FREEPORT'S CRIMES AGAINST THE AMUNGME-MIMIKAWE TRIBE AND THE PAPUAN NATION (PART 2)

 

Freeport and Facts about Crimes Against Humanity Against the Lives of the Amungme and Kamoro Tribes (Mimikawe)

You have eaten my body, what part have you not eaten? (Yosepa Alomang, owner of Mount Nemangkawi, Papuan figure, victim and living witness to Freeport crimes)

At the beginning here we need to say that this article is a continuation of our previous article which was published some time ago. In the first article, at that time we reviewed Freeport's crimes in the light of the theme: Exposing the 1974 January Agreement, Freeport's legacy of sins to the Amungme - Mimikawe Tribe and the Papuan Nation. 

In the second part of this article, we review the description of the crimes against humanity committed by Freeport against the Papuan people, especially the Amungme and Mimikawe (Kamoro) tribes. The third part will be present with the theme Freeport and the Papua Ecocide. Happy reading!

1. Facts about the Crimes of Humanity Disaster

The humanitarian disaster and the extinction of the Amungme-Kamoro tribe and the Papuan people in general from this Earth's civilization began with the visit of the Expedition Team consisting of Anton Hendrik Colijn, Frist Julius Wissel and Jean Jacques Dozy, in 1936 then followed up in 1960 by Forbes Wilson in Gresberg and the signing of Work Contract I at PT. Freeport, April 1967.

At the end of 1967, the Amungme community, led by the Tuarek Narkime chief, protested for the first time, when the Freeport Bachel Pomeroy Contractor under the leadership of John Curry, without asking for approval, broke into the Waa and Banti areas when Freeport started to enter and was about to build a Helipad and Base-Camp. .

One of the Amungme Tribe Leaders, Mr. Simon Aim, who currently lives in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, told a story about suffering and displacement in 1977. As a result of atrocities and operations by the Indonesian Military in the PT area. Freeport in 1977 resulted in him and 500 Amungme men fleeing on foot for 3 years (1977-1980). 

They crossed the Papuan Mountains region and continued to the South of Merauke then walked across West Papua through the Muyu Mandobo tribe area, Boven Digoel Regency, then went up to the Ngalum Oksibil tribe's traditional area, Bintang Mountains Regency and continued to the Northern Region in Keerom Regency and arrived in Jayapura and then continue the journey to the border region of Papua New Guinea and West Papua. 

He said that of the 500 people who were displaced, more than half died in the forest on the way and only 215 people arrived at the Papua New Guinea border. What is conveyed is one of the many stories of suffering and death experienced by the Amungme tribe and West Papuan people due to the existence of PT. Freeport.

Military operations in 1977, in the Central Mountains region of West Papua, began in Wamena (Jayawijaya Regency), and resulted in expanding to almost all of West Papua's mountainous areas in 16 districts in the current Indonesian government administration. 

In the same year 1977, the Amungme people fought back and protested by cutting a pipe belonging to Freeport McMoran Coper and Gold over the exploitation of natural resources in an area that for thousands of years the Amungme tribe believed to be a holy, sacred place had been mined by this foreign company. Responding to the people's action, PT. Freeport, through the Indonesian military, carried out military operations against the Amungme tribe. As a result, thousands of Amungme residents have fled into the forest. 

Many people died because they were shot by the Indonesian Military and there was a shortage of food and medicine. Since 1977 the Indonesian government has treated the West Papua territory and especially the Amungme tribe as a Military Operations Area (DOM) and only recently revoked the West Papua region as a military operations area after the reformation of October 5 1998 by the President of Indonesia, Prof. BJ Habibie.

In the late 1960s to early 1980s, in order to streamline mining operations, PT. Freeport has also relocated some of the Amungme tribe from their residence in the Agimuka coastal area. The Amungme tribe, which always lives in gardening with its staple food being taro and petatas, is forced to consume sago and coconut. As a result, many Amungme people were infected with the Malaria virus, fell ill and died.

The small child population of 20% of the Amungme tribe who were moved to Agimuka died of malaria. You can see a complete review in our book (Markus Haluk, Dead or Alive: Loss of Hope for Life and Human Rights in Papua. Publisher, Deiyai ​​and Honai Center, Print II June 2013. Pages 205-222).

In the 1980s, PT. Freeport, through the Indonesian Military, carried out the kidnapping and murder of the Amungme people. During this time many Amungme people were put in Freeport containers and thrown away or never returned to their families. Because of that, from that time until now the Amungme people and other Papuans were traumatized by the word container. 

Freeport's cruelty and violations of human rights continued until mid-1998.

