7 Jan 2019

West Papua group's office shutdown sparks fears

7:28 am on 7 January 2019

Fears are growing among the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, as the group faces a crackdown on its offices by Indonesian authorities.

The KNPB said its headquarters in Jayapura and Asmat were shuttered by military and police in December.

On Thursday, commitee members in the Southern city of Timika were forced out of their offices by at least 80 officers.

It will now be used as a joint military-police post.

A police officer in Indonesia (file)

Photo: 123RF

Edo Dogopia, a member of the group based in Timika, said he's afraid other locations in Papua could be targeted as well.

"I am feeling worried because this is our place.

"We are indigenous people but they say you don't stay here, you go to your place. We will not go to anywhere because this is our place."

Mr Dogopia said around 30 KNPB members were camping on the road outside the Timika office and would not leave, despite the takeover.

"We are stay in front of our office but we have intimidation and Indonesian police come and angry to us, but we never come back from our commitment," he said.