Indonesia needs new approach in Papua: Experts

Indonesia must change the way it handles problems in Papua if the nation wants the international community to respect its rights over its westernmost territory, say activists and experts.
The longer the problems linger, the bigger the push for separatism, they agreed.
“Indonesia has a chance to demonstrate its political maturity in these matters,” New Zealand lawmaker and Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson Keith Locke said.
Locke added that Indonesia has made greater progress as a democracy and deserved recognition for its achievements and leadership of ASEAN.
“More limited democracy in West Papua, where people are jailed simply for holding the Morning Star flag, does tarnish Indonesia’s image as a democratic country,” Locke said.

The recent leak of Indonesian Army Special Forces (Kopassus)documents obtained by Australian newspapers reveal deep suspicions of free political expression by Papua’s indigenous Melanesian majority, according to Human Rights Watch.
The conference, hosted by the International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) group, outlined the case for self-determination in West Papua.
“The legal case for the self-determination of West Papua is blindingly obvious” Charles Foster of the ILWP said.
The highly debated issue surrounds the Act of Free Choice vote in 1969, where 1000 Papuan leaders unanimously voted to remain a part of Indonesia.
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