Pro-Government Militias
West Papua Militia (Indonesia)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | yes |
| PGM ID Number: | 326 |
| Country: | Indonesia |
| Date formed: | Jan. 20, 2000 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The militia’s formation was initiated by Mr Yurris Raweyai, a Suharto supporter, in 2000 in coalition with Theys Eluay. Many members of Pemuda Pancasila (cf.) were brought into the East-Timor style group. Reports often refer to West Papuan militias as an overarching term. |
| Date dissolved: | Unknown |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | day |
| Details of Termination: | After a period of inactivity, militias were used by the military again between 2006-2009 (eventually second generation). |
| Termination Type(s): | not terminated |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | no |
| Former Armed Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | informal (type 1) |
| Created by the Government?: | yes | Main Creating Government Institution: | military |
| Government Link(s): | person/minister; sub-national government; military (institution) |
| If link to party, name of party: | None |
| Training and Equipment: | yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | no information |
| Shared Personnel: | yes |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | military |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | ethnic; religious; ideology |
| Primary Membership: | nationalist |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | West Papua (Irian Jaya) |
| Force Strength: | [unknown, unknown] |
| Target(s): | unarmed political opposition, government critics; ethnic group |
| Purpose(s): | protect national borders and integrity |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | Papuans (Indonesia) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | given |
| Ethnic Membership: | Papuans (Indonesia) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | given |
| Ethnic Purpose: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | not applicable |
Other Information
| Other Information: | Also known as “West Papuan Army”. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | The pro-Jakarta militia was used to disrupt independence activities similar to militias in East Timor. It was active in operations with the army and its violent behavior was intended to serve as a warning not to implement changes to the structuring of security forces in West Papua. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | unknown |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | In a joint operation with the military, the group shot civilians, burnt down villages and caused people to flee from this violence. It created fear among the population and destabilized West Papua. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | killing |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no information |
| PGM Members Paid? | yes |
| Reasons for Membership: | Former membership in Pemuda Pancasila appears to be a reason for joining the group. Opportunities for looting may have provided material incentives for membership. |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: | The group received military training and weapons from the army. Members were for instance armed with M16s, SS1s or AK47s. |
Organisation
| Organisation: | The group was subordinated to the military and operated with the army and Kopassus. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.