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Papua governor urges government to reconsider terrorist label for armed groups
Papua Governor Lukas Enembe has asked the central government and security forces to review their decision as it might lead to prejudice against Papuans living outside the province.
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Papua Governor Lukas Enembe speaks to journalists after his inauguration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Sept. 5, 2018. (kompas.com/Ihsanuddin)
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apua Governor Lukas Enembe has called on the government and the House of Representatives to carefully review their latest decision to declare armed criminal groups (KKB) in the province as terrorists, arguing it might bring more harm to Papuans in general.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, Lukas said authorities should take into account the potential social, economic and legal impact of the declaration. The label might stir up prejudice against Papuans residing outside of Indonesia's easternmost province and who have no association with KKB.
“The provincial administration believes that labeling KKB as terrorists can trigger a negative psychosocial effect for Papuans living in other regions,” the governor said in the statement.
He urged the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police to thoroughly assess the armed groups’ strength and location so that security forces could avoid arrests or operations that might wrongfully target innocent civilians in the province.
Lukas closed his statement by reiterated the Papua administration’s wish for the central government to tone down its heavy-handed approach in tackling problems in the province.
“We want the security approach to be conducted in a more humane [manner] with exchange of words and ideas rather than bullets.”
Read also: Indonesia declares Papuan rebels terrorists
