IRIN Asia | INDONESIA: Activists urge economic development for Papua | Indonesia | Conflict | Economy | Governance

apua, home to ethnic Melanesians, has experienced a low-level separatist conflict for decades, according to experts.

Critics said the special autonomy status, granted in 2001 as part of Jakarta’s efforts to appease calls for independence, failed to raise Papuans' standard of living.

Ifdhal Kasim, chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights, urged the government not to use heavy-handed tactics in dealing with pro-independence sentiments.

It should instead offer dialogue and address the grievances of the Papuans, including complaints that the government was plundering the region's natural resources at the expense of locals.

“Young people in Papua have political aspirations and repressing them is counter-productive,” Kasim maintained.

The government should improve the monitoring of funds used by the regions, he added.
source... IRIN Asia | INDONESIA: Activists urge economic development for Papua | Indonesia | Conflict | Economy | Governance