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Tolikara incident: Pure manipulation by Indonesian military

Free West Papua Campaign - January 30, 2005

Reported by: Rev. Socratez Sofyan Yoman, MA, President of West Papuan Baptist Church

A. The burning of School and District buildings

The burning of school and district buildings in Wunin village, Tolikara regency on 21st January 2005 which was reported by local media, Cenderawasih Pos and which was put on the headlines during 24, 25 and 26 January is a pure manipulation by the Indonesian military armed forces.

The news through local media, Cenderawasih Pos was the military armed forces efforts to do a public denial in order to influence public opinions especially the native Papuans.

The burning and the destruction of the school and district buildings are not the culture of the West Papuan who lives in the highlands. This attitude is far from the way the Lani people live their lives. The reality is that the native West Papuans always try to protect and keep the educational facilities that will be used to educate their children.

Wunin Incident in Tolikara regency raised many questions and hesitation because the case is similar to the case of attack on civilians in Kayuwagi and Puncak Jaya.

B. News on Kelly Kualik's arrest

The news about the arrest of Kelly Kualik in Wunin village, Tolikara regency on the 21st of January 2005 and which was reported on the headlines of Cenderawasih Pos newspaper on 24,25, and 26 of January 2005 is :

(1) purely military manipulation
(2) a public denial that aim to destroy the culture of the West Papuan who is always honest and willing to express the truth, justice, love and peace.
(3) The government of Indonesia's denial through its armed forces in order to justify their crimes on West Papuan people in West Papua.

The place where Kelly Kualik lives is in Timika (very far from Wunin village, Tolikara regency). It takes a month to get to Wunin, Tolikara. It is impossible for him to get there by aeroplane. If Kelly went through land route, then, he had to face military armed forces who were stationed along the road that connects Jayawijaya and Puncak Jaya regency. Kelly Kualik's age is 45, whereas the civilians that were arrested were 25 years old and below.

Kelly Kualik's area of operations is in Timika and not Tolikara.

It would be contemptible and stupid for him to burn school and district buildings because that is not what Kelly Kualik and the West Papuans are fighting for.

C. The arrest of the 8 civilians.

The eight civilians who were arrested and were jailed in Jayawijaya police headquarters are:

(1) Natan Wenda (male/age: 16 );
(2) Menis Wenda (male/ age:20);
(3) Yatimin Weya (male/age:22 );
(4) Beniyus Kogoya (male/age:21);
(5) John Hiluka (male/age:18);
(6) Salamin Weya (male/age:22);
(7) Simele Gire (male/age:23).
(8) Yohanes Hiluka (male/age:24).

The eight civilians are not members of the freedom fighters/OPM but only ordinary civilians. Until now, the actor of the burning of school and district building has not been identified.

D. Church leaders were banned to visit the prisoners

Rev. Lipiyus Biniluk, (Synod Chairman of the Indonesian Evangelical Church) was not allowed (prohibited) to visit the eight civilians. Not only him, members of the eight civilians' family are also not allowed to visit them. The question is why a reverend that wanted to see his church members was not allowed ?

E. The Purpose of the incident

1. The justification of the military presence in a large number in Tolikara Regency and the establishment of military posts that was implemented in Wamena ( Battalion 977 and 13 posts in Puncak Jaya ). (SEE : RECENT REPORT FROM WEST PAPUA, Jayapura, 13 January 2005)

2. A systematic effort from the government of Indonesia to destroy (genocide) the native people of West Papua through their military operations.

Their reason is that there are OPM fighters that destroy the government facilities.

3. A systematic provoke which has been programmed to create conflicts among internal West Papuans and which is part of their integrated 'devide et impera' politic (divide and destroy politic). This is done by isolating or grouping the native West Papuans in order for them to kill each other.

4. A systematic effort which is programmed to destroy, to fool, to create poverty towards the native West Papuans by burning the educational facilities.

Because the Indonesians do not love and do not protect the West Papuans, therefore, the West Papuans will continuously risk their safety, their human rights and human dignity.

The Indonesian main reason to do this is for two reasons. First is to keep the integrity of the unitary state of Indonesia. Second is to protect West Papua natural a resource for political and economy's purposes. These two reasons have neglected the integrity and the human dignity, human justice, peace and rights equality, which should have space in this living world.

5. An effort to drive and fade away (blur) the political agenda of the West Papuans especially the West Papuan efforts to find the truth of the history and the demand for the review of the 1969 Act of Free Choice in West Papua which was conducted undemocratically and injustice.

6. A terror effort and intimidation towards the native West Papuan so they do not have freedom to speak for the future of their nation.

7. To create projects for Indonesian military armed forces (TNI) and the Indonesian national police (POLRI) to get the special autonomy fund in order for them to rebuild the school and district buildings that have been burned.