Activist Calls For Safety Of Civilians In Papua Amid Ongoing Conflicts

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Human rights activist Theo Hesegem voiced his concern about the recent conflict in Papua between the Indonesian law enforcement members (military and police) and the West Papua Liberation Army and Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM). He believed that the situation has worsened and claimed many lives. 

"The effect is that alleged human rights violations are happening in Papua. This is being monitored by the international community, including the United Nations," said Theo in a written statement on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

Theo strongly urged both parties engaged in conflict to avert attacking innocent civilians who reside in conflict regions. Theo strongly urged everyone to guarantee protection and security for civilians living there. "They should not be hampered by any form of threats coming from the two sides that are in conflict," said Theo. 

The armed conflicts in Papua have claimed many lives since 2018, which include native communities which, according to Theo, live in fear and trauma. The latest incident happened on Saturday, March 27, where two Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers were killed after an attack took place in Nduga, Papua.

That incident precedes another shooting committed by armed groups against workers who were fixing a local BTS tower, which killed eight telecommunication employees. The latest is the armed separatist groups that claim to have shot at two aircraft that carried police and military personnel. 

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI