MoU on Humanitarian Pause: Signed and then cancelled, 'playful efforts' to resolve Papua conflict

The decision of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) not to proceed with the Humanitarian Pause memorandum of understanding (MoU) will make the peaceful road in Papua longer and more tortuous, claimed Beka Ulung Hapsara.

Beka, a former Commissioner of Komnas HAM for the 2017-2022 period, added that the decision would also affect the trust of the Papuan side in Komnas HAM and other institutions in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, members of the Papua Peace Network said that the series of processes from signing to canceling the MoU on Humanitarian Pause showed the efforts of the government and related institutions that were "messing around" in solving problems in Papua.

The Papuan Council of Churches (DGP) and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) have expressed disappointment over the move to revoke the MoU by Komnas HAM.

The Joint Humanitarian Pause (JKB) was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, November 11, 2022, by the then Chairman of Komnas HAM Ahmad Taufan Damanik, Chairman of the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) Timotius Murib, and the ULMWP.

The agreement also included representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board, and the National Police Security Intelligence Agency, as observers.

However, on Thursday (09/02), Komnas HAM decided not to continue the agreement in the MoU.

Four reasons the Humanitarian Pause was not continued

The Commissioner of Komnas HAM for the 2022-2027 period agreed not to continue the Humanitarian Pause MoU agreement signed by the previous commissioner (2017-2022 period) with the Papuan Council of Churches (DGP), the Papuan People's Assembly, and the ULMWP.

Komnas HAM Chairman Atnike Nova Sigiro said the decision was taken because the MoU on Humanitarian Pause initiative was more appropriately carried out by parties involved in the conflict.

"So that Komnas HAM is not in a position to continue the agreement contained in the MoU on Humanitarian Pause," Atnike said in a press statement.

Another consideration, said Atnike, is that the process of the MoU initiative on Humanitarian Pause is not aligned with the procedures and decision-making mechanisms at Komnas HAM.

However, he continued, Komnas HAM remains open to humanitarian dialogue efforts to encourage a more conducive human rights situation in Papua.

What is the content of the MoU on Humanitarian Pause?

The Memorandum of Understanding on the Joint Humanitarian Pause (JKB) is a form of commitment to create conducive conditions for the stages of the peace talks process in Papua, through the implementation of humanitarian guarantees.

These guarantees include guarantees of security and immunity, handling the humanitarian situation of refugees and prisoners and prisoners, and expanding actors in the process of exploring peace talks.

Then it was also agreed to establish a Humanitarian Pause team, as well as implementation and communication in order to encourage a peaceful resolution of the prolonged conflict in the land of Papua.

The MoU, signed in Geneva, Switzerland, November 11, 2022, aims to carry out three efforts, namely providing humanitarian assistance to civilians trapped in areas of armed conflict and civilians displaced by armed conflict.

Second, ensuring the fulfillment of the basic rights of prisoners and prisoners. And finally, the cessation of hostility and violence.

One of its derivatives is the creation of a "humanitarian corridor" intended to distribute humanitarian aid and reach out to civilians in conflict-confined Papua, especially in the Maybrat Regency area.

'The road of peace in Papua becomes longer'

However, the decision was criticized by former Komnas HAM Commissioner for the 2017-2022 period Beka Ulung Hapsara.

He said the move would make the road of peace in Papua longer and more winding.

"And, the decision to revoke the memorandum of understanding on Humanitarian Pause will affect the trust of the parties involved in the process as well as other key figures in Papua to Komnas HAM and of course the work of institutions in Papua," Beka said.

Beka emphasized that the main consideration of the MoU was to stop or reduce the number of violence in Papua with the DGP, MRP and ULMWP as the initial initiators.

"The main capital of the MoU is the trust of the parties, especially from Papuan friends. It's not easy to gain their trust to be able to sit in a table, have a dialogue until they agree... before the dialogue between Papua Jakarta was carried out. This must then be considered together," said Beka.

'Playful' attempts

Behind the polemic that occurred at Komnas Ham, member of the Papua Peace Network, Adriana Elisabeth said, the process of formulation, signing, and cancellation of the MoU on Humanitarian Pause was a form of efforts by the government and related institutions to "mess around" in resolving the conflict in Papua.

