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Release of Victor Yeimo from Indonesian prison rekindles West Papuan fight against racism

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Prominent West Papuan independence activist Victor Yeimo was yesterday released from prison in Jayapura, Indonesia’s occupied capital of West Papua, sparking a massive celebration among thousands of Papuans.

His release has ignited a spirit of unity among Papuans in their fight against what they refer to as racism, colonialism, and imperialism.

His jailing was widely condemned by global human rights groups and legal networks as flawed and politically motivated by Indonesian authorities.

“Racism is a disease. Racism is a virus. Racism is first propagated by people who feel superior,” Yeimo told thousands of supporters.

He described racism as an illness and “even patients find it difficult to detect pain caused by racism”.

Victor Yeimo’s speech:

“Racism is a disease. Racism is a virus. Racism is first propagated by people who feel superior. The belief that other races are inferior. The feeling that another race is more primitive and backward than others.

“Remember the Papuan people, my fellow students, because racism is an illness, and even patients find it difficult to detect pain caused by racism.

“Racism has been historically upheld by some scientists, beginning in Europe and later in America. These scientists have claimed that white people are inherently more intelligent and respectful than black people based on biological differences.

“This flawed reasoning has been used to justify colonialism and imperialism in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, with researchers misguidedly asserting genetic and ecological superiority over other races.

“Therefore, there is a prejudice against other nations and races, with the belief that they are backward, primitive people, belonging to the lower or second class, who must be subdued, colonised, dominated, developed, exploited, and enslaved.

“Racism functions like a pervasive virus, infecting and spreading within societies. Colonialism introduced racism to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, profoundly influencing the perspectives and beliefs of Asians, Indonesians, and archipelago communities.

“It’s crucial to acknowledge that the enduring impact of over 350 years of racist ideology from the Dutch East Indies has deeply ingrained in generations, shaping their worldview in these regions due to the lasting effects of colonialism.

“Because racism is a virus, it is transmitted from the perpetrator to the victim. Colonised people are the victims.

“After Indonesia became independent, it succeeded in driving out colonialism, but failed to eliminate the racism engendered by European cultures against archipelago communities.

“Currently, racism has evolved into a deeply ingrained cultural phenomenon among the Indonesian population, leaving them with a sense of inferiority as a result of their history of colonisation.

“Brothers and sisters, I must tell you that it was racism that influenced Sukarno [the first President of Indonesia] to say other races and nations, including the Papuans, were puppet nations without political rights.

“It is racist prejudice.

“There is a perception among people from other nations, such as Javanese and Malays, that Papuans have not advanced, that they are still primitives who must be subdued, arranged, and constructed.

“In 1961, the Papuans were building a nation and a state, but it was considered an impostor state with prejudice against the Papuans. It is important for fellow students to learn this.

“It is imperative that the Papuan people learn that the annexation of this region is based on racist prejudice.

“The 1962 New York Agreement, the 1967 agreement between Indonesia and the United States regarding Freeport’s work contract, and the Act of Free Choice in 1969 excluded the participation of any Papuans.

“This exclusion was rooted in the belief that Papuans were viewed as primitive and not deserving of the right to determine their own political fate. The decision-making process was structured to allow unilateral decisions by parties who considered themselves superior, such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Indonesia.

“In this arrangement, the rightful owners of the nation and homeland, the Papuan people, were denied the opportunity to determine their own political destiny. This unequal and biased treatment exemplified racism.”

Victor Yeimo’s imprisonment
According to Jubi, a local West Papua media outlet, Victor Yeimo, international spokesperson of the West Papua Committee National (KNPB), was unjustly convicted of treason because he was deemed to have been involved in a demonstration protesting against a racism incident that occurred at the Kamasan III Papua student dormitory in Surabaya, East Java, on 16 August 2019.

He was accused of being a mastermind behind riots that shook West Papua sparked by the Surabaya incident, which led to his arrest and subsequent charge of treason on 21 February 2022.

However, on 5 May 2023, a panel of judges from the Jayapura District Court ruled that Victor Yeimo was not guilty of treason.

Nevertheless, the Jayapura Court of Judges found Yeimo guilty of violating Article 155, Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

The verdict was controversial because Article 155, Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code was never the charge against Victor Yeimo.

