Kerusuhan Wamena 2023
On 23 February 2023, a riot broke out in Wamena, Highland Papua when a crowd of Papuans attacked Indonesian security personnel following the arrest of a non-Papuan accused of child kidnapping. In the ensuing clash, a number of buildings were damaged, with around ten civilians and rioters killed. Tens of security personnel and civilians were also injured.
| 2023 Wamena riot | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanggal | 23 February 2023 | ||
| Lokasi | Wamena, Highland Papua, Indonesia | ||
| Pihak terlibat | |||
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| Jumlah korban | |||
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| 2-3 non-rioting civilians killed | |||
Background
Tensions between Indonesian authorities and Papuan locals in the highland regions of Papua had been running high in early 2023, especially following the Nduga hostage crisis.[1] The town of Wamena had previously saw large-scale rioting in 2019 where tens of civilians were killed, mostly non-Papuans.[2] Indonesian authorities had accused armed groups affiliated with the separatist National Committee for West Papua of being behind the 2019 riot.[3]
Course
The riot occurred on 23 February 2023. According to local human rights activist Theo Hasegem, the riot broke out after a misunderstanding between two non-Papuan merchants and a local Papuan child in the Sinakma district of the town resulted in the merchants being accused of kidnapping. Local community leader Gibson Kogoya remarked that the merchants had asked for the child to hop on a pickup truck he used as a kiosk when the child wanted to purchase items, but the child perceived this to be a kidnapping attempt and fled. Accounts from the Indonesian authorities noted that locals had halted the merchants and brought them to the police station, where the involved parties clarified the situation.[2][4]
While the merchants were in police custody, an angry crowd of Papuans gathered,[2][4] at around 12:30 local time (05:30 UTC).[5] Indonesian authorities claimed that a chain message accusing the police of protecting child kidnappers had spread through WhatsApp.[6] When the crowd demanded that the police release the merchants for public questioning, the police refused. Tensions continued to rise and the merchant was evacuated in a riot control vehicle. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, security personnel utilized tear gas, batons and warning shots. The crowd became agitated and a number of shophouses belonging to non-Papuans were set on fire. Clashes then occurred, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.[2][4] It was later reported that fifteen buildings were torched during the rioting.[7]
Aftermath
In the aftermath of the rioting, Indonesian security forces deployed 200 additional personnel to secure the area,[1] including a Mobile Brigade company.[8] By the following day, the situation was described by authorities as "conducive", with no further violence reported.[1][9] They also reported that ten civilians had been killed, while 18 police officers or soldiers had been injured by either arrows or thrown rocks.[10] Out of the ten civilians reported killed by authorities, either seven[4] or eight were reportedly rioters shot by security forces, the rest being non-Papuan civilians killed by rioters.[10] Hasegem reported that nine Papuans were killed,[2] eight of whom were shot. He further noted that most of the killed Papuans had been shot in the head or neck.[11] At least 23 injuries among civilians and rioters were recorded.[12]
Due to the incident, schools in the town were closed the following day.[13] Thousands of civilians took refuge in the local military and police headquarters or places of worship.[2] The police chief for Papua, Mathius D. Fakhiri, initiated an evaluation on the conduct of local police units, and requested that police use a "soft" approach in responding to locals due to heightened tensions.[14]
References
- ^ a b c "Indonesia tightens security in Papua after nine killed in riot". Reuters (dalam bahasa Inggris). 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Rusuh Wamena, 11 Dikabarkan Meninggal". Republika. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Mass Brawl and Riots in Wamena, Papua: The Sign of Separatist Crooks Maneuvre to Make "Color Revolution"". ANTARA News (dalam bahasa Inggris). 30 November 2019. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Kerusuhan di Wamena dipicu isu penculikan anak: 10 korban meninggal – tujuh tewas karena tembakan". BBC News Indonesia. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ Afifa, Laila (24 February 2023). "Clash between Military-Police and Papuan People Kills 9". Tempo (dalam bahasa Inggris). Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Penyebab dan Kronologi Kerusuhan Wamena, Bermula dari Pesan Berantai Isu Penculikan Anak di WhatsApp". Tribunnews.com. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Kerusuhan Pecah di Wamena Dipicu Hoaks Penculikan Anak, 10 Meninggal Dunia". liputan6.com. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Polda Papua Kirim 1 Kompi Brimob ke Wamena Buntut Kerusuhan yang Dipicu Isu Penculikan Anak". liputan6.com. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Sudah Terkendali, Polri: Kondisi di Wamena Kondusif". Berita Satu. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ a b Purba, John Roy (24 February 2023). "Korban Kerusuhan Wamena: 10 Tewas, 18 Anggota TNI-Polri dan 14 Warga Luka". detiknews. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ Purba, Jonh Roy; Mappiwali, Hermawan (24 February 2023). "Aktivis HAM Ungkap Korban Tewas Kerusuhan Wamena Alami Luka Tembak di Kepala". detiksulsel. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Aparat Gabungan Terus Bersiaga di Wamena Pasca-Kerusuhan Tewaskan 10 Orang". Okezone. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Sekolah di Wamena Diliburkan Pasca Kerusuhan". Kabar Papua. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Kapolda Papua minta Propam evaluasi penanganan amuk massa di Wamena". Jubi. 24 February 2023. Diakses tanggal 24 February 2023.