The Creating Safer Space project ‘Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua:
Exploring Local Infrastructures and Initiatives’ has disseminated its research to Indonesian military officers. This was part of a training programme on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights facilitated by the National Human Rights Commission.
The Commission invited Delsy Ronnie, the Principal Investigator of the Creating Safer Space project and the Nonviolent Peaceforce Regional Representative for Asia, to hold a presentation on Human Security Aspects in Military Operations. He shared Nonviolent Peaceforce experiences in the Philippines, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Ukraine, and insights from the Creating Safer Space project in Papua. About 20 Indonesian middle-rank military officers from the Navy, Air Force and Army participated in the event.
The officers suggested that Nonviolent Peaceforce bring its experience to Papua, and recommended that it carry out work there to help the government reduce violence. This recommendation requires follow-up, since military decisions have to be made by officers of higher rank. Through this engagement activity, Nonviolent Peaceforce and its partner ICAIOS has influenced actors’ perspectives about violence and the importance of civilian protection in the armed conflict in Papua.