The article used to sentence Victor Yeimo to eight months in prison had even been revoked by the Constitutional Court.

On 12 May 2023, the Public Prosecutor and the Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition for Papua, acting as Victor Yeimo’s legal representatives, filed appeals against the Jayapura District Court ruling.

On 5 July 2023, a panel of judges of the Jayapura High Court, led by Paluko Hutagalung SH MH, together with member judges, Adrianus Agung Putrantono SH and Sigit Pangudianto SH MH, overturned the Jayapura District Court verdict, stating that Yeimo was proven to have committed treason, and sentenced him to one year in imprisonment.

Jubi.com stated that the sentence ended, and at exactly 11:17 WP, he was released by the Abepura Prerequisite Board.

International response
Global organisations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the Indonesian government’s treatment of Papuans and called for immediate action to address the issue of racism.

They have issued statements, conducted investigations, and raised awareness about the plight of Papuans, urging the international community to stand in solidarity with them.

Yeimo’s release brings new hope and strengthens their fight for independence.

His release has not only brought about a sense of relief and joy for his people and loved ones but has also reignited the flames of resistance against the Indonesian occupation.

At the Waena Expo Arena in Jayapura City yesterday, Yeimo was greeted by thousands of people who performed traditional dances and chanted “free West Papua”, displaying the region’s symbol of resistance and independence — the Morning Star flag.

Thousands of Papuans have united, standing in solidarity, singing, dancing, and rallying to advocate for an end to the crimes against humanity inflicted upon them.

Victor Yeimo’s bravery, determination and triumph in the face of adversity have made him a symbol of hope for many. He has inspired them to continue fighting for justice and West Papua’s state sovereignty.

Papuan communities, including various branches of KNPB offices represented by Victor Yeimo as a spokesperson, as well as activists, families, and friends from seven customary regions of West Papua, are joyfully celebrating his return.

Many warmly welcome him, addressing him as the “father of the Papuan nation”, comrade, and brother, while others express gratitude to God for his release.

Yamin Kogoya is a West Papuan academic who has a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development from the Australian National University and who contributes to Asia Pacific Report. From the Lani tribe in the Papuan Highlands, he is currently living in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Thousands turn out to welcome Papua activist Victor Yeimo’s release from prison

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Suara Papua – September 23, 2023

Agus Pabika, Jayapura — West Papua National Committee (KNPB) international spokesperson Victor F. Yeimo was released from the Abepura Penitentiary in Jayapura city on Saturday September 23. He was greeted by family members, activists, his team of lawyers and thousands of ordinary Papuans.

On May 5 Yeimo sentence to eight months in prison on charges of makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) for allegedly being involved in and mobilising anti-racism protests in Jayapura on August 19 and 29, 2019.

At exactly 11.17 am, Yeimo was escorted out of the Abepura Penitentiary by prison officials.

He was then greeted by family members and his team of lawyers from the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition (KPHHP), advocates Emanuel Gobay, Persila Heselo, Gustaf Kawer and other team members. Also present was Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) lawmaker Laurenzus Kadepa.

Yeimo said that his release today is not the end of the struggle and called on all Papuan people to continue to fight racist discrimination.

“Today I am free, but the continuing struggle is to be free from racism that still exists in [and is still a festering wound in this country]”, said Yeimo.

Yeimo was then accompanied in a procession to the Waena Expo to take part in a thanksgiving event to celebrate his release. The procession and thanksgiving event were closely watched over by police.

Activists blocked by police

Scores of activists who went to the Abepura Penitentiary to pick Yeimo up however were initially blocked by police at the Abepura taxi traffic circle.

An argument broke out between the activists, Yeimo’s team of lawyers and the police who were on guard in front of the Sumber Makmur shop. In the end however, they were allowed to greet Yeimo at the prison.

During the procession from the Abepura prison, Yeimo and his entourage were closely guarded by police until they reached the Waena Expo where the thanksgiving event was to be held.

Also present at the thanksgiving was acting Papua Council of Churches moderator Benny Giay and United Liberation Movement for West Papua

(ULMWP) Secretary Markus Haluk.

The thanksgiving was held under the theme “Racism is a Global Enemy”.

