On March 22nd, The Indonesian military (TNI) arbitrarily arrested and tortured a West Papuan civilian named Yusuf Sory following a gunfight with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Sory Village, Maybrat Regency. Mr Sory’s whereabouts are currently unknown and he is feared dead.
The video inset shows a clearly terrified Mr Sory tied to a tree, being interrogated and beaten by Indonesian soldiers. Enforced disappearance and torture are a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the ICC.
The torture incident has prompted a renewed humanitarian crisis in Maybrat Regency:
- All activities have come to a standstill
- Residents are unable leave their homes
- The community has gone without food for 24 hours
Comment from ULMWP Interim President Benny Wenda:
“The ULMWP condemns the evil and cruel actions committed by the occupying military in Maybrat. Indonesia is a member of the UN but is a criminal and a murderer in West Papua. These incidents have happened for sixty years but only now, because of social media and citizen journalists, can the world see what life is really like for West Papuans. Indonesia must immediately withdraw their soldiers from Maybrat. This incident shows how urgently West Papuans need the visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which Indonesia has refused for seven years. If Indonesia continues to refuse, they must suffer severe diplomatic consequences.”
