Tensions in the provinces of Papua and West Papua have risen in recent months amid altercations between security forces and armed rebel groups, some of which have ended in violence and death.

A slew of alleged killings involving minors in recent weeks has stoked fears of local residents, especially ahead of West Papua’s self-proclaimed anniversary on Dec. 1, which Indonesia does not recognize.

The Southeast Asian branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concern over the escalating conflict in the restive region.

"We are disturbed by escalating violence over the past weeks and months [...] and the increased risk of renewed tension and violence," UN Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said on Monday.

Shamdasani cited a series of killings in Papua over the past three months, including the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old on Nov. 22 and the murder of a local public figure, pastor Yeremia Zanambani, in September.

The 17-year-old, named Atanius Wuka, was one of four civilians that were shot dead by unidentified assailants in two separate incidents in Papua’s Puncak regency last week. Another minor survived and went on to post a video about the incident that went viral.

On Sept. 19, Yeremia was allegedly tortured and shot at close range in his pig pen in Intan Jaya regency. An investigation launched by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) found that a member of the Indonesian Military (TNI) was allegedly behind his death.

Adjacent to Puncak, Intan Jaya regency is one of the most violence-plagued areas of the country's easternmost province. Ahead of the Christmas holidays last year, two military personnel were killed in a shootout with armed assailants there.

The deaths of minors in last week's incidents echoed the Paniai shootings in 2014, where four teenagers were killed and which Komnas HAM called a "gross human rights violation". Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, who was serving as TNI commander at the time, denied accusations that the military had responded improperly.

"Authorities need to pursue thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all acts of violence, in particular killings, and for all perpetrators regardless of their affiliations to be held accountable," Shamdasani said.

The UN human rights body also criticized the arrest of participants in a meeting organized by the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) to evaluate Papua’s 20 years of special autonomy and the related funding in November.

"UN human rights experts have repeatedly expressed serious concerns regarding the intimidation, harassment, surveillance and criminalization of human rights defenders for the exercise of their fundamental freedoms," the spokeswoman said.

She urged the government to uphold the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, especially ahead of Dec. 1 – a day that some Papuans celebrate as the birth of the West Papua nation in 1961.

The Indonesian government has dismissed any claims to independence by separatist groups and insists that the issue of Papua should not be internationalized.

According to Shamdasani, her office has noticed an increasing trend of violence in Papua since 2018, following the killing of 19 people working on the Trans-Papua Highway in Nduga regency by an armed group.

The UN body was concerned about reports of extrajudicial killings, the excessive use of force, arrests and the harassment and intimidation of protesters and human rights defenders in the province, especially since the military brought in reinforcements in 2019.

The government deployed additional security forces in response to a series of riots and anti-racism protests in the province in August 2019.

"We are concerned about reports that both armed elements and nationalist militias have been actively involved in the violence," the UN spokesperson said.

"There is an urgent need for a platform for meaningful and inclusive dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua to address long-standing economic, social and political grievances. We urge all sides to work to prevent further violence," she added.