April 9, 2009: Independence movement blamed for attacks in Indonesia

JAYAPURA, INDONESIA – Devilishly difficult to define, terrorism is a subject that challenges analysts across the globe. How much credence should we give the idea that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter?

I’ve written about this on many occasions: as humans we seem to have difficulty settling on a single definition for the phenomenon of terrorism. The word is used far too often by political entities and individuals to describe any action which goes against what they see as acceptable.

For example, Western vegetable wholesalers were accused by the Turkey’s president in 2019 of spreading terror for their part in raising the cost of vegetables in that country. Really? Vegetables are the weapons of terrorists now?

While this is surely an obvious example of the incorrect use of the concept of terrorism, things become more complicated when it comes to deciding whether a group is terrorist in nature or falls under the label of “freedom fighters“. If you don’t believe that these two categories are easily confused, look at the example of Nelson Mandela who remained on the US government’s terrorist watch list until 2008.

For the record, I have argued that there are two fundamental principles for determining whether an act is terrorist in nature or not: it needs to be a serious act of violence and must be primarily motivated by an ideology.

Today’s featured attack fits my definition of terrorism but many would disagree: let’s just say that it straddles the line.

On this day in 2009

A bombing in Jayapura, Indonesia killed 5 and injured several others while elsewhere 500 militants attacked a police post with bows and arrows and petrol bombs. The attacks occurred the night before legislative elections were to occur in a disputed part of the country known as West Papua which has been agitating for independence for more than half a century.

The police blamed a group known as the Free Papua Organization (OPM) for the attacks though no faction of this fractured organization claimed responsibility.

Months before the attacks we found banners and pamphlets belonging to the Free Papua Organization. The separatist banners called on OPM supporters to cancel or disrupt the legislation elections at every cost.

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen FX Bagus Ekodanto

Those who wish to see West Papua granted independence from Indonesia would likely see the attackers as freedom fighters rather than terrorists. The Indonesian authorities would argue the opposite.

So, is this terrorism or not? Do you see the need for an agreed upon definition now?

Read More Today in Terrorism