JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) Two Papuan independence fighters, including a rebel commander, were killed in ongoing clashes between Indonesian security forces and a rebel group in the country’s troubled easternmost region, authorities said Thursday. The clashes began last month in restive Papua province after rebels set fire to several schools and killed two teachers in […]
Amid Crackdown, Indonesia Arrests Papuan Independence Leader
Victor Yeimo stands accused of organizing the wave of violent pro-independence protests that hit the region in August 2019.
May 11, 2021
Victor Yeimo as seen in a photo posted on his Facebook page on December 10, 2020.
Credit: Facebook/Victor Yeimo
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Indonesian authorities have arrested a Papuan independence leader for his alleged role in orchestrating a spate of civil unrest in 2019, the latest sign of the central government’s growing crackdown in the eastern region. According to a report by Reuters, Victor Yeimo, 38, was arrested in the provincial capital of Jayapura on Sunday, national police spokesperson Iqbal Alqudusy said.
Protesters and police face off in Mandalay, central Myanmar, March 3, 2021.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/VOA News
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On Saturday, Myanmar’s military junta officially labeled the country’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and its nearly announced armed wing as “terrorist organizations.”
The NUG was established last month by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Representative Committee (CRPH), a group of elected legislators who were barred from taking their seats when the military seized power on February 1. Last week, the National Unity Government announced the establishment of it’s a People’s Defense Force (PDF), a possible precursor to an ethnically inclusive nationwide federal army.
May 07, 2021
Indonesian soldiers stand guard during a protest in Timika, Papua province, Wednesday, August 21, 2019.
Credit: AP Photo/Jimmy Rahadat
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On April 29, the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs formally labelled Papua’s armed criminal organization (KKB), also known as the West Papua National Army-Free Papua Organization (TNPB-OPM), a terrorist organization. The decision comes after a series of attacks by TNPB-OPM in April resulted in the death of Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny, the head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) in Papua. While national stakeholders were largely supportive, Papua Governor Lukas Enembe issued a statement the following day rejecting the policy calling on the government to adopt a more humane security approach to Papua.
Ironically, with the annual World Press Freedom Day on April 26, many commentors also warn about the increased dangers for journalists covering the conflict.
Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy chairperson Hendardi has criticised the government’s move against “armed criminal groups” in Papua, or “KKB”, as the Free Papua Movement (OPM) armed wing is described by military authorities.
The move to designate them as terrorists is seen as a short-cut and an expression of the government’s “desperation” in dealing with the Papuan struggle for independence.
“The labeling of resistance groups in Papua will not break the long and recurring cycle of violence,” Hendardi said, according to a report in