Papua – The separatist group Free Papua Movement (OPM) is allegedly involving children in armed conflict against the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in several remote areas of Papua. These allegations surfaced following the circulation of photos and field reports showing children carrying weapons and wearing military-like attire while accompanying armed groups.
Sources from security forces and local residents in the Central Highlands region confirmed that children were seen at the front lines during OPM attacks on TNI posts. “We found boys as young as their early teens carrying homemade firearms and participating in the group’s military training,” said a security official who requested anonymity.
The incident has drawn concern from various parties, including child protection advocates and human rights organizations in Indonesia. “This is a serious violation of children’s rights and international humanitarian law. Children must be protected, not used as instruments of war,” stated Arist Merdeka Sirait, Chairperson of the National Commission for Child Protection.
According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Indonesia has ratified, the involvement of children in armed conflict is classified as a war crime. The Indonesian government has urged the international community to condemn such practices and pressure OPM to cease all forms of child exploitation.
The involvement of children in armed conflict constitutes a clear violation of human rights. One of the alleged motives behind placing children on the front lines is to use their deaths or injuries as propaganda to falsely portray TNI as aggressors targeting civilians. This tactic is believed to be aimed at manipulating public opinion and discrediting the Indonesian military on both national and international platforms.
