2) Around 200 Catholic Papuans to attend Pope's service in PNG: Official
3) Police work questioned in bombing case targeting Victor Mambor
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https://www.ucanews.com/news/church-urges-indonesian-govt-to-end-violence-in-papua/106150#google_vignette
1) Church urges Indonesian govt to end violence in Papua
Catholic groups stress it is ‘not only a security issue but a complex humanitarian issue’
UCA News reporter By UCA News reporter Published: August 23, 2024 11:36 AM GMT
The advocacy groups of the Catholic Church in Papua have urged the Indonesian government to protect civilians from violence in the predominantly Christian region.
“Violence in Papua has transformed from sporadic, occasional, irregular incidents into a permanent and structured, ongoing, continuous and widespread system,” they said in an appeal released at a press conference on Aug. 23
The appeal was signed by leaders of the Secretariat and the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Jayapura Diocese, Agats Diocese, Timika Diocese, Franciscan and Augustinian religious groups.
“Until early August 2024, we have noted several concerning things in Papua in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural fields,” the leaders said and added that the violence was causing “psychological wounds” to people in Papua.
The groups stressed that this was “not only a security issue but also a complex humanitarian issue.”
They also urged President Joko Widodo to find a solution to the security problem. The leaders added that the National Human Rights Commission should follow up on reports related to alleged human rights violations that have so far stalled.
Father Alexandro Rangga of the Franciscans’ Secretariat for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation told UCA News that all the bishops supported the final draft of the appeal.
“There are specific problems in various dioceses, but all of them end in the marginalization of the rights of indigenous Papuans,” he said.
In the latest incident on Aug. 20, security forces allegedly shot dead Tobias Silak, 22, and injured Naro Nabral, 17, in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highland Province, triggering protests by local residents.
Global rights group Amnesty International said the security forces and rebels were involved in 236 killings of civilians between January 2018 and June this year.
The church groups deplored the Indonesian government’s attempts to establish political control over Papua through military interventions.
They also pointed to the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, the seizure of customary land and increasing migration of people from outside the region.
The leaders added that the indigenous Papuans are losing hope as "they feel the future is uncertain and their voices are not heard. "
“They do not believe in the promises of the government and feel lied to," they added.
The leaders also urged church institutions not to remain silent. They "must call out the prophetic voice for truth, justice, peace and the integrity of creation," they added.
Of the 4.4 million people in Papua, 700,000 are Catholic, while Protestants are more than three million.
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2) Around 200 Catholic Papuans to attend Pope's service in PNG: Official
August 23, 2024 14:35 GMT+700
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua provincial government announced that around 200 Catholic Papuans would attend Pope Francis' service during his visit to Vanimo, Papua New Guinea (PNG), on September 8, 2024.
Head of the Papua Province Communication and Informatics Office, Jeri Agus Yudianto, stated on Friday that his side is intensifying coordination and consolidation with PNG.
"On Wednesday (August 21), we discussed with PNG regarding preparations for Pope Francis' visits to Vanimo on September 8," he remarked.
According to Yudianto, the meeting discussed the involvement of Indonesian nationals to witness Pope Francis' visit.
"From the meeting, we can inform that more than 200 Catholics have registered through the Jayapura Diocese to attend Pope Francis' visit," he stated.
Yudianto remarked that once the activity concluded, the Catholic Papuans at Vanimo would immediately return to Papua on the same day, considering that accommodation in Vanimo was limited.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Consul General for PNG, Alexander Tangkuman Imanuel, stated that Indonesian border crossers who would attend the agenda must follow the set administrative provisions.
"We are ready to help Catholics to meet the requirements," he noted.
Imanuel then highlighted that his side would also support transportation for Papuan Catholics during their visit to Vanimo.
"Transportation and accommodation in Vanimo are limited. We must seek a solution for this," Imanuel stated.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Vanimo, PNG, on September 8, 2024, at around 15:15 local time.
The Pope will also hold a public audience at Vanimo Field without conducting a mass and will make a private visit to Baro Village.
Prior to his visit to PNG, the Pope will visit Indonesia on September 3. On the next day, he is scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
On September 5, the Pope will lead a mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Related news: Pope, Indonesian interfaith youth sign "Jakarta-Vatican Declaration"
Related news: 4,520 Polri personnel to secure Pope Francis visit
Related news: Pope Francis praises Indonesia's national brotherhood, says envoy
Translator: Qadri Pratiwi, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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3) Police work questioned in bombing case targeting Victor Mambor
The case of Papuan journalist Victor Mambor, who was the victim of a Molotov bomb attack in early 2023, continues to be a source of controversy and concern. Despite multiple attempts to seek justice, the perpetrators of the attack remain at large.
The investigation into the incident has been plagued by delays and setbacks. In July 2024, a pretrial application filed by Mambor’s legal representatives was rejected by the Jayapura District Court, citing a lack of evidence to identify the perpetrators. This decision has sparked outrage among human rights activists and journalists, who argue that the police have not conducted a thorough investigation. (See Suara papua/ Gusti image of pretrial hearing at the jayapura District Court on 8 July 2024)
Gustaf Kawer, Director of the Papua Human Rights Advocates Association (PAHAM), has been vocal in criticising the authorities’ handling of the case. He has accused the police of “trivialising” the incident and failing to take it seriously. Kawer has called for the involvement of a special counter-terrorism unit to handle the investigation.
The case has also highlighted the ongoing threats faced by journalists in Papua. Mambor’s attack is just one example of the violence and intimidation that journalists in the region often endure. Human rights organisations have expressed deep concern about the safety of journalists in Papua and have called for greater protection for them.
As the investigation into Mambor’s case continues, many fear that justice may never be served. The ongoing delays and setbacks have raised questions about the commitment of the authorities to bringing the perpetrators to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists and human rights activists in Papua, and the urgent need for greater protection and accountability.
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