On behalf of the West Papuan people and the ULMWP, I demand that Indonesia immediately cease their military operations in Pyramid, the village in which I grew up. They must withdraw their troops and leave the people there to live in peace.
In the last week I have received video and testimony from Pyramid residents, evidence that the Indonesian military is conducting a campaign of intimidation and harassment against the village.
For me, watching the video brought back memories of when Pyramid was targeted during the Baliem Valley genocide in 1977. Tens of thousands of people were killed during that campaign; members of my family were raped and executed; and the entire population of my village was displaced across the highlands. My highest priority is to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
I therefore call upon the Governor of Highland Papua province and the Head of Military in Wamena to ensure that the TNI withdraws from the region immediately. Do not visit this place. This is a traumatised village which has already suffered one genocidal attack within living memory. There are elders still living there who survived the 1977 attacks, during which people were subjected to unspeakable torture – burned alive, cut in half, and forced to watch their family members being raped. I know because I too suffer from this trauma.
Pyramid is a peaceful place. Indonesian military harassment is designed to spark conflict and create a pretext for further operations down the line. I demand that it stops immediately and that the military withdraw from the highlands, allowing all refugees to return to their homes.
Benny Wenda
Interim President
ULMWP
