Massive Indonesian Military build up in Punjak Jaya, West Papua, fear for civilians

Human rights activists are extremely concerned for the safety of the civilian population in West Papua's Pujak Jaya region following reports that there is a huge Indonesian Military (TNI) buildup in the area. The TNI is using the killing of two soldiers, reportedly by members of the OPM (Free Papua Movement) from the Goliat Tabuni tribe, on December 9th to justify the huge buildup.

Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, a promiment West Papuan human rights activist who recently visited Aotearoa, believes the killings were actually carried out by the Indonesian Military themselves to justify more military operations in the area. He said :

“This is their main purpose: additional troops in West Papua and also how to establish a new province, another province, in the Highlands. They’re trying to create conflict or destabilise in this area.”

Reverend Yoman has been blocked from visiting the area. He has said that it is essential the United Nations, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand become involved supporting peace in Papua. The Institute for Papuan Advocacy & Human Rights , based in Australia, has received word that:

Human Rights sources believe that the operation in the Punjak Jaya is being run as a 'closed operation'. A 'closed operation' means that all outside contact will be excluded and military will be run operations as if they were not occurring.

From August 2004 to May 2005 the TNI launched large scale military operations in Punjak Jaya burning down plenty of buildings and killing many people. Around 5000 Papuans were forced to flee their villages and at least 15 people (mainly children) died from hunger. Appeal to the International Community over the devastating Puncak Jaya operation and wider destabilizing political developments in West Papua 2004

Related

http://www.ihrc.revolt.org/

http://www.freewestpapua.org/