The Indonesian military no doubt see West Papua as a troubled region. For fifty years the issue of independence has fired the aspirations of indigenous Papuans in what is now Indonesia’s most eastern province. Indonesia says it will not let West Papua go. The presence of security forces – police, military and intelligence is at a premium and they are there as a means of keeping this “rogue” region under control. Its obvious these forces will resort to violence to suppress protest and to silence those who advocate “merdeka” (independence).
Many Papuans see their home as being occupied by foreigners, by those whose culture and religion is different. “We are Pacific people” they say. “They are Asians”. “We are Christian….they are Muslim”. The history of Indonesian rule in 
West Papua is charactised by brutal military operations, human rights abuses and the marginalisation of local communites. And Papuans have had enough. Some say they are “willing to die for the sake of their freedom”.
These observations have developed over many years travelling to the region. I was last in West Papua in early November followed by a visit to Jakarta a few days ago.
A confrontation looms here. Thursday December 1st is the 50th anniversary since Papuan independence was first declared. On that date the “Morning Star” flag was raised besides the Dutch flag as West Papua moved from Dutch colonial rule to a United Nations mandate. That mandate was handed to Indonesia some two years later and history now demonstrates West Papua was, somewhat controversially, incorporated into the Republic of Indonesia in 1969 after a sham “act of free choice”.
Papuans will now gather across West Papua on Thursday December 1st to vent their frustrations and to raise their aspirations for self-determination and independence. Indonesian security forces are ready to brutally suppress such actions.
The Indonesian Communion of Churches, the Indonesian Bishop’s Conference and the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua are deeply concerned about this scenario. These bodies are calling for an end to militarism in West Papua and the withdrawal of excessive security forces. They are advocating for an urgent dialogue between respected Papuan leaders and the Indonesian Government.
I sense a growing concern and uneasiness across Indonesia regarding hightened tensions in West Papua. Many Indonesians are concerned about the rising violence and increasing tensions even if they know little about the actual situation. The Indonesian Government is under pressure and is responding with a proposal for “constructive communication”.
What happens next? Voices must be heard. Alternatives to violence must be sought. The rights of all Papuans must be respected.
So much is at stake here. Rev Gomar Gultom, General Secretary of the Indonesian Communion of Churches, makes a statement to “stop the violence and to immediately set up a Jakarta-Papua dialogue”. Other church leaders voice similar calls.
A lot of work needs to be done here. But time is short. The absence of an effective way forward in West Papua means even more people will die.
To read more about the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua – click here
In the Everything in Common gift catalogue West Papua is one of the featured projects areas where there are wonderful gift ideas for Christmas and other gift-giving occasions