When Yeimo arrived, he was greeted by thousands of supporters, traditional dances by different tribal groups and shouts of “Free Papua”.

A number of those present wore the Moring Star independence symbols on their bodies or noken (knitted or woven bags). Others unfurled KNPB flags.

“All of the resistance groups have joined us here. The KNPB, the Papuan Traditional Council, Sonamapa [West Papua Youth and Student National Solidarity], Green Papua and all of the people and student movements that have joined in”, said organising committee head Kamus Bayage in welcoming Yeimo’s release.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Victor Yeimo Disambut Ribuan Rakyat Papua Dengan Ibadah Syukur”.]

The Yahukimo Church said the 5 people who died in Muara Kali Brasa were not TPNPB members

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We can say that they are not members of the TPNPB. They are village youth. They usually deliver food to the village. after buying it at Dekai

News Desk – Five People Found Dead in Brasa River

September 16, 2023

Jayapura, Jubi TV– Chairman of the Fellowship of Yahukimo Churches or PGGY, Pastor Atias Matuan stated that the five civilians who were shooting victims and were found dead at the mouth of the Brasa River, Dekai, capital of Yahukimo Regency, Mountain Papua, were not members of the West Papua National Liberation Army or TPNPB. This was stated by Atias Matuan when contacted on Friday (15/9/2023).

Pastor Atias Matuan, who is also the Pastor of the Kingmi Papua Church, explained that the five civilians were Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik, and Kaраі Payage. According to him, the five victims were members of the Kingmi Papua Church who were only 15-18 years old, and ordinary civilians.

“We can say that they are not members of the TPNPB. They are village youth. They usually deliver food to the village. after buying it at Dekai. “When they wanted to go to the village, they walked without carrying sharp tools or weapons, but Indonesian security forces immediately shot them until they died,” said Matuan.

Matuan said the families of the five victims had also explained that Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik, and Kapаі Payage were not members of the TPNPB. “They are young people from the village, most of them have dropped out of school,” he said.

On Friday, PGGY accompanied the family to collect the bodies of the five victims at the Yahukimo Regional General Hospital (RSUD). “After seeing their bodies with gunshot wounds to the stomach, chest and legs,” said Matuan.

Matuan said TNI officers had a guard post at the Dekai urban boundary, so that residents who wanted to travel from Dekai were required to report to the security post. “Residents must report to the security post. “If they don’t report it, they are considered part of the TPNPB, even though they don’t carry war equipment,” he said.

Matuan explained that Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik, and Kaраі Payage had been buried at the Kilo Enam Public Cemetery (TPU) in Dekai. “The family agreed not to carry out a mourning [ceremony], because they died as heroes of the Papuan nation. “We immediately buried their bodies,” said Matuan.

According to him, the group of mourners arrived at Kilo Enam TPU at around 11.00 WP. “When we arrived at Kilo Enam TPU, the security forces, the majority of whom were Papuan children, were digging graves. [After] the security forces left the place, we buried [the victims] and dispersed,” he said.

Matuan said that if the TPNPB and TNI/Polri want to continue fighting each other to defend their respective beliefs, the armed conflict should not sacrifice civilians. “TPNPB and TNI must protect the community, so that the community does not experience victims [or] displacement,” he said.

Matuan said that his party had difficulty mediating in the armed conflict, because he felt that the Indonesian security forces did not trust the Servant of God. “The Indonesian state no longer trusts [members of] the Regional People’s Representative Council, governors, regents. So us wanting to step in [to] mediate [the conflict] is also difficult. I advise the public to each take care of [themselves]. “We need to convey that in the church, in the pulpit,” he said.

On Friday, the Head of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, stated that the bodies of the five residents were found after a firefight occurred between TNI/Polri security forces and the TPNPB armed group on Thursday (14/9/2023). Benny stated that at the same location the police found two magazines and four bullets. (*)

This article was published on jubi.id with the title: PGGY: 5 shooting victims in Yahukimo were not TPNPB members

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TPNPB stated that the 5 victims found dead in Yahukimo were not its members

September 17, 2023

Writer: Hengky Yeimo | Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G

Jayapura, Jubi – Spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army or TPNPB, Sebby Sambom, stated that the five victims who were found dead in the Brasa River, Dekai, capital of Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, on Friday (15/9/2023) were not members of the TPNPB.

