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Can Jokowi assuage Papuan woes?
Violence is a common occurrence in Papua, and most cases go unresolved. A recent study by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) predicts that violence will continue to dog Papua unless the government takes immediate steps to better coordinate its security forces in the region and to involve native communities in policy-making.
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Papuans hold a rally on Tuesday demanding that the Indonesian government accommodate their aspiration for self-determination. (JP/Exclusive)
P
apua is apparently special for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. During his presidential campaign, Jokowi pledged to bring about justice for past human rights violations in the restive region. While previous government administrations have been accused of ignoring Papua’s problems and of being solely interested in the region’s wealth of natural resources, Jokowi has visited the easternmost region four times since he took office to ensure that development projects, such as airports and rice estates, are being properly implemented.
Jokowi has also pledged to step up efforts to develop the region and has asked the military and the police to put an end to the cycle of violence there by adopting a softer approach.
However, doubts still linger over whether the President can ensure that central and local bureaucrats implement his commitments to the region, which, despite its abundant natural resources, remains one of the poorest in the nation.
Violence is a common occurrence in Papua, and most cases go unresolved. A recent study by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) predicts that violence will continue to dog Papua unless the government takes immediate steps to better coordinate its security forces in the region and to involve native communities in policy-making.
The latest flare-up of violence in early May, involving the arrests of more than 1,000 Papuan protesters by the police, underlines the serious doubts as to whether President Jokowi’s administration has all it takes to get to the root of Papua’s arch problems.
May 31, 2016
More than 300 Papuans are arrested in cities including Wamena, Sentani and Manado, according to the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), after the West Papua National Committee organizes a rally calling for the release of political prisoners and support for West Papua self-determination.
May 20, 2016
A rights activist named Robert Jitmau is hit by a car. Robert had fought for Mama-Mama Market for 13 years. Representatives from the National Commission on Human Rights in Papua (Komnas HAM Papua) demand a thorough investigation into his death.
May 2, 2016
More than 1,600 activists are detained following a proreferendum group rally in various cities in Indonesia. According to LBH Jakarta, 1,449 activists were detained in Jayapura, 118 in Merauke, 45 in Semarang, 42 in Makassar, 29 in Fakfak, 27 in Sorong and 14 others in Wamenaon Monday. Taking previous arrests in Merauke (April 25), Jayapura (April 30), Wamena and Merauke (May 1) into account, 1,839 Papua activists have been detained since April.
March 15, 2016
An armed group shoots dead four employees of PT Modern constructing a highway connecting Sinak district, Puncak regency and Mulia district in Puncak Jaya regency, Papua.
Feb 3, 2016
Police confiscate hundreds of rounds of ammunition, firearms and explosives on a raid in two houses in Jayapura regency. The Free Papua Movement (OPM) denies ownership of these weapons and accuses the authorities of planting the arms.
Dec 27, 2015
A group of armed men attack Sinak Police station in Puncak regency, Papua, killing three police officers. It is reported that five Sinak Police officers were watching TV in a guardroom when around 25 armed civilians attacked the station.
Dec 1, 2015
Clashes break out between the Jakarta Police and the Papua Students Alliance (AMP) at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta during a rally demanding independence for West Papua. Hundreds of AMP members and 400 police officers are involved in the clashes after the police try to disperse the crowd using tear gas. The incident prompts a strong protest from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), which accuses the police of assaulting and intimidating two foreign journalists from Australia's ABC and Al-Jazeera.
November 30, 2015
A soldier is murdered by a group of people suspected of being part of an armed group in Namunaweja village in Mamberamo Tengah subdistrict. Maj. John De Fretes is shot dead by an armed group after visiting Namunaweja upon hearing that a military wing of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) led by Cosmos Makabori had approached local villagers.
November 6, 2015
West Papua National Committee (KNPB) deputy chairman Agus Kossay and two other Papuans, Bano Kalaka and Nodi Hilka, are interrogated in connection with the arrival of French journalist Marie Dhumieres in Papua on Oct. 1.
August 27, 2015
A shooting in Koperapoka, Mimika regency, Papua, leaves two civilians dead and two others wounded. Two members of the Military District Command (Kodim) 1710/Timika are arrested. In November, a military court in Papua sentences First Pvt. Makher Rehatta and Chief Pvt. Gregorius R. Geta to 12 years and three years in prison, respectively
August 23, 2015
Authorities at Soekarno-Hatta airport find thousands of rounds of illegal ammunition of various shapes and sizes that were to be delivered to Jayapura, Papua, on a commercial flight. The Indonesian Military (TNI) denies ownership of the ammunition.
May 28, 2015
Police in Jayapura arrest 47 people for gathering for a rally in support of Papua joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), ending in a clash with security personnel. A police spokesperson states the protesters had no permit for the rally and were calling for independence from Indonesia, accusing them of contravening Article 160 of the Criminal Code on provocation.
Dec 8, 2014
A shooting in Enarotali in Paniai regency is the first conflict in Papua under Jokowi’s presidency. Four civilians are reportedly shot and killed by a joint police and military force while 22 others are injured after a peaceful demonstration. Paniai Customary Council chief John Gobay accuses security officers of treating civilians as if they were members of the OPM.
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