by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer
Indonesian security forces utilized tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes with demonstrators commemorating the 62nd anniversary of a UN accord that facilitated Jakarta’s absorption of the Papua region.
According to Kimot Mote, a protest organizer, at least one protester sustained injuries from a rubber bullet, and 95 individuals were taken into custody during the unrest in Nabire, the principal city of Central Papua province.
The protests on Thursday were spearheaded by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), a pro-independence organization that opposes Indonesian governance in Papua. Activists reported similar demonstrations in various other cities, including Manokwari, Sorong Raya, Wamena, and Yahukimo.
Protesters are calling on international organizations such as the United Nations, the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and the Pacific Islands Forum to step in and urge Indonesia to stop its military operations in Papua.
Warpo Wetipo, the chairman of KNPB, made a direct appeal to Pope Francis to bring attention to the violence and human rights abuses in Papua. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore next month.
“We are requesting the Pope to speak out against the oppression of the Papuan people,” Wetipo stated.
The demonstration in Nabire began peacefully, but tensions rose when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, according to Mote.
The New York Agreement, signed in 1962, outlined the transfer of administration of Papua from the Netherlands to Indonesia under certain conditions. However, many Papuans believe they were not consulted in this agreement, leading to ongoing tensions and conflict in the region.
Despite efforts to promote economic development in Papua, many Papuans continue to advocate for self-determination due to years of discrimination, military aggression, and exploitation of their land and resources.
In Jayapura, protesters faced obstacles as they were prevented from accessing the protest site in Abepura, despite having obtained permission for the demonstration.
In other cities, such as Manokwari, police took measures to contain the protests, including setting up roadblocks to restrict access to certain areas.
The situation in Nabire became tense when non-Papuan residents clashed with protesters, but no violent clashes were reported. Central Papua’s acting governor called for calm and stressed the importance of addressing grievances through peaceful means.
Overall, protests in various cities were met with police intervention, with efforts made by demonstrators to cooperate with law enforcement being rejected in some cases.
