Jakarta – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) has requested military intervention from the United Nations (UN) Security Forces. It also seeks support from the European Union, African-Caribbean-Pacific States, and all UN members as advocated in UN Resolution 2625 (XXV) on the right to independence and self-determination for colonized nations.

If the UN or the international community did nothing, the TPNPB said, they would launch a campaign targeting members of the military and Javanese people in Papua as a response to the Indonesian government's action labeling the TPNPB a terrorist group.

"If Indonesia continues terror and genocide against the people of West Papua, as it has been for almost 60 years, and the international community does not interfere, the TPNPB-OPM will announce a campaign to destroy not only illegal military members who occupy the Papua land, but also illegal Javanese and other settlers who have stolen the customary lands and resources of the West Papuan people," said Amatus Akouboo Douw, envoy of the Australian-based TPNPB-OPM Diplomatic Council. TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom forwarded the message to tempo.co on Sunday, May 2, 2021.

Sambom said that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police were the ones who had always terrorized, intimidated, and committed genocide against Papuans for 59 years. He said that, if the government issued any law or regulation on the establishment of the TPNPB as terrorists, the TPNPB-OPM would report to the UN and declare a global campaign denouncing Indonesia as a terrorist country.

Coordinator Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD welcomed the TPNPB to take legal steps to the UN over their status as terrorists. "Please, go to the UN," said Mahfud via text message on Saturday.

Earlier last week, the Indonesian government declared the TPNPB a terrorist group while President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo ordered the TNI and police to capture all TPNPB members following the death of a Papua spy chief by the TPNPB. Many parties including civil groups and Papua governor Lukas Enembe demand the government to revoke the terrorist label on the TPNPB.

Following Jokowi's order, armed conflict continues to heighten in Puncak Regency and its surrounding areas, prompting civilians to take refuge. On Saturday, the TNI and police deployed more troops to Ilaga Regency.

Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/tpnpb-demands-international-intervention