File image: a Papuan man (right) in traditional clothing and face painted with the banned Morning Star flag stands next to a policeman during a demonstration demanding a referendum on independence in Yogyakarta on 1 December 2023. Photo: AFP / Devi Rahman
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims more than a dozen civilians have been killed in the Papuan highlands, including three men who were allegedly tortured and a woman who was allegedly raped.
However, the Indonesian government has dismissed the accusations "baseless".
Indonesian soldiers conducted a military operation in Soanggama village, Intan Jaya, on 15 October.
ULMWP president Benny Wenda said 15 civilians were killed, and the women who was allegedly raped fled from soldiers and drowned in the Hiabu River.
A spokesperson for Indonesian embassy in Wellington said the actual number was 14, and all those killed were members of an armed criminal group.
The spokesperson described the alleged torture and rape as "false and baseless".
"What Benny Wenda does not mention is their usual ploy to try to intimidate and terrorise local communities, to pressure communities to support his lost cause," the spokesperson said.
The ULMWP also claims four members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in drone bombings in Kiwirok on 18 October.
Benny Wenda said four members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed in drone bombings in Kiwirok on 18 October. Photo: Free West Papua campaign
According to the Indonesian embassy spokesperson, those killed were involved in burning down schools and health facilities, while falsely claiming they were being used as "covert military posts" by Indonesia.
"Their accusations were not based on any proof or arguments, other than the intention to create chaos and intimidate local communities."
The spokesperson added the Indonesian National Police and Armed Forces conducted measured action in Kiwirok.
West Papua Action Aotearoa spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said Indonesia's military has become more active since President Prabowo Subianto came into power in October last year.
"The last year or so, it's depressing to say, but things have actually got a whole lot worse under this president and a whole lot more violent," Delahunty said.
"That's his only strategy, the reign of terror, and certainly his history and the alleged war crimes he's associated with, makes it very, very difficult to see how else it was going to go."
Delahunty said the kidnapping of New Zealand helicopter pilot Phillip Mehrtens in 2023 also triggered increased military activity.
Meanwhile, a video taken from a primary school in Jayapura on 15 October shows children and staff distressed and crying after being tear gassed.
The Indonesian embassy spokesperson said authorities were trying to disperse a riot that started as a peaceful protest until some people started to burn police vehicles.
They said tear gas was used near a primary school, where some rioters took shelter.
"The authorities pledge to improve their code and procedure, taking extra precautions before turning to extreme measures while always being mindful of their surroundings."
Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said the level of care using tear gas would have been much higher if the students were not indigenous Papuan.
"If it is a school with predominantly settler children, the police will be very, very careful. They will have utmost care," he said.
"The mistreatment of indigenous children dominated schools in West Papua is not an isolated case, there are many, many reports."
Despite the increased violence in the region, Wenda said the focus of Pacific neighbours like New Zealand and Australia remained on the Middle East and Ukraine.
"What has happened in West Papua is almost a 60-year war. If the world ignores us, our people will disappear," he said.
Delahunty said there had been a weak response from the international community as Indonesia uses drones to bomb villages.
"The reign of terror that is taking place by the Indonesian military, they're getting away with it because nobody else seems to care. If you look at the recent Pacific Islands forums, it's very disappointing, it came up with a very standard statement, like 'it would be good if Indonesia would invite the human rights people from the UN in'.
"We close our eyes, Palestine rightly gets our support and attention for the genocide that's being visited upon the people of Palestine, but in our own region, we're not interested in what is happening to our neighbours."
