WCC NEWS: Human rights groups see extreme increase in military deployments and operations in Papua

In a recent report, WCC partner Human Rights Monitor expressed grave concern as Indonesian security forces intensify operations in West Papua. Eyewitnesses of the aerial attack by Indonesian forces in September 2021 show recovered ordnance from the attack in Kiwi, Pegunungan Bintang regency, West Papua. The village was attacked by air by Indonesian forces destroying and damaging many houses and public buildings including a clinic and church, and people from the village fled into the surrounding jungles. Photo: Photo supplied 24 April 2023 Killings and torture of indigenous Papuans are on the rise, according to the report, and security force members have raided villages and set homes on fire.  The raids reportedly occurred in conflict hotspots in West Papua, predominantly in the regencies of Puncak, Nduga, and Intan Jaya, but also in less conflict-affected places like the Elilim and Apahapsili districts in the Yalimo Regency on 1 and 2 April.  Indigenous Papuans, including women and children, have been arrested and tortured. Observers predicted an aggravation of the conflict weeks ago after the Indonesian military deployed more than 2,000 additional personnel to West Papua throughout March 2023.  The increased security force deployments are taking place alongside Indonesian government socialisation programmes, where military and police personnel interact directly with local communities,  participating in collective work, visiting schools, and taking over or accompanying essential healthcare services. However, this has only increased the fear and sense of threat experienced by indigenous Papuan communities. For decades, many Indigenous Papuans have been traumatized due to the history of violent military operations in West Papua. They fear becoming victims of arbitrary arrest, torture, killings, or enforced disappearance. The military presence in schools, health facilities, and churches limits Indigenous Papuans from accessing these essential public services. “The WCC 11th Assembly urged all WCC member churches and partners to increase their awareness, accompaniment and support for the people and churches of West Papua in the midst of this longstanding and worsening crisis,” recalled WCC Director for International Affairs Peter Prove, “and this report is a powerful reminder of the deteriorating situation in the region. We call for the international community’s solidarity and support for the indigenous people of Papua.” Human Rights Monitor is an EU-based organization promoting human rights through documentation and advocacy. Human Rights Monitor works in collaboration with the World Council of Churches on conflict and human rights issues in West Papua. Report of the Human Rights Monitor: Indonesia intensifies security operations in West Papua Human rights report urgently calls for reducing violence and promoting accountability in West Papua (WCC news release 16 February 2023) WCC 11th Assembly: Minute on the situation in West Papua Photo gallery: West Papua See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland