Jayapura, Jubi – Head of the Papua Office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua) Frits Ramandey emphasizes that Papua should be seen as a region prone to conflict rather than one in constant conflict. In areas prone to conflict, police discretion is exercised in handling conflict escalation.
Ramandey explains that Papua falls into the category of regions prone to conflict because conflicts in Papua occur sporadically or unevenly. For example, conflicts are more likely to happen in Yahukimo, Nduga, Intan Jaya, Puncak, Paniai, Dogiyai, and Maybrat rather than the entire region. According to him, areas termed as conflict zones are those with widespread conflicts revolving around specific issues.
“When conflicts are widespread, we call them conflict zones. But when they are sporadic, we call them areas prone to conflict,” said Frits Ramandey during an interview at his office in Jayapura City on Thursday (29/2/2024).
Ramandey further explains that the category of regions prone to conflict is not solely based on violent movements, such as conflicts between the military/police and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). It also includes violent actions that sometimes occur among indigenous Papuans themselves, such as tribal conflicts.
“Acts of violence, Papuans protesting about labor issues, protesting about Papuan rights in political parties, protesting about land. These happen sporadically, and from the perspective of human rights, they are considered areas prone to conflict,” says Frits.
Regarding the recent arrest of two teenagers in Yahukimo suspected of being associated with the TPNPB, Ramandey views this action as a form of police discretion in handling conflict escalation.
In areas prone to conflict like Yahukimo, Frits continues, individuals around the conflict escalation site can be taken into custody as a precaution or as part of police discretion. However, when individuals are ‘taken into custody’ at the conflict escalation site, security forces must not commit violence against them.
“The problem arises when the detained individuals are subjected to violence,” he says.
Frits Ramandey appreciates the security forces for releasing the two teenagers from Yahukimo and stating that they are not part of the TPNPB or any armed civilian group.
If the two teenagers were subjected to violence or torture while in custody, Frits Ramandey says they have the right to file complaints with the local police, the police’s internal affairs division, or Komnas HAM for legal action.
“If they were subjected to violence or torture, they can file complaints with Komnas HAM,” he says.
He further states that Komnas HAM requests that the military/police refrain from committing violence and murder, especially in situations when people are defenseless. (*)
