The Jakarta Post
Indonesia must carry out “thorough, independent and impartial” investigations into a string of violent incidents in its easternmost provinces, a spokeswoman for the United Nations’ human rights office has said. Tensions in the provinces of Papua and West Papua have risen in recent months amid altercations between security forces and armed rebel groups, some of which have ended in violence and death. A slew of alleged killings involving minors in recent weeks has stoked fears among local residents, especially ahead of West Papua’s self-proclaimed independence anniversary on Dec. 1, which the Indonesian government does not recognize. The Southeast Asian branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concern over the escalating conflict in the restive region. "We are disturbed by escalating violence over the past...