OPM’s brutal crimes against New Zealand-born pilots in Papua are evidence of violations of international law and humanity
By: Hugo Steve Momoribo)*
Recently, the international public has been shocked by the tragic incident involving Glen Malcolm Conning, a New Zealand pilot, who was brutally killed by the Papua Liberation Organization (OPM) in the Natural District, Mimika District, Central Papua. The murder has sparked widespread criticism and highlighted the challenges Papua faces in resolving a long-standing conflict.
Glen Malcolm Conning, who works for the Air Space Intan Service, became a victim of the OPM civilisation when his helicopter landed in the Natural District on August 5, 2024. According to Cartenz 2024 Peacekeeping Operation Chief, Brig. Pol Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, after landing, Conning and his passengers were captured by an armed group who then executed him and brought him back to the helicopter, which was burned with it.
This murder is a tragic example of the continuing escalation of violence in Papua. The Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, expressed his deepest condolences to the Conning family and stressed that this act constituted a grave violation of international humanitarian law. The protection of civilians must be a fundamental principle that has always been respected, and targeting and killing civilian populations is an unacceptable act.
A transparent and fair investigation becomes crucial to ensuring that the perpetrators of these crimes are tried and similar acts are not repeated in the future. Forensic examination and autopsy of the victim’s body must be carried out carefully as part of this effort.
The incident also underscores the complexity of the armed conflict in Papua, where civilians are often the victims of violence by various parties, be they armed groups of the state or non-state. Amnesty International Indonesia notes that since the beginning of 2024, there have been five cases of shooting at civilian aircraft allegedly carried out by an armed pro-independence group in Papua. This situation exacerbates the suffering of civilians in the region, who have long lived under the shadow of violence and human rights violations.
As we know, Papua’s pro-independence armed groups, or known as the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), often target civilian aircraft on the pretext that these aircraft are used by the Indonesian military to transport troops and military equipment to the conflict zone in Papua.
However, such acts of violence, including the murder and hostage-taking of civilians, clearly violate international humanitarian principles. Such actions are not only detrimental to individuals who are the immediate victims, but also aggravate the conflict situation and undermine efforts to peace in Papua. Every party involved in this conflict must understand that targeting civilians is a serious violation that is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Not only from the security apparatus, but the entire local community also condemned very harshly how the OPM atrocities, more than they actually reversed the fact by making provocative narration and propaganda that the movement of OPM for the good of the people of Papua.
The other New Zealand citizen hostage, Phillip Mehrtens, since February 2023 by the OPM led by Egianus Kogoya, is also another example of violations of international humanitarian principles. Although these groups claim that they are acting in the struggle for Papua independence, their actions clearly violate the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1979 Convention on Hostage Taking, both of which prohibit torture and inhuman treatment of civilians.
In this situation, it is important for the government to remain focused on law enforcement against perpetrators of violence, while strengthening dialogue and reconciliation efforts in Papua. Increased infrastructure development and welfare in Papua is an important step, but must be accompanied by serious efforts to listen to the aspirations of local communities and find a peaceful solution.
The crimes against Glen Malcolm Conning and other similar cases are a strong reminder that the conflict in Papua requires greater attention from the international community. The protection of human rights must be a top priority in any effort to resolve conflict, and all parties must be held accountable for their actions. The brutal crime that struck Glen Malcolm Conning was a painful tragedy, but it must also be a turning point in an effort to stop the cycle of violence in Papua. Only with firm law enforcement, inclusive dialogue, and commitment to humanitarian principles can we hope to see a more peaceful and stable Papua in the future.
)* Students of Papua live in Yogyakarta
