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Experts push for dialogue with central government
Dialogue should be the top priority in seeking solutions to misperceptions between Papua and the central government, a recent conference concluded
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ialogue should be the top priority in seeking solutions to misperceptions between Papua and the central government, a recent conference concluded.
The recommendations were part of a declaration read out during the closing of the conference on Wednesday by Papua Peace Network (JDP) coordinator Pastor Neles Tebay, at Cendrawasih University in Jayapura, Papua.
“We have made a pledge to seek solutions to the various conflicts through dialogues between Papuans and the Indonesian government, mediated by a neutral third party,” Neles said.
He said the conference had identified problems to be addressed to bring about peace in Papua, by making improvements related to its economic, environmental, social, cultural, security, law, human rights and political fields.
“I want to underline these [recommendations] were not made to find out who is at fault [...] but more to focus our attention on the real problems — problems that need to be addressed to create a peaceful Papua,” Neles said.
He added that implementing the recommendations was important for the future of Papua.
Earlier, local councilor Ruben Magai demanded that the central government acknowledge Papuan independence on July 1961 as prerequisite to finding a solution to the altercations. “The world knows Papua was once an independent state. The other issue concerns PT Freeport. The first contract was issued in 1967 when Papua was not part of the state of Indonesia.
“Those issues should be addressed first, and only then can we continue life under the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Ruben said.
Researcher Muridan S. Widjojo from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said the result of the conference would be forwarded to various parties in Jakarta so as not to create mutual suspicion.
“That way all parties including diplomats and non-governmental organizations will understand [the problem] well, and help in the next processes,” Muridan said.
The conference proposed five figures to be negotiators for the dialogues with Jakarta and for the mediation to be conducted by a neutral party.
