Nine reportedly arrested in Biak and Supiori for rejecting Special Autonomy
Nine reportedly arrested in Biak and Supiori for rejecting Special
Autonomy
Suara Papua – January 8, 2021
Jayapura — Several people from villages in Biak and Supiori, Papua,
were reportedly arrested between January 4-7 by a joint unit of TNI
(Indonesian military) and Indonesian police (Polri) without arrest
warrants.
Based on information gathered by Suara Papua, the individuals were
picked up on the grounds that they were involved in protest actions
opposing the extension of Papuan Special Autonomy (Otsus), which will
expire this year.
In addition to this, they were deemed to have supported the declaration
of a provisional West Papuan administration declared by the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) on December 1 last year.
When they were making the arrests, the security personnel claimed they
were acting on the orders of the Biak regent.
Based on reports received by Suara Papua, several local priests and
church staff were also visited and questioned, including the Manwor
village chief.
Manwor villagers say they have been feeling intimidated by joint patrols
by TNI and police from North Biak.
As well as being questioned, the TNI and police officers also asked the
church council to make a statement supporting Papuan Special Autonomy.
The people arrested included three priests who were questioned by the
North Biak sectoral police, one village head, and five civilians who
were arrested and taken to the Sorndiweri district police in Supiori.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was
"Sembilan Orang Dikabarkan Ditahan Aparat di Biak Karena Menolak Otsus
Penulis".]
