Having the heart to hurt the community, OPM’s actions are inhumane and need to be dealt with firmly
By: Loa Murib)*
Incidents of violence committed by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) continue to tarnish the face of humanity in Papua. The incident of killing and burning of civilians in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, is a form of inhumane violence and violates human rights values, so the existence of the OPM needs to be dealt with firmly.
The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) of the Republic of Indonesia, Representative of Papua, considers the actions of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) which carried out the killing and burning of civilians in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, as a form of inhumane violence and violating the values and principles of human rights. . The Head of Representative for Komnas HAM Papua, Frits Ramandey, stated that this action had received national and international criticism, and that his party was paying special attention to this case.
This incident that occurred in Paniai Regency is not the first time this has been carried out by OPM. Various reports state that OPM often commits acts of violence against innocent civilians. The most recent incident, OPM burned down a kiosk and school on May 21 2024, and shot dead a public transportation driver on June 11 2024. This heinous act was carried out under the command of Undius Kogoya, leader of the TPNPB-OPM Intan Jaya region.
The violence carried out by OPM not only damaged property but also caused loss of life and created fear among the community. These acts of murder and arson clearly show that OPM does not care about human rights and human values. They have the heart to injure and kill the people they are supposed to protect.
Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service, Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, said that OPM had committed serious human rights violations. According to him, this cruel and inhumane act against civil society clearly violates serious human rights.
Apart from that, to respond to OPM’s heinous actions, the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations Task Force continues to enforce the law against this group. Head of the Cartenz-2024 Peace Ops Public Relations Task Force, AKBP Bayu Suseno, stated that his party would continue to take legal action against the OPM which disturbed public order and security in Paniai Regency, Central Papua Province.
AKBP Bayu Suseno added that for the last two months, OPM has been actively disrupting public security and order in Paniai. Apart from burning kiosks and schools, they also shot civilians. Law enforcement carried out by the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations Task Force is the National Police’s effort to maintain security in the Land of Papua and ensure that people can live safely and peacefully.
The Head of Representative for Komnas HAM Papua, Frits Ramandey, emphasized that OPM’s violent actions violated human rights principles. Komnas HAM hopes that the Papua Regional Police can carry out the law enforcement process quickly, precisely, honestly, openly and fairly in accordance with human rights principles. According to Ramandey, the perpetrators must be arrested and tried according to the applicable legal mechanisms in order to address public concerns and provide a sense of justice to the victims’ families.
Criticism of OPM’s actions did not only come from Komnas HAM but also from various Papuan community figures. They condemned the heinous actions carried out by OPM and urged the government to take firm action. This brutal and inhumane OPM action is considered intolerable and must be stopped immediately.
The acts of violence carried out by the OPM had a huge impact on the Papuan people. Fear and insecurity are things that residents feel every day. They have to live in the shadow of the threat of violence which could occur at any time. Apart from that, acts of burning and destroying public facilities such as kiosks and schools also hamper the community’s economic and educational activities.
The violence committed by OPM also caused deep trauma for the victim’s family. They had to lose their loved ones suddenly and in a very cruel way. This trauma is not only felt by the victim’s family but also by the entire community who feel afraid and insecure.
The acts of violence carried out by the OPM in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, are a form of inhumane cruelty and violate human rights. Firm and fair law enforcement must be carried out to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this violence. The efforts made by the Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations Task Force must be fully supported to ensure security and order in the Land of Papua.
Komnas HAM and various community figures have condemned OPM’s heinous actions and urged the government to take firm action. Their hope is that the Papuan people can live safely and peacefully without fear of violence. Fast, precise and fair law enforcement efforts are an important first step to providing justice for victims and restoring security in the region.
*The writer is a Papuan student in Surabaya
