Indonesian Military Starts Shooting as Flag-Raising Protest Starts in Bolakme, Highlands, West Papua
Indonesian soldiers were reported to be shooting their weapons in the villages of the Bolakme region (also spelled Bolokme) in the highlands of West Papua over the weekend. Although no-one is reported to be shot, the objective of the Indonesian military forces was reportedly to stop pro-independence flag raising.
(Bolakme is 6 km north of the town of Pyramid, across the Baliem River. This area is west of Wamena the regional capital of the highlands in West Papua.)
Sources in Bolakme report that Mr Wendanak who represents both the traditional Lani people from the surrounding area and the OPM/TPN (Free Papua Movement) guerrillas in Bolakme has stated an intention to continue a flag raising campaign until 4 July 2007. The flag involved is the Morning Star flag, a symbol of West Papuan self-determination and Independence. Officially allowed to be displayed under the Special Autonomy law, even peaceful flag raisings are routinely violently suppressed by the Indonesian security forces. In a statement released by Mr. Wendanak to the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights, the objectives of the OPM/TPN group were reported to be:
- To show the Indonesian government and to the world that West Papua people still exist & fight for full Independence;
- To protest against the UN sponsored Act of Free Choice process which ceded West Papua to Indonesian control in 1969;
- To give a sign that they want to solve the West Papua issue in a peaceful way;
- To ask the UN to force Indonesia government to withdraw all military forces from West Papua immediately;
- To encourage the United Nations, United States and Dutch governments to respond to the demands of West Papua people to renew the Act of Free Choice, & let the West Papua people to decide their future through a fair and just Referendum;
- To allow foreign journalists and other international organizations to have access to West Papua;
- To appeal to the International donors to support the autonomy (independence) project.
Matthew Jamieson, spokesperson for Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said today, “Sources in Bolakme state that, on 29th June 2007, Indonesian soldiers from Battalion 756 from Wamena had entered into the Bolakme district, firing guns and intimidating local people and the atmosphere was ‘tense’.”
Matthew Jamieson also said, “The OPM group at Bolakme appears to want to peacefully demonstrate its opposition to Indonesian occupation of West Papua. This Bolakme area has a long history of OPM/TPN fighters. The OPM group appears to want to express their political views through nonviolent means. For the guerrillas and community involved this strategy is very risky, especially given the Indonesian security forces willingness to use violence to silence political dissent.”
Matthew Jamieson went onto say “We hold very serious concerns about this military operation of intimidation to stop what should be a free political process in ‘democratic’ Indonesia. We hope that the military administration in West Papua will not seek a violent solution to what is essentially a political problem.”
Matthew Jamieson also said that, “It is reported that in the past month the KOPASSUS (Indonesia’s special commando force) had collected all the chiefs in Wamena to ‘brief’ them on Indonesia's national integrity.”
“There is limited space given by the Indonesian government for political dissent in West Papua, when that dissent includes demands for independence. In the highlands and remote regions, in particular, the security forces rarely allow political protest. While the political issue of self-determination remains unresolved in West Papua the people will continue their protest. ”
“The troops at Bolakme are said to be under the command of Major Bambang Purwadi, from Infantry Battalion 756. The Battalion 756 is part of the Korem 172, which is in turn commanded by Col. Burhanuddin Siagian. This commander Siagian has been twice indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor (now Timor-Leste) and directly linked to the execution of civilians holding pro-independence views and the formation of para-military militias.”
“According to a report in the Cenderawasih Pos on 12 May 2007, Col Siagian threatened to destroy anyone who betrays Indonesia: “If I meet anyone who has enjoyed the facilities that belong to the state, but who still betrays the nation, I honestly will destroy him”. This statement was reportedly made in response to demands by students and youths for a review of the 1969 Act of Free Choice and for a new referendum on self-determination.”
“There has been a cycle of acts of local political defiance, followed by police & military operations, then civilian deaths, displacement and famine which has repeatedly occurred in this Highland region and particularly in the past 5 years. IPAHR holds grave concerns that this cycle could be repeated in Bolakme."
“During the Christmas New Year period earlier this year, a flag raising campaign in the Puncak Jaya region, which is adjacent and east of Bolakme, was the scene of military operations against the Goliat Tabuni OPM group.”
“The military operations in Puncak Jaya caused thousands of local people to leave their homes for many months and seek safety in the remote part of the Yamu River valley. During this period it was reported that a number of civilians were reported killed by Indonesian security forces and a health and famine crisis ensued amoungst the displaced people which resulted in a number of people dying from famine and disease.”
“Sources in West Papua say that now most of the people displaced from the military operations in Puncak Jaya have returned home, even though the military troops are still stationed there.”
