Video of a man from West Papua, who was tied up in a barrel filled with water and subjected to physical abuse and knife cuts by purported Indonesian military personnel, has reignited calls for global intervention to address the ongoing dispute in the region.
Two videos of the man being tortured are alleged to have been filmed in early February this year, during a military raid in the Omukia and Gome districts in Puncak regency, in the Central Papua province.
The video, which the Guardian reviewed but opted not to share, depicts a man seated in a large barrel filled with bloody water.
In a video, he is continuously struck, elbowed, and kicked while sitting in a barrel. Multiple injuries on his face and head can be observed with blood running from them.
In a separate incident, a blade is repeatedly dragged across his already-wounded back while his head is being restrained. He appears to be bleeding from his ear and head, and he is shivering.
The man remains silent and makes no attempt to fight back as he stands with his hands behind his back, while the attackers, dressed in regular attire, proceed with the assaults. One of the assailants is wearing camouflage pants, similar to the uniform of the Indonesian military, the TNI.
Menase Tabuni, the executive president of the ULMWP, denounced the attacks against innocent individuals.
This type of behavior goes against human morality. No legal system can justify the cruel and horrific acts of torture depicted in the two video clips.
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Tabuni said the UN high commissioner for human rights should “immediately form an investigation team to carry out investigations into human rights violations and threats of genocide against the Papuan people”.
“To see the image in full-screen, click on the full-screen button.”
In 2018, discussions were held for the United Nations high commissioner for human rights to visit West Papua. Over 100 countries have voiced their support for this visit, but it has not yet occurred.
The president of ULMWP, Benny Wenda, who is exiled from West Papua, stated that although the videos were “extreme and shocking”, they simply reveal the daily actions of Indonesia in my nation.
According to the speaker, the use of torture in the military is so prevalent in West Papua that it has been likened to a form of controlling the population. He urges viewers to keep in mind that West Papua has been isolated from the rest of the world due to a media embargo enforced by the Indonesian military for the past 60 years.
How many unreported victims are there globally? How many incidents are not recorded on video? Every week, we receive news of another killing, massacre, or innocent civilian being tortured.
According to a statement by Rumadi Ahmad, a deputy head of staff for the Indonesian government, their priority is to improve development and security in Papua. However, if military personnel engage in acts of violence and torture, it will impede these efforts.
Rumadi stated that although we have confidence that our soldiers would not engage in such objectionable actions, if it is confirmed to be true, those responsible must be held responsible according to the relevant rules and regulations.
“If the authenticity of the video is verified, the actions of a handful of negligent individuals could have serious repercussions on the carefully planned and executed development,” stated Rumadi.
Col. Gusti Nyoman Suriastawa, a spokesperson for the military in Papua, stated to BenarNews that an investigation is being conducted regarding the video.
“We are confirming its validity… if it is authentic, we must establish the location and time it took place.”
The four disputed provinces in Indonesia located on the island of Papua, also known as New Guinea Island, are collectively called West Papua.
In 1963, Indonesia took over the former Dutch colony. The annexation was made official through the UN approved “Act of Free Choice” in 1969, which has been heavily criticized as a fraudulent referendum. Only a little over 1,000 chosen Papuans were coerced, and some were even threatened with violence, to vote in favor of Indonesian control.
Over the years, there have been numerous accusations against security forces for violating human rights, resulting in an estimated death toll of 500,000 Papuans. A report from The Guardian last year revealed consistent claims of abuse and killing of innocent civilians, including children, by members of the military.
The Indonesian government has consistently stated that the provinces of West Papua are an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.
Source: theguardian.com
