The West Papua Conflict or Masalah Papua has incurred international attention over many decades since 1960s.
In the process of internationalisation of the West Papua issue, the history of the Indonesian claim to sovereignty over the former Dutch colony triggered debate and interest.
Among the examples includes the Warwick University Recommendations for international response on West Papua.
Read, here:https://www.fljs.org/political-and-constitutional...
Indonesia finally responded to the threat posed by the increasing success, and ability of the people of West Papua to put their case for independence to the international community.
It then defined, and differentiated the independence movement and separatist agenda of indigenous Melanesian Papuans.
The colonial context which legitimated their expression and articulation of Papuan nationalism was shelved, and a new category or measurement was introduced.
Terrorism. This definition led to an all - out military operation targeting the civil society and therefore human rights crisis kicked in.
The West Papua Council of Churches issued a statement to locate the developments in West Papua in the aftermath of its anti - terrorism strategy to quell the independence movement.
Read, here:https://www.facebook.com/106142957823287/posts/424451302659116/
There were three main pillars that constituted the moral position of the Christian churches inside in the light of an escalating humanitarian crisis unfolding in West Papua.
Read, here:https://en.jubi.co.id/armed-conflict-in-six-regencies-in.../
The moral call took into account the injustice done to the indigenous people for decades:
1. THE CONFLICT TPNPB VS TNI/POLICE AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF PAPUAN PEOPLE.
2. UNILATERAL APPROVAL OF SPECIAL AUTONOMY, ORGANISATION OF THE NATIONAL GAMES XX AND PARALYMPICS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOURNING OF THE PAPUAN PEOPLE .
3. INCREASING MIGRATION, ISLAMISATION AND CRIMINALISAITON OF LEADERS IN THE LAND PAPUA
In light of the absence of peace and therefore the resistance by the civilised society in West Papua , the West Papua Council of Churches has taken issue .
This includes to validate the inalienable right to self - determination underpinned by the Gospel and its message of hope for Christians all over the world.
And, Christian churches reinforce the democratic proposition.
The 14 - Points that were declared by the West Papua Council of Churches were as follows:
1. We request the UN Human Rights Council (Human Rights of the United Nations) to come to visit the Land of Papua to see firsthand the situation of the long suffering of the Papuan people over the last 58 years.
2. It is time for the Indonesian government to stop the policy of systemic racism against Papuans which continues to increase.
3. President Joko Widodo should remain consistent in following through on his statement that he made on September 30, 2019, that he was willing to dialogue with pro-referendum group, the United Liberations Movement for West Papua, mediated by a third party, as took place between the Government of Indonesia and GAM (Free Aceh Movement) on August 15, 2005.
4. The implementation of Law Number 21 of 2001 concerning Special Autonomy for Papua has failed to be implemented in Papua for 20 years. Therefore, we firmly reject the ratification of Law No. 02 concerning Special Autonomy Volume II, because this Law is a one-sided policy of the Government without seeing the Papuan people as the address of Papua’s Special Autonomy.
5. We have witnessed the government’s systematic, massive and collective efforts to promote Islamization projects in Papua, a land where 99% of Papuans are followers of Christ. The Government, TNI/Police, and the Political Elites must stop all ambitions towards Papuans and the identification of Christians as Kafirs.
6. Stop the development of civil infrastructure with the expansion of provinces in Papua. Also, stop also the development of military infrastructure that is massively increasing, the addition of troops that continues to increase in the face of demands and struggles for the basic rights and political rights of the Papuan people.
7. We express our concern over the appointment of the TNI Commander who in the past was involved in special operations in Tanah Papua. We believe that President Joko Widodo has not shown good faith in promoting human rights and democracy in Papua.
8. We ask that Mr. Luhut Binsar Panjaitan stop the criminalization of Mr. Haris Azhar and the Director of Kontras, Fatia Maulidyanti. We also ask that for the sake of humanity that our brother Victor Yeimo and the Free Papuan Political Fighters who are being detained should be released and all charges dropped and we urge the president to fulfill his promise (see point 3 above).
9. We firmly reject the investment and mining exploitation of the Wabu block and other companies in Tanah Papua.
10. We firmly reject the construction of the PT. Freeport smelter in Gresik, East Java Province.
11. Law enforcement officers should stop all efforts to criminalize government civilian leaders in Papua who are fighting for development.
12. Stop the criminalization of the Regent of Timika Regency, Eltinus Omaleng, in connection with the construction of the Kingmi Church at Mile 32 Timika. We as church leaders appreciate Pak Omaleng’s hard struggle and he has donated land and initial funds for the construction of the Papua Kingmi Church.
13. We request prayer support from the solidarity of Christians in Indonesia, Melanesia, Pacific, Africa, Caribbean, European Union, Asia and the United States in resolving this protracted conflict in Papua.
14. May this call remind us to cement the declaration of Papua Land of Peace in order to defend and fight for justice, peace and the dignity of God’s people in the Land of Papua.
In recent weeks, one hundred and ninety-four Catholic leaders from across West Papua also called for an end to military operations in the Indonesian-ruled region.
Read the full story. Here:https://www.rnz.co.nz/.../church-leaders-in-papua-call...
Conclusions.
(1) The moral call from the West Papua Councils of Churches is for repentance in which the higher calling can be heard about the kingdom of heaven.
It is at hand. There are those who cry out in the desert: Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight the way for Him. (Matthew: 2-3)
(2) Church leaders everyday witness the condition of civil society in West Papua, and are still lamenting, grieving amidst escalating conflict. On the one hand, is the fate of the indigenous people who demand for recognition of their political rights including demand for Independence.
And, on the other hand, is the Indonesian Government with the emphasis on protecting the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.
(3) The previous declaration of peace defined in Papua (Papua and West Papua Provinces) as not the absence of war, but a state of mind, was embraced by state officials.
However, the reality has come back to trouble and haunt Indonesia.
(4) The moral appeal of 194 Catholic priests who earlier issued a statement to the international community is testament of the collective responsibility of humanity.
(5) Humanity will be haunted forever for its collective negligence to address the humanitarian situation in West Papua amidst a strong indication of the mission, moral call of duty, of the West Papua Council of Churches.
(6) The suffering of the indigenous people and Christians of West Papua must stop somewhere.
And, the truth is to define the common good and democracy.
(Photo caption: West Papua - Christians and indigenous Melanesian Papuans are sheep that are protected by shepherds, and through the West Papua Council of Churches, the international community was issued a moral call of duty to protect the indigenous Melanesian Papuans from Indonesian government authorities and its military from persecution; West Papua - indigenous Melanesian Papuans demand their inalienable human right to be free from colonial control, which the Christian churches in West Papua support as a gift from God as the only solution to the West Papua Conflict or Masalah Papua; Stability - and the peace the Pacific region wants will be illusive as long as West Papua is still under colonial control)
