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Scoop
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rising Military Operations In West Papua Spark Concerns About Displacement Of Indigenous Papuans
A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands. It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on 14 May. In a statement, reported by Kompas Daily, Indonesia's military said its presence is "not to intimidate the people" but to protect them from violence. "We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their own land," it said. Indonesia's military said it seized firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows. They also took morning star flags - used as a symbol for West Papuan independence - and communication equipment. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RNZ Pacific that seven villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency in Central Papua are now being attacked. "The current military escalation in West Papua has now been building for months. Initially targeting Intan Jaya, the Indonesian military have since broadened their attacks into other highlands Regencies, including Puncak," he said. Wenda said women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict, often from drone attacks or airstrikes. Earlier this month, ULMWP claimed one civilian and another was seriously injured after being shot at from a helicopter. Last week, ULMWP shared a video of a group of indigenous Papuans walking through mountains holding an Indonesian flag, which Wenda said was a symbol of surrender. "They look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman," Wenda said. He said the increased military presence was driven by resources. President Prabowo Subianto's administration has a goal to be able to feed Indonesia's population without imports as early as 2028. A video statement from tribes in Mappi Regency in South Papua from about a month ago, translated to English, said they rejected Indonesia's food project and asked companies to leave. In the video, about a dozen Papuans stood while one said the clans in the region had existed on customary land for generations and that companies had surveyed land without consent. "We firmly ask the local government, the regent, Mappi Regency to immediately review the permits and revoke the company's permits," the person speaking said. Wenda said the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) had also grown. But he said many of the TPNPB were using bow and arrows against modern weapons. "I call them home guard because there's nowhere to go."
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Rising military operations in West Papua spark concerns about displacement of indigenous Papuans
This photo is shared by from the Indonesia Army. It shows the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Mobile Yonif 1 Marine Task Force for Indonesian-PNG Border Security interact with the indigenous Papuan women in Kokamu Village, Yahukimo Regency, Papua and purchase local agricultural produce. 10 May 2025 Led by the Bravo Post Commander, this activity was more than just an economic transaction. It served as a direct interaction platform between Indonesian Navy soldiers and the indigenous Papuan community. The soldiers purchased local agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits, and tubers, showing their appreciation for the community's hard work. Photo: Faceook / Pusat Penerangan TNI A West Papua independence leader says escalating violence is forcing indigenous Papuans to flee their ancestral lands. It comes as the Indonesian military claims 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in an hour-long operation in Intan Jaya on 14 May. In a statement, reported by Kompas Daily , Indonesia's military said its presence is "not to intimidate the people" but to protect them from violence. "We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their own land," it said. Indonesia's military said it seized firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows. They also took morning star flags - used as a symbol for West Papuan independence - and communication equipment. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) interim president Benny Wenda, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, told RNZ Pacific that seven villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency in Central Papua are now being attacked. "The current military escalation in West Papua has now been building for months. Initially targeting Intan Jaya, the Indonesian military have since broadened their attacks into other highlands Regencies, including Puncak," he said. Wenda said women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict, often from drone attacks or airstrikes. Benny Wenda Photo: RNZ Pacific / Kelvin Anthony Earlier this month, ULMWP claimed one civilian and another was seriously injured after being shot at from a helicopter. Last week, ULMWP shared a video of a group of indigenous Papuans walking through mountains holding an Indonesian flag, which Wenda said was a symbol of surrender. "They look at us as primitive and they look at us as subhuman," Wenda said. He said the increased military presence was driven by resources. President Prabowo Subianto's administration has a goal to be able to feed Indonesia's population without imports as early as 2028. A video statement from tribes in Mappi Regency in South Papua from about a month ago, translated to English, said they rejected Indonesia's food project and asked companies to leave. In the video, about a dozen Papuans stood while one said the clans in the region had existed on customary land for generations and that companies had surveyed land without consent. "We firmly ask the local government, the regent, Mappi Regency to immediately review the permits and revoke the company's permits," the person speaking said. Wenda said the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) had also grown. But he said many of the TPNPB were using bow and arrows against modern weapons. "I call them home guard because there's nowhere to go."
RNZ News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
'Fighting is more frequent now': Human rights researcher warns of escalating conflict in West Papua
file image Photo: BenarNews / Victor Mambor The escalation of violence in West Papua is on par with some of the most intense times of conflict over the past six decades, a human rights researcher says. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims that Indonesia killed at least one civilian and severely injuring another on last Tuesday in Puncak Regency. In a statement, ULMWP interim president Benny Wenda said Deris Kogoya, 18, was killed by a rocket attack from a helicopter while riding his motorbike near Kelanungin Village. Jemi Waker, meanwhile, sustained severe violent injuries, including to both his legs. The statement said Waker has refused to go to hospital, fearing he will be killed if he goes. Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said that over the past month he has received an unusually high number of messages accompanied by gruesome photos showing either Indonesian soldiers or civilians being killed. "The fighting is much more frequent now," Harsono said. "There are more and more Indonesian soldiers sent to West Papua under President Pradowo. "At the same time, indigenous Papuans are also gaining more and more men, unfortunately also boys, to join the fight in the jungle." He said the escalation could match similarly intense periods of conflict in 1977, 1984, and 2004. A spokesperson for Indonesia's Embassy in Wellington said they could not confirm if there was a military attack in Puncak Regency on Tuesday. However, they said all actions conducted by Indonesia's military are in line with international law. They said there were attacks in March and April of this year, instigated by an armed criminal group targeting Indonesian workers and civilians. Harsono said if the attack was indeed on civilians, it would be a clear breach of human rights. However, he said it was difficult to confirm due to the remoteness of the area. He said it is common for civilians to wear army camouflage because of surplus Indonesian uniforms. Wenda said West Papuans are "a forgotten, voiceless people". "Where is the attention of the media and the international community? How many children must be killed before they notice we are dying?" Wenda compared the lack of attention with the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict that is getting more media attention. He said Indonesia has banned media "to prevent journalists from telling the world what is really going on". The Indonesian Embassy spokesperson said foreign journalists were not allowed in the area for their own safety.
