The complexity of the problems that occurred to the people of West Papua is a form of colonialism and imperialism in West Papua.
The right to self-determination for the Papuan people must be fought to break the chain of oppression.
Historical Notes of Colonialism and Imperialism in West Papua
The historical facts of West Papua show that since the inception of the Republic of Indonesia, West Papua has been Indonesian territory. The following is the history of colonialism and imperialism in West Papua:
1. Institutions of Colonialism in West Papua
The complexity of the problem and the types of misery that befell the Papuan people are a form of colonialism and imperialism in West Papua.
All economic, social and political inequalities in West Papua are the biological children of the imperialists.
In colonizing the territory of West Papua, Indonesia used a method that was more or less similar to its experience as a victim of colonialism.
For nearly two hundred years, regions in Indonesia experienced periods of violence from the practices of Dutch colonialism.
The practice of violence in controlling colonial lands is referred to as repressive colonialism. Apart from the Netherlands, several European countries, such as Spain and France, implemented this form of colonization.
2. Give Birth to Various Problems
The first Aliena of the 1945 Constitution’s Preamble reads, “That independence is the right of all nations, and because of that, colonialism and imperialism in West Papua over the world must be abolished because it is not by humanity and justice”.
However, exactly 18 days after West Papua’s independence, the Indonesian government reneged on its Constitution’s Preamble.
After more than half a century of these events had passed, Indonesian colonialism over Papua gave birth to various problems.
Today, Papua is the region with the poorest population in Indonesia, even though they live in the most natural resource-rich area in the world.
With the argument “Unity in Diversity”, the Indonesian government plunged its dirty Garuda claws into the land of Papua while killing and throwing the West Papuan people into prison for those who tried to resist.
3. There is No freedom of Expression Yet
However, people still need to express their opinions publicly and vice versa.
The state, in this case, the government and its apparatus (law, TNI-POLRI), have acted beyond the limits of human rights and have violated the 1945 constitution as West Papua history.
Not enough of that, the activists were hunted down and arrested.
Under the law of a bourgeois state controlled by an oligarch, Papuan and pro-democracy activists such as Surya Anta Ginting and five other Papuan activists were arrested on suspicion of treason.
Furthermore, the authorities also targeted the legal assistant who advocated for Papuan and pro-democracy activists.
Veronica Koman, who conveyed information objectively, was criminalized and named a suspect accused of being a provocateur.
4. Trade Monopoly
Capitalism came into contact with the Papuan people in the 15th century through European mercantilism. Although mercantilism has grown to a modest size in the coastal areas of Papua, most people’s livelihood patterns have remained the same.
5. Papua in the Eyes of Colonialism
By looking at historical facts from time to time, all forms of colonialism and imperialism in West Papua have left puddles of wounds for the Papuan people. In the Dutch colonial era, the Papuan people were always considered third-class.
Reflecting on Edward Said’s oriental ideas, the Dutch colonialists were orientalists from Western countries who always regarded the East as an ‘other nation’ that was irrational, primitive, inferior, and believed in superstitions.
It is inversely proportional to European nations considering themselves more rational and advanced and becoming a benchmark for ‘civilized nations’.
For example, during the colonial period, which coincided with the mission of spreading religion, people were forced to submit to church norms and dogmas when some cultural practices and concepts contradicted church teachings.
6. Culture is Endangered
In addition, by considering themselves as a nation that has the knowledge and scientific authority, orientalists conduct research and then write and publish it to the public with the aim that the Western world can understand the Eastern world.
They also imagined various rules to discipline local people regarding work, education, and religious life. As a result, Papuans feel uprooted from their cultural roots and feel their local identity is threatened.
The Dutch colonialists who had left the Cenderawasih land in 1944 did not guarantee the Papuan people’s independence various claims about the history of the integration of the West Papua region.
7. Dutch Colonial Education
When colonizing West Papua, the Netherlands played little role in developing education. It is mostly done by Missions and Zending, which carry out services for christianization through the church’s social works as West Papua history.
Meanwhile, modern education in the style of the Dutch government began to be built in West Papua in the 1940s. Around 1942, at that time, Japan controlled all of Asia (the ideals of Greater Asia), including occupying Indonesia.
West Papua, as an area close to the Pacific islands, became a strategic area for Japan to fight the Allies. As part of the allies, the task of the Netherlands is to repel Japan.
8. The Joining of West Papua to Indonesia
After the proclamation of Indonesian independence, the Dutch wanted to regain control of the archipelago. However, the attempt failed. The Dutch then entered West Papua in the early 1950s.
The issue of West Papua was discussed at the Round Table Conference (KMB) in The Hague in 1949. It then made Indonesia struggle to save West Papua from Dutch colonialism. In the 1960s, West Papua finally officially joined Indonesia after a referendum.
However, this is not the case with Papua New Guinea which is not a Dutch colony. When West Papua joined Indonesia, Papua New Guinea was still under Australian rule.
Thus, the different history of colonialism is why Papua New Guinea is not included in Indonesian territory.
You must know The various explanations above about the history of colonialism and imperialism in West Papua.
