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January 22, 2025 11:57 am Author: Larius Kogoya

Editor: Zely Ariane

Jayapura, Jubi – Amnesty International Indonesia Chapter Universitas Papua or Amnesty UNIPA urges the Pegunungan Bintang Regency Government, Papua Pegunungan Province, and the TNI Leadership to guarantee the rights of civilian refugees who are threatened in Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency.

Amnesty UNIPA Coordinator, Paskalis Haluk, expressed his concern over the threats to the rights of civilians who fled from Oksop District to Oksibil and its surroundings to protect themselves from military operations. He asked the government to immediately take concrete steps to ensure protection for residents who were forced to flee due to the sweeping of villages and residents’ homes.

According to Haluk, who saw firsthand the refugee camp in Mumbakon Village, Oksibil District, at the end of December 2024, the TNI’s actions have threatened the rights of the people in Oksop District since November until today.

“Kopassus is still occupying residents’ houses and churches, while other residents are still in the forest. Some residents have entered safe villages. I myself went down to see the field directly on December 29, 2024 to bring donations to the refugee community in Mumbakon Village, Oksibil District,” said Paskalis Haluk to Jubi in Jayapura City, Papua on Tuesday (1/21/2025).

The Amnesty UNIPA Coordinator emphasized that the situation faced by the Oksop community is a serious violation of human rights, as regulated in the 1945 Constitution and various national and international legal instruments. Article 28G paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution expressly guarantees the right of every person to a sense of security and protection from the threat of fear.

In addition, Indonesia is also bound by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 1949 Geneva Convention, which regulates the protection of refugees and civilians in situations of armed conflict, he said.

“The people in Oksop District are threatened with losing access to basic needs such as shelter, food, and health services. This is unacceptable because these rights are part of human rights that must be protected by the state,” said Haluk.

Paskalis Haluk explained the importance of respecting the basic principles of Human Rights in Military Operations (Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials), which were ratified by the UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Criminals. This principle emphasizes that the use of force by officers must be carried out proportionally, non-discriminatory, and respect human dignity.

He asked the Pegunungan Bintang Regency Government and the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government to ensure that the refugee community receives full protection, including access to basic needs, health services, and children’s education. He also asked the TNI to prioritize dialogue and a humanist approach in resolving the conflict in the Papua region.

“All forms of human rights violations committed by members of the security forces must be investigated independently, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. We ask the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to continue to monitor the situation on the ground. And respect for human rights is the main foundation in maintaining the integrity of the nation. We cannot build peace on human rights violations. The state has an obligation to ensure justice and security for all its citizens, including the people in Oksop,” he said.

The Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Ordo Fratrum Minorum (JPIC OFM) Papua, RP Alexandro Rangga OFM said, based on findings in the field at the end of November 2024, residents of five villages in Oksop District reported increased military activity in their area.

“Fear of armed conflict has encouraged people to flee to a safer place, namely Oksibil District,” said Rangga as quoted from a press release to Jubi in Jayapura, Papua, Friday (17/1/2025).

Until now, he continued, it is estimated that around 327 people have fled, with most of the others choosing to hide in the forest. There is detailed data on the number of refugees, including by gender, age, and village of origin.

“However, for the safety of the refugees, we cannot share this data with the public. Based on the testimony of the refugees, the presence of the military in Oksop District has caused fear and insecurity among the community,” he said.

“Some actions taken by the military, such as setting up posts inside churches and using public facilities without permission, have made the situation worse,” he said. (*)

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