By UCA News reporter
PAPUA – A bishop in Indonesia’s conflict-stricken Papua’s easternmost region has sought the withdrawal of security forces to help the return of hundreds of displaced residents to celebrate Christmas.
“Immediately withdraw military forces from Oksop district and stop all actions that could trigger fear and insecurity among civilians,” Bishop Yanuarius Matopai You of Jayapura said in a statement on Dec 16.
Hundreds of people fled the Oksop district in Pegunungan Bintang regency in Papua Highlands province as the military started a special drive on Nov 30, targeting members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN-PB) allegedly working to free Papua from Indonesian control.
On Dec 11, Pegunungan Bintang police chief Anto Seven claimed that the situation in Oksop was conducive for the uprooted people, most of them Christians, to return.
However, Bishop You denied Steven’s claims.
“According to the data we have collected, the number of refugees is estimated to have reached 401 people,” You observed.
The diocese and the Secretariat for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscans of Papua, and the Department of Law and Human Rights of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI) had conducted an independent investigation, the prelate said.
He said the displaced people include more than 30 children aged between two months and 12 years and 115 women, including pregnant and elderly.
You said the presence of troops and their special drive prevent the displaced “from returning to their hometowns in the run-up to Christmas.”
The situation in Oksop “indicates a humanitarian emergency that requires serious attention from all parties,” he noted.
The bishop asked the Pegunungan Bintang government to provide protection and assistance to the refugees to return and asked the National Human Rights Commission to “conduct an independent investigation.”
The bishop also asked the TPN-PB to “refrain from acts of violence and open up space for dialogue to find a peaceful solution.”
Father Alexandro Rangga, director of the Secretariat for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscans of Papua, said the number of refugees does not include “those who fled to the forest.”
He told UCA News on Dec 16 that the bishop’s appeal was necessary as the military allowed only district heads and village heads to enter Oksop.
“Many refugees are stuck in camps in Oksibil in Pengunungan Bintang regency,” he said.
Pastor Besial Mimin of the GIDO Church claimed that the security forces damaged his church building, forcing residents to conduct prayers in their homes for the past two weeks.
“We are in a Christmas season. But the people here do not feel the peace of Christmas. Instead, they are afraid,” he said, according to a report in Jubi.id.
“We cannot worship because the military is using our church,” he added.
This special drive is the latest incident in the prolonged conflict between Indonesia and pro-Papuan independence groups.
The Papuans want to free their region from Indonesian control, but Indonesia looks to suppress it militarily.
The region is home to large gold mines with extensive sources of natural gas, minerals, timber, and palm oil.
The freedom struggle, ongoing since 1962, is estimated to have killed up to 500,000 people. At least 300 people have died in the last decade. – UCA News