This was stated by Sebby Sambom on Saturday (16/9/2023). “They are not our members. They were purely civilians who wanted to return to their villages and were shot and bombed by the Indonesian military. The Indonesian military has shot dead civilians who don’t know anything. “We ask the United Nations to immediately carry out an investigation into the killing of indigenous Papuan civilians in Yahukimo,” said Sambom.

On Friday (15/9/2023), five civilians were found dead at the mouth of the Brasa River, Dekai. Head of the Public Relations Division of the Papua Regional Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, stated that the bodies of the five residents were found after a firefight occurred between TNI/Polri security forces and the TPNPB armed group on Thursday (14/9/2023). Benny stated that at the same location the police found two magazines and four bullets.

On Friday, the Chair of the Yahukimo Church Fellowship or PGGY, Pastor Atias Matuan stated that the five civilians who were victims of the shooting were Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik, and Kaраі Payage. According to him, they were ordinary civilians aged 15 – 18 years, and not members of the TPNPB.

Ambom said the TPNPB National Command Central Command Headquarters had received a report from the Commander of the XVI Yahukimo TPNPB-Free Papua Organization, Brigadier General Elkius Kobak, that security forces killed five indigenous Papuan civilians on September 15 2023.

“This incident occurred because the TNI and Polri monitored the movements of TPNPB members in Yahukimo using aerial cameras along the Brasa River. “Usually, [during] this time indigenous Papuan civilians [from] the Ngalik and Kesing tribes commute to [Dekai, Ibu] Yahukimo City,” said Sambom.

Sambom asked the Regent of Yahukimo to take responsibility for allowing the TNI/Polri to build a number of posts in Yahukimo. “TPNPB will not let Indonesia control our territory, because we are the owners of the country,” he said.

Commander of the XVI Yahukimo TPNPB-Free Papua Organization Defense Regional Command, Brigadier General Elkius Kobak also emphasized that the five victims found in the Brasa River on Friday were not members of the TPNPB. “We have confirmed that it was the TNI/Polri who planted the bomb on the road that killed five indigenous Papuan civilians,” he said. (*)

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KNPB asks police not to create uproar over Papua activist Victor Yeimo’s release

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Suara Papua – September 21, 2023

Jayapura – West Papua National Committee (KNPB) spokesperson Ones Suhuniap is asking Jayapura city police chief (Kapolresta) Senior Commissioner Victor Makbun to stop creating a commotion in the media about a planned thanksgiving meeting to welcome the release of Victor Yeimo.

According to Suhuniap, Makbun does not need to be overly excessive in response to Yeimo’s welcome.

Papua activist Yeimo, who is also the international spokesperson for the KNPB, will be released from the Abepura penitentiary on Saturday September 23.

Earlier in May, the Jayapura District Court sentenced Yeimo to eight months in prison for treason over the anti-racism demonstrations and riots in Jayapura in 2019.

“The statement by the Kapolresta is as if the KNPB organisation will create a commotion, but it is the Kapolresta’s statement itself that is in fact creating a skewed opinion and a commotion. The Kapolresta does not need to create a subjective public opinion about the KNPB without evidence that can be justified”, Suhuniap said on Thursday September 21.

Suhuniap claimed that in every activity the KNPB does in fact prioritise the values of humanity and democracy, uphold human rights and respect the laws and regulations of Indonesia.

He then stated that on the contrary, every activity by the KNPB attracts provocation from the police.

“At every single peaceful demo or religious event, the police always creates a provocation, with the latest being on August 15, 2022, when the KNPB was holding a peaceful demo, instead the police committed violence and torture”, he said.

The KNPB in suspects that thorough Makbun’s statement the police have in fact something bad planned for Yeimo’s release.

“We can believe that the statement publically expressed by the Kapolresta is a way of creating a commotion and preconditioning to frighten the ordinary Papuan people. We are sure there is a plot to criminalise the activity welcoming Victor Yeimo”, said Suhuniap.

“We ask that the Jayapura Kapolresta not create a skewed public opinion or create an uproar”, he said.

