{"id":1606694,"date":"2024-04-12T11:01:30","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T11:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiapacificreport.nz\/?p=99750"},"modified":"2024-04-12T11:01:30","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T11:01:30","slug":"indonesian-militarys-crimes-in-west-papua-and-the-democratic-solution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2024\/04\/12\/indonesian-militarys-crimes-in-west-papua-and-the-democratic-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"Indonesian military\u2019s crimes in West Papua and the democratic solution"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Sharon Muller of Arah Juang<\/em><\/p>\n On Friday, March 22, a video circulated of TNI (Indonesian military) soldiers torturing a civilian in Papua. In the video, the victim is submerged in a drum filled with water with his hands tied behind his back.<\/p>\n The victim was alternately beaten and kicked by the TNI members. The victim’s back was also slashed with a knife.<\/p>\n The video circulated globally quickly and was widely criticised.<\/p>\n Gustav Kawer from the Papua Association of Human Rights Advocates (PAHAM) condemned the incident and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.<\/p>\n This was then followed by National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial), the Diocese, the church and students.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Cenderawasih\/XVII regional military commander (Pangdam) Major-General Izak Pangemanan tried to cover up the crime by saying it was a hoax and the video was a result of “editing”.<\/p>\n This argument was later refuted by the TNI itself and it was proven that TNI soldiers were the ones who had committed the crime. Thirteen soldiers were arrested and accused over the torture.<\/p>\n The torture occurred on 3 February 2024 in Puncak Regency, Papua.<\/p>\n Accused of being ‘spies’<\/strong>\n
\nThe victim who was seen in the video was Defianus Kogoya, who had been arrested along with Warinus Murib and Alianus Murib. They were arrested and accused of being “spies” for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM), a cheap accusation which the TNI and police were subsequently unable to prove.<\/p>\n