Home > South-East Asia >> West Papua

West Papuan church members attacked by police in Nabire West Papua

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney) Media release - December 9, 2008

Just days before International Human Rights Day, Indonesian police including Brimob attacked Papuan members of the GKIP church (Gereja Kemah Injil Papua/(Tabernacle Bible Church of Papua) in Nabire West Papua. 12 members were beaten, 5 students shot and wounded

AWPA (Sydney) calls on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to raise the human rights situation in West Papua with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Bali Democracy Forum (10-12 December).

The Forum is aimed at promoting democracy both regionally and globally and will discuss strengthening democratic institutions in Asia. Joe Collins of AWPA (Sydney) said, “The Australian Prime Minister should raise the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President as a priority. West Papua is one of our nearest neighbours and we have a moral duty to raise the ongoing abuses in West Papua including the recent attack on the GKIP church in Nabire with the Indonesian Government.”

Summary of report received (abridged)

Indonesian police including Brimob attacked Papuan members of the GKIP church (Gereja Kemah Injil Papua/(Tabernacle Bible Church of Papua)) in Nabire West Papua. 12 members were beaten including 5 students who were shot.

The incident which occurred on the 3rd and 4th of December was over the ownership of a church in Nabire called the Bethesda Church which is the property of the GKIP (Papua Kingmi Church). However the church is claimed by a local priest, Roy Raja as the property of GKII (Indonesia Kingmi Church).

(In 2006,the GKIP officially separated from GKII, but following allegations that the GKIP Kingmi Church was supporting the Papuan self determination struggle members of GKII rejected the autonomy of the Papuan church).

At a proposed ceremony of the establishment of the church which had been refurbished, the GKIP demanded that the name of the GKIP church should be used on the front of the church, otherwise the ceremony would be cancelled. The Papuan congregation of the GKIP (Papua Kingmi Church) sat in front of the church in a peaceful protest but the Indonesian Kingmi Church (GKII) called on the Indonesian Police to support them.

The Indonesian police including Brimob (the TNI were present looking on) instead of trying to solve the problem attacked the Papuan congregtation shooting and beating them resulting in 5 students been shot and others beatinf with rattan sticks.

Names of victims and injuries

1. Rev. Daud Auwe M. Div (46 years of age) a Lecturer at STTWP Campus II, Nabire). Was hit with a rifle butt, kicked by police and beaten with rattan sticks.
2. Samuel Pekey (26years) a student of STTWP Campus II, Nabire). Suffered a head wound when hit by flying chips from the result of a bullet stricking closeby. Also received some injures to his arms and legs.
3. Yulianus Pigome (30years) Head of the student senate at STTWP Campus II, Nabire). Suffered wounds to his head and forehead.
4. Demianus Wandegau (26years) a student of STTWP Campus II, Nabire) Suffered an open wound to his head and lost a large amount of blood and broken lips.
5. Marthen Pigai (28years) a student of STTWP Campus II, Nabire). Suffered an open wound to his head, lost lots of blood, hit by a rubber/false bullet.
6. Yulius Tebai (17years) a High School student of YPPGI, Nabire). Also hit by rubber/false bullet while at work in his class room.
7. Marthen Ogetai (35years) a member of the Justice and Peace Bureau of GKIP church at Kebo) Suffered a wound to his leg.
8. Oktopianus Pigai (24years, a youth from the GKIP church). Hand injury
9. Ev. Marthen Douw, MA (34years, a Lecturer at STTWP Campus II, Nabire). Shot in the neck.

10. Derek Nawipa, S.Sos
11. Yakob Pekei
12. Melkianus Gobai (Although their type of injuries are not yet confirmed)

See also:

West Papua Links

Indonesia News Digest

Statements/press releases on West Papua