The KNPB itself, said Suhuniap, in welcoming Yeimo’s release, will hold thanksgiving prayers and a joint meal that is being planned by the Papuan People’s Front Against Racism (RPMR), which has up until now been campaigning for Yeimo’s release.

“As believers who have faith in God, the RPMR fights racism and is planning thanksgiving prayers, because worship is part of the human rights guaranteed under Indonesian law. The thanksgiving itself will be joined by all the organisational movements, social organisations, associations, church groups, traditional [communities] and the ordinary Papuan people who are anti-racist”.

“All Papuans who are victims of racism will be involved in the thanksgiving for Victor Yeimo’s release. We once again convey to the police, more specifically the Jayapura city police chief, not to create a skewed opinion. The thanksgiving for the release of Victor Yeimo does not need to be politicised with subjective sentiments.”

“To the people in the land of Papua, especially Papuans in the cities of Jayapura, Sentani and Kaerom and surrounding areas, please come peacefully and take part in the thanksgiving prayers. We also convey to non-Papuans in organisations and personally who are against the practice of racism, please join the prayers [as well]”.

Meanwhile the Jayapura district police are planning to deploy a number of personnel to provide security when Yeimo is released on Saturday.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “KNPB Minta Aparat Tidak Memprovokasi Pembebasan Victor Yeimo”.]

Southwest Papua to facilitate native Papuans to study in Japan 

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Sorong, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) – Southwest Papua provincial government will facilitate indigenous Papuan high school graduates to enroll in vocational education programs in Japan through the Golden Generation Scholarship (Bisgemas) Program.

“We have opened (scholarship) registration for economically weak native Papuan high school graduates. We will facilitate them through Bisgemas,” stated Adrian Howay, Head of Southwest Papua’s Education and Culture Office, in Sorong, on Sunday.

He further explained that the program is open to Papuan high school and vocational high school graduates in the 2022/2023 academic years.

According to him, the provincial government has allocated 80 percent of the scholarship quota for native Papuan students, while the remaining 20 percent of the quota has been allocated for non-native residents of the province.

“We have spread registration brochures. After a strict selection process, a total of 60 people will be granted the scholarship,” he noted.

He added that the selected participants will later undergo a six-month preparatory phase in a facility belonging to the Bejana Kasih Bumi Papua Foundation in Yogyakarta Province.

During the preparatory phase, the participants will be provided with Japanese language training courses and information on Japanese life and culture, among others, he said.

After completing the preparations, he continued, the 60 scholarship awardees will fly to Japan to enroll in various vocational education programs, such as nursing, foundry, industry, construction, car maintenance, accommodation business, agriculture, fishery, and food and beverages.

“We have established cooperation with universities in Japan (to accommodate the participants),” he highlighted.

Howay affirmed that the provincial government is implementing the scholarship program in the hopes of improving Southwest Papua’s human resource quality and competitiveness.

“After concluding their studies, they will return to develop Southwest Papua by optimizing their respective expertise,” he remarked.


Australian advocacy group condemns killing of 5 West Papuans – challenges Canberra 

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By APR editor –  September 17, 2023

Asia Pacific Report

An Australian human rights advocacy group for West Papuans has condemned the killing of 5 youths found dead in Dekai, capital of Yahukimo Regency, and have challenged Canberra to reconsider government ties with Indonesian security forces.

Criticising the latest deaths, Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) spokesperson Joe Collins said: “While West Papuans are being killed by the Indonesian security forces, we have Australia and Indonesia sitting down at the ninth bilateral consultation to discuss
bolstering anti-terror cooperation”.

Antara News reports that Indonesia and Australia have committed to continue “anti-terrorism” cooperation through dialogue at bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums, as well as technical cooperation.

Collins said it was time that the Australian Defence Department and DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) “seriously looked at their ties with the Indonesian security forces” and the affect their aid and training had on West Papuans.

The five civilians who were found dead at the mouth of the Brasa River were aged between 15-18 and were members of the Kingmi Papua Church.

According to church officials, the five youths usually delivered food to the village after buying it at Dekai.

Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) fighting for independence from Indonesia, was reported to have said that the five victims found dead on Friday were not members of the TPNPB.

