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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

West Papua Rebels Urge Indonesia to Open Humanitarian Access for Refugees

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) has requested the Indonesian government open humanitarian access for refugees displaced by the conflict in Papua.
  • TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated they are open to humanitarian efforts and will guarantee access for neutral, independent organizations, particularly under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
  • The group cited a Human Rights Monitor report indicating around 107,039 internal refugees in Papua between 2018-2026 and urged international attention to the affected areas.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) has formally requested that the Indonesian government grant humanitarian access to refugees affected by the ongoing conflict in Papua. Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for TPNPB-OPM, conveyed that the group is amenable to humanitarian initiatives within Papua.

Sambom stated, "If the Indonesian government opens independent humanitarian access to the Papua region, then TPNPB declares its readiness to provide access guarantees for humanitarian organizations that work neutrally, independently, and impartially." The TPNPB-OPM specified that they would only permit humanitarian access under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist those impacted by the conflict and displacement.

If the Indonesian government opens independent humanitarian access to the Papua region, then TPNPB declares its readiness to provide access guarantees for humanitarian organizations that work neutrally, independently, and impartially.

— Sebby SambomSebby Sambom, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson, stated the group's conditions for allowing humanitarian access.

Furthermore, the TPNPB-OPM emphasized the need for international attention and monitoring of the areas housing refugees. They appealed for the opening of safe, independent, and unimpeded humanitarian access, framing it as a state responsibility to protect civilians caught in the conflict. "Therefore, TPNPB requests the Indonesian government to immediately open humanitarian access to Tanah Papua to help the community experiencing displacement due to the conflict that has been ongoing for decades," Sambom urged.

The group referenced data from Human Rights Monitor, which estimates the number of internal refugees in Papua from 2018 to 2026 at approximately 107,039 individuals. The TPNPB-OPM warned that this figure could rise if effective protection measures and conflict resolution strategies are not implemented. They also reiterated their commitment to not targeting places of worship or civilian facilities, adhering to international humanitarian law principles.

Therefore, TPNPB requests the Indonesian government to immediately open humanitarian access to Tanah Papua to help the community experiencing displacement due to the conflict that has been ongoing for decades.

— Sebby SambomSambom urged the Indonesian government to open humanitarian access to address the displacement crisis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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