Jayapura, Jubi – The Democracy Alliance for Papua (AlDP) recorded at least 9,205 Indonesian Military (TNI) and Poice personnel were stationed in Papua and West Papua provinces in 2022. AlDP assesses that such placement is related to the division of Papua and West Papua to four new provinces.
Coordinator of the AlDP Administration Division Antoni Ibra, during the launch of the 2022 General Situation Report on Human Rights in Papua held online on Monday, February 27, 2023, said throughout 2022 there were 4,205 TNI members known to be seconded in Papua, and six task forces whose exact number of personnel was unknown. AlDP estimates that the number of TNI personnel seconded to Papua in 2022 reached 7,850 people.
There are also 455 Mobile Brigade (Brimob) members sent to Papua, and at least nine other Brimob squads. AlDP estimates their total number to be at least 1,355 people.
Antoni said it was difficult to ascertain how many personnel were seconded in Papua because neither the TNI nor the Police have clearly announced the figure.
According to him, the security approach taken by the Indonesian government in Papua has always been characterized by sending massive troops to carry out a number of military operations.
“There are military operations other than war, pursuing armed groups, securing border areas,” he said.
Antoni Ibra assessed that although the security apparatus often changed the name of the task force seconded to Papua, there was no change in the way they worked.
“Gen. Andika Perkasa when he became TNI Commander changed the name of the task force from Nemangkawi to Cartenz Peace. However, we doubt there is actually a change in the approach and actions taken that can resolve the conflict in Papua,” he said. (*)
