Indonesia is heading for confrontation in the Papua conflict, not for a dialogue – more violence expected

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) accuses the Indonesian government of heading for a violent confrontation in the conflict with the indigenous people of West Papua, rather than trying to enter a dialogue with the Papuans. On Tuesday, the human rights organization criticized the appointment of the former commander of a notorious anti-terrorist unit as the new police chief of the resource-rich region in the east of the island, which is striving for political independence. On Monday, it became known that the infamous relentless brigadier-general Tito Kamavian will be the new police chief. "Violence will spread even more if the Indonesian government continues to use repression as a solution to pacify the unsettled region," warned the STP's Asia-expert Ulrich Delius in Göttingen.

On Sunday, 22 Papua-activists were arrested after a chase in the provincial capital Jayapura, including several suspected leaders of the Papuan independence movement OPM, who – according to the authorities – are responsible for attacks on police officers, officials and tourists. Daniel Kogoya, one of the OPM's leaders, was wounded by gunfire during the arrest. Among other things, the security forces accuse him of having taken part in an attack on a German tourists, who was attacked on a beach and seriously injured on May 29. For decades, the OPM has been trying to keep up an armed struggle against the illegal annexation of the former Dutch colony of Indonesia.

"We strongly urge the Indonesian authorities to guarantee fair trials for the detainees", said Delius. "The Papua cannot be convicted solely because of their views and for rejecting the Indonesian reign, as in the case of the Papuan Filep Karma." In 2004, Karma had hoisted the flag of an independent Papua State and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He is still in custody. A few weeks ago – on August 9, 2012 – ten Papua were arrested for hoisting the banned Morning Star flag. So far, no charges were raised against them.

"The security forces treat people who show commitment for an independent Papua as terrorists," criticized Delius. The anti-terrorist unit Densus 88, which was lead by the new police chief of Papua until last year, is infamous for its ruthlessness. The unit is being accused to have murdered Mako Tabuni, the leader of a Papuan independence movement, in June 2011. Until today, the authorities are blocking an independent investigation of the mysterious death case.