On 9 October 1994 members of the TNI arrested, detained and tortured Mama Yosepa Alomang with several people. The following are the names of those who are being tortured and arbitrarily abused by the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) or the Indonesian National Army (TNI) at this time:

1. Yosepa Alomang,

2. Yuliana Magal, 

3. Matius Kelangame,

4. Yakobus Alomang, 

5. Nicholas Magal

The victims were taken to the Koperapoka military post and then taken again to the Timika Sector Post. They were detained for one month from 9 October to 10 November 1994 on charges of providing food and hiding members and leaders of the Free Papua Organization (OPM). (You can read Benny Giay: The Life and Work of John Rumbiak: NGO Churches and the Struggle for Human Rights in the 1980s in Papua. Deiyai ​​Publishers, Print I: 2011, Pages 187-190).

On December 25 1994, ABRI continued to persecute until the following civilians died horribly:

1. Yoel Kogoya (27 years old)

2. Peregamus Waker (38 years old)

3. Elias Jikwa (28 years old)

Meanwhile, 9 other people were beaten to death and witnessed the murder of their friends. They were then ordered to stand and sing the song Indonesia Raya and the Song from Sabang to Merauke, over and over again for 1 hour. The real victims were ordinary citizens who wanted to go to Tembagapura to celebrate Christmas using a travel document. 

2. Human rights violations in Timika 1994-1995

Since mid-1994 to mid-1995 there have been a series of human rights violations in the Timika area, Kab. Fak-Fak, Irian Jaya or West Papua. The entire incident of this violation is described in detail in the official report made by the Jayapura Diocese and submitted by the Bishop of Jayapura, Mgr. HFM Munninghoff who revealed that the following human rights violations had occurred: 

1). Summary murder (Summary Execution), 

2). Arbitrary arrest and detention (Arbitrary Arrest & Detention), 

3). Torture (Torture), 

4). Disappearance, 

5). Pengawasan (Monitoring) 

6). Destruction of Property.

Below we briefly describe the 6 forms of human rights violations in question: 

1. Summary Execution

Acts of violence that violate human rights in this category have been proven in this report which occurred 5 (five) times from 25 December 1994 to 31 May 1995. The victims of these acts were civilians from children to adults, men and women. both men and women. These civilians were killed while unarmed or resisting the security forces which endangered the security forces themselves. These actions include: 

a. On December 25, 1994: The scene of the incident on the Freeport bus No. 44 and on the road to Timika from Tembagapura.

One victim (Wendi Tabuni, 23) died because he was stabbed in the stomach and shot in the head while trying to escape. The body was thrown into a ravine at Mile 66. The perpetrator of the murder was a soldier belonging to troop 733 ABRI Post Mile 66. 

b. On December 25 1994: The scene of the incident was at the Freeport workshop, Koperapoka. Civilians died because they were persecuted. The number of victims was three people (Yoel Kogoya, 27; Peregamus Waker, 28; Elias Jikwa, 28). The perpetrator of the murder was a member of the squad from Mess Pupurima. 

c. On April 16 1995: The scene of the incident was in Harapan village, Kwamki Lama, Timika. Two civilians became victims of murder. The first used arrows (Piet Tebay), while the second (Yunus Kudial) used firearms. The first perpetrator of the murder was a Siskamling officer in Harapan Village, Kwamki Lama. The second is a soldier from Troop 733 Patimura. 

d. On May 31, 1995: The scene of the incident was in Hoea Village and 11 people were killed. The perpetrators of the violation were ABRI 752 troops under the leadership of Serda Mardjaka. 

2. Dissappearance

There was an incident where four people (Sebastinus Kwalik, Romulus Kwalik, Marius Kwalik, Hosea Kwalik) disappeared without any information being obtained to date from the party at the last place (Koperapoka Army Post) where the disappearance victims were located. The disappearance of civilians began with the arrest and detention of the four people on October 6 1994 by a number of soldiers. 

Since then, the victim's family has never been free to meet the victim and in the end, in November 1994, they were unable to meet the victim at all. The victim's last place was the Koperapoka army post container. 

3. Arbitrary Arrest and Detention

This action was carried out against civilians without any arrest or detention warrant, and the victim was not accompanied by a legal advisor when undergoing the examination process. The victim was later released without any clear official reason. 

a. On 9 October 1994: Arrest of 5 (five) civilians (Mathias Kelanangame, 48; Yakobus Alomang; Nicolaus Magal; Yosepha Alomang, 37; Yuliana Magal, 50) by Army soldiers from Battalion 752 Paniai. The place of detention was at the Timika Police, under the status of a prisoner "entrusted" to the Army. They were released on November 10, 1994. 

b. On December 25, 1994: Arrest of 15 civilians. The arrest was made by members of ABRI 733 Patimura troops. The detention center was held at the Freeport container and Freeport Workshop in Koperapoka. They were released on December 26, 1994. 

c. On 26 December 1994: Arrest of 4 (four) civilians (Yunus Omabak, 33; Naimun Narkime, 50; Okto Kiwa, 30; Pius Waker 34). The arrests were made by members of troops from Military Posts 733 and 752 Banti. The victim was detained at the Freeport security post and in a Freeport container. Two people were released on December 30, 1994 and two others were released on January 10, 1995. 

d. On December 29, 1994: Arrest of 3 civilians. 

e. On December 31, 1994: Arrest of 2 civilians. 

f. On January 1, 1995: Arrest of one civilian. 

g. On January 8, 1995: Arrest of 10 civilians. 

