Papua Jayapura Indonesia 27/11/2025, WorldWartaGlobak. Id
Ambition to Control Papua’s Wealth, Even the Church Becomes a VictimThe ambition to control Papua, rich in natural resources, was deeply rooted long before the 1969 Act of Free Choice (Pepera). Indonesia’s motives are evident through various historical events experienced by the indigenous Papuans, who feel their land and resources are being exploited. Meanwhile, the indigenous people live in suffering, poverty, and marginalization.The harsh conditions stem from a militaristic approach to controlling Papua.
For decades, indigenous Papuans have lived powerless in politics, economy, education, health, and culture.Colonialism continues in Papua, supported by capitalism. Papua’s abundance motivates foreign and domestic powers, with the United States backing Indonesia’s control.
This high-level capitalist politics has claimed victims, including important figures such as UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, who died in Congo in 1961, US President John F. Kennedy, assassinated in 1963, and President Soekarno, who was overthrown in 1965 accused of supporting communists.These leaders were seen as obstacles to exploiting Papua’s natural wealth. Capital owners quickly secured a contract for PT Freeport McMoRan with President Soeharto on April 7, 1967, for mining copper and uranium in Namangkawi/Ndugu-Ndugu (Tembagapura), Timika, Mimika, Papua.
This contract was signed two years before Papua officially became part of Indonesia through the 1969 Pepera, which was conducted under military pressure.Since then, victims continue to fall in the struggle over Papua’s resources, especially around Freeport’s mining area. Conflicts and violence persist, causing many casualties from all sides.
The shooting incident in Kuala Kencana on March 30, 2020, which killed Graeme Thomas Wall, a New Zealand national, and wounded others, is not new.
This humanitarian violence repeats similar past cases.Freeport’s presence at the “mountain of gold” is a symbol of violence, crime, and human tragedy. The victims include the indigenous landowners, civilians, Freeport employees, and security forces in Tembagapura.Tragically, in this spiral of violence, Papuan people, Indonesians, and the global community become victims of a web of lies fueled by Indonesian government-controlled media. A political and economic conspiracy uses security violence at Freeport’s mining site and throughout Papua, from Sorong to Merauke.During Soeharto’s authoritarian regime for 32 years, the military (TNI) protected and secured PT Freeport - Rio Tinto (PTFI), a giant American mining company.Before the MPR decrees VI/MPR/2000 (Separating TNI and Police) and VII/MPR/2000 (Defining TNI and Police Roles), incidents of attacks and shootings on civilians or Freeport employees were rare. After the law separating TNI and Police was enacted, the military withdrew from Freeport security, replaced by Police forces.However, violence and shootings still occurred, allegedly by armed factions controlling Freeport’s mining area. A controversial incident was the shooting of American and Indonesian citizens on August 31, 2002, revealed in Global Witness’s report “Freeport Security Money and Indonesian Security Forces.”Church Figures as Victims of ViolenceMany church leaders and workers have also become victims amid Papua’s conflict.
Events in Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, and elsewhere demonstrate that military operations are blatant crimes.From 2004 to 2020, at least three pastors were shot by TNI troops: Pastor Yeremia Zanambani, Pastor Geyimin Nirigi, and Pastor Elisa Tabuni.On Saturday, September 19, 2020, Pastor Yeremia Zanambani was shot by TNI military in Hitadipa, Intan Jaya. Pastor Yeremia was Chair of the Higher Theology School (STA) in Hitadipa, shepherd of the Imanuel Hitadipa congregation from the Indonesian Evangelical Tabernacle Church (GKII) Papua 3 region, a Bible translator for the Moni language, and a Moni tribal leader.Due to military operations, around seven churches were emptied, with congregations fleeing into the forests.Two years earlier, on December 19, 2018, Pastor Geyimin Nirigi was shot dead by elite TNI troops in Mapenduma District. He was forced to dig a hole behind his house, then shot and burned with kerosene on his body.
The local military spokesman initially claimed Pastor Geyimin was alive, but an investigation by the Papua Human Integrity and Peace Justice Foundation, led by Director Theo Hesegem, confirmed his death at the hands of elite TNI troops.Pastor murders during military operations also occurred in 2004 in Puncak Jaya, just before Independence Day, on August 16. The victim, Pastor Elisa Tabuni from Tingginambut, was previously arrested, handcuffed, and allegedly shot by Kopassus troops led by Lt. Col. Yogi Gunawan.Such acts degrade human dignity.
The church condemns these actions strongly.The deaths of religious leaders deepen indigenous Papuans’ distrust of the Indonesian government. These inhumane acts towards church leaders damage hopes and wound the people’s hearts. This distrust hinders justice and law enforcement for victims.In the case of Pastor Yeremia, this distrust affected efforts to seek justice and truth.
The West Papua Baptist Churches Fellowship (PGBWP) rejected the investigation team formed by Coordinating Minister Mahfud MD, citing lack of independence, as the perpetrators are state apparatuses.
This rejection is understandable, considering Papua’s long history of state investigation teams working non-transparently and seemingly covering up the truth.
The formation of Ministerial investigation teams seems aimed to avoid international pressure and block visits by UN Human Rights Commissioners to Papua.Amnesty International Indonesia recorded 47 extrajudicial killings with 96 victims from February 2018 to September 2020.
These cases include those under investigation, unpublished investigations, no investigation, internal police disciplinary action, customary resolutions, military and criminal court proceedings, and verification processes.
The Indonesian government has failed to fulfill its human rights obligations in Papua. Humanitarian tragedies keep rising, and the state fails to protect its citizens while the perpetrators often are state agents.Source: Dr. A.G. Socratez Yoman
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