"From the beginning I felt that the process was wrong and awkward. It has not been implemented and is now unilaterally revoked. It's like playing around, if you want to design something in a conflict area, you have to be serious, don't try it," said Adriana.

Adriana gave an example, the position of Komnas HAM which represents the government in the negotiation process with the ULMWP. In fact, he said, Komnas HAM is limited in authority, focusing on handling problems related to human rights.

"The authority (Komnas HAM) somewhat exceeds here. If the MoU signs and must be followed up with a Humanitarian Pause, Komnas HAM has no authority? Therefore, it must be part of the conflict resolution process," said Adriana.

"If it's just proposing, it's okay, and there is no need for the signature of the MoU. The signature is that a special team was set up by the government so that it could be acted upon. So it does not violate the authority of Komnas HAM," he said.

Seeing the "playful" move, Adriana said, "there is nothing else to be trusted to break through with a peaceful approach in Papua".

ULMWP: 'We are very disappointed'

Executive Director of ULMWP, Markus Haluk said he was disappointed with Komnas HAM's decision to withdraw from the MoU on Joint Humanitarian Relief (JKB).

For the ULMWP, Markus said, the MoU is the result of a series of sincere efforts to pave the way for peace, through the provision of guarantees of safety and impunity as well as activities that build trust between the parties.

"Now we are very disappointed because although our efforts and compliance with the JKB MoU are very consistent, unfortunately Komnas HAM and related institutions within the Government of Indonesia have not shown any commitment to this agreement," said Markus.

"We urge Komnas HAM and relevant agencies of the Government of Indonesia not to turn to the peace struggle and stick to its commitments in paving the way to peace and justice negotiations in the Land of Papua," Markus said.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army - Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) Sebby Sambom assessed that the MoU was a form of futile efforts.

"We can't make something impossible happen. It's a waste, a loss of time, and a cost. Nonsense is an MoU, a wasted effort," Sambom said.

Sambom emphasized that the MoU process did not involve the TPNPB-OPM who rejected the plan from the beginning.

"The ULMWP was formed in 2014, and we joined only until 2016 after they claimed the president, and the House and others. Since 2017, we've broken up our relationship, gotten out of it," Sambom said.

Papuan Council of Churches: The MoU gives us hope

Expressions of disappointment were also conveyed by the Papuan Council of Churches (DGP) for the steps taken by Komnas HAM.

DGP moderator Pastor Benny Giay said that Komnas HAM did not carry out the mandate they had agreed upon.

"We are actually very disappointed because for us, the Humanitarian Break is one of the steps that can give us hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Papua," said Benny.

Benny said that over the past three years, the central government has taken an authoritarian and repressive security approach in resolving conflicts in Papua.

"From the Makassar court ruling that acquitted accused human rights violators in Papua, the handling of violence in Dogiyai, to around 67 thousand refugees in Nduga, Intan Jaya, Puncak Jaya, and others."

"It all shows that the government is too obsessed with handling Papua aggressively and authoritarianly with its security approach. In addition, the expansion of new autonomous regions, so attention to this issue [humanitarian MoU] is not seen as a priority," he said.

Regarding the disappointment, Komnas HAM Commissioner Anis Hidayah said, "We assume that Komnas HAM will invite the wider parties in Papua to build humanitarian dialogue efforts."

"So not just on one particular group but the broader side. This is an effort that we will make as soon as possible," said Anis.     King Eben Lumbanrau (BBC News Indonesia)

Indonesia 6 magnitude earthquake hits Talud Islands

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck the Indonesian islands of Talud on Saturday morning. To date, no injuries have been reported.

Authorities in Indonesia on Saturday announced a magnitude 6 earthquake near the northern Talud Islands.

Indonesian Meteorological Agency (BMKG) said in a tweet that a magnitude 6 earthquake struck on Saturday morning at a depth of 11 kilometers off the coast of the Talud Islands.

"The earthquake is unlikely to cause a tsunami," she said.

The agency did not immediately indicate casualties or material damage from the quake.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire where tectonic plates collide.