News Desk – Armed Conflict In The Land Of Papua 

14 December 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), revealed that his office received 65 complaints concerning alleged human rights abuses in Papua from January to December 2023. This announcement came during the 75th World Human Rights Day commemoration in Jayapura, Papua Province, on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

Ramandey stated that out of the 65 complaints, 43 were related to alleged violations of civil and political Rights, predominantly involving armed violence.

“Meanwhile, the remaining 23 complaints were related to suspected violations of economic, social, and cultural Rights,” he added.

He further disclosed that as a consequence of the reported violence, 40 people died, 41 were injured, one was held captive, and one person went missing. These victims consisted of civilians (59), health workers (5), members of the West Papua National Liberation Army or TPNPB (10), Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers (5), and police personnel (3).

“We are deeply concerned about the continuous string of violence. Our condolences go out to the victims,” he expressed.

Ramandey emphasized that the ongoing and repeated violence indicated flaws in handling the situation in Papua. He highlighted the significance of the Humanitarian Pause appeal made by several national figures in Jakarta on November 9, 2023, aimed at easing armed conflicts and improving the situation in Papua. Efforts to ease armed conflicts are essential for managing refugees and initiating peaceful dialogues in Papua to halt violence.

“Otherwise, the cycle of violence will only escalate,” he warned.

Komnas HAM Papua urged the TNI and police as well as the TPNPB to cease armed violence and seek legal and humanitarian approaches to resolve issues in Papua. They also called upon the provincial and municipal governments in Papua to prioritize human rights issues and create a violence-free living environment.

Additionally, Komnas HAM Papua stressed the importance of considering the rights of indigenous communities in the development of the newly formed province resulting from the division of Papua Province, in line with human rights values and principles. (*)

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Komnas HAM Papua voices concern over freedom suppression in Papua

4) Komnas HAM Papua voices concern over freedom suppression in Papua  

News Desk – Freedom Of Expression In The Land Of Papua 

14 December 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua), highlighted the consistent stifling of citizens’ freedoms by the state through police authorities in Papua. Speaking during the 75th World Human Rights Day commemoration in Jayapura on Sunday, December 10, 2023, Ramandey stressed that the values of freedom, equality, and justice for all in Papua are yet to be fully realized.

He emphasized that the freedom of expression and public opinion in Papua has consistently been and suppressed by the police, creating limited space for citizens to voice their aspirations.

“Human rights values must be respected, protected, and fulfilled by the state,” he stated.

Additionally, a report titled “Dong Penjarakan Tong Pu Suara dan Pikiran” (They Suppressed My Thoughts) by Pusaka Bentala Rakyat in 2022 documented 26 alleged cases of freedom of expression violations in Papua. These incidents led to three fatalities and 72 injuries, with 361 individuals arbitrarily detained. Among those arrested, 26 faced legal proceedings, and 18 were charged with subversion, facing potential life imprisonment.

Also speaking in the same event, Onan Kobogau, the Chair of the Student Executive Board of Timika University, reported that the Mimika Police forcefully disbanded the commemoration of World Human Rights Day in Timika, detaining 41 individuals. Kobogau and four others sustained injuries from police using firearm butts.

Jubi tried to obtain a response from the Mimika Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. I Gede Putra regarding the disbandment of the World Human Rights Day commemoration in Timika but to no avail as of Sunday. (*)

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