PAPUAN churches have called out the Indonesian government for institutionalised racism in its handling of West Papua’s 59-year struggle for self-determination.
The claim by the Papua Church Council centred around Jakarta’s handling of protests in Surabaya last year and the ensuing attacks on Papuan students, hostels and villages by pro-government militia supported by security forces.
In a letter to President Joko Widodo, the church leaders said racism and inequality had “grown and become entrenched” after implementation of Special Autonomy Act 21 of 2002, culminating in race riots in Semarang, Malang and Yogyakarta in August 2019.
The council said the Special Autonomy Act 21 had been implemented instead of granting Papuans an act of self-determination or addressing four critical points – The history and political status of the integration of Papua into Indonesia; State violence and gross violations of human rights which have taken place since 1965 and have yet to be resolved; Discrimination and marginalization of indigenous Papuans in their own land; Development failures including education, health, and the economy of the people of Papua.
And the council called on the Indonesian government to immediately solve the four root problems.
The letter went on to reiterate calls made by the council to the government in August and September 2019:
1. We ask for justice from the government of the Republic of Indonesia to resolve the Papua problem in the same way that Indonesia has shown for GAM in Aceh. Vice President Yusuf Kalla played an active role in supporting dialogue with GAM which was mediated internationally. Therefore, we demand that the Indonesian government dialogue with ULMWP mediated by neutral third parties. (Contents of Letter dated August 26, 2019)
2. We urge the Indonesian Government to immediately open itself to negotiations with ULMWP as it did with GAM in ACEH making them a negotiating Partner with mediation provided by a third party; This is the only and best solution to bring about a permanent peace in the Land of Papua, and is in accordance with the Pastoral Appeal which on August 26, 2019 was read and submitted directly to the Commander of the Indonesian Army (TNI) and the Indonesian Police at the Swiss-Bell Hotel Jayapura. (Contents of Letter dated 13 September 2019).
The letter was signed by Pastors Andrikus Mofu (Gereja Kristen Injili or Evangelical Christian Church), Dorman Wandikbo (Gereja Injili di Indonesia or Evangelical Church in Indonesia), Benny Giay (KINGMI or Gospel Tabernacle Church) and Dr Socratez Yoman of the Fellowship of Baptist Churches. Two churches – GKI and KINGMI – are full members of the Pacific Conference of Churches. GIDI and the Baptist Fellowship have applied for membership.
“The demands of all the people of Papua to independence from the Indonesian State, were met with military and police violence by the Indonesian government which caused casualties on the part of the people of Papua,” the leaders wrote.
“The 2001 Special Autonomy Act contained articles which provided guarantees and hopes for the people of Papua.”
Those guarantees were: Protection, recognition of the rights of Indigenous Papuans, empowerment and affirmative action. There was also an agreement for local parties to be formed, the setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and permission to fly Papua’s Morning Star Flag.
But the leaders said the action had failed, leading to deep disappointment and anxiety among Indigenous Papuans.
“During Special Autonomy many Indigenous Papuans were killed at the hands of the security apparatus (Army and Police) and the perpetrators have never been prosecuted to get justice for the victims’ families.”
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