2) Let’s not forget about West Papua
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1) Armed Group Denies Burning Church in Papua
BY :ROBERT ISIDORUS MARCH 19, 2020
Indonesian police prevent a West Papuan protester from approaching the US embassy in Jakarta in August 2019. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
Jayapura. The Indonesian Military and National Police have accused what they call an "armed criminal group," or KKB, of burning down a church in Tembagapura, Papua, on March 12. But a spokesperson for the National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Movement, Sebby Sambom, denied the allegation. "We believe the burning of the church was part of a [political] play by the Indonesian Military and National Police to discredit the National Liberation Army of West Papua and the Free Papua Movement. Burning houses and churches is nothing new for them. It's been their play since the 1960s," Sebby said on Wednesday.
He said the National Police should provide evidence and witnesses to prove the allegation in court. The government must allow an independent team and the National Commission on Human Rights to oversees the investigation in Papua, according to him. Sebby said a fair trial will reveal the real perpetrators of the crime. According to Papua Police's public relations head, Chief Cmr. A.M. Kamal, separatist leader Lekagak Telenggen and other armed groups converted the church into a hideout on Tuesday.
A joint task force from the Indonesian Military and the National Police are now hot in pursuit of the group, who had fled but are still in Tembagapura. "The church was a place for worship and community activities for people in the Opitawak village. The armed group has been spreading terror in the area in the past few weeks. They did not have a place to stay, so they wanted to turn the church into a base," Kamal said.
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2) Let’s not forget about West Papua
20 March 2020 Author Editor
Wale meets with ULMWP rep, reiterates the need for Indonesia to allow for UN Human Rights Commissioner into West Papua
The Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale on Thursday met with the Spokesperson for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Mr. Jacob Rumbiak.
Mr. Rumbiak updated Hon. Wale on the human rights situation in West Papua, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination by West Papuans.
Hon. Wale reaffirmed his clear and strong support for the need for Indonesia to allow unimpeded access to Ms. Bachelet the UN Commissioner for Human Rights to the West Papuan provinces.
Hon. Wale stated that the recent military response to peaceful protests by West Papuans and human rights abuses add to the already serious human rights abuses by Indonesia against West Papuans over many years, and the Solomon Islands must not remain silent on the issue.
“The Human rights situation in West Papua is an issue for the Solomon Islands, as it ought to be for the rest of Melanesian countries and Pacific Islands Forum member countries. Indonesia must not be allowed to buy silence on this matter ”, Hon. Wale Said.
Hon. Wale also said that the issue of human rights abuses in West Papua is closely tied to the issue of self-determination for West Papua. Indonesia continues to suppress the legitimate aspiration of West Papuans for self-determination and refuses to allow for meaningful dialogue on the issue.
“Solomon Islands must stand very clear for the right of West Papuans to decide their own destiny. It is not our place to say whether West Papua should be independent or not – that must be a decision for the indigenous people of West Papua only, and Indonesia must allow a process to determine it.”, Hon. Wale said.
Hon. Wale further stated the sincerity of Indonesian assistance to the Solomon Islands would be tested by Solomon Islands standing clear on these issues.
The Opposition Leader then calls on the Prime Minister to not weaken his stand on these two very important issues for our Melanesian brothers and sisters when the MSG meets next month.
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