Most of the arrests occurred among civilians who also happened to be Freeport employees (laborers) and two tribal chiefs. 

4. Torture

This action was experienced by each of the victims mentioned above, both victims who were later released and those who died. As stated in a report from the Jayapura diocese that: 

a. There have been various forms of torture against victims during the period of examination of victims, such as: there has been forced signing of confession letters; death threats that scare the victim.

b. This action has been carried out continuously without stopping for a relatively long time: From 13.00 to 18.00 throughout the interrogation period; From 04.00 in the morning until 12.00 noon and from 14.00 until 02.00 in the morning. 

c. There are various methods used, such as: Kicking the stomach, chest, head with shoes; Hand blow; Not given food during detention; Stabbed the shoulder with a knife; Binding hands and fingers; Accomplices were handcuffed; Sun-dried; Head hit with a stone; Forcing an iron clamp on the arch of the knee; Hands are stepped on; Beaten with rattan; Forced labor; Sleep on the bare floor.

d. Torture resulted in: Head bleeding, swollen face, bruised body, fainting, death due to broken neck. 

e. Places of torture were carried out in various places such as: in Freeport containers, in the Commander's mess, at the Timika Police Office, at the Freeport security post. 

5. Monitoring

The surveillance actions that took place in the area were carried out under conditions that were so strict that they actually caused tension and fear among civil society.

Surveillance is carried out in churches, when civil society is worshiping, in villages, in the city of Timika and on the streets by checking every resident who passes by. Surveillance is carried out by using firearms aimed at targets (anything) and making threats to anyone who is thought to want to fight. 

6. Destruction of Property 

In carrying out security duties, it turned out that the property taken by the victim was confiscated during the arrest. A number of beaded jewelry and money (Rp. 260,000, belonging to Biru Kogoya, 28) were deliberately looted by members of Troop 733 and divided among their friends. 

By fulfilling the above categories in various incidents against civilians in Timika, these violations are categorized as serious human rights violations.

Amungme Passionist Memorial Songs

These wailing songs were sung at the time of evacuation due to the 1994-1996 Military operation. Written and translated by Paulus Kanongopme and Bosco Pogolamon saat, in August-September 1997.

There, the area that has always been coveted

There, a recently abandoned area

There, the area was long abandoned

There, the area was destroyed by the Army

There, the area was destroyed by ABRI

There, the area was destroyed by the Javanese

There, the Bella area is lined with Mt

There, the Alama area is lined with mountains

There, the area was damaged with SP guns

There, the area was ravaged with new model weapons

There, the district we have left

Our Ancestors, Protect us

Our Ancestors, Protect us

Mount Magawo, Protect us

Mount Kelawo, Protect us

They come to eat us, Protect us

They came to shoot us, Protect us

Mount Au-me Peak, Protect us

Mount Wangakalek me, protect us

Protect….Protect us

In 1996 there was a release of hostages in Mapenduma. In the same year there was a military operation to free the hostages. At this time, people were very afraid and traumatized by the name of the container with Brigadier General Prabowo Subianto, the Kopassus Commander who led the hostage release operation. Among the West Papuan people, they often remind each other, "watch out, are you going to enter the container? Why do you want to deal with the military, bro?" This is the testimony of Piet Matorbong, one of the figures of the Catholic Church who was born and raised in the Mimika region of Papua in a seminar paper commemorating 40 days of the death of the late Emiritus Mgr. Herman Moninghoff, OFM at Susteran Jayapura Papua, early March 2018).

Human rights violations continue. This time it happened to American citizens on August 31 2002 and Indonesia at mile 62-63 Tembagapura Timika, between 2 TNI 515 Kostrad Task Force Posts by an unknown group. 

In this incident 3 three people died (2 United States citizens and 1 Indonesian citizen) 11 people were seriously and lightly injured. Without a transparent and independent investigation process, the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Pastor Isak Ondowame to prison along with a number of Amungme people. 

In April-December 2009, there were shootings and killings of civilians in Timika, West Papua, which culminated in the shooting of the Commander of the West Papua National Liberation Army, Free Papua Organization, Mr. General Kelly Khwalik, by the Indonesian Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) troops.

From October 2017 to April 2018, gunfire also occurred in the PT concession area. Freeport Indonesia between TPN/OPM and Joint POLRI/TNI troops. In this incident a number of civilians were shot and died and thousands of Amungme civilians and related tribes fled into the forest. 

To be continued part 3…. *Facts of Freeport's Ecocide Crimes* 

Markus Haluk

ULMWP Executive Secretary