 |
| Moni man, Papua.
© Survival |
'They're still hiding in the forests because the soldiers are in their
village, and if they go back they are scared… the military will just
shoot them.' Papuan Baptist Minister
At least three people, including a tribal Pastor, have been killed in a
military operation in the area around Mulia in the central highlands of
Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya). Up to 6,000 tribal people have
fled to the mountains and forests where they face starvation, too
scared to emerge from their hideouts in case they are shot. At least 23
people are known to have died so far from starvation in the forest. The
highlands have become a 'militarised zone', and access is being denied
to church officials attempting to give aid.
The military operatins is believed to be in retaliation for the earlier
killing of Indonesian road workers, allegedly by the OPM (Free Papua
Movement). However, many believe the killings were staged by militia
supported by the Indonesian military. The Military may be trying to
pressure the new Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to give
up his plan to resolve Papua's conflict through peaceful dialogue. The
military relies heavily on the resource-rich Papua to supplement its
income through the illegal logging, and providing 'security' for the
American and British-owned Grasberg copper and gold mine.