‘Not ours’ says TPNPB
“They’re not our members. They were purely civilians who wanted to return to their villages and were shot and bombed by the Indonesian military,” he was quoted as saying by the Papuan news outlet Jubi.

The chair of the Yahukimo Church Fellowship (PGGY), Pastor Atias Matuan, named the five dead civilians as Darnius Heluka, Musa Heluka, Man Senik, Yoman Senik and Kaраі Payage.

On Friday, PGGY accompanied the family to collect the bodies at the Yahukimo Regional General Hospital (RSUD).

“Their bodies had gunshot wounds to the stomach, chest and legs,” Pastor Matuan said.

The pastor also reported that TNI officers had a guard post at the Dekai urban boundary, and residents wanting to travel from Dekai were required to report there.

“Residents must report to the security post. If they don’t, they’re considered part of the TPNPB, even though they don’t carry military equipment,” he said.

Victims buried
The five victims were buried at the Kilo Enam Public Cemetery, Dekai, on Friday.

Joe Collins of AWPA said there appeared to be a “total lack of trust” between the security forces and local people in the region.

Pastor Matuan said that his party “had difficulty mediating in the armed conflict because he felt that the Indonesian security forces did not trust the Servant of God”.

Indigenous rights group highlights increase in land grabs under Jokowi’s watch

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CNN Indonesia – September 18, 2023

Jakarta — The Nusantara Traditional Community Alliance (AMAN) and the Nusantara Traditional Community Defense Association (PPMAN) have highlighted the polemic over the forced relocation of residents from Rempang Island, Batam, in the Riau Islands, to make way for the Eco City national strategic project (PSN).

AMAN Deputy Secretary General for political and legal affairs Erasmus Cahyadi believes that safety and identity of Malayu (Malay) traditional communities who have lived for generations in 16 ancient villages on Rempang is currently under serious threat.

“This is because the state is more pro-foreign investment, which takes refuge in the name of national strategic projects and is backed by [government] policies and oppressive state officials”, Cahyadi said in a written statement on Monday September 18.

According to Cahyadi, the government through the Batam Free Port Agency (BP Batam) has arrogantly mobilised the armed forces and is attempting to forcibly remove the indigenous peoples on Rempang Island Batam from their land and cultural roots that they have inherited from their ancestors for hundreds of years or at least since the beginning of the 18th century.

Cahyadi believes that this incident adds to the black list of cruelty by the state towards indigenous peoples, particularly over the last 10 years of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s rule.

Under the administration of president Widodo, said Cahyadi, incidents of land grabs of traditional community lands has increased in concert with the implementation of national strategic projects and other investments.

“In the name of investment, the government does not hesitate to seize, displace and commit violence against indigenous peoples who have lived for hundreds of years on customary lands”, he said.

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has reported that 692 agrarian conflicts occurred over the last eight months of 2023.

Meanwhile, said Cahyadi, AMAN has also noted that there had been 301 cases related to the deprivation of customary land in 2019-2023.

“The various cases that have occurred show that the government has been playing with its power, is arrogant and shameless because it violates the basic principles of the country and does not meet the aims of Indonesia’s independence”, he said.

Cahyadi believes that the current government has forgotten that the state is obliged to advance public’s welfare and protect every drop of Indonesia’s blood as aspired to in the country’s struggle for independence.

“Meaning, all of the administration’s actions should refer to the aims of the country. That is also the reason why an independent country should be different from its colonisers”, he said.

Cahyadi said that AMAN condemns, opposes and is urging both the government and investors to stop the seizure of indigenous communities’

land and all acts of violence against the residents and indigenous peoples of Rempang Island.

“We also urge the government, especially BP Batam to avoid escalating the conflict that will result in even more casualties by not continuing to pursue the relocation target of September 28, 2023”, said Cahyadi.

President Widodo has spoken out about residents’ opposition to being relocated to make way for the Eco City project on Rempang Island.

According to Widodo, the opposition that ended in a clash between residents and police occurred because of a lack of communication.

He said that the residents that will be affected have already been provided with compensation in the form of land and houses. In relation to the location however, there was a lack of good communication.

“This is just a miscommunication, there’s been a miscommunication.

