Nduga Refugees in Watimena, Jayawijaya regency :(Dok vullmembers Alampa)
WATIMENA, THETPN-PBNEWS.COM–Pakar of the United Nations human rights stated that serious concerns about the worsening situation in the province of Papua and West Papua in Indonesia. This party cites shocking violations of the native Papuan residents, including the murder of children, removal, torture and moving of people.
The experts include Francisco Cali Tzay, the special complainant for the rights of the indigenous peoples, Morris Tidball-Binz, the special complainant for ekstrayudisial’s execution, summary or arbitrary, and Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, a special complainant for Internal Refugee Rights.
The experts are calling for urgent humanitarian access to the territory, and urged the Indonesian Government to conduct a full and independent investigation into violations experienced by indigenous peoples.
“Between April and November 2021, we have received charges that show some examples of murders beyond the legal process, including small children, forcibly removal, torture and inhuman treatment, as well as moving at least 5,000 Papuan people by security forces ,” the experts said on March 1, 2022.
They estimated the overall number of refugees, since the escalation of violence in December 2018, between 60,000 to 100,000 people.
“The majority of refugees in West Papua have not returned to their homes, because of the presence of powerful security forces and armed clashes in the conflict area.”
“Some refugees live in temporary shelters or stay with relatives. Thousands of displaced villagers have fled into the forest, where they were affected by a heavy climate on the highlands without access to food, health care, and Educational facilities ,” said experts.
In addition, they said, there is no access to the delivery of the help of ad hoc, the humanitarian aid institute, including the Red Cross. Their access is very limited, or none to the refugees.
“We are terribly disturbed by reports that humanitarian aid to Papuan refugees were prevented by authorities ,” experts added.
“Severe nutritional problems have been reported in some areas with lack of access to adequate and timely health services. In some incidents of church workers have been prevented by security forces to visit refugee camps seeking protection.”
“Unlimited humanitarian access must be given immediately to all regions where the original residents of Papua are currently in displaced. The solution that lasted a long time must be found immediately. “
Since the end of 2018, experts have written a letter to the Indonesian government on chance, about various suspected incidents. “These cases may be the peak of the icy mountain considering the access to the area is very limited, so it is difficult to monitor events in the field ,” he said again.
They said the security situation in Papua’s higher plain had deteriorated dramatically since the murder of a military officer by the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPN PB) in West Papua, on April 26, 2021. Experts pointed to a two-child shooting, 2 and 6-year-old, on October 26 when the bullets pierced their respective homes during the shootout. The 2-year-old boy later died.
“Urgent action was required to end the ongoing human rights breach of Papua’s native population ,” they said, adding independent monitoring and journalists have to be given access to the region.
“His steps must be encompassing and ensure all alleged violations receive a thorough, fast and unbiasedd investigation. The investigations must be addressed to ensure those in charge, including boss officers, and if relevant is brought to court. Important lessons must be learned to prevent future violations.”
Experts again conveyed their concerns to the Government and they recognize the Government has sent a reply to the letter of AL IDN 11/2021.
(Vullmembers Alampa)
