WEST PAPUA TRAGEDY: HOW WILL IT END?

Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

Ten days before the Indonesian presidential election, ten thousand soldiers were reportedly deployed to secure the electoral process in West Papua, a region that has remained unstable since its annexation by Indonesia in the 1960s.

However, given the relatively small population of West Papua and its higher abstention rate than that of other Indonesian provinces, many may wonder what justifies this massive militarization?

Militarization in West Papua, a campaign of terror? 

Data presented by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in October 2023 indicate that about 47,000 Indonesian soldiers are serving throughout West Papua, double the number deployed at the time of the Indonesian invasion 62 years ago. This is all the more absurd since the number of guerrillas in West Papua claimed by Indonesia was only about 500 in January 2023.

What explains this situation? Those familiar with the issue of West Papua know that the main reason is the will to spread terror against local indigenous communities.

Timor-Leste case repeated in West Papua? 

Militarization is nothing new in Indonesia. Looking back at the Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste (1975-1999): there were tens of thousands of military personnel deployed, ranging from ordinary soldiers to elite commandos. As a result, Timorese suspected of being separatists were systematically terrorized, tortured and even killed.  

While the UN deplores the massacres of about 200,000 civilians in Timor-Leste, Indonesia seems to have no remorse to repeat this massacre on a larger scale in West Papua. Menase Tabuni, the current ULMWP president, confirmed this at a press conference last week, on 31 January:

"The Indonesian government has absolutely no intention of resolving the conflict in Papua. On the contrary, it continues to encourage the use of military force as a measure to create widespread terror in order to control the natural resources of the land of Papua."  [ed: Papua is the abbreviation of West Papua].

Who benefits from terror in West Papua?

The ban on foreign journalists in West Papua allows the Indonesian military to carry out its policy of terror against West Papuans with impunity. This media blackout also benefited predatory multinational companies operating in West Papua.

PT Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of American giant Freeport McMoRan, is probably the biggest beneficiary: its Grasberg gold mine is the largest in the world with the lowest operating costs. From there, one can imagine the extent of environmental damage caused by Freeport.

How will West Papua end?

Many wonder how this tragedy will end in West Papua, but no one can answer with certainty. So far, what I can say is that West Papua is a longstanding and unresolved problem of racism, which has taken root in Indonesia since December 19, 1961.

West Papua is not only an Indonesian disgrace. It is the face of our broken humanity, stained with greed, indifference, without mercy for those who are defenseless.  Ultimately, how the tragedy in West Papua will end depends on the stance we all take.

Why keep writing about West Papua?

Through my advocacy experience for West Papua, I realized how rare empathy is. I was stunned at how highly educated people could justify what was clearly wrong and how apparently pious people could allow atrocities to happen before their eyes.

Sometimes I wonder how my articles will affect those who read them. Well, at the end of the day, I think that at least, in writing, I obey my conscience. For me, concern for the suffering of West Papuans is indicative of a person’s humanity.