.

Meanwhile, West Sepik police commander Moses Ibsagi has warned PNG citizens living along the border not cross to Indonesia yet.

“The situation is still tense on the other side of the border (even though) our side is very quiet,” he said.

“We have two PNG Defense Force platoons on the ground and I have a manpower of 32 with me. Our instruction is to ensure the safety of PNG citizens living along the border and that government facilities are protected.”

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via IFTTT October 03, 2019 at 03:39PM

Chief Gen. WPRA Mathias Wenda: West Papua Revolutionary Army is Responsible for the Action at Wutung, PNG-West Papua Border that Killed 2 Indonesian Soldiers Today 1 October 2019

A statement was released from the Central Defense Headquarters of West Papua Revolutionary Army (WPRA) today that Mathias Wenda, Chief Gen. WPRA has led hist troops to the border area between West Papua and Papua New Guinea and shot dead 2 Indonesian soldiers who have occupied our land and deployed into our land to shoot and kill.

In a press release, Gen. Wenda urges all Melanesian leaders to get up, unite and fight against racial and terrorist government of Indonesia.

For further information please go to www.wparmy dot info

Three people, including 3-year-old, killed in West Papua clash

The Indonesian military’s Cenderawasih district chief commander Herman Asaribab visiting victims of Puncak shootings in hospital. Photo: TNI

Three civilians, including a 3-year old boy, have died in a shootout with rebels in West Papua, Indonesia’s military says.

The military insisted the people were shot by rebel fighters, while but a Papuan pro-independence military group said Indonesian soldiers were responsible.

A spokesperson for Indonesia’s military said fighting broke out on Tuesday when rebels attacked security forces in Puncak regency’s Ilaga district.

Eko Daryanto said the rebels then retreated into the forest while shooting randomly, killing three civilians and injuring four.

Mr Daryanto had earlier said all seven were injured with gunshot wounds.

The West Papua Liberation Army claimed seven civilians were killed by security forces after they launched an assault on the village.

It’s the latest exchange in a protracted conflict between a military faction of the Papuan independence movement and Indonesian forces in Papua’s remote Highlands region which intensified last year.

Indonesia’s Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told reporters on Thursday military and police could not be pulled out of Papua in case the region seceded from the republic, the state-news agency Antara reported.

Source: RNZ

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via IFTTT September 26, 2019 at 11:40AM

Death toll from West Papua clashes rises to 26

Two Melanesian High School Students Shot by TNI/ Police of Indonesia

The death toll from clashes between protesters and Indonesian forces in West Papua has risen to 26.

Violence erupted in the provincial capital Jayapura and the main Highlands town Wamena on Sunday, an escalation of protests that have gripped the province for weeks.

Indonesia’s military says 22 people were killed during riots in Wamena, where students were protesting over a racism allegation.

Government buildings and businesses were torched by large crowds.

The military says four people – including a soldier – were killed in a separate protest by students there.

Seven-hundred and thirty-three people are being held at Papua police headquarters in Jayapura.

Photo: Supplied

Source: RNZ

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via IFTTT September 26, 2019 at 11:19AM

West Papua students 'shot by militias' as video of soldiers firing on crowds emerges

Three students believed shot in dormitories on Sunday, as video emerges of last week’s clashes in which soldiers fire on peaceful protests

Three West Papuan students have reportedly been shot in their dormitories by militia groups amid growing tensions in the region, as disturbing footage emerged of Indonesian soldiers firing on peaceful demonstrators during clashes last week in which protesters say six died.

The Papuan students were attacked in a dormitory in Abepura district, Jayapura, by police-backed armed militias on Sunday. One student was killed by a bullet wound to the chest. The students were reportedly attacked as they tried to defend themselves from vigilantes from a pro-Jakarta group calling itself Masyarakat Nusantara (Archipelago Community).

Papuan protesters allege non-Papuan vigilante groups are being encouraged by police and military to attack Papuans during what has been more than a fortnight of protests over racial discrimination and abuse as well as calls for independence from Indonesia.

