Pastor Yeremia became a victim since the military suspected he was involved in a separatist group. His killing was not an isolated case. Two Catholic catechists were also killed in October after being accused of being separatist rebels, a version of events rejected by the local Catholic Church.

Along with the report, Komnas HAM made a recommendation to President Jokowi and the security minister that along with finding the culprits, witnesses should be protected and efforts made to ensure a less security-driven approach to policing the area.

Indonesia’s resource-rich Papua has seen a long-standing conflict between security forces and separatist groups since its absorption into Indonesia in 1969. Beginning in the fall of 2019, there have been a series of protests and clashes between the Indonesian Army and the separatist groups, forcing tens of thousands to flee.

Source: persecution.org

Image: bbc.com