A PETITION to the Indonesia has called for the removal of troops from Papua and an investigation into human rights abuses in the territiory.
In a letter to Indonesia’s Canberra-based Ambassador, Uniting Church President, Dr Deidre Palmer called on Indonesia to remove its troops, allow an independent UN investigation into the human rights situation and facilitate an inclusive dialogue towards peace.
The move followed a similar letter top Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Marise Payne.
Dr Palmer outlined the close relationship between the Uniting Church and the churches of Papua before raising concerns over the deteriorating situation in Papua in recent months.
This is Dr Payne’s letter:
H.E. Y. Kristiarto S. LEGOWO
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
8 Darwin Avenue
Yarralumla
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Ambassador,
Re: Concern for the people in Papuan and West Papuan provinces of Indonesia
The Uniting Church in Australia has been in partnership with several Protestant Churches across Indonesia for many decades. We enjoy strong friendships which have led to rich and valuable mutual learning and opportunities to work together, with exchange visits and volunteers.
Today, we have collaborations with the Protestant churches in Bali, West Timor, Maluku and Papua/West Papua on projects that address poverty and equality in their communities. We meet regularly with all our Church partners, and with the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) to strengthen our relationships and express our solidarity as they work for the welfare of all Indonesians.
This relationship with the churches in Indonesia is further strengthened by the large number of Australians of Indonesian origin who are members of the Uniting Church who add to the rich and vibrant life of our church here.
Our partnership with the Gereja Kristen Injili di Tanah Papua (GKI-TP – the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua) goes back over 25 years.
We have been receiving worrying reports from our partners about situations of violence and unrest between Papuans and non-Papuans and write to request that the Indonesian Government strives to restore peace in Papua in a way that seeks to reduce tensions and avoids any unnecessary use of force or the threat of force.
We recognise the complexity of the situation in the Papuan provinces, but in this situation where people are being killed and tensions are escalating, we think it is incumbent on us to speak up for the sake of peace and human dignity.
We wish to raise to your attention the appeal made by the Ecumenical Forum of Churches in Papua, a body made up of four large Papuan churches, including our partner GKI-TP. We attach herewith a full copy of their statement.
I am writing, therefore, to ask that your Government address the situation with urgency.
In solidarity with the churches in Papua, we respectfully request the following:
1. That you reduce the military presence, including those in the area of Nduga and other
areas across Papua. We recognise the need to prevent further violence, but fear the increased presence of soldiers in Papua is further increasing the tensions and the likelihood of violence and deaths.
2. That you pursue an independently facilitated, peaceful dialogue on the future of Papua, with the main objective of a permanent positive peace in the land of Papua which has long been the hope of the people of Papua.
3. That the United Nations are invited to broker discussions, promote peace, and investigate any human rights abuses that may have occurred.
We are very concerned about the current situation in the Papuan provinces, and request that the concerns of the Papuan people are addressed soon, in such a way that further fatalities can be avoided, and the human rights of all people are protected.
We thank you for your consideration of these matters and look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Deidre Palmer
President
Uniting Church in Australia
English 
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