ZCZC
BFF-10
INDONESIA-PAPUA-RIGHTS-UNREST
Indonesian forces to blame for Papua killings: Amnesty
JAKARTA, July 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Indonesian security forces are behind
the unlawful killing of at least 95 people in Papua since 2010, with most
perpetrators never held to account, Amnesty International said in a new
report on Monday.
Papua, on the western half of New Guinea island, has been the scene of a
simmering independence insurgency since it was annexed by Indonesia in the
late 1960s.
Political activists and demonstrators peacefully protesting the government
were among those killed in recent violence, as well as residents involved in
non-political gatherings in Indonesia’s easternmost province, the rights
group said.
Not one case has been subject to an independent criminal investigation,
according to Amnesty, which said it spent two years interviewing victims’
families, witnesses, rights organisations, political activists and church-
based community groups.
“Papua is one of Indonesia’s black holes for human rights. This is a region
where security forces have for years been allowed to kill women, men and
children, with no prospects of being held to account,” Amnesty Indonesia
executive director Usman Hamid said in a statement.
“This culture of impunity within the security forces must change, and those
responsible for past deaths held to account.”
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the
report.
Amnesty said 39 deaths were linked to peaceful political activities
including raising the Morning Star, Papua’s banned flag.
Another 56 killings involved excessive use of force by the army or police
and were unrelated to calls for independence.
Some of the violence has been centred on protests against a huge gold and
copper mine owned by US-based firm Freeport McMoRan — a frequent flashpoint
in the local struggle for independence and a bigger share of the region’s
rich resources. President Joko Widodo promised to improve human rights in
Papua after taking office in 2014, but Amnesty says he has not lived up to
his pledge.
It urged the Indonesian government to immediately investigate alleged
killings and rights violations, as well as review tactics used by security
forces.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1033 hrs