They’ve been given compensation, given land, given houses but maybe the location is not right yet, that should be resolved”, said Widodo during an event in Jakarta titled “Eight Years of National Strategic Projects”

on Wednesday September 13.

Thousands of Rempang Island residents are threatened with having to leave their villages to make way for the Eco City strategic national project.

The project, which is being worked on by the company PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG), will use 7,572 hectares of land or around 45.89 percent of a total of 16 hectares of land on Rempang Island for the project.

The thousands of residents however do not accept that they had to leave the land they have lived on long before Indonesia proclaimed independence. They are determined to defend their land even though TNI (Indonesian military) and police have been deployed so that they will agree to be relocated.

A clash was inevitable. On September 7 and 11 clashes broke out. Police fired teargas, some of which landed in a school, and children had to be rushed to hospital. So far, 43 people opposing the relocation have been arrested and accused of being provocateurs. (yla/pmg)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “AMAN Soroti Rempang dan Lonjakan Perampasan Wilayah Adat Era Jokowi”.]

Papua urged to commit to low-carbon development by Greenpeace

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News Desk – Low Carbon Development

 22 August 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – Greenpeace Indonesia calls on the Papua Provincial Government to make a commitment to a low-carbon development strategy in Papua. The organization emphasizes that the government’s dedication is pivotal to ensure the sustainability and preservation of Papua’s natural forests.

Nico Wamafma, the Forest Campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia, highlights that achieving the low-carbon development plan hinges on the government’s willingness to acknowledge the land, forest, and natural resource rights of indigenous people.

Additionally, the government needs to shift away from its exploitative development approach, which includes reducing the issuance of licenses for activities like mining, Industrial Plantation Forests (HTI), Forest Concession Rights (HPH), and oil palm plantations.

Greenpeace, in collaboration with the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), has uncovered that oil palm plantation licenses in Papua cover a vast area of 1.88 million hectares. Wamafma underlines that without concrete implementation of this commitment, the low-carbon development plan will stay as empty rhetoric on documents.

Wamafma reflects on Papua’s development trajectory over the past 23 years, citing it as a lesson on the pitfalls of a non-participatory approach that neglects the rights of Indigenous Papuans and damages the natural environment. According to Greenpeace Indonesia’s research, Papua has lost 641.4 thousand hectares of natural forest between 2000 and 2020.

Integrating indigenous territories into the Papua Spatial and Regional Plan (RTRW) is a crucial step, according to Wamafma. The Customary Territory Registration Agency (BRWA) has registered 107 maps of customary territories in Papua Province spanning 3,547,259 hectares. Of these, nine territories have gained recognition from the local government, covering an area of 26,972 hectares.

Wamafma asserts that incorporating indigenous territories into the RTRW document facilitates development planning within these areas, ensuring their protection and sustainability. He emphasizes that the active involvement of indigenous peoples is essential for this safeguarding process.

He stresses the importance of the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process as a prerequisite for spatial designations. Wamafma argues that involving indigenous people guarantees their participation in managing and safeguarding land, forests, water, and natural resources in Papua. (*)

Investigation by rights groups finds numerous rights violations in Rempang

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Inilah.com – September 18, 2023

Vonita Betalia — Nine human rights organisations calling themselves the “National Solidarity for Rempang” have published the results of a preliminary investigation into the September 7 riots on Rempang Island in Batam, Riau Islands. The investigation found a number of human rights volitions.

The publication, titled “Flawed Justice on Rempang Island”, is the result of a joint investigation by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), the Pekanbaru Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Pekanbaru), the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) National Executive, Walhi Riau, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Amnesty International Indonesia, the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA), the Nusantara Indigenous Peoples Alliance (AMAN) and Trend Asia.

“We concluded that alleged human rights violations occurred during the violent incident in Rempang on September 7, 2023 and therefore it must be declared as a human rights violations as stipulated under Law Number

39/1999 on Human Rights”, read a section from the report published on Monday September 18.

In the report it said that these rights violations can be seen from a number of things such as the excessive deployment of security forces, the use of violence and minimum participation and access to information on the Eco City project on Rempang Island.

This included arbitrary arrests by the Barelang municipal police

(Polresta) following protests by residents, the violation of the rights of women and children related to the social conflict, the loss of a sense of security and widespread fear among Rempang residents.

