AWPA condemns the latest Indonesian security force operation in the Bibida District, Paniai Regency which has resulted in more than 5,000 people from 15 villages in Bibida and Paniai fleeing their villages.
Joe Collins of AWPA said, "this number is added to the already large number of IDPs in the highlands who have fled their villages in the past few years because of the ongoing conflict ".
Human Rights Monitor (HRM) in its June update reported that there are "over 76,919 people in West Papua, mainly indigenous Papuans, who remain internally displaced due to the armed conflict in the region (https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/idp-update-june-2024-urgent-call-for-humanitarian-access-to-conflict-areas/).
Suara Papua media reported (15 June) that Kugapa and Ugidimi villages in Bibida district, Paniai regency were reported to be empty since Friday afternoon (14/6/2024) as residents had fled to other places that are considered safe (https://suarapapua.com/2024/06/15/warga-bibida-mengungsi-ke-pastoran-madi-pemuda-katolik-desak-penanganan-cepat/#google_vignette).
According to a HRM report only elderly people who could no longer walk and sick people remained in the villages.
A number of villagers fled in fear to the Madi Holy Cross Parish Church because the security forces were pursuing a TPNPB OPM group after a taxi driver was killed by the TPNPB according to the military on the Enarotali-Bibida road, in Kopo village.
HRM report from information received from local sources, that the "security forces entered the Bibida District with ten trucks around 8.00 am and began searching houses. The operation was accompanied by four helicopters circulating over Bibida. One of them reportedly released multiple shootings during the raid causing thousands of people from the villages Bibida, Dama-Dama, Kolaitaka, Kugaisiga, Odiyai, Tuwakotu, and Ugidimi to flee their homes. In the Paniai Timur Districts, people from the villages Amougi, Timida, Kopo, Wouye Butu, Uwibutu, Madi, Ipakiye, and Pugotadi (https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/security-force-operation-in-districts-bibida-and-paniai-timur-more-than-5000-indigenous-moni-and-me-people-flee-their-homes/) [fled their homes]".
Joe Collins said, "it's a pity that the only mainstream media reports on the Indonesian security force operations are those in the Indonesian media with the usual statements from military spokespersons such as "The TNI personnel continue to restore security, law and order in Bibida following their success in reclaiming the sub-district area from the Undius Kogoya-led insurgents on Friday, June 14",
"The success of TNI soldiers in shooting two OPM people has reduced the strength of the OPM, which, of course, has a positive impact on maintaining security and stability for the smooth process of accelerating development in Papua," Lt. Gen. Richard Tampubolon remarked.
And in an Antara News report, Armed Papuan rebels use civilians as human shields: TNI officer (https://en.antaranews.com/news/316266/armed-papuan-rebels-use-civilians-as-human-shields-tni-officer).
Collins said "statements so similar to military statements in other conflicts that there must be a conflict 101 lesson for military spokespersons".
Local organisations such as the Catholic Youth have asked for the important role of the Paniai district government to quickly resolve the situation in Bibida so that a peaceful atmosphere can be restored, so that residents can return to their hometowns.
Hopefully, the Australian Government will also urge the Indonesian Government to stop using a military approach to every incident in Papua as all it does is increase the loss of life and create even more internal refugees".
Source: https://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2024/06/awpa-condemns-latest-military-operation.htm