Papua is a quite vulnerable area, because it is often teased by separatists. They use the issue of racial and human rights to attract public attention. In fact, human rights issues in Cendrawasih and law enforcement are getting better, and no civilians are harmed.
Peace in Papua is disrupted by the issue of damaging human rights there. It turned out that the fake news was deliberately blown by OPM and its henchmen, so that people outside Cendrawasih Earth sympathize with them. In fact, there is no such thing as a human rights violation there, because the apparatus and law enforcers carry out their duties properly.
Dr. Filep Wamafma, Chairman of the Special Committee for Papua DPD RI stated that if human rights violations in Cendrawasih Earth, both in the present and in the past, must be resolved. You do this by working with Komnas HAM, so that neither party is harmed. He also asked that Komnas HAM Papua be established. So that later if someone feels that their human rights are taken away, they can complain quickly.
So far, the problem of human rights violations that has been sticking out to the public is still gray, because there are 2 parties who insist on fighting over what is right and what is wrong. For example, when there is news of human rights violations because civilians have been shot and have lost their lives. The public is asked not to get emotional first, but find out the truth.
After being investigated, it turned out that they were shot by an armed criminal group and had the heart to turn civilians into “life shields”. But what happened was that they spread provocation that the people who were shot were victims of the authorities. So we shouldn’t be careless in reading the news, because it could be just hoaxes and propaganda from the OPM.
The OPM also accused the authorities of arbitrarily detaining their members, thereby violating human rights. Even though when they were caught, they were treated properly and questioned carefully. In prison they also carry out activities together with other prisoners, and are not tortured every day. The public must be aware of this OPM provocation, because they always attack the Indonesian government.
In addition, the violations of human rights in question are the contents of the prohibition of the right to associate and assemble. Even before the pandemic, this was never prohibited. It’s just that when people gather and take out bottles filled with liquor, they will be immediately reprimanded by the authorities for violating the law.
Likewise with the statements of some individuals who felt that their human rights were harmed when they were prohibited from gathering during demonstrations. Expressing aspirations is okay, but now it is still a pandemic, so it is strictly prohibited. Moreover, before a demonstration, a permit must be submitted to the police, so that their activities are not dismissed because they are considered illegal.
There are also allegations of restricting access to information that violates human rights in Papua. Indeed, when there is a riot, an attack from the KKB, or a demonstration that is potentially violent, the cell phone operator cooperates with the police. The goal is that the signal is temporarily turned off, so that they fail to communicate and coordinate. This is also legal and has been done several times in other areas.
We need to see human rights as something that is highly respected, but also not overly praised. The reason is because when someone claims their human rights are violated, even though they are the ones guilty of not obeying the rules. Do not let human rights reasons become the camouflage of arbitrary nature.
When there is news of human rights violations in Papua, people don’t get emotional just yet. But investigate the truth and see from 2 sides. The authorities cannot possibly shoot civilians carelessly. In fact, OPM and KKB always play the victim and take advantage of the situation, so that they feel defended by the community.
By: Sabby Kosay) * The writer is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
