Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has stated that two teenagers detained by the Indonesian Military(TNI) and Police in Yahukimo Regency on February 22, 2024, are not members of the TPNPB. They declared that the two teenagers, MH (15) and BGE (15), are ordinary civilians who were apprehended while coincidentally crossing Kali Brasa.
The commander of Battalion WSM Ndugama Derakma, Nabeanus Gerebea, in a phone call with Jubi on Saturday (24/2/2024) refuted the declaration by chief of Cartenz Peace Operations Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, who alleged that MH and BGE were involved in the TPNPB network.
“They are not TPNPB members. They are civilians and have no knowledge about the TPNPB. They were both apprehended while intending to cross Kali Brasa to Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo. They were arrested and tortured,” Gerebea alleged.
Gerebea stated that the joint TNI and police forces beat and tortured MH and BGE. MH and BGE are minors, therefore the beating and torture of the two violated International Humanitarian Law, according to Gerebea.
“We urge the TNI and police to treat these two children according to international humanitarian law. Even more so, security forces must have protected civilians in wartime,” he said.
Gerebea criticized the security forces for always torturing Papuan civilians who are innocent. “Do not just chase or arrest civilians, especially children, who are innocent and then torture them. That is a violation,” he said.
Previously on Friday, chief of Cartenz Peace Operations Sr, Comr. Faizal Ramadhani stated that the security forces arrested MH (15) and BGE (15) at Kali Brasa, following the shooting between the forces and the TPNPB. A TPNPB member named Otniel Giban or Bolong Giban died in the shooting.
Faizal stated that MH and BGE were arrested on suspicion of being members of the TPNPB. “Currently, both of them have been detained at the Cartenz Peace Operations post in the Yahukimo area because they are suspected to still be students,” said Faizal.
Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated on Friday that his office is still investigating the alleged involvement of MH and BGE with the TPNPB network. “We are conducting further developments. If the two teenagers are related to the TPNPB, then we will enforce the law. I am still waiting for further examination results,” said Fakhiri. (*)
