Nduga, A Test of National Concern

KOMPAS/FABIO M LOPES COSTA

Refugee children from Nduga huddle together in a house on Monday (22/7/2019) in Walesi district, Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua. Several Nduga refugees fleeing the armed conflict in the region have reportedly died of starvation, with local governments unable to provide food or other necessary aid.

Nduga regency in Papua often appears in the media spotlight, not because of its achievements, but because of conflict.

Coverage on Nduga appeared from Friday (19/7/2019) to Wednesday (24/7) in this daily about the conflict and violence in the area. Since last year, 37 skirmishes have occurred between the joint Indonesian Military (TNI)-National Police (Polri) security force and the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya. At least 23 civilians and 15 security personnel have been killed in the conflict.

The recurring conflict has continued at least for the last seven years and, along with the TNI-Polri security force’s crackdown on Egianus’ armed group, has disrupted regional development and spread fear among local residents. Workers from other regions are reluctant to come to Nduga, where 16 construction workers from PT Istaka Karya, building roads and bridges in the area, were killed or injured through the end of 2018. Early this year, more than 500 families fled into the forest and to their relatives’ homes outside Nduga, particularly to Wamena, Jayawijaya regency.

The plight of the people of Nduga, who have limited resources and food, should urge us to respond as a nation. It has been reported that several refugees, mostly children, have died. School-aged children are not able to continue their education. The condition is growing worse, as the records of the Papua National Human Rights Commission indicate that many health workers and teachers in Nduga have become victims of the armed conflict. The people Nduga are living in increasingly worsening condition and are being neglected.

Anyone who takes civilian hostages and attacks the people in Nduga is inhumane. Protecting civilians, especially those who work in humanitarian aid and development, should be prioritized to help lift the community from these adverse conditions. The Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, including the Additional Protocols of 1977, is an international law that mandates the protection of civilians from all parties in a war.

Moreover, Papua is neither a war zone nor a site of military operations. The 1945 Constitution guarantees the right to life and safety for all citizens. Those who attack civilians can be charged for crimes under either Indonesian law or international law. The TNI-Polri joint security force in charge of enforcing the law must carry out their duties measurably. They can also support humanitarian efforts to help the people of Nduga.

The Nduga regent and Papua governor as the leading public servants in the area, as well as their subordinates, should come to the immediate aid of the people who have become displaced as victims of the conflict. The central government and the Indonesian public can stand in solidarity to help the people of Nduga.

Nduga is a test of our care and concern as a nation.