In addition, the series of violations that occurred in Rempang were violations of national and international human rights instruments including Law Number 39/199 and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights which Indonesia has ratified through Law Number 12/2005.

“Thus, this is enough for the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas

HAM) to declare the tragedy in Rempang on September 7, 2023 as a human rights violation”, read the report.

As reported earlier, residents on Rempang Island opposing the Rempang Eco City project held a protest that ended in a clash with joint units of the TNI (Indonesian military) and police on September 7.

The Coalition is asking security forces to end the repressive actions against Rempang Island resident and stop the development of the Rempang Eco City.

The act of violence, according to the Coalition, resulted in the local indigenous people falling victim to the ambitions of the national strategic project.

“The Indonesian military and the police were used as a tool by the state to facilitate the development of the Rempang Eco City area requiring the eviction of people from 16 ancient Malayu [traditional Malay communities] villages which have existed since 1834”, read the Coalition’s report.

The clash between the local peoples and the authorities occurred at around 10 am. The joint force of TNI and police using tactical vehicles attempted to force their way onto Rempang Island to install boundary markers and conduct land measurements.

At the time, residents were gathered at the entry point onto Rempang Island at the Barelang IV Bridge. A clash was inevitable and during the incident police arrested at least six people. Scores of other suffered injuries, several children were traumatised and one child was injured after police fired tear gas into their school.

The Rempang Eco City will an industrial area resulting from investment commitments by a glass and solar panel company from China, namely the Xinyi Group. Later, Batam will have the second largest glass and solar panel factory in the world after China.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Laporan Investigasi 9 Lembaga HAM: Peristiwa di Pulau Rempang Adalah Pelanggaran HAM”.]

Three Papuan students convicted of treason released 

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 8 September 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – On Thursday, September 7, 2023, three students of the Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ) who had been convicted in a treason case, were released from the Abepura Prison in Jayapura City. They were picked up by a group of student activists in Jayapura City.

The three students, namely Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Devio Tekege, and Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere, had been charged with treason due to their involvement in a free speech held at the campus on November 10, 2022. At that time, they were spotted carrying the Morning Star flag while expressing their rejection to the Papua peace dialogue plan initiated by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

Police then dispersed the event, leading to the arrest of several participants, including Matuan, Tekege, and Eloperer. Subsequently, they were accused of treason and faced trial at the Jayapura District Court.

On August 8, 2023, the Court found them guilty of treason and sentenced them to a 10-month prison term,deducted from their detention period, resulting in their release on Thursday.

The release was facilitated by the Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua), who was part of the Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition, the legal team representing the three students during the treason trial.

Outside the Abepura Prison, several student activists wearing USTJ jackets had gathered since 9 a.m Papua time. Marwa Wayne, the field coordinator, expressed her surprise at the early release of the three students, as the initial release date had been set for September 12, 2023. Wayne conveyed their happiness for the students’ freedom and thanked the authorities for the expedited release.

Persila Heselo, the attorney for Matuan, Tekege, and Elopere, also expressed gratitude at the early release. The three were welcomed by dozens of student activists, as well as their legal team, who gathered in front of the prison to pray together.

During this gathering, Yoseph Ernesto Matuan expressed his gratitude to the court for their early release and reaffirmed their commitment to continue their advocacy on behalf of their land.

There was a dispute with the police when the pick-up team intended to march the three convicts to the Tauboria Catholic Student Dormitory, which was about 2.6 kilometers from Abepura Prison. The police cited concerns about disrupting traffic flow and offered a police vehicle. Eventually, the pick-up team agreed to hire public transportation for the students’ journey to the dormitory.

Yustina Haluk emphasized that Yoseph Ernesto Matuan, Devio Tekege, and Ambrosius Fransiskus Elopere should not have been convicted of treason. Haluk argued that the students were merely exercising their right to peaceful expression, a right guaranteed by Law No. 9/1998 on Freedom of Expression in Public. He further highlighted the limited freedom of expression in Papua.

Haluk hopes the government will take action to clarify the status of the Morning Star flag in order to prevent the wrongful criminalization of peaceful expression, as exemplified by the cases of Matuan, Tekege, and Elopere.