Reports coming out of Indonesia detail an escalation of violence and an unconfirmed number of casualties following protests that began two weeks ago in reaction to reports of harassment and racial discrimination towards Papuan students by police in Surayaba. This incident is just one example in a long history of discriminatory treatment and human rights abuses by the Indonesian government against the people of Papua and West Papua.
Executive Director of Land is Life, Casey Box adds, “Based on my personal experience in Papua, ongoing conversations with our partners, and reports developing daily, we know the Indonesian government is ignoring the concerns and demands of Papuans. They are reacting brutally to Papuans’ protests, continuing to propagate and promote racist tropes and biases, limiting their basic human rights, and militarizing radical groups against Papuan demonstrators.”
Land is Life strongly condemns the Indonesian government’s history and current practices of racial discrimination and persecution of Papuans in the country and calls on the Indonesian government to:
- Halt the escalation of violence against demonstrators exercising their right to protest and for the release of all those unjustly imprisoned as a result;
- Immediately open up an authentic dialogue with Papuans about their concerns at the root of the conflict and their aspirations, as well as allow international authorities (namely the UN) to enter the region and evaluate the severity of the human rights violations;
- Restore the internet and cellular channels in the province to allow for the exercise of free speech and stop the denial of these basic human rights for Papuans and all others affected.
Land is Life echoes the concerns of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in her statement made yesterday. Michelle commented, “I have been disturbed by escalating violence in the past two weeks in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua, and especially the deaths of some protestors and security forces personnel…I encourage the authorities to engage in dialogue with the people of Papua and West Papua on their aspirations and concerns, as well as to restore internet services and refrain from any excessive use of force. Blanket internet shutdowns are likely to contravene freedom of expression and limiting communications may exacerbate tensions”.
Land is Life has been partnering with grassroots indigenous partners in West Papua for years. We’re currently proud to support a partnership with YADUPA and stand strongly in support of their work towards fully exercising their self-determination.
