Kontras: 16 civilians dead in Papua military operation

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.