Jayapura, Jubi – Spokesperson for the Papua Peace Network (JDP) Cristian Yan Warinussy said the persecution allegedly carried out by Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers against three children in Keerom Regency on October 27, 2022, was very degrading to humanity. The Papua Peace Network urges the government to stop the military approach in resolving conflicts in Papua.
When contacted by Jubi on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Warinussy reminded that violence against Papuans committed by security forces has occurred repeatedly.
Rahmat Paisei (14), Bastian Bate (13), and Laurents Kaung (11) were allegedly tortured by the soldiers at the Cartenz Task Force Post, Yuwanain Village, Arso District using chains, coils of wire and water hoses. The soldiers did it because they suspected the children of stealing a cockatoo at the post.
Warinussy said if the Army had evidence that the three children committed theft, they should have reported it to the police instead of persecuting them. The persecution only confirms that security forces in Papua practice experience impunity in committing violence, and it makes other security forces not afraid to commit similar violence.
Warinussy reminded that violence committed by the TNI and police had been normalized as if there was nothing wrong with acting violence against Papuans.
“President Joko Widodo must order the withdrawal of all non-organic TNI personnel, including Kopassus, from all of Papua. JDP views that it is time for the State to immediately end the military approach in addressing the Papua problems,” he said. (*)