Despite an internet blackout across Papua and West Papua, footage has emerged showing soldiers firing at a crowd of demonstrators outside a government office in Deiyai last week: some of the demonstrators are standing with their hands in the air, as soldiers move in.

Protesters say six people were killed in the confrontation, and more than a dozen injured, after a police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration that had occupied the regent’s office in the middle of Deiyai city.

Victor Yeimo from the West Papua National Committee said: “They [went] inside peacefully, but suddenly, without any provocation police opened fire into the mass of demonstrators. Then … people attacked with bow and arrow.”

Photos have emerged of the body of one Indonesian soldier killed in the clash last Wednesday, his body pierced with arrows.

Papua police spokesperson Commander Anton Ampang has disputed the death count, saying one protester was killed, and that security forces opened fire only after being attacked. “Around 1,000 people armed with arrows, spears and machetes joined the protesters and started to dance the Waita dance [a traditional war dance] and threw rocks at the security forces,” Anton said in a statement.

Military personnel in a car were attacked, he said.

“The crowd shot arrows and threw rocks at security personnel in front of the Deiyai regent’s office and there were even sounds of gunfire from the direction of the crowd, leading security personnel to shoot at the attackers,” 

he said.

Demonstrations have broken out across Papua and West Papua, often descending into violence after being opposed by security forces and vigilante groups. Because of an internet shutdown across the remote provinces, information on clashes is emerging slowly, and is hard to verify.

Footage from Fakfak on the south-west coast of Papua on 21 August has also emerged, showing armed militia, some carrying Indonesian flags, clashing with Papuan protesters. Police and military personnel move among the pro-Jakarta militia, and gunshots can be heard.

Alfa Isnaeni of the nationalist Banser militia, the paramilitary wing of Indonesia’s largest independent Islamic organisation Nahdlatul Ulama, said 2,000 members were conducting “combing out” operations, seeking information on anti-Indonesia groups, but said militia members were prepared to conduct security operations if requested. “If the TNI [Indonesian military] commander or the defence minister asks us, the only thing we can say is that we’re ready,” Isnaeni said.

And in Jayapura, a lone protester scaled a giant flagpole to tear down the Indonesian national flag, replacing it with the Morning Star flag on West Papua, an act that carries a potential 15-year jail term.

Police have responded to weeks of demonstrations by banning “anarchist” demonstration, and arresting dozens on Papuans accused of rioting in the region’s capital.

“Everyone is forbidden from carrying out demonstrations and conveying opinions in public that could give rise to anarchist acts, damage, and burning of public facilities,” a six-point police order said.

Indonesia earlier said it would deploy about 2,500 more police and troops to Papua, adding to about 1,200 personnel it had already sent after unrest first broke out.

The mineral-rich but under-developed and impoverished region of Papua has been the scene of a low-level insurgency against Indonesia’s rule for decades.

But protests marking the August anniversaries of the New York Agreement and the Act of Free Choice - the political acts which formalised Indonesian control of Papua - have been further sparked by racist bullying of Papuan students in Java, and police reprisals against them for demonstrating.

The exiled leader of the United Movement for the Liberation of West Papua Benny Wenda said the independence movement was peaceful and that a free and fair referendum was the only solution to the long-running contestation of the region.

“As Indonesia deliberately tries to create ethnic conflict in West Papua with militia, I must stress that for West Papuans our enemy is not the Indonesian people. Our enemy is only the system of colonisation. We will not be provoked. Our peaceful struggle is for a referendum.”

Dame Meg Taylor, the secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, said she was deeply concerned by the escalating violence, and called for calm and restraint from all parties. She said the “root causes of the conflict” must be addressed by peaceful means. “These events make the proposed visit of the UN high commissioner for human rights to West Papua even more important.”

Ben Doherty and agencies

 @bendohertycorro

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/