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Papuan group suspected of shooting Catholic layman Note given to priest allegedly by separatists claims victim was an Indonesian police informer Boni Bagau’s death on Jan. 30 follows that of Rufinus Tigau (pictured), who was killed on Oct. 28 last year by troops who claimed he was part of a separatist group. (Photo courtesy of Father Marthen Kuayo) A separatist group in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua has claimed responsibility for the murder a Catholic layman, according to a local priest. The group, known as the KKB, purportedly shot dead Boni Bagau, a parishioner from St. Michael Church in Bilogai, a village in Intan Jaya district, on Jan. 30 after accusing him of spying for police and the military. ....
Free West Papua January 18, 2021 Following the announcement of a Provisional Government of West Papua and rejection of Jakarta’s “Special Autonomy” renewal, the Indonesian state has pursued its strategy of aggressive arrests and violence against peaceful demonstrations for independence. ULMWP Chair Benny Wenda was named interim President of the Provisional Government on December 1, 2020, as the Papuan people roundly rejected renewal of the failed 2001 Special Autonomy law. Highlighting the vast resources the Indonesian state is dedicating to crushing dissent over renewal of ‘Special Autonomy’ across West Papua, a large convoy of heavily-armed police vehicles was photographed heading toward demonstrations in Manokwari on January 11, 2021. ....
Indonesian soldiers stand guard during a protest in Timika, Papua province on August 21, 2019 [File: AP/Jimmy Rahadat] On October 28, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Indonesia as part of a five-country tour of Asia focused on strengthening ties amid ongoing tensions with China. A day after his arrival, an independent humanitarian team, consisting of several religious leaders, academics, and humanitarian activists in Papua, announced that it had found evidence that Yeremia Zanambani, a pastor in the region of Intan Jaya, Papua, had been allegedly shot, stabbed and ultimately killed by an Indonesian soldier. On November 2, Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission further said that the soldier had allegedly tortured Pastor Yeremia in an attempt to extract information about an armed criminal group in the area. ....
Papuan priests call for peace, criticize Indonesian bishops More than 100 indigenous clerics sign Human Rights Day statement condemning violence, church silence in restive province Ryan Dagur, Jakarta Updated: December 11, 2020 07:56 AM GMT Trending Father John Bunay (right), reads out a statement on Dec. 10 signed by more than 100 Catholic priests in Papua calling for an end to violence and to demand Indonesian bishops pay serious attention to the problems of Papuans. (Photo: YouTube screenshot) More than 100 Catholic priests in Papua have called for an end to violence and called on bishops to do more to help address the situation in Indonesia’s restive easternmost region. ....
WEST Papuan Christians have condemned a rise in Indonesian state violence which has seen an escalation in the killing and wounding of religious figures over the past few months. It is thought that West Papua’s religious community is being targeted for voicing opposition to the Indonesian occupation of the territory and advocating a referendum on independence. In August 58 priests rejected Indonesian plans to extend the Special Autonomy law which is due to expire early next year. An open letter published by the West Papuan Council of Churches urged President Joko Widodo to meet with Papuan independence groups and opposed further militarisation. ....