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Papuan Human Rights : Military Operations

WEST PAPUA: Papuan SET ALIGHT by Indonesian soldiers. "We are not free here!"
By amena, Papua Barat [West Papua].
Jun 4, 2008, 18:15

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WEST PAPUA:

Papuan SET ALIGHT by Indonesian soldiers

“We are not free here!”


Report from human rights activists in the West Papuan Central Highlands
31 May 2008
To Elder Benny Wenda in England

Following recent reports of TNI [Indonesian military] operations in the Central Highlands, on 30 May 2008 we travelled to Kimbim and Pyramid villages to get news to the UK government and all West Papuan supporters all over the world. The following is a report of our investigation:

Indonesian military, police and Intelligence continue in search for “separatist symbols”

Papuans are still being questioned about Morning Star symbols on any accessories [T shirts, bags, hats, wristbands etc]. The process involves the TNI, Police Intelligence and BIN (Indonesian National Intelligence Agency). We are not free here! The operation [Operation Mambruk 2008] is generally taking place in the Highlands of West Papua.

The Indonesian military and police call us ‘OPM’ and ‘separatists’. We are not free to do our normal activities, especially about human rights and peaceful pro-independence campaigning.

Indonesian soldiers pour petrol on Papuan man, set light to his beard & torture him

In the village of Pyramid, Aten Wenda reported to us that his brother was recently tortured by TNI [Indonesian military] in Kimbim village by Indonesian soldiers from Battalion Wimanesili Wamena. The soldiers poured petrol on his beard and burned his beard and tortured him.


We tried to meet him but we had difficulties here because people in Pyramid were very suspicious. Their traumatic experiences with the TNI made them cautious of anyone who wanted to get any information. People would not speak freely with anyone who came to get any information. They are very scared of the Indonesian military.

Indonesian soldiers torture & beat Papuan teacher accused of stealing their wood

We interviewed Sem Kilungga, a teacher at Pyramid Elementary School, Kali Merah, West Papua, who knows the terrors, intimidation, torture and shooting by the TNI [Indonesian military].

Sem told us: “We don't know about the shooting of seven people in Kimbim, BUT recently there were shootings, beatings and torture here in Pyramid.

A spy reported to TNI Battalion Wimanesili Wamena that Yusuf Kenia, a teacher from Pyramid, had stolen the TNI's timber.

We had heard before that the TNI's timber had disappeared. Perhaps it was only used by the TNI as propaganda for torturing people. The Indonesian soldiers look for any excuse to intimidate and terrorise us.

A spy, however, found the timber in Yusuf Kenia's house. We don’t know if the spy put it there himself. He then reported it to the Battalion.

Then, the personnel from Battalion Wimanesili Wamena came to Yusuf Kenia's house in Pyramid and shot the house all over. They then got into the house and took Yusuf out of the house and beat him till his body was bruised and bloody.

The soldiers took Yusuf to their Battalion and continued beating and torturing him. Then, a soldier took him home. He fainted and was very weak. However, he wasn't dead. The military didn't kill him.”

Note: Yusuf himself was not in Pyramid at the time of our visit. Maybe he is in hiding while his wounds heal? However, Yusuf’s colleague, Sem Kilungga, whom we interviewed was also one of the victims He was an eye-witness.

Papuan teacher wrongly accused of being “OPM” commander


Similar to Yusuf, Sem Kilungga was himself a victim. He told us that a spy reported him to the Battalion. The spy accused Sem of being the General-Secretary of TPN OPM [Free Papua Movement] in West Papua.

Sem was nearly arrested. However, he knew the plan and therefore reacted immediately. He reported the issue to the Head of District and to the District Military Commander. After that, the District Military Commander took Sem to see the Battalion Commander. The Battalion Commander questioned his name and said, 'Are you Sem?' Sem said, 'Yes, I am'.



Sem then explained that he is just an ordinary teacher in the village and he does not keep any bullets in his house. His bullets are white chalks used to teach students. The Battalion Commander then released Sem to go home. Sem said, 'I was lucky', ' I could have faced similar torture like Yusuf if I hadn't taken action myself like I did’.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's all we can report to you for now.

Best regards,

[Name removed]

Wamena, Papua Barat [West Papua].



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Richard Samuelson
Free West Papua Campaign, Oxford, UK.
www.freewestpapua.org

© Copyright by w@tchPAPUA

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