Jayapura, Jubi – Spokesperson for the Papua Peace Network (JDP) Yan Cristian Warinussy said President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo did not commit to resolving conflicts in the Land of Papua. Jokowi has repeatedly visited Papua without ever showing real steps to resolve the conflict.
Warinussy said that Jokowi’s visit to Papua should offer peace to the Papuan people who have been caught in conflict for more than 50 years. However, Jokowi’s recent short visit to Jayapura Regency on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, was merely ceremonial.
“It is simply unethical if the president comes to Papua only to release his stress when the armed conflict is still going on in Papua. There has just been a premeditated murder accompanied by mutilation of four Papuan civilians, which involved around six Indonesian Military [TNI] soldiers,” Warinussy said via WhatsApp message service to Jubi on Wednesday.
He said Jokowi should prioritize meetings with various groups and stakeholders related to conflict and violence in Papua. JDP assesses that Jokowi tends to ignore the resolution of alleged gross human rights violations in Papua, which is mandated by Papua Special Autonomy Law No. 21/2001.
The Old Papua Special Autonomy Law has provided a clear mandate for the government to establish a Human Rights Court and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a step to resolve conflicts in Papua. “As stipulated in article 45 and article 46 of the Papua Special Autonomy Law,” said Warinussy.
JDP calls on President Jokowi to immediately take the first step in resolving the Papua conflict, by declaring the start of a humanitarian pause in Papua, to start a peacebuilding dialogue. Jokowi was asked to immediately appoint a key figure in charge of preparing the initial steps of dialogue with all groups, both at home and abroad. (*)
