Full investigation needed into Papua protest deaths

Full investigation needed into Papua protest deaths

Indonesia must investigate the shooting deaths of five peaceful protestors in West Papua, says the Pacific Freedom Forum.

A sixth protestor is reported to have died the next day.

"Yet again, Indonesia has failed to provide proper security for its citizens," says PFF Chair Titi Gabi.

"Jakarta must now make up for that failure by mounting a full and independent investigation, as called for by the Papua Peace Network."

PFF is supporting calls from the network coordinator, Rev. Neles Tebay, for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to send investigators from the capital, Jakarta.

The protestors were shot dead at a public protest that arose after police beat a 12 year boy who had been objecting to what was said to be an army truck driving through Enarotali, in the Paniai district, at night with its lights off.

Those deaths on 8th December were just two days before International Human Rights Day on 10th December. Shootings were criticised by a wide range of human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and, in Indonesia, NGO Imparsial.

PFF supports calls from Imparsial for the President to ensure freedom of speech and expression and to resolve human rights cases in the region.

"Peaceful protest is a fundamental human right," says PFF co-Chair Monica Miller, speaking from American Samoa.

"This latest incident confirms the need for Jakarta to stop trampling the rights of its own citizens and take firm action to halt further bloodshed."

PFF is also calling on regional media to pay more attention to human rights abuses in its own backyard.

ENDS

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