A peaceful rally in Jayapura, occupied West Papua, was attacked by Indonesian security forces, on April 27, according to the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA).
Community members, including students and youth rallied in Jayapura, Wamena and other regions to protest the deteriorating human rights situation in occupied West Papua, particularly in the Dogiyai regency.
Security forces killed at least six unarmed civilians, including two children, across several villages in Dogiyai regency between March 31 and April 2, allegedly in retaliation for the killing of a police officer by an unknown assailant.
While police initially allowed the march to take place in Jayapura, the demonstrators were blocked in front of the Denzipur Waena military compound by police and Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel.
The demonstrators tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with the police to allow the protest to continue. The situation then escalated, with police firing tear gas at the crowd. According to eyewitness reports, security forces also threw stones at protesters.
Protesters fled in various directions to avoid the tear gas. It was reported that security forces assaulted several negotiators with batons and injured demonstrators.
West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda posted a video of an attack by security forces on a protest in Wamena, on April 27, saying: “Peaceful protesters — including students and members of the KNPB [National Committee for West Papua] — are being met with live fire, tear gas and water cannons by Indonesian police and military across West Papua, including in Wamena.
“These demonstrations are calling for justice following the Puncak (Kemburu District) massacre and the Deiyai massacre — yet the response has been violent repression.
“Unarmed civilians are demanding accountability. Instead, they are facing brutality.”
AWPA spokesperson Joe Collins said the actions of security forces illustrate the deteriorating human rights situation.
“Yet again, we have the Indonesian security forces cracking down on peaceful demonstrators who were trying to peacefully bring the authorities attention to the grave human rights situation in the territory.”
AWPA is calling on the Australian government — which claims it has a special relationship with Indonesia — to urge Jakarta to address the human rights situation in occupied West Papua and allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the territory.
Wenda called on “the international community, human rights organisations and the United Nations to urgently investigate these incidents; ensure protection for peaceful protesters; and demand accountability for the use of excessive force.
“The world must not stay silent while peaceful voices are met with violence.”