Kontras: 16 civilians dead in Papua military operation

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has noted that as of Thursday, as many as 16 civilians have been killed or have died of starvation in the ongoing military operation in the Papuan regency of Wamena, strong evidence that the military have committed crimes against humanity.

Coordinator of Kontras' office in Jayapura Pite Ell told local journalists on Thursday that most victims died after being shot, tortured and beaten by soldiers and only two died of starvation in a refugee area.

"So far we have recorded 16 civilian fatalities...," he said.

Hundreds of soldiers, including 140 personnel of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) and Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), have been waging a limited military operation to hunt rebels who killed two Army soldiers and stole rifles and ammunition from the Wamena military district arsenal on April 4.

Since the operation was launched, soldiers have recovered 22 of the 29 rifles and guns stolen.

More than 5,000 villagers, mostly residents of Kuyawage and Ilehe, have taken refuge in forest areas in the regency in fear of intimidation and torture.

The 16 were named as Arman Tabuni alias Titus Murib, Yapenas Murib, Arekean Wuka alias Kabelek Hiluka, Tutuan Telenggen, Yesaya Telenggen, Yuben Wenda, Yukilele Wanimbo, Alisu Murib, Yingget Tabuni, Enggelak Tabuni, Ketis Tabuni, Galen Tabuni, Yanis Telenggen, Debanus Murib, Obenus Telenggen and Eretena Murib. There is no detailed information about the victims.

"The killing of civilians who are not rebels is a crime against humanity and, therefore, the operation must stop and the soldiers should be pulled out since they have proven to be unprofessional," said Pite.

He joined forces with local NGOs and leaders of religious groups, to demand that the government form an independent team to investigate the human rights abuses.

Spokesman for the Trikora Military Command in Papua Maj. G.T. Situmorang denied Kontras' report which he claimed was received from certain people through radio communication.

Situmorang declined to comment further on the report saying that the military did not want to be involved in fruitless debate over it.

He hinted that despite the strong protests, the military operation would continue until the remaining seven rifles and guns and ammunition were retrieved and the regency was cleansed of separatist activities.