GOODBYE MR. LUKAS ENEMBE: LEADER AND DEFENDER OF PAPUAN CAUSE

UNITED LIBERATION MOVEMENT FOR WEST PAPUA - ULMWP

Secretariat of the Home Affairs Coordination Headquarters, Jln. Mapilema, No. 11 Wamena Jayawijaya Regency - West Papua. Email: ulmwp@protonmail.com, +62-85244442502

Goodbye Mr. Lukas Enembe, 

leader and defender of the Papuan cause

Call for two weeks of national mourning 

Today, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 11 a.m., Mr. Lukas Enembe, both leader and servant of the Papuan nation, passed away at the Gatot Subroto Military Hospital, Jakarta.

The death of Lukas Enembe must be considered part of the planned and systematic assassinations carried out by the Indonesian government through law enforcement and state intelligence services.

A courageous leader

The Papuan people know that Lukas Enembe is a courageous leader. Lukas is not only a governor, but also a leader. He proved it beyond words. When massive Papuan protests against Indonesian racism broke out in August-October 2019, Lukas was the only governor who dared to publicly convey solutions to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. 

Lukas fought alongside his people. He did it for justice, peace and the future of Papuans. He is remembered not only for his major development projects, but also for his support for the dignity of Papuans. He knew that the Papuan nation was on the verge of extinction. He himself declared this in public. Under Indonesian colonial rule, Lukas suffered threat after threat, but he handled them calmly: 

In February 2017, threats from the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK). In July-August of the same year, threats from the police. In September 2017, threats from the State Intelligence Agency (BIN). In December 2018, dismissal threat by the Ministry of the Interior due to the conflict in Nduga. In February 2019, arrest threat at the Borobudur Hotel in Jakarta. In October 2019, a tire exploded on his official car. In September 2022, indictment by the KPK. And in January 2023, forced arrest in Jayapura, capital of Papua. Lukas was also the subject of various non-physical threats aimed at damaging his honor.

Inhumane legal procedure

In January 2023, Lukas Enembe was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) without his state of health being taken into account. During his 11 months in detention, Lukas repeatedly requested to see specialists in Singapore who were familiar with his illness, but his requests were rejected.

Indeed, from the start of his trial, Lukas told the judges that he was ill and had not received appropriate treatment. KPK officers allegedly forced him to participate in the trial and committed other inhumane acts against him.

Still seriously ill, Lukas was sentenced in October 2023 to 8 years in prison. After KPK prosecutors appealed on December 7, the Jakarta High Court increased his sentence to 10 years' imprisonment.  

Today it's Lukas Enembe's turn, who will be tomorrow?

The premeditated murder of Lukas Enembe must not happen to other Papuans. Let's make sure it's the last one. Whoever we are, without exception, we must not allow this to continue to happen to the future leaders of our nation. 

Lukas Enembe places his hopes in the fighters of Free Papua, in the ULMWP, in all of us, because with Indonesia, the Papuan people have no future.

Let us not forget that many Papuan leaders have been assassinated in the past. Today it's Lukas, tomorrow it will be you, and ultimately we will all be murdered!

Two weeks of national mourning

ULMWP Executive Chairman Menase Tabuni said: 

“The entire ULMWP family, wherever they may be, as well as the Papuan people, extend their deepest condolences. As a mark of respect for the sacrifice of Mr. Lukas Enembe for the land and people of Papua, we call on all Papuans to observe a two-week national mourning."

In memory of your sacrifice and patriotic struggle, we bid farewell to our courageous leader. The Lord Jesus welcomes you to heaven, for you died to save your people, the Papuan people.

Jayapura, Papua, December 26, 2023

One people and one soul

Markus Haluk

Executive Secretary of ULMWP