For further information contact:
Matthew Jamieson +61 (0) 4181291998
Paula Makabory +61 (0) 402547517
Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998
(Bolakme is 6 km north of the town of Pyramid, across the Baliem River. This area is west of Wamena the regional capital of the highlands in West Papua.)
Sources in Bolakme report that Mr Wendanak who represents both the traditional Lani people from the surrounding area and the OPM/TPN (Free Papua Movement) guerrillas in Bolakme has stated an intention to continue a flag raising campaign until 4 July 2007. The flag involved is the Morning Star flag, a symbol of West Papuan self-determination and Independence. Officially allowed to be displayed under the Special Autonomy law, even peaceful flag raisings are routinely violently suppressed by the Indonesian security forces. In a statement released by Mr. Wendanak to the Institute of Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights, the objectives of the OPM/TPN group were reported to be:
- To show the Indonesian government and to the world that West Papua people still exist & fight for full Independence;
- To protest against the UN sponsored Act of Free Choice process which ceded West Papua to Indonesian control in 1969;
- To give a sign that they want to solve the West Papua issue in a peaceful way;
- To ask the UN to force Indonesia government to withdraw all military forces from West Papua immediately;
- To encourage the United Nations, United States and Dutch governments to respond to the demands of West Papua people to renew the Act of Free Choice, & let the West Papua people to decide their future through a fair and just Referendum;
- To allow foreign journalists and other international organizations to have access to West Papua;
- To appeal to the International donors to support the autonomy (independence) project.
Matthew Jamieson, spokesperson for Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights said today, “Sources in Bolakme state that, on 29th June 2007, Indonesian soldiers from Battalion 756 from Wamena had entered into the Bolakme district, firing guns and intimidating local people and the atmosphere was ‘tense’.”
Matthew Jamieson also said, “The OPM group at Bolakme appears to want to peacefully demonstrate its opposition to Indonesian occupation of West Papua. This Bolakme area has a long history of OPM/TPN fighters. The OPM group appears to want to express their political views through nonviolent means. For the guerrillas and community involved this strategy is very risky, especially given the Indonesian security forces willingness to use violence to silence political dissent.”
Matthew Jamieson went onto say “We hold very serious concerns about this military operation of intimidation to stop what should be a free political process in ‘democratic’ Indonesia. We hope that the military administration in West Papua will not seek a violent solution to what is essentially a political problem.”
Matthew Jamieson also said that, “It is reported that in the past month the KOPASSUS (Indonesia’s special commando force) had collected all the chiefs in Wamena to ‘brief’ them on Indonesia's national integrity.”
“There is limited space given by the Indonesian government for political dissent in West Papua, when that dissent includes demands for independence. In the highlands and remote regions, in particular, the security forces rarely allow political protest. While the political issue of self-determination remains unresolved in West Papua the people will continue their protest. ”
“The troops at Bolakme are said to be under the command of Major Bambang Purwadi, from Infantry Battalion 756. The Battalion 756 is part of the Korem 172, which is in turn commanded by Col. Burhanuddin Siagian. This commander Siagian has been twice indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor (now Timor-Leste) and directly linked to the execution of civilians holding pro-independence views and the formation of para-military militias.”
“According to a report in the Cenderawasih Pos on 12 May 2007, Col Siagian threatened to destroy anyone who betrays Indonesia: “If I meet anyone who has enjoyed the facilities that belong to the state, but who still betrays the nation, I honestly will destroy him”. This statement was reportedly made in response to demands by students and youths for a review of the 1969 Act of Free Choice and for a new referendum on self-determination.”
“There has been a cycle of acts of local political defiance, followed by police & military operations, then civilian deaths, displacement and famine which has repeatedly occurred in this Highland region and particularly in the past 5 years. IPAHR holds grave concerns that this cycle could be repeated in Bolakme."
“During the Christmas New Year period earlier this year, a flag raising campaign in the Puncak Jaya region, which is adjacent and east of Bolakme, was the scene of military operations against the Goliat Tabuni OPM group.”
“The military operations in Puncak Jaya caused thousands of local people to leave their homes for many months and seek safety in the remote part of the Yamu River valley. During this period it was reported that a number of civilians were reported killed by Indonesian security forces and a health and famine crisis ensued amoungst the displaced people which resulted in a number of people dying from famine and disease.”
“Sources in West Papua say that now most of the people displaced from the military operations in Puncak Jaya have returned home, even though the military troops are still stationed there.”
For further information contact:
Matthew Jamieson +61 (0) 4181291998
Paula Makabory +61 (0) 402547517
Matthew Jamieson
Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights
PO box 1805, Byron bay NSW 2481 Australia
matthew@hr.minihub.org
tel +61(0) 418291998
posted by Pax Christi @ Monday, July 02, 2007
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