Jayapura, Jubi – Amnesty International Indonesia (AII), the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and the Dogiyai High School and University Student Association (IPMADO) in Jayapura, Papua, have declared their position on the incident in Dogiyai regency, Central Papua.
At least six civilians were reportedly killed and two others injured in the incident in Dogiyai. Meanwhile, police have stated that two of their personnel were injured.
The civilian deaths and injuries are believed to have been caused by gunfire during security forces' search operations there, from March 31 to April 2.
Police conducted a search after a police officer, Second Brigadier (Bripda) Jufentus Edowai was killed on Tuesday morning March 31.
The victim suffered a slash wound to the neck and five severed fingers after being assaulted by an unknown individual (OTK) in Kimupugi Village, Kamuu district, Dogiyai regency.
Responding to the series of violent incidents in Dogiyai, Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena expressed his condolences to the families of the civilian victims and the deceased police officer.
He stated that this incident has once again left a deep scar on the upholding of human rights in Papua, beginning with the murder of the police officer and quickly escalating into a series of bloody incidents that have claimed the lives of many civilians.
According to Adiwena, the killing of a law enforcement officer is a serious crime, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. However, the response, marked by a series of gunshots and a pursuit by security forces, which resulted in the deaths of civilians, indicates the possibility that extrajudicial killings took place.
Yet, the right to life is a fundamental right that must not be violated under any circumstances. The subsequent violence, such as the burning of passing vehicles, the destruction of civilian buildings and the attack on the Dogiyai District Police (Polres) Headquarters, is considered to demonstrate the fragile nature of the local security situation.
"These incidents confirm that civilians continue to be the most vulnerable group caught in the vortex of conflict, without adequate protection from the state", said Adiwena in a written press release on Thursday April 2.
The series of events in Dogiyai is said to be concrete evidence that the violence in Papua has not yet found a resolution. The dominant security approach that has been prioritised by state up until now has failed to break the chain of conflict and instead often creates new cycles of violence.
Adiwena emphasised that the state must not allow this kind of violence to continue. The authorities must thoroughly, transparently and independently investigate the entire series of violent incidents in Dogiyai, which resulted in casualties on both sides.
"Moreover the state needs to establish an independent fact-finding team to investigate this case objectively and transparently. The state must seriously evaluate its militaristic approach in the land of Papua. Shift to a more humane, dialogical and civilised approach for the sake of realising peace based on justice and human rights", he said.
The ULMWP also expressed its deep concern and condolences to the families of the victims. The ULMWP strongly condemns the actions of Indonesian security forces against civilians in Dogiyai.
ULMWP Executive President Menase Tabuni said that under any legal or normative grounds, this action cannot be justified or tolerated.
"The actions of these colonial authorities demonstrate the systemic racism characteristic of their attempts at genocide and ethnocide against the West Papuan people", said Tabuni in a written press release.
Tabuni is urging the United Nations (UN) and other countries to address the humanitarian tragedy in Dogiyai, which constitutes a crime against humanity against the Papuan nation.
He is asking that the UN deploy an independent investigative team to assess the serious threats faced by the Dogiyai and West Papuan people during the 65 years of Indonesian occupation.
From the United States, ULMWP Executive Vice President Octovianus Mote called on the leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to pay serious attention to this case.
He is pushing for a visit by an independent international investigative team, in line with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Communique in Port Moresby, PNG in 2015 and the MSG Leaders' Communique in Port Vila, Vanuatu in August 2023.
"The ULMWP also calls on traditional leaders, churches, academics, students, women and international solidarity [groups] to address the situation in West Papua during the Three Holy Days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday)", said Mote.
The IPMADO in Jayapura also expressed its deep concern and sorrow over the series of violent incidents in Dogiyai.
IPMADO stated that this situation must not be allowed to continue, as it will only prolong the cycle of violence and increase the number of casualties in Dogiyai regency.
IPMADO made a number of demands including urging the national police chief (Kapolri) and the Central Papua police chief (Kapolda) to immediately dismiss the Dogiyai police chief, Police Commissioner Yocbeth Mince Mayor.
Urging the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and its Papuan representative office to immediately form a team to investigate the shootings allegedly carried out by members of the Dogiyai District Police that ended in civilian casualties.
Urging the Dogiyai police chief to immediately identify the perpetrators and prosecute them according to the prevailing laws of the country, as well as to stop the arrest of Dogiyai residents without clear evidence.
Urging the Commander of the XVII Cenderawasih Military Command (Kodam) and the Central Papua police chief to immediately evaluate their officers in the field who are suspected of excessive acts against civilians.
Urging the Dogiyai regency government to immediately give serious attention to the victims' families, including medical assistance, psychological support and compensation for family members left behind.
Criticising and condemning the shooting of civilians in Dogiyai, which is suspected of being a serious violation of human rights.
Inviting all students and the community in Papua to unite against the injustice and human rights violations that have occurred, are occurring and will occur in the land of Papua.
Demanding that the Central Papua police chief stop claiming Dogiyai is a safe area and calling for an end to the deployment of military personnel in Dogiyai regency.
IPMADO emphasised that if these demands are not met, they will hold a huge demonstration to raise the issue at the national level.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Amnesty Internasional, ULMWP Dan Mahasiswa Nyatakan Sikap Terhadap Peristiwa Dogiyai".]
