Papuan Human Rights : Military Operations

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WAMENA INCIDENT: EVIDENCE OF ARROGANCE By Papua Times Sep 12, 2008, 22:29

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Papua Times
Tuesday, August 12th 2008
WAMENA INCIDENT: EVIDENCE OF ARROGANCE
Jayapura – Indigenous rights celebration in Wamena that led to the raising of the West Papuan Independence flag had caused the death of Opinus Tabuni. Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, President of the Fellowships of the West Papuan Baptist Churches said that the killing of Opinus Tabuni by Indonesian armed personnel was not welcome by all native West Papuans. The shooting incidence has proven that security personnel in West Papua tend to be arrogant and militaristic, said Revd Yoman to the Papua Times.

According to Revd Yoman, the celebration of international indigenous day should be seen from a positive point of view. This celebration was evidence that the native people of West Papua have used democratic ways of celebrating the indigenous day. As a leader in West Papua, I do not accept any shooting that sacrificed the lives of any native West Papuans.

Revd Yoman said firmly that like or dislike, the celebration of the international indigenous day was a legal activity which was celebrated by indigenous people worldwide. Therefore, if the government through the Indonesian Police refused to give permission to celebrate, then, this would raise a question (Why were the people not allowed to do it?).

About the raising of the morning star flag, Revd Yoman explained that a dialog between the government and the Papuan people is the best solution to the Papuan people’s problem. Why the people of West Papua raised the Morning star flag? We need to talk about roots of their problem, he said.

Special autonomy which was considered as a solution up to now has not given any impact to the lives of the native West Papuans. In fact, it destroys the lives of the native West Papuans. “Are there any changes in the lives of the native West Papuans as a result of the special autonomy? If there are, why do people raise the flag? said Yoman. (Reported by Hans B/Yesaya M